Planning a Trip to Disney World: A Travel Guide

The Walt Disney Resort in Florida covers 25,000 acres. That’s a lot of ground to cover!

The resort contains four theme parks, two water parks, two large entertainment/food districts, and more than two dozen hotels. With so much to do, it can be overwhelming when you are planning a trip to Disney World.

When is the best time to go? What do you absolutely have to see? Where should you stay?

Look no further. We have the best Disney World tips right here.

Planning a Trip to Disney World

There are many factors to consider when planning your Disney World vacation. It’s important to do your research and plan ahead of time for where you want to stay and what you want to do.

The first thing you’ll want to do is decide when to go to Disney World. The busiest times are June to mid-August, Thanksgiving, and Christmas to New Years Day. Plan for a different time of year if you want to avoid the crowds.

Of course, there are special events happening year-round at the resort, so be sure to check out their calendar.

Where to Stay

With 4 theme parks to check out, you may want to plan to be at Disney World for 4 full days. Or you may want to concentrate your efforts on just 1 or 2 parks. Once you make this decision, you can book your lodgings.

The Disney World resort has 25 hotels to choose from. They can be more expensive than hotels outside the property, but they come with some perks.

From the Disney hotels, there are free shuttle buses to all the parks. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you can enter the parks 30 minutes early. In addition, you can book Individual Lightning Lanes at 7 a.m. instead of at the park opening time.

If you choose to stay off-site, you will likely find much less expensive hotels. You’ll need to find transportation to the parks, but you’ll be closer to other area attractions and inexpensive restaurants and shopping.

If you think you are going to begin a tradition of visiting Disney World, you may want to consider joining a Disney Vacation Club (DVC). Through a DVC, you can purchase points to use at properties at the resort. DVC resales are available to purchase points for less.

What to Do

There are many things to do in Disney World. It’s recommended to make an itinerary ahead of time. You don’t want to miss out on the rides and experiences you are most excited about.

If you want to eat at a Disney restaurant with table service, you’ll want to book your seats as soon as possible. Reservations open 60 days in advance.

Your mileage may vary when it comes to which are the best places in Disney World. What appeals to one person may not be as enticing to someone else. If you’re going to Disney with your family or in a group, have a discussion about what you want to do most.

If you want the classic Disney World experience, visit the Magic Kingdom. This is where you’ll find many of the most famous rides: Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, just to name a few.

If you love to travel and visit faraway places, you might want to spend your time at EPCOT. You can visit the United Kingdom, China, and Mexico, among 11 total countries, all in one day.

For animal lovers, visit Animal Kingdom. Here you can go on an African safari, visit the world of the movie Avatar, or ride a rollercoaster through the Himalayas.

Finally, for the movie fans out there, there’s Hollywood Studios. Walk through the worlds of Star Wars, take a ride on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, or visit Toy Story Land.

A Magical Trip

A trip to Disney World can provide memories that will last for a lifetime. When you’re planning a trip to Disney World, take the time to make all your arrangements in advance. Then, when you arrive, you can relax and soak up the experience.

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