Hiya pal, and welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad you found us because we're here to help you with all of your Disney vacation planning questions. We are regular Disney Guests, just like you, who have been on many Disney vacations and are passionate about helping other Disney Guests navigate the complexities of planning so you can have the best time ever. I have extensive experience in planning trips for seniors because I frequently travel with my parents, who are in their 80s. We've learned some tips and tricks through the years that I'm happy to pass along to you.
The best place to start calculating costs is through the
official Walt Disney World website. You can play around with dates, different hotels within the
Disney Resorts Collection, which
tickets best meet your needs and if a
Disney Dining Plan is right for you. I also like to visit the
Special Offers page to see what deals are available to me. If I don't have a specific date in mind to visit, the specials sometimes entice me to choose dates that fit within the deal.
Once you've made your choice, you'll book and pay your deposit. Then, once you're 60 days away from your check in date, you can begin making
Advance Dining Reservations for table-service restaurants. If you chose a Disney Resorts Collection Hotel, you can make your dining reservations for your whole reservation, up to 10 days. Otherwise, you'll need to make them 60 days in advance one day at a time instead of all at once.
You also might want to consider
Lightning Lane Passes. They've come in really handy when I've traveled with my parents to minimize wait times. They don't get around as easily as they once did, so we like to keep them off their feet as much as possible.
For
transportation from the airport, if you're flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO), you have a few options, all at varying costs. If you choose a Disney Deluxe Resort, a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or if you've booked a Club Level room, you can schedule a private Minnie Van to pick you up at the airport and take you to your resort. In terms of safety, this is one that I would recommend, but it's also one of the pricier options. You could also rent a car, use a ride share service or choose ground transportation with a Disney partner company. I've linked all this information above for you. The option I most frequently choose is ride share. If you aren't familiar with this option, I encourage you to read about how to use these services safely. A quick online search will provide a wealth of information about this.
Friend, I hope this has been helpful to you. As you begin to plan your trip, please
come back and visit me if you have any other questions. I'm happy to help.
Let your dreams guide you!
Melanie