Hiya Paul!
Welcome to planDisney, the most magical place on the internet. Wow, Paul, what a magical occasion you are planning! I am honoured that I can help you plan such a magical vacation, and I cannot wait for you to make memories with your granddaughter that will last a lifetime.
There are many things to consider when planning a Disney vacation, but thankfully, that's what we're here for! The main things to focus on are the essentials: Resort hotels, theme park tickets and admission, and dining. Luckily, you can use
My Disney Experience to link all your Disney reservations and keep an eye on what is left to plan!
First,
Disney Resort hotels are a great way to visit the theme parks. Indeed, I love staying at Disney Resort hotels as they include quality amenities and offerings and keep the Disney magic going even after you leave the parks. Plus, Resort hotel Guests have access to
complimentary transportation, which is especially nice after a long park day! When travelling with a little one, I suggest staying at some of the value Resorts like
Disney's Art of Animation,
Disney's Pop Century or the Disney All-Star Resorts, as they each have giant themed decorations. If your granddaughter is a fan of animated Disney movies, she will especially like Disney's Art of Animation and
Disney's All-Star Movies, as they both have big sculptures of beloved Disney characters. Lastly, since Disney Resorts are so close to the theme parks, they are great if you need to take a break during the day. This is especially great when travelling with little ones!
Second, you will need
theme park tickets and reservations to visit the theme parks. Theme park tickets can be purchased in person or online, but I highly recommend purchasing them online in advance. It is also essential to make sure that you have a My Disney Experience account, as that is where you will be able to link all your reservations. Then, once you have purchased your theme park tickets, you can
make theme park reservations. Reservations are required to access the theme parks, so plan which parks you would like to visit on which days. I suggest visiting every theme park at least once, as each has unique offerings. You can also
use the online tool to find which attractions are good for your grandaughter's height and best fit her interests!
Third, you can start
making dining reservations 60 days in advance online. For dining reservations, I highly recommend looking into booking some character dining experiences, as they are particularly great if your granddaughter enjoys meeting characters. Plus, you can meet multiple characters in one meal, which is perfect for getting multiple things off your to-do list!
I hope this was helpful, Paul, and that you and your family will have the best day ever on your next Disney vacation. If you have any other questions while planning your vacation, please don't hesitate to reach back out! It is always an honour to help you plan such a magical vacation.
Have a magical day,
Ariane