plan a disney trip 2024

Stay in the Magic… and Play!

Customize a walt disney world resort vacation package to suit your style and budget., start planning your disney vacation, what’s exciting and new, finding nemo: the big blue… and beyond.

Witness a stirring spectacle of puppetry, music and more during this reimagined stage show set in Nemo’s vibrant underwater world.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Bring the whole family to zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s kitchen as you take in the sights, sounds and even smells from Remy’s world.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

Leave the real world behind in this high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON .

Watch in awe as Mickey Mouse’s dreams come alive in a nighttime musical with stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and more.

4 Enchanting Theme Parks

Magic kingdom park.

During your visit, you can:

• Be dazzled by music, dancing and vivid pageantry during the Festival of Fantasy Parade —a grand tribute to the tales and inhabitants of Fantasyland.
• Enjoy iconic attractions and experiences across incredible lands—including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , a swaying family coaster ride that will have you racing through a diamond mine.
• Rediscover beloved classic Disney attractions such as Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and “it’s a small world.”
• Delight in family-friendly thrills on ever-popular coasters like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .
• Leave the real world behind for a high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON —on TRON Lightcycle / Run .

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Celebrate the magic of nature at Pandora – The World of Avatar . Here, you can fly on the back of a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage, hike amid floating mountains in the Valley of Mo’Ara and take a mystical boat ride into a bioluminescent rainforest on the Na’vi River Journey.
• Set off in an open-air vehicle across a lush African savanna teeming with exotic animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris .
• Speed through the Himalayas on a runaway train while avoiding the Yeti as you conquer Expedition Everest .
• Wave to beloved Disney Characters as they sail along the Discovery River on fabulous flotillas.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Pack your imagination, switch tracks and take a ride on the cartoon side like never before when you hop aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway .
• Live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge ! Experience 2 thrilling attractions, build your own droid or lightsaber, savor Batuu’s tasty food and beverages, shop for Star Wars -themed merchandise and more!
• Discover big fun for kids and grown-ups alike at Toy Story Land . Take a wild ride on Slinky Dog Dash and go for a whirl on Alien Swirling Saucers.
• Watch in wonder as Mickey Mouse’s dreams come alive in Fantasmic! —an extravagant nighttime musical with stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and more.
• Celebrate every season at themed festivals featuring fantastic food, live entertainment and more—select dates throughout the year.
• Blast off on an intergalactic chase with Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind —a coaster inspired by the rockin’ movies.
• Board an ancient Norwegian vessel and be whisked away to the kingdom of Arendelle during a Frozen Ever After adventure.
• Journey around World Showcase , where you can explore the culture, arts, food and beverages of 11 different countries.

Save Up to 30% When You Stay 5 Nights or Longer

Stay in the magic with disney resorts collection, enjoy more time in the parks.

Early Theme Park Entry Guests of Disney Resort hotels can get a 30-minute jump on their Disney day with early theme park entry —available at all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks. This popular benefit will continue through 2025!

Early theme park entry gives you a head start in the parks, so you’ll have access to select attractions, shops and dining before regular hours. And you can enjoy this benefit on each day of your stay—in any park, subject to capacity.

For early theme park entry, you'll need valid admission and a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World Card. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type.

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas can enjoy extended evening hours —experiencing select attractions, shops and dining after regular park hours—in select theme parks on select nights. This popular benefit will continue through 2025!

Together with early theme park entry—available to all Disney Resort hotel Guests—you’ll get to arrive earlier and stay later so you can maximize your time in the parks!

Review our calendar for extended evening hours and dates .

If using a ticket with the Park Hopper option that requires a theme park reservation, please remember that you must enter the park where you made your reservation before you can visit other theme parks.

Start Your Stay with a Water Park Day in 2025

With this water park benefit, it’s easy to unwind on the day you arrive. Get ready to zip down thrilling water slides, relax on sandy beaches, float along a lazy river... and let your cares drift away. Learn more about the Walt Disney World water parks .

More details about this benefit will be available in late 2024, and will be shared with you before your stay.

Important Information About This Benefit

• This benefit is exclusive to registered Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. All Guests must be on the Resort reservation. View eligible Disney Resort hotels .
• This benefit is only on the day of check-in, and is valid for admission to either Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. Check the park calendar and operating hours closer to your 2025 arrival to plan your check-in day.
• Usage of this benefit is subject to availability.
• At this time, a park reservation is not required to visit a water park; however, reservation requirements are subject to change.
• Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity and weather closures, or may close for other reasons.
• Each of our water parks is refurbished annually. These routine maintenance periods are staggered, so our Guests should be able to enjoy at least one water park experience year-round.
• Water park admission is nontransferable, nonrefundable and has no cash value, and excludes activities/events separately priced or not open to the general public.
• Parks, attractions and other offerings subject to availability, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refund or credit given for any such changes or cancellation. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.

Savor a World of Flavor

With tasty meals and snacks moments away, it’s easy to make the most of the magic during your stay.

Explore dining experiences available for booking during your vacation.

View a full list of the dining options at Walt Disney World Resort.

Add a Dining Plan

Now you can add a dining plan to Disney Resort Hotel Packages.

Dining plans can add the convenience and flexibility of prepaid meals and snacks to your vacation—and give you peace of mind.

Highlights include:

• Savings: 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 Disney Resort Hotel 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.
• Convenience & Peace of Mind: With 2 dining plans to choose from, you can spend more time with your family enjoying the Disney magic (and less time on meal budgeting). And this gives you the opportunity to say that magic word to your kids... "Yes."
• 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!

Learn more about dining plans .

Immerse Yourself in the Magic

From unique accommodations to distinctive dining options, themed rooms and more, the Disney Resorts Collection offers Guests a variety of options that exemplify the Disney difference.

Proximity Staying at a Disney Resort hotel keeps you in the magic—close to the theme parks, water parks and shopping at the Disney Springs area.

Activities and Amenities Disney Resort hotels feature amenities that immerse Guests in the worlds of classic Disney tales—including themed pools with slides, poolside activities, Character Dining experiences, unique recreation, delightful surprises and so much more.

Endless Possibilities With all of the great options in the Disney Resorts Collection, you’re sure to find one—or more than one—that fits you. From theme to budget, you have a world of amazing options to consider. You’re not just choosing a place to sleep at night—you’re choosing your home for the duration of your Walt Disney World vacation.

Want to wake up, look out your window, and say good morning to a giraffe? You can when you stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge . Ever stayed on the shores of the South Pacific? Drift away to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort . Or come home to larger-than-life recreations of scenes from favorite Disney and Pixar classics at Disney's Art of Animation Resort !

These are just a few of the Disney Resort hotels that await you at Walt Disney World Resort !

Make the Most of Your Visit

Get around with ease.

Resort Transportation

Our complimentary bus , boat and monorail services are available to take you to popular destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort—some Disney Resort hotels even offer convenient walking paths to nearby parks.

Plus, the most recent addition to our fantastic world on the go, Disney Skyliner lets Guests glide across the sky while traveling between:

• EPCOT (International Gateway)
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels enjoy complimentary standard parking at Disney theme parks, Disney water parks and the Disney Springs area.

Add More Magic

As a Disney Resort hotel Guest, you can purchase a MagicBand+ at a special pre-arrival price.

MagicBand+ includes all of the features you’ve come to love with MagicBand—and more! Your MagicBand+ can be used to:

• Unlock your Disney Resort hotel room
• Enter theme parks and water parks (with valid admission)
• Check in at Lightning Lane entrances and virtual queues
• Charge food and merchandise purchases**
• Discover enchanting surprises and interactions across Walt Disney World Resort
• Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your Disney account

Learn more about MagicBand+ .

Early Access to Purchase Individual Lightning Lane Entry

Get quicker entry to a couple of our most popular attractions! If you’re a Guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you’re eligible to make your first individual Lightning Lane purchase starting at 7:00 AM each day of your visit. You can select a one-hour arrival window, one at a time, for up to 2 different attractions per day. Guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green may also enjoy this early-access benefit. All other Guests are eligible to make their first purchase when the park opens.

Learn more about our Lightning Lane entrances .

Note: Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, and are not guaranteed. To enter a theme park, valid admission is required. A theme park reservation may also be required. Price, terms and entitlements are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice.

Make Reservations for Dining and More Get ready to dine or unwind! Here’s when you can make reservations for dining and Enchanting Extras Collection experiences :

• Guests with a Valid Disney Resort Hotel Reservation: Make reservations for your entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay) up to 60 days in advance of your arrival! This can help you enjoy streamlined vacation planning , since you can make all your reservations on the same day—rather than checking availability day after day.
• All Other Guests: Make reservations up to 60 days in advance.

To dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant, a confirmed dining reservation for the total number of Guests—regardless of age—is highly recommended. You will also need valid admission for the same park on that same date for each Guest ages 3 and up. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type. Learn more.

Dining reservations do not guarantee access to a park, and Park Hopper availability may change daily.

** Credit card must be presented at Disney Resort hotel check-in for purchases with MagicBand. Purchases are charged to your Disney Resort hotel account.

Enjoy Magical Extras with Your Package

More fun for everyone, disney water parks.

Zip down some of the world's tallest and fastest waterslides, plunge into fun on a family raft ride, feel your cares drift away on a lazy river or unwind on a sandy beach. Plus, your little ones can splash around in kid-sized areas!

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park – Closed for Refurbishment Chill out in a winter wonderland at a one-time ski resort that melted into warm water.

Here, you can:

• Conquer the slopes of Mount Gushmore on Summit Plummet —one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall waterslides.
• Zoom down other thrilling waterslides, like the Downhill Double Dipper and Slush Gusher .
• Float along Cross Country Creek , a 3,000-foot-long lazy river.
• Let your little ones explore Tike’s Peak , a water play area with a snow castle fountain and kid-sized waterslides.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Now Open! Delight in this tropical paradise that’s been transformed by a legendary storm into an oasis of pure excitement.

• Ride a wave at Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool —North America’s largest wave pool.
• Grab a friend and take the plunge down Crush ‘n’ Gusher , featuring thrilling dips and turns.
• Watch your little ones enjoy a whimsical water playground with pint-sized slides, water cannons and other fun features at Ketchakiddee Creek .
• Relax as you float along Castaway Creek and take in lush, tropical surroundings.

Important Information Valid water park admission required. Water parks subject to seasonal and weather closures. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed for refurbishment.

Disney Springs

Find happily whatever you’re after at Disney Springs:

• Delectable dining options to please almost every palate
• Shopping galore , from unique boutiques to whimsical Disney-themed stores
• Fun for all ages , with bowling, a movie theater, a carousel and more
• Live entertainment , including Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil® and Disney—a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration between 2 iconic memory-makers

Delectable Dining

• Character dining (with modifications) at Garden Grill Restaurant, Hollywood & Vine, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, Chef Mickey’s and more
• Signature dining where you can celebrate a special occasion in style
• Counter-service restaurants —ideal for grabbing a quick bite on-the-go
• Mobile Order at select quick-service restaurants, which enables you to save time by ordering ahead via the My Disney Experience app
• Spectacular rooftop dining at California Grill, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

When to Make Dining Reservations Get ready to dine! Make advance reservations at select Walt Disney World restaurants.

Enchanting Extras Collection

• Hands-on Star Wars experiences at Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers (with valid park admission)
• In-Room Floral & Gifts , featuring beautiful gift and snack baskets, themed balloon bouquets and enchanting floral arrangements—all designed to celebrate your special moments
• Capture Your Moment , a personalized photo session with Disney PhotoPass photographers in a Walt Disney World theme park
• Fascinating tours that take you to special locations at Walt Disney World Resort—including Savor the Savanna and Behind the Seeds

Explore the Enchanting Extras Collection .

Design Your Disney Vacation

Explore places to stay.

Choose from uniquely themed Disney Resort hotels—with options to suit your style and budget.

4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket

Enjoy 4 days of theme park fun from $99 per day, plus tax (total price from $396, plus tax). One admission per theme park. One theme park per day.

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 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 on Jan. 9, 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. Beginning with stays starting Jan. 9, 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 Disney Genie+ experience by allowing guests to plan with Disney Genie+ 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. More information on this will be shared at a later date.

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

• I acknowledge and agree that I am familiar with, understand, and do waive any rights and benefits of the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, and any similar provisions of other jurisdictions, which provides that: A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.

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.
• 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 (934-7639) (voice) 407-827-5141 (TTY) or log on to www.disneyworld.com

CST# 1022229-20

• Travel Partners
• Royal Caribbean

Privacy Overview

2024 Disney World Planning Guide

Our Walt Disney World vacation planning guide offers tips & tricks for 2024 on how to avoid crowds, save money & time, with info on Genie+ & Lightning Lanes, best rides, restaurant reviews, and itineraries for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios. (Updated February 1, 2024. )

The latest update comes as Walt Disney World is in the midst of more changes to restore normalcy, making the guest experience closer to what it was like in ~2019. With this, theme park reservations have mostly been eliminated, return of the Disney Dining Plan , and resumption of unlimited all-day Park Hopping . Next up is pre-arrival Lightning Lane ride reservations , a system that should closely resemble FastPass+ (but paid).

Beyond the rolling back of temporary changes implemented during the phased reopening and pent-up demand period, a ton is happening and changing at Walt Disney World. There are new attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and other additions on the horizon. We visit the parks regularly, reporting on everything as it happens–if you want to receive updates when discounts are released, new things are announced, etc., sign up to receive our FREE Walt Disney World Email Newsletter .

There are a few important things you need to know if you’re visiting Walt Disney World soon. First, the big new ride is TRON Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom. This attraction is very popular and can be difficult to experience due to not having a standby line. Improve your chances for success in scoring virtual queue spots by reading our TRON Lightcycle Run Virtual Queue Strategy Guide & FAQ .

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, which was the previous big addition, also does not have a standby line. At least, for now. Walt Disney World has been setting up overflow queue and seems poised to ditch the virtual queue for that once the off-season rolls around.

Second, there’s the paid Genie+ service that offers Lightning Lane line skipping service (free FastPass+ was retired a few years ago). This can be purchased in the My Disney Experience app for variable, date-based prices that now differ for each park (Magic Kingdom and Park Hopping are most expensive, costing up to $39 per person, per day plus tax).

Genie can be confusing, but we’ve used and tested Genie+ and Lightning Lanes a ton . Everything you NEED to know, including ride priorities, where it’s NOT necessary to buy Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, and much more is covered in our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World .

If you’re looking for ways to avoid waiting in long lines  without spending extra on Lightning Lanes, see our Best Time-Saving Strategies for Walt Disney World , which covers the best & worst ways to do that in each park–and is accurate for the entirety of 2024. That’s the result of extensive testing, and the optimal methods for outsmarting the crowds aren’t always intuitive. For 3 of the 4 parks, you’re better off using a ‘free’ strategy rather than paying extra for Genie+ and Lightning Lanes!

Winter is also typically ‘refurbishment season’ at Walt Disney World. For a look at what’ll be temporarily unavailable during your trip, see the 2024 Walt Disney World Refurbishment & Closure Calendar , which we update regularly with return and downtime dates. There are some big closures right now, including Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

The other big closure is Splash Mountain, which permanently closed about a year ago. The good news is that this is also for 2024’s big new attraction: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure . That’s currently scheduled to open sometime this year–the timeline could move forward to Summer 2024…or be delayed until early 2025!

Then there’s the colossal EPCOT overhaul, which is now mostly finished now that new Luminous: The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular and World Celebration Gardens have debuted. The only thing left is the CommuniCore Hall event space, which will likely debut before Summer 2024.

There’s a lot more on the horizon than just those things–here’s everything exciting being built: What’s New & Coming to Walt Disney World in 2024 & Beyond .

With those updates out of the way, let’s tell you about ourselves and why this guide is useful to your trip planning. We are obviously big Disney fans, but with this guide, we share our objective and unbiased tips. This covers the good and the bad, and the hard realities of planning Walt Disney World trip. We don’t sugarcoat everything or feel the need to put a positive spin on things. A lot about Disney is great, but that’s plenty that’s overpriced and not-so-great. If blunt, honest advice is not for you, there are many other sites that are all-positive.

With hundreds of trips dating back to the 1980s when we were kids, we’ve learned a lot about all things Disney. That now comes full circle as we start taking our daughter to Walt Disney World! We visit every month to see what has changed, taste-test new menu items, analyze crowds, offer recommendations for things you should do on vacation, share updates on construction, and much more.

This guide distills the key things we know about Walt Disney World into something easy to absorb and less overwhelming. Think of this planning guide as WDW101, with everything organized into the most important aspects of planning. The reality is that Walt Disney World is one of the most complicated vacation destinations on earth, and having a smooth and good trip requires doing your homework. With that said, we promise that taking the time to learn about Walt Disney World will be worth it, so let’s get started…

1A. Best Times to Visit for Avoiding Crowds

“When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?”  This is often the first question readers ask, and it’s not an easy one to answer because it’s subjective. What makes an experience the “best” differs from person to person. With that said, in helping first-timers plan over the course of the last decade-plus, there are usually three distinct components to this:  crowds, cost & fun.

