plan disney world trip 2024

Disney World Planning Timeline (Month-by-Month Schedule)

Dreaming of a magical adventure at Walt Disney World in 2025 or 2026? Get ready for the trip of a lifetime! But before you can zip through Space Mountain or dine with princesses, there’s some pixie-dust-powered planning to do. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got your back with this comprehensive Disney World planning timeline. From choosing your travel dates to making those all-important dining reservations, we’ll guide you through every enchanted step of the way. So grab your Mickey ears, and let’s get started on your month-by-month planning schedule for Disney World!

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12+ Months Before : Let the Magic Begin!

The journey to Disney World starts long before you step foot in Orlando. Here’s how to kick off your planning adventure:

• Start your Disney savings fund. Those Mickey-shaped ice creams won’t buy themselves!
• Dive into the wonderful world of Disney research. Get to know the four theme parks, two water parks, and the dizzying array of resort options.
• Dream about when to visit. Consider crowd levels, weather, and any special events you’d love to experience.
• Reach out to a Disney vacation planning expert like The Vacationeer. Their pixie-dust-powered knowledge is completely free and can make your planning as smooth as a ride on the Monorail!

9-11 Months Before : Decisions, Decisions!

With about a year to go, it’s time to start making some magical choices:

• Lock in those travel dates. Think about school schedules, work commitments, and whether you want to experience Disney during a special season like Halloween or the holidays.
• Choose your castle (okay, resort) for the stay. From the larger-than-life Value Resorts to the luxurious Deluxe options, there’s a perfect fit for every budget and style.
• Explore ticket options. How many days will you need to conquer the Disney kingdom? Don’t forget to consider add-ons like Park Hopper or water park access.
• Start daydreaming about Disney dining. From quick-service snacks to signature restaurants, there’s a feast of options to explore!

6-8 Months Before : Watching Your Dream Vacation Take Shape

The pieces of your magical puzzle are starting to come together:

• Book that Disney Resort hotel and snap up your park tickets. Keep an eye out for package deals that might save you some Disney dollars.
• Sketch out a rough plan for park days. Which park will you visit first? When will you take a break day? It’s okay if this changes, but it’s good to have a starting point.
• Make your must-do list. Jot down those can’t-miss attractions, shows, and character meet-and-greets.
• Get the scoop on Disney Lightning Lane Passes . These time-saving tools can be game-changers, but they do come at an extra cost.

4-5 Months Before : Diving into the Disney Details

Time to roll up your sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of Disney planning:

• Craft those park itineraries. Consider park hours, parade times, and when you absolutely must be in front of Cinderella Castle for the fireworks.
• Decide on your Lightning Lane Multi Pass strategy. Will you use it every day? Only for certain parks? Start plotting your Lightning Lane priorities.
• Start that packing list. Don’t forget essentials like comfortable shoes and portable phone chargers!
• If you’re flying, start watching those airfares like Tinker Bell watches over Peter Pan.

60 Days Before : The Countdown Really Begins!

Two months out, and the Disney magic is almost within reach:

• For Disney Resort guests : You can make reservations for your entire length of stay (up to 10 nights) starting 60 days before your check-in date.
• For off-site guests : You can make reservations 60 days in advance of each individual dining date.
• Finalize your packing list for Disney World . Time to gather any special items, like autograph books or matching family t-shirts.
• Book your airport transportation. Since Disney’s Magical Express is no longer available, consider using shuttles, ride-sharing services, or rental cars to travel between the airport and the resort .
• Keep fine-tuning those daily park plans. The more prepared you are, the more magic you’ll experience!

30 Days Before : The Magic is Almost Here!

One month to go, and the excitement is building:

• Start the online check-in process for your Disney Resort hotel. This can save you valuable park time on arrival day.
• Double-check all your reservations. From flights to hotels to dining, make sure everything is in good order.
• Consider ordering a grocery delivery for your room . Sometimes you just need a late-night snack or breakfast on the go!

7 Days Before : Final Prep for Your Magical Adventure

Your Disney dream is just around the river bend:

• Finish that online check-in for your Disney Resort hotel. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can now pre-schedule Lightning Lane Multi Pass rides up to 7 days in advance for your entire stay (14 days maximum). All other guests can plan as early as three days in advance on a day-by-day basis. Availability opens at 7 AM Eastern Time daily.
• Take one last look at park hours and tweak your plans if needed.
• Download the My Disney Experience app and make sure you can log in. This will be your best friend during your trip!
• Check the Orlando weather forecast. Time to make any last-minute packing adjustments.
• Start building that Disney excitement! Watch some classic movies or listen to park music to get in the spirit.

Day Before/Arrival Day : The Magic Begins!

It’s finally here – you’re about to step into your own Disney story!

• Check into your Disney Resort, either online or at the front desk.
• Make sure your park tickets are linked in the My Disney Experience app.
• Take a deep breath, smile, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

Remember, while this timeline is a great general guide, every Disney World vacation is as unique as Cinderella’s glass slipper. Your specific planning process might vary based on your travel party, any special events you’re attending, or custom experiences you’re adding to your trip.

Planning a Disney World vacation involves a lot of moving parts, but the payoff is pure magic – memories that will last long after you’ve returned home. If at any point you feel overwhelmed (or just want some expert pixie dust sprinkled on your plans), don’t hesitate to reach out to The Vacationeer. Their team of Disney specialists can handle everything from hard-to-get dining reservations to finding the best deals on packages. And remember, their magical planning services come at no extra cost to you!

With this timeline as your guide (and maybe a little help from The Vacationeer), you’re well on your way to the most magical vacation ever. So get excited, stay organized, and prepare for a 2025 Disney World adventure that dreams are made of. Happy planning, and may your days be filled with Disney magic!

Connect With a Disney Super Fan Who’ll Plan Your Trip for Free

Planning a Disney World vacation can be overwhelming. You’re bombarded with confusing choices: dozens of hotels, hundreds of restaurants, and endless ticket options. It’s easy to feel helpless.

Now imagine getting personalized advice and help from an expert who’s visited the parks dozens of times and knows all the tips and tricks. And better yet, they’re willing to handle all of it for you, for free !

That’s exactly the idea behind  The Vacationeer — a group of 100+ Disney Super Fans who are also highly-trained travel professionals .

Why not let them take the stress out of your Disney vacation ?

Why Use The Vacationeer ?

No Planning Fees

The Vacationeer never charges you for their services. Your trip won’t cost a penny more than if you’d booked it yourself.

One-on-One Service

One dedicated agent handles everything from start to finish. No impersonal call centers and no waiting on hold.

Hassle-Free Booking

Don’t sweat the logistics. Your  Vacationeer arranges hotels, tickets, dining, and activities so you don’t have to.

The Best Price

They’ll find the best possible rate for your trip, and keep searching for new discounts to add as they’re announced.

What Their Clients Have to Say

“I can’t thank them enough”

“Emily did an AMAZING job planning my Disneymoon. The attention to detail is absolutely spot on!”

“We had a wonderful vacation”

“ Disney can be a little overwhelming when you’re new to it, but [JoMarie]  made it very enjoyable and low stress !”

“We saved the most money possible”

“Carla worked side by side with me to plan the perfect shows, rides, fireworks and places to stay and I could not be happier .”

Here’s What To Expect

Step 1: Answer a few easy questions Just tell The Vacationeer who you are, how to reach you, and what your dream vacation looks like. They’ll assign a dedicated agent to handle your vacation from start to finish.

Step 2: Let them handle the details Your agent will help you pick the best options for your needs and budget. They’ll make your reservations and keep watching for better deals. And they’ll be there to answer any questions or concerns that arise.

Step 3: Pack your bags! Scream it out loud: “I’m going to Disney World!”  Thanks to your Vacationeer ‘s know-how, you’re off on an unforgettable adventure during the vacation of a lifetime!

The Vacationeer Advantage

Hotel Reservations: Your agent will help you pick the right place for the right price and arrange everything.

Dining: They’ll run the numbers on the Disney Dining Plan and secure tables at your choice of 100+ restaurants.

Theme Park Tickets: They’ll find the best ticket option for your family so you don’t waste money.

Recreation, Events, & More: You name it — golf, fishing, shows, backstage tours, ground transport — it’s all handled!

Virtual Queue and Lightning Lane: They’ll help demystify these line-skipping strategies so you save time during your trip.

Peace of Mind: You’re booking through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency who knows their stuff.

Unparalleled Expertise: As an Earmarked Diamond agency, they’ve booked more than 25,000 Disney vacations.

Personal Experience: They visit the theme parks often and can’t wait to share their insider tips with you!

Disney’s Lowest Prices: They’ll use their knowledge of discounts and deals to find the best rates.

New Discounts As They’re Announced: Your agent never stops looking for a better price, even after you’ve booked.

Ready To Do Disney The Stress-Free Way?

Additional Resources for your Disney World Planning Timeline:

• Disney Vacation Planning Guide : Get comprehensive tips for crafting your perfect Disney getaway.
• Top Disney Travel Agencies : Find the best expert help for planning your magical trip.
• Disney World Crowd Calendar : Plan your visit during less busy times for a more enjoyable experience.
• Calculating Costs of Disney Vacations : Estimate your vacation expenses with our handy budgeting tool.
• Average Price of a Disney World Vacation : Find out how much you can expect to spend.
• Disney World Reservation Calculator : Determine key booking dates for your trip with ease.
• Disney World Park Maps : Navigate the magic with our detailed park layout guides.
• Transportation Map of Disney World : Learn how to get around the resort efficiently.
• Disney Dining Plan Calculator : Figure out if the dining plan is right for your family and budget.
• Our Favorite Magic Kingdom Rides : Discover the can’t-miss experiences in Disney’s flagship park.
• Our Favorite EPCOT Rides : Journey through the around the globe with these amazing attractions.
• Our Favorite Animal Kingdom Rides : Explore the best adventures in Disney’s wildest park.
• Our Favorite Hollywood Studios Rides : Lights, camera, action! Find the best rides in Disney’s movie-themed park.

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Home » Walt Disney World » Planning and Tips

2024 Disney World Planning Guide | How to Plan a Disney Vacation

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: May 20, 2024

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Planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2024 or 2025? We know it’s stressful, but don’t worry, our Disney World Vacation Guide will give you everything you need to know to get ready for your upcoming trip!

Whether you are looking for information about the Disney World Parks, hotels, dining, transportation, the best rides, how to save money, or how to avoid the crowds, we have you covered in this guide. Think of it as Disney World Vacation Planning 101.

This guide is especially great for beginners who have never been to Disney World or go rarely, but we also pack in a lot of good tips for regular guests too.

While we do have some of the most important tips & info on this page, we don’t have ALL the answers directly written out here. This guide organizes some of the best Disney planning content into categories giving you an overview of what you are looking for and then links to more in-depth guides on each subject.

In this post we will specifically cover:

• How to Plan a Disney World Vacation
• What You Need to Know BEFORE Going
• When to Visit Disney World in 2024
• Important Disney Vocab
• Where to Stay
• Buying Tickets
• Rides & Attractions
• Dining & Restaurants
• Disney Planning Timeline, & more…

Since this guide covers a lot of the planning steps of your whole trip in general, if you are looking for specific info on the Disney World Parks , then check out the following links:

• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Unfortunately, Disney World is one of the most complicated vacation destinations in the world. We know planning a Disney World vacation has become one of the most frustrating exercises and you’d just like to be there already having fun. Hopefully, we can help you do that as painlessly as possible.

We’ve been going to Walt Disney World multiple times per year since the early 1980s when we were babies, and we continue to spend way too much time there today trying all the new food, rides, events, and hotels. To say we are huge Disney fans would be an understatement.

The byproduct of countless hours spent visiting Disney World means that we have some valuable tips that we are eager to share with you. We aren’t going to lie, it will take some work on your end. But in the long run, it will be invaluable for your trip. Let’s get right into it…

Table of Contents

Changes in 2024 and 2025

Going to Walt Disney World in 2024 or 2025 is a MUCH different experience than it was just a couple years ago, and different again from even last year.

Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave for the last few years, you know that the parks closed down in 2020, and when they reopened Disney installed many new procedures to let guests back to the parks.

Thankfully, for the most part, the Disney theme parks have gotten back to normal again, and the restrictions Disney put in have gone away one by one. The Walt Disney World vacation experience should be “close to normal” once again.

For example, Fireworks are back with nighttime spectaculars happening in the parks nightly.

Many stage shows like Festival of the Lion King, Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular are back. There are still some missing, but the lineup of entertainment is heads and shoulders above where it was not too long ago. Not to mention, the overwhelming majority of attractions and restaurants have also returned.

If it’s been a few years, there are a ton of new attractions you have to experience, EPCOT in particular has gone through a pretty big transformation and the construction walls are almost all down now. There are still a lot of additions Disney would like to finish at some point during 2024, including what’s left of the massive EPCOT overhaul project .

There are also new hotel projects on the way including the new DVC tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort .

This should be a great time to visit, but if you are worried about the changes, you may want to wait until the end of the year.

That’s what to expect this year, now let’s get into some of the Disney vacation planning basics.

How to Plan a Disney Vacation

Believe it or not, some of the most important planning steps of your Disney World trip happen as much as one year BEFORE your vacation starts, or even more.

Some things you are going to have to think about are:

• What dates do I want to go? Are those dates flexible?
• What is my budget?
• What type of hotel do I want to stay in?
• How many days do I want to go to the theme parks?

The most important suggestion we can give you is to get organized. The more work you do before your trip to plan everything out, the easier things will be for you and your family once you get there.

Can You Go to Disney World Without Planning?

As always in life, what you CAN do and what you SHOULD do are two entirely different things, and that is also true in this case.

Yes, it is physically possible to go to Disney World without planning your trip, but I would highly recommend against such an action. Organizing everything months ahead of time is a lot of work and a big pain, but it is vital if you want to have a successful trip.

Your choice of hotel will be severely limited if you don’t book it well in advance. You won’t be able to get dining reservations at the best restaurants in Disney World. You won’t know which attractions to reserve with Genie+. Right now, you can’t even get into the parks without a prior reservation.

If you are looking to go to a destination where you can just “wing it” and not have to make any plans ahead of time, we recommend choosing another destination besides Disney World.

How Do I Start Planning a Trip to Disney World?

STEP 1: Write down notes. There are going to be a lot of details, prices, and dates to remember so get a dedicated notebook for your upcoming trip. If you prefer, you can take notes on your phone or computer, but make sure you have a way of jotting down notes in a convenient place where you will be able to find them.

STEP 2: Set a Budget. Make no mistake about it, a trip to Walt Disney World is expensive and costs can add up very quickly. So before you start choosing how many days you want to stay, your hotel, and ticket types, make a budget. It will be much easier to organize your vacation if you already have an idea of how much you are willing to spend.

STEP 3: Get familiar with Disney World. Even if you are not ready to book your vacation yet, start reading up on Disney World and familiarize yourself with all the locations, attractions, restaurants, and special events. A website like this is one way to do that, but also look through the official Walt Disney World website and download the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device.

STEP 4: Choose your Dates. These don’t have to be written in stone, but we recommend at least having some idea of when you would like to plan your trip for. Later in this guide, we will show you how to decide on those dates.

Once you get these four things done, you are ready to start planning the details.

When Should I Start Planning My Disney Trip?

When is the best time to start planning a Disney World vacation? We recommend to start planning as soon as possible , but at least one year before you plan to go.

The sooner you start planning your Disney vacation, the better. In fact, once you finish reading this guide, you should start writing ideas down for your trip.

As you will see in our vacation planning timeline, some of the first steps can be completed as many as 499 days before your vacation starts.

We believe the sooner you start the process of organizing your trip, the better. Starting now will give you a leg up on other guests when it comes to getting reservations for dining, hotel rooms, the parks, and any special events you want to attend+. I will also make you aware of discounts to save money on your trip.

What Do I Need to Know Before Going to Disney World?

Here are 9 main things to know about Disney World before going:

• There are 4 Theme Parks in Disney World: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
• There are 2 Water Parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• 31 Resort Hotels to stay in.
• There are countless Outdoor Activities to do such as swimming, fishing, golf, boating, and more.
• WDW has 5 golf courses and 2 mini-golf courses .
• Disney Springs is the nighttime entertainment hub with dozens of first-class restaurants and shops
• You can catch a Dinner Show at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or dine at one of the many character meals .
• It is a self-contained city with its own fire department, water treatment, waste disposal, and power generation.
• Disney World is HUGE at 25,000 acres. That means travel time can be long between two places.

How Many Days do you Need for Disney World?

There is really no wrong answer to how many days you need for a trip to Walt Disney World, and it depends on many factors, including if this is your first trip or not.

• The ideal Disney World vacation is 7 days long . That allows for 2 travel days (arrival and departure), and 5 open days to visit the parks and have fun.
• The bare minimum we recommend for first-timers is 5 days , ideally with an early arrival and late departure.

In fact, most Disney World vacations are between 4 to 7 days long. That gives you enough time to visit all the theme parks at least once, and have extra time for staying at the resort and swimming or shopping.

If you want to visit any other Orlando-based attractions like Universal Studios, for example, you can still do that in 6-7 days total.

It’s possible to visit Walt Disney World in only 3 or 4 days, but you will feel very rushed. You can make the highlights of each park, but you won’t really have time to do all the rides, see all the shows and take in the details.

One thing to keep in mind is the longer your trip, the less you pay per day for your park tickets. So in a way, it’s advantageous to stay longer than only 5 days.

If you have the time and money , we recommend doing a 9 or 10-night stay and really taking the time to soak it all in. That gives you enough time to visit all 4 parks multiple times, and have days off to relax.

How Much Does a Trip to Disney World Cost?

Let’s get to the bottom line…how much does a Disney World vacation really cost?

Everyone has different budgets, so the cost is going to depend on how many days you go, how many people are in your group, and how you like to vacation. Our Guide to Doing Disney World on a Budget will help you with more of the details.

The major costs to consider for a Disney World vacation are:

• Park Tickets
• Souvenirs/Shopping

We’ve made our estimated costs based on a family of 4 on a 5-Night vacation to Walt Disney World in the Summer, with 4 days of theme park passes.

For a family of 4, a Walt Disney World vacation in 2024 costs: $5,895.26 , $7,378.61 , or $10,757.96 . These prices include the above expenses and are broken down our price estimates into 3 categories: Budget , Moderate , and Expensive .

• For a family of 2 adults , the prices change to: $3,667.10, $4,684.80, and $7,323.00 .
• For a family of 3, the prices change to: $4,689.19, $5,861.19, and $8,768.94 .
• For a family of 5, the prices change to: $8,862.35, $10,005.00, and $12,203.90 .

Of course, there are many more factors to take into consideration, especially the time of year you visit. We calculated these prices based on a Summer vacation, but they can change by hundreds of dollars in either direction, so keep that in mind.

Read our post on the Average Cost to go to Disney World for more details and how to save money on your trip.

Should I Use a Disney Travel Agent?

One option you might want to consider is using an authorized Disney Vacation Planner when planning your trip. Even though there is a ton of great information on the internet to read, sometimes it’s just too much and you prefer having someone take care of the work for you.

The nice thing is most Disney travel agents don’t cost any extra money to work with. That means you can have someone personalize your trip for you and make the tough reservations, all for free. In fact, most of the time, using an agent will actually SAVE you money since they know when the discounts come out.

Using an authorized Disney vacation planner, your trip will be much better organized, less stressful, and save you money.

If you like the hands-off approach to trip planning, we highly recommend Rene Cittadino and her amazing team from Show You the World Travel. We’ve worked with Rene and her team of experts many times before and she is our Disney Travel Planner of choice.

• Contact René at Show You the World Travel for all your trip planning needs, including a FREE quote.

List Your Priorities

There is way too much to do at Walt Disney World, no matter how long your trip is. That means you need to make a priority list of must-dos.

• Is there a restaurant you absolutely must go to? Write it into the schedule.
• What are the attractions you have to do at each park?
• Which shows do you want to see?
• Which characters?

When we are planning a trip to Disney World, we put all the must-dos in one column and then find a place for them in the program. We also have a secondary list of things we’d like to do if time allows, and we fill in the cracks with those.

When to Visit in 2024 or 2025?

Above all things, deciding when to visit Disney World is the most important decision you have to make when planning your trip.

Factors such as crowds, price, weather, and special events should all be taken into consideration when choosing your dates. Unfortunately for some, it’s not always up to us to decide. If you have children in school, you might be forced to only choose dates during the holidays or summer break, and those can be the worst times to visit.

Let’s look at some of the factors, meanwhile, our post on The Best Times to Visit Disney World goes into more depth.

The crowds are probably our most important factor in deciding when to go to Disney World. Trust us, there is nothing worst than going to Disney World when the parks are their busiest.

Crowds at Disney World tend to follow the school calendar, which means holidays and the Summer are when they are at peak levels. If you can avoid going during those times you will be better off, but sometimes this is not possible, especially if you have to take your kids out of school.

Read our 2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar post to see which months are the busiest and least busy.

Whether in Orlando, Florida can be brutal for a good part of the year with scorching temperatures and unbearable humidity. Even though it’s known for sunshine, Disney World also gets tons of rain during some months.

The best weather for the parks tends to be from November to March when the climate is mild and there are few rainy days. You also need to know when there are Hurricanes at Walt Disney World and how to avoid them.

What is the Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World?

Going to Disney World is expensive, so planning a vacation for cheap can be a huge help to many guests. So what is the cheapest time to go?

Disney World offers the best rates and the biggest discounts during the off-season when kids are at school. Prices are the highest during the summer and during holidays. Things like ticket prices, airfare, and hotel rooms are all more expensive during those times.

If saving money is important to you, try booking your trip in January, February, or September.

Read our post on the Cheapest times to go to Disney World for more info and tips for guests on a budget.

Special Events

Disney can throw quite the party, and many people come to Disney World specifically for the yearly special events put on. Depending on your needs, you might want to come during one of the events or avoid them altogether.

Here are some of the biggest special events to make note of in 2024:

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 3-7, 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January 12- February 19, 2024)
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (February 28 – Early July, 2024)
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (Mid-July – Mid-November, 2024)
• Walt Disney World 100th Year Celebration (Most of 2024)
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Select nights from Mid-August – October 31, 2024)
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Select nights November and December 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Late November – December 30th, 2024)

Park Pass Reservations

Right now in 2024, Park Pass Reservations are no longer required for most ticket types (there are some exceptions for Annual Passholders and other special tickets) , and for the most part you no longer have to worry about park capacity.

If your ticket type does require Park Pass Reservations, make sure there are open dates for the parks you want before booking your trip, then once you buy your tickets, make your park pass reservations so you are sure to get in.

