Hey there, Stephanie! I am honored to welcome a fellow Tar Heel to our magical corner of the internet here at planDisney! If you're looking for expert tips, heartfelt advice, and tried-and-true strategies to maximize your
Walt Disney World Resort vacation, you've come to the right place!
My fellow panelists and I are here to make planning your trip a breeze, and we can offer recommendations about which resort hotel will best meet your needs, which restaurants serve our favorite meals, and how to build the practically perfect itinerary for your trip. It sounds like you are in the early stages of planning your dream vacation, so I'll cover the basics and invite you to
meet me right back here at planDisney with any follow up questions. Sound like a plan? Great! Let's get to it.
First and foremost, I recommend you stay on property at a
Disney Resort Hotel. These accommodations offer highly themed rooms and grounds, wonderful amenities and activities, and fabulous Cast Members who excel in providing the high level of Disney Service we all know and love. Staying inside the Disney "bubble" gives you prime access to the theme parks, water parks, restaurants, shopping, and everything that makes Disney World the Most Magical Place on Earth! One of my favorite resorts is
Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Its rustic theme and cozy vibe definitely set it apart from the other resorts, and I feel right at home as I relax in a rocking chair by the fireplace in the lobby.
Next, think about the length of your stay and which parks you might want to visit. Is this a marathon trip with five or more park days? Do you want to hop from park to park? Or are we looking to pamper ourselves on a more leisurely trip, with a park day or two sprinkled in? Take a look at
pricing for theme park tickets, and don't forget to peruse the
Special Offers page to see if you're eligible for any savings. For me, no trip to Disney World is complete until I've seen
Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'm not ashamed to tell you that tears stream down my face every time Sorcerer Mickey appears atop the mountain in the finale. I'm getting misty just thinking about it!
Now Stephanie, we can't do all this planning on an empty stomach. For me,
dining at Disney World is just as important as the attractions in the theme parks, and I love me a family style meal. For dinner and a show, head over to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort for the
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. The Pioneer Hall Players will entertain you as you chow down on all-you-care-to-enjoy fried chicken, ribs, and other comfort foods. Make sure to leave room for the strawberry shortcake! If you heed my advice and stay on property, you'll be able to book dining reservations 60 days in advance for the length of your stay up to 10 days! Now that is satisfying.
There is so much to see and do across the resort that I couldn't possibly cover it all in one answer, Stephanie! Spend some time making a wish list of attractions, restaurants, activities, and amenities you and your party are seeking for this trip, then pop back here with any questions. We are ready to help make your visit to Disney World the best it can be!
Stay magical,
Scott