Friday, May 31, 2019
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Booking Airfare and Transportation to Walt Disney World
The main airport that most visitors fly into is Orlando International Airport (MCO) which is located about 20 miles from Disney World. MCO is designed in a way that the gates are in 1 of 4 "satellite" buildings and visitors ride the tram to get to and from the main terminal.
Another airport option is Orlando Sanford International (SFB) which just serves a few airlines. It is located about 35 miles from Disney World. Rental cars, Ubers, taxis and limos are available to travel from Sanford to Disney World but Magical Express isn't an option.
For finding cheap airfare, I recommend checking Kayak.com and then booking your flight with the airline directly. Another great site is ITA Software by Google. You can’t book through ITA, but it gives you more options in choosing multiple airports to see if nearby airports might offer better pricing, and allows you to check out a calendar of dates for travel, among other things.
There isn't an airfare research tool that can search the low airfare airlines like Southwest or Allegiant so you need to research those separately. Go to those airlines' websites to look up their pricing.
If you’re not booking a trip for set dates but are willing to travel whenever a deal pops up, another great option is Airfarewatchdog. You can signup for their deal alerts for trips between two cities. We opt for their daily email, which provides listings for the cheapest future airfare to numerous destinations departing out of our home airport.
When visiting Walt Disney World, you’ll also need to determine whether to rent a car. If you’re not visiting other destinations outside of Walt Disney World, you might not need to waste the money on one. Walt Disney World provides complimentary transportation to the parks from your Disney resort and even to and from the airport via Disney's Magical Express, however, keep in mind Disney transportation can take a lot of time.
If you are looking to venture off property once or twice during your stay, an alternative to renting a car is a taxi or an Uber, which would definitely be cheaper than renting a car.
If you are not staying at one of the Disney resorts, your hotel may offer shuttle services to and from the different parks (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, etc). Historically our experience has been that these shuttles are very limited in schedule so you may want to look into renting a car.
Another airport option is Orlando Sanford International (SFB) which just serves a few airlines. It is located about 35 miles from Disney World. Rental cars, Ubers, taxis and limos are available to travel from Sanford to Disney World but Magical Express isn't an option.
For finding cheap airfare, I recommend checking Kayak.com and then booking your flight with the airline directly. Another great site is ITA Software by Google. You can’t book through ITA, but it gives you more options in choosing multiple airports to see if nearby airports might offer better pricing, and allows you to check out a calendar of dates for travel, among other things.
There isn't an airfare research tool that can search the low airfare airlines like Southwest or Allegiant so you need to research those separately. Go to those airlines' websites to look up their pricing.
If you’re not booking a trip for set dates but are willing to travel whenever a deal pops up, another great option is Airfarewatchdog. You can signup for their deal alerts for trips between two cities. We opt for their daily email, which provides listings for the cheapest future airfare to numerous destinations departing out of our home airport.
When visiting Walt Disney World, you’ll also need to determine whether to rent a car. If you’re not visiting other destinations outside of Walt Disney World, you might not need to waste the money on one. Walt Disney World provides complimentary transportation to the parks from your Disney resort and even to and from the airport via Disney's Magical Express, however, keep in mind Disney transportation can take a lot of time.
If you are looking to venture off property once or twice during your stay, an alternative to renting a car is a taxi or an Uber, which would definitely be cheaper than renting a car.
If you are not staying at one of the Disney resorts, your hotel may offer shuttle services to and from the different parks (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, etc). Historically our experience has been that these shuttles are very limited in schedule so you may want to look into renting a car.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Where to Stay When Visiting Walt Disney World
One important decision you will make as you plan your trip to Walt Disney World, is whether to stay on-site at a Disney resort or off-site at one of the many hotels in the surrounding area. The purpose of this page is to offer some suggestions as to what criteria might be considered when making such a decision and to summarize the main advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Things to Consider When Making Your Choice
When attempting to make the choice of staying on-site or off-site, it is helpful to know the answers to the following questions:
- What is my budget?
- How far in advance am I planning?
- How many people are in my party and what are their ages?
- Do we want to all stay together in one room or suite or villa?
- What hotel amenities are important to me?
- Will I have my car/rental car?