However, the good news is that park reservations are no longer required for the majority of ticket holders starting January 9, 2024.

We explain it all in our post on how to make Disney Park Pass reservations .

New Attractions

If you love attractions, then you might want to plan your trip around some of the new rides that are opening up. This is especially true if you’ve been to Disney World many times before and want to hold out until something else is new.

Here are the biggest new attractions opening in 2024:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Test Track 3.0
• New Country Bear Jamboree Show

We have been spoiled with a lot of new attractions over the past few years.

EPCOT has been a big focus of recent additions with our favorite being Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which opened on May 27, 2022, and it has immediately become the most popular ride in EPCOT and a must-do on your visit.

Other new EPCOT attractions include Moana: Journey of Water , Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure , Space 220 Restaurant , and the new Luminous The Symphony of US Fireworks Show .

The TRON: Lightcycle Run Roller Coaster similarly has been a smashing success at Magic Kingdom when it opened on April 2nd of 2023.

Those are just a taste of what’s coming next. Read our guide on New Rides Coming to Disney World which will help you decide when to plan your trip.

What Month is the Best to Go to Disney World?

In general, we find that January and September are the best months to visit Disney World .

Both are incredibly quiet times of the year. January has nicer park weather for long days in the park. September can be wonderfully quiet if you can endure 90-degree days.

For a variety of reasons, we feel that September and May will also be great months at Disney World in 2024. Read our post on Disney World – Month by Month Rankings for a comparison of each one.

Wait Until 2025?

Unlike in 2020-2022 years, most of the health restrictions have now been removed from the Disney parks, making it much more like a normal visit. In our opinion, most guests don’t have reason to be fearful like at the beginning of the reopening.

If you have been waiting for a couple of years to visit, 2024 and 2025 may be the perfect opportunity for your perfect Disney World vacation with all that is coming down the pipeline.

Our article “Should you visit Disney World in 2024?” can help make the case for each year and includes the positives and negatives for both.

No matter what dates you have in mind, check out our post “How Far in Advance Can You Book a Disney Vacation?” That will give you the full timeline and let you know when to get started.

Limited Experiences & Closures

Some of the normal experiences guests are used to at Disney World are not running right now. Since a Disney World vacation is not cheap, this can be a huge factor in deciding whether it’s worth the cost at this time.

Some of the things missing are:

• Some Stage Shows
• Fewer Street Entertainers
• Fewer Characters in the parks

This is another problem brought on by the fact that Disney is not able to find enough cast members to fill the roles required for all the positions in the parks. That’s why we still have limited entertainment options compared to a few years ago.

Thankfully, we have seen the return of fireworks to the parks on a nightly basis and dessert parties to go along with them. Character meets are open again, and at least you can get hugs and autographs from them too!

We are also excited to know that more special events are running again in 2024 with the Disney After Hours Events in full swing. On top of that, the Disney Dining Plan is made its long-awaited return on January 9th, 2024! Guests can begin booking it for trips on that date and after.

At least park hours are pretty much back to normal once again so you can expect to stay in the parks like before.

Important Disney World Vocab

Genie+, PhotoPass, ADRs, MDE, EMH…anyone else confused yet?? In fact, before you start planning your Disney vacation, there are some basic vocabulary terms you need to learn.

Below we’ve listed the most Disney important terms you will see while planning your trip:

My Disney Experience

Everything starts with My Disney Experience when planning a Disney World vacation. Also known as MDE, this is Disney World’s app that handles dining reservations, Genie+, mobile ordering, park maps, resort stay information, itineraries, PhotosPass pictures, and much, much more.

My Disney Experience is accessible through the website or the mobile app on your phone. Get familiar with it, because it’s a necessary tool to use before and during your vacation.

As you may have heard, FastPass+ has been retired and replaced by the new Disney Genie service . Disney Genie is a day-planning app in My Disney Experience that includes two paid ride reservation systems, Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections.

They allow guests to reserve access to the most popular theme park attractions, essentially skipping the lines and saving you time along the way.

Genie+ is not free like its predecessor was and instead costs between $15 and $39 per day, per guest. With that fee, guests can make reservations for attractions they want to ride throughout the day in a specific time slot like FastPass+. They then come back when that time slot arrives.

Reservations are limited to one at a time, so you can’t have 3 all at once like before. Once a two-hour window passes from making your first reservation, you can then make a reservation for the next attraction.

A few of the most popular attractions instead use Individual Lightning Lane selections. These let you skip the line for a one-time fee between $10-$25 depending on the ride. Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections are two different pay-to-ride services and guests can use one without the other if they choose.

If you choose not to use either of these services, you will just wait in a standby queue to ride the attraction like normal.

• READ: We cover everything you need to know about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes in our guide which is essential reading before deciding how to tour the parks each day. I also recommend reading our post “ Is Genie+ Really Worth the Cost? ” which helps you to know if you should spend the extra money.

Early Theme Park Entry

Early Theme Park Entry allows Disney World Resort hotel guests to have access to the theme parks in the morning before the general public . This is one of the biggest benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort hotel with guests experiencing fewer crowds in the parks.

It works in a similar way as Extra Magic Hours did only that Early Theme Park Entry runs every day of the week and lets guests in 30 minutes before the parks open. It’s unclear if EMH will ever return or if Early Theme Park Entry is here to stay long-term.

One thing is clear, you get a big advantage showing up early and it can really help you get the more popular rides in each park done before the crowds arrive.

MagicBands are an all-in-one mobile connectivity device disguised as colorful bracelets. These devices connect with My Disney Experience and can be used by guests to buy food or merchandise, unlock hotel room doors, redeem Genie+ selections at rides, and use them as theme park tickets.

In 2024, MagicBands are no longer free to guests but can be purchased for a small fee online or in the parks. The future of MagicBands and replacement technology is much more clear now that Disney finally launched MagicBand+ a couple of years ago.

Park Hopping

Park hopping is Disney’s system for allowing guests to visit multiple theme parks on the same day. It is an add-on feature to your Disney World theme park admission and is an extra cost. Whether or not it’s worth it to you depends on if you prefer hopping around to multiple parks per day or doing one park per day more thoroughly.

Park Hopping is alive and well in 2024 after being unavailable for a while after the parks reopened. Read our post on Disney World Park Hopping to see what changes there are to the system now.

ADRs is an abbreviation for Advanced Dining Reservations and it is how you reserve a table at Disney World restaurants. Dining reservations are a MUST to get into the more popular restaurants, especially for character meals, theme park restaurants, and the more elegant dining experiences.

If you are staying at one of the Disney World Resort hotels , ADRs can be made 60 days in advance of your check-in date, and reservations can be made for up to 10 days past the check-in date, for a total of 60+10. If you are staying off-site, you are at a disadvantage because you can only make reservations 60 days in advance of the dining date.

Read our Disney World Dining Reservations Guide for more details and tips on getting into the restaurants you want.

PhotoPass & Memory Maker

PhotoPass is Disney’s photography service offered at the Walt Disney World Resort . Professional photographers (and machines) are stationed throughout the parks and are available to take pictures of you and your family as a memory to take back home with you.

These photographers are set up in the most scenic areas, with many of Disney World’s famous icons in the pictures with you like Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, etc. These photos are connected to your My Disney Experience account and can be downloaded or printed at a later time.

Many of the photographs include MagicShots, which are photos with a little bit of extra Disney magic in them, often including the characters and funny poses. On-ride photos are also available on many of the attractions and also can be downloaded.

In order to get these photos, you will need to purchase the Memory Maker package for your trip. It is an additional cost of $210 + tax (or $185 + tax if you purchase it at least 3 days in advance) but gives you unlimited photo opportunities for your whole travel party during your entire vacation.

You also have the opportunity to purchase Memory Maker for only one day, and that costs $75.

Disney photographers will also take photos of you and your family with your own phones if you ask, so don’t be afraid. This service is free of charge.

Where to Stay?

The next step in booking your Walt Disney World vacation is figuring out where you want to stay.

Some of the factors to consider when deciding where to stay are:

• Staying On-Site or Off-Site
• Accommodation Type
• Location and Convenience
• Hotel Amenities
• Airport Transportation
• Extra Perks

Some of these will be important to you while others not so much. Base your decision on the accommodations that check off the most boxes for you and your family.

The first step in this process is deciding if you want to stay at a Disney World Resort hotel (on-site) or outside of the resort property (off-site).

Disney World Resort Hotels

Staying On-Site Benefits

• Location – Resorts are located near the Disney theme parks which means less travel time each day. You can also go back to your hotel for a nap in the afternoon before heading out once again later.
• Genie+ – Staying at a WDW resort hotel means you can make your Individual Lightning Lane reservations at 7:00 am, before guests who are staying off-site.
• Early Theme Park Entry – You will have extra time in the parks in the morning before the general public arrives.
• Transportation – Disney includes free transportation to and from the theme parks, Disney Springs, and other hotels. Free airport shuttle service is no longer provided through Disney’s Magical Express , and you’ll have to take care of getting from Orlando Airport to Disney World on your own. Options include the Mears Connect Shuttle , taxi, or a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
• Theming – Most Disney World hotels have unique theming that you and your kids will love.
• The Disney Bubble – There is something magical about stepping into Walt Disney World at the beginning of your vacation and then not stepping out until the end. You feel tucked away inside this magical world that you never want to leave.

Staying Off-Site

Benefits of Staying Off-Site:

• Lower Cost – This is the biggest benefit, one that could make a huge difference in your decision. Compared to each other, non-Disney hotels cost significantly less than Disney hotels of the same hotel class (value vs. value, deluxe vs. deluxe). You could save between 30-50% on hotel costs by staying off-site.
• Transportation – Some of the off-site hotels have a free transportation service between the airport and the hotel so make sure to ask for your options.
• Genie+ – While you don’t have the advantage with the Individual Lightning Lane selections, making Genie+ reservations is the same for guests staying on-site or off-site.
• Better if Visiting Other Orlando Destinations – If going to Orlando, Sea World or other destinations, a more central location outside Disney World is nice.
• More Luxurious – Some of the hotels available in the Orlando area like the Four Seasons Orlando or Ritz-Carlton Orlando, are true luxury hotels, and offer more amenities than the Disney World Resorts.

On-Site vs Off-Site

If you are looking for the easiest, most convenient choice and money is not your number one deciding factor, we recommend staying at a Disney World Resort hotel . The only real negative is the cost, and most of the time the benefits outweigh that, but it will depend on your priorities and budget.

We recommend exploring both options and weighing the cost vs value for you and your family. If you are only going for 4-5 days though, we think staying at a Disney hotel is the smart play since time is of the essence. If you have a longer stay (7 days or more), you might find more value in staying off-site.

Our On-Site vs. Off-Site Disney World Hotels Comparison will help you decide if the benefits are worth the extra cost.

Disney Hotel Types

There are 4 tiers of Walt Disney World Resort hotels and they are organized by cost:

• Value Resorts
• Moderate Resorts
• Deluxe Resorts
• Deluxe Villas

Value Resorts are the cheapest of the hotel types and can be booked anywhere from $130 to $415 per night depending on the season. They have the fewest amenities, the smallest rooms, the cheapest theming, the worst dining options, and the transportation is the slowest.

Moderate Resorts are a step up from value, but not nearly as nice as the Deluxe resorts. The rooms are bigger than value rooms, and the dining is much better at most of them. Prices range from $260 to $505 per night.

Deluxe Resorts are our favorite hotels in Disney World and for good reason. Most of the rooms are large and can fit more than 4 people. The best dining locations are located here with some world-class restaurants. The pools are the best and the locations and transportation options can’t be beaten such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner, and most are within walking distance of the parks.

Of course, expect to pay for this upgrade and prices can vary between $490 to $1350 per night depending on where and when you stay.

Deluxe Villas are Disney Vacation Club properties located at the Deluxe Resorts. Some guests own timeshare points they can spend at these resorts, while other rent points from members. This is the cheapest way to stay at one of the deluxe resorts without breaking the bank and a strategy we highly recommend.

We recommend reading our Guide to the Best Disney World Resorts where we rank them all from best to worst and share the pros and cons of each resort.

Vacation Packages 

Disney World Vacation Packages are your hotel room + theme park tickets in the same bundle. These can be a mixed bag. Sometimes they can be a great value and offer deep discounts on room rates or even include discounts on food like the Disney Free Dining package included.

Most of the time we find you can save more money by getting a hotel room-only discount and buying tickets separately. You should do your due diligence and compare prices between the two options. Disney World Vacation Packages can be booked at www.DisneyWorld.com

Again, we highly recommend you use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner as they will always be able to find the deepest discounts for you and save the most money.

Airbnb and Nearby Hotels

Instead of staying at a hotel, if you are really trying to save money on your trip , then consider staying at one of the many third-party hotels or an Airbnb near Disney World.

If you aren’t familiar with how Airbnb works, it is a service that rents out peoples’ residences to travelers like a hotel room.

The Airbnbs in Orlando include vacation homes, apartments, and condos. Besides the lower cost, guests have more privacy and space in a private residence than at a hotel. There is also usually a full kitchen so you can prepare your meals and save even more money.

Another cheaper alternative is staying at one of the nearby off-site hotels, or a hotel located on Disney property, but not run by the mouse. This can save you a lot of money, just make sure you are aware of the extra costs that could be involved.

The biggest downside for off-site hotels, Airbnb, or vacation homes is the distance from the parks and not being able to use Disney transportation. You will either have to rent a car or use a ride-sharing service like Uber to get around, and that can be inconvenient. If you already will be using a car, then consider this a great alternative.

Read our Complete Disney World Resort Hotels List for a look at all the Disney and Non-Disney hotel options in the area and what to expect.

Park tickets can be the most expensive part of a trip to Walt Disney World, even more than dining and your hotel. That’s why it’s important to do your research beforehand and know how to save money when buying them.

You also need to decide exactly how many days you want to spend in the parks so you don’t end up paying for more days than necessary.

Where to Buy Tickets

Options for buying Disney World Tickets include:

• Directly from Disney
• Authorized Ticket Reseller
• Travel Agent

Getting your tickets from Disney on the official Disney World website is your first option. It’s almost always more expensive, however, and it pays to look elsewhere.

To save money on your park tickets, we recommend using one of the authorized resellers online such as Get Away Today or Undercover Tourist . They are legit resellers so you don’t have to worry about being ripped off like other places online.

If you really want to save money, we highly recommend Orlando Va cation which often has the best prices for any of the Disney World ticket resellers.

Depending on what type of ticket you are buying, these options can save you as much as $50-$70 per ticket! That’s a huge savings, especially if you have a big family. Once you buy your Disney World park tickets, they can be linked to your My Disney Experience with a code.

In our Discount Disney World Tickets Guide , we cover the best places to buy tickets from and how to get the absolute cheapest tickets possible.

Ticket Types

There are three basic types of Disney World theme park tickets: Standard tickets, Park Hopper tickets, or Annual Passes . Both standard and park hopper tickets can be purchased as single-day tickets or multi-day.

Standard Tickets – This is the cheapest ticket type. They allow you admission to one theme park per day for the number of days you purchased. You can visit the same park for multiple days if you choose.

Park Hopper Tickets – This option allows you to visit multiple parks per day for the entire amount of days you purchased. Technically you can visit all 4 parks in one day if you like. There is a Water Park version too. They are more expensive but allow for greater flexibility.

Annual Passes – There are multiple versions with different restrictions but the higher-end options give you unlimited access to the parks letting you visit whenever you want. If you live close to WDW or are planning on visiting multiple times in a one-year period, an annual pass could be a good investment.

Here are some links that explain about all the various ticket types, differences, pros and cons, prices, and their unique features:

• Disney World Tickets Complete Guide
• 1-Day Disney World Tickets
• Disney World Annual Pass Guide
• Florida Resident Disney World Tickets

Disney World park tickets are priced on a date and length-based system. That means the prices will fluctuate greatly depending on when you go.

For example, in 2024, a 1-Day standard park ticket starts at $109 per day and goes all the way up to $189 per day (plus tax) . That’s a huge difference and you can get a lot of savings by going in the off-season.

Another important factor is that tickets cost less per day the more days you have on your ticket. In fact, Disney’s motto is: “the longer you play, the less you pay per day.” Once you get higher than a 3-day ticket, the price per day drops dramatically.

To find out the latest prices and how much they’ve increased this year, read our Disney Tickets Prices Guide .

When to Buy Tickets

There are multiple reasons to buy your Disney World park tickets as soon as possible . One reason is you can’t make Park pass reservations without them. That is important because the longer you wait the less likely you will get into the park of your choice when you want.

Disney tickets never become less expensive, so buying early also locks in your price before the next price increase comes.

Buy your tickets whenever your budget allows, just never wait until you get to the gate or you will pay more.

How to Travel to Walt Disney World

Now that you have your hotel and tickets all set, you need to decide how to get to Walt Disney World. This will depend on how far away you live and what your plans are when you get to Orlando.

Drive or Fly ?

These are the two most popular options for getting to Disney World and depend mostly on where you live.

Drive – If you are within a few hours of Walt Disney World, your best option might be to drive. You also might decide to drive if you are live close enough nearby, or if you are staying off-site and will be visiting other destinations outside of Disney World.

One thing to keep in mind is that many Orlando hotels charge parking fees for each night of your stay, and that will cost you an extra $20-$30 per night. These can be avoided if staying at one of the WDW Resorts.

Fly – For most guests, an airplane is the most convenient way to get to Disney World. The Orlando International Airport is the best choice and is located only 30 minutes from WDW. There are multiple flights per day arriving from most cities in the United States and Internationally.

Airfare is also not expensive and good discount flights can be found online with many between $150-$250.

Booking Airfare

We recommend setting your dates and to start looking for airfare 1 year before your vacation. That will give you the best chance to score a deal.

If you are booking airfare yourself, we usually find the best prices on ITA Software by Google , AirfareWatchdog , or Skyscanner . You can set up price alerts and they give a flexible dates option to find the best price.

Transportation to and from Airport

The Orlando International Airport is located approximately 20 miles from Walt Disney World, which means you will need transportation to get to your hotel.

The popular & free Disney’s Magical Express transportation was discontinued in 2022 so now in 2024, you’ll need another option to get from the airport to your resort hotel, which means you need to pay out of pocket.

One solution when staying at Walt Disney World is the Mears Connect Shuttle , the most similar replacement for the Magical Express.

Other options no matter where you are staying include taxi service or ride-sharing such as Uber or Lyft .

• Taxis are by far the more expensive choice and will cost around $50-$60 each way plus tip depending on where you are going.
• Uber is a much cheaper option and will cost between $30-$40 each way.

Allow sufficient time to get to your hotel from the airport. If you have a 10:00 am arrival you can expect to get to your hotel by around 11:30 am if taking a cab or Uber. It will be longer on one of the bus services and in that case you will probably arrive between 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm.

Read “ How to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World ” for the full breakdown of all your options and how to save money with transportation.

Attractions and Rides

Most people come to Walt Disney World for the attractions, and you want to plan them out as best as possible in order to do all the ones most important to you.

Pay special attention to this section if this is your first time or you haven’t been to Disney World in a few years as there are many new attractions to experience. Make sure to check the Disney World Ride Closures List to see which rides will be open during your trip.

If you are going to EPCOT, make sure to read our post on How to Get a Boarding Pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , and How to Get a Boarding Pass for TRON: Lightcycle Run over at the Magic Kingdom. These are two of the hardest attractions to ride in Disney World at this time.

You’ll definitely want to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , and right now you’ll need to use the standby queue to ride. You can also read How to Get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance for the times it uses the virtual queue system.

For a detailed look at all of the attractions, be sure to check out our other Disney World Ride Guides:

• Best Rides in Disney World Ranked
• Magic Kingdom Rides and Attractions Guide
• EPCOT Rides and Attractions Guide
• Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions Guide
• Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions Guide
• Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney World

Pick Your Park Days

First, you need to pick how many days you need for each park and how many park days total. Depending on your interests, some parks you can get done in half a day, and some will take you multiple days.

If it’s your first time we recommend 1 full day for each park, and an extra half-day or more for the Magic Kingdom since it has the most attractions.

• Magic Kingdom – The best park for small kids and has the most rides.
• EPCOT – Best park for foodies, festivals, and culture.
• Hollywood Studios – Best park for teens and thrill-seekers.
• Animal Kingdom – Best park for animal and nature lovers and a good selection of rides and food.

The highlights of EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom can all be done in 3 half-days, but we recommend spending at least a day in each to soak up the atmosphere and not feel rushed.

Must-Do Rides

There are some truly special ride experiences at Disney World and each park has a number of Must-Do attractions you won’t want to miss. Here are some of the best ones:

Magic Kingdom – TRON: Lightcycle Run , Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Jungle Cruise

EPCOT – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway , Toy Story Mania!, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Animal Kingdom – Avatar: Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Na’vi River Journey

Those are by far the most popular attractions in each park and the ones that should be at the top of your list. That is a great starting point for any park itinerary.

Make sure to leave enough time to fully explore all the details in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora: The World of Avatar , two of the most immersive lands we’ve ever seen!

Characters are a huge draw for guests when visiting the parks, especially kids. Character meets can be found in all 4 theme parks and include favorites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Princesses, and characters from the Pixar films.

Character meets were suspended temporarily for two years, but they returned in 2022, and you can hug the characters and get their autographs now just like normal! You can also see them in the new Character Cavalcades that go through the parks at various times of the day.

Entertainment

Besides rides, Disney World also offers first-class entertainment with amazing stage shows and nighttime spectaculars. Here is a list of the ones you shouldn’t miss and where to find them:

Fireworks/Nighttime Spectaculars – Happily Ever After (MK), Luminous the Symphony of US (EPCOT), Fantasmic! (HS), Tree of Life Awakenings (AK).

Stage Shows/Street Shows – Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (MK), Dapper Dans (MK), Jeweled Dragon Acrobats (EPCOT), Voices of Liberty (EPCOT), Serveur Amusant (EPCOT), A Frozen Sing-Along (HS), Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (HS), Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (HS), Festival of the Lion King (AK), Finding Nemo – The Musical (AK)

Parades – Character Cavalcades (All Parks), Festival of Fantasy Parade (MK)

Most of these entertainment options are now back in 2024, and we are hopeful more will come back later this year.

High Priority Genie+ and Lightning Selections

FastPass+ has been retired and Disney has shifted to its paid replacement Genie+. However, not all Genie+ or Lightning Lane reservations are equal, and there are some attractions where it’s much more advantageous to use them.

After all, you are limited to one Genie+ reservation at a time for the most part, so you need to choose wisely.

You should use Genie+ selections on higher-profile attractions that always draw long wait times like Peter Pan’s Flight or Test Track. Using a Genie+ on Alien Swirling Saucers at Hollywood Studios for example would be a waste.

