Hi Heather! Welcome to planDisney!
I cannot contain my excitement for you and your family! There is nothing like your first Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Your boys are at the perfect ages to thoroughly enjoy everything that Walt Disney World has to offer. I will always remember my first time stepping into the Magic Kingdom Park with my two daughters and seeing the
Festival of Fantasy Parade go on by. All of their favorite characters were there, right in front of them, with music playing and princesses dancing! It was a truly magical vacation!
The hardest part is figuring out where to get started. You will need to consider two major factors when you start planning; where to stay and how often do you want to visit the theme parks. There are over 30 resorts that make up the
Disney Resort Collection hotels that range from value accommodations up to deluxe stays. Since you have five people in your party, you will also need to find a resort that has rooms to accommodate everyone. Disney's All-Star Music Resort and Disney's Art of Animation Resort are value resorts that offer family suites, which accommodate up to six Guests. All Deluxe Villas and most Deluxe Resort hotels have a room option that will fit your needs. Check out the Walt Disney World website and enter in your party size and any date range to get an idea of which resorts are options for you.
The second thing to consider is which theme parks you want to visit. Walt Disney World has four theme parks and each is considerably different. In my opinion, the Magic Kingdom Park is a must-do since it contains the iconic
Cinderella Castle and all of the classic Disney rides. Disney's Hollywood Studios will also be a big hit with your boys especially if they are into Star Wars. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is an immersive land that brings you directly into the movie world. When deciding on park days, the greater amount of tickets you purchase per person, the lower the cost is per day. Disney offers everything from single-day tickets all the way up to 10-day tickets. For example, the cost per day on a 10-day ticket is considerably less than a 2-day ticket.
When booking a Disney vacation yourself through the
website, you will be able to put together a vacation package that includes both the resort and tickets. It is fairly simple to do and can be done rather quickly online. You also have the option to call the Walt Disney World Resort and speak to a Cast Member. They will be able to answer any questions you may have and also book your vacation package directly over the phone. Your final option is to contact an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that specializes in Disney World vacations. They will also be able to book your trip without any additional cost to you.
I can't end this without mentioning all of the dining locations that Walt Disney World has to offer. Disney dining is an attraction all by itself. 60 days prior to your arrival, you will be able to book
Advanced Dining Reservations for all of the restaurants of your choosing. As the time gets closer, please reach back out to planDisney for our recommendations on food and drink!
Heather, if you are planning an arrival in 2023, please note that you will need to wait until packages for that year are released. They typically are announced sometime in the summer. If you change your mind and decide on a 2022 trip, you can book at any time.
Happy planning!
Greg