The first two variables are the overriding factors and, thankfully, those are objective. If you’re primarily concerned with avoiding long lines and high wait times, consult our 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars . That takes into account Orlando area school schedules, conventions, youth sporting events, park hours, special events, and more to provide you with specific dates that are the least and most crowded.

While that’s all about crowds (and can be overwhelming), we also have something more holistic: our list of the  10 Best and 10 Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025 . As the title suggests, that identifies the ‘red flag’ dates to avoid, as well as the ideal times to visit. It’s really more than just 10 weeks, as a number of the good and bad windows are far longer than a single week.

For example, pretty much the entirety of August and September are great from a crowds perspective, but we zero in on a single week that’s the best-balanced (from our perspective) as it combines low crowds, seasonal events, weather, and other factors. Same idea for a number of other dates throughout the year.

Rather than our objective crowd calendars, those are our subjective picks for when to visit. In addition to wait times, those rankings take other things into account: seasonal offerings like Christmas & Halloween, weather, new attractions, and more. If you find the crowd calendars intimidating, go with the Best & Worst Months post instead.

The good news is that, as a general rule, lower prices and crowds coincide with one another. Meaning that if you book your trip around the cheapest dates, you’re more likely to also have lower crowds. Prices are higher and discounts are weaker when crowds are higher, meaning you get hit with a double-whammy if visiting during these times of the year. (Spoiler: the highest prices and crowds both occur when school is out of session.)

1B. Best Times to Visit for Saving Money

The second component is cost. This one is especially significant now, as prices are up across the board. If you’re a first time visitor or it’s been a few years since your last trip, you might be in store for sticker shock. We take a look at this topic in How Much Does a Walt Disney World Vacation Cost? with sample pricing for multiple ‘trip tiers,’ from budget to luxury.

However, it’s not as straightforward as that. Some people don’t realize it, but prices vary significantly based upon when you’re visiting. If you visit for New Year’s Eve, you could end up spending close to double what it costs to visit a few months earlier, in September. Cutting to the chase, here are the Cheapest Times to Go to Walt Disney World .

The good news is that there’s considerable overlap between the cheapest times to visit and the least-crowded times. Visiting during the least-expensive and least-crowded times is entirely possible, and those goals align pretty well. Conversely, the most expensive times are usually also the most expensive.

Intuitively, this should make sense. When demand is highest, prices are highest. Like most other businesses, Walt Disney World charges what the market will bear, raising prices when able and discounting in order to incentivize visits when attendance and hotel occupancy are lower.

To that point, the other good news is that deals are starting to return to Walt Disney World after a couple years of very strong pent-up demand! See All Current Walt Disney World Discounts   for a full rundown of special offers through Spring 2024. There are a TON of discounts available right now, some of which offer up to 40% off hotels!

If you want to save even more money and do WDW as cheaply as possible, we have the 14 Best Tips to Save Money at Walt Disney World in 2024 . Those tips cover a lot of excellent ideas, such as buying discount Disney gift cards or having Groceries Delivered to Your Walt Disney World Hotel Room .

Those are just a handful of ways to save a ton of money on a trip to WDW! It also covers several options for the biggest expense of your trip–lodging. Among other things, you can stay at Walt Disney World’s best resorts for a fraction of full price by renting DVC points .

The idea behind all of these money-saving tips is not cutting corners and compromising on the quality of your vacation. To the contrary, we aim to “cut the fat” from your budget and recommend ways to save while also improving efficiency. Taking grocery delivery as an example–we do not recommend cooking dinner in your room or packing picnic lunches. Instead, we advice ordering nutritious breakfasts (the weakest meal at Walt Disney World restaurants) to have quickly have in your room or on-the-go each morning to save money and time .

1C. Best Times to Visit for Having Fun

Now we’re getting into the much more subjective area of determining when to visit. What makes a time of year more or less fun? Will you enjoy the parks more or less during certain timeframes? That’s really difficult to say. As a general matter, our mantra is this: “A rainy day at Walt Disney World is better than a sunny day at home.”

This is to say that you can have a great Walt Disney World vacation no matter what time of year you visit. The smile and laughter of your child hugging Mickey Mouse for the first time; the delicious taste of a Dole Whip or Citrus Swirl; the sight and sound of fireworks exploding over Cinderella Castle at the end of a long and satisfying day at Magic Kingdom. Absolutely none of that is seasonal. Those joys are possible 365 days of the year at Walt Disney World, and your trip will be made up of moments big and small exactly like those that happen daily.

However, it’s also fair to say that a sunny day is better than a rainy day at Walt Disney World. Most people probably are more comfortable during mild and temperate days than oppressive heat and humidity. Seasonal events can likewise add a lot to the baseline experience, taking a trip from “memorably magical” to “magnificently magical” on our  highly scientific scale of magicalness.

Hopefully you get the point here–that every day at Walt Disney World has the potential to be great, but also, that greatness has its own sliding scale, with weather, seasonal enhancements, and more cranking things up to the next level of magicalness.

The holiday season is our favorite time at Walt Disney World. It’s not even a close call. If we could only visit Walt Disney World one month of the year for the rest of our lives, we’d pick November or December. (Super-specifically, we’d pick the week after Thanksgiving that straddles the two months– that’s our favorite week to go! ) If you’re thinking of a holiday vacation, we’d implore you to start by reading our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World .

Every park, resort, and Disney Springs gets into the spirit of the season. The last few holiday seasons have been scaled back, first as the parks reopened and then for the 50th Anniversary. With that now over, things are almost 100% normal for Christmas, minus the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights.

Last Christmas, there were two hard ticket events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) at Magic Kingdom and the brand-new Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. MVMCP will definitely be back for Christmas 2024, but it remains to be seen whether Jollywood Nights–which received a mixed reception in its inaugural year–comes back for a second season.

There are other seasonal events throughout the year, starting with the EPCOT Festival of the Arts in January and February. Following that is the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival from March through late May. Notably, Flower & Garden Festival has been shortened by over a month for 2024. Our expectation is that Food & Wine Festival also starts later and EPCOT debuts a new summer festival–but that’s just a guess!

It’s also possible that Magic Kingdom will once again do a special event in Summer 2024. In fact, we’d expect this to occur, with new entertainment debuting and smaller scale additions. Walt Disney World’s big new attraction (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) won’t be ready in time for Memorial Day, so they’ll need something else to market in the first half of 2024.

Even if a summer-time event doesn’t happen, Pride is celebrated in June, and there are other smaller-scale events spread across the calendar. After Hours parties will once again occur in Summer 2024, too.

The special events kick into high gear in August, which will kick off the 5-month long ‘party season’ at Magic Kingdom. That starts with Halloween time in Magic Kingdom, from August through the 1st of November. Our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Guide offers info & tips for Magic Kingdom’s fan-favorite Halloween-themed event.

While it has nothing to do with Halloween, another staple of fall is EPCOT’s annual culinary event. Read our Guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival to prepare for that park’s colossal culinary celebration. This just scratches the surface. You can see everything that happens throughout the year in our Calendar of Seasonal Events at Walt Disney World .

2. How Long to Visit

How long you should stay at Walt Disney World depends largely upon the type of trip it is. If you’re not much of a Disney fan but are taking your kids on a “once in a lifetime” rite of passage trip, we recommend a Walt Disney World vacation of at least 6 or 7 days. The exact length will still vary a bit depending upon how much vacation time you have and if you plan on visiting non-Disney theme parks or destinations.

In addition to visiting Disney’s theme parks, you’ll also probably want to build a day into your itinerary for relaxation, and this is good to plug into the middle of your trip so you don’t get worn out by the theme parks. The other consideration for planning trips to Walt Disney World might be how much time to spend doing other things.

You might want to do Orlando-area theme parks like Universal, SeaWorld, or Busch Gardens. We recommend at least a couple of days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Use our Universal Orlando Resort Trip Planning Guide for strategy. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is absolutely mind-blowing, even if you’re not a fan of the books. The new Jurassic World VelociCoaster is the best roller coaster in all of Orlando–and that’s just one of several excellent recent additions.

We also have a post titled Walt Disney World vs. Universal Orlando that covers a lot of the pros and cons of visiting Universal. If you want to broaden your horizons and do something beyond Central Florida’s world-class theme parks, check out our 50 Things to Do in Orlando, Florida (Outside Disney’s Parks) . That covers beaches, manatee-watching, outlet malls, and much more.

3. Booking Vacation Packages

Vacations booked via DisneyWorld.com cover some combination of hotel, park tickets, and dining. Sometimes these packages offer excellent savings off rack rates, sometimes they’re merely full price elements of the trip bundled together. If you’re looking further into the future, 2024 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages are now available! (For those already wanting to plan 2025 WDW vacations, you’ll need to wait until late June or early July 2024, unfortunately.)

If you’re already overwhelmed, you might want to consider using a travel agent. If you go this route, look for one who primarily or exclusively does Disney-related bookings. As you can probably gather already, planning a Walt Disney World vacation is incredibly complex. If a travel agent doesn’t specialize in Disney, they probably won’t know the many nuances of Walt Disney World vacations. (For this reason, we don’t recommend AAA or Costco, even though some of their agents have Disney knowledge.)

Most travel agents specializing in Disney are “no fee” agencies, meaning that it costs you no more to book through them than it does to book through Disney (they get commission from Disney). If you are unsure of which package might be best for you–or need personalized help with any aspect of your trip–we recommend contacting a no fee “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” ( here’s why we recommend one ) to get a quote and to help you plan. Request a quote from our recommended Authorized Disney Vacation Planner here .

4. Park Tickets

If you opt to book things yourself and without a vacation package, we recommend buying your tickets from an authorized third party ticket seller to save money. Read our Tips for Buying Discount Walt Disney World Tickets post for everything you need to know about choosing the right tickets and saving money on them.

Normally, prices increase in February and/or October. They increased twice two years ago, with the second occurring later than usual in December. Last year, the only admission costs that increased were on Annual Passes, which raises a question about whether tickets will increase again in December, or if Walt Disney World is waiting until February 2024. Either way, it’s not a bad idea to buy now to lock-in current prices no matter when you’re visiting between now and December 31, 2024.

If all you want to know is where to safely buy the cheapest, legitimate Walt Disney World multi-day tickets from an authorized reseller click here to buy via Get Away Today , our recommended & Disney-authorized ticket seller.

Disney’s mantra is “the longer you play, the less you pay per day.” It’s corny but true. Single-day Walt Disney World tickets are expensive , but multi-day tickets are much cheaper per day. The cost of additional days on a ticket substantially decreases with each day you add after 3 days. In other words, longer trips are not proportionately more expensive than shorter ones.

This is just one of the many tips we cover in our post about saving money on Walt Disney World park tickets . Whatever you do, don’t wait to buy your tickets at the front gates of the parks or on eBay…they won’t work!

5. Where to Stay

One of the very best posts on this blog is our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page . We have stayed at every Disney hotel, plus many off-site ones. That page offers links to each of our hotel reviews, room photos, thoughts on the amenities, pros & cons, and more.

When deciding whether to pay the premium prices that Disney-owned hotels charge, one important consideration for many will be on-site perks. Unfortunately, there aren’t many anymore–basically just some extended hours (see our Guide to Early Entry at Walt Disney World ), location, theme, and more convenient transportation. Since reopening, many benefits have been eliminated–either permanently or temporarily. Read about this in Is Walt Disney World’s On-Site Advantage Disappearing or Reappearing ?

When pricing out Walt Disney World hotels, you’re bound to have some sticker shock. Prices have gone up considerably in the last few years, and discounts are not nearly as abundant as they once were. If your budget is tight but you still want on-site luxury, consider getting a quote from Disney Vacation Club point rental company ( click here to book with the cheapest point DVC rental company ).

For more info about renting points, you might want to read our Guide to Renting Disney Vacation Club Points article. This is a great way to save money on nicer accommodations than you otherwise might be able to afford.

If you’re going to stay on-site at Walt Disney World, the three main tiers are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe, which are exactly what their names sound like they are. There’s also a Deluxe Villa tier, which is basically Disney-speak for “timeshare room.” Looking for the best hotel in each tier? Check out the following posts ranking the various Disney hotels:

• Value Resort Hotel Rankings
• Moderate Resort Hotel Rankings
• Deluxe Resort Hotel Rankings
• Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) Resort Rankings

Debating whether to stay off-site to save money or on-site at Walt Disney World for convenience and to be immersed in the magic? We have an Off-Site vs. On-Site Walt Disney World Hotels article that goes into great depth about the pros and cons of both options.

If you’re also visiting other theme parks in Central Florida, one alternative is to stay off-site. Our Universal Orlando Hotel Rankings & Reviews covers the pros & cons of those resorts, many of which we love for their locations, theme, on-site perks, and value for money. Additionally, refer to Universal Orlando v. Walt Disney World Resorts for a comparison between Disney’s and Universal’s hotels to see what each does better.

6. What to Pack

It might sound hard to believe, but packing for Walt Disney World offers ways to save money and improve your experience. There are some wrinkles to Walt Disney World that make packing a bit different, and by bringing certain “clever” (we think) items in your luggage, you will improve your experience. We go over the best stuff in our Walt Disney World Unique Packing List .

Two of our favorite examples from that list are Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads and this Compact External Charger . Seriously, you’ll wonder how you ever travelled without these (and many other) items on our list!

One of the most important things to pack for Walt Disney World is comfortable shoes. This can trip people up, as you probably walk  far, far less at home than you will at Walt Disney World. Suffice to say, what’s best for logging tens of thousands of steps could differ from your day-to-day footwear. See our picks for the Best Shoes to Wear at Walt Disney World for guidance–and be sure to plan ahead, breaking in your shoes before your trip!

Comfort is also key when planning your clothes for Walt Disney World–and weather can make that challenging. If you’re going in the colder months, check out our Packing for Disney in Winter post. For summer months, read Tips for Beating the Summer Heat at Disney .

7. Itineraries & Attraction Advice

Having an itinerary is a big deal, even for some frequent Walt Disney World guests. Some visitors create binders, spreadsheets, and schedule every step of their day. People get serious and obsessive about this. We are not those people. Planning is important, but going to those lengths is unnecessarily stressful and creates unrealistic and rigid plans. The best laid plans often go awry, and when that inevitably happens, it can be disappointing if you’ve over-planned.

With that said, we also recommend first-time visitors do not “wing it” for your daily itinerary . You don’t need to plan every movement so that there’s no spontaneity in your trip, just make sure you have at least a loose plan of what you’re going to do. As with most things in life, balance and moderation are key.

We have the following flexible step by step plans for each park that cover our perfect days using standby-only:

• 1-Day Magic Kingdom Park Itinerary
• 2-Day Magic Kingdom Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Epcot Itinerary Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Animal Kingdom Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Hollywood Studios Park Itinerary

For step-by-step single day itinerary using Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, see these itineraries:

• 1-Day at Magic Kingdom with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• 1-Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• 1-Day at Epcot with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• 1-Day at Animal Kingdom with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes

Additionally, we have itineraries for Universal Orlando offering the same type of step by step advice:

• 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Itinerary
• 1-Day Islands of Adventure Itinerary
• 1-Day Universal Park Hopping Itinerary ( both Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Florida )

If you’d prefer to create your own itinerary, we recommend reading our Disney Parks Ride Guides and getting a rough idea of which attractions you want to do:

• Magic Kingdom Park & Attraction Guide
• Epcot Park & Attraction Guide
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park & Attraction Guide
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park & Attraction Guide

We also have guides for the Walt Disney World water parks and Disney Springs:

• Blizzard Beach Water Park Guide
• Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Guide
• Disney Springs Shopping & Entertainment District Guide

With that said, we’d strongly recommend using our pre-made Walt Disney World Park Itineraries . Those step by step guides are maximized for efficiency, and will save far more time than ones you put together yourself, or just winging it. These are good, flexible itineraries that offers attractions, dining, and other things to enjoy without going crazy with mapping out every bathroom stop of your day.

Those with small children should also know that some Walt Disney World rides have height restrictions, requiring kids be a certain number of inches tall (usually 38 to 44″) in order to experience. Measuring sticks are outside attractions with a requirement, and kids who do not meet the minimum height are not allowed to enter the line. There are no age requirements for any attractions. See  Height Requirements at Walt Disney World for a comprehensive list, updated with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Attractions that have height requirements also offer Rider Switch (also known as child swap, baby switch, rider swap, or parent swap). This is Walt Disney World’s system that allows parents with small children to take turns experiencing thrill rides and other attractions with height requirements via Lightning Lanes. See our  Guide to Rider Switch at Walt Disney World   for everything you need to know about this service. If eligible, it can save you a ton of time.