Here is our list of High-Priority Genie+ attractions:

• Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
• Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom)
• Test Track (EPCOT)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EPCOT)
• Frozen Ever After (EPCOT)
• Na’vi River Journey (Animal Kingdom)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Hollywood Studios)
• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios)
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
• Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)

Not all the Individual Lightning Lane selections are worth the money either as some don’t usually have long enough wait times.

Here is our list of rides we would spend an Individual Lightning Lane selection on if the circumstances were right:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
• TRON: Lightcycle Run (Magic Kingdom)
• Avatar: Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)

Here are some other posts about Genie+ and Lightning Lanes that you should read before planning your trip:

• Ultimate Genie+ & Lightning Lane Guide
• Is Genie+ Worth It?
• How to Purchase Genie+ at Disney World
• How to Purchase Individual Lightning Lanes

For some, dining is their favorite experience when visiting Walt Disney World, and there is an unlimited number of choices available for every palate. In fact, there are over 400 restaurants at Walt Disney World, with varying menus and themes to choose from.

Some restaurants are table service where you sit down and a waiter serves you and some are quick service/counter service which is more like fast food.

Among the decisions you have to make are where to eat, when to book reservations, and whether or not to use the Disney Dining Plan or not.

Choosing Restaurants

The first decision to make about dining in Disney World is which restaurants you want to go to.

It can be hard to make a decision, especially if you haven’t been to any of them before. We suggest reading through the menus on the Disney World website to see what stands out to you and reading some of our Disney Restaurant Reviews for more info.

Character dining and buffets are options to consider, and some restaurants are more kid-friendly than others.

Here are some of our rankings of the top places to eat at Walt Disney World:

• Best Walt Disney World Restaurants
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at EPCOT
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at Disney Springs
• Best Disney World Resort Hotel Restaurants

Making Reservations

Once you’ve picked out your restaurants, it’s time to make reservations. They can be made using the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device or on your computer on the Disn e y World website.

Advance Dining Reservations can be made 60 days before your check-in date for the length of your vacation (Previously 180 days) . We highly recommend making them as soon as possible as the most popular restaurants fill up months ahead of time.

Read our Disney Advance Dining Reservations guide for more tips on how to book the restaurants you want and the highest priority restaurants.

High Priority Restaurants

Here is a list of the hardest-to-book restaurants in Disney World and ones that should be booked right at the 60-day deadline:

• Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
• Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
• Le Cellier (EPCOT)
• Oga’s Cantina (Hollywood Studios)
• ‘Ohana (Disney’s Polynesian Resort)
• Space 220 (EPCOT)
• Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
• Victoria & Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort)

There are other hard-to-get ones like Via Napoli and California Grill, but the above ones are by far the hardest.

Our Favorite WDW Restaurants

Our favorite WDW Restaurants for First-Timers are:

• 50’s Prime Time Cafe (Hollywood Studios)
• California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
• Hollywood Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios)
• Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom)
• Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs)
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Cafe and Inn (Magic Kingdom)
• Satu’li Canteen (Animal Kingdom)
• The Boathouse (Disney Springs)
• Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)

That list has something for everyone no matter your budget or tastes.

Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan returned to Walt Disney World on January 9th, 2024 ! For all the news on the new dining plan, check out my post here .

Even though we aren’t fans of the Disney Dining Plan, many guests love to use it and it’s something you need to understand to make an educated decision on how you want to pay for your meals.

The Dining Plan lets guests pay for their meals before their vacation starts giving each person in the group a number of credits they can spend on meals each day. This makes it very convenient since you don’t have to pay for food “out-of-pocket” during your trip, and your budget is already set.

There are 4 levels of the Disney Dining Plan, (Quick Service, Standard, Plus, and Deluxe) each with different prices and tailored to how much you plan on eating during your trip.

In general, we don’t recommend the Disney Dining Plan because it is a bit too expensive. In order to make it worth it, you need to do a lot of research ahead of time, and pick the “right” restaurants and the most expensive items on the menu. Most people don’t end up using all their credits, essentially paying for food they never eat.

Disney World Transportation

Next, it’s important to know how to get around Walt Disney World once you arrive. With almost 500 buses, dozens of watercraft, a monorail, and a gondola system, Disney World has a larger public transportation system than many American cities.

Should You Rent a Car?

Renting a car at Disney World has its positives and negatives and is a big decision you need to make. It comes down to if you are going to visit other places outside of Walt Disney World or stay on property the entire time.

If you are going to spend the entire vacation at Walt Disney World, there is absolutely no need to rent a car. Disney’s public transportation is more than sufficient for your needs.

If you are just going to spend one day in another Orlando destination like Universal Studios, you don’t need a car and you will save money by catching an Uber or a taxi to your destination.

The best reason for renting a car is if you plan on spending multiple days outside Disney World. Just know that parking fees at the theme parks can add up if you aren’t staying at a Disney World Resort, so expect to spend an additional$25 per day on top of rental car fees.

Just remember, if you have a car, in some cases, you will need to pay parking fees either at the hotels or theme parks which is an extra expense on top of the cost of the car itself. Sometimes both. We explain it all in our Guide to Parking at Disney World .

The most common form of transportation at Walt Disney World, and also the worst. No matter where you are staying, you will eventually have to use a Disney bus at some point in your trip to get to at least one of the theme parks.

They can each hold 100+ guests so they can get very packed and uncomfortable. Buses also tend to be the slowest way of getting around at Disney World, so if there is an alternative to where you are going, take it.

If you do end up taking the bus, make sure to show up 20-30 minutes before the time you want to leave as they are notoriously late.

When Disney World’s monorail system debuted back in 1971 it was an instant hit with guests and become the most popular mode of transportation.

The monorail has 3 lines loops. 2 of them (Resort and Express) go around the Seven Seas Lagoon and connect the Magic Kingdom with the nearby hotels at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and the Ticket and Transportation Center.

The third line connects EPCOT to Magic Kingdom lines allowing access to the surrounding resorts.

We love the Monorail and it’s still a great time riding from resort to resort, but they are outdated and in great need of refurbishment. The trains haven’t been replaced since 1989 so it’s beyond time for a new system.

This is the newest transportation mode at Disney World and our current favorite. Reminiscent of the old Skyway buckets from the Magic Kingdom, this gondola system brings guests between Disney parks and resorts with a wonderful bird’s-eye view.

Disney Skyliner Stops – EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Read our Full Guide to the Disney Skyliner for more tips, maps, and everything else you need to know.

Disney World has a fleet of watercraft that 3 of the theme parks with various surrounding resort hotels. It’s a fantastic way to get to the parks, and to relax with great views on the way.

• Parks with Watercraft Service – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.
• Resorts with Watercraft Service – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort (and Bay Lake), Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts, Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (Treehouse Villas).

Expect to wait 20-30 minutes between boat arrivals.

Ride Sharing (Uber/Lyft)

Sometimes you just don’t have time to wait for Disney transportation and you need to get to your destination fast. A ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft is perfect at Disney World in that situation.

Ride-sharing such as Uber will bring you anywhere you want in Walt Disney World. The only place they can’t go is to the front entrance at the Magic Kingdom. Instead, they drop guests off at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Disney doesn’t offer hotel to hotel bus service, so we often use Uber to get from our hotel to another one where we have a dinner reservation. This is a big-time saver instead of taking a bus to Disney Springs or a Park and then over to the second hotel.

Minnie Vans

Minnie Vans are Disney’s attempt to counter the popularity of ride-sharing services over the last few years. They are now back at Walt Disney World after being discontinued for 2 years.

They were run through the Lyft app and would bring you anywhere on property for a fee. Cars were painted red and black with white polka dots to resemble Minnie Mouse’s patented dress. They were much faster than Disney buses, but in the end, 2-3x more expensive than an Uber and not worth the high cost.

Getting from Park to Park

If you are park hopping you will want to go from one park to the other in the same day. Thankfully, Disney offers park-to-park transportation for resort hotel guests.

You can take the monorail between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. If you want to go between the Magic Kingdom and any other park, you will need to take the bus. Right now they run from 2:00 pm daily between parks.

Hollywood Studios and EPCOT have multiple transportation methods between them with boats, walking, and the Disney Skyliner all options.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most difficult park to get to from another park and can only be reached by bus.

Other Stuff to Do

Most guests only come to Walt Disney World in mind, not realizing there is a whole world of other activities and entertainment to enjoy. There are water parks, boating, fishing golf, spa treatments, shopping to enjoy. You can even take a private tour or get a ticket to a special event.

You can celebrate a special moment in your life like an engagement or anniversary. Believe it or not, there are even a bunch of free things to do on your trip! There is something for the whole family.

Let’s take a look at some of the other things to do at Disney World.

Water Parks

Disney World has 2 water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. To go, you need to purchase the water parks add-on to your regular theme park admission or buy a single-day ticket.

• Typhoon Lagoon has 7 water slide rides, one kiddie slide, one kiddie play area, one lazy river, one wave pool, and one small exploration trail. More family-friendly.
• Blizzard Beach has seven water slide rides, one kiddie play area, one lazy river, one wave pool, and a chairlift. More thrilling water slides.

Both water parks are fun, but if we are going to spend one day at a water park, we choose Typhoon Lagoon every time. The overall theming of the park is amazing, and the lazy river and wave pool are much better than at Blizzard Beach.

Disney Springs

This is Disney World’s main shopping and dining district and where you go if you are looking for nightlife at Disney World. Disney Springs underwent a major refurbishment and expansion a few years ago and now has countless must-try dining options as well as a Cirque du Soleil show, a movie theater, a fun bowling alley, and more.

Most of the restaurants at Disney Springs are much easier to get a reservation for than the restaurants at the parks and resort hotels, so keep that in mind if you have difficulty.

Read our rankings of the best Disney Springs restaurants for suggestions of where and what to eat.

Resort Days

Disney World can be exhausting running from one park to the next. We recommend spending at least one day doing absolutely nothing at your resort hotel. When I say nothing I mean lounging by the pool with a drink.

A good strategy is to have one resort day in the middle of your trip so you can recharge your batteries before doing the rest of the parks.

What is there to do at the resort hotels you ask? Tons! Here are some of our favorite recreation activities at Disney World:

• Boating/Jet Skis
• Horseback Riding
• Organized Resort Activities & Games
• Painting, Pottery & Crafts
• Sports – Tennis, Basketball, Golf, Archery
• Jogging/Trails
• Movies Under the Stars

Those should keep you busy for a while!

Visiting Other Resorts

Another option is to visit other Walt Disney World Resort hotels during your stay. The theming on some of them is really incredible (Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge), it’s free to do, and it’s fun to just walk around and check out the grounds.

No, you can’t swim in the pools at a resort you aren’t staying at, but you can scout out the hotels to find the resort you will stay at on your next trip to Disney World. Many enjoy doing this during the holidays to see the various decorations at each resort.

If you don’t want to take a whole day visiting other resorts, we suggest booking a lunch or dinner reservation at one of the restaurants in the resorts and then going early to check things out.

Sure you can go to the parks and ride the attractions, but did you know there are dozens of tours (paid and free) that you and your family can take? Planning a tour can be a great addition to your vacation and there is one for the whole family.

Best Tours at Disney World

• Keys to the Kingdom (Magic Kingdom)
• Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour (Magic Kingdom)
• Behind the Seeds (EPCOT)
• English Tea Garden Tour (EPCOT)
• Star Wars Guided Tour (Hollywood Studios)
• Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience (Animal Kingdom)
• Wild Africa Trek (Animal Kingdom)
• Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour (All Parks)

(Some tours are back right now at Disney World and others are still suspended.)

Extra Magic

There are also other special experiences at Disney World we like to call “Extra Magic” as they add just that extra touch you or your family member is looking for on your vacation. Be sure to look into these, especially for a special occasion.

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – This is a special salon that transforms your little princess or prince with a complete makeover. There are multiple packages that include costumes, make-up, manicures, and hair styling. Packages range from $75-$450.
• Dessert/Fireworks Parties – Each of the theme parks holds Dessert Parties on almost a nightly basis. These parties include all-you-can-eat desserts and a reserved view of the fireworks shows. Prices range from $40-$70 per person.
• Hard-ticketed Parties – Periodically there are events at the parks that require an extra ticket to and private from the general public and are some of the most popular events in Disney World each year. These include Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party , Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party , and various Disney After Hours events . Expect to pay between $109-$200 for these events.

Have a Daily Itinerary

No one likes being tied to a schedule on vacation, unfortunately at Walt Disney World that is not an option if you want to have the best experience possible during your visit.

We’re not saying you have to walk around with a clipboard and spreadsheet, but you need to create a general itinerary for the parks you are going to, which restaurants, etc.

The hard truth is, Disney World is too big and you can’t do it all even if you are there for 2 weeks. That’s why you need to make a plan and prioritize the most important things to you each day.

Some of the general questions about your Disney World trip that you need to think about are:

• How many days are you going to spend in the parks?
• How long will you go to the parks each day? Full days? Half days? Leave and come back in the evening?
• What order will you visit the parks in? Do you need to visit some parks more than once?
• How many sit-down meals per day? Where will you have those meals, at the parks or resort hotels?
• Which extra experiences are important to me? Special events?

The clearer your answers are to those questions, the easier it’s going to be to plan your days, and ultimately the more fun you will have.

When You’re In the Parks

Assuming you know how many days you want to spend in each park, the next thing you need to do is choose the attractions that are most important to you. Make a list of the ones you absolutely NEED to go on and prioritize those first.

Once you have your list, you will know which ones to prioritize when making your Genie+ reservations . When you have those it will be easier to map out the park and decide what order to do the attractions in.

We recommend looking at the park maps and doing the rides systematically. If you are in Adventureland for Jungle Cruise, then do the other rides on that side of the park while you are there. It will save you valuable time instead of walking back and forth multiple times.

What to Pack & Bring

We are almost there, the only thing left to do is pack your bags. Walt Disney World is a unique place and there are many things you might not think about packing that will be very helpful on your trip. We usually think we packed everything, but inevitably leave something at home, that’s why it’s best to have a list.

Here are the most important things to pack:

Luggage/Bags – Make sure your suitcases are in good condition before packing and are big enough to hold all your essential items. Decide how many bags each person is bringing. This will also depend on how many bags your flight permits.

We always pack too much on our trips to Disney World and we find ourselves swimming in bags. If you have a room with a washing machine, take advantage of that and do a load of laundry to save space in your bags.

If you have colorful, character-themed bags, this is the time to use them, your kids will love them. Also, make sure to bring a small backpack. We like to carry one during the day so hold our camera, a bottle of water, sunscreen, medicines, and other necessities.

Shoes – This might be the MOST important item on the list. If you don’t have comfortable shoes in Disney World, you are going to have a miserable time. On average, we walk between 8-10 miles PER DAY on our trips. You may not walk as much as us, but it will be at least 2-3 times more than what you are used to back home.

Here are some other important things you need to bring with you to Disney World:

• Medications
• Phone Chargers
• Travel Documents
• Water Bottles
• Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads (when it gets too hot)

Disney Vacation Planning Timeline

Now that you understand the basics of planning a Disney World vacation, it’s time to put it all together. When are you supposed to do all these planning tasks?

Most planning items need to be completed a certain number of days before your trip. We’ve created a planning timeline for you to make it easier to know when you need to get all these things done by.

One rule you should live by with Disney vacations is “it’s never too early.” Start planning as soon as possible and things will go much smoother.

499 Days Before Your Trip

You have to be kidding right? I need to start planning my trip 499 days before I go? While it’s not absolutely necessary to start this early, it will give you an advantage.

Start Thinking about Travel Dates – Get at least an idea of the dates you want to go to Disney World. Consult our Best Times to Visit Disney World guide to see which months are the best and worst.

Research/Book Hotel Reservations – Disney makes resort hotel reservations available for booking as many as 19 months in advance. If you know where you want to stay already, you may as well book your hotel now because you’ll have a better chance of getting a room.

This is especially helpful if you plan on going during the holiday season or other very busy times of the year. Read our article on How to Book a Disney World Vacation for all the details and booking tips.

Download My Disney Experience – Even if you don’t have dates in mind, travelers should download the MDE app and open an account right away to start getting familiar with the layout. It’s also time to go on the Disney World website to start doing research on the hotels and parks.

1 Year Before Your Trip

Decide Travel Dates – By this time you should have picked out when you want to take your vacation. If you need help deciding, it’s wise to look at a Disney World Crowd Calendar to find out when the busiest and least busy times of the year are.

How Many Days at the Parks – You also need to think about how many days you are going to spend in each park and how many days total of your trip. Think about which parks you want to go to and if you want to visit one of the water parks.

Research Attractions – Familiarize yourself with all the top attractions at each park and think about which ones you really want to do.

Price Airfare – It’s never too early to start looking up prices for airfare if you are flying. You should aim to get your tickets no more than 6 months before your trip.

9 Months Before You Go

Make Hotel Reservations – By this time you should know when you are going and which hotel to stay at. If you wait any longer you really run the risk of not getting the hotel you want. Lock in your room and then wait and see if a better offer opens up.

Get Everyone on My Disney Experience – You should already have an account, but you also need to make sure your family and all members of your travel party also are signed up. You will need them to be in the system for your dining reservations and FastPass+ reservations down the line, so take care of it early.

Buy Tickets – It’s always good to buy your Disney World park tickets as early as possible. First, the price never goes down and you will not find a lower price than what you see today so lock it in. Secondly, you need to have your tickets before making park reservations which tend to sell out early, especially if going at a busy time.

Make Park Pass Reservations – Once you buy your tickets, you can now make your park pass reservations. Don’t waste time, they sell out quickly.

180+ Days Before You Go

Park Hours – A few days before the 180-day mark arrives, look at the park hours for each day. This will let you plan out your day and will play a park in where you plan your meals and which Genie+ reservations you plan on booking.

Write Itinerary Rough Draft – Start writing out your ideal vacation itinerary day by day. Go through which parks you will be at on which days and which restaurants you would like to dine at. You now have a good idea of how your days are going to play out. Do this a few days before the 180-day mark as you need to have all the restaurants decided by then.

Book Special Events/Experiences – Decide which special experiences you and your family want to do. After Hours events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party should be booked once they are available. Experiences like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique take reservations 180 days before and they sell out quickly.

Decide to Rent a Car or Not – If you are renting a car, start looking a prices and book one when possible.

Disney Dining Plan – You need to decide if the Dining Plan is worth it to you or not. If so, you can add it to your package.

Book Airfare – This is a good time to buy airfare and if you’ve been monitoring it for a few months, you have an idea of what a good deal is.

75 Days Before Your Trip

New Hotel Deals – Throughout the year, Disney introduces new discounts on hotel rooms. Periodically during the planning stage, check if any new deals have come out for your hotel. If a better room opens up at another hotel, so still have time to switch resorts.

Last Call on Tickets – If for some reason you haven’t got your park tickets by now, this is almost the final opportunity with park reservations sometimes filling up a couple of months before your trip. Make sure you have your tickets before then.

30-60 Days Before Your Trip

Book Your Restaurants (60 Days before your arrival date) – Wake up early and be on your computer by 6:00 am sharp to make dining reservations. This is the most stressful part of planning as it can be hard to get the most difficult restaurants. Write backups for the most popular restaurants in case you can’t book your favorites.

Write Final Itinerary – Now that you have your parks and dining reservations locked in, you can write a final copy of your itinerary. You can always make adjustments later but you now know how most of your vacation will go.

45 Days Before Your Trip

Order MagicBands – Even though MagicBands are no longer free to guests, we still recommend ordering them for a small fee. They are $5-$20 per guest depending on what type you order. These must be ordered no more than 11 days before your trip to arrive at your house in time, but we recommend doing it earlier.

10 Days Before Your Trip

Shuttle Service – You can make a Mears Connect Shuttle reservation or other shuttles sometimes even 24 hours before departure, but there is no reason to wait. Get it done early.

Online Check-In – To skip going to the lobby upon arrival we suggest using Disney’s Online Check-In through My Disney Experience. You can set your credit card for room charges and set a pin for your MagicBand.

3 Days Before Your Trip

Memory Maker – This is the photo package with unlimited photos and downloads during your trip for you and your whole family. This must be ordered 3 days before arrival to get the lower price.

Pack Bags – We sometimes start earlier if we have time, but you should start getting out everything on your packing list and seeing how it fits in your luggage.

Keep Looking for Dining Reservations – If you weren’t able to get any high-priority dining reservations, keep looking periodically from the 60-day point to now. Reservations are more likely to open up the closer you get to your dining date as other guests cancel and change plans. Keep trying up until the morning of the date you are looking for.

Double Check – Run through the list one more time to make sure you have everything covered.

Get Excited – You are going to Disney World, the most magical place on Earth, so get happy!!

Right now. Do it as early as you can and start making plans even up to a year or more before your trip.

The average guest vacation to Walt Disney World is 4-7 days. We recommend 5 to 7 days for first-timers depending on your budget.

You can, but it is a bad idea. Walt Disney World is one of the most complicated vacations you can take and it needs the proper planning to make the most out of your trip.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our Disney Planning Guide…

• What are your best suggestions when planning a trip to Walt Disney World?
• What are your biggest questions about planning a Disney vacation?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

Sunday 14th of January 2024

My special needs son and I are going on the Disney Wish in early March. Have you ever tried a Disney cruise?

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Can dining reservations be made 6 mo in advance or 2 mo in advance please?

Monday 19th of June 2023

I just love your site. All the information provided is extremely helpful and useful. Thanks so much for everything!!!

Yvette Parent

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Hi Ziggy I would like to get a PDF copy of your guide. Would this be possible? Thank you

Thursday 3rd of February 2022

Hello my friend. We will be staying on Disney property this Sunday and we have a reservation for Epcot on Monday morning. Our plan is to ride Ratatouille and would like your advice to go directly to that ride and have a short wait. What should our strategy be? Thank you for your help. Dan and Lora ps we also just purchased an annual pass holder ticket that is only valid on weekdays - I am not sure if that helps.

Ziggy Oskwarek

Hi Dan. That's a good question you have. If you aren't planning on using Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, then going to Remy's Ratatouille Adventure right at rope drop is a good strategy. The day doesn't make a huge difference as it will be morning and festival crowds tend to come more in the afternoon. Have an awesome time and let us know how it goes!

Accommodations

Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, our 24 best disney world tips for your 2024 vacation.

Are you in the middle of planning for your 2024 trip to Disney World? We’ve got your back!

We have years of experience in Disney World travel, and we’ve put together guides on the best hotels to stay at , how much you should realistically budget , and we’ve shared money-saving hacks for your next Disney vacation . But now, we’re taking you through 24 of the best Disney World planning tips for your 2024 vacation!

