Hi there, Arianna, and welcome to planDisney!
I love your question because my favorite part of the Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning process is the anticipation of the trip itself. There are unlimited ways to “do Disney,” and as a fan of all-things-Disney, I would be more than happy to share ideas on how to get your vacation planning journey started.
If you plan on staying in the magic (staying at one of the
Disney Resorts Collection hotels), you can either book the hotel on its own and buy your theme park tickets separately or book a complete vacation package. This vacation package would include your hotel stay and theme park tickets. And, because you arrive next year, a
Disney Dining Plan can be added on as well. This means that all of your meals, your lodging, and fun in the parks will be bundled together. How cool is that? You can book this package via the Walt Disney World Resort website, with a
friendly Cast Member, or reach out to an authorized travel agent.
When it comes to where to stay and what to do, it all depends on your budget and how you’d like to spend your days. If you love to stay as close to the theme parks as possible, I suggest staying at one of the classic hotels on the Disney Resort Monorail loop like
Disney’s Contemporary Resort or
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. They are steps away from Magic Kingdom Park, which is the home to the grandiose Cinderella Castle, and a couple of monorail rides away from EPCOT, where you can find the
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind rollercoaster.
Definitely pencil in some time to spend at all four theme parks if you can. They are all unique in their own way. If you’re into taking a walk on the wild side and love nature, don’t miss Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. (And they have some of the best food options on property. I wish I could dine with Donald Duck and friends at
Tusker House Restaurant right now.)
Speaking of food, when you are 60 days away from your arrival day, log in to the
My Disney Experience app (downloading this app is essential) and reserve any advance dining reservations that you think you’ll want for your stay.
Arianna, while all of this may sound a bit overwhelming, trust me, it is not as daunting as it seems. Plan out as many details as possible before your trip, familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app, and prioritize your must-do attractions and experiences. If you have any other questions, please revisit us here at planDisney!
I’m all ears! Magic always,
LeAndra