8. Where to Eat

A lot of the posts on this blog detail dining at Walt Disney World, which is a surprisingly complex (and fun!) topic. The most important thing for first-timers to know is that the tired stereotype that Disney dining is all burgers, hot dogs, and other fast food is not even remotely true. Disney has a lot of wonderful dining options that can be an experience in themselves.

To figure out where to eat, consult our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. That page has reviews of 75+ restaurants at Walt Disney World, plus other resources like our Magic Kingdom Counter Service Restaurant Rankings , and lots of other specific topics. Another great post with random quick-tips is our 101 Walt Disney World Dining Tips post.

Good dining experiences can make a trip, so if you only read more on one topic in this guide, make it dining. We know a number of people who have had their opinions of Walt Disney World changed for the better simply because they “discovered” the right places to eat.

If you’re starting the planning process far in advance, you might want to subscribe to our free newsletter for updates . We also provide subscribers with news from the parks, and have given a heads up on Free Dining and ticket price increases before they have been officially announced. This makes the newsletter especially handy for scoring discounts and being in the know as to what’s going on before your trip.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re trying to do “Disney on a Dime,” one of the easiest ways to save money is to not eat at Walt Disney World restaurants. Dining at Disney is expensive, and unlike park tickets, it’s not mandatory . You can save a lot of money by eating off-site, or better yet, getting groceries and preparing your own meals. We have a comprehensive Tips for Buying Groceries at Walt Disney World post that covers grocery delivery, local stores, and much more.

Even if you don’t want to make your own meals, grocery delivery is great for getting fruit and other small grab and go snacks, both of which are really over-priced at Walt Disney World. It’s also excellent for beer–for less than the cost of a single beer in the parks, you can have a 6-pack delivered to your hotel room!

9. Transportation

Walt Disney World transportation can be hit or miss, and can take a lot of time. For the most efficient transit options, read our Time-Saving Walt Disney World Transportation Tips post. This covers shortcuts, when to use buses v. monorail v. boats v. your feet, and more!

One of the other big considerations is whether you want to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel that offers a unique form of transportation, such as the monorails to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, or the boats, walking paths, or Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. These can be a huge time-saver.

Disney’s Magical Express has now ended, and following a merger of two competitors, it’s indirect replacement is essentially Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. This does cost money, but otherwise it’s roughly analogous to Disney’s Magical Express–it’s even operated by the same vendor that ran Disney’s Magical Express (same buses and everything, just no Disney branding!). For a broad overview of alternatives, see our Airport Transportation Guide to Walt Disney World .

An alternative to a rental car is Lyft (or the Minnie Van service powered by Lyft) or Uber. For the basics on using these ride-sharing services, read our Tips for Using Lyft or Uber at Walt Disney World post. This post also shares the easiest way to get to Universal Orlando Resort (in case you want to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, too)

10. What Else to Do

Your imagination is really the limit here. Most first-time visitors only know about the theme parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks. That’s just the surface of what Walt Disney World has to offer. There are tours, golf, fishing, nightlife, shopping, fireworks cruises, babysitting, spas, and much more. An exhaustive list would ultimately be longer than the rest of this already long blog post!

Most of our favorite things are couples or adult-oriented, which you can read about on our Walt Disney World for Adults page . Honeymooners (aka “Disneymooners”) should read our Walt Disney World Honeymoon Tips article. Here are some other posts that cover “other stuff” at Walt Disney World, and other ways to improve your vacation, that don’t really fit the categories above:

• Free Things to Do at Walt Disney World
• Best Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots
• Best Harmonious at Epcot Fireworks Viewing Spots
• Tips for Celebrating at Walt Disney World
• First-Timer Tips for Walt Disney World

If all of this is really overwhelming, we (again) recommend contacting an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and letting them do the work for you. This is Disney’s term for their affiliated travel agents, and the huge upside to them is that they don’t charge for their services–Disney pays them directly at no cost to you! Click here to get a vacation quote from our recommended no fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner .

Remember, what’s in this post is just a starting point. To recap, you’ll also want to read our When to Visit Walt Disney World post for the best time of year to plan your trip. If saving money is important, read Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post to buy the cheapest tickets from legitimate sources. To figure out where to stay, our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page is a great resource. Want to know where to eat or if the Disney Dining Plan is right for you? Our Walt Disney World Dining Resources will help!

These are just a few of many posts mentioned in this article that will provide the foundation for your planning…but these 4 other posts are probably the most important of the bunch! If you enjoyed this Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide, please help us out by sharing it with your friends via social media. We put a lot of ongoing work into this, and hope it’s as helpful as possible to as many trip planners as possible. Thank you so much for your support–we really appreciate it!

Your Thoughts

Are you visiting Walt Disney World in 2024? If you are a Walt Disney World veteran, what tips would you add to this? If you’re a first-timer, is there anything else you’d like to know? Are you excited to experience the parks for Disney’s 100th Anniversary, or will you wait until Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens or more on-site perks are restored? We love hearing from readers, whether it be questions from newbies or tips from seasoned Disney pros with tips of their own to add!

Written by Tom Bricker

I will l spend my first full day at Disney World on a Sunday should I go to the magic kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood studios first to avoid crowds? Going the first week of March.

Every traveler must read this crucial information before visiting Disney for tourism. I love the way you write for travelers this is easy to understand and the information itself is quality content.

Hey Tom! Will you do an article on how to navigate busy times of year like spring break? We have historically been off season travelers to avoid crowds but older kids in school prevent us from being able to do so and I am a bit anxious about what to expect during spring break and how to best manage the crowds!

Hi Tom, my wife and I are planning a trip to Disney World after Thanksgiving to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We have never been to Disney World and want to make the most of our time (and money). We are really good at Genie+(Disneyland) and are willing to arrive for rope drop and stay until the parks close.

Which of the following 2 options would you recommend? 1. A 4-Day Park Hopper and do MK on a MVMCP day and park hop to HS. On another day, do a half day at HS and park hop to MK to enjoy the evening with fireworks and the “Frozen” Castle Experience 2. A 3-Day Base Ticket and 1-Party Night Ticket (Jollywood Nights or MVMCP)

Hi Tom. Myself and my family spent 2 weeks in Orlando middle of August, including 5 days at WDW and we would like to thank you very much for all the advice you give. I read all of your blogs and the advice/information was so valuable to help us to get the best out of our holiday (we are from UK so we can’t visit as often as we would like!). Using Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours and very quick fingers on the Virtual Queues, we were able to do everything we wanted to do and much more!! The only thing that went wrong was when after doing Early Entry at MK we took the monorail back to our hotel (Yacht Club) via Epcot forgetting that we would technically be park-hopping so are restricted by the 14:00 rule. We arrived to EPCOT just after 13:00 so had to wait a bit. It was only a minor issue but thought I would mention as reminder to anyone else. We also learnt through this incident that although Park Hopping is officially allowed from 14:00, you can tap through from 13:45. Again, might be useful for others… We are already starting to plan our next trip and I continue to read your blogs every day! Thanks again and hope everything goes well with the baby!

Hi Tom! Do you have any articles or good tips for room requests (timing, method, hotel cast member insight, etc)? I would really appreciate it! I am a bit of a Disney veteran, but the art of the room request has eluded me (for example, old online articles suggest faxing things – that can’t possibly still be applicable, right??) – and if I ever post any questions on Facebook groups, the comment section eventually spirals into negativity and chaos. Thanks!

Hi! Thank you for everything you do, it is such a huge help when planning a Disney world trip when I’m used to just going to Disneyland. Do you have any tips on booking flights? Such as when is the best time to book, how far in advance and recommendations on which website to book through?

This information is crucial for every traveler. It is common to encounter health issues during our journeys, which is why this comprehensive guidance blog is essential for everyone. I greatly appreciate your kind words about the post, and I’m glad that the information shared in the article has proven helpful to you. bali tours

Hi Tom! Any tips for doing the Parks in the rain? We’ve been waiting months and see there maybe showers when we’re there next week. Thanks

Tom, My family and I planned for a 2-day Epcot experience in June. I am using your itineraries for the other parks and I thought I’d ask if you have a 2-day for Epcot?

Just amazing help for us in planning our vacation – thanks, Tom!

This is in dire need of updating. Rock n Roller Coaster is down, Toyland is open and fabulous, we did Lightning Lane at Rise of the Resistance. And more.

Have you heard anything about package service returning? It seems advantageous for Disney. I wouldn’t buy a large collectible if I have to carry it around all day. Having it sent to my hotel would’ve been nice.

I have not heard anything about that specifically, but I have recently been hearing about very big, very comprehensive announcement plans to coincide with 2024 Walt Disney World vacation packages. Normally, that news would be released in June or July, but I suspect it might be coming earlier this year.

Again, no clue if resort package delivery is among the changes (it was not one of the things mentioned to me), but it very well could be given the potential scope and scale of the news.

Hey Tom! What do you know about Typhoon Lagoons re-opening for 2023? I was thinking about adding the water park option to my annual pass renewal but wasn’t sure it would be worth it if both aren’t open. Thanks!

I’m grateful you recommended we consider opting for a week-long Walt Disney World vacation if we want the kids to enjoy the experience and all the attractions available without wearing them out. I’m planning to take my kids to Disneyworld this spring, so I was wondering how I should plan the trip. I’ll keep your suggestion in mind while I look for a Disney VIP tour to book in advance soon.

Hello Tom, I tried to use the code DTB5 at get away today and it says code is invalid?? Do you have another code that can be used? Also I love Sarah’s Mickey Mouse purse, where did she buy it I have to get one!! Thanks Lori

The Get Away Today website tells me that the DTB5 discount code is invalid, so this article may need further updating (that or there is an error on their side – just thought you should know).

This article is awesome. It was wonderful and I really like it. Thanks for sharing this post.

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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: March 18, 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 2023, 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!

2024 Disney World Vacation Planning Guide

So you’re thinking about a trip to Disney World … ouch, that intro is kind of a cliche, huh? But, it’s what we’re here to talk about today. When should you go? Where should you stay? How much will it cost? How do you even get started?!?!

The vacation planning timeline below should help guide you through the choices you’ll make and when you need to make them. And it has lots of links in case you want to take a deeper dive into individual questions. Keep in mind that you can do almost everything below on a shorter timeline than we’ve shown here. You just might find that some of your options are a bit more limited.

First Things First: Know Thyself

How much planning do you need to do? Some people can go to any destination and never be disappointed by their experience. Everything is an adventure. Missed out on seeing the Vatican because you didn’t buy tickets in advance? Oh well, you’ll be back (maybe), and you still had a great time in the trattorias eating delicious Italian food.

Is that you? More importantly, is it everyone you’ll be traveling with? If so, I have great news. You can have a terrific vacation at Disney World without a plan. Read this article: How to Have a Great Vacation at Disney World Without a Plan . Then come back here and skim for topics where you’d like a little more detail.

If that’s not you, then I’ll leave it to you to work out who in your group is going to do the planning and how questions about what to do are going to get answered. In my family, we try to find a balance between “too many cooks spoil the broth” and “how come you never asked me”? If you’re going with a large group, here are some things to consider:  Traveling to Disney World with Friends or Extended Family: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

7+ Months Before Your Disney World Trip

You can start on most of these activities anytime – as soon as you begin thinking that you might want to visit Disney World.

Is Disney World Right for Us?

As much as I love Disney World, some people just aren’t into it. (Some of those people are my friends and family. It’s OK, I love them anyway.) If you’ve only ever been to your local amusement park, you’ll find that Disney World is pretty different. The rides and entertainment are different and there’s a lot you can do outside of the parks. If our Disney World Attractions by Type and Technology rundown leaves you cold, you may want to plan to mix in some of the activities from  101 Things to Do Near Disney World Without Going into a Park . Or you may (gasp!) decide that a Disney World vacation isn’t for you after all.

If you’re far enough out from your trip, a great way to learn about Disney World is to take a few minutes each day to read the blog. We have lots of useful articles for those who’ve never been. On Mondays, you can read Erin’s Disney in a Minute series that covers all sorts of Disney lingo and basics. On Thursdays, you can see new articles from Bob’s Attractions in Five series that give an overview of individual rides. And you may want to consider whether you should get a TouringPlans subscription:  Five Reasons You Need a TouringPlans Subscription .

Establish a Budget & Trip Length

Start by taking a look at The Cost of a Disney World Vacation in 2024 . That article gives base estimates for your stay including hotel, tickets, and dining. If you’re planning to stay in a Disney World hotel, it’s a good way to make a first cut at which hotel tier you’ll be shooting for. ( Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Villa: What’s the Difference Between Disney World Resort Categories? ).

If those numbers feel like you can just barely manage them, or they feel totally out of range, your vacation might not need to cost that much. You can save quite a bit of money by staying off-site; it’s worth looking into . Even if you need to soak up the cost of a rental car and theme park parking fees, you can realize considerable savings by

• Paying less for your room – it won’t have that Disney theming, but hotel rooms offsite can cost quite a bit less for the same amenities
• Using that car to eat at non-Disney restaurants in the surrounding area, which are often cheaper
• Getting lodging with a kitchen and cutting food costs by preparing your own

Which Disney World Hotel Should You Stay At?

If you’ve decided to stay on-site, you’ll want to give a quick skim at Four Ways to Book a Disney World Vacation . The biggest question you need to answer is whether or not you want to book a Disney World Vacation package . The package is a bundle that comes with room, tickets, and optionally a Disney Dining Plan. ( Should You Buy the Disney Dining Plan? )

One of the biggest benefits is that Vacation Packages are easy to cancel. But you can often save money by assembling it yourself. For instance, our Least Expensive Ticket Calculator can help you save hundreds on tickets by getting them from authorized resellers, no matter how you book your hotel. Don’t forget to check for current discounts . Also helpful:

• Which Skyliner Resort Should You Stay At?
• Which Crescent Lake Resort Should You Pick?
• Which Monorail Resort is Right for You?

Want to be daring and stay at more than one resort?  Disney World Split Stay: Add More Magic to Your Vacation can help you decide whether that’s a winning move or more hassle than it’s worth.

When Should You Go?

How you’ve decided to book might impact your decision; some choices like renting Disney Vacation Club points require a little more lead time. If you’re just looking to avoid the crowds, the TouringPlans crowd calendar can help you find the quietest times. You may also need to consider school schedules and personal events on your own calendar.

Should You Book Your Disney World Vacation Right Now?

If you’ve addressed the questions above then you might be wondering what are the advantages or disadvantages to booking right now. Here’s what to know:

What’s the risk?

There are two possible downsides to booking now. One is the risk if you need to cancel.  FAQ: Canceling a Walt Disney World Vacation . The other is that you’ll need to make a deposit, and you might still need time to save.

If you’re booking at a Disney World hotel, both the risk and the deposit will be minimized. Vacation Packages are fully refundable up to 30 days in advance, and only require a $200 deposit. Room-only reservations are fully refundable up to 5 days in advance, and only require the cost of a single night’s stay as the deposit. (For trips beginning in 2025, the window to cancel a room-only reservation without penalty will be 8 days instead of 5.)

If you can book now, you should think about doing it right away, because it will lock in your rate. You may be able to rebook at a lower rate later on. But if the price of anything goes up, you’ll be protected from the increase. One thing to know: Disney releases room rates and Vacation Packages in June (or sometimes earlier) for the following calendar year. So you will not be able to book for 2025 until sometime in 2024.

If you’re booking a Disney World Vacation Package the cancellation risk will be minimized as they are fully refundable up to 30 days in advance. You should think about booking right away to lock in your rate. Disney World Vacation Packages are released in June for the next year. Depending on when your trip is, you might not even be able to book it yet! But, if you can, you should.

If you’re not staying at a Disney World hotel, or you’re booking one through a third party such as Orbitz or Expedia, deposits and refund policies may be different. You’ll need to evaluate based on your specific circumstances.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices usually go up sometime in February. Aim to buy before any increases. Again, understand what’s refundable and what isn’t, and balance that against locking in your price.

Disney Vacation Club Rentals

If you’ve decided to rent Disney Vacation Club points, you may need a longer lead time to get a bespoke reservation in place or find the perfect confirmed deal for you. ( Don’t Be Intimidated! How to Rent DVC Points )

Other Things to Consider

This is the time to think about whether you’ll want to buy travel insurance . And if you’re traveling from outside the United States, you should make sure to check your passports and apply for any visas you might need. Last but not least, you’ll want to set up your My Disney Experience account. ( Disney in a Minute: What is My Disney Experience? ) If you’re traveling with older kids — your partner does not count, I mean kids in the 13-18 age range — you’ll want to consider Should Your Kids Have Their Own My Disney Experience Accounts?

