G'day, Kristen! I'm so glad you've found your way to us here at planDisney. Our team of panelists is composed of regular guests like yourself who have tons of experience at Disney Destinations! Although there are no travel agents on our panel, we would be happy to help you build your itinerary by sharing our favorite experiences, attractions, restaurants, and Disney Resort hotels. We have amassed decades of first-hand experience at the theme parks and resorts and are excited to channel that expertise into actionable strategies and advice for all who come to this happy place. I'd be glad to walk you through some of my must-dos at Walt Disney World, and you can use that information to start planning your trip.
I'm sure you visited the
Australian version of the Disney World website and saw that it instructs you to "call your travel agent today to choose the holiday package and itinerary that are ideal for you!" Since that is the official advice on the site, I recommend seeking a referral from a friend or neighbor that has traveled to Disney World and used a similar service to complete their booking.
I'm happy to walk you through some basic vacation planning steps and offer some recommendations. The
3-step Planning Guide for Families is a great place to start, as it walks you through the four theme parks, Disney Resort hotel options, and other miscellaneous travel tips like what to pack and what events occur during each season. While I enjoy each of the theme parks, I have to admit that my favorites are EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. EPCOT is home to World Showcase, a collection of 11 pavilions that highlight the culture and cuisine of nations around the globe, and it has incredibly immersive, high-thrill attractions like
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Hollywood Studios has distinct areas themed after beloved stories, like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land, plus it is home to my favorite nighttime spectacular of all time:
Fantasmic!Once you've played the day away in the parks, it will be time to rest your head at a
Disney Resort hotel. There are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts, and I have stayed at hotels in each category. I might opt for a Value Resort if I planned to spend a majority of my time at the parks and wouldn't necessarily have time to enjoy the amenities at the hotel. On visits where I have fewer park days or am staying longer, I might spring for a Deluxe Resort like
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Where else can you see zebras and giraffes from the comfort of your hotel room balcony while snacking on Mickey waffles?
This should help you get started on your planning journey, Kristen! Take a look at the offerings, activities, theme parks, and hotels, then visit us again if you have specific questions or need more recommendations. We here at planDisney are ready and eager to assist!
Stay magical,
Scott