Ahead of Your Trip

1. be aware of surge pricing.

Way back in November of 2022, Disney announced that 1-day 1-park tickets would have surge pricing depending on the park , and it’s been that way ever since. Animal Kingdom usually has the lowest starting price and Magic Kingdom has the highest starting price — if you are buying 1-day, 1-park tickets, be sure to watch the prices. If your schedule allows, you can pick the cheaper days listed for the park you want to visit .

Even if you have a multi-day park ticket, prices vary by day. When going to buy tickets, check the calendar for the cheapest days to visit Disney World and try to build your trip around that to save some cash! See the cheapest days to visit Disney World in 2024 here .

While it’s not always possible to move your trip around (for example, your kids are only available to go during spring break), paying attention to the price can end up saving you TONS.

2. Don’t Pay Full Price for Your Hotel

Disney World has different price categories for its hotels , but make sure NOT to pay full price for your hotel room! There are almost always hotel deals happening at Disney World — we’ll let you know about them, but make sure you check what deals Disney is running so you can get a discounted hotel room .

There are specific groups of people who sometimes get more or bigger deals including Annual Passholders and  Florida residents , and we’ve also seen great deals for guests with Disney+ subscriptions .

You can also use hotel points at some of the Disney Springs hotels — these hotels still get the same perks as Disney World-owned hotels like Early Theme Park Entry.

Also, don’t let the stress of finding the deals and planning your vacation by yourself get you down. You can use a travel agent instead! We recommend our friends over at Mouse Fan Travel and they can help you plan your trip for free.  

3. Have a Plan for Dining Reservations

Remember that dining reservations in Disney World can be made 60 days in advance , and if you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make dining reservations for the length of your stay 60 days out from your first day. But you’ll want to have a plan in place before you make your reservations !

Dining reservations typically open around 5:45AM EST, and they can go VERY fast at popular spots like Topolino’s Terrace or California Grill . Make sure you’ve got your plan on lock for which dining reservations you want ahead of time so when that 5AM alarm goes off to make reservations, you are prepared.

Pro tip : If you have a multi-day trip at a Disney World hotel, start with the first day of your trip since everyone has access to those reservations. Then you can make them for the other days!

Also, don’t forget that the Disney Dining Plan returned in January 2024.

Now that the Dining Plan is back, you probably have a few questions. We did, too! Luckily,  we did a TON of research and made a list of all the changes you need to know about in 2024. 

Learn ALL about the Disney Dining Plan here!

4. know your food priorities.

Speaking of food, know your priorities when it comes to food! It can be very tempting to want to eat everywhere, and you end up making too many reservations.

For example, if you are going to EPCOT during a festival and you know you want to try a bunch of festival eats, consider skipping a dining reservation at a table service restaurant in the park.

Keep in mind the changes to the dining reservations policy that allow more flexibility and last-minute cancelations , but knowing your priorities ahead of time will alleviate the stress of changing plans last minute.

5. Decide on Airport Transportation in Advance

It’s up to you to decide how you want to get to Disney World from the airport.

There are several options to choose from: You can rent a car and drive yourself to and from the hotel. You can also choose a bus transportation service like Mears Connect or call a rideshare service to take you.

Try to make this decision in advance, because the Orlando International Airport can be a bit trying, so having a plan in place will hopefully ease some of the stress .

Here are 9 unspoken rules about flying out of Orlando Airport!

6. know the my disney experience app.

The My Disney Experience app is a MUST when you’re visiting Disney World. Nowadays, it’s very hard to be in the parks without your phone and this app, so you should familiarize yourself with it before heading out on your trip .

The app has many different features including the ability to check wait times, the tip board when using Genie and Genie+, Mobile Order , virtual queues, and so much more.

7. Make Park Pass Reservations (Annual Passholders)

As of January 2024, Guests with date-based Disney World park tickets no longer need to make park pass reservations .

If your park tickets are not tied to a date, you will still need to make a park pass reservation. This includes Annual Passholders and a few other types of tickets.

Annual Passholders whave the opportunity to use “Good to Go” days. These are dates when WDW Annual Passholders are not be required to obtain a Park Pass Reservation and went into effect January 11th, 2024. Annual Passholders and Cast Members can see Good to Go dates in the online calendar!

Learn More About Good to Go days!

8. keep an eye on the events happening at disney world.

Disney World crowds can be pretty predictable — the winter holidays and spring break are a time when we expect big crowds in Disney World . However, there are some dates you may not realize will have BIG crowds in the parks.

Disney World hosts many major events including  run Disney weekends and cheer competitions, so before booking, check the dates and make sure there aren’t any major events happening at the resort that will cause major crowds!

9. Hold Off on Your Trip for the Newest Attractions

Last year, Splash Mountain closed to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventur e — a new ride in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the end of  The Princess and The Frog , where Tiana has successfully opened her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace.

New music, new and returning characters , and more are all scheduled to come to this reimagined ride in 2024!

Read MORE about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here! 

Country Bear Jamboree closed in January to make way for an updated show .

The Country Bears will be learning some new songs and performing a new act. The new show takes inspiration from classic Nashville variety shows.

Disney even involved Nashville musicians to make the new arrangements for the songs.

Stay tuned for a re-opening date.

10. Make a List of Priorities

Since there are so many things to do at Disney World, you’ll need to make a list of your priorities in the park!

Are you a ride person? Make a list of must-do rides. Want to eat 20 snacks in one day? You may want to commit to fewer rides and shows so you can eat all of the snacks you want. It all depends on priorities but it’s also important to be realistic about what you can do in a day .

11. Watch AllEars Videos

The AllEars team is full of Disney experts, and we post videos daily on our YouTube channel ! These range from challenges to crowd updates to special events — you can learn just about everything you need to know just by watching our videos !

During Your Trip

 12. don’t forget about freebies.

Now we know this sounds completely made up, but did you know you can get some things for free at Disney World? Yes, it’s true! This includes cups of ice water at quick service locations, birthday or celebration buttons, and soda samples at Club Cool.

There are several other things you can still get for free in the parks — check out a full list here !

13. Know How to Use a Virtual Queue

Remember how we said to know the My Disney Experience app ? This is where it comes in handy! You’ll also want to know how to use a virtual queue when in Disney World!

Currently, both Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT and TRON Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom use a virtual queue.  See everything you need to know about the TRON Lightcycle Run virtual queue here .

14. Save Time with Mobile Order

If you want to make the most of your day in Disney World, you have to save time where you can. A big way to save time is using Mobile Order at quick service spots !

On the My Disney Experience app , you can choose a time window and order everything on your phone. You’ll click a button on the app when you arrive at the restaurant and then you’ll get a notification to come grab your food. It’s super convenient and can save you time standing in line!

Now This Is a Mobile Order Change We LOVE, Disney!

15. only use genie+ when you need it.

When it’s crowded in Disney World, you may feel the need to buy Genie+ for every park and every day of the trip — but that’s not necessarily the case.

This goes hand in hand with your priorities. If rides are the priority, you may want to buy Genie+ . However, in parks with fewer rides (like Animal Kingdom), you should be able to do every ride WITHOUT Genie+ in one day.

It all depends on your wants on your trip, so read up on Genie+ to make an informed decision.

16. Use Single Rider Lines

If you don’t mind splitting up your group, pop into the single rider line when you can! Several popular rides including Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom and Test Track in EPCOT have single rider lines that can move much faster than the regular queue.

You still get to wait with your group in line — you just have to split up when it comes to filling the empty seat as a single rider. This can also be a huge time saver. Bear in mind that sometimes the single rider lines are closed off. Keep an eye on it on your next visit!

17. Get Up Early or Stay Later (or Both)

If you want to skip the crowds without using Genie+, we recommend rope dropping (arriving at the parks before it opens so that you are some of the first people in the park) or staying until close .

When looking at the wait times, the lines are lowest at the most popular rides first thing in the morning and in the last couple of hours when the parks are open . Remember, if you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can get into each park 30 minutes early every day which can also save you some time.

Also, Extended Evening Hours , may not apply to your last day at Disney World (especially if you have a flight to catch), but it’s something to keep in mind as it could potentially give you a few more hours in the parks after they close. However, Extended Evening Hours are only available on specific dates for specific parks. So, consider getting to the parks early, staying until the park closes, or both!

18. Know Your Group & Their Needs

We’re not going to lie. It can be very tempting to stay in the parks ALL DAY. I mean, Disney World vacations can be pretty pricey, so it makes sense to make the most of it, right? It does make sense, but you should also keep in mind who is in your group and what their needs are.

If you have kiddos in the group, chances are you will need a midday break for a nap. If you get crowd burnout, build in some time at the pool. Know what you and your group need and adjust your priorities accordingly to have a successful trip !

19. Be Patient and Prepare for Plans to Change

You could spend years planning a Disney World vacation, but that doesn’t mean everything will go to plan. As you know, the Florida weather is temperamental, and we can’t predict technical difficulties that might occur with some of the rides. Just be flexible when unexpected issues pop up .

Be patient with yourself, Cast Members, and your group — it’s okay for plans to change the day of! Instead of letting the unexpected challenges ruin your day, focus on what you can do and let your plans adapt to your day.

Packing Tips

20. bring rain gear.

Since we just talked about the weather, it’s probably a good time to bring up that you should pack for all kinds of weather in Florida! Rain happens all of the time and you could see some pretty severe weather during hurricane season.

We recommend packing your own ponchos instead of buying expensive ones at Disney World, and you’ll want to throw some extra socks in your park bag in case it rains (or in case you get soaked on Kali River Rapids!).

Also, remember that Florida does have its cold spells! Yes, it is warm  most  of the year, but it can get pretty chilly in the winter months. Check the weather when packing so that you are prepared for anything the Florida weather wants to throw at you.

21. Bring Activities for Long Lines

It’s inevitable — at some point, you’ll find yourself in a long line at Disney World (at Starbucks, Cosmic Rewind, the bathroom!). But if you prepare ahead of time, it doesn’t have to be boring or a waste of time!

We’ve put together a list of activities and things you can do while waiting in line at Disney World ! Don’t let waiting in line be boring.

22. Pack the Right Shoes

One of the most important tips of all is to pack the right shoes! It may seem like a small thing, but it truly can make or break your trip.

You will walk miles and miles on your Disney World trip, so it’s important to have comfortable and supportive shoes ! There’s nothing worse than getting a blister on the first day of your trip and having to walk on it for days.

Looking for the Best Shoes for Disney World? See our full list on Amazon here! 

23. bring a charger.

If there was only ONE THING that you ABSOLUTELY NEED on your 2024 Disney World trip it would be a portable charger. A super easy option for never letting your devices run out of power while you’re roaming the parks are these Fuel Rod Portable Chargers !

All over the Disney World parks, you’ll find Fuel Rod Stations with portable chargers that go for $30 each . But get this!! You can get multiple for almost the same price on Amazon, (Also, these are the exact same brand, so they can be swapped out at the Fuel Rod locations within Disney World.)

24. Book A Bounceback Deal

We know that stays at Disney World can be pretty pricey, so if there’s a way to save some coin, you better believe we’re letting you know about it! In 2023, we shared that bounceback deals would be returning to Disney World’s hotels, and we just had to share a reminder about it so you wouldn’t forget!

What’s a bounceback deal? Good question! Essentially, these are promotional offers that are generally offered to guests at Disney World hotels if that guest books a future vacation within 7 days of their current hotel stay.

Discounts on future hotel stays may range from 25%-35% off .

If you want to take advantage of the deal, you’ll have to book the reservation over the phone, and it  has to be booked within 7 days from the date of checkout. To book, dial extension 8844 from an in-room phone, call 407-934-7639, or contact a travel agent like MouseFan Travel to book a new reservation.

We’ll continue to keep you update you on any changes in the parks that could impact your 2024 Disney World trip. Happy planning!

The Ultimate Packing List for Disney World in 2024

Do you have any questions about planning a 2024 Disney World trip? Ask away in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer them!

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2 Replies to “Our 24 BEST Disney World Tips For Your 2024 Vacation”

I looked at a crowd calendar and it said that Oct 30 – Nov 3, 2024 wil be very crowded. Any ideas why? I can’t find any specific events that weekend.

Hi Carrie! That’s Halloween weekend. A lot of people like spending Halloween at Walt Disney World (and Disneyland) because of the special events, parades and décor. 🙂

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2024 Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Vacation Packages

Start planning your 2024 Walt Disney World Vacation

2024 Walt Disney World ® Vacation Packages

In 2024, enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World ® with a Resort Hotel Package ! Don’t wait to start planning your dream vacation – reach out to The Magic For Less Travel today for a 2024 vacation quote!

Our experienced counselors are here to help you plan the perfect trip, tailored to your unique preferences and budget. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly resort, thrilling theme park attractions, or delicious dining options, we’ve got you covered. Plus, by booking your 2024 vacation through us, you can take advantage of exclusive booking bonuses.

Don’t miss out on the magic of Walt Disney World ® in 2024. Request a free quote today and start planning the vacation of a lifetime with The Magic For Less Travel. Our team is dedicated to making your dreams come true and creating unforgettable memories for you and your loved ones.

Page Navigation:

• What’s New in 2024
• Accommodations
• 2024 Tickets
• Dining Packages
• Magical Extras
• Terms and Conditions

Exciting updates coming to Walt Disney World in 2024!

Exciting news for all Disney fans! Walt Disney World ® Resort has announced some updates for the 2024 season that will make your vacation more enjoyable. Starting in 2024, guests who purchase date-based tickets will no longer be required to make park reservations. Instead, simply select your start date and you’re ready to go!

Disney Dining Plans are also returning for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package. In 2024, Guests can choose from two popular options: Packages that include either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan . Both plans will offer access to many spectacular food and beverage offerings across Walt Disney World ® Resort.

For those staying at a Walt Disney World ® Resort hotel , Disney will continue to offer early theme park entry for visits through 2024. So every day, across all four theme parks, you can get a jump start on your day. In addition, Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas will also continue to offer extended evening hours on select dates at select parks through 2024. Early theme park entry and extended evening hours require valid theme park admission and a Resort ID.

Lastly, Disney is simplifying the Lightning Lane experience by allowing guests to plan with Lightning Lane Multi Pass service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit. This means you can spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family.

Book your 2024 theme park tickets, Walt Disney World ® Resort hotel stays and packages today !

2024 Walt Disney World Vacation Package Accommodations

Staying at a Disney Resort is the best and most comfortable way to enjoy a W alt Disney World ® vacation. With a 2024 Walt Disney World package, you can tailor your vacation so that you enjoy your visit, your way. And remember: The longer you play, the less you pay per day with an affordable package. Select from Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts – there’s a category for every budget:

• Value Resorts – Enjoy colorful, whimsical places that are big on fun but small on cost.
• Moderate Resorts – Escape to enchanting, wonderfully affordable locales.
• Deluxe Resorts – Experience the ultimate in Disney luxury, style, and service.
• Deluxe Villa Resorts – Relax in comfortable accommodations with all the conveniences of home.

2024 Vacation Package Park Tickets

A 2024 Base Ticket with choice of ticket length from 2 to 10 days (one Theme Park admission per day). Add-on options for this ticket include:

2024 Park Hopper® Option – Come and go as you please through all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks ( Magic Kingdom ® Park , Epcot ® , Disney’s Hollywood Studios ® and Disney’s Animal Kingdom ® Theme Park ) on the same day for each day of your ticket.

2024 Water Park and Sports option – Visit one theme park per day, plus enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World fun. A 2-day ticket allows two visits, a 3-day ticket allows 3 visits and a 4-day ticket allows 4 visits. For each visit, you can choose one of the following:

• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – FootGolf
• Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course (prior to 4:00 PM)
• Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course (prior to 4:00 PM)

Park Hopper Plus option : Visit more than one theme park on the same day, plus enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World fun. A 2-day ticket allows two visits, a 3-day ticket allows 3 visits and a 4-day ticket allows 4 visits. For each visit, you can choose one of the following:

Everyone in the room must be on the same 2024 package including ticket options. Package and package components are nontransferable. Theme Park tickets valid for admission beginning on date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on length of stay and ticket. Tickets include admission to one Theme Park per day unless the Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option is purchased. Excludes activities/events separately priced. Theme park reservations are required to enter a park through January 8, 2024. Beginning January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required. Visit disneytraveltradeinfo.com/wdwparkreservations to see if you need to make a theme park reservation based on your admission type and the date of your visit.

2024 Walt Disney World Dining Package

Elevate your 2024 Walt Disney World vacation to the next level with a Disney dining plan package.

Disney dining plans offer a convenient and affordable way to enjoy the delicious food that Walt Disney World ® Resort has to offer. With a Disney Dining Plan, you can prepay for your meals and snacks, so you can focus on having fun and making memories.

2024 Disney Resort Hotel Package Plus Quick Service Dining

The 2024 Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan , is your swift and straightforward solution to meal planning at Walt Disney World ® Resor. With this plan, savouring a leisurely meal becomes as simple as pausing your adventure when hunger calls. Simply place your order at a counter or register, find a comfortable spot to sit, and relish your meal—no need to worry about dining reservations. This plan is perfect for those who value spontaneity, convenience, and flexibility on their magical Walt Disney World vacation.

During their package stay, everyone in the party over the age of 3 gets the following:

• Two quick-service meals per night of stay*
• One snack or non-alcoholic drink per night of stay*
• 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug**

2024 Disney Resort Hotel with Standard Dining Plan Package

The 2024 Disney Dining Plan , is your ideal pick for a balanced dining experience at Walt Disney World ® Resort. This plan opens doors to a delightful blend of Quick-Service and Table-Service eateries, letting you savour both casual and more formal dining moments. Notably, it also includes Character dining locations, adding an extra layer of magic to your meals. It’s the perfect plan to enjoy a classic Disney dining adventure.

• 2 Meals per night of stay* 1 Table-Service Meal plus one 1 Quick-Service Meal
• 1 Snack/Non-alcoholic Drink per night of stay*
• 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug*

NOTE: Children ages 3–9 must order from a children’s menu where available. Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3+). Meals are nontransferable between party members and expire at midnight on day of checkout.

*Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. You can redeem your meals and snacks any day during your stay, until the number associated with your package have been depleted. All unused meals and snacks and the ability to use your refillable mug expire at midnight on your package reservation checkout date.

**Refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

Read More: Top Reasons to Add a Disney Dining Plan to Your Walt Disney World Vacation Resort Refillable Drink Mug

2024 Magical Extras

Maximize the value of your 2024 Walt Disney World vacation package through the Magical Extras offered by Walt Disney Travel Company . These include a wide range of discounts and special deals on dining, entertainment, shopping and more.

Discover the variety of Magical Extras available in 2024.

2024 Magical Extra Things to Do

Miniature Golf Choose from two 18-hole miniature golf courses. Join Santa and his elves at their off season retreat or delight in a golf adventure based on Disney’s classic animated film Fantasia .

• Receive four (4) vouchers per package , each voucher valid for one (1) 18 hole round of miniature golf on one (1) day for one (1) Guest at either Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course or Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. Voucher and Magical Extras Savings Card are required at time of redemption. Voucher is nontransferable and expires at midnight on the day of checkout. Lost or stolen vouchers will not be replaced. Not valid with any other offer, discount or promotions, and may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part. Only one miniature golf course may be open from time to time and courses are subject to weather closures. Due to capacity limitations, it may not always be possible to accommodate Guests at the exact time they choose to visit. No photocopy or reproductions of voucher will be accepted. VOUCHER IS VOID IF SOLD.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Check out the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex which is a professionally run, state-of-the-art facility which hosts sporting events for athletes of all ages and abilities.

• Receive four (4) vouchers per package , each voucher valid for one (1) general admission to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on one (1) day for ONE (1) Guest. Valid only on event days. Some events require an additional admission charge. There are no events on certain days. Days and hours of operation of concessions, venues and attractions varies. Visit espnwwos.com for more information. Voucher and Magical Extras Savings Card are required at time of redemption. Voucher is nontransferable and expires at midnight on the day of checkout. Lost or stolen vouchers will not be replaced. Not valid with any other offer, discount or promotions, and may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part. No photocopy or reproductions of voucher will be accepted. VOUCHER IS VOID IF SOLD.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ Enjoy an upscale new spin on a classic American pastime at this modern take on a bowling alley.

• Receive 10% off the non-discounted price of bowling (walk-in bowling only) and receive 10% off on the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages (dine-in only), and receive 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ located in Disney Springs West Side.

Surrey Bikes Rentals

• Receive 10% off Surrey Bikes located at the following locations Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground & Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

2024 Magical Extra Places To Eat

City Works Eatery & Pour House Discover the ultimate sports bar—this upbeat eatery features classic American fare and an incredible beer menu!

• Receive 10% off food & non-alcoholic beverages at City Works Eatery & Pour House located at Disney Springs West Side. Not valid with any other offer, or discount.

House of Blues® Restaurant & Bar Feast on American cuisine with a New Orleans twist at this lively, folk art-filled eatery and watering hole.

• Receive 10% off on the purchase of food at House of Blues Restaurant and Bar located in Disney Springs West Side. Excludes alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity. Not valid with any other offer.
• Receive 10% off your purchase at House of Blues Gear Shop located in Disney Springs West Side. Excludes Art, Books, Jewelry, and Sale items.

Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company® Joffrey’s is the official specialty coffee of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Vacation Club. Enjoy a range of specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, assorted fresh pastries, and bottled drinks.

• Receive 20% off entire purchase, excluding alcohol at Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company at the following locations at Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney Skyliner and Disney Springs The Landing including Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company store, or purchase online at JOFFERYS.com using coupon code: travel24. Restrictions apply. Not combinable with any other offers, promotional sales or coupons. Expires December 31, 2024.

Local Green Orlando Savor fresh, flavorful cuisine served on the fly—including vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian options.

• Receive 20% off entire purchase located at Disney Springs West Side.

Paradiso 37 Embark on a culinary tour of North, Central and South America and savor unique dishes from the Americas.

• Receive 10% off Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages at Paradiso 37 located at Disney Springs The Landing. Not valid with any other offer or discount.

Rainforest Cafe® Surround yourself with the exotic sights and sounds of the jungle as you dig into classic American cuisine.

• Receive 10% off adult entrees at Rainforest Cafe located in the Disney Springs Marketplace and outside the entrance of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Offer valid for up to four (4) guests. Not valid with any other offer or promotions.

The BOATHOUSE® Orlando

• Visit us at Disney Springs Town Center: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats™ and receive 10% off on food!

T-REX® Travel back 200 million years—this dino-themed eatery features creative cuisine and fun discovery zones for all!