4 to 6 Months Before Your Trip

If you didn’t already, it’s time to book. Make your hotel reservations. Buy your tickets. Set up your rental car if you’re using one. And make plans for how you’re getting to Disney World too. If you’re traveling within the US, the best time to book a flight is often from 1-3 months in advance (internationally it’s 2-8 months). But a number of factors can affect whether or not that “average” recommendation applies to you. Even if you want to wait on booking, now is the time to start tracking fares.

If you’re going with a large group, or staying for long enough that you’ll have time for some extras, now could be the time to begin discussing what you want to do while you’re there. If you aren’t already, it’s a good time to start checking on the blog weekly or so. The Travel Beat Series on Saturdays covers minor news and all the week’s major headlines and will keep you up to date on points of interest for your upcoming visit.

2 to 3 Months Before Your Trip

Yes, get it booked..

If you still don’t have a hotel reservation or tickets, now is probably the time to get that locked in. Also rental car arrangements, flights, etc. Other things to reserve by the 2-month mark: strollers , as well as wheelchairs or ECVs . Not sure if you want to rent a car?  Renting a Car for Your Walt Disney World Vacation: How Do I Decide?

Beginning 60 days before arrival, you’ll be able to check in online if you’re staying at a Disney World resort.

Get familiar with the tech

You could wait, but from this point on you’ll be using the My Disney Experience app more and more frequently. It’s not a bad time to get familiar with it.  How To Use the My Disney Experience App Like a Pro (Even if You’re a Beginner) . If you’re a TouringPlans subscriber, you’ll also want to download and browse around the Lines app so you know what’s there.  Five Things You Can Do in LINES But Not The Disney World App .

Prepare to make dining and other reservations

If you’re planning to do any Table Service Dining or Extras such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, tours, and the like, you’ll want to finalize your plans for that before your booking window opens. If you’re staying onsite you can begin booking dining and extras at 70 days from your arrival date. ( Disney in a Minute: What is the 60+10 Rule? ) If you’re staying offsite, you can begin booking 60 days out.

You can book dining online ( Step by Step: How to Make a Walt Disney World Dining Reservation Online ) or in the app ( Step-by-Step: How to Make a Disney World Dining Reservation On Your Phone ). Dining reservations typically open online between 5:45 and 6:00 am on the morning that you’re eligible, and at 7 am if you’re calling at (407) 939-3463. Unless you’re looking for a hard-to-get reservation, any time that morning will usually net you everything you’re looking for.

Learn about Disney World queues

You might be thinking: “What’s to learn about standing in line?” Well, you’ll want to know about Disney World’s upcharge options for skipping the lines. Step-By-Step Guide: How to Use Genie+ and Lightning Lane at Disney World . Some newer attractions use a Virtual Queue:  Answering All Your Questions About Virtual Queues . If you have kids, you’ll want to know about Rider Switch, which lets parents trade off efficiently when their kids aren’t old enough for a particular ride.  Rider Switch at Disney World: Guide and FAQ . And if anybody in your party has issues waiting in a traditional line, you’ll want to learn about whether Disney’s Disability Access System is an answer for you.  What You Need to Know about Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disney World .

Begin planning your park time

Now is a good time to make preliminary Touring Plans for attractions you’d like to see. If you’re planning to buy Genie+, review the Genie+ priorities for each park. You might also want to know about  Making the Most of Disney World Rope Drop ; arriving early to the parks is a great way to beat the lines.

If you’re a subscriber, you can start with one of our Premium plans. Follow it as written, or customize it to suit you.  Step-By-Step Guide: Make and Use a Touring Plan in the Lines App (Including Lightning Lane) . Thinking about splitting up from your kids for a bit?  Walt Disney World Alone: Is Your Child Ready? .

If your admission media requires it, you’ll want to make Park Pass reservations now. Step-by-Step: How to Make a Disney World Park Reservation .

Start a walking regimen

Most guests to Disney World clock in upwards of 5 miles a day, and as high as 12. Since you’ll be getting your 10,000 steps and then some, get in shape for it in advance.

45 Days Before Your Trip

It’s transportation time! If you’re driving to Orlando, have your car inspected and tuned up. If you’re flying, make sure you know how you’re getting from the airport to Disney World, and make any necessary arrangements.  How to Get from the Airport to Walt Disney World .

If you’re a TouringPlans subscriber, get your automatic room request ready. We’ll send it at the 30-day mark.  How to Send A Hotel Room Request to Disney – Automatically!

Now is also the time to order your pre-arrival MagicBands if you choose. They’re no longer free with your stay, you can get a preorder discount with your Disney World hotel stay. You can order them up to 11 days in advance for shipping to your home, but do you really want to be biting your nails and wondering if they’ll arrive on time? If you’re not using MagicBands (or even if you are), get MagicMobile set up on your phone. Everything You Need to Know About Disney’s MagicMobile .

30 Days Before Your Trip

It’s almost here! But if something has gone awry, and you need to cancel a Disney World Vacation Package, make sure you do it now. You can only get a full refund if you cancel more than 30 days in advance.

If you’ll be using DAS, set up your DAS Advance reservations.  What You Need to Know about DAS Advance .

14 Days Before Your Trip

If you’re planning to do grocery delivery, place your order now. Many services accept orders up to 2-3 days in advance. But you may have a wider choice of delivery windows if you do it now, and it will be one less thing to do later. Not sure about how this works or what the options are?  Grocery Delivery to Your Walt Disney World Resort .

Finalize any plans for hotel, travel, admission, reservations, etc. that you haven’t already locked in place.

Order Memory Maker if you’re planning on it for your trip. Again, you can do this up to 3 days in advance and still get the discount price, but why make yourself crazy in the last few days?  FAQ Walt Disney World PhotoPass and Memory Maker .

Review recommendations for what to pack. We have articles on packing no matter what your travel style, and there’s still plenty of time to pick up anything you need to buy.

7 Days Before Your Trip

Your Disney World vacation is only a week away!

• Check the weather forecast and finalize your packing list.
• Review your Touring Plans and make sure they still match what you want to do. Reoptimize to account for any changes in park hours etc. since you made them.
• Fill in any last-minute dining reservations you were on the fence about. You can always cancel later (up to 2 hours in advance).
• Make sure travel arrangements to the airport are in place, if you’re flying to Orlando.

24-48 Hours Before Your Trip

The homestretch! You’re almost there!

• Check into your flights online and confirm your departure time and gate.
• Consider printing travel or reservation info that you’ll need in transit. At the very least, take a screenshot – there’s no guarantee you’ll have WiFi or cell service if you’re trying to retrieve details from your email to clear up a problem.
• Finish packing.

Take a deep breath. You’re ready. Have a great vacation!

What are your favorite planning tips? Did we leave anything out? Let us know in the comments!

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Jennifer Heymont

Jennifer has a background in math and biology, so she ended up in Data Science where she gets to do both. She lives just north of Boston with her husband, kids, and assorted animal members of the family. Although it took three visits for the Disney bug to "take", she now really wishes she lived a lot closer to the Parks.

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A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World this year

Editor's Note

If you want to know how to plan a trip to Disney World, you've come to the right place. This guide includes tips for choosing the right Disney World hotel for your budget, deciding which ticket type is right for you, determining which extras are worth splurging on and how to plan a trip that's fun and memorable without too much stress along the way.

With four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 on-site hotels, over 200 dining locations and more attractions, experiences, shows and shops than we can list here, the best way to build a magical Disney World vacation is with planning, preparation and realistic expectations.

Planning a trip to Disney World should be fun and build excitement for your upcoming trip, and this guide can help.

How to start planning your trip to Disney World

There are a few questions you will want to answer early in the process of planning your Disney World vacation.

• What is your budget? Your budget will determine most other factors of your vacation, including where you stay and how many days you visit. How much it will cost you to go to Disney World really can vary widely based on the choices you make.
• When will you go? You may be at the mercy of work or school schedules, but if you have the flexibility, you can plan your trip when crowds are smaller or the weather is better. The summer can be very hot and rainy, the week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest and weekdays when most kids are in school are often the least busy days.
• Where will you stay? You will typically pay more to stay in one of Disney's on-site hotels, especially at the moderate and deluxe tiers, but you'll also get perks like early theme park entry. Before you choose, you'll want to consider your budget, whether you want a themed room like the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and if you want to be located near a certain Disney park. Pro tip: Renting Disney Vacation Club points can help you stay at a deluxe hotel for a moderate price.
• Which parks will you visit on which days? Depending on the length of your vacation, you may need to prioritize which parks you plan to visit. This will also influence whether you purchase one-park-per-day or Park Hopper tickets that allow you to visit multiple parks daily. If you have little kids, be sure your family will have the stamina for multiple parks per day before shelling out the extra cash to hop.
• Where will you dine? Popular Disney dining reservations are snatched up almost as soon as they become available. You'll want to plan ahead for any character dining or other table service restaurants, so you don't miss out.

It is important to book your hotel, dining and theme park tickets as early as possible for the best rates and availability. Disney also periodically releases special offers on hotels and vacation packages that you can often apply even if you have already made your reservations.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

We will dig deeper into each of these topics in this guide. Once you have a rough outline of your vacation based on the questions above, here are important dates to keep in mind so you can make your Disney dream a reality.

How soon can you book a Disney World hotel?

Disney releases hotel availability periodically, so there is no exact date that Disney hotel reservations become available. You can currently book Disney World hotel stays through Dec. 31, 2024.

Disney typically opens reservations for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2025 availability around that time. If your plans change, you can cancel your room-only reservation up to five days in advance of arrival for a full refund. Ticket and hotel vacation packages must be canceled 30 days in advance to receive a full refund.

When can you purchase Disney World tickets?

Disney World tickets follow the same availability calendar as Disney hotel reservations. You can purchase tickets (or vacation packages including a hotel and tickets) through Dec. 31, 2024. Disney typically releases tickets for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2025 availability around that time.

All tickets are date-based, and the price of one-day tickets also varies by park. You can purchase your tickets any time before you visit; the price won't change regardless of how long you wait. Theme park tickets are nonrefundable, but you may be able to change your ticket date if your plans change.

Until Jan. 9, 2024, you must have a Disney ticket and make a theme park reservation to enter a Disney park.

When do Disney World dining reservations become available?

You can begin making dining reservations 60 days prior to your visit. If you are staying in a Disney World hotel, you can make dining reservations 60 days before your check-in day for your entire stay (up to 10 days).

Reservations open on Disney's website or the My Disney Experience app between 5:45 a.m. and 6 a.m. EST or you can call 407-939-DINE beginning at 7 a.m. EST, but coveted reservations may already be snatched up by that time. You can cancel most Disney World dining reservations up to two hours before your reservation. Exceptions will be noted in the confirmation email you receive at the time of booking.

If you're not yet sure where to eat, here are our favorite restaurants at Disney World .

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

What are the 4 parks at Disney World?

Each of Disney World's four theme parks is uniquely themed and packed with fun. You can learn more about each park, including attractions, shows, parade times and interactive maps to help you find your way around in the My Disney Experience app.

Here's a bit more information about each and some tips for choosing the right ticket type to visit them all.

Magic Kingdom

Open since 1971, Magic Kingdom is Disney World's original theme park. This park is a world of fairy tales and fantasy, where you'll find five themed lands — Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland and Liberty Square.

Magic Kingdom is home to some of Disney's most iconic attractions, including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan's Flight and the Haunted Mansion, but also exciting new rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and the soon-to-open Tiana's Bayou Adventure .

Epcot opened in 1982 and has changed drastically in the four decades since. Epcot's core message, however, hasn't changed: sparking visitors' imaginations through science, technology, nature and the human experience. The park is sectioned into "neighborhoods" — World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery and World Showcase, where you can visit pavilions that celebrate the arts, culture and customs of 11 countries around the world.

There are a lot of new things to see at Epcot, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and the all-new fireworks spectacular Luminous – The Symphony of Us .

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a movie-themed park that has lands and attractions inspired by blockbuster films and beloved Disney characters. In Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , you can pilot the Millennium Falcon and meet familiar (and furry) faces like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca and Rey.

In Toy Story Land, visitors shrink to the size of Woody, Buzz, Jessie (who you can meet here, by the way) and Andy's other toys. The land's Slinky Dog Dash coaster is a family-friendly ride that's perfect for a kid's first roller coaster.

Outside of the lands themed to specific films, much of the park evokes an old-Hollywood glamour that makes you feel like a bona fide movie star. In these areas, you'll find some of the park's most iconic shows and attractions are also some of its longest-running, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular .

Disney's Animal Kingdom

More than 2,000 animals — from about 300 species — call Disney's Animal Kingdom "home," but this is not a zoo. However, you can visit many of these animals via walking trails, the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride and even a petting zoo.

In addition to the creatures and landscapes found on Earth, you can visit another planet at Pandora — The World of Avatar or go back in time at DinoLand U.S.A. The animals aren't the only things that are "wild" at Animal Kingdom — Expedition Everest is a thrilling coaster; Avatar Flight of Passage puts you on the back of a banshee as you fly over Pandora; and Dinosaur sends you careening through the Cretaceous Period in an off-road vehicle.

What type of Disney tickets should I buy?

Disney world base tickets.

You can purchase one-day or multi-day Disney World tickets. All tickets are date-based, and the price varies depending on the date of your visit. If you purchase a one-day ticket, the price will also vary based on which park you plan to visit, with Magic Kingdom being the most expensive.

Disney World Park Hopper tickets

A base ticket only gets you into one park per day. If you want to visit multiple parks on the same day, you will need to purchase the Park Hopper option with your ticket (you can also add it on in person after you arrive). You can save money by only visiting one park per day, but it does limit how much you can see and do during your vacation.

A Park Hopper Plus ticket includes two visits to either Disney's golf courses, miniature golf courses or water parks, but this is only worth it if you know you will use it all.

Disney World special event tickets

Some of Disney's after-hours events , like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party , require a separate ticket. The park is only open to guests with special event tickets during these events. If you plan on visiting for one of these parties, you may be able to forgo a general admission ticket that day and utilize your special event ticket, as you can usually get into the park a few hours before the party starts.

Disney World ticket add-ons

There are two major ticket add-ons that you should consider. Both can be worth it but will add to the cost of your vacation.

The first add-on you might want to strongly consider is Disney Genie+ . This skip-the-line service allows you to skip the standby line and enjoy shorter wait times for rides by utilizing Disney's Lightning Lanes.

Currently, you can only purchase it on the day of your visit beginning at 7 a.m. and the price ranges between $15 and $35 per person, per day. A handful of attractions at each park require a separate individual Lightning Lane purchase to skip the line, often for the newest rides, but many rides are available with Genie+. You don't need to purchase Genie+ to buy individual Lightning Lane selections and vice versa. The individual Lightning Lane attraction pricing varies by attraction but typically ranges between $7 and $25 per person per attraction for rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Another popular add-on is Disney's Memory Maker . Memory Maker gives you unlimited downloads of pictures taken by PhotoPass photographers during your vacation and on-ride photos. You can purchase a one-day Memory Maker for short visits or a multi-day Memory Maker which covers your entire vacation. You can save $25 on a multi-day Memory Maker when you purchase at least three days prior to your visit, so it's best to purchase it when you buy your tickets.

How to get discounted Disney World tickets

Aside from Disney's own discounts, you can sometimes save money on Disney tickets by purchasing them from an authorized third-party reseller. There are a few reputable sources out there for Disney World tickets, but our go-to is Undercover Tourist . Depending on your ticket type, you can usually save between $5 and $100. One of the best ways to save money with Undercover Tourist is when Disney World raises ticket prices , which usually happens at least once per year. Undercover Tourist typically has a limited number of existing ticket stock available at the old prices while supplies last.

Related: We saved every receipt — here's how much it actually costs to go to Disney World

If you are a Florida resident or are an active or retired U.S. military member , there are generous discounted Disney World tickets available directly through Disney's website.

You can also use points to pay for your Disney tickets , and that's a strategy we strongly recommend to keep costs down. For example, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of having the card. You can use those 75k points as the same as $750 towards travel . And while ticket-only packages from Disney World typically don't code as a travel charge, buying them from Undercover Tourist — or as part of a larger hotel and ticket package directly from Disney — typically does code as a travel charge, so you could save $750 just like that.

Is booking a Disney vacation package a good idea?

If you are staying in one of Disney World's on-site hotels or a certified " Disney World Good Neighbor " hotel, you have the option to bundle your hotel stay and theme park tickets into a Disney vacation package. Normally, these packages are not discounted, but they can be a great value if Disney runs any special vacation package promotions .

Aside from discounts (and the fact that it all likely codes as a travel charge for point-redemption purposes), there's one major reason to book a vacation package: When you purchase your tickets and hotel together, you only have to pay a $200 deposit at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 30 days prior to arrival. If you purchase your tickets separately from your hotel stay, you will have to pay the full amount at the time of purchase.