- Will I be spending most of my time visiting Disney attractions, or will I be visiting non-Disney attractions too?
Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Choice
Off-site Advantages:
- Generally better/larger accommodations for the same or a lower price.
- More likely to find rooms in your desired price range at the last minute.
- Better access to restaurants, shopping and other non-Disney attractions.
- NOT immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
- Some hotels offer scheduled shuttle service to the parks.
- Some hotels offer free breakfasts.
- Many off-site hotels offer discounts to non-Disney attractions and restaurants.
Off-site Disadvantages:
- Getting to and from the parks may be more difficult. This is more important if one plans to take afternoon breaks from the parks.
- On peak holidays parking lot(s) at WDW might be closed.
- Quality of the rooms varies; as does service.
- Off-site guests must pay for parking at Disney theme parks if they drive unless they have an Annual Passport.
- Shuttle service is limited at many hotels, some hotels share shuttles making the service very slow and/or crowded, and some hotels charge for using their shuttle service.
- Hotel staff may be less familiar with Disney property.
On-site Advantages:
- Getting to and from the parks is generally easier. This is more important if one plans to take afternoon breaks.
- Immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
- Disney resorts offer wonderful theming.
- Disney staff provides excellent service.
- Properties are always clean and well-maintained.
- Priority on tee times on Disney golf courses.
- Room-charge privileges throughout WDW.
- Ability to purchase Magic Your Way tickets.
- Merchandise delivery to your Disney hotel.
- Access to WDW's closed circuit TV information channels.
- Unlimited use of WDW transportation system.
- Magical Express transportation to/from airport to WDW Resort at no charge
- Able to purchase Disney Dining Plan.
On-site Disadvantages:
- Rooms are more expensive.
- Availability of budget-priced rooms is limited, especially at the last minute.
- Dining is generally more expensive.
- Getting to and from area's non-Disney attractions may be more difficult.
- Going from resort to resort relying on Disney Transportation can be long and/or a hassle.
Ultimately the choice to stay onsite at a Disney resort or off-site all depends on what is right for you and your family.
Things to Consider When Making Your Choice
When attempting to make the choice of staying on-site or off-site, it is helpful to know the answers to the following questions:
- What is my budget?
- How far in advance am I planning?
- How many people are in my party and what are their ages?
- Do we want to all stay together in one room or suite or villa?
- What hotel amenities are important to me?
- Will I have my car/rental car?
- Will I be spending most of my time visiting Disney attractions, or will I be visiting non-Disney attractions too?
Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Choice
Off-site Advantages:
- Generally better/larger accommodations for the same or a lower price.
- More likely to find rooms in your desired price range at the last minute.
- Better access to restaurants, shopping and other non-Disney attractions.
- NOT immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
- Some hotels offer scheduled shuttle service to the parks.
- Some hotels offer free breakfasts.
- Many off-site hotels offer discounts to non-Disney attractions and restaurants.
Off-site Disadvantages:
- Getting to and from the parks may be more difficult. This is more important if one plans to take afternoon breaks from the parks.
- On peak holidays parking lot(s) at WDW might be closed.
- Quality of the rooms varies; as does service.
- Off-site guests must pay for parking at Disney theme parks if they drive unless they have an Annual Passport.
- Shuttle service is limited at many hotels, some hotels share shuttles making the service very slow and/or crowded, and some hotels charge for using their shuttle service.
- Hotel staff may be less familiar with Disney property.
On-site Advantages:
- Getting to and from the parks is generally easier. This is more important if one plans to take afternoon breaks.
- Immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
- Disney resorts offer wonderful theming.
- Disney staff provides excellent service.
- Properties are always clean and well-maintained.
- Priority on tee times on Disney golf courses.
- Room-charge privileges throughout WDW.
- Ability to purchase Magic Your Way tickets.
- Merchandise delivery to your Disney hotel.
- Access to WDW's closed circuit TV information channels.
- Unlimited use of WDW transportation system.
- Magical Express transportation to/from airport to WDW Resort at no charge
- Able to purchase Disney Dining Plan.
On-site Disadvantages:
- Rooms are more expensive.
- Availability of budget-priced rooms is limited, especially at the last minute.
