Hi Regina,
Welcome to planDisney! I'm glad to hear you're thinking about a spring trip to Walt Disney World Resort. It's a great time to visit as
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is usually in full bloom and the parks feel extra magical with a spring breeze in the air.
I don't have personal experience in booking a resort using Hilton vacation points, but it seems that there are a few
Hilton resorts located in the Disney Springs area that fall under the
Good Neighbor Hotel umbrella. You'll have to confirm availability and eligibility for using your points at these properties, but unfortunately, you won't be able to add a
dining plan to your resort reservation. I reached out to a Cast Member who confirmed that this option is only available for eligible reservations at
Disney Resorts Collection hotels. You'll still be able to
dine in the middle of the magic, you'll just have to do so a la carte for each meal. Be sure to
make dining reservations 60 days in advance if you have your heart set on a particular dining experience. My family loves booking a character meal on our departure day to keep the magic going (and our bellies full) all the way home.
When it comes to
theme park tickets, you can purchase those now with or without a resort reservation. Simply choose your desired number of days, start date, and whether you'd like to experience 1-park per day or opt for
Park Hopper Option tickets. I prefer to spend a full day in each park, but often park hop on shorter visits so I can still experience all 4 parks. Since you'll be visiting after January 9, 2024, you won't have to worry about making
theme park reservations when purchasing date-based tickets.
If you need suggestions for park itineraries or dining reservations please don't hesitate to come back and let us know. We're always glad to share our favorites, in hopes they'll create memorable moments for other guests.
Wishing you a wonderful vacation!
Amy