This is another great example of why you should book through an authorized Disney travel planner who can compare prices for you and keep an eye out for discounts.

When is the best time to visit Disney World?

Do you want the lowest crowds or the best weather? Do you want to attend a Halloween party or see Magic Kingdom's 65-foot-tall Christmas tree ?

The best time to visit Disney World depends on your reason for visiting.

If you want moderate temperatures and less chance of rain, you may want to plan your visit between October and December. If you want shorter waits, your best bets are late January, early May or just after Thanksgiving before the crowds descend upon the parks for winter break. Of course, weekdays typically see lower crowds than weekends and school breaks.

Or, if you are planning a Disney World vacation on a budget, opt for midweek dates in August and September 2024, when prices start at $109 for a one-day ticket.

Read our full guide on the best times to visit Walt Disney World .

What's the best way to get to Disney World?

Getting to Orlando and getting to Disney World after arriving are two different topics, so let's look at each.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport to Walt Disney World is Orlando International Airport (MCO). Most major airlines fly into MCO, and you can reach Disney World in about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. If you are flying Allegiant or Sun Country Airlines, you'll fly into Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). SFB is smaller than MCO and farther from Disney World. From SFB, it is about a 45-minute drive to Disney World.

What is the best way to get to Disney World from the airport?

Because of its size and proximity to Disney World, MCO has more and better options to help you get between the airport and Disney World.

From Orlando International Airport or Orlando Sanford International Airport, you can rent a car or use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. If you do rent a car from MCO, you can forgo paying tolls through the car rental company (which often comes with an additional fee) and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass to save on tolls during your trip.

Disney no longer charges a parking fee for overnight hotel guests, so if you rent a car, you can park at your hotel and drive to Disney's theme parks without additional fees. Keep in mind that you may not need a car if you don't plan on leaving Disney property after you arrive. Disney has a robust internal transportation system that operates between its on-site hotels and theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.

You can also use Disney's official airport shuttle, Mears Connect , from MCO.

Mears Connect is a shuttle service that picks you up from MCO and will drop you off at official Disney World hotels and a handful of nearby hotels. Pricing starts at $16 one-way for adults and $13 one-way for children. Mears Connect offers shared shuttles, where you will stop at multiple Disney hotels on the way to your own. You can pay an additional fee for an "express shuttle" that takes you direct to your resort. The easiest way to reserve your ride is online through the Mears Connect website.

What is the best way to get around Disney World?

If you are staying on Walt Disney World property, you can utilize Disney's complimentary transportation for travel between your resort and Disney's theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. Disney offers transportation by bus, boat, Monorail and Disney Skyliner gondola system. Which transportation options you have access to will depend on which hotel you are staying in.

All Disney hotels offer regularly scheduled bus transportation around the resort. Transportation begins 45 minutes prior to the theme park opening and up to one hour after the theme park closing.

Guests of Disney's Magic Kingdom area resorts — Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — can use boat or Monorail transportation to travel to the Magic Kingdom. There is also a monorail line that will take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can transfer to a separate Monorail line that goes to Epcot. These hotels also offer a walking path to Magic Kingdom.

Guests of Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Disney's Pop Century Resort can use the Disney Skyliner gondolas to travel to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. All Disney World visitors can also use Disney Skyliner to travel between these two parks, regardless of where you are staying. It's a fun and scenic way to get around the resort.

Many Disney World hotels also offer ferry boat transportation to nearby parks. The BoardWalk area hotels, for example, offer boat transportation to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fort Wilderness, Disney's Wilderness Lodge and others offer boat service to the Magic Kingdom. You can view a full list on Disney's website . You can also walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from any BoardWalk area hotel.

Whichever transportation option you choose, you can view the schedule, routes and stop locations in the My Disney Experience app or on video monitors at each stop location.

You can also utilize Disney's Minnie Van service for door-to-door (or door-to-front gate, as it were) service between your hotel and Disney's theme parks. You can book these private rides in red-and-white polka-dot vans directly through the Lyft app. Accessible rides and child safety seats are available.

Though not "official" Disney World hotels, Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotel guests have access to Disney's complimentary ferry boat service to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. A walking path is also available. These resorts also operate their own shuttles to Disney's theme parks, which pick up approximately every 20 to 25 minutes throughout the day.

Disney Springs hotels operate their own shuttle services, independent of Disney's transportation. If you are staying at one of these hotels, you can inquire about scheduling and pick-up times at the front desk.

What's the best place to stay on a Disney vacation?

There are more than two dozen Disney World hotels to choose from, so your main considerations will be your budget and what type of hotel experience you are after. Whether you want over-the-top Disney theming, an upscale cabin in the woods or a luxury villa with access to a club lounge, you can find it at Disney World.

Disney offers three hotel tiers: Value, Moderate and Deluxe.

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable, with prices ranging between $125 and $300 per night. Value resorts offer quick-service, cafeteria-style dining outlets and large pools but don't have full-service restaurants or pool amenities like waterslides and hot tubs.

On average, Moderate Disney resorts run between $250 and $400 and offer amenities you won't find at Value Disney resorts. Some have full-service restaurants, and the pools are better-themed and equipped with waterslides. Many of them are more centrally located near Disney's theme parks, as well.

Deluxe Disney resorts are the most expensive, ranging between $400 to $700 per night and up for a standard room, but they also have the best locations, amenities and dining. You can expect large, well-furnished guest rooms, pool complexes with hot tubs, waterslides and beach areas, multiple full-service restaurants, spas and more.

Regardless of which hotel you choose, Disney's on-site hotels offer perks to enhance your stay:

• A 30-minute jumpstart on your day with Disney's Early Theme Park Entry benefit
• The ability to purchase individual Lightning Lanes for eligible rides begins at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit (non-resort guests can't do this until the park opens)
• Complimentary hotel and theme park parking
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels on select nights (this benefit is also available to guests of Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels, as well as Shades of Green)

Best hotels at Disney World

The best Disney World hotel for you depends on what you are looking for in a hotel stay. If you don't plan on spending much time in your room, you can save a lot of money by staying in a Value resort. If you plan on spending part of your vacation enjoying hotel amenities like the pool and restaurants, you may want to choose a Moderate or Deluxe resort. Or, if you have a large family that won't be comfortable in a standard room, one of Disney's family suites might be your best bet.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Best Disney World resort if you are on a budget: Disney's Pop Century Resort may not be the most glamorous hotel at Disney, but the kitschy 1950s through 1990s theming and the starting price of around $200 per night will surely put a smile on your face. This resort has three pools, a playground and an arcade. Guest rooms are furnished with either one king bed or a queen bed and a space-saving table that folds out into a bed. It is also one of two Value resorts with Skyliner gondola access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Best Disney World resort for large families : Disney's Art of Animation Resort is in Disney's more affordable Value category and has family suites themed to popular Disney films like "Cars," "The Lion King" and "Finding Nemo" that sleep up to six guests. The pool here is the largest at any Disney World resort, and you can take the Disney Skyliner gondolas to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Standard rooms are also available.

Best Disney World resort for swimming : Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are sister properties near Epcot. The two resorts have rooms that average around $600 per night and share access to Stormalong Bay, the best pool at Disney World . Stormalong Bay is really more than a pool, it is a water park with sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, an activities pool with a volleyball net and daily pool games and a shipwreck-themed waterslide.

Best Disney World resort for a luxury stay : If the sky is the limit for your Walt Disney World vacation budget, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are some of the finest accommodations you can choose. With two bedrooms, a fireplace, a screened-in porch, a hot tub and lakeside views, these cabins are anything but rustic. The privacy offers you a chance to wind down after a long Disney day, but you are still close enough to take a boat ride to Magic Kingdom and enjoy the amenities and dining in the resort's main lobby.

If you are leaning toward a luxury Disney stay, you may be able to save money by renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare program. DVC members can rent out their points to non-members through sites like David's Vacation Club Rentals , helping you to save hundreds of dollars versus booking directly through Disney. The trade-off is that availability is limited and that the cancellation policies are much less flexible than if you make the reservation direct through Disney.

Read our full guide on the best hotels at Walt Disney World .

Best hotels near Disney World

Disney World also partners with a handful of off-site hotels where you can still take advantage of certain benefits like Early Theme Park Entry and complimentary transportation while also paying less than you would for an official Disney World hotel. These hotels also participate in major hotel points programs, so you can earn or redeem points for your stay.

The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels all participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. While not technically Disney hotels, they are located on Disney property between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member , these hotels offer benefits like complimentary upgrades, a welcome amenity and more.

Related: This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and 6 nightly drinks

Disney Springs has seven hotels from brands like Wyndham, Hilton, Holiday Inn and others. All of these are adjacent to the Disney Springs shopping and dining district, and some have room rates that start at close to $100 per night. These can be a great option if you want to save money and don't mind leaving the "Disney bubble" at the end of the day.

Read our full guide to Disney Springs hotels here .

What are the best restaurants at Disney World?

With more than 200 restaurants to choose from, you are going to have to decide which Disney World restaurants you most want to visit. Dining options run the gamut from the predictable burger and fries to an out-of-this-world restaurant in space.

Read our full guide to the best restaurants at Disney World .

Hardest Disney reservations to get (and how to get them)

Many of these restaurants are quick-service or snack stands that don't require advance reservations, but there are a few popular restaurants that book up almost as quickly as reservations become available. If you want to dine with Disney royalty at Cinderella's Royal Table, for example, you'll want to make your reservation as soon as you can. Remember, that is 60 days prior to your visit — if you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make reservations for your entire vacation 60 days prior to your check-in day.

Related: 'Be our guest' at these 5 best character dining meals at Walt Disney World

Other reservations that book up quickly include Storybook Dining at Artist Point , Space 220 at Epcot, California Grill, 'Ohana, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios and Topolino's Terrace, especially for the character breakfast. All of these have great food and atmosphere, making them popular for new and returning guests.

Best quick-service restaurants at Disney that don't require a reservation

Luckily, there are plenty of Disney restaurants with delicious food you can get your hands on without a reservation. Satuli Canteen in Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom is consistently ranked as one of the best quick-service restaurants anywhere at Disney. The food is fresh, flavorful and surprisingly inexpensive. You can get a build-your-own bowl with beef, chicken or fish for less than $20.

Other must-try quick-service restaurants include Ronto Roasters at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (the Ronto Breakfast Wrap is the best handheld meal at Disney!), Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom for New England-inspired fare and Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot for all things barbecue.

Using the Disney app to improve your dining experience

The My Disney Experience app is a must for your Disney World vacation for checking wait times, finding your way around and more. When it comes to dining, you can use it to find walk-up dining availability, score last-minute reservations, see what restaurants are nearby, and place mobile orders at select quick-service restaurants.

When you place a mobile order via the app, you choose what time you would like to pick up your order (with the option to modify if plans change). When you arrive at the restaurant, you can click "I'm here. Prepare my order," and you'll receive a notification on your phone when your food is ready.

Should you buy a Disney Dining Plan?

The cost of dining at Disney can add up quickly, and Disney offers two dining plan options that may help you save money. The Disney Dining Plan lets you prepay for a specified number of meals and snacks for your Disney World vacation. You receive a certain number of meal and snack credits for each night of your stay.

The Disney Dining Plan is both convenient and flexible. By prepaying for your meals and snacks, you won't have to pull out your wallet for every meal and snack, and you aren't required to use a set number of credits each day. You can redeem them anytime during your stay in the way that best works for you.

There are two options — the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. The first is a bit less expensive and allows for more flexibility. The second is best if you plan on more sit-down dining and character meals during your vacation.

Whether or not you can save money with a Disney Dining Plan depends on how you utilize the credits. It is possible to break even or come out ahead if you maximize the value of your credits and actually eat all of the food available on the plan. If you don't use all of your credits, you are essentially leaving money on the table, but our guide can help you out with the math.

Read our full guide to the Disney Dining Plan .

How to save time in line at Disney World

Most Walt Disney World attractions offer a standby line. The only exceptions are new attractions, which will often offer a virtual queue for a limited time after opening. When Disney World is busy, though, standby lines for popular attractions can climb as high as two hours. Luckily, Disney has a service called Disney Genie+ that helps you skip the standby line and get on more attractions with shorter waits.

With Disney Genie+, you can skip the standby line and utilize a much shorter "Lightning Lane" for most attractions. You can only purchase this add-on service on the day of your visit, beginning at midnight (though you will likely be safe waiting until you wake up in the morning except on Disney's busiest days).

The cost of Disney Genie+ varies per park and per day. The service starts at $15 per person per day and occasionally reaches a per-person price of $35 per day during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season or in April during spring break. You can purchase Genie+ for one of Disney World's four theme parks or a "multiple park" option valid at all four parks when you purchase through the My Disney Experience app.

Most attractions are included in the Disney Genie+ service, but one or two attractions at each park require a separate Lightning Lane purchase to skip the line. It's not necessary to purchase Genie+ to buy individual Lightning Lane selections and vice versa. The individual Lightning Lane attraction pricing varies by attraction but typically ranges between $7 and $25 per person, per attraction.

Read our full guide to Disney Genie+ .

If you are staying in one of Disney's on-site hotels or in select "Good Neighbor" hotels, as mentioned in the section above, you can also save time in line by utilizing Early Theme Park Entry and/or Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. You can get into the parks 30 minutes early with the Early Entry benefit, but you actually want to arrive at the front gates 30-45 minutes before that time. This will give you time to get through security and to the roped-off area where they hold guests, making you one of the first in line to rush to your favorite ride when early entry starts.

Related: Your guide to visiting Disney World with a child on the autism spectrum

If you or someone in your party has a disability that makes it difficult for you to wait in a traditional standby queue, you can also save time by registering for Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS). You need to start the registration process before your visit, and full instructions are available on Disney's website .

How to plan a Disney World trip on a budget

While sensational stories about $2,500 meals at Disney make for good headlines, it is totally possible to visit Disney World on a budget .

Related: Yes, you can visit Disney World on a budget: Here's how I did it

Here are some of the most important things you can do to make your Disney vacation budget manageable:

• Stay at a Disney Value resort like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort or use Marriott points to stay at the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. Here are the best cards to get those points.
• Utilize Disney's complimentary parking and transportation for on-site guests instead of renting a car.
• Purchase groceries for some meals and snacks, and only buy one or two meals in the parks each day.
• Don't visit the parks every day you are at Disney and stick to one park per day, avoiding park hopping. You can save on tickets by spending a day swimming or visiting Disney Springs.
• Don't forget to periodically check Disney's website for discounts. Even after you book, you may be able to apply a hotel or vacation package discount that can save you even more money.
• Be on the lookout for discounted Disney gift cards to help cover the cost of your trip and/or use points for the tickets.
• Visit during less busy times of the year. Ticket prices are cheapest in August and September, with one-day tickets starting at $109.

Disney World pretrip checklist

Now that you've determined your budget, purchased your tickets, booked your hotel and made a few dining reservations, your trip is nearly planned. There are some other details you'll need to consider to make your trip as magical as it should be. Here's our ultimate Disney World pre-trip checklist:

• Pack accordingly : Depending on when you visit, you could be dealing with heat, humidity, afternoon showers, chilly temperatures or a mix of all of the above. It's important to pack comfortable shoes and clothing no matter when you visit, but you may also want rain gear, sun protection or a warm jacket, depending on the weather. You can read our full Disney World packing guide here .
• Download the My Disney Experience app : This app is an invaluable tool that you will use daily during your visit. You can use it to check everything from wait times to walk-up dining availability. You can also use it to navigate the parks with turn-by-turn walking directions, purchase Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes and even open your hotel room door.
• Check the park hours before your visit : You can view the park hours on the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. Each park has separate opening and closing times, and parks occasionally close early for special events like Halloween and Christmas parties. When you view the park hours, you'll also be able to see times for any parades or fireworks shows happening each day of your visit and plan for early entry or extended theme park hours for eligible on-site hotel guests.
• Check the height requirements for attractions: If you are traveling to Disney World with young children, you can check the height requirements for attractions on Disney World's website or in the My Disney Experience app. There are also measuring stations at all attractions that have a minimum height requirement, but it's better to know ahead of time to avoid tears if your child isn't quite tall enough.
• Know where to find your favorite characters : Most Disney characters have designated meeting times and locations, which you can find in the My Disney Experience app. Booking a character meal can be a great way to meet multiple characters at once, but you can also meet many characters in the parks. Popular meet-and-greets also offer Genie+ Lightning Lane access, which can cut down on the time you spend waiting to meet Mickey, Moana or Cinderella.
• Decide if you want to purchase PhotoPass photos : You can save money on Disney Memory Maker by purchasing in advance before you visit. It's the easiest way to capture your vacation memories and an add-on we highly recommend. You can view and download your photos in the My Disney Experience app.
• Study up on Genie+: As helpful as Genie+ can be, there is a bit of a learning curve. Study up using our Genie+ guide and Disney's own overview before your visit. It's good to know which attractions participate in Genie+, how to reserve Lightning Lane access and how to make the most of the service.
• Plan for downtime: One of the biggest mistakes people make at Disney World is overscheduling their trip and leaving no time for rest and relaxation. If you are visiting for more than a few days, try and schedule a day away from the parks where you swim, explore the other resorts or just lounge around the hotel. It'll help rejuvenate you for the rest of your trip. For shorter trips, you may want to schedule a slow morning or return to your hotel early one day instead of being at the parks from opening to closing every day of your trip.