- Dining is generally more expensive.
- Getting to and from area's non-Disney attractions may be more difficult.
- Going from resort to resort relying on Disney Transportation can be long and/or a hassle.
Ultimately the choice to stay onsite at a Disney resort or off-site all depends on what is right for you and your family.
Monday, May 27, 2019
How to Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Planning a Disney World vacation requires some research. Walt Disney World is a huge place (47 square miles — that’s almost twice as large as Manhattan!) with so many things to do and see that even after more than 30 visits, we have not begun to do it all.
Just a quick summary of SOME of what’s available at Disney World:
• 4 major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• 2 water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• Over 25 resort hotels
• 5 golf courses
• 2 mini-golf courses
• numerous lakes offering water sports, boating and fishing
• 2 dinner shows
• BoardWalk entertainment district
• Disney Springs shopping and dining district
So it’s not surprising that you’re a little confused about where to begin.
You’ll need to decide the following, in roughly this order:
1. When you’re going
See when is the best time to go to Disney World for hints on the best and worst times of year for planning a Disney World vacation. Obviously your budget, kids’ school schedules and other factors will influence your decision as well.
2. What you’re going to do when you get there
Seems kind of early in the planning process, doesn’t it? I mean, you haven’t even decided on a hotel yet! Well, trust me, you need to do some research before you go any further. There is so much to do, and everyone does something slightly different. Depending on the parks and attractions you want to visit, you may find certain hotels and resorts are much more convenient.
If you need some help with planning, I offer a planning service through Fiverr where I provide you with the perfect personalized 4 park itinerary for your trip to WDW and can customize it with shows, entertainment and dining suggestions based on the dates of your trip.
3. How long you’re staying
You probably thought that was part of #1 above, didn’t you? But after you learn how much there is to do, you may re-think your plans.
If you want to visit all four theme parks and actually experience the majority of the attractions, parades and shows, you will need at least 5 full days! (Epcot can easily take 2 days all by itself, because in a sense it’s the equivalent of 2 theme parks: Future World and World Showcase).
If you would like to do the major attractions at the theme parks without racing around like a maniac, or you want to try some of the “extras,” like water parks or golf, allow more days. In fact, I believe a one-week trip is optimum for a first-timer who wants to enjoy the full experience. Tickets are the most expensive part of most people’s Disney World vacations, and Disney has set up its ticket pricing to encourage trips longer than 4 days: 7-day tickets don’t cost that much more than 4-day tickets.
4. How you’re getting there
Whether you plan to go on your Disney vacation by plane, train or automobile, it can be challenging to find the most economical way to get to your destination — and then you need to figure out how you’re going to get around while you are there!
If you will be flying to Florida, it is a good idea to start checking out airfares right away, and keep checking them. The fares fluctuate wildly and if you catch a good one, you’ll need to grab it quickly.
5. What kind of theme park tickets to buy
Because Walt Disney World tickets are so expensive (you’ll probably spend more on tickets than you will on your hotel room) this is a critical decision. Look over your itinerary, get out your calculator, take a look at the prices and figure out which tickets make sense for your situation.
While there are discounted tickets available from authorized ticket resellers like AAA/CAA, Undercover Tourist, and Maple Leaf Tickets in Canada, keep in mind that discounts are small for the most part; you’re probably going to have to pay 80%-95% of full price in most cases.
6. Where you will be staying
First you’ll have to decide whether to stay at an official Disney resort, or at a nearby “off-property” resort. This is a complex decision for many people, to say the least. Keep in mind that while we use the term “off-property” to describe the non-Disney hotels, many of them are quite close and some are actually physically located on Disney-owned land. They just aren’t owned and run by Disney.
Each of the official Disney resorts is unique and special, and the ability to leave the real world behind and experience the Disney magic 24/7 is part of the fun for many people. The Deluxe Disney resorts are especially stunning. When you stay at a Disney resort hotel, you get FREE transfers to and from the airport via Disney’s Magical Express, access to Extra Magic Hours and some other perks. Staying at a Disney resort gives you direct access to the Disney buses, boats and monorails so you can take a break from driving. The Disney resorts have much larger pools and more recreation options than most off-site hotels.
