Hi there! Welcome to planDisney! I couldn't be more thrilled that you've stopped by with this great question about planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. You've come to the right place for the best tips and advice about planning a visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth, whether it's your first or fiftieth time!
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort can be overwhelming because there are so many options and exciting opportunities. Hakuna Matata - that's why I'm here! While my Panelist pals and I are not able to directly book travel for other Guests, we are here to answer all of your questions.
When planning your vacation, start with which
Disney Resorts Collection hotel you'd like to call "home" during your visit. Then, think about how many days you'd like to visit the Disney Theme Parks to determine how many
tickets you need. Check the
Special Offers page to see if you're eligible for any savings. Consider which experiences and
dining you'd like to book - this can be done up to 60 days before you check in. As your vacation approaches, you can order
MagicBands and make selections for
Lightning Lanes. As you enjoy your vacation, you'll want to be sure you have the
My Disney Experience Mobile App to help guide your days. Here are some of my best tips:
When choosing your Resort Hotel, think about location. If you'd like to be close to a Disney Theme Park, which is great when you have kids, consider a hotel within walking distance or one that's on the Monorail, like Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
When planning your park days, plan at least one full day to visit each of the four parks. Since you've never visited before, I don't recommend park hopping. You can even plan more than one day per park since there's so much to do! With all of that excitement, you'll need some rest. Plan one or two rest days to give you time to relax and enjoy your hotel.
I like to make one Advance Dining Reservation per park day. This ensures my family has a dedicated time and place to sit back and relax while refueling. There are incredible dining options in each of the four parks as well as at the Disney Resort Hotels.
Some experiences are very popular and should be booked as soon as you're able. Things like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Fireworks Dessert Parties are highly sought after for good reason!
While a MagicBand isn't a necessity, it's the most convenient way to access the magic during your visit. You can use it to open your hotel room door, charge items to your room, tap in at park entry, and more. You can find MagicBands with fun characters that suit your personality.
If there are rides that are on your must-do list, consider booking a Lightning Lane for them. There are different options for Lightning Lanes, so you'll want to familiarize yourself with those before you begin booking.
The My Disney Experience Mobile App is essential - and free! It's like having magic in your pocket. You can use the map feature to navigate throughout Walt Disney World Resort and to see important things like wait times, Character opportunities, and more!
I hope this is helpful to you as you begin making your plans. Please know that I'm here to help with any of your specific questions - I'd love for you to come back and ask me some more!
See ya real soon!
Jennifer