Read all of our best Disney World tips here .

Bottom line

There you have it — the ultimate guide to visiting Walt Disney World.

In addition to the planning and preparation you've now mastered, there are two very important things you must do during your Disney World vacation — don't overplan and have fun. It's much better to have a short list of "must-do" rides, restaurants and activities than to have a minute-by-minute itinerary that most certainly will not play out exactly how you planned.

Keeping a loose itinerary leaves room for magic moments like stumbling upon a favorite character, noticing a super-short line for a ride or deciding last-minute to watch a parade you happened upon. You can't do everything in one trip anyway, so do the things you can and save the rest for next time when you are a certified Disney pro.

FOR NO-COST-TO-YOU ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Related reading:

• The best Disney World hotels for your stay
• The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss
• Forgetting to do this 1 thing could ruin your Disney trip
• Disney's take on timeshares: Guide to Disney Vacation Club
• 8 Walt Disney World experiences that don't require a park ticket

2024 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

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 Genie+ 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 trips through January 8, 2024, no reservations required for date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024)
• Disney’s Magical Express has been discontinued ( no more free rides between the airport and your Disney Resort )
• Park hopping can only be done after 2 p.m. until January 8, 2024. Starting January 9, 2024 park hopping can occur at any time.
• Advanced Dining Reservations are made at 60 days out now (instead of 180 days)
• Disney Dining Plan is not available until January 9, 2024

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.

VIDEO: 9 Ways Disney World Planning Has Changed

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 1 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

Park Pass Reservation System (only required until January 8, 2024)

Guests traveling in 2024 can skip this section, BUT if you are traveling in 2023, you’ll have another critical planning piece to consider: the Disney Park Pass Reservation System .

This system was put into place after the reopening in 2020 and requires guests to make reservations for each day they intend to visit a park .

The good news is the park reservations are free . The bad news is that, at least right now, this is how Disney is controlling each parks’ capacity.

That means there are limited spots available for each day.

Will I be able to get a Park Pass Reservation?

Unless you are traveling during peak times, in most cases, the answer is “yes”.

Disney is continually shifting availability around, and if you plan your vacation in advance, you should be able to get exactly what you want.

But, keep in mind, the busier the time of year, the more in demand the reservations will be. That is why we recommend you make those reservations as soon as you can .

• READ MORE: How to make Park Pass Reservations

How to check for availability

Disney makes it relatively easy to check park reservation availability.

They have a handy calendar that will show you exactly which parks are (or are not) available.

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 Individual 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.

This is especially true right now when you can snag some great last-minute deals.

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 agen t .

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 5.

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 .
• Even with the new Park Pass system,  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

Secure your Park Pass Reservations (for dates before January 9, 2024; no reservations needed for trips on or after January 9)

As soon as you purchase your tickets, you’ll be able to secure your park dates.

Remember: Park Pass Reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024. This covers most people traveling to Walt Disney World. Annual Passholders, however, WILL still need to make Park Pass Reservations (even if they have a resort stay booked).

This step is entirely new to Disney World planning. 

Because it is so brand new, we have written a complete guide to help you with the process. 

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 5 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:

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, make a plan for how you’ll get there.

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 is returning 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.

After a long absence, the Disney Dining Plan returns for packages on or after January 9, 2024!

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.

• READ MORE: Complete Guide to the Disney Dining Plan (Is it worth it?)

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 Genie+ which will allow you access to their Lightning Lanes (which means shorter waits).

The Genie+ system can be extremely complicated, but here are a couple of resources we think are good introductions:

• Guide to Genie+ at Disney World
• Touring plan strategies for Disney World (with and without Genie+)
• Best Genie+ Choices (what to book first)

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

VIDEO: 7-Step Planning Process for Walt Disney World Vacations

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 basics

• Navigating Disney World transportation
• 101 of the best Disney World tips
• Ultimate Guide for Visiting Disney World with Toddlers
• Disney World news & updates

• News / Planning / Walt Disney World

The BEST Time to Start Planning Your 2024 Disney World Vacation

by Allison Fricker · March 16, 2024

If you’ve ever planned a Walt Disney World vacation , you know that the process involves A LOT of moving parts. And if you’ve never planned a Disney World vacation?

Well, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices and endless amount of information!

From choosing a Disney resort to choosing where to dine, planning a Disney vacation involves a fair bit of research, a good deal of planning, and a whole bunch of difficult decisions.

If you’re considering a Disney World vacation in 2024, chances are you’re wondering WHEN you should begin the planning process. 

Photo: Disney

So when is the BEST time to start planning your 2024 Walt Disney World Vacation? Well, the short answer is… NOW!

Or, at least as soon as you know that a Disney vacation is in your plans (and in your budget) this year.

Whether you’re booking far in advance or planning a spontaneous last-minute visit, getting a jump start on your Disney planning will help you get the most out of your vacation.

How Far In Advance Should I Book My Disney Vacation?

If you already know that a Disney vacation is in your plans this year, don’t wait to start planning! 

While last-minute Disney vacations are easier than ever, it’s highly suggested to plan as far in advance as possible — especially if you’re a first-timer, if you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime Disney experience, or if you are very particular about where you eat and stay.

Plan Ahead For The Best Resort and Dining Availability

Walt Disney World is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world – and as such, some of its most popular resorts and restaurants are extremely quick to fill up, especially during busy seasons like Spring Break and the winter holidays.

By booking in advance, you’ll secure your room at the resort of your choice, and give yourself the best chance at scoring those hard-to-get dining reservations.

Time To Prepare

Planning ahead gives you plenty of time to prepare for your Disney World vacation . From Genie+ to Disney transportation , you’ll want to read up on all those important Disney World basics . 

Disney Skyliner

You don’t need to pre-plan every minute of your Disney World vacation (and for your sanity, you probably shouldn’t even try!).

However, tackling your Disney vacation with a loose plan and basic knowledge of the parks will make for a more relaxing and magical experience.  

Happily Ever Fireworks at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Whether you’re a first-timer or a Disney veteran, planning ahead gives you the advantage of TIME. Time to figure out what you want, time to solidify your budget, and time to research all that Disney has to offer. Best of all, you’ll have the time to enjoy the anticipation!

Plan Ahead For Financial Benefits

When you plan your Disney vacation in advance, you’ll even enjoy added financial benefits. From paying slowly over time to scoring the best prices possible, booking in advance gives you a definitive edge. 

If you think you have to hold out for those last-minute discounts to get the best deals — think again! When you work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , they’ll look out for deals, discounts, and promotions even after you’ve booked — making sure you get the best price possible. 

As an added bonus, MickeyTravels will help you tackle all those practical planning details, from dining reservations to customized itineraries. MickeyTravels services are always 100% free, so you’ll never pay a fee.

How Far In Advance CAN I Plan?

Until August 2022, Disney guests were able to book room-only reservations up to 499 days in advance. However, the current booking system only allows room-only reservations to be booked as far out as you can book a “package,” which includes accommodations and park tickets.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

In general, packages for the following year are released sometime in the late spring or early summer. As such, the earliest you can book is typically a year in advance. 

Can I Book A Last-Minute Disney Vacation?

Contrary to popular belief, last-minute Disney vacations are not only possible, but they’re also a TON of fun! With the help of an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , you can beat the odds and enjoy an ultra-magical (and super spontaneous!) Disney World vacation.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

In the past, spontaneous Disney World trips could be extremely tricky to pull off. Pre-pandemic, Advance Dining Reservations were made 180 days in advance, with hard-to-get ressies disappearing like smoke in the wind.

As a result, most Disney guests considered the 6-month mark the absolute latest to begin planning.

(Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Then, the pandemic triggered the implementation of park reservations, which made last-minute planning difficult, especially for those hoping to travel during busy times.

While it’s still ideal to plan in advance, recent changes have made last-minute visits a very real — and tempting — possibility. Dining reservations have been moved to 60 days in advance for on-site guests, and as of January 9th of this year, park reservations are a thing of the past for date-based tickets. 

As a result, planning a spontaneous or last-minute Disney vacation is now quite a bit easier. While last-minute bookings still pose certain limitations, you’ll still enjoy all the magic and wonder you’d expect of a Disney vacation. 

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Keep in mind that resort and dining reservations may be limited with a last-minute Disney vacation, and planning in advance is highly suggested. But if you’re flexible on where you dine and where you stay, don’t rule out a last-minute trip! 

The Best Time to Start Planning is…Now!

Whether you’re planning far in advance or a magical last-minute escape, the best time to start planning your 2024 Disney World vacation is … NOW! 

If you’re ready to experience the magic of Walt Disney World this year, consider this your sign to GET STARTED!

Photo: MickeyTravels

Thanks for visiting http://MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on  your next Disney vacation , please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!

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A Realistic Budget For Your 2024 Disney World Trip

Some BIG changes are coming to Disney World in 2024 and you won’t want to miss out.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open that year in Magic Kingdom, along with new cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds , new Disney Vacation Club villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort , and more . You might have a whole list of reasons why a 2024 Disney World vacation is a MUST for you — but how much will it cost you?

Let’s break down a realistic budget for a 2024 trip to Walt Disney World right now!

Keep in mind that all of this is based on the prices we found on the date of our search for the writing of this article. Prices are subject to change, however.

For purposes of this budget, we’ll be pricing things out for a family of 4 — 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 5 and 8). To make it somewhat comparable to our 2023 budget , we’ll search for a week-long vacation (7 days, 6 nights) in mid-July 2024 and our family will get park tickets for 5 days.

Things We Are NOT Including

For this post, we will NOT be including the cost of transportation to/from Walt Disney World and our family’s home. That can vary dramatically based on where you’re located, whether you’ll be driving or flying, and a multitude of other factors.

So keep in mind that gas prices, rental car prices, flying costs, baggage fees, and (if flying) the cost of transportation from the airport to Disney World (since the Magical Express is no longer offered) will all need to be added to the budget outlined below.

Alright, now let’s get into the budget.

For our hotel, we’ll stick with a Moderate Resort to keep things somewhat in the middle in terms of cost. Remember that costs can vary a LOT depending on what dates you pick and what hotel you want to stay at. For our example, we’ll pick Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside in a standard room for 7 days and 6 nights. We chose a trip from Saturday, July 13th through Friday, July 19th.

A standard room for those dates was priced at around $300 per night. That brought the hotel total (without tickets or anything else) to $1,809. With tax, it comes out to $2,035.15.

Now, let’s talk tickets. Our family only needs tickets for 5 days. We’ll add the Park Hopper option so our family can go between parks. Let’s assume the 13th and 19th are travel days, so they will want to be able to use those tickets from the 14th through the 18th. It seems the cheapest option for that is to have the ticket “start” on the 14th.

The total for 5-day tickets for our family with the Park Hopper option ends up being $3,042.74.

Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes

Now, let’s talk about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes. Genie+ is the service that has replaced FastPass+. With Genie+, you pay a certain amount (which varies depending on the day and depending on whether you buy a multi-park option or a single-park option). With Genie+, you can make a Lightning Lane reservation (one ride at a time) to skip the standby lines at many rides.

Individual Lightning Lanes allow you to buy the ability to skip the standby line ONCE at some of Disney World’s most popular rides (which are NOT included in the standard Genie+ service). The prices for these vary depending on the date, ride, and park. You can only buy a maximum of 2 Individual Lightning Lanes per day.

Keep in mind that the pricing for this is subject to change. Plus, right now you can only buy Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes on the day of your visit (not in advance), but some changes are set to hit the systems in 2024 that could change that.

Still, let’s take a look at what these  might cost in 2024. In 2023, the multi-park Genie+ option ranged in price from $23-$27 from July 14th-18th (pricing was $25, $23, $23, $27, and $27) so we’ll use those same costs for 2024, and anticipate that our family will buy the multi-park Genie+ option each day. That total is $500 for all 5 days.

Also, we’ll assume that our family will buy just 1 Individual Lightning Lane per day. We took an average of all the Individual Lightning Lane prices from July 14th-18th, 2023 for the 5 rides included in that system and the average was $16. If we anticipate that the family will spend around $16 per person on an Individual Lightning Lane for all 5 days, that works out to $320 for the trip.

So that’s a total of $820 on Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane costs. Note that Disney does charge tax on Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases though. We’ll set aside $15 extra dollars for that, bringing the total to $835.

Food and the Disney Dining Plan

Starting on January 9th, 2024, the Disney Dining Plan will be available once again in Disney World! This is essentially a way to pre-pay for your meals. You pay a certain amount to obtain Dining Plan credits, which you can then redeem for specified items — like a Quick Service meal or a snack.

Whether the Dining Plan is worth the cost for you and your family will depend. It all depends on the cost of the Dining Plan versus the cost you’d ordinarily spend on food in the parks.

If you often like to bring your own food/snacks, like to split meals, prefer to eat small meals, and don’t usually order the most expensive items on the menu, then the Dining Plan may not make the most sense for you. But you’ll want to do some calculations to figure it out!

For our family, we’ll go ahead of say that they’re going to get the Disney Dining Plan , and we’ll opt for the Standard Dining Plan . The standard plan includes 1 Quick Service meal, 1 Table Service meal, and 1 snack/non-alcoholic meal per day per person. It also comes with 1 resort refillable mug per person.

The Standard Dining Plan costs around $94.28 per adult , per day and $29.69 per child ( ages 3 to 9) per day. The total for the Quick Service Dining Plan for our family would be around $1,487.64 for their trip.

Keep in mind that doesn’t include tips for the Table Service meals. Let’s set aside another $120 for that. And we’ll include $50 for any miscellaneous snacks or other food items our family might want to throw in. That brings the total to $1,657.64.

Click here to see why some people are saying they will NOT use the Disney Dining Plan

MagicBands used to be offered for free in Disney World with every hotel stay, but that’s no longer the case. And now there are newer devices — called MagicBand+ — that can add fun little interactive touches to your day (like light effects when watching the fireworks).

Plus, you can link them to your account to pay for your purchases, use them to scan into the park, and more.

A plain, single-color MagicBand+ typically costs around $34.99. But some designs can be priced upwards of $64.99. We’ll assume our family will just buy the plain bands — which will cost them $139.96.

There is a lot of cool merchandise to buy in Disney World. From spirit jerseys to ears, toys, Loungefly bags, popcorn buckets, Crocs , and more, our family may not be able to resist bringing back a souvenir or two!

For this trip, we’ll set aside $500 for merchandise — around $125 per person.

Other Costs to Consider

Other costs you’ll want to consider factoring into your trip include rideshare services . You can certainly use Disney World’s free bus, boat, monorail, and Skyliner transportation to get around, but if you need a more direct way to get to certain places, or don’t want to use Disney’s transportation, a rideshare service may be something to turn to.

You’ll also want to consider whether something like Memory Maker will be right for you. While taking PhotoPass photos is free (Cast Members will take these photos for you at various locations throughout the parks), downloading them is not. Purchases of Genie+ now come with all ride photos taken on the day of the Genie+ purchase, but other PhotoPass photos won’t be included.

So if you want to bring home ALL of the memories, you may want to purchase Memory Maker. It’s $169 when bought in advance and includes all of your photos and videos within 30 days of activation.

In 2023, our total budget was $7,081.70. That did not include the Dining Plan though (we priced out food separately). So what’s our budget like for 2024?

Here’s the breakdown:

• Transportation: Not included
• Rideshare: Not included
• Memory Maker: Not included
• Hotel: $2,035.15
• Tickets: $3,042.74
• Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes: $835
• Food/The Disney Dining Plan: $1,657.64
• MagicBand+: $139.96
• Merchandise: $500

That brings our total to $8,210  (about $1,000 more than in 2023).

Remember, this can change dramatically depending on several factors — the time of year you choose to visit, the number of people in your group, the hotel you pick, how you get to Disney World, your meal preferences, and more.

But we hope this post has given you a bit of a general idea of what you may spend when visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth in 2024.

Want to Save Money?

Looking to save some cash on your trip? Be sure to look for deals and discounts that can pop up from time to time on hotels and tickets (and even dining!) that could save you a whole bunch of money.

And consider reaching out to our friends at Mouse Fan Travel! They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

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Are you planning to visit Disney World in 2024? How much are you budgeting for your trip? Tell us in the comments.

