If you have to factor in your children’s school schedule, you may want to pick dates in the fall, winter, or spring months, as the park can be crowded and hot during the summer months. You can also use Disney World’s crowd calendar tool to check the best times to visit the park. [3] X Research source Even if you end up with dates that may be on busy or crowded days, if you plan other factors of your trip correctly, you can still avoid long waits for attractions and save money on your trip by taking a few preparatory steps.
The biggest seasonal events at Disney World occur in the fall and at Christmas, so you may decide to visit the park for these special events. In September, the park hosts the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot and in October, the park holds a Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom. In November and December, the park holds Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and so, going during Christmas can be a good time to visit, as the weather is mild, the crowds can be lighter, and the park is lit up with lights and other special attractions.
Four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) Two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Five golf courses Two mini-golf courses Two dinner shows Boardwalk entertainment district Disney Springs shopping and dining district A completely sortable list of the attractions at Disney World can be found on the Walt Disney World interactive website.
Five full days will give you enough time to visit all four theme parks and experience many of the attractions, shows, and parades. If you want to have a more leisurely time to experience the park or try some of the extra activities, like the water parks or golfing, you may opt for seven full days at the park. Keep in mind Disney has made it more cost-efficient to do longer trips, as seven-day tickets do not cost much more than four-day tickets. If possible, you should try to commit at least five days at the park to get the full experience.
You may decide to spend at least one full day at each theme park, with breaks at specific restaurants for lunch in each of the parks. You may also factor in a specific show at the park that you would like to see or a parade. You should also account for time spent at other attractions, like the water park or the mini-golf course. Certain restaurants at each of the park require reservations, and because of their heavier guest population, must be booked at least six to eight months before your trip. [8] X Research source Look at a dining guide for the park and add several dining options to your itinerary. Disney also offers a Dining Plan as an add-on, where you pay for access to dining spots in the park. [9] X Research source You may decide to save money by bringing your own snacks and preparing your own meals to bring into the park. Although expensive, the dining at Disney World is known to be eclectic and worth trying, so you may decide to treat yourself to dining in the park one or two days during your visit, and brown-bagging the other meals the other days.
You may also want to factor in how many people are going with you on your visit. If you are traveling with more than four people in total, you may need to budget for two rooms or a suite that can fit four or more people. Disney World resorts do not allow four or more people in a single room unless you are traveling with children under the age of three. If you have a larger travel party, you may need to plan for cheaper transportation, like driving rather than flying. You should also consider a travel package through Disney World resorts to save money, especially if you are traveling with a large group.
The driving option is good if you are planning to stay at an off-site, budget hotel, as you can then drive to and from the park every day at your own designated times. Paying for parking can be pricey, but it is likely more budget-friendly than splurging for plane tickets for the entire family. You should also budget in the cost of gas to drive to Orlando and back. If you live in the Mountain or Pacific time zones, keep in mind you are closer to Disneyland than Disney World.
Another option is to book a flight package through Disney Resorts, where you get your flights and accommodations together. You should consult with a travel agent who specializes in Disney World travel, as these experts will likely be able to get you the best rates. [13] X Research source
Many Disney resorts also offer larger pools and other recreational options that are family-oriented. You can find more information on each Disney resort on the Disney World website. If you decide to stay at a Disney resort, you should look at discount options on the Disney website or speak to a travel agent that specializes in Disney vacations about discounts for onsite accommodations.
You can also choose a quality off-site hotel that is close to Disney World. It’s best to have a car or rent a car if you go for this option, as you will need to get to and from the park on your own. You can check rates online and use websites that allow you to bid on rooms at hotels close to Disney World for your travel dates. [16] X Research source
Passes can be very expensive when purchased through Disney’s website, so you may want to consider buying your passes from an authorized third-party seller. You can do this through a third-party seller like Undercover Tourist. You can also look for discounts through your local auto club (Triple-A has discounts on these theme park tickets when you have an account with them), your student union, your human resources office at work, or through Veteran Affairs if you are in the military. Do not buy passes on sites like Craigslist, eBay, or other unauthorized online ticket brokers. You cannot use someone else’s unused Disney tickets, as Disney will not accept tickets that are registered under someone else’s name.
If you are a large party, you should each have a bag loaded with basic supplies, including non-perishable snacks and a refillable water bottle for every member who will be visiting the park that day. This will ensure that everyone in your party is prepared for a day of walking around outside and enjoying the park. A backpack is also useful for any leftovers you may have if you do decide to eat at a dining spot in the park. This way, you can snack on the leftovers later in the day.
Getting to the park early can also help you get a better parking spot at your chosen theme park. Once you pay for parking for that day, you will be able to reuse that day to enter any other Disney World theme park at no additional charge for the day.
The app works for iPhone, Android, and other smartphones.
There are photographers hired by Disney to help you capture your special moments at the park for which they can stick it on a card and you can print them out at home (or for an additional charge, you can have them printed out at the park). Make sure you are aware of the price of the photographs before you get have them printed. Decide how you would like to experience Disney, for example, value, moderate or deluxe. Call your travel agent to arrange a trip for you. Let them know your and your family’s favorite characters or franchises. Get your deposit in as early as possible as your travel agent will be watching for promos that may drop between your deposit and final payment, and they will reprice it for you.
