What You Need to Know to Plan a Trip to Disney World

Guest Blogs Guest post by
TWB proudly presents...

Disney World is every kid's dream come true. All the Disney characters in real life, fun theme park rides, and imaginative worlds. What isn't there to love?

Walt Disney World Resort, or Disneyworld, is Florida’s (and the world’s) most famous entertainment complex, covering 30,500 acres - the equivalent size to San Francisco! Located in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Disney World guarantees a magical experience for the entire family.

A Glimpse into the Wonders of Walt Disney World Resort

Concealed within the boundaries of Disneyworld are a wide range of attractions, including the  “Spirits of America” statues, Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando and Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park. When Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park first opened back in 1971, over 10,000 guests flooded into the park to marvel at the 189-foot-tall Cinderella Castle. 

With so much to see and do, from watching animated webtoons on big screens to rubbing shoulders with iconic characters, it would be in your best interests to book a Disneyworld hotel on a site like Expedia. Whether you intend on getting up-close to interesting species at the Animal Kingdom, getting an adrenaline rush on the Test Track at Bay Lake or watching Anna, Olaf and Elsa on-stage at Frozen Ever After, it’s much easier to get around the park when you’re actually staying at the park.

Visiting at the Right Time of Year

The majority of people who visit Disney World will do so during school holidays. Check school schedules before booking your flights, accommodation and tickets. Keep in mind that crowds are generally a lot bigger during this time. Nevertheless, this can be avoided if you purchase a FastPass+. With this ticket, you can skip all queues and still have time to attend entertaining shows, many of which will take place twice per day.

Choosing a Suitable Duration of Stay

Your duration of stay will depend on what you want to do and see at Disney World and boy, there are a lot of things to keep you occupied! A trip that lasts for 1-3 days will be ideal for visitors keen to see at least two of the four theme parks - Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you will be visiting Disney World for 4-5 days, you will have the opportunity to see all four parks. The benefit of staying for longer is that the daily ticket fee becomes cheaper for each additional day you stay.

Embarking on a VIP Guided Tour

A customized experience will ensure you cram all of the things that you really want to do/see into your trip to Disney World. A multi-park adventure is suitable for up to 10 people and will include a VIP tour guide. All you have to do is tell them what you are interested in filling your schedule with and they will do the rest. Personalized services of this kind include access to VIP viewing areas, flexible pick-up and start times, and transport to/from various theme parks.

Finding Walt Disney World Characters and Disney World Character Meeting Tips

Children’s dreams really do come true at Disney World, because character meet-and-greets allow young ones to talk with their favorite Disney characters, get a photo taken with them and even enjoy a hug! Consider a character dining experience to feast at one of over 40 tables, while Disney characters stop by to say hello. Character interaction is part of the experience, as well as photo opportunities. If your little princess wants to meet Disney princesses, visit the Magic Kingdom. For a chance to meet Mickey Mouse, spend some time at the Disney Pals at Epcot Character Spot. Avoid disappointment by using your Fastpass+ or make a reservation to meet characters.

Booking Fairytale-like Accommodation at Disney World

Budget-friendly options are available in the Kissimmee area, from deluxe villas to moderate properties with all of the essential amenities included. Should you feel that certain types of accommodation are slightly out of your budget range, practice your haggling skills! It is always possible to negotiate a lower price with a package deal. A property at Disney or Universal will definitely require you to book a reservation in advance. Alternatively, you may choose to rent a cabin or get in touch with nature at one of the park campgrounds.

Buying the Best Tickets for Disney World

The good thing about buying your tickets for Disney World is that they will be connected with your DisneyExperience account. This means that you can still gain access to the parks, should you misplace your ticket or MagicBand. For single-day entry, browse the value ticket options on the Walt Disney World website. Peak day tickets are generally more costly, but if you are a Florida resident, you will receive a discount! Always read the fine print and seek out authorized dealers by shopping around.

Planning the Itinerary for your Trip to Disney World 

One of the main appeals for visitors to Disney World is the flexibility of the packages, many of which include meals and entertainment. Here are some things to include in the itinerary:

  • Themed Pools -  Samawati Springs Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge,  Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Lava Pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort and Big Blue Pool at Disney's Art of Animation are just a few themed pools you can include in the travel itinerary.
  • Character Dining - Eat and meet Disney Characters at Cinderella's Royal Table, The Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, Hollywood & Vine and Akerhaus Royal Banquet Hall.
  • Fireworks - Conclude your trip to Disney World by watching the night sky illuminate with fireworks. Examples of the spectacular shows you can witness include Once Upon a Time, Happily Ever After and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.
  • Golf - Championship golf courses are concealed amidst the vibrant green fairways around Disney World, so why not take a swing?

Booking Transportation and Airfare

Getting around Disney World will not be a struggle. There are numerous types of transportation that travel to and from Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Every 20 minutes, buses, monorails and boats collect guests and drop them off at their desired destination. Traveling by car? Use the free parking area at Disney Springs. A daily ferry departs from Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, the Swan & Dolphin resorts and the Boardwalk Inn. Car rental is available, as are internal bus systems and Uber services.

Write Your Comment