Visit the most magical place on Earth with advice from a Disney travel expert!
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be a roller coaster—like the ones you’ll ride when you get there! From booking a resort and purchasing tickets to mapping out your days in the parks, you have a lot to consider. And whether you’ve been to Disney World many times or are organizing your family’s first visit, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you make the experience as effortless as it is entertaining. That’s why we asked Dunwoody-based Disney travel expert Shelby Freeman of Mickey Travels to share her advice for planning your time in the popular Florida destination. Here’s what she said.
How much time do I need to plan our trip?
Typically, three to six months is helpful, especially in terms of budget. When you book ahead, you can put down a $200 deposit and pay in installments over time. If your budget allows you to make plans closer to your travel date, then you can make arrangements in as little as 60 days before your trip. This works because dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance, and if you want specific experiences, you’ll want to be in this window. If you’re really spontaneous and plan to drive, then you can decide on a Thursday and be there for the weekend. It really depends on what kind of person you are when it comes to travel.
What are the benefits of staying at one of Disney’s resorts?
The resorts are broken down into value, moderate and deluxe options, so you can find a hotel to fit your budget. And there are always promotions for discounted rooms and packages. You also can book Lightning Lanes seven days in advance instead of three when you stay on property, which lets you pay a little more to skip some lines of those top-tier rides that are always in demand. You get resort-wide transportation when you’re in the Disney bubble as well. And if you are staying on property, the parks open 30 minutes early for resort guests, which allows you to get some of those big rides in if you want to avoid Lightning Lane passes. Those 30 minutes are often the most valuable time of my day in the parks.
Should we plan to visit all four parks at Disney World?
If you’re going for a full week, I recommend one park on Monday, one park on Tuesday, a rest day on Wednesday and then a park each on Thursday and Friday. If it’s a shorter trip, like a long weekend, you could do two parks on Saturday and Sunday, maybe more with a park hopper pass. Just remember that you’re never going to be able to do everything. Figure out your priorities and know what you’re willing to go back and do later.
What is your top Disney vacation planning tip?
Consider working with a travel advisor who is Disney exclusive, most of whom don’t charge a fee. We’ve done this hundreds of times. We have so much knowledge, and we can help you figure out how to navigate ride times, find resort packages and more. You don’t have to worry about getting everything right. We can take that pressure off and let you step into the magic. You can focus on making those memories as a family because, when you go to Disney, it’s like being a kid all over again.
MICKEY TRAVELS
404.719.9556
mickeytravels.com
@mickeytravels
