What to do first
Let's get started! Your family is amazing and different from any other. So let’s start there – Who is going? What do they love? How long would you like your trip to be? What's the best time of year? What’s your family's budget? We will help you break it down step by step.
TIME OF YEAR
If you are traveling with school aged kids - you’ll probably have to factor in school breaks. Let's go through a few things to consider:
Summer:
So we all know Florida is hot. But Florida can get HOT. The summer temperature usually ranges from 90-95º with pretty intense humidity. The hottest month in Disney is July. Cooling towels, stroller fans and water breaks are a must.
Winter:
Temperatures typically range from 70-74º – but can actually get pretty cold at night. (No SERIOUSLY. Cold. Learn from our mistakes – Pack layers!)
Rainy Seasons:
June - October are considered the rainy season in Orlando, usually with daily thunderstorms and the risk of tropical storms. You can expect almost a daily rain storm, usually passing pretty quickly. BUT they can get pretty intense and some attractions will close due to storms for safety issues. We recommend packing some ponchos and a spare pair of shoes or flip flops. There is nothing worse than spending the rest of your vacation in wet stinky shoes.
Crowds:
Crowds are largest during holidays, school vacations, special events – and the summer.
Higher crowds: President’s Day week, Spring breaks (weeks around Easter), Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, Memorial and Labor Day.
Lower crowds: Generally, mid-January to mid-February, and mid-September to mid-November have lower crowds.
Special Events:
Throughout the year Walt Disney World has a bunch of different events that bring in higher traffic. Here are some to consider when planning your Disney Vacation:
Disney hosts Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom on various nights from Aug - October. Parks are busier this time.
The holiday season is very busy and one of the most expensive time of the year to visit Disney. During Nov - January Disney hosts several holiday themed events:
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom
Jollywood Nights in Hollywood Studios
International Festival of the Holidays in Epcot
Hosts 5K, 10k, Half and Full Marathons throughout the year. They draw in big crowds, these weeks are significantly busier at the parks and the airport.
How Long
We get this question a lot. At minimum – we recommend at least one day per park you want to visit, and for first time guests we recommend Single Park Tickets (vs Park Hopper tickets). BUT if you have limited time or budget you can certainly try to maximize the attractions your family is interested in.
The Walt Disney World Parks are:
Magic Kingdom: When you are thinking of Walt Disney World you are probably thinking of this park - iconic Cinderella Castle, fairy-tale attractions, thrills, and character meet-ups
Epcot: Future World innovations, World Showcase cultures, diverse cuisine
Hollywood Studios: Thrilling attractions, immersive film experiences
Animal Kingdom: Safari adventures, Pandora's wonders, live shows
Blizzard Beach: Water park - currently closed
Typoon Lagoon: Water park
Disney is tiring! Recognizing that a Disney visit can be exhausting, we recommend setting aside a non-park day to explore other fun things your resort and the Orlando area offers.
We like to take time to relax by the pool, explore the activities and amenities at our resorts and head to Disney Springs for some shopping, dining, and entertainment.
We find this break necessary - not only to get off our feet and take a break from the parks, but to really recharge and enjoy our vacation time.
There are lots of other things to do in Disney World, check out a list of some of our favorites experiences, events and attractions here!
BUDGET
It's no secret that Disney World can get expensive. On average, a family of four on a 4-day journey to Walt Disney World, opting for moderate accommodations, park tickets, and dining, can anticipate costs ranging from $4,000 to $6,000. To make sure you chose a budget that's right for your family - here are the key things to keep in mind:
Determine Your Priorities:
What aspects of the trip are most important to you? Accommodations? Length of stay? Must-do attractions or special activities? Is this a once in a lifetime trip?
Accommodations:
There are four basic categories of resorts and rooms to consider. Each cater to different preferences ensuring there is something for every type of traveler:
1) Value Resorts:
Budget-friendly options that provide Disney charm and hospitality along with Early Entry to the parks and transportation to Parks and Disney Springs.
*Main Street 101 Tip: Value Resorts do not feature pool slides or hot tubs.
These include:
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
All-Star Music Resort
All-Star Movies Resort
2) Moderate Resorts:
Combining affordability with additional amenities, theming and more extensive pool & hot tub areas.
These include:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Lobby
3) Deluxe Resorts:
Highest end Disney accommodations, with premium accommodations and extensive amenities
These include:
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Lobby
Polynesian Resort Lobby
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Beach Club Villa King Bed
Beach Club Villa Kitchen
Beach Club Stormalong Bay Pool
4) Good Neighbor Hotels:
Local non-Disney hotels that still meet the same high standards for hospitality and amenities.
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin - Good Neighbor Hotel
Park Tickets:
Decide on the number of park days and the type of tickets (single park or Park Hopper) based on your families priorities. Children under 3 years old are considered “Guests of Mickey” and do not require a park ticket.
1 Park Per Day Ticket: Visit one theme park each day of your ticket.
Park Hopper Option: Allows Guests to visit more than one theme park per day.
Park Hopper Plus Option: Allows Guests to visit more than one theme park per day. Plus, enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World sports-related fun.
Dining:
Plan your dining options, considering whether you prefer Quick-Service (aka counter service) or Table-Service meals. Disney also offers Dining Plans if you prefer a more all-inclusive type of trip. If you decide on a dining plan, everyone on the room reservation must have the same dining plan.