If you are trying to save as much money as possible, an off-property resort is usually going to be the best value. Families of 5 or more usually find that off-property resorts are an especially good deal, because most of the 5-person options at Disney’s resorts are quite pricey. Good off-property hotels often have larger rooms with more amenities than the official Disney hotels (especially compared to the Value and Moderate resorts, which have standard rooms that feel a bit motel-like). A quality off-property hotel will have service at least as good as a Disney resort, and a “luxury” hotel like the Waldorf Astoria Orlando will typically have better service. If you stay off-property, you will probably want to rent a car, which is an additional expense, but it is generally a faster and better way to get around than the Disney transportation system.
The bottom line is that you can have an excellent vacation staying either on or off property. I have done it both ways multiple times, and can assure you there are no right or wrong answers. I recommend exploring both options and figuring the bottom-line price and what you get with each. If you can afford to stay more days with one option, we recommend going that way; we’ll always advocate for staying longer if you can swing it. If neither one jumps out as being obviously better for you and this is your “once in a lifetime” trip, we’d go with a Disney resort just to get the full experience. If you think you’ll come back, just pick one option at random; you can always try it the other way on your next visit.
If you’re considering an on-site resort stay, you will want to see some photos and details about Disney’s resorts. Disney’s own disneyworld.com website is a good basic resource.
If you decide to stay on-site, there are discounts available at certain times of year for Disney’s resorts as well as discounts on Disney’s vacation packages. If you will be staying for 5 nights or more at a Disney resort, that’s a big investment and we hope you’ll seriously consider contacting a Disney Specialist travel agent such as myself. It costs you nothing to have someone else keep track of all the resort discounts and find you the best deal. They will even rebook your resort reservations if a better discount becomes available.
If you’re considering non-Disney/off-site hotels — and it’s worth considering, especially if you are on a tight budget and/or have a family of 5 or more — we have visited dozens around Walt Disney World and can help you choose the perfect hotel for your family.
7. How you’re getting from the airport to your hotel (if you’re flying)
There are lots of options.
If you are staying at a Disney resort, Walt Disney World Resort offers a FREE airport shuttle service called Disney’s Magical Express that includes a complimentary airport shuttle bus to and from the Disney resorts*, and luggage delivery from your home airport directly to your Disney resort hotel room (as long as you arrive between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm).
If you are staying at a non-Disney/off-site hotel, one option is to use an airport shuttle — a shared van or bus service that runs at scheduled times between the airport and your hotel. You will need to check if this is offered by your hotel as not all hotels offer this service.
Another option if you will not be staying at a Disney-owned and -operated hotel, is booking Mears Shuttle. When arriving, you don’t really need to make a reservation (though it still may be helpful during peak season). There’s a Mears desk in the airport and you can walk up and arrange to go on the next shuttle. When going back to the airport, you will need to arrange a pickup time with Mears. You tell Mears when your flight leaves, and they assign you a pickup time. They’re generally pretty good about arriving close to that time and getting you to the airport in time for your flight. Transfers between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney World-area resorts are $37 roundtrip for adults (12 and older) and $28 for kids ages 4-11, plus tip. Kids 3 and under are free.
Unfortunately, Mears can be slow, since you will have to wait for the shuttle (which is often a big bus) to pick up numerous passengers and take them to their individual hotels. Allow about 90 minutes from the time you get off the plane until you arrive at your hotel. (Direct driving time is 20-30 minutes.)
Other options include a shared shuttle van service or towncar/limo transfer
That’s it!
Seriously, everything else is “gravy.” You can make reservations for your meals, book special events and do all kinds of other planning, but these are the basics. Enjoy your planning!
Start planning your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They’ll help you get the best price for your vacation, share their expert advice and their services are totally FREE!
Just a quick summary of SOME of what’s available at Disney World:
• 4 major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• 2 water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• Over 25 resort hotels
• 5 golf courses
• 2 mini-golf courses
• numerous lakes offering water sports, boating and fishing
• 2 dinner shows
• BoardWalk entertainment district
• Disney Springs shopping and dining district
So it’s not surprising that you’re a little confused about where to begin.
