Hi there, Latesa!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question.
I'm excited to hear that you're in the planning stages of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Guests have several different options when it comes to planning a visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth, and I'm happy to share my recommendations.
First, you have the option to put together your own vacation package, using the
Walt Disney World Resort website. You can choose a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel, add
Theme Park Tickets, and then book your airfare independently. You'll need to check the
Theme Park Reservation calendar for availability prior to booking your vacation package, and then secure
Disney Park Pass reservations for the parks you wish to visit. The "
Chat" feature is a helpful tool if you book your vacation yourself, as you can get real-time assistance from a Cast Member along the way. While some Guests who have visited numerous times choose to go this route, most would rather get a bit of guidance when it comes to putting so many moving pieces together.
Next, Guests have the option to
call Walt Disney World directly to speak to a Cast Member who can assist with Resort/Package booking and Theme Park Tickets. (Guests cannot book airfare as part of a vacation package at this time.) I can let you know that call volume is unusually high right now, and callers are experiencing much longer than usual wait times. The "hold" music consists of some super awesome Disney tunes, which makes the wait a little easier, but you'll need to set aside a bit of time if you decide to call directly.
Lastly, you have the option to get in touch with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. The word "Authorized" in their job title has been earned by these travel agents, as they have been specifically trained and certified by Disney to best be able to serve Guests. Sometimes it's easiest to find a Disney Vacation Planner through word of mouth from satisfied customers, but you can also find one near you with a Google search. I highly recommend using one of these Disney vacation specialists, especially as travel looks a little different as Walt Disney World Returns to a World of Magic. These Disney experts can help you choose your Disney Resorts Collection hotel, purchase Theme Park Tickets, secure Disney Park Pass reservations, make
Advance Dining Reservations, and more. They will monitor your reservation for any discounts or offers that can be applied to save you money - even after you've already booked your trip! Some can also assist with air travel plans as well. An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is pretty much a one-stop-Disney-vacation-shop, and the best part is that
their services come at no extra cost to you than if you'd booked it yourself.
I hope this advice helps with your planning for your Walt Disney World Resort vacation, and you're soon counting down the days until the magic begins!
Diane W.