Visiting Disney World
Disney World with its vastness requires planning. This guide will attempt to keep things as simple as possible.
Please note, the last time that I visited Disney World was in May 2021. This was at the beginning of the end of all of the Covid/Mask restrictions. The pandemic really did change how one prepares for a trip to the Disney Parks. Please be sure to refer to the Disney World Website which is the ONLY OFFICIAL website for this Disney Park. There are lots of tips/tricks websites (including this one) and YouTube videos that are helpful but are not officially affiliated with Disney. When in doubt, go to the source.
1. Choose Your Dates, Lodging & Pass Type
Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom © Kris Fluck Photography
Like with Disneyland, if crowds are something you want to avoid, then staying away from Disney World during peak travel times (holidays, school vacations like Spring Break) is your best bet. There is no guarantee of crowd free days, however. Everyone offers this tip and while it’s a good one, others are taking the advice too. But as a general rule of thumb, avoiding the peak travel times is a good place to start. If you want to avoid the heat that makes walking 10+ miles a day in the sweltering Florida sun miserable, then opt for winter month travel. One of the most pleasant trips I ever took to Disney World was in February. There were actually times when I was cold so packing a light jacket is recommended!
REMEMBER!
When choosing your dates to visit Disney World, always check the availability calendar to see if the park(s) that you want to visit are open to new reservations. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER ALL OF THE PARKS AT DISNEY WORLD.
Consider your budget… First figure out how much you’re willing to spend. Are you driving or flying? Those costs are all part of it and that will determine where you will stay. Staying at a resort property is highly recommended. They come with their own perks and honestly, the value is worth it. That being said, I haven’t ever stayed off property (unless you count the Swan and Dolphin Resort which is actually VERY good. They are NOT a Disney property BUT they use the Disney transportation system and that in and of itself is worth checking them out. Plus they are within walking distance to Epcot & Hollywood Studios, too). One day I would like to try renting a house. I do think that doing something like that would be worth checking out, especially if you’re traveling with a large group where you (1) want to conserve costs and (2) stick together. There is something to be said for the private amenities of a rental home.
BUT.. if you’re going to Disney World for the first time and/or you’re traveling with a regular sized family group then staying on property is where it’s at. Disney World offers LOTS of options from value resorts on up to the deluxe. Naturally value resorts will be further away and not really offer any views of the any of the parks but they all use the Disney transportation system include the Disney Sky Liner which has a stop at the Disney Pop Century and Art of Animation Resort. The Skyliner takes you directly to Hollywood Studios and/or Epcot.
Perks of staying on property include Early Entry, package delivery, free use of the transportation system (not including the Minnie Vans), Magic Band entry to your room and charging purchases & food with your Magic Band. Unlike Disneyland where having a Magic Band is optional, you will need/want one for Disney World. Pretty much everything is controlled with your Magic Band and they have added so many magical extras that having the band is just fun! I, personally love it – especially if you end up purchasing the Memory Maker which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
The best place to start in planning your Disney World Vacation is on the Disney World website. You can compare resorts and build your package which will include your lodging and passes into the parks. Watch for specials that they do like offering dining plans. They haven’t been doing those since returning to full service after the pandemic but they are very popular and demand may encourage them to offer them again. I love the dining plans so I hope they bring them back. Dining plans used to include 2 snacks, 2 quick service meals and 1 sit down restaurant per person per day. That’s a lot of food and since it can cost upwards of $100 per person per day to eat at Disney World your costs add up significantly so by including this as part of their packages, it is a huge value. If you can score one of these packages, do not hesitate. Crossing my fingers they’ll make a comeback!! Another option for planning your stay is to visit Get Away Today. They can help you find the best resort for your group at the best prices plus they frequently offer deals such as buy 5 days, get 2 free.
I do recommend getting a package that includes your lodging and passes. It’s not required but it just makes things easier. Like Disneyland, you can choose to have park hoppers or not. The thing about Disney World is that it’s HUGE. LIKE MASSIVE and it will take upwards of an hour to hop to a different park. So if you haven’t been before, hopping may not be cost effective. Give yourself a full day in each park to try each one out but keep in mind that some close earlier than others (like Animal Kingdom) so you will want to maximize the earlier hours and reserve the later hours for checking out Downtown Disney (shopping district) or enjoying the amenities of your resort. Not getting the park hopper option WILL save you money.
2. Genie + or Nah?
Disney World utilizes the Genie Service just like Disneyland. You will need to add Genie+ at the beginning of each day you want to use the service. Genie+ is a same-day ride reservation system and selections can be made starting at 7 am for everyone, regardless of whether you’re on-site, off-site, Annual Passholder, DVC, etc.
First, download the My Disney Experience App. You’re going to need it.
Like at Disneyland, there are rides that are not on the Genie+ system and the only way to jump to the head of the line on those attractions is to buy the individual lightning lanes. These are price per ride and the cost depends on the demand. It can cost upwards of $20 per person EXTRA to ride one of these rides if you don’t want to wait in the stand by line.
When used strategically, the Genie+ service can save you lots of time plus it also gives you access to your daily photopass downloads without a watermark, which I love. BUT, remember if you don’t use it, you can still purchase the Memory Maker and in addition to the photos you take on rides and with Photopass Castmembers, the Memory Maker will also send you loads of Disney related images of the parks and some characters AND some surprises like ride videos starring YOU!
Remember, Genie+ can only be purchased on the day you visit and you cannot pre-purchase the service. Consider this as part of your daily budget if you want to get this service and remember that during peak travel times, the service can and has on many occasions SOLD OUT.
Check in with Molly with Mammoth Club, a Walt Disney World EXPERT. She has tips on how to use Genie+ efficiently and during those busy times like Spring Break!
3. Should You Do an After Hours Event?
The above photo was taken at an After Hours Event at Magic Kingdom in 2018. The park was SO empty. Rides were walk ons and many times we were the only ones on the ride. This photo is one of our family’s absolute favorite pictures. We still laugh about this ride on Pirates of the Caribbean because we literally had the ride to ourselves and the night was just the perfect night. Who doesn’t dream of being able to rent out the park for the night and have it all to yourselves? I know I do but who can afford that? This was the next best thing and we LOVED IT.
But… the thing to remember is that these After Hours events cost additional money. They are a separate ticketed event and even though we had virtually zero crowds, it doesn’t mean you will have the same experience. I am willing to bet that at smaller parks like Hollywood Studios these types of events feel much more crowded and with less attractions to go on, it may not be worth the cost and headache of dealing with the sea of humanity. But, if you’re opting to save money by not doing park hoppers, then maybe that money can be better spent on extra special things like an After Hours event. They DO limit the number of tickets sold and they do offer up activities, merchandise and food that you don’t get on an ordinary day visiting the parks. You also get a special kind of ambiance going to the park at night. There is a different energy and sometimes indulging in the out of the ordinary is totally worth the extra expense.
© DISNEY
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