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3 Replies to “A Realistic Budget For Your 2024 Disney World Trip”

And Disney wonders why attendance is declining.

I’m planning my ’24 trip now; extremely discouraged at the “add-on costs” of Genie+, Memory Maker & ILL that bring an additional $1000 to the trip. Park tickets are already costing me $2000+ for base tickets. PH is a not a good value as you have to wait until 2pm to hop. Dining plan cost has gone up and the amount of food received has gone down. Turning the Magic into an extremely costly adventure. 🙁

That total may scare some people from thinking they can afford Disney. There are places to save, maiming lodging and food. Last year we got a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom VRBO just 5 minutes from the TTC for $900 a week. We also saved money on food since we didn’t have to eat out every meal on Disney property.

This is what we had during the 16 days we were in Orlando: Three 7 day parkhoppers with waterpark add-on Three single day tickets (had some family join us week two) Six 5-day, 3 park tickets to Universal with Park-to-Park

Once we factored in all the extra lodging for getting to and from Orlando, the gas, etc., and every single pressed penny spent, our total of 23 days away from home cost $8800.

I know most people can’t take that much time away from work, but as my wife and I are public school teachers, we get that luxury (and as school teachers, we have to save wherever we can!)

The purpose of my post isn’t to say you are wrong in how you do Disney. It is just to point out it is possible to afford at least a little Disney Magic by cutting costs wherever you can.

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Disney World in July (2024): A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in July 2024, this comprehensive guide is just what you need. It’s packed with essential details like key dates, special events, expected weather, crowd sizes, and insider tips to ensure a smooth booking experience. To better understand the July experience, we have also included a personal account from my in-laws. Whether you’re still considering July or have your dates set, our guide offers everything you need for a magical Disney World vacation in July 2024.

Prefer To Speak to Someone? Get Free Help From Our Favorite Disney Travel Agency.

The July Advantage: Disney World in July 2024

July is a dynamic month to visit Disney World, filled with special events and the lively atmosphere of summer. With U.S. schools out, the parks come alive with families looking to enjoy their break, making the month uniquely vibrant.

The month kicks off with the  4th of July holiday week, bringing special Disney festivities, drawing a larger crowd.

However, the park crowd numbers drop to more average levels following the 4th of July, offering a more relaxed experience for the rest of the month. Additionally, late July typically signals the beginning of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival , providing guests an opportunity to savor cuisines from around the world.

July’s tropical Florida climate offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy the refreshing water parks and resort pools . Despite a slight price surge around the 4th, the rates generally remain moderate throughout the rest of the month .

Overall, a July visit to Disney World presents a balance of manageable crowds, moderate pricing, water fun, and summer energy.

July’s Potential Downsides:

Despite the many advantages, it’s important to note a couple of factors. Firstly, July in Florida can be hot and humid, which may not suit everyone. Also, the 4th of July holiday typically results in a significant increase in crowds, leading to longer wait times at attractions and restaurants. However, these minor challenges are easily mitigated with good planning and a flexible itinerary.

Disney World Key Dates and Events, July 2024

Keep these dates and events in mind if you’re planning a Disney World vacation in July 2024:

• 4th of July / Independence Day (July 4, 2024) : The Independence Day holiday sees an upswing in crowd sizes, especially around July 4th and the surrounding weekends. It’s a vibrant time at the parks but be prepared for the potential of reaching park capacity. The peak period is June 29 – July 7, 2024.
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival : This event usually begins mid-to-late July. The start date for 2024 has yet to be announced, but the 2023 festival started on July 27.
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Events : Various athletic events are hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex throughout July. These events could draw crowds, particularly to value resorts like the All-Star Hotels.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (Absent in July 2024) : The early days of July have, for the past several years, offered one last chance to catch EPCOT’s flower and garden festival. But that’s not the case in 2024. The festival ends on May 27, 2024 and will be long gone by the time July rolls around. It’s unclear if any new offerings will be provided in its place, or if Disney is simply letting summer vacation demand fill the void.

These dates and events could influence crowd sizes, resort availability, and the overall experience of your July Disney World vacation in July 2024. Planning ahead is key to making the most of your visit.

Plan Your Disney World Visit in July With The Vacationeer

As July is a popular month at Disney World, strategic planning is essential for a smooth and enjoyable trip. Consider working with The Vacationeer , a renowned Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, to simplify your vacation planning process.

With a dedicated team of Disney fans, The Vacationeer provides outstanding customer service and exceptional professionalism. They offer comprehensive trip planning services , such as answering your questions, providing personalized tips , booking park tickets, securing hotel rooms, making dining reservations , and arranging your transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport .

If you’re visiting Disney World with toddlers , The Vacationeer can organize stroller rentals for your convenience. They excel at tracking down the best discounts , applying promotions, and setting up Disney layaway plans . The best part is that all these services come at no additional cost, making The Vacationeer essentially a free personal assistant for your Disney World trip .

As an avid Disney fan, I can personally confirm the value of The Vacationeer . Despite being well-versed in trip planning, my wife and I rely on their expertise to save time, reduce stress, and cut costs.

Contact The Vacationeer today for a no-obligation, instant quote . Their expansive knowledge and experience can help make your July Disney vacation truly memorable.

Will Disney World be Crowded in July?

The month of July, which falls in the middle of the North American summer, has an interesting blend of crowd patterns. Here’s what to expect in July 2024.

• Peak Periods : The first significant surge in visitors coincides with the July 4th holiday, spanning June 29th-July 7th, 2024. As schools break for the summer, families across the United States converge on Disney World, leading to this peak. However, following the holiday rush, crowd sizes settle into an average pattern for the remainder of July .
• Summer Vacations vs. Summer Heat : July’s crowd levels are moderated by two balancing factors. While it’s a popular month for family vacations due to school holidays, the intense summer heat can deter some visitors. Outside the July 4th period, the combination keeps crowds at a manageable level.
• Epcot Festivals : The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival , which usually starts in late July, may increase attendance towards month-end.
• July Crowd Ranking : In terms of crowd size, July typically ranks as the 5th or 6th busiest month of the year – less crowded than June but busier than August.

In summary, despite the initial burst of visitors around July 4th, July offers a balance between manageable crowd levels and summer vacation availability. For more crowd insights, view our Disney World Crowd Calendar and guide on avoiding lines at Disney World .

Disney World Prices in July

Disney World’s prices during July are influenced by various factors, from summer vacations to seasonal events and discounts. Here’s an overview for July 2024:

Resort Pricing

July marks the beginning of the low season for Disney’s Deluxe Resorts . Travelers willing to brave the summer heat can take advantage of the reduced rates at these upscale accommodations. However, Disney’s Value Resorts typically don’t see a dip in prices until mid-August, when most children return to school.

Here’s an example of 2024 starting prices for hotel rooms at All Star Sports, a Disney Value Resort. Note that prices will go up depending on the hotel chosen, the type of room, and how long you wait to book (prices tend to increase over time).

Friday and Saturday nights are the most costly nights, up to $45 higher than the prior Thursday. But you can still easily find a room for less than $200 per night if you stay during the week and book early.

Ticket Pricing

Apart from a brief peak around July 4th , ticket prices in July are usually stable and correspond to the average prices throughout the year. Here’s a look at base prices for 2024:

July ticket prices start out in the $130s for at least five days near the end of the month, but most days are in the $144-$149 range. July 2024 has more days in this range than July 2023 had. The peak pricing of $154 also applies to more days in 2024 vs. 2023 — July 3-4 in 2023; July 3-7 (and July 14) in 2024.

Remember that these are starting prices which usually apply only to Animal Kingdom theme park — you’ll pay up to $30 more for Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Animal Kingdom:

Independence Day (July 4, 2024) Ticket Prices

• Animal Kingdom: $154
• EPCOT: $174
• Hollywood Studios: $179
• Magic Kingdom: $184

These are prices for a one-day adult (ages 10+) base ticket. Prices will change for multi-day tickets or adding options such as park hopping. Prices were accurate as of August 2023 and are subject to change.

Overall Pricing

Holiday Influence : July sees a slight bump in prices around the July 4th holiday due to increased visitor numbers. After the holiday, however, the costs, much like the crowds, stabilize and align with yearly averages.

July Discounts : Traditionally, Disney World announces a discount offer for the summer months, including July, at the start of the year. This discount, typically around 20% off room rates, varies by hotel, room type, and availability.

Average Cost: The 2024 average cost of a typical Disney World vacation for a family of four at a Value Resort with six-day theme park tickets, Genie+ service, and Quick Service meals is $6,559. July 2024 trip pricing will likely be higher than this year-round estimate, due to peak summer demand pricing.

You can estimate your expenses with our Disney World Cost Calculator .

For the Best Value, Book Early and Plan with The Vacationeer .

Disney World Weather in July: What to Expect

As Florida’s summer season continues, July at Disney World offers even warmer temperatures than June, perfect for those who enjoy the balminess of tropical climates. Here’s a brief overview:

• Temperature : July usually features average high temperatures around 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius), with lows typically at 74 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius). This makes July one of the warmest months at Disney World (just behind August).
• Florida’s Summer Heat : The heat intensifies in July, providing an authentic Floridian summer experience. The warmth also makes it an ideal time to enjoy Disney’s water parks and resort pools. However, it’s important to note that some visitors choose to bypass July due to the potentially uncomfortable heat, opting for a cooler month instead.
• Rainfall : July, alongside August, records the highest rainfall , with precipitation typically occurring on around 13 days of the month and totaling about 7.2 inches on average. However, these showers tend to be brief and often bring relief from the heat (for a few minutes, at least, before creating a sauna effect).

Preparing for Disney World Weather in July

July continues the summer season at Disney World, bringing intense heat and a higher chance of rain. Well-thought-out preparation is crucial for an enjoyable visit, regardless of the weather conditions.

• Handling the Summer Heat : High temperatures are prevalent in July, especially during mid-afternoon hours. Hydration is critical; take advantage of free ice water at Quick Service restaurants and numerous water refill stations throughout the parks. Prevent heat-related discomfort by including lightweight, breathable clothing and high-SPF sunscreen in your Disney packing list .
• Adjusting Your Touring Strategy : Given the heat, it’s wise to begin your park visits early. Utilize Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes passes to avoid long lines during the hottest hours. To stay cool, opt for attractions with indoor queues, such as Space Mountain and Toy Story Mania.
• Preparing for Rain : Showers in July are typically brief but can be heavy. Wear waterproof shoes and bring a poncho to stay dry during unexpected downpours. Despite variable weather forecasts, don’t let a rain prediction dampen your plans. Our ‘ Disney Attractions to Escape the Rain ‘ page offers a variety of fun indoor activities.

In conclusion, by closely monitoring Disney World’s weather and planning ahead for July’s conditions, you can ensure an enjoyable Disney World experience, rain or shine. After all, the magic of Disney exists in all weather!

Ride Maintenance, Refurbishments, Closures, and Openings in July 2024

July at Disney World is bustling with activity. With it being summer, most water rides are operational, and lengthy ride refurbishments are uncommon. Soem new rides may also be open. Here’s what we know for July 2024:

Theme Parks and Attractions

• ¡Celebración Encanto! (EPCOT): This limited-time musical performance takes place multiple times daily on the newly-opened Communicore Plaza Stage in EPCOT’s World Celebration. The show runs from June 10, 2024 through September 6, 2024.
• Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom): Closed starting January 27, 2024. Expected to reopen sometime in Summer 2024 as the Country Bear Musical Jamboree , featuring Disney tunes reinterpreted in different styles of country music.
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios): Closed starting January 8, 2024 for a “multi-month” refurbishment. Planned to reopen in summer 2024 (exact reopening date not yet announced).
• Test Track (EPCOT): Closed starting June 17, 2024 for a major refresh. Opening date not yet announced, but a similar refresh in 2012 took almost 8 months; if this refurbishment follows the same pattern, it would reopen around January/February 2025.
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom) : Splash Mountain closed permanently in January 2023, and its replacement will open sometime in Summer 2024. It’s not yet clear if the new ride will be open in time for your July vacation, as the exact opening date has yet to be announced.
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Hollywood Studios):  This stage show never reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic closure, and is now being re-imagined into a new show.  The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is expected to debut in fall 2024.

Resort Hotels and Amenities

• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (Cabins):  The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness will be refurbished and become a separate DVC property. The first of the new cabins open on July 1, 2024, with additional work possible through the remainder of the year. (Note: this refurbishment applies to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, not the Cabins at Wilderness Lodge/Copper Creek Villas)
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Construction continues on a new Disney Vacation Club tower on the site of the former Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. Its grand opening is expected sometime in 2024.
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter: Some Guest rooms will be under refurbishment from May 2024 through November 2024. Most resort amenities will remain available, but construction may be seen/heard.

Transportation, Water Parks, Golf Courses, and More

• Disney Springs Drone Show:   Disney Dreams That Soar , a limited-run nighttime drone show with Disney music soundtrack, performs nightly at Disney Springs West Side from May 24, 2024 – September 2, 2024.
• Disney Water Parks:  Only one of the two parks (Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon) typically operates at a time, with the other being closed. See  Water Parks  section below for further info.

Note that these schedules and maintenance plans can change. For the most accurate information on ride and hotel closures, it’s best to contact Disney World customer service or consult your travel planner (we recommend The Vacationeer ).

Disney World Water Parks in July (2024): What to Expect

Visiting Disney World’s water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach – is a fantastic way to beat the heat in July. Each park offers unique water-based attractions, but their operational schedules can be tricky to predict. Here’s our forecast for July 2024:

• November 13, 2022: Blizzard Beach opens and Typhoon Lagoon closes.
• March 19, 2023: Typhoon Lagoon opens and Blizzard Beach closes.
• November 6, 2023: Blizzard Beach opens and Typhoon Lagoon closes.
• March 17, 2024: Typhoon Lagoon opens and Blizzard Beach closes.
• Annual Themes : In 2022, Blizzard Beach received a holiday treatment, a trend we expect to continue.
• Predicted Schedule : Based on these patterns, we expect the water parks to alternate being open in multi-month stretches, with Typhoon Lagoon open from spring to fall and Blizzard Beach open from fall to spring.
• July 2024 Expectation : Following these patterns, we anticipate that Typhoon Lagoon will be the only water park open in July 2024 . However, these predictions are based on past trends, and actual schedules may change.

For accurate information and to plan your perfect summer getaway, we recommend consulting with The Vacationeer before booking. A trip to a Disney water park would be a great way to add some splash to your Florida summer vacation – especially on a hot July day!

Preparing for the 4th of July at Disney World

Celebrating the 4th of July at Disney World requires strategic preparation. You can expect the following:

• Expect Crowds : July 4th brings a mix of locals and tourists, resulting in higher-than-usual visitor numbers. To avoid the busiest times, plan to visit early in the day or late in the afternoon. The midday period usually sees an overlap of guests, leading to the most congestion and heat.
• Heat Precautions : Florida’s summer climate can be challenging. Pack essentials like cooling pads, a collapsible water bottle, and ponchos. Taking breaks from the heat in indoor attractions and returning to your hotel during the hottest hours of the day can also help.
• Special Events : Disney’s Celebrate America! is a key highlight at Magic Kingdom; expect a spectacular fireworks display on July 3 and July 4. EPCOT’s Heartbeat of Freedom tag also offers an impressive finale over the American Adventure pavilion after the regular fireworks show on July 4th.

• EPCOT’s Limited-time Lighting Design : Spaceship Earth adorns a patriotic ambient lighting design, giving it the look of an American flag. This adds to the Independence Day spirit and will be showcased nightly until July 4th.
• Added Activities : Disney characters wear patriotic attire, and special PhotoPass options are available on July 3rd and 4th. At EPCOT, don’t miss special performances by the Voices of Liberty on July 4th, including their famed “echo sets” in the two-story rotunda of the American Adventure.
• Hotel Celebrations : Although no official events are scheduled around the hotels, Magic Kingdom area resorts often have informal ‘parties’ to view the fireworks. Those staying at the Polynesian Village Resort get the added bonus of a patriotic display from the Electrical Water Pageant during the show!

Despite the heat and crowds, July 4th at Disney World is an experience you won’t forget, and there are tons of fun things to do to celebrate Independence Day.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Kicks Off in Late July

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival offers a unique global culinary journey for visitors to Disney World. This remarkable event traditionally starts in late July , meaning if you plan to visit Disney World in late July, you’ll catch the exciting kickoff. Although only the last five days of July 2023 fell within the festival, those initial days were buzzing with the vibrant anticipation and fresh energy of the event’s beginning. We generally expect 2024’s event to follow a similar schedule.

The festival offers a fun-filled gastronomic voyage across six continents, perfect for both casual diners and food connoisseurs. From the delightful “ Eat to the Beat ” concert series to the exquisite “ Eat to the Beat Dining Package ,” the festival offers an immersive sensory experience. Moreover, a range of limited-edition merchandise allows visitors to carry a piece of this culinary adventure back home.