You’ll need to decide the following, in roughly this order:
1. When you’re going
See when is the best time to go to Disney World for hints on the best and worst times of year for planning a Disney World vacation. Obviously your budget, kids’ school schedules and other factors will influence your decision as well.
2. What you’re going to do when you get there
Seems kind of early in the planning process, doesn’t it? I mean, you haven’t even decided on a hotel yet! Well, trust me, you need to do some research before you go any further. There is so much to do, and everyone does something slightly different. Depending on the parks and attractions you want to visit, you may find certain hotels and resorts are much more convenient.
If you need some help with planning, I offer a planning service through Fiverr where I provide you with the perfect personalized 4 park itinerary for your trip to WDW and can customize it with shows, entertainment and dining suggestions based on the dates of your trip.
3. How long you’re staying
You probably thought that was part of #1 above, didn’t you? But after you learn how much there is to do, you may re-think your plans.
If you want to visit all four theme parks and actually experience the majority of the attractions, parades and shows, you will need at least 5 full days! (Epcot can easily take 2 days all by itself, because in a sense it’s the equivalent of 2 theme parks: Future World and World Showcase).
If you would like to do the major attractions at the theme parks without racing around like a maniac, or you want to try some of the “extras,” like water parks or golf, allow more days. In fact, I believe a one-week trip is optimum for a first-timer who wants to enjoy the full experience. Tickets are the most expensive part of most people’s Disney World vacations, and Disney has set up its ticket pricing to encourage trips longer than 4 days: 7-day tickets don’t cost that much more than 4-day tickets.
4. How you’re getting there
Whether you plan to go on your Disney vacation by plane, train or automobile, it can be challenging to find the most economical way to get to your destination — and then you need to figure out how you’re going to get around while you are there!
If you will be flying to Florida, it is a good idea to start checking out airfares right away, and keep checking them. The fares fluctuate wildly and if you catch a good one, you’ll need to grab it quickly.
5. What kind of theme park tickets to buy
Because Walt Disney World tickets are so expensive (you’ll probably spend more on tickets than you will on your hotel room) this is a critical decision. Look over your itinerary, get out your calculator, take a look at the prices and figure out which tickets make sense for your situation.
While there are discounted tickets available from authorized ticket resellers like AAA/CAA, Undercover Tourist, and Maple Leaf Tickets in Canada, keep in mind that discounts are small for the most part; you’re probably going to have to pay 80%-95% of full price in most cases.
6. Where you will be staying
First you’ll have to decide whether to stay at an official Disney resort, or at a nearby “off-property” resort. This is a complex decision for many people, to say the least. Keep in mind that while we use the term “off-property” to describe the non-Disney hotels, many of them are quite close and some are actually physically located on Disney-owned land. They just aren’t owned and run by Disney.
Each of the official Disney resorts is unique and special, and the ability to leave the real world behind and experience the Disney magic 24/7 is part of the fun for many people. The Deluxe Disney resorts are especially stunning. When you stay at a Disney resort hotel, you get FREE transfers to and from the airport via Disney’s Magical Express, access to Extra Magic Hours and some other perks. Staying at a Disney resort gives you direct access to the Disney buses, boats and monorails so you can take a break from driving. The Disney resorts have much larger pools and more recreation options than most off-site hotels.
If you are trying to save as much money as possible, an off-property resort is usually going to be the best value. Families of 5 or more usually find that off-property resorts are an especially good deal, because most of the 5-person options at Disney’s resorts are quite pricey. Good off-property hotels often have larger rooms with more amenities than the official Disney hotels (especially compared to the Value and Moderate resorts, which have standard rooms that feel a bit motel-like). A quality off-property hotel will have service at least as good as a Disney resort, and a “luxury” hotel like the Waldorf Astoria Orlando will typically have better service. If you stay off-property, you will probably want to rent a car, which is an additional expense, but it is generally a faster and better way to get around than the Disney transportation system.
The bottom line is that you can have an excellent vacation staying either on or off property. I have done it both ways multiple times, and can assure you there are no right or wrong answers. I recommend exploring both options and figuring the bottom-line price and what you get with each. If you can afford to stay more days with one option, we recommend going that way; we’ll always advocate for staying longer if you