• Receive 10% off adult entrees at T-REX located in the Disney SpringsMarketplace. Offer valid for up to four (4) guests. Not valid with any other offer, or promotions.

The Spice & Tea Exchange® Find your way to this old-world spice trader’s emporium—it’s a gourmet seasoning and tea lover’s wonderland!

• Receive $1 off any 16oz Iced or Hot Tea To Go. Offer only available at The Spice & Tea Exchange located in the Disney Springs Marketplace. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Wetzel’s Pretzels Discover handheld happiness – savor the amazing flavors of “golden-on-the-outside” soft pretzel perfection.

• Buy two pretzels and get one free! Offer only available at Wetzel’s Pretzels located at Disney Springs West Side and Marketplace. Cannot be combined with any other offer, or discount.

2024 Magical Extra Places To Shop

Balocoloc Venetian Masks All masks are completely handmade using the old techniques learned from the ancient art of the Venetian mask makers.

• Receive 10% off your entire purchase. This offer is only available at the Italy World Showcase Pavilion location in EPCOT. Cannot be combined with any other offer, or discount.

Basin Basin invites you to discover the fresh, fragrant, and fun way to pamper yourself with a diverse collection of natural, cruelty-free bath and body products.

• Receive 10% off entire purchase, excluding sale items, at Basin located at Disney Springs Marketplace or Basin White located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Chapel Hats Face your day in style by heading to the premier destination for fashionable hats—there’s something fabulous for all!

• Receive 15% off entire purchase at Chapel Hats located at Disney Springs the Landings.

Coca-Cola Store Pop inside to shop exclusive merchandise, meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and savor views from the rooftop beverage bar.

• Receive 15% off purchases of $30 or more at Coca-Cola Store located at Disney Springs Town Center. Not applicable for rooftop beverage bar purchases or professional photography services. Discount may not be combined with any other offer.

Crown & Crest At Crown & Crest we offer the perfect way to honor and preserve your family’s legacy with personalized family name history products such as plaques, framed histories, embroideries, and more.

• Receive 10% off entire purchase, excluding sale items, at Crown & Crest in World Showcase – EPCOT.

Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers Discover a glittering glassware gallery that continues the tradition started at Disney in 1967!

• Receive 10% off purchases at the Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers stores at Disney Springs Marketplace, Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. Exclusions apply. Not applicable for shipping charges. Some other restrictions apply. Discount may not be combined with any other offer.

Edward Beiner Featuring the world’s most iconic and fashion-forward brands, and personalized style consultations frame repairs and adjustments.

• Receive 20% off your purchase (exclusions may apply) at Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear located in the Disney Springs Town Center.

Just Fun Socks Discover socks for all ages, personalities and occasions! From novelty to animal-themed to profession-inspired socks, you’ll find socks to enhance your personal style or give as a gift. These fun socks are sure to bring a smile or a laugh!

• Receive 15% off entire purchase at Just Fun Socks located at Disney Springs the Landings.

Kendra Scott Make All Your Jewelry Dreams Come True!

• Visit Kendra Scott located at Disney Springs Town Center and receive 15% off your entire purchase! Offer valid in Disney Springs Town Center location only. Cannot be combined with other offers or be applied to previous purchases, markdown items, giveback items, warehouse items, gift card purchases, gift sets, sales tax, or shipping charges.

Sugarboo & Co. Your One Stop Shop for locally sourced items, Wall Art, Home Décor and More! Visit this family-owned shop that is filled with whimsical treasures—including apparel, bags, candles, ceramics, jewelry, toys and other treasures.

• Receive 10% off total purchase at Sugarboo & Co, located at Disney Springs Town Center (exclusions apply).

Volcom® Drop by this iconic shop for an incredible selection of performance apparel that tempts the impossible.

• Receive 15% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Volcom located at Disney Springs Town Center.

Ricoh Business Centers Providing one stop Office support services for all resort guests including: Internet access, Printing, Copying, fax, Scanning Overnight and Standard Shipping, Notary Services and a full line of office supplies including shipping boxes.

• Receive 10% off your outbound Shipping services, and shipping boxes.
• Visit Superdry at Disney Springs Town Center and receive 15% off a purchase of regular priced items!

Benefits are valid for arrivals January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. A valid Magical Extras Savings Card must be presented to receive any Magical Extras benefit. You must also present a valid voucher for admission to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course or Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. Benefits are valid during your Walt Disney Travel Company package stay. Benefits have no cash value, are nontransferable and void if transferred or sold. All benefits, services and locations are subject to change without notice. May not be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Valid for the number of Guests in the package, unless otherwise specified. All dining discounts exclude applicable tax and gratuities. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply. For dining reservations visit www.disneyworld.com/dining.

Let’s plan your 2024 Walt Disney World Resort vacation!

Begin planning an unforgettable vacation to Walt Disney World ® Resort in 2024. Take advantage of the opportunity to plan the vacation of a lifetime! Request a FREE, No-Obligation Quote now and let our experienced travel counselors help you start planning your 2024 Walt Disney World ® Resort vacation.

Start planning your dream vacation today, and let us handle the details, from booking accommodations to securing park tickets. Contact us now to get started planning your 2024 Walt Disney World ® Resort vacation!

Never Miss Out on a Disney Destination Discount Again!

Stay informed of the latest discounts and special offers for your 2024 Walt Disney World ® Resort vacation by subscribing to Magical Notifications.  A weekly discount newsletter offered by our friends at TheMouseForLess.com .

2024 Package Terms and Conditions

WALT DISNEY TRAVEL COMPANY TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT Please be advised that in the event any changes are made to the reservation including, but not limited to, changes in travel dates, updated Terms and Conditions may apply to the modified reservation. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK RELATING TO EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICABLE OR INFECTIOUS DISEASE, CLASS-ACTION WAIVER, AND AGREEMENT TO BINDING ARBITRATION.

• All prices are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change until package is paid in full. Prices are for the total package and cannot be broken down into individual package component prices. After package is paid in full, package price is subject to change due to imposition of taxes or other governmental requirements. Prices are also subject to change due to modifications to package or package components. Everyone on the same reservation must be on the same package. Additional adult charges may apply for more than two adults per room.

Booking Procedures

• Reservations must be booked a minimum of 5 business days prior to guest arrival except that certain Disney Resort Hotel packages may be booked up to 1 business day prior to guest arrival.
• Reservations are not accepted until confirmed by a confirmation number.
• If any portion of the package is fulfilled by a third party travel supplier (such as a hotel operated by a third party), by booking the package, you understand that Disney may provide guest personal information to the supplier for its independent use to fulfill the reservation.

Reservation Information

• All guests’ full, legal names (including children) are required at the time the reservation is made. Children’s ages are also required at the time the reservation is made.
• Name changes are permitted up to one (1) day before arrival as long as the lead name on the reservation remains the same. Reservations and package components are nontransferable.

Deposit and Payment Procedures

• For reservations made 31 days or more prior to guest arrival, a deposit of $200 per reservation will be due and must be received by Walt Disney Travel Co., LLC (“Disney”) within 3 days of booking the reservation or the reservation will automatically be cancelled. The total price of travel protection plan is also due at the time the plan is requested. For reservations that include runDisney race registrations, the cost of such race registrations is due at the time of booking. Payment in full is due to Walt Disney Travel Co., LLC 30 days prior to guest arrival.
• For reservations made 30 days or less prior to guest arrival, payment in full is due to Walt Disney Travel Co., LLC at time the reservation is made.
• Payment may be made with a valid payment card, check, money order, bank wire transfer or ACH. Please see invoice for instructions on how to send payment.

Cancellation and Refunds

• For cancellations made 30 days or more prior to guest arrival, amounts paid, minus cancellation fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers, non-refundable runDisney race registrations, non-refundable travel protection plan costs, and other amounts owed, will be refunded.
• For cancellations made 2 days to 29 days prior to guest arrival, amounts paid, minus a cancellation fee of $200.00 per package and minus any cancellation fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers, non-refundable runDisney race registrations, non-refundable travel protection plan costs and other amounts owed, will be refunded.
• For cancellations made 1 day or less prior to guest arrival or for no-shows, the full price of the package is non-refundable.
• No refunds are given for cancellation of any personalized products or experiences.
• No refunds will be made for early departure from hotel and for unused or partially used admission tickets, options or features, including meals.
• Any refunds allowed by Disney in its sole discretion after arrival must be requested in writing within 90 days after departure and may be assessed a $25 processing fee.
• Disney reserves the right to make refunds in accordance with the method that payment was received. All appropriate refunds will be made through the guest’s travel agent if payment was made by the travel agent. Disney is not responsible for the receipt of refunded monies by guests from their travel agents.

Change Fees and Changes to Reservations Made Prior to Guest Arrival

• Changes to Reservation – Changes to reservation, including but not limited to change in travel dates, length of stay, party size or hotel accommodations, are subject to availability and the prices applicable at the time the change is requested and guest is responsible for paying any increase in price resulting from the change. In addition, changes made 30 days or less prior to guest arrival are also subject to a change fee of $50 per package plus any change fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers.
• If changes are made to the package including, but not limited to, changes to travel dates, package is subject to the Terms and Conditions applicable to packages at the time the change to the reservation is made and, in the case of changes to travel dates, pricing applicable to the new travel dates.
• Hotels and/or suppliers do not permit changes in certain situations.
• Disney reserves the right to restrict changes to any reservation.

Travel Protection Plan

• If guest has purchased a travel protection plan, the cost is refundable within 14 days (30 days for residents of Utah) after the date the plan is added to the package as long as guest has not filed a claim or has not departed on the trip. Please see the Certificate of Insurance for your state of residency for details on refunds and terms, conditions and exclusions at www.affinitytravelcert.com/docs/DSP01.

Travel Documents

• For guests with an address in the U.S. who make their reservation 11 days or more prior to guest arrival, travel documents (such as vouchers, Magical Extras entitlements and other fulfillment cards) will either be sent by mail or email prior to arrival, subject to receipt of final package payment in full.
• All other guests, including those residing outside the U.S., will receive vouchers, Magical Extras entitlements and other fulfillment cards at the guest’s hotel.
• Additional fees may be charged for the replacement of any lost or misplaced travel documents.
• For third party hotel packages, Guests can pick up Disney theme park attraction tickets and certain other fulfillment cards at the guest’s hotel.
• Guests with Disney Resort Hotel packages may have entitlements linked to an account they create online (“Disney account”) and ticket and other entitlements will be fulfilled via your radio frequency card, or if you have purchased a MagicBand and linked it to your reservation, your MagicBand.
• Title to the documents, including any radio frequency devices, passes in Lake Buena Vista, Florida upon delivery of the documents to the shipper or the mailing of the documents. Recipient is responsible for any duty or custom charges or expenses. Persons who are requesting documents to be shipped to friends or family members outside the USA should so note. Vouchers, if applicable, must be presented at time of use.

Attractions, Tickets and Features

• Parks, restaurants, attractions, recreation, entertainment, and other products, services, experiences, offerings or items are subject to change without notice, cancellation, and may close or be limited for any reason, including due to rehabilitation, refurbishing, capacity, seasonal considerations, inclement weather, government or other authority guidance or order, pandemic-related restrictions or special events and may otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Ticket media is not valid for special or premium events or other activities which are separately priced. Admission entitlements are non-transferrable, not for resale, and must be used by the same person on any and all days. Age restrictions apply for access to certain facilities. Guests must be 21 years of age or older with valid proof of age to redeem alcohol entitlements.
• Features for all packages are subject to change and may be based on features available on date of guest arrival, not those in effect at time the package reservation is made.
• Costs for parking (self and valet) at certain locations, incidentals, gratuities, child care and any other items not specifically listed as part of the package components are not included in the package price.
• Guests may be required to have a park reservation in addition to valid admission to visit a park. Park reservations are non-transferrable and void if transferred or sold.

General Conditions and Responsibility

• Disney, its directors, officers, employees, subcontractors, agents and representatives, shall at no time be liable or responsible in any way whatsoever for any loss, injury, or damage caused or arising in connection with any transportation, hotel or other services or products of third parties provided through Disney, or as a result of acts of God, acts of Government or other authorities, pandemic or other health and safety circumstance, wars, civil disturbances, hijacks, thefts, or any circumstance beyond its control. Disney reserves the right to accept, retain, decline or cancel any reservation, any feature or component of the package or any guest as a participant in its packages at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to, a mistake or error in price or description of the package or a feature or component of the package, or where it appears that a guest has engaged in fraudulent or misleading activity in making the reservation. If a reservation, package, or a feature or component of a package is cancelled by Disney, Disney shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid related to the cancellation of that portion that was cancelled by Disney. The terms and conditions of any transportation services provided by car rental agencies shall be as represented by those third parties. Terms and conditions are subject to change by Disney without notice. If these Terms and Conditions contain any provisions construed to be unenforceable or unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed modified to conform to applicable law, or if this would cause an unreasonable result, such provision shall be stricken from these Terms and Conditions without affecting the binding force and effect of any of its other provisions. The failure of Disney to insist upon the strict performance of any of these Terms and Conditions shall not be deemed a waiver of any rights or remedies that Disney may have and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach with respect to any such Terms and Conditions.
• By entering Walt Disney World Resort, guests are confirming that guest and all persons in their party: (i) are not experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov, including: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea; (ii) have not been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine; and (iii) are not under any self-quarantine orders. Guests who cannot confirm all of the above criteria must not enter Walt Disney World Resort. If at any point during their visit, a Guest does not meet all of the above criteria, they and their traveling party will be required to isolate and may be relocated or asked to leave the property.
• Products and services are intended for use in the U.S. only.
• All sales of packages take place in and are consummated in the State of Florida. Any claim, action or lawsuit (collectively, “Action”) arising out of these Terms and Conditions, reservations and bookings, and/or all packages, products and services provided in connection with the reservations and bookings, including without limitation, components such as tickets, park admissions, packages, photo media, radio frequency devices and room accommodations must be filed and maintained exclusively in any court in Orange County, Florida having subject matter jurisdiction; provided that the COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision, shall be subject to its own terms and conditions, including venue, set forth below.

Resort Check-In/Check-Out

• Check-in time is generally between 3 and 4 p.m. (some hotels have check-in after 4 p.m.), and check-out time is usually between 11 a.m. and 12 noon.
• Guest must be 18 years of age or older to check in.

Room Location and Information

• Adjacent rooms, connecting rooms or specific room location and types of rooms or bedding are on a “request basis only” and are subject to availability at the time of check-in. These requests for specific room type or location may result in additional charges to be paid directly to the hotel.
• Disney owned and operated resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts are smoke free environments. Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor smoking locations only. A room recovery fee will be charged for smoking in guest rooms, on balconies or on patios.
• Please be advised that at Disney owned and operated hotels, notwithstanding your use of a sign on your door, a request by you to forgo housekeeping services or any other request made by you, the hotel and its staff reserve the right to enter your room for any purpose including, but not limited to, performing maintenance and repairs or checking on the safety and security of guests and property. The hotel staff will give reasonable notice prior to entry by knocking and announcing the intent to enter the room.
• Disney reserves the right to accommodate Guests to a comparable or upgraded hotel in Disney’s discretion.
• The maximum continuous stay for any guest at any single Disney Resort hotel, including campground locations, is 30 days. A guest wishing to rebook a stay in the same hotel after an initial 30 day stay (whether done through one or multiple reservations), cannot book another stay at the same hotel for a period of 28 days after the initial stay. Disney reserves the right to decline, accept, retain or cancel any reservation or any guest, subject to applicable law, at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to, a mistake or error in price or description of the hotel, or where it appears that a guest has engaged in fraudulent or misleading activity in making the reservation.

Guests with Disabilities

• For Guests with disabilities who require accessible accommodations, specific information and assistance can be requested through Disney regarding accessible room availability, bedding options, amenities, restrictions, and advance reservation notice requirements. Disney will also contact its third party hotel provider(s) on a Guest’s behalf as necessary. All accommodations are subject to availability.
• Renter must be at least 21 years of age, a per day underage fee will apply for renters 21-24 years of age and will be assessed at the rental counter. Renter must present a valid driver’s license (Renters who are non-residents of Canada and the United States must also present a passport in the Renter’s name) and a major credit card in his or her name; other standard rental qualifications may apply. Cash customers are required to leave a deposit and must meet current standard cash qualification requirements. Car must be rented for a minimum of one 24-hour period. Car rental includes unlimited mileage, concession recoupment fee, license recoupment fee and Florida surcharge for the dates noted on the itinerary. Drop-off charges and any applicable taxes or surcharges may apply if the vehicle is returned outside the State of Florida and drop-off charges and any applicable taxes or surcharges may also apply if the vehicle is returned in Key West. Drop-off charge is payable at the time of rental. Child restraint seats must be used for children as required by applicable law. Child restraint seats must be requested at the time the reservation is made and will result in an additional charge. Seat belts should be used by all passengers. Additional hours, days, or weeks, additional driver fees, child restraint seats, collision damage waiver, extended protection and Carefree Personal Protection, optional supplemental liability insurance, optional personal accident insurance, optional personal effects coverage, refueling, service, tolls and any other charges are not included. Local rental requirements and standard Disney Tour rental qualifications apply. Additional cleaning fees may apply if vehicle is returned in a condition where it needs to be extensively cleaned and deodorized due to smoking. Renters must remove valuables and lock doors before the vehicle is left unattended. Other terms and conditions may apply.

Air Portion of Reservation (If Applicable)

• If air transportation has been previously ticketed and is being rebooked through Disney for different travel dates, such air transportation is subject to the Walt Disney Travel Company Terms and Conditions that were applicable at the time of the original purchase and all applicable airline terms and requirements.

Memory Maker

• If Memory Maker has been purchased as part of the package please visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/photopass for details, restrictions and conditions.

California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund

• For purchases from within California: WDTC is a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (the “Fund”). This transaction is covered by the Fund if the passenger, or the person making payment for the passenger, is located in California at the time of sale. The passenger, or the person making payment for the passenger, located in California at the time of sale may file a claim with the Fund if the claimant is owed a refund of more than $50 for transportation or travel services as a result of a Fund participant’s bankruptcy, insolvency, cessation of operations, or material failure to provide the transportation or travel services purchased. The maximum amount a claimant may recover from the Fund is $15,000, not to exceed the amount paid to the Fund participant by or on behalf of the claimant for the transportation or travel services. A claim must be submitted to the Fund within one (1) year after the scheduled completion date of travel. A claim must include certain required information and a $35 processing fee. Claimants must agree to waive their rights to bring any action at law or equity that is against the Fund participant and arises from the transaction that is the subject of the claim. Claim forms may be requested by writing to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA 94977-6001; or by visiting www.tcrcinfo.org.
• For purchases from outside of California: This transaction is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.

United States Tour Operators Association $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program

COVID-19 And Any Other Communicable Or Infectious Disease: Liability Waiver, Class-Action Waiver, Binding Arbitration, And Other Provisions

By purchasing an admission ticket(s) or pass(es), by making a park, resort, and/or hotel reservation(s) and/or by participating in a tour(s), meeting(s) and/or event(s), and in consideration thereof, and in consideration for being able to visit and/or participate in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort, I agree, understand, and acknowledge, on my own behalf and on behalf of any individual who uses a ticket, pass, or reservation made by me or who accompanies me to a tour, meeting or event, as follows (collectively, the “COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision”):

Assumption Of Risk

• I acknowledge that an inherent risk of exposure to the disease COVID-19 (as defined by the World Health Organization and any strains, variants, or mutations thereof) and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that can cause COVID-19) (collectively, “COVID-19”), and any other communicable or infectious disease, exists in any public place where people are present. “Communicable disease” means any disease or illness caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. “Infectious disease” means any disease or illness caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that enter the body, multiply, and can cause an infection. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious communicable disease that can lead to severe illness and death. No precautions can eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, and the risk of exposure applies to everyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), older adults (people 65 years and older) and people of any age who have underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19. I acknowledge that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease includes the risk that I will expose others that I later encounter, even if I am not experiencing or displaying any symptoms of illness myself. By visiting and/or participating in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort, I agree to voluntarily assume any and all risks in any way related to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease, including illness, injury, or death of myself or others, and including without limitation, all risks based on the sole, joint, active or passive negligence of any of the Released Parties, named below. I acknowledge that my visit and participation are entirely voluntary.
• On my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs, executors, personal representatives, administrators, and assigns, I agree to forever waive, covenant not to sue, release, and discharge the Released Parties, named below, from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, costs, or expenses of every kind, including all claims and causes of action based on the sole, joint, active or passive negligence of any of the Released Parties, arising out of or in any way relating to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease during my visit to and/or participation in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort. This waiver of liability and the assumption of risk set forth above is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law.

Acknowledgment Of Assumption Of Risk And Waiver By Other Users

• I attest, acknowledge, and agree that any individual for whom I have bought a ticket or pass or made a reservation or who uses a ticket, pass, or reservation made by me or who accompanies me to a tour, meeting or event has independently and carefully read this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision and has knowingly and independently acknowledged and agreed to all its provisions, including without limitation (1) to voluntarily assume any and all risks in any way related to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease, including illness, injury, or death of himself, herself, or others, and including without limitation, all risks based on the sole, joint, active or passive negligence of any of the Released Parties, named below, and (2) to agree, on his or her own behalf and on behalf of his or her heirs, executors, personal representatives, administrators, and assigns, to forever waive, covenant not to sue, release, and discharge the Released Parties, named below, from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, costs, or expenses of every kind, including all claims and causes of action based on the sole, joint, active, or passive negligence of any of the Released Parties, arising out of or in any way relating to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease during his or her visit to and/or participation in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Third-Party Beneficiaries

• I acknowledge and agree that any individual for whom I have bought a ticket or pass or made a reservation or who uses a ticket, pass, or reservation made by me is and is intended to be a third-party beneficiary of that ticket, pass, or reservation made by me.

