Hi Jean and welcome back to planDisney! You’ve certainly come to the right place to get started planning a family vacation to
Walt Disney World. I understand that Disney vacations can be overwhelming, so let’s break it down into manageable pieces to get you started!
Resort hotel. First you’ll want to figure out where you’d like to stay. Walt Disney World provides a variety of Resort hotel choices based on your budget, theming, proximity to theme parks and unique modes of transportation. Staying at a Resort Collection hotel currently gives you access to early theme park entry, giving you extra time to ride those popular eligible attractions before the gates open to the general public. Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts are popular
Value Resorts given the dedicated stop on the Disney Skyliner. If the sky’s the limit,
Deluxe Resorts like the iconic Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort provide benefits such as on-site table service restaurants, access to the monorail, and other great amenities! Be sure to check out the
special offers page for any deals during your trip!
Length of stay and theme parks. Next, you’ll want to determine how long you’ll want to stay and which parks you want to visit. Whether you haven’t been in twenty years or visit every two weeks, I always recommend visiting each of the four theme parks! Each one provides unique attractions, entertainment, and immersive environments. A longer stay allows you to take time to experience all the parks and your Resort hotel has to offer. Here’s a pro-tip, the
price per day for a park ticket generally goes down the longer you stay, so I like recommending a 5- or 6-day ticket for a weeklong stay. That gives you an opportunity to build in a rest day in between to enjoy your Resort hotel pool or
visit Disney Springs!
The Extras. Finally, you’ll want to consider some of the extras that make your trip extra magical. Note that some of these offerings are subject to change and since you’re planning a trip for 2028, you’ll want to take note of which offerings will be available when you book!
Lightning Lane Passes allow you to avoid longer wait times at popular attractions. Combining these with benefits like early theme park entry can help maximize your time in the parks! The
Disney Dining Plan allows you to put your mind at ease and focus on the restaurants and meals you desire. I recommend adding in a character breakfast (my favorite is the one at
Topolino’s Terrace) to enjoy a meal alongside your favorite Disney friends! To capture all the memories, you may want to consider adding a
Memory Maker photo package. Disney PhotoPass photographers can take those timeless photos in front of Cinderella Castle or Spaceship Earth of you and your family for you to keep!
Jean, I know this just scratches the surface of how to plan a family vacation at Walt Disney World and I’m sure you’ll have plenty of additional questions. If and when you’re ready to ask more questions,
my panelist friends and I will be right here to answer them. Happy planning!
Your pal,
Sean