Let’s Talk Disney World
It’s that time again – time to plan another Disney family vacation. To be fair, I feel like I’m always either in recovery mode from the previous Disney trip or planning the next one. Sometimes these modes can coexist! If you are a Disney family, you probably understand what I mean. If you haven’t yet jumped on the Mickey Mouse wagon, but are considering it, there are some key things to know before you start booking your trip. This post is for you.
Tip 1: Time of year
If you have flexibility to choose when you are going, there are some months that are my favorite because of the fair weather and smaller crowds. January, February, September, October, and November are favorites. I’ve met a fair amount of people who prefer late August as well since many kids are back in school during that time. However, late August in Florida is still very hot, and you have to weigh the costs and benefits of your children missing one of the first weeks of their school year.
Summer is the obvious time for many people to go. Yes, it is sunny, but Florida heat can be exhausting despite rides that are air conditioned. It is also common to get midday showers or short thunderstorms during this time of year. The crowds are also less than ideal in the summer. That being said, there is no bad time to visit Disney World because the good far outweighs anything else!
Tip 2: Know the parks
There are four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Florida: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park, and EPCOT. Have an idea of how you want to spend your time by knowing what is at each Disney theme park. My family prefers to spend one day at each. Other families skip a park or spend multiple days at the same park. You can buy passes that admit you to one park each day or the Park Hopper Option so that you can go between parks.
I personally believe the Park Hopper is better if you are going as an adults-only group or with older kids who can. Adults I know tend to prefer ending multiple days at EPCOT for the culinary experiences. Plus, it is harder to get little kids from one place to another, so some families find that paying extra for the Park Hopper isn’t worth it. However, one good reason to have the Park Hopper Option regardless of age group is in case of bad weather. With a Park Hopper, you can easily rearrange plans and not feel like your day reserved for a specific park was ruined. As with all parks, certain attractions with outdoor components will be temporarily closed if lightning is within a certain distance.
Strolling through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Tip 3: Get an idea of where you want to stay
There are many wonderful Disney resort hotels and nearby off-property accommodations. Even off-property hotels often offer shuttles to Orlando-area theme parks. I’ve been to Disney World many times in my life, and I prefer to stay on property due to fast transportation and the consistency of theming which makes the Disney experience extra magical. Another benefit to staying at a Disney resort is the early theme park entry hours and the reintroduction of the Disney dining plan option which starts in 2024.
Disney World resort hotels are priced in multiple tiers, and I’ve found all to be clean and well managed. When selecting where to stay or how much to spend, keep in mind that your family probably won’t be spending much time at the hotel anyways! Saving money by selecting a value resort might be a great choice as park ticket prices unfortunately keep creeping up.
A younger Isabelle stands in front of the Dolphin Hotel on a rainy day in 2021.
Our family’s favorite area to stay in Disney World is the boardwalk/beach area, which means we can take a boat or walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. For a quiet experience, I recommend Yacht Club to people. For the best children’s pool experience, I recommend the neighboring hotel — Beach Club. The best value in this area can be found at the Dolphin Hotel. The Dolphin brings back happy childhood memories for me, though this location caters toward a mix of family and business travelers these days, as conferences are frequently hosted there.
Other families prefer to stay on the monorail line or at hotels with access to the Disney Skyliner. A big head’s up about the Skyliner — there can be a very long line, so do not depend on this as your only form of transportation. You may need to take a shuttle bus if you want to get to a park fast.
Tip 4: Plan dining ahead of time using My Disney Experience
My Disney Experience is where you can go online to organize and plan your trip once you have made a reservation. There is also an app, which is a must-have before and during your trip! It can feel a bit overwhelming for first-time users, but once you get the hang of it, it quickly saves time. If you choose to stay at a Disney resort hotel, you can make dining reservations 60 days in advance using My Disney Experience. This is incredibly important if you want to eat at the most popular or famous restaurants such as Cinderella’s Royal Table. If you don’t get the reservation you want, keep checking back before your trip because people change plans and the place you are looking for could become available.
Pluto during a character lunch
Within My Disney Experience, you can also connect with family members, view photos taken through what is called Memory Maker, and, in recent years, guests have been required to make park reservations stating which day they would attend which park in advance. A Disney insider recently told me that in 2024 guests will no longer be required to make reservations after purchasing tickets, though that is yet to be seen. If you want the scoop, call the mouse directly!
When I was a kid, there were fewer logistics involved in Disney vacations, but some downsides such as longer lines. Over the years, Disney has pushed people toward thoughtfully planning their trip. It can be a bit overwhelming on the front end, but worth it when you get there. I’ll share more on Disney in the coming months.