Waiver of California Civil Code § 1542

Indemnity/Insurance

• On my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs, executors, personal representatives, administrators, and assigns, I agree to indemnify and hold each of the Released Parties harmless from and against any and all claims made or incurred by anyone, including myself and any individual who uses a ticket, pass, or reservation made by me, or who accompanies me to a tour, meeting or event, arising out of or in any way relating to my purchase of an admission ticket(s) or pass(es), my making of a reservation(s), and/or my participation in a tour(s), meeting(s) or event(s) and subsequent visit to and/or participation in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort and arising out of any and all risks described above in the section titled Assumption of Risk or in any other way related to exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease, wherever such activities may occur and whether suffered before, during, or after such participation. My indemnification obligations shall include, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by any of the Released Parties through and including any appeals. I understand and agree that I am not relying on the Released Parties to have arranged for, or carry, any insurance of any kind for my benefit relative to my visit to and/or participation in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort, and that I am solely responsible for obtaining any mandatory or desired life, travel, accident, property, or other insurance related to my visit to and/or participation in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort, at my own expense.
• I agree that the Waiver and Indemnity provided for in this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision shall cover all physical and emotional injuries and/or damages, including without limitation all illness and bodily injury (including death), whether suffered by me or anyone else before, during, or after my visit and/or participation. Additionally, I agree that the scope of the Waiver and Indemnity shall include any claims related, in whole or in part, to my own actions and the actions of third parties, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable.
• The Waiver and Indemnity provided for in this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/ Infectious Disease Provision applies to any and all visitation to and/or participation in attractions, transportation, activities, tours, meetings and events at the Walt Disney World® Resort and/or presence on the Released Parties’ property arising out of the purchase of an admission ticket(s) or pass(es), the making of a reservation(s) and/or the participation in a tour(s), meeting(s) and/or event(s) pursuant to which I and the Released Parties agreed to this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision, from the date of execution.

Released Parties

• The Released Parties are: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc.; Disney Destinations, LLC; Disney Vacation Development, Inc.; Disney Vacation Club Management LLC; Disney Business Productions, LLC; and their respective parents, subsidiary, and other affiliated or related companies, and all officers, directors, employees, shareholders, members, agents, contractors, sub-contractors, representatives, successors, assigns, insurers, and volunteers of each of the foregoing entities.

Severability/Partial Invalidity

• If any provision or part thereof of this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision or part thereof shall be deemed modified to conform to applicable law, or if this would cause an illogical or unreasonable result, such provision or part thereof shall be stricken from this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision without affecting the binding force or effect of any other part or provision.

Binding Arbitration

• I AGREE THAT, UPON ELECTION BY EITHER PARTY, ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM, OR CONTROVERSY ARISING UNDER OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THIS COVID-19 AND OTHER COMMUNICABLE/INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROVISION OR EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICABLE OR INFECTIOUS DISEASE DURING MY VISIT TO AND/OR PARTICIPATION IN ATTRACTIONS, TRANSPORTATION, ACTIVITIES, TOURS, MEETINGS AND EVENTS AT THE WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, WILL BE RESOLVED BY BINDING ARBITRATION. CLAIMS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION INCLUDE COUNTERCLAIMS, CROSS CLAIMS, THIRD PARTY CLAIMS, INTERPLEADERS, OR ANY OTHER CLAIMS, WHATEVER THE CAUSE(S) OF ACTION ASSERTED (INCLUDING CLAIMS FOR INJUNCTIVE, DECLARATORY, OR EQUITABLE RELIEF). I ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT ARBITRATION REPLACES MY RIGHT TO GO TO COURT. I THEREFORE AGREE TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OR TO LITIGATE ANY CLAIMS IN COURT BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY. I AGREE THAT I THEREFORE WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO LITIGATE ANY CLAIMS IN COURT AS A CLASS ACTION OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OR COLLECTIVE ACTION (SUCH AS AN ACTION IN THE FORM OF A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL). I ALSO AGREE TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PURSUE IN ARBITRATION ANY CLASS ACTION OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OR COLLECTIVE ACTION (SUCH AS AN ACTION IN THE FORM OF A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL), OR TO PARTICIPATE AS A CLASS MEMBER IN A CLASS ACTION OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION IN ARBITRATION OR IN COURT BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY. I ALSO AGREE THAT NO ARBITRATION OR PROCEEDING CAN BE COMBINED WITH ANOTHER WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES TO THE ARBITRATIONS OR PROCEEDINGS.

A. In the event of a dispute, I agree to send a notice of dispute, which is a written statement that sets forth my name, address, and contact information; the facts giving rise to the dispute; and the relief requested to the Released Parties at 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521-7620, USA, Attention: Legal. The Released Parties will send any notice of dispute to me at the contact information that they have for me. The Released Parties and I will attempt to resolve a dispute through informal negotiation within sixty (60) days from the date the notice of dispute is sent. After that sixty (60) day period and not before, the Released Parties or I may commence an arbitration proceeding. I may instead litigate a dispute in small claims court if the dispute meets the requirements to be heard in small claims court, whether or not I negotiated informally first.

• Except as provided above with respect to jurisdiction in the State of Florida, nothing in this arbitration provision shall be construed as consent by the Released Parties to the jurisdiction of any other court with regard to disputes, claims, or controversies unrelated to this agreement.
• This agreement to binding arbitration evidences a transaction in interstate commerce, and thus the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, governs its interpretation and enforcement. This agreement to binding arbitration will survive its termination. If any portion of this agreement to binding arbitration is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall nevertheless remain in force.

Venue But For Arbitration

• In the event that neither party elects to resolve disputes under binding arbitration, as provided above, any legal action arising out of or relating to this COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision shall be commenced exclusively in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County, Florida (or if such Circuit Court shall not have jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof, then to such other court sitting in said county and having subject matter jurisdiction). In any such action, I specifically waive any right to bring a class action or other representative or collective action (such as an action in the form of a private attorney general). I SPECIFICALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

Governing Law

• These terms and conditions, including the COVID-19 and Other Communicable/Infectious Disease Provision, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida.

For specific questions about the Walt Disney World® Resort (Theme Park operating hours, special events, services for guests with disabilities, etc.), please call: 407-WDISNEY (939-5277) (voice) 407-827-5141 (TTY) or log on to www.disneyworld.com

CST# 1022229-20

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Privacy Overview

2024 & 2025 Disney World Vacation Planner

Our goal is to help you plan your dream Disney World vacation , and that all starts right here.

This page will walk you through planning a trip in 6 easy steps.

After that, we’ll go through some of the other important information you’ll need to know before you go.

Consider this spot a sort of Cliff Notes version for getting started (or even for getting reacquainted) with Disney vacation planning.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

In this article

Important updates for 2024 & 2025

If you are brand-new to planning a Disney World vacation, you may want to skip over this section. But, if you haven’t visited since the parks reopened in 2020, you’ll definitely want to stick around.

The past few years have brought many changes – some of which are fairly significant. Here are the ones that are the most important for you to be aware of:

• FastPass+ service is out and Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass is in
• Extra Magic Hours (EMHs) have been replaced with a new program called “ Early Theme Park Entry “
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours have been added – but only for onsite guests at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts
• Reservations are required to visit the parks (only for guests with non-date-based tickets)
• Disney’s Magical Express has been discontinued ( no more free rides between the airport and your Disney Resort )
• Advanced Dining Reservations are made at 60 days out now (instead of 180 days)

Our best advice is to make sure you do not assume that everything is the same – because it isn’t .

Take time to explore the links in the box above (and in the sections below!) to get caught up on all that is new.

Why you should plan

Did you know that lots (and lots) of people visit Walt Disney World every year without doing any planning at all?

And while that may sound like a relaxing way to travel, it doesn’t work for Disney vacations, and here’s why:

Not planning ahead means standing in long lines for rides and struggling to find places to eat.

And that doesn’t sound like much fun at all.

It is important to understand that even with planning, you will not be able to see and do everything at Disney World in one trip . You wouldn’t be able to see and do it all in 10 trips.

Instead, the goal should be to have fun and make memories . And it is a lot easier to do that when you’re prepared.

Just like any vacation, how much your trip will cost depends on many different factors, but in general, these are the costs you’ll need to consider:

• Trip length
• Number and ages of people traveling
• How you’ll get there (drive, fly, train, etc.)
• When you’ll be traveling
• Where you’ll be staying
• Where you’ll be dining
• How many extras you plan to spend money on

Despite all of those variables, we can give you some generic onsite prices to help you get a good idea of what to expect.

Want more details on how much to budget? Check out our guide below:

• READ MORE: How much does it cost to go to Walt Disney World?

Important note: Keep in mind that while these prices are full rack rate prices, Disney frequently offers discounts . However, if you are planning for a trip a year or more in advance, we recommend using the rack rate prices as a good starting point.

Budget Trip Example

$4000-$5000 plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during the least expensive time, 1 week onsite, most basic park tickets, staying at a Value Resort, eating at the least expensive places.

Moderate Trip Example

$5500-$7000 plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during a moderately busy time, 1 week, park tickets with Park Hopper option, staying at a Moderate Resort, eating at half Table Service and half Quick Service restaurants , 1 special event planned.

Deluxe Trip Example

$9000 and above, plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during a peak busy time (like the holidays), 1 week, park tickets with Park Hopper Plus, staying at a Deluxe Resort, eating at mostly Table Service Restaurants, 2 special events.

As we said above, those dollar amounts assume full-price resort rates, but there are usually discounts available .

And, the good news is you can always add a discount after you’ve booked your trip.

• READ MORE: Complete Guide to Disney World Discounts

How to plan a Disney World vacation in 6 steps

Disney World vacation planning is kind of like building a house – you start with the foundation and work your way up.

And, just like with building a house, you might end up with something you’re not pleased with if you try to do it out of order.

These 6 steps are the basis of everything you’ll find on this site.

If you’re new to planning, this is where you need to start.

Trip Planning Worksheet

To help you get started, we have a free Trip Planning Worksheet that you can fill out as you work through the steps below.

• Get a copy of the trip planning worksheet

Step 1: Pick a date

When it comes time to decide when to go, you’ll have a couple of different things to consider.

Historically, Disney has gotten excellent at filling what were traditionally less-crowded times of the year with special events, runDisney races, and sport/cheer competitions.

But, despite Disney scheduling things to draw crowds during the slower times of the year, there are still definitely times that are busier than others.

Plus, even though Florida is known for having lots of sun, you’ll likely want to consider the weather , too, especially if you’re trying to avoid the intense heat of the summer or the hurricanes of the fall .

To help you narrow down your options, we have a giant Crowd Calendar post that will show you day-by-day which days we are predicting to be the most (and least!) crowded.

• READ MORE: Disney World Crowd Calendar

Step 2: Choose where to stay & book it

You have lots of options for where to stay during your trip – including both onsite and offsite resorts and hotels.

Where you decide to stay will have a direct impact on some essential parts of your vacation.

• READ MORE: Ways to Book Your Disney World Vacation

Onsite or off?

Things like Advanced Dining Reservations and Lightning Lane selections are tied to whether you choose to stay on Disney property or venture offsite to where you’ll (typically) find less expensive options.

While the price is understandably often the first factor you’ll need to consider, most guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort may find that weighing the value of the perks associated with the onsite resorts versus the lower costs connected to the offsite options can sometimes be a bit tricky to navigate.

• READ MORE: Disney World Resort Options

Our favorite way to save money when staying onsite

We’ve already discussed discounts up above, but probably our most favorite way to save money when staying onsite is by renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points.

There are some definite pros and cons to this money saving option, so make sure you check out the link below for everything you need to know.

• READ MORE: How to save big money by renting DVC Points

Consider using a travel agent

Whether you are new to planning or a seasoned Disney World vet, it can be very helpful to have somebody you can turn to for assistance with navigating through it all.

That’s why if planning a trip feels overwhelming, we highly recommend reaching out to a reliable travel agent .

Not only will they be able to answer all of your questions, but they’ll also keep you in the loop if and when changes happen.

Staying onsite? Consider booking a package.

Booking a vacation package makes it far easier to get all your money back if you need to cancel.

If you purchase tickets separately, you can’t “return” them. That purchase is final, even if you have to cancel your trip.

Don’t packages cost more money?

The argument against packages is that it costs less if you book things separately. And that is partially true.

You can usually save some money if you purchase your tickets separately from an Authorized Reseller. The amount you save typically isn’t a lot , though, at least not when compared to the other components of your trip.

But – the last few years have taught us the importance of being able to easily cancel if needed. And, an easy way to add a layer of financial protection to your trip is to stay onsite and book your trip components as a package so that you have the maximum amount of flexibility if you need to cancel or postpone .

Of course, if Disney cancels a special event or has to close due to something like a hurricane , you’ll likely see that they will work with ticket holders to extend the expiration dates.

But, if you purchased those tickets outside a package or from a third-party seller, you likely won’t get your money back. 

For the maximum amount of security in case things go wrong, if you need tickets, we strongly suggest that you book a package.

Step 3: Make a daily plan and select Disney World tickets

After you’ve decided when to go and where you’ll be staying, the next thing you need to do is determine where you’ll spend each day. Ideally, you’ll have this step figured out no later than 61 days out from when your trip begins because you’ll need to know your daily plan before you can do Step 4.

Disney World is home to 4 incredible theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), 2 world-class water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), and a giant shopping district (Disney Springs).

And, although you’ll want to see and do it all, unless you’ll be moving into Cinderella Castle (which unfortunately you can’t), you are going to have to pick and choose.

The first thing is figuring out exactly how much time you’ll want in each park. To help you get started, here are our thoughts:

Suggested number of days in each park

The chart below is just a suggestion. All families vary.

For instance, families with younger children and only 3 days in the parks might want to do 2 days in the Magic Kingdom.

It’s also a great idea to have 1 day out of the parks for every 3 days in the parks.

Arrange it however it makes sense for your family.

Once you have nailed down how many days you want for each park, you’ll need to decide where you’ll plug that into your vacation.

• READ MORE: How to pick the best park for each day of your trip

Here is some general advice to help you decide which park to visit when:

• Magic Kingdom  is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think “Disney World”. Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
• Hollywood Studios also remains busy most days of the week due to the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land areas. Your best bet here for the shortest lines are Sundays and Wednesdays.
• Epcot  hosts  nearly year-round festivals , and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors and locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for is the alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you’d find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn’t the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays .
• Animal Kingdom  remains one of the “easiest” parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.

Find your travel month below to see park hours, and any scheduled nighttime entertainment and special events:

Select your tickets

Now that you know how many days you’ll be in each park, you can select your tickets and either purchase a package or, if purchasing tickets separately, you can go ahead and do that now.

When making your ticket selection, keep in mind that you can almost always upgrade a ticket, but you can’t get money back if you don’t use all your days or components of your tickets, such as Park Hoppers.

That’s why we recommend you make that daily plan first, and then use that as a guide for deciding exactly how many days worth of tickets you’ll need.

• READ MORE: Disney World tickets

Step 4: Pick dining options

Disney World is packed with lots and lots of fantastic restaurants.

And with so many fun places to eat, it is common for people to want to decide where they will be dining before they ever pick what park they’ll be at that day.

But please trust us: you do not want to do that.

The reason dining falls at step 4 is that you need to plan your dining after you know where you’ll be each day .

The entire Walt Disney World Resort area is huge (roughly the size of San Francisco), and unless you want to spend hours each day on a bus crisscrossing the property going from meal to meal, you’ll need to be a lot more strategic in how you plan where to eat.

Trust us on this one:

Remember: Save yourself a lot of stress by waiting to plan your dining until after you’ve decided where you’ll be each day, and if you do decide to dine somewhere other than where you’ll be, plan for how you’ll get there.

Advanced Dining Reservations

Dining at Disney World is broken up into 2 main categories:

• Less expensive
• Doesn’t require reservations
• Often has the ability to Mobile Order
• More expensive
• Almost always requires an Advanced Dining Reservation (can be made beginning 60 days from check-in)
• Sometimes has “To Go” options (at some resort Table Service restaurants)
• Includes all Character Meals

If your goal is to dine at a Table Service restaurant, you’ll need to make an Advanced Dining Reservation . Make sure you understand how that works, or you may wind up disappointed.

• READ MORE: How Dining at Walt Disney World Works

What about the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan is a hugely popular component and while sales of it were paused for several years, it returned as an option for trips beginning on or after January 9, 2024.

The  Disney Dining Plan (DDP)  is an optional add-on that people staying in an on-site Disney World resort can get by booking one of these things:

• A vacation package (that includes a room and tickets) online or by calling Disney
• A room-only reservation by  calling  Disney or having  your agent  add it (this is sometimes called a “ticketless package”)
• A Disney Vacation Club (DVC) reservation

When you buy a DDP you are pre-paying for your food (and snacks!) and then using credits to get meals during your trip.

The Dining Plan can be great if you are looking for that “all-inclusive” feel, but before you purchase it, make sure you understand how it works, or else you may actually wind up spending more on food than what you would have done without it.

• Complete Guide to the Disney Dining Plan (Is it worth it?)
• Disney Dining Plan Calculator

Step 5: Plan park touring

Don’t let the rumors and stories about long lines at Disney World fool you: the people that wait in lines at Disney World are the ones without a touring plan.

Touring plans don’t have to be rigid minute-by-minute lists, but touring plans are something you’ll definitely want to spend some time thinking about.

You can choose to tackle the parks without spending anything extra, but Disney has also introduced an entirely new system called Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass which will allow you access to their Lightning Lanes (which means shorter waits).

The LLMP and LLSP systems can be complicated, but here are a couple of resources we think are good introductions:

• Complete Guide to Lightning Lane Passes at Disney World
• How to buy (and modify) Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass

Step 6: Add extra magic

When planning your vacation, the final thing to do is to figure out ways to add some extra magic to your trip .

This step doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend more money (although that is certainly an option); it just means you are intentional about ways to add a little extra **pixie dust** to your trip.

For lots of people, this is the step that ties their entire vacation together (and gets them hooked on planning lots more Disney World trips!).

If you want to think of planning a Disney World trip like the steps in the construction process, Steps 1-5 above help you build your house, but Step 6 is where you get to decorate it.

Here are some of our favorite resources to help you add some extra magic to your vacation:

• Create a countdown
• Watch Disney movies and shows that are connected to what you’ll see in the parks
• Plan a surprise
• Listen to some podcasts and trip reports
• Put together some Tinker Bell gifts
• Book a dessert party

What to Pack

You’d be surprised just how many questions we get about this topic.

But it makes sense; when you’re far away from home, things will go a lot more smoothly if you have everything you need with you.

In fact, we feel so strongly about packing lists that we have a H-U-G-E post with everything you’ll need to know about what to pack for a Disney World vacation.

And the best part? You’ll find links to free packing list downloads you can use.

• READ MORE: The Ultimate Disney World Packing List

And, while you’re busy working on a packing list for your trip, don’t forget to think about what you’ll want to take into the parks with you.

• READ MORE: What to pack in Your Disney World Park Bag

Preparing for your trip

Your trip is booked, but now what?

We recommend you spend the months, weeks, and days leading up to your trip learning some of those Disney World basics that will help your trip go smoothly.

We’ve listed just a few topics below, but we also invite you to scroll through the hundreds of other posts on the site to find topics that might interest you.

Disney World Planning Timeline And Checklist: Updated For 2024 & 2025

Even if you previously planned a Disney World vacation, the process has evolved over the last few years. Use our updated, free printable Disney World planning timeline to make planning your 2024 or 2025 Disney World vacation easy.

Subscribe to my email list to receive a printable checklist version of this Disney World planning timeline plus my park bag packing list.

6 to 8 Months Before A Disney World Trip  

Research Disney World Resort Options

The often overwhelming first step in the Disney World planning timeline is researching on- and off-site Disney World resort options. I generally recommend staying on-site at Disney World, but sometimes staying off-site is still a good choice when planning your Disney World vacation.

There are over 30 resorts on-site at Disney World broken into 4 categories: Deluxe Villa, Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. Each Disney World resort has a variety of amenities, locations, transportation options, and overall aesthetics that speak to every style and budget.

Disney World offers standard hotel rooms, value resort suites for larger families, cabins, camping options, plus deluxe villas which are larger and generally have a full kitchen.

We’ve stayed in every Disney World resort category and most room types over the last few years. To help you find the best fit for your family I’ve written a complete Disney World resort guide . This guide provides an overview of each Disney World resort category plus our favorite resorts in each price grouping.

Check Disney World’s Park Reservation System For Availability

Disney World currently requires guests to have a valid theme park ticket PLUS a theme park reservation to enter the parks. Starting January 9, 2024, guests who buy standard Disney World date-based tickets no longer need park reservations.

Until January 9, 2024, there are three pools of Disney World park reservations: on-site guests, annual passholders, and theme park ticket guests staying off-site. Choose the right option when viewing the calendar to ensure your preferred park has reservations for your desired date. Here’s more information on the Disney World park reservation system.  

Pick Dates For Your Disney World Vacation

Now that you’ve checked park reservation availability it is time to finalize your Disney World vacation dates. Crowd levels vary greatly throughout the year with summer, spring break, Halloween , Thanksgiving, and Christmastime being especially crowded. 

Before reopening, the parks often reached capacity around Christmas and New Years Eve, which meant they were so full new guests couldn’t enter.

One good thing about the new Disney World park reservation system is that guests can secure a park reservation in advance and know they can get into a desired park on popular days. Book your park reservations early for these popular times of year and holiday weekends.

Book your Disney World Vacation

Now that you’ve found the right hotel, and verified park reservation availability, it is time to book your Disney World vacation.

4 to 6 Months Before Your Disney World Trip

Book Flights (Unless You Are Driving)

If you are flying to Disney World, booking flights about four months ahead of time is usually ideal. Flights won’t necessarily be at their cheapest, but also shouldn’t be at their highest prices either.

We often book our flights with Southwest early. Southwest’s policy provides refunds or credit, depending on fare type, if the fares decrease before our trip which provides peace of mind when booking early.

60 Days Before Your Disney World Trip

Make Disney World Dining Reservations

Guests used to make Disney World dining reservations 180 days ahead of a trip. However, this all changed after Disney World reopened.

Now plan your Disney World dining reservations 60 days before your vacation. Booking ahead is especially important for popular restaurants and limited character meal options.

On-site hotel guests can make dining reservations 60 days in advance of arrival for the entirety of their vacation, if the trip is less than 10 days. Guests need a valid theme park ticket plus park reservation before making dining reservations.

Reserve Special Disney World Activities

Book special experiences like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Savi’s Workshop , and Droid Depot online 60 days before your Disney World vacation.

Arrange Your Disney World Transportation

Disney World no longer offers complimentary transportation to and from Orlando International Airport. The most common transportation options are now rental cars, private car service, Mears Connect, or ride shares.

People often think a rental car is the least expensive option, but add gas and rental fees to your reservation and it’s a lot more expensive than it seems. Mears Connect costs over $100 for a coach bus similar to Magical Express or $250 for express service for a family of four.

Ride shares are a reasonable option, but finding one with car seats is often difficult and expensive. After evaluating several Disney World transportation options we’ve found Tiffany Towncar is the best balance of comfort and price for most families.

5 to 14 Days Before Your Disney World Trip

Order groceries.

You may ask yourself “Why am I buying groceries on vacation?”, but I promise it is worth it. We order a handful of breakfast items, snacks, milk, and bottled water when staying in a regular room. If staying in a Disney World deluxe villa with a kitchen we also order food to cook some meals in our room. 