Is July the Best Month to Visit Disney World?

Whether July is optimal for a Disney World visit depends on your schedule and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:

• Weather : July in Florida is quite warm, with an average high temperature of 90 degrees and 13 rainy days on average. This could be ideal if you enjoy hot weather and like to cool off at the pools and water parks. However, if you prefer cooler, drier weather, July may not be the best month for you.
• Crowds : July sees a surge in visitors due to summer vacation, especially around the 4th of July. However, crowd levels moderate after the 4th of July week, and they are about average for the month as a whole.
• Events : Special 4th of July festivities, including breathtaking fireworks, add to the month’s allure. Late July also typically marks the kickoff of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, turning Epcot into a global culinary destination.
• Pricing : Costs are generally average in July, with a slight increase in the early part of the month around the Independence Day holiday.

July offers the warmth of summer, the chance to enjoy two major Epcot festivals, and vibrant 4th of July celebrations. However, it requires thoughtful planning and comfort with heat and potential rain. If you would like personalized advice on whether or not July is the right month for your trip, reach out to The Vacationeer .

Comparing Disney World in July (2024) to Neighboring Months

Understanding how July compares to its neighboring months, June and August, can help determine if it’s the ideal time for your vacation.

• June or July? : Weather is a significant factor in this comparison. June typically has milder temperatures, which might be more comfortable for some visitors. However, though hotter and slightly rainier, July weather is still manageable, especially for those who enjoy pool visits and water park adventures. Crowd-wise, while June can be bustling, July generally sees a spike around the 4th but is less crowded than June for the rest of the month.
• July or August? : In terms of festivals, July traditionally hosts the start of the International Food & Wine Festival. In contrast, August offers an entire month of the Food & Wine Festival. July and August share similar weather patterns, with hot and wet conditions. Crowds are typically lower in August, especially at the end of the month.

July offers an exciting atmosphere around Independence Day but expect higher crowds and a slight price surge during this period.

Our Recommendation : June could be better if you prefer milder weather and don’t mind higher crowds. Consider August if you’d like to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival with fewer crowds. If fireworks are your thing, consider July!

Personal Experiences: Disney World in July

My wife Jaimie’s parents, Mike and Terry, recently retired Florida residents, made their annual Disney World trip last July. A testament to the joy of adults at Disney World, their journey was filled with relaxed exploration and delightful moments.

Unfazed by the heat, they came prepared. “As Floridians, we’re used to hot weather,” Terry said, adding that they packed lightweight clothes, sunscreen, and refillable water bottles. They chose a period post the July 4th rush but before Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival. “We love a more relaxed pace,” Mike explained.

They booked their stay at Coronado Springs, a Disney Moderate Resort . “The pool was a refreshing retreat during the midday heat,” Mike mentioned. They enjoyed their afternoons, cooling off and planning their evening adventures at the park. “We also took advantage of a great Florida Resident deal ,” Terry added.

The rides at Animal Kingdom were a highlight. Terry found Kilimanjaro Safaris captivating, saying, ” I love seeing the animals up close.” Mike was in awe of the Avatar Flight of Passage.

Food was a highlight of their trip. They savored a romantic dinner at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom and a delicious brunch at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs. “The southern comfort food was superb,” Terry shared.

Their mid-July visit presented fewer crowds, adding to their enjoyment. “The lines were shorter than we expected, and the overall experience was more intimate,” said Mike. Although they missed the July 4th festivities and the Epcot festivals, they felt content with their choice.

Terry summarized their experience: “As a couple at Disney World , we appreciate the slower pace and moderate crowds. July has become one of our favorite months to visit.”

Final Thoughts: Disney World in July

Summer is in full swing at Disney World in July, with temperatures reaching into the 90s on average. For those who enjoy warm temperatures, it’s the perfect time to enjoy water parks and pools and cool off at night with spectacular shows. It’s worth noting that this is also a month with occasional rainfall , so packing ponchos and having flexible plans can prove beneficial.

Regarding crowd levels and costs, the beginning of July experiences a crowd surge due to Independence Day festivities. This period also sees a slight increase in prices . However, once the holiday crowds recede, the remainder of July presents fewer crowds and prices that revert to their average range .

In terms of crowd size, July ranks around 5th or 6th for the year. If a quieter experience is your goal, planning your visit after the Independence Day rush would be wise.

Compared to its neighboring month, June offers milder weather but higher crowd levels, while August typically experiences similar weather but slightly fewer crowds.

Overall, for those who enjoy warm weather, water activities, and a less crowded park experience, July presents a well-balanced month to visit Disney World. We recommend consulting with Disney travel experts when planning your vacation.

Planning Your July Disney World Trip with The Vacationeer

Are you considering a Disney World vacation in July 2024? The planning phase might seem daunting, but with The Vacationeer, the process can be simple and enjoyable.

The expert planners at The Vacationeer can take care of all the trip details. From booking your Disney World hotel to arranging your Disney dining plans and reserving your park tickets, they’ve got you covered.

If you’re seeking advice or looking for the best Disney World deals , The Vacationeer is your go-to resource. You’ll never pay more than necessary and still have the vacation of your dreams.

The Vacationeer provides you with one dedicated vacation planner from start to finish. There’s no need to communicate with different customer service reps – you get personalized assistance from someone who is committed to making your unique vacation dreams come true.

Planning a Disney World trip in July 2024 is made easy with their help. Their services are completely free, lifting the weight of planning off your shoulders. Request a free, no-obligation quote from The Vacationeer now. You have nothing to lose!

Our month-by-month Disney World guides are useful resources for planning your vacation. They’re designed to provide you with detailed information on events, pricing trends, crowd sizes, weather, and new attractions for each month.

Discover the best month for your Disney vacation with our comprehensive guides to the other months of the year:

• Disney World in January
• Disney World in February
• Disney World in March
• Disney World in April
• Disney World in May
• Disney World in June
• Disney World in August
• Disney World in September
• Disney World in October
• Disney World in November
• Disney World in December

Whether you’re a Disney first-timer or a seasoned enthusiast, our guides will help you plan a Disney vacation that’s tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

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How Early Should You Plan Your 2024 Disney World Vacation?

By David Goodkind Leave a Comment

Walt Disney World promises to be a different experience in 2024 , but the planning process for a Disney World vacation remains crucial. Despite the park pass reservation system being (mostly) done away with , planning a trip to Disney World is still daunting and takes time (along with a lot of money).

Magic Kingdom

The first question when booking a Disney World vacation can be, “How early is too early?” In actuality, the answer is “never too early”. When it comes to your trip, you need to factor in hotel bookings, dining reservations, time of year, important dates, closures, budgeting and more. If all of that seems overwhelming, don’t worry — we’re here to help! Here are some things to keep in mind when planning your 2024 Walt Disney World Trip and why you should consider starting the planning process TODAY.

2024 Vacation Packages and Hotels

Disney World typically releases vacation packages well in advance, and the packages for 2024 are no exception . Not only are vacation packages available, but you can also purchase hotel reservations and park tickets, as well.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

First, the obvious piece of advice regarding booking tickets, hotels and vacation packages — Book ASAP . The phrase “subject to availability” cannot be stressed enough . The closer we get to 2024, the probability of your favorite hotel being sold out and unavailable increases. Keep in mind, room retheming or special demand in addition to the popularity of your chosen vacation dates will affect how many booking offerings are available to you. Also remember that demand can be affected by available transportation and proximity to the parks.

Room layout at the Drury Plaza (Disney Springs)

Depending on what time of the year you may plan on visiting Disney World next year, there is a chance your preferred hotel room isn’t available. If that’s the case, consider booking something else with the option to modify or cancel your reservation at a later time. Also be sure to check for hotel discounts when booking your trip. Keep checking (even after you book your hotel) for more discounts and see if they can be applied to your trip.

As previously mentioned, the sooner you book the less you have to worry about availability. If you’re already too late to get that room you wanted, all is not lost! Keep up-do-date on the availability for the room you want or get in touch with a travel agent to ease the booking process. For free services, we strongly recommend our friends over at Small World Vacations to help get you the best deals for your vacation!

Click here to see the BEST Disney World hotels in 2024!

Park tickets and pricing.

We briefly mentioned park tickets already, but it’s important to note the massive changes coming to the actual process of going to the parks in 2024. As mentioned the park pass reservation system will be no more beginning January 9th, 2024. There are some exceptions that you should be aware of, however . It should also be of note if you plan on visiting Disney World in 2024 but before January 9th, you still need those park pass reservations.

For the general park-going public, ticket purchasing will be on a date-based system . This means you buy your ticket or vacation package with date-based tickets, and then you’re done — no specific park reservation required and no extra steps after you purchase your tickets. We still recommend getting park tickets early to avoid availability and pricing issues.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Click here to learn some Park Pass Reservation system secrets

When it comes to park ticket budgeting, it’s important to know that Disney World has flex pricing for its tickets . This means certain days are cheaper than others and time of the year plays a factor in what you will pay. Also be aware prices could change in the future . Disney World has a history of increasing ticket prices based on specific months and there were some hidden price increases this year as well. AllEars.net has a historical database with ticket price information since 1971.

While the ticket price range is set for the year, single day prices are subject to fluctuate within that window based on demand. We have seen some days get moved into a higher ticket price bracket, meaning those days are deemed more in “demand” and made more expensive than they were during the previous year. Regarding fluctuation, don’t expect the prices to decrease any time soon . Just this summer, Disney CEO Bob Iger said, “Pricing is not an issue.”

With all of that in mind, the best advice we can give is to book park tickets ASAP to lock in existing prices that fit your budget . This keeps you in the clear if prices are raised because your existing rate cannot be modified. To get some perspective on the cheapest days out of the year, click here for our list of the cheapest days at Disney World in 2024 . If you’re curious to know what days might be best the most expensive, click here for days to avoid Disney World in 2024 .

Click here to learn more about hidden PRICE INCREASES at Disney World in 2024

Dining reservations and other extras.

We’ve covered reservations you can make way in advance, but what about reservations like dining and special experiences such as tours and special offerings?

These booking windows are considerably shorter — generally reservations are allowed to be booked 60 days ahead of your trip.

California Grill Meyer Lemon Chiffon Cake

We understand that it can be hard — nay, nearly impossible — to predict when and where you want to eat 60 days in advance. That being said, we still advise you reserve dining times and places as soon as possible. You’d be surprised how quickly reservation times fill up and you’re left scrambling for food — unable to go that restaurant you’ve been dying to try.

Waiting until that 60 day mark to book your entire vacation is also a huge mistake due to the volatile availability of hotel rooms and good ticket prices. Book everything as early as you realistically can to lock in that reservation and best prices. If you have a vacation package, make sure you’re ready to go 60 days from your first day to grab all the dining reservations and/or other special event reservations you want.

If you are unable to get the reservations you wanted, you can still view comprehensive dining availability through the My Disney Experience app and try your luck with that. For quick service restaurants and less-popular dining options, the app will be a huge boon and works well for go-with-the-flow-type families. Reservations for popular restaurants can fill up quickly , though, so your best bet is still booking as early as possible. Sometimes reservations get canceled day of or closer to trip dates, so be sure to check reservation availability periodically and maybe you can get lucky!

Click here to see the 14 BEST Disney World restaurants in 2024

Big Opening and Closing Dates

Finally, you’ll want to consider  BIG dates coming up in 2024 when planning your trip.  You may want to be in person for a special event or avoid a specific ride refurbishment.

Here are a few opening dates you’ll want to be aware of for your 2024 trip, either to avoid or to make a point to visit:

• The Cake Bake Shop will open at Disney’s BoardWalk (Early 2024)
• 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend — January 3rd through 7th, 2024
• Return of the Disney Dining Plan and removal of the Park Pass Reservation system — January 9th, 2024
• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (Mid-January through mid/late February 2024)
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend — February 22nd through 26th, 2024
• EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival (Early March through early July 2024)
• run Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend — April 18th through 21st, 2024
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (Late July through mid November 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Late November 24th through late December 2024)
• Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Late 2024)
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening (Late 2024)
• Redesigned Disney Vacation Club cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (Sometime in 2024)
• Country Bear Jamboree New Show at Magic Kingdom (Sometime in 2024)
• New Star Tours scenes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Sometime in 2024)

Tiana’s Foods Water Tower

In conjunction with openings, it’s important to have refurbishments and closures in mind . Click here for all the latest refurbishment info .

It’s important to note that several hotel pools will be closed in the beginning of the year for some time due to refurbishment and there are indications that the Disney World Skyliner could be closed for near the beginning of the year, as well .

Early in the year, it is also common for Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom to be closed for refurbishment through the winter months. Only one of Disney World’s two water parks  ( Typhoon Lagoon  and  Blizzard Beach ) are open at a time, and we assume Typhoon Lagoon may be closed for refurbishment in 2024 . Both parks will also close for cold weather. Keep in mind each park’s availability and closures are subject to change.

Disney World Skyliner

These are just a few things to consider BEFORE booking a trip to Walt Disney World in 2024. If you take anything from our advice, it should be that the earlier you make the important decisions, the less stress you create for yourself when it’s actually time to take your vacation.

Did we convince you to get a jumpstart on your Disney World vacation planning? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re stressed out at the thought of planning your trip, we encourage you to reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations ! With a wealth of knowledge about vacation planning for Walt Disney World, they can help ease the planning process to make sure you don’t miss a step FOR FREE! Let them help you today!

DON'T DO IT ALONE!

Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.

So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂

GET MORE INFO

Need more help planning your trip?  Click here for the ULTIMATE guide to planning a Disney World vacation , or  click here for our month-by-month guide to planning your trip! Continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney news!

Click here to learn about how your hotel stays will change at Disney World in 2024

Have you already planned a 2024 Disney World trip? How did it go? Tell us in the comments!

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2024 Disney World Bookings to Open Later This Month

2024 Disney World bookings will be opening soon! Vacation packages will go on sale for 2024 dates starting late this month — and there are a lot of changes coming!

We have a lot of changes coming to Disney World in 2024! Starting on January 9th, 2024, Disney will introduce “good-to-go” days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members , select dates where Park Pass reservations will not be required for both groups. Additionally, date-based tickets will no longer require Park Pass reservations starting on that date,  plus the Disney Dining Plan will be available when you purchase a vacation package for dates starting on January 9th. So, when will you be able to book these 2024 Disney World vacations?

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2024 Disney World Bookings Open Later This Month

2024 Disney World vacation bookings will open on May 31st, 2023. Starting then, you can book your 2024 dates for Disney World hotel stays, tickets, and packages. So, what are the changes you’ll want to know?

Disney Dining Plan Returning

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Disney has shared that the Disney Dining Plan will be an option for those staying at Disney World Resort hotels that purchase a vacation package for stays starting January 9th, 2024. Packages will include either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. These packages will open for booking on May 31st, 2023.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, several options of the Disney Dining Plan were available to purchase as an add-on to any Walt Disney World vacation purchased through Disney. But, when the parks reopened, the Dining Plan never returned. While Disney has teased that it would be coming back, we hadn’t been given any confirmed information — until now!

“Good-to-Go” Days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members

Photo by Cliff Wang

Another change for 2024 will be the introduction of “good-to-go” days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members. These will be select days that Passholders and Disney Cast Members will be able to go to the theme parks without needing a Park Pass reservation. Once introduced, these days will be rolled out on an ongoing basis.

This will be in addition to the current Passholder requirements, which allow Passholders to visit any theme park without a Park Pass reservation after 2 PM (except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom). “Good-to-go” days will vary by park, and block out dates for your pass will still apply..

Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours to Continue

Along with Park Pass reservation changes, Disney has also shared that Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours will continue in 2024. Early Theme Park Entry is available to any guest at a Disney World Resort hotel, allowing guests to enter any Disney World theme park 30 minutes prior to opening. Extended Evening Hours is available for guests at Disney World Deluxe Resort hotels or Deluxe Villas, allowing them to stay in the parks an extra two hours after closing on select dates (you can check out the list of dates and availability here ).

Changes Coming to Genie+

While Disney has not shared many details, they  did  share that they are hoping to simplify the Disney Genie+ experience. Specifically, they stated, “We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.”  More details will be released at a later date, so stay tuned!

How to Book Your 2024 Trip to Disney World

Fill out this quick form, and a licensed Destinations to Travel agent will respond within 24 hours! Remember, quotes are FREE — don’t be afraid to ask.

There is no obligation to book! 2024 Disney World bookings open on May 31, 2023, and Destinations to Travel is here to help! 

Not sure if you’re going? You can get a quote today or just get more information about a potential Disney vacation.

Know your dates? Just need advice for now?

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The post 2024 Disney World Bookings to Open Later This Month appeared first on WDW Magazine .