Hey there, Jacqueline!
Welcome to planDisney! You must be so excited to finalize the details of your upcoming visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth. With just a little over a month to go, we aren’t late for a very important date, but we are cutting it close, especially when it comes to dining reservations, so let’s get right to it!
The best place to purchase your 6-day theme park tickets is the Walt Disney World Theme Park Tickets site, but before you head there, let’s go over your options:
- Standard Date-Based Tickets – These allow entry to one park per day, and since they’re date-based, you won’t need theme park reservations.
- Park Hopper Option – My personal favorite! This gives you the most flexibility, allowing you to start in one park and then hop to another. It’s perfect if you want to rope-drop Magic Kingdom, grab lunch in EPCOT, and catch Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios, all on the same day!
- Water Park & Sports Option – This could be a great add-on if you’d like to mix in a day at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.
- Park Hopper Plus Option – Combines Park Hopper with water parks and more for the ultimate experience.
As a guest of a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, you can book dining reservations 60 days before arrival for your entire stay (up to 10 days). Since we’re already in that window, some of the harder-to-get reservations may be gone, but you can check what’s available right now on the Dining Reservations Availability site.
One of my biggest recommendations, especially for first-time visitors, is to avoid overplanning. Leave gaps in your schedule so you don’t feel rushed and can soak in all the magical moments. When it comes to dining, I highly recommend:
- A character dining experience – My favorite? Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, a delicious breakfast buffet with Minnie and friends!
- A themed dinner – Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom is a must-visit for a meal inside Beast’s enchanted castle.
- Snacking around the parks – One of the best ways to experience Disney dining is to graze on small bites throughout the day.
Here are some of my favorite snacking spots:
- Gaston’s Tavern – Warm Cinnamon Roll (ask for extra icing!)
- Aloha Isle – DOLE Whip
- Germany Pavilion – Grapefruit Beer & Pretzel
- Norway Pavilion – School Bread & Viking Coffee
- Woody’s Lunch Box – Lunch Box Tarts
- Ronto Roasters – Ronto Wrap (morning or lunch version!)
- Satu’li Canteen – Customizable bowls & cheeseburger pods for kids
- Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery – Great breakfast options
I hope this helps get you on the right path for an unforgettable Walt Disney World vacation! You know where to find me if you need more recommendations—or just want to chat about what to do first when you arrive.
Brent