Eating breakfast in our room avoids breakfast lines and added expense at the parks. It is also nice to have some food on hand in case your group wants a snack at night when you get back to your room .

The Deluxe Villas and Fort Wilderness Cabins have full size refrigerators. Mini fridge and beverage coolers are available at these other resorts at Disney World . Disney World deluxe villa 1-bedroom and larger villas have full kitchens.

Over the years we’ve used Garden Grocer, Amazon, and Instacart for Disney World groceries. Evaluate the pros and cons of each service with our full review of these three competitors.

Start Packing

I usually have a staging area in a guest bedroom for packing and I start packing about a week before our trip. Packing a few days ahead means we are less likely to forget something important.

To help you pack, here is a complete packing list with a printable check list . I also use my own park bag packing checklist before every Disney World trip.

Buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Passes

Guests of select Disney World resorts can buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Passes 7 days before their trip while everyone else can purchase 3 days before arriving.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass lets you pick 3 attractions in advance with a one hour arrival window. This allows guests to skip the regular standby line and spend less time in lines.

Buy Lightning Lane Single Passes for popular rides like Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind . Lightning Lane Single Passes are price per person per ride, but the fee guarantees access to these often difficult to access rides.

Day Of Your Trip

Arrive At Disney World

You’ve done all the planning and packing so now it is time to have fun. Remember to have your park bag packed and ready so you can head straight to the parks if you arrive early in the day. 

Or if staying at a Disney World hotel January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 pack your swimsuits and suntan lotion for arrival day. A new on-site perk lets registered Disney World resort guests go to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon for free on check-in day.

Final Thoughts On Planning A Disney World Vacation

When first planning your Disney World trip, the process can feel a bit overwhelming. However, using our updated Disney World planning timeline and checklist will help your much dreamed about vacation run more smoothly. Having some plans plus a good attitude is the best way to make for a great Disney World vacation experience. 

Do you need more help planning your Disney World trip? Check out other Disney World tips and tricks in my Disney World Guides.

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25 Dates to Consider When Planning Your 2024 Disney World Vacation

By Jesus Garcia Leave a Comment

Are you ready for 2024 in Disney World ? It’s already shaping up to be a great year!

Are you prepared for the changes coming to Disney World?

There are so many things coming by the end of this year and into the new one — things like returning fireworks shows, park transformations, and hotel makeovers just to name a few. There are also some big things that Disney World is doing for the FIRST time in 2024 — here’s our full list!

When you’re thinking about your upcoming Disney trip in 2024, it’s a pretty good idea to start by checking out the calendar that way you can see what’s happening at the parks and if there are any cool events or holidays you’d like to catch. Plus, it’s a smart move especially if you want to try to avoid those big crowds. So, here are 25 dates, events, and other things to think about for your 2024 trip!

Let’s talk about Holidays . You already know that at Disney they’re a big deal. Lots of folks love celebrating these special moments in the parks, and Disney usually goes all out with some extra magic during these times. Think unique treats , new shows, and limited-edition merch you can bring home.

Hollywood Studios

After New Year’s, Valentine’s Day is the first holiday that pops up and it can be a pretty fun time to visit Disney! You’ll find loads of sweet treats for that lovey-dovey holiday. The parks usually aren’t much busier than usual, but you should keep an eye out on booking those Advance Dining Reservations , especially if you want a special Valentine’s Day dinner with your loved one.

Valentine’s Day

Next up, we’ve got spring breaks in March and early April, followed by Easter on March 31st . During Easter, don’t forget to check out the amazing chocolate eggs displayed at the Beach Club and the Grand Floridian. Plus, you can meet the Easter Bunny in Magic Kingdom!

Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny

If you’re planning to surprise your parents with a Disney trip, keep in mind that Mother’s Day (May 12th) and Father’s Day (June 16th) are coming up. It’s a great way to show your appreciation for your folks by treating them to some Disney magic. These holidays also bring fun seasonal treats , but like Valentine’s Day, it’s a good idea to book a Mother’s Day Brunch early to snag your preferred spot.

Mother’s Day is coming

Disney’s regular nighttime shows are already fantastic, but on the 4th of July , they’re extra special! In past years, both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT have lit up the night with some pretty epic fireworks shows. So, if you’re all about those fireworks, just be ready for some pretty big crowds. (Try to book your Park reservations ASAP as we’ve seen them disappear fast, sometimes as early as April or May.)

Another Look at the Planes

Now, let’s keep moving right along and dive right into fall and the spooky season, which means we’re talking about Halloween! Disney World really goes all out for Halloween with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party . It’s a special ticketed event where you can come to Magic Kingdom in the evening and dress up in your favorite costume. If you’re 14 or older, this is your chance to wear costumes in the parks . The Halloween Party is a blast with rare villain character meet and greets, spooky snacks, and unique experiences you won’t find during the day.

Halloween in Magic Kingdom

Thanksgiving (November 28th) is a food lover’s paradise at Disney. Many dining spots serve up special holiday dishes and menu items . Some of these treats are available in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, while others are exclusive to the day itself. If you want to savor a Disney-fied Thanksgiving meal, plan to be in the parks on the holiday. But remember, dining reservations for Thanksgiving fill up super fast , so book yours 60 days in advance when the reservation window opens.

Thanksgiving Feast Time!

Christmas Day and the days around it are some of the busiest times at Disney World . If you’d rather avoid the crowds but still want to enjoy the holiday vibes, consider visiting near the end of November or early January. During that time, you’ll still find holiday decorations and treats, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party usually runs from early November to late December. (The really big crowds usually hit right after Christmas, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.)

Holiday Dapper Dans

The last (and first!) holiday of the year is New Year’s , which is another fantastic fireworks-centered holiday. That means you’ll see all kinds of lights, fireworks, and nighttime shows in the parks. If you’re all about the shows but want to skip the big crowds, think about booking a hotel or resort room with an awesome view to enjoy the festivities comfortably.

New Year’s Eve at EPCOT

Lastly, while it’s not a fixed date for everyone, you might have your own special holidays or milestones you want to celebrate in the parks. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or any other accomplishment, check the availability of accommodations and dining reservations around your big day. And when you get to the parks, don’t forget to grab a complimentary celebration button – you might get some surprises throughout the day!

What are YOU celebrating in Disney World?

7 Things Disney World is Doing for the First Time in 2024

Disney world events.

Alright, let’s dive into what’s cooking at Disney World in 2024! There’s a whole bunch of exciting stuff lined up, some classics, and some brand-new goodies like rides and dining experiences. Plus, we’ve got the lowdown on ride closures so you don’t miss your favorites!

As you know, EPCOT is definitely where the party’s at with its four festivals throughout the year. Lots of folks love planning their visits around these because they add an extra layer of fun to your park time. First up is the Festival of the Arts , which runs from mid-January to mid-February. This one’s all about celebrating art in every form – from Broadway performances to incredible chalk art and, of course, mouthwatering culinary creations!

EPCOT Festival of the Arts

Next in line is the Flower and Garden Festival which usually stretches from early March to early July . During this time, EPCOT gets a major garden makeover with stunning topiaries featuring our beloved Disney characters. Food-wise, it’s all about farm-to-table goodness and plenty of plant-based treats.

Flower and Garden Festival

Then there’s the festival that started everything – Food & Wine ! This mouthwatering festival, which generally runs from late July to mid-November, is a food lover’s paradise. Picture all the food booths dishing out delectable small plates and drinks all over the World Showcase. It’s a fan favorite for sure!

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

As the year winds down, EPCOT decks the halls with the Festival of the Holidays . This one’s all about celebrating holiday traditions and cuisines from around the world. It kicks off just after Thanksgiving and runs to the end of the year. Keep an eye on our site for all the official news when it drops!

Festival of the Holidays

Now, if you’re a running enthusiast, get ready for the runDisney events at Disney World. They host races throughout the year, ranging from 5Ks to full marathons. The big one, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend , will happen from January 3rd through 7th . Another crowd-pleaser is the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend , scheduled for February 22nd to the 26th . Check out the runDisney events schedule here!

Princess Half Marathon Weekend (2023)

In 2023 we bid farewell to Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom and we saw the ride being rethemed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , inspired by The Princess and the Frog . Now, don’t get too excited —  we don’t have this date YET (it is scheduled to open in 2024) . But rest assured, when it’s announced what day this new ride will be opening, you’ll want to  stay FAR AWAY if you’re willing to wait to ride . This ride revamp is widely anticipated, meaning that  hundreds of people will likely be crowding at the gates  to be one of the first to ride on opening day.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Construction

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Disney World’s premier Deluxe Resort and it’s undergoing some major construction at the moment. We don’t have the exact finish date yet, but it’s currently scheduled to be all completed in 2024

Lots of work is being done

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is  also undergoing a major overhaul. Disney is currently in the process of expanding this resort to include more Disney Vacation Club villas , which will bring new recreation and dining options. We’ve seen a large portion of the building going up in the past few months. This is what the construction site looked like in July 2023. At the time, we noticed a lot more equipment on the site. However, it’s not scheduled to finish until late 2024 , so that’s a long time to deal with the construction!

New building construction

Disney Vacation Club has announced its plan to redesign the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground . The proposal calls for  more than 350 refreshed cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort . Although the new cabins will be part of the Disney Vacation Club resort lineup, the proposed cabins will be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club Members.

Fort Wilderness Cabin Concept Art ©Disney

There will also be an updated pool and walking trail enhancements. And a new dining experience has already debuted at Trail’s End Restaurant , with Crockett’s Tavern being refurbished, as well. Currently,  Disney expects the new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to open in 2024 .

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently constructing some new Disney Vacation Club villas at the resort that are set to open sometime in 2024. This will give DVC members some new options for staying at the resort. The new rooms will feature waterfront views with most also offering balconies.

©Disney | Polynesian Village Resort concept art

The new structure will also offer new dining and swimming options, as well as other recreation areas.

Here’s Everything We Know About the New Hotel Rooms Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Now, let’s talk about some ride updates. Disney has announced that a NEW SHOW is coming to Country Bear Jamboree  in  Magic Kingdom ! In 2024, the beloved bears will be learning an all-new act called the Country Bear Musical Jamboree . It will be a take on the classic variety shows found in Nashville, Tennessee , and Nashville musicians are involved in the new arrangements. For instance. we’ll be hearing a new version of “Bare Necessities” in a rockabilly style ! A Disney Imagineer has shared, “The music is going to be amazing, and the show will still have the fun and friendly tone that we all love about the Country Bears .”

EPCOT will also be debuting a new nighttime show in late 2023 as part of the Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration , so make sure to experience it when you come in 2024 . That’s right… a  BRAND NEW nighttime spectacular will make its debut on December 5th, 2023  in honor of  Disney 100 Years of Wonder :  Luminous The Symphony Of Us !

Click HERE to find out more about Luminous!

The Disney Dining Plan will be returning on January 9th, 2024, and this will be the first time it is available at Disney World’s newest restaurants. For those who don’t know what the dining plan is (especially since it’s been missing from Disney World since early 2020), it’s a way for Disney World guests who book a vacation package through Disney to pre-pay for their dining costs.

The Disney Dining Plan is returning!

Two plans will be available: the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan — here are FULL details on what each plan will offer and here’s a list of all the Disney World restaurants participating in the plan .

Which Disney Dining Plan is Right for You?

On January 9th, 2024 park pass reservations will NOT be needed for those who purchase date-based tickets. This means that guests who buy theme park tickets tied to specific dates will not need to make a reservation.

Park pass reservations are going away — sort of

However, this change doesn’t affect those with tickets that are not based on specific dates. They will still need to make park pass reservations (i.e. Annual Passholders unless they’re visiting specific parks after 2PM , Cast Members, and other non-date-based ticket types).

Read More About The Park Pass Reservations Change

Disney recently shared that they’ve listened to guests who wanted to “plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit.” The company has expressed that is now “working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.”

Genie+ on the My Disney Experience app

However, Disney has not yet revealed any further details on what this means for guests using Genie+, but more details should be released later. Disney did announce a new change to the pricing of Genie+ , but we think there are more changes to come in 2024.

Disney Genie+ Has Changed 9 Times — But We’re Still Waiting on ONE Big Update

So, as you plan your 2024 trip, keep these dates and events in the back of your mind. Think about what’s most important to you – whether it’s celebrating a special holiday, avoiding crowds, or checking off must-do attractions – and let that guide you in picking the perfect dates for your magical vacation!

Everything NEW Coming to Disney World in 2024

Join the dfb newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox click here to subscribe, we know disney. you can, too..

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

What change are you most excited about in Disney World in 2024? Tell us in the comments!

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Tips for visiting Disney World in 2024: 19 ways to save money and have more fun

Editor's Note

Walt Disney World is one of the most magical vacation destinations on Earth. However, it can also be challenging, expensive, frustrating, scorchingly hot and the epicenter of meltdowns.

Which version of Disney World you get is largely in your own hands.

Luckily, there are easy, expert-tested tips for visiting Disney World. Use these tips to save money, have fun and ensure your trip is a magical success.

Use secret menus

In addition to their published menus, many of our favorite Disney World restaurants — including Nomad Lounge in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort , Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar at Disney Springs and Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom — have off-menu "secret items." Other restaurants around Walt Disney World may even have additional off-menu items, too.

While you may assume you'll find the same sky-high prices for these items as the menu staples, that's not always the case. Sometimes, these secret menus can end up saving you some big bucks.

For example, you can get Ohana noodles from Disney's Polynesian Village Resort without paying the hefty prix fixe price of an Ohana dinner by ordering a bowl from Tambu Lounge next door. It's not on the menu, but you can ask for it.

Eat at lounges, not full-service restaurants

The secret to a pleasant Disney World trip is striking a balance between maximizing your park time and taking enough breaks to remember you're actually on vacation. A leisurely meal at Disney can be relaxing, but traditional table-service restaurants are often pricey.

Instead of choosing a traditional full-service eatery for every meal, go for a relaxed lunch or dinner at one of Disney World's many atmospheric lounges. You'll still have a table and a server but can order from a menu of lighter bites and creative cocktails without spending too much on an expensive meal.

Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World's must-do park

For example, at Space 220 Restaurant in Epcot, the set lunch menu costs $55 for adults and $29 for children. However, you can still enjoy the space view in the lounge, which offers heavy appetizers ranging between $12 and $18.

Disney World's other best lounges include the previously mentioned Nomad Lounge at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney's Wilderness Lodge , Steakhouse 71 Lounge at Disney's Contemporary Resort and Sanaa Lounge at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas — Kidani Village.

If you don't feel like sitting down in a restaurant or lounge after a long day at a park, ordering takeout meals from some of Disney World's most popular table-service restaurants is a great alternative dinner option. Just type "to go" into the search bar in the My Disney Experience app to see a list of restaurants where you can mobile-order a full meal. You can take your food back to your room or to the nightly outdoor movie at your Disney World hotel .

Create your own souvenirs

Recreation cast members at Disney World resorts run free daily activities, from poolside trivia to evening s'mores around the campfire to movies under the stars. They also offer paid activities that make fun do-it-yourself souvenirs, such as tie-dyed Mickey T-shirts.

At Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, for example, you can choose colored nuts and string to make your own kukui nut lei ($15 for kids and $20 for adults). Several Disney World resorts also have Community Halls where guests can watch movies, play games and make crafts — either for free or a small fee.

Snag hard-to-get dining reservations

Disney World dining reservations are available for booking 60 days in advance. However, guests staying on Disney World property with their booking linked in the My Disney Experience app can make reservations 60 days plus the length of their stay in advance. In other words, for a five-day stay, those guests can actually book some meals 65 days before their arrival.

Having this further-out booking window means you'll have a better chance of scoring the most desirable reservations, which sometimes get scooped up more than 60 days in advance.

Some of the hardest-to-snag reservations are for Cinderella's Royal Table, Space 220 Restaurant, Topolino's Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera, Oga's Cantina, Ohana and the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ venue at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests have until two hours before their reservation time to cancel, so something may open up at the last minute if you keep checking.

If you want someone else to do the hard work for you, there are websites specifically designed to alert you when a hard-to-find reservation opens up. Disney planning site Touring Plans has a free alert service that will notify you via text or email when a reservation for your chosen date and time range becomes available.

Related: The best $120 I've spent at Disney this year got me into the Magic Kingdom's secret tunnels

Take advantage of free ice water

Bringing a refillable water bottle to the parks is never a bad idea. However, if you need some water on the go, ask for a free cup of ice water at any quick-service location serving fountain drinks.

Oftentimes, a Disney cast member will be stationed at the door checking for mobile order return notifications, so you can just let them know you'd like a cup of ice water. They'll direct you to a numbered pick-up counter to grab one.

Save money by choosing your dates carefully

Just like it costs more to fly or book a hotel during busy weekends and holidays, it also costs more to get entrance tickets to Disney World on those days.

Disney World ticket prices now vary by date and park. The Magic Kingdom is positioned as the priciest park, while Disney's Animal Kingdom is the least expensive. Single-day tickets start at $109 per person but go up to $189 each. This means a family of four could spend up to $320 more on daily tickets, depending on when they go and which parks they visit.

Related: These are the best times to visit Disney World

Additionally, the cost of the reduce-the-line pass, Disney Genie+ , varies by day. It costs more on busier days (and has even sold out on a few occasions ), so the price differences can add up if you want to go to Disney World on a peak date.

You no longer need a park reservation

As of Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations officially became a thing of the past for guests with date-based tickets. You will still purchase variably priced, date-based tickets for the days you plan to visit Disney World, but you will no longer be required to make a theme park reservation for the park you wish to visit on a given day.

Now, you can wake up and visit whichever park you'd like.

This change applies to most ticket types, with the exclusion of annual passes and certain promotional tickets. These guests must still make a theme park reservation to enter a Disney World park.

You no longer need to wait until 2 pm to park hop

If you have a ticket with the Park Hopper option or are an annual passholder, you no longer need to wait until 2 p.m. to visit a second (or third or fourth) park.

Before this change, you had to wait until 2 p.m. to visit a park other than the one you had made a theme park reservation for that day. Now, you can visit additional parks any time you like throughout the day, making the Park Hopper option more valuable than it used to be.

Opt for other payment options besides cash

An easy way to shave anywhere from 3% to 10% off the cost of your trip is to buy discounted Disney gift cards to use for everything — your Disney hotel or Disney Vacation Club dues, park tickets, merchandise and dining.

You can get them from Target (there's a 5% discount when using a Target RedCard ) or from Sam's Club and BJ's at a 3% to 4% discount. Even if you don't get a discount, you can earn bonus points on your rewards credit card by strategically buying Disney gift cards at grocery stores and office supply stores.

Some cash-back credit cards also include wholesale warehouses in their quarterly cash-back categories, boosting your overall savings. Chain retailers like Meijer, Kroger and Lowe's occasionally run promos that can nab you even more savings on gift cards, too, so you may be able to get up to about 10% off.

If your heart is set on one of Disney's Deluxe resorts but your wallet says otherwise, you can often save money on pricey nightly rates by renting Disney Vacation Club points .

Depending on which credit cards you keep in your wallet, you may also be able to redeem points for your Disney World tickets or a points hotel near Disney World .

The information for the TargetRedCard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Assume it will rain — and plan accordingly

This is Central Florida, so there's always a chance you'll get stuck in a pop-up afternoon thunderstorm. The right preparation can mean letting a little rain roll off your (covered) back instead of drenching your parade. You can get "rain ready" with these tips:

• Wear waterproof shoes (read: no sneakers and socks that can get soaked).
• Bring a travel umbrella and a poncho or rain jacket .
• Cover your stroller with a waterproof cover whenever there's even the slightest chance of a shower.
• Consider the forecast when you choose what to ride first (you may need to prioritize outdoor rides).

Many of Walt Disney World's outdoor attractions close temporarily during rain and lightning. If you have your heart set on a top-tier ride — such as Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — don't wait until the end of the day to try to ride. If you do and rain comes your way, you could be out of luck.

Carefully consider where you stay

Disney World has some truly fabulous resort hotels, but they regularly cost $500 or more per night. If your budget can't quite handle such a splurge, consider some of Disney's Moderate hotels ( this one may be our favorite hidden gem ) and renovated Value options .

However, know that it's not a deal breaker if you stay off Disney property. While there are many reasons to stay at a Disney resort hotel, there aren't as many as there used to be.

With the free Magical Express bus from the airport and free Magic Bands now long gone, the on-site perks list has shortened a bit. However, you'll still enjoy a few benefits, including:

• Early access to the parks each morning
• The ability to purchase individual Lightning Lanes for rides starting at 7 a.m. (instead of when the park opens, which is when non-resort guests get access)
• No theme park or hotel parking fees
• Extra hours in the parks on certain nights (for Deluxe resort guests)

If a traditional Disney property isn't feasible for you, remember that you can get all the above perks (other than free parking) if you stay at the Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve , which are all in the Marriott family of hotels and sit on Disney property.

Have a plan for getting on the newest rides

Disney knows that guests are clamoring to get on new attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot and Tron Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom. The company also knows the experience will be diminished if guests have to wait in line for four or five hours before they get to try out the latest and greatest rides.

To keep wait times under control, Disney uses a virtual queue system when it opens new rides. Rather than have a traditional standby line, guests can try for a virtual queue spot on the My Disney Experience app. Typically, rides that use a virtual queue also offer a pay-to-ride Individual Lightning Lane pass, giving guests a free and paid option for getting on popular rides.

There are two opportunities to join: at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is an additional option for Deluxe hotel guests at 6 p.m. during extended theme park hours. You can try for the 7 a.m. slot from the comfort of your hotel bed, but you must be in the park where the ride is located for the 1 p.m. opportunity.

How long the virtual queue system stays in place depends on how popular the ride is. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has been open for more than a year and still uses a virtual queue instead of a traditional standby line.

Allot time for a resort day (or 2)

There's so much to do around Walt Disney World that you could easily fill several days with activities that don't require buying a park ticket . If you're visiting on a multiday park ticket rather than an annual pass, consider loading the bulk of your nonpark activities into a day (or days) when you skip the parks entirely — including your arrival and departure days.

Try a round of miniature golf — or 18 holes of the real thing — in the morning or some pool time in the afternoon . Visit Disney Springs for dinner, shopping and some Gideon's Bakehouse cookies for dessert.

Another good time to plan a resort day is before a party like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party , Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and other after-hours events. Those go well into the night, so you'll need to save up some energy.

Save character dining for nonpark days

Character meals tend to be a trip highlight, but too often, guests make the mistake of trying to cram a morning character breakfast into an already full park day. Instead, save those character meals for a resort day, as a special dinner on your arrival night or a farewell breakfast on your departure morning.