Quick Service Food Court
Table Service Meal
Transportation:
Factor in travel costs, including flights, airport travel, or gas and daily parking expenses (if driving). Disney World offers free transportation around all of its resorts and parks so a car in the Disney bubble is not a necessity. Rideshare is also available in Orlando at cost.
Additional Experiences:
Consider any special events, tours, or activities you'd like to include in your itinerary.
Click here for a list of Disney’s Enchanting Extras.
Souvenirs and Miscellaneous Expenses:
Set aside a budget for souvenirs, snacks, and other miscellaneous expenses. These can ADD UP, so having a budget and even a daily budget will help keep additional spending under control.
Discounts and Deals:
Explore available discounts on My Disney Experience, promotions, and package deals to maximize savings.
Cheapest Dates:
If you have flexibility in your dates, consider off-peak times when prices for accommodations and tickets may be lower.
Just-in-Case Fund:
Allocate a small fund for unexpected expenses or last-minute adjustments to your plans.
Book in Advance:
Take advantage of early booking discounts and secure reservations for popular dining and experiences (60 days in advance).
Remember that prices can vary based on factors like the time of year, the size of your group, and specific choices you make. Regularly review and adjust your budget as needed, and be flexible to make the most of your Disney World experience within your financial means.
With a little pre-planning and some flexibility you can certainly make the most of your Disney World experience without breaking the bank.
size and AGES OF FAMILY
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Here are the things to keep in mind when planning your trip.
Basics for Traveling with Younger Kids:
Early Park Entry - Take advantage of early park entry to experience popular attractions with shorter waits. Consider Rider Switch (if your child does not meet the height requirement, or its just too scary to ride - ask a Cast Member for “Rider Switch” allowing one adult to stay with the child and then switch when the other adult comes out) so everyone can enjoy the attraction.
Nap and Rest Breaks - Factor in resort location and plan midday breaks for naps or rest to keep the little ones happy and energized!
Slower Paced Attractions - Know your kids preferences especially when it comes to more thrilling, dark or louder attractions.
Character Meet-and Greets - Meet your favorite Characters and princesses for special moments and photos.
Character Dining - A great way to guarantee you will meet your favorite Characters, take a sit down break, and eat!
Entertainment & Shows - It's not just attractions - enjoy live entertainment, Broadway style shows and parades!
Quiet Areas - Use quiet areas for downtime and breaks when needed.
Snacks & Meal Reservations - Plan regular snack and meal breaks. Keep in mind dining reservations for sit down meals start 60 days in advance.
Flexible Schedule - Be flexible, littles moods can shift during the trip. Build in some extra time.
Tips for Traveling with Teens:
Engage them in the planning process! Ask them what they are most excited to see and do - and what they definitely want to avoid.
Checkout attractions with bigger thrills like Tron, Expedition Everest, or Guardians of the Galaxy.
Allow for more independence in exploring the parks.
Nighttime Spectaculars - Enjoy the park after dark including fireworks and nighttime projection shows.
Disney Springs - Make sure you checkout the Disney Springs scene for shopping, music, entertainment and food!
Water Parks and Pool Time - Make time to enjoy the pools at your resort or spend a day at one of the Disney Water Parks.
Traveling with Adults
Disney is definitely not just for the kiddos!
Fine Dining Experiences - Indulge in fine dining at signature restaurants across the parks and resorts. Great for a date night or a hangout with foodie friends.
Consider Park Hopper tickets for more flexibility in the parks.
Lounge and Bar Hopping - Don’t underestimate the variety of lounges and bars in Disney Springs and the parks.
Explore around the World - Sample Food and drinks from all around the world at EPCOTs world showcase.
Checkout the live entertainment, bands and broadway-style shows.
EPCOT Festivals - Explore Epcot during festivals, enjoying the unique food and wine offerings and live performances from renowned artists & celebrities.
Prioritize some relaxation! Sleep in, schedule a spa treatment, soak in the hot tub. This is your vacation!
Golfing - Play a round of golf at one of Disney's 3 golf courses (they are so good they were part of the PGA Tour for 42 years!).
Nighttime Shows - Experience nighttime shows showcasing breathtaking fireworks and music.
Behind the scenes tours - Take advantage of behind the scenes tours offering in-depth insights into the making of Disney Magic.
Multigenerational
Traveling with the whole family? Amazing! Here is what you need to keep in mind:
When selecting your accommodations, think about the whole families needs. Disney offers family suites, connecting rooms and even multi-bedroom villas for convenience and privacy.
When planning your park day, select a mix of attractions suitable for everyone from the young, to the young at heart!
Eat at a variety of dining locations - Making sure that everyone’s taste and dietary preferences are included (Disney caterer to a variety of allergy and dietary restrictions - see here for more info).
Do you have any accessibility or special needs for the park? Wheelchairs and mobility scooters ECV are available for rental at the parks including water parks and Disney Springs. Info on ECV rentals can be found here.
Disney offers Disability Access Services (DAS) services for additional accommodations. See here for more info.
Keep it flexible! - Build in breaks, downtime and the ability to break off into separate groups to get some alone time - and do whats most important to them. If you want to skip the lines consider purchasing Genie+ or Lightning Lanes. We’ll get more into that later but if you want to read more click here Our attraction booking 101.
Great start! Let’s recap the first steps to planning your family's Walt Disney World vacation.