• On Jul 23, 2021
    Christine from MI Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We are planning our first family trip to Walt Disney World for next summer. We would like to stay at one of your resorts. At the time of the trip, we will have 5 and 4 year old kids. What resorts would you recommend staying in? When should we book?

    Hi Christine!

    Welcome to planDisney! Hooray for planning a first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort!

    Since I love to budget and plan, I will suggest that you book that vacation package now so that you can make payments over the next year. Take a look at the Disney Resorts Collection hotels and decide which amenities you would prefer at a resort hotel. My family prefers resort hotels with multiple transportation options. Our favorite resort hotels are those with access to Walt Disney World® Monorail Transportation. So, we love Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort, and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

    Once you click on the vacation package link, click on Book your Walt Disney World Vacation today and you can compare prices across resort hotels. If you need a few resort hotel options that are more budget friendly, consider Disney's Art of Animation and Disney's Pop Century Resorts. Both of these resort hotels have access to the Disney Skyliner as well as Walt Disney World Bus® Service. Little ones love these resort hotels because of the super cute decor. The Big Blue Pool at Disney's Art of Animation Resort is great for little ones.

    Once you book a vacation package, link that package in your My Disney Experience account. If you do not already have an account, take a few minutes to create one. Once linked in your account, you should be able to go to My Plans in My Disney Experience, scroll down to find your reservation details and then you can make payments online. After linking your vacation package, go ahead and make Disney Park Pass system reservations. Once you make those park pass reservations, they should appear in your My Disney Experience account. I know it might seem early to plan, but I have learned that it is better to be early. You never know when park passes will reach capacity!

    Christine, I also suggest that you make advanced dining reservations. Your little ones will love character meals at Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera and Hollywood & Vine. Keep your eye on the dining updates to see which additional restaurants will be reopened in time for your visit. Also double-check the dining reservation window. Currently, we can make dining reservations 60-days prior to arrival. I suggest that you make those reservations right when your dining reservation window opens!

    I hope this helps you get started! 

    Magic and memories,
    Donyell
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Meet the Panelist: Donyell, North Carolina

Hello from North Carolina! I am a mom of twin girls, wife, and university professor who has been inspired by the creativity of Disney for a lifetime. Since my first Disney visit when I was 12-years-old, I have been drawn to the adventures crafted by Disney Imagineers. Planning Disney vacations helps connect me to families who will find in Disney the kind of joy my family has experienced over the years. Allow me to help you map your own Disney journey so that you, too can create the memories of a lifetime! Learn More About Donyell

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