If you have your heart set on a particular in-park character meal, book breakfast as late as possible. Make it a brunch, so you can save your early morning hours for scoring shorter waits on rides.

Don't 'rope drop' the most popular ride

One of the best ways to get a jump-start on doing as many attractions as possible in a day is to rope drop. Rope dropping means arriving at the park at least 30 minutes before the official park opening (or the start of Early Theme Park Entry for Disney resort guests) and heading straight for your first attraction the moment the rope drops.

It may seem intuitive to beeline to the most popular ride at the park — which is typically also the one that will cost you the most to skip the line by purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane. Still, this isn't always the best approach.

Two of Disney World's most popular rides — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom — are two of the priciest Individual Lightning Lanes. They are also two of the longest queues, preshows and ride experiences. This means that your rope drop advantage for anything else is long gone by the time you've exited either of these rides.

Instead, if you can afford to, purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for those rides (or wait to join the standby line until just before closing when lines are often shorter). Then, rope drop slightly less popular rides that are still on your must-do list. With that strategy, it's possible to get two to three other rides done in the same amount of time before the crowds start to build.

Combine this with Disney Genie+, and you'll easily knock out everything you want to experience in a day.

Related: We tried to ride every attraction across all 4 Disney World parks in 1 day for a good cause — here's what happened

Trade fireworks and parades for shorter waits

If parades and nighttime spectaculars aren't must-see activities for you, especially if you have multiple days in the same park, skip the show and hop in line for a popular ride instead. You're all but guaranteed a shorter wait.

Keep an eye on character meet-and-greet hours

Many character meet-and-greets start later and end earlier than when the parks open and close. Because of this, you'll want to check any must-meet character's appearance times in the My Disney Experience app. This way, you can avoid the heartbreak of missing out on a Winnie the Pooh hug or Wookiee fist bump from Chewbacca.

Know how to get in early or stay late

Disney has a perk that lets resort guests staying on property or in select affiliated hotels (like the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve and the Disney Springs hotels ) into any of the four theme parks 30 minutes early to begin enjoying select attractions.

Additionally, on select nights, those in Deluxe Disney resorts (and again, including those at the Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green) can stay two hours after the parks close to enjoy select attractions with relatively minimal waits.

Usually, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom alternate staying open late on select nights. On nights that Epcot is open late, travelers staying in eligible resorts get an extra chance to get a virtual queue boarding pass to ride the new "Guardians of the Galaxy" ride.

Related: 13 new rides, attractions and experiences coming to Disney World in 2024

Make your mobile orders in advance

Using the mobile order option in the My Disney Experience app can save a ton of time when ordering food from quick-service restaurants. But, on busy days at popular spots, the return times can get backed up quickly.

Instead, avoid that whole situation by placing your order early in the day for your ideal return time. Or, keep an eye on return times to ensure you place your order before your desired return window is gone. You can modify your return window within Disney's app if you need to change it.

Bottom line

Between having the right gear in your theme park bag , knowing about the hidden layers of magic built into Disney and following these practical tips, you're well on your way to being a Disney World pro. Not to mention, you'll be saving time and money.

Related reading:

• Everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World Resort
• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• New swan on the block: A review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• The cheapest place to stay at Disney World is a tent — so I tried it
• 9 things you should never, ever do at Disney

Enjoy delicious prepaid meals and more when you purchase a dining plan as part of a Disney Resort Hotel Package!

Why purchase a dining plan.

Convenience & Flexibility

There are more than 200 locations to dine at throughout our Disney Resort hotels, theme parks and select locations at Disney Springs. So there’s something to delight nearly every taste!

Delicious Options Choose from either the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company Package. Both plans provide everyone in the party (ages 3 and over) a specific number of meals and snacks based on the number of nights of your Disney Resort stay. Just pick the plan that works best with your vacation style and dining needs!

Dine and Snack at Your Own Pace Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout.

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a dining plan that includes one snack per day, each Guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 4 snacks—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

Value & Savings

Savings You can save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package.

Savings compared to the nondiscounted price of menu items available to kids ages 3 to 9 at participating locations when purchased without a dining plan. Actual savings vary based on menu items ordered.

Vacation Value Dining plans include a certain number of prepaid meals and snacks—so you can spend more time with your family enjoying the Disney magic… and less time on meal budgeting while you’re here at Walt Disney World Resort. And this gives you the opportunity to say that magic word to your kids... "Yes."

Pick the Best Option for Your Family

• Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

With the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan you can dine at a variety of Quick-Service locations when you’re ready to stop and enjoy a casual meal. Just order at a counter or register and then find a seat—no dining reservations required!

What’s Included Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following:

• 2 Quick-Service Meals (per night of stay)*
• 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
• 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug**

* Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.

** Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

Important Information

• Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
• Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
• Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).

Dine and Snack at Your Own Pace Remember, meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay.

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each Guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

View Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan Details

View a list of dining experiences that participate in the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan.

• Disney Dining Plan

This option allows you to easily plan meals around your family's schedule: Quick-Service when you’re on the go and Table-Service when you’re ready to savor the moment.

• 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
• 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
• Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are subject to availability and are highly recommended.
• Two table-service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining at a Fine/Signature Dining experience, select Character Dining experience or a Dinner Show.
• Plan must be purchased for the entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Dining Plan, each Guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 4 Table-Service meals, 4 Quick-Service meals and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

View Disney Dining Plan Details

Explore dining experiences available for booking during your vacation.

View a list of dining experiences that participate in the Disney Dining Plan.

How to Get a Dining Plan

Purchase a vacation package.

Choose a Disney Resort Hotel Package that includes a dining plan.

Make Changes to an Existing Reservation

Visit “My Plans” to change your reservation—and upgrade to a Disney Resort Hotel Package that includes a dining plan.

Make the Most of Your Dining Options

How to Use Your Dining Plan

Step One: Choose a Restaurant Review a list of restaurants participating in your dining plan.

Remember, advance dining reservations are highly recommended for Table-Service restaurants. Learn when advance reservations can be made .

Step Two: Show ID Simply present your valid Disney Resort ID (MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card) to your server or cashier at participating restaurants.

Step Three: Track It There are 3 easy ways to track your dining plan meals and snacks.

• Use the My Disney Experience app
• Check your most recent dining receipt
• Visit the Resort Concierge or any Guest Relations location and ask about your remaining meals and snacks

To track your remaining meals and snacks via the My Disney Experience app, visit the “My Resort Stay” section. Then, select “Check Dining Plan” to view the status of your dining plan meals and snacks—total issued, already redeemed and still available.

Mobile Order

Download the app to view eligible restaurants and items, then make your selection! This convenient service includes:

• Quick-Service Dining Save time and avoid the line! Order ahead and have your meal prepared as soon as you arrive at the restaurant.
• Table-Service To Go Craving a delicious meal during your Resort stay… but you don’t want to dine in a restaurant? Order meals to pick up from participating Table-Service restaurants at select Disney Resort hotels.

Learn More About Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering

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Disney World Itineraries & Plans for 2024

Our Walt Disney World itineraries offer step-by-step strategy for single & multi-day visits to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Plus, plans for touring Universal Studios Florida, Disneyland, Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong theme parks. These time-saving tips will help you avoid crowds, high wait times, and long lines for rides. ( Updated February 18, 2024 .)

The Florida and California itineraries have all been overhauled as Walt Disney World and Disneyland have debuted new attractions and nighttime spectaculars. This includes TRON Lightcycle Run, Luminous, Moana’s Journey of Water, Happily Ever After, World of Color – ONE, and other entertainment. The itineraries also account for major closures (e.g. Splash Mountain and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster) and changes with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.

We visit the parks on a regular basis, tracking wait time data, crowd patterns, and other changes. Along with all of that, we’re frequently testing various approaches, and fine-tuning strategy as crowds have increased thus far in 2024, despite the exhaustion pent-up demand. We’re expecting this year to be busier than last, and the 2024 updates account for that. We use our on-the-ground experiences and field-testing plus crowd levels and other observations to formulate plans of attack that’ll work in the real world.

Other itinerary tweaks account for ride closures, recent restaurant additions, and all sorts of other things. We typically update the Walt Disney World and Disneyland itineraries about once per season or as necessary with new rides opening. If an itinerary hasn’t been updated in the last few months, it’s because nothing has changed. The next overhauls will likely come in Summer 2024 or whenever pre-arrival booking of Lightning Lanes actually arrives.

Our patented (not really) park strategy guides are unlike most theme park itineraries that you’ll find. We take a balanced approach that prioritizes efficiency and avoids long wait times for attractions ( “I love waiting in lines!” ~said no one, ever ) while also savoring Walt Disney World’s ambiance.

This results in step-by-step plans for touring Disney Parks that allow you to get a lot done, while also enjoying the scenery and what the theme parks have to offer beyond the rides. We do not view the parks simply as collections of attractions that should be completed checklist style, so the plans balance “getting stuff done” with “having a nice, leisurely day.”

If that approach sounds appealing to you, check out our itineraries for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the international Disney Parks…

Walt Disney World Itineraries

With 4 theme parks, plus 2 water parks, a couple dozen resort hotels, and lots of “other stuff” our 1-day plans for Walt Disney World barely scratch the surface. These are our current park plans for Walt Disney World, all of which have been updated to account for current crowd patterns, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and more.

We would recommend those with Walt Disney World trips through Summer 2024 use these while planning for EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Plans for both of those parks will potentially change sometime in June as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and CommuniCore Hall open, and other smaller-scale additions also debut in both parks.

The itineraries for Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have no such shelf life; these will likely receive another update at some point this year, but there’s nothing new on the horizon that will materially impact strategy for those parks before late 2024 or even 2025. DINOSAUR and It’s Tough To Be a Bug closing are probably the next big changes, but that’s not expected to occur for a while–late this year or early next.

With that said, Walt Disney World is still feeling the impact of pent-up demand, return of international travel, special events, and longtime fans who postponed visits. These trends are entirely accounted for in the itineraries, but you should nevertheless be aware of the reality that the parks feel more crowded  than ever before. The itineraries are still your best plan of attack, you just can expect to accomplish slightly fewer rides per day.

Magic Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary – An aggressive itinerary for Walt Disney World’s flagship park that starts with an early morning in Fantasyland and Frontierland. It also covers snacking, shows, and more. It’s normally tough to do Magic Kingdom in a single day, but this comes very close.

EPCOT 1-Day Itinerary – Few EPCOT park plans can hit the “Big Three” (Frozen Ever After, Test Track, and Soarin’ Around the World) in a single day, but this one manages to do exactly that–with minimal waits. You’ll also fully experience Future World and be able to have a pleasant time in World Showcase.

Hollywood Studios 1-Day Itinerary – Everything you’ll want to do in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, roller coasters, and the park’s many shows. This DHS plan also includes two table service meals, which are among the best-themed restaurants at Walt Disney World!

Animal Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary – Post-reopening, this is our most counter-intuitive itinerary. While Animal Kingdom is a full-day park, it requires a different approach than the others. This itinerary gets you in and out of Pandora – World of Avatar efficiently, bypassing the frequent two-hour waits for Flight of Passage. It also allows ample time for exploration, animal watching, and eating.

Magic Kingdom 2-Day Itinerary – If you want to do 5 days at Walt Disney World, our preferred approach is a full day at all of the parks, plus 2 at Magic Kingdom. The pace here is slightly more leisurely, allowing for more snack time, soaking up the beautiful details, and meals at the best restaurants in the park.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Plan – If you’re attending this special event held at Magic Kingdom from August through October, our party plan is a great way to meet as many characters as possible while also seeing the parade, stage show, fireworks, attraction overlays, and other entertainment. Because it’s impossible to see everything unique to MNSSHP in a single night, this does not include regular rides.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Plan – Exact same idea as the above Halloween Party plan, but for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party during November and December at Magic Kingdom. We’ve been attending both of these events at least once per year (usually more) since 2007 and have fine-tuned our approach over the years as a result!

Walt Disney World 3-Day Itinerary   – We are huge fans of ‘whirlwind long weekends’ at Walt Disney World. Of course, given that there are 4 parks, you have to make compromises with this condensed approach. Here are a couple different options, and how you can squeeze as much as possible into a few days, including the best options for Park Hopping, Early Entry, rope drop, late nights, and more.

EPCOT Half-Day Itinerary – We definitely do not recommend only spending a half-day at EPCOT, but if you do, here’s how to knock out the headliners and enjoy the atmosphere with limited time.

Hollywood Studios Half-Day Itinerary – Although incredibly busy during the midday hours, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is often quieter in the evening, allowing for a lot to be accomplished with an afternoon arrival.

Animal Kingdom Afternoon Arrival   – This is sadly still a half-day park for most guests, which has been exacerbated by the lack of a nighttime spectacular. The end result is that Animal Kingdom really clears out by 3 or 4 pm. Those who are primarily interested in rides can tackle the entire park in only a few hours with this plan.

Genie+ Lightning Lane WDW Itineraries

1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – Magic Kingdom is the park where Genie+ is most useful, and we highly recommend using it here. This will walk you through a sample day using Genie+ to book Lightning Lane reservations, with insight into top priorities and more.

1-Day Disney’s Hollywood Studios Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – After Magic Kingdom, DHS is the park that makes the most sense for buying the paid Genie+ service. Given the number of headliners, you can easily save 4 hours in line simply by scoring ride reservations for Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

1-Day Epcot Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – Unlike the top two parks, Genie+ is far less useful at Epcot. We only recommend it during peak season dates, or if you plan on Park Hopping.

1-Day Animal Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – It’s a similar story between Animal Kingdom and Epcot–and pretty easy to Park Hop between the two, starting your day at DAK and finishing at Epcot!

Disneyland Resort Itineraries

We recommend two full days at Disneyland, especially following the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and debut of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. On top of that, there are multiple nighttime entertainment offerings at Disneyland, and when all are shown, it’s tough to catch them in a single evening.

Additionally, a full day or more is ideal at Disney California Adventure to see and explore the more leisurely park without feeling rushed. There’s so much entertainment in addition to attractions that it’s difficult to see and do it all in a single day.

Disneyland Park 1-Day Itinerary – Our most aggressive single-day itinerary for the Disney theme park with the most attractions, this plan for touring Disneyland starts in Fantasyland, includes strategy for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, along with plenty of snacking and soaking up the quaint charm of “Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom.”

Disney California Adventure 1-Day Itinerary – If you want to do Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, or DCA’s other thrill rides without waiting in long lines, our Disney California Adventure itinerary is for you. We also have recommendations for experiencing the “Heroic Encounters” in Avengers Campus, scoring a Web Slingers boarding pass, and much more.

Disneyland 2-Day Itinerary – A Disneyland plan with time to breathe. This one covers all of the same ground as our 1-day itinerary, while also seeing and doing things that you’d have to skip in a single day due to a lack of time.

Genie+ Lightning Lane DLR Itineraries

1-Day Disneyland Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – Disneyland is the West Coast park where Genie+ is more useful, and we recommend using it here. This will walk you through a sample day using Genie+ to book Lightning Lane reservations, with insight into top priorities and more.

1-Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – With fewer high profile attractions and a more laid back atmosphere, Genie+ is not strictly necessary at DCA. Instead, we recommend it if you won’t arrive at park opening, want to repeat favorite rides, or plan on Park Hopping between DCA and Disneyland. Then it can come in handy!

Universal Orlando Itineraries

1-Day Universal Studios Florida Itinerary – The “other” studios theme park in Orlando, there’s a lot to love about Universal Studios Florida, from the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley to rides based on the Simpsons, Transformers, Men in Black, E.T., Despicable Me, and more. The park offers some great roller coasters and other thrill rides, plus excellent entertainment.

1-Day Universal’s Islands of Adventure Itinerary – At Universal Orlando’s second gate, you’ll find some of the best and most popular theme park rides in Florida, including the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

1-Day Universal Park Hopping Itinerary – A greatest hits plan for park touring that’ll give you a taste of the highlights in both parks. If you’re not eligible for Express Pass and Early Park Admission, you have absolutely no chance at accomplishing everything. On most days, you’ll be lucky to accomplish half of what Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure have to offer. We strongly recommend you do at least 2 days.

Outside the Parks at WDW

1-Day Skyliner Sip & Snack Itinerary – Walt Disney World’s new aerial transportation system presents some great opportunities to glide around via the gondolas, doing some delicious dining, drinking, and hotel hijinks along the way. This is either a half-day or full-day itinerary, depending upon how long you linger at each stop.

1-Day Self-Guided Christmas Itinerary – The very first itinerary we published was our “Self Guided Yuletide Tour,” as a way of exploring Walt Disney World’s many beautiful resorts at Christmas. This totally free plan covers the best of Disney during the holidays, including Wilderness Lodge’s towering tree, Grand Floridian’s gorgeous gingerbread house, and more!

Walt Disney World “Beyond the Parks” 1-Day Itinerary – Have a free day but don’t want to spend it poolside or simply shopping the day away at Disney Springs? This itinerary takes you around other under-the-radar spots at Walt Disney World that are fun but do not charge admission.

International Disney Parks

In this case, “International Parks” means the two parks at Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris, plus Hong Kong Disneyland. Much like Disneyland, neither Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea can be fully experienced in a single day. However, we recognize that’s how much time most people will allocate to these parks during a trip to Japan, so here are our plans for those parks:

Tokyo Disneyland 1-Day Itinerary – Another challenging castle park thanks to a surplus of attractions and live entertainment. Nevertheless, this Tokyo Disneyland itinerary allows you to do as much as possible via efficient ordering of rides.

Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Itinerary – Our favorite theme park in the world, period. This Tokyo DisneySea itinerary does the tough tightrope walk of getting you through popular rides efficiently, while also savoring this ornately designed park like a fine wine.

Disneyland Paris 1-Day Plan – We take that same ‘fine wine’ approach here, as Disneyland Paris is the most lavish–and best designed–castle park in the world. This itinerary strikes the perfect balance.

Walt Disney Studios Park 1-Day Plan – A far cry from the castle park next door, WDSP is–bluntly–a utilitarian park. This itinerary gets you in and out as quickly as possible, so you can do the rides and shows here and then hightail it back to Disneyland Paris.

Hong Kong Disneyland 1-Day Itinerary – The new quaint, uncrowded Disney park, Hong Kong Disneyland is the only castle park that does not require an efficient plan of attack. Nonetheless, waiting in line is never fun, so this HKDL itinerary covers what order to do the popular rides here.

That covers it for our Disney Parks itineraries! If there are any other plans you’d like to see, or if you have questions about the current Disney Parks plans, please let us know in the comments!

Planning a visit to one of the Disney theme parks? Check out our Disney Parks Vacation Planning Guides for everything you need to start planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Aulani in Hawaii.

Your Thoughts

What would you include in your ideal day at the Disney Parks? If you haven’t visited yet, what do you plan on doing? Anything you’d add to any of our plans? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

What is going on with the ads it’s so annoying and why does the page refresh back to the top halfway through reading?

do you have an itinerary for universal horror nights and/or seaworld howl o scream?

Does the 1 day itinerary change at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios when they have the extra hours events? Iam staying offsite so I wouldn’t have early morning admission. Is it better to not go to that park on the event day or would day crowds be less until 7p? Thanks for all the useful tips

Looking for a two day itinerary with park hopper passes end of March. We will not be staying on property so won’t have early entry. Goal would be to hit all main attractions. All adults. Thanks! Would also love to see a one day itinerary for hitting Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

What is your recommendation for first time park hoppers who plan to spend half days in each park and trying to hop between 2 parks per day? We’re also doing a split stay with Beach Club stay for 4 nights and Grand Floridian stay for 4 nights. Should we just a split 1 day itineraries in half if a 1/2 day itinerary is not available?

Absolutely love your blog! It’s improved our Disney vacations immeasurably.

I just did the Disneyland, CA 1-day itinerary. Went on a Friday, FEB 16th, in which most schools were still open. My kids school was out so i took advantage of it. It’s definitely a slow day and one of the best times of the year, buuuuuuuut, I can’t stress this enough; if anyone is ever going to do a 1-day itinerary, you must get the Genie+ pass. We even got in the entrance line for the shuttle tram at 0730 and we were in the park by 8 AM. We stayed until 9:30 PM. We needed the Genie to catch every single one of the in-demand rides and i know how to use Genie+. I also bought the Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. (another must). I saw so many people in lines for 60 – 80 minutes for Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon, Bob Sleds, Thunder Mountain Railroad. Later in the day people were in 40-60 min waits for rides like Buzz Lightyear, Star Tours, etc. This was a great weather day and you could see how many people were just getting exhausted standing in lines by 5 PM if not earlier. I know the Disneyland entrance fees are expensive enough for families, but if you are going to spend that much money and then spend 3/4 of your day in a line and not catch everything, then you wasted your money of entry tickets. Get the Genie+, for 20% more and ride every single important ride. During some periods where we had to wait 2 – 2:30 for the next rides, We took advantage of that time to explore all of Main Street, go to a ton of shops, have a relaxing lunch, stop and eat beignets etc. So we got to rest and still see it all. The one thing we definitely skipped was the kids rides in Fantasyland. Those lines were all 30 minutes and longer later in the day, but unless your kids are very small, don’t waste your time on them at the beginning of getting in. Go do Star Tours and Buzz lightyear first.

I need a one day park hopper itinerary for Hollywood studios and Magic Kingdom. I have the basic rides and attractions we want to see and it’s not many

Do you have a 1 day EPCOT plan with early-entry access and entering from the front of the park? thanks!

Planning first trip to Disneyworld. Looking for best itinerary for 2 adults Thursday to Sunday, December 2023. Two adults. Fast pass aplus.

Can you do a touring plan for Very Merry Christmas Party? We are taking a few kids (ages 5-6) who are over 44″ tall and want to ride the rides. What would be your suggestions? Unfortunately we can only go Dec 9 and we know it’ll be crowded.

Echoing this with a huge YES PLEASE. I’m taking all five of my children (some are adult kids, all have extra needs/disabilities) early December and I feel so lost with how to manage it all and I trust this site to show the way!

Hi Tom – my family and I are visiting Disneyland in Jan 2023 from Australia for what will be a literal one-in-a-lifetime trip so I want to get it right! Do you have an updated 2-day Disneyland itinerary – the link in this article goes to one from 2019? Thanks so much your resources have been invaluable so far! 🙂

Not yet. Working on updating the 2-day itineraries soon!

Hi, we are doing a whole family trip from the UK in October 2023 (4 children & 8 adults) when do you think i should start reading up on the itineraries, I am over eager and already reading everything on you blog for Walt Disney World, but, completely expect a lot of the information to change as it is over a year away. When is a sensible time to start planning please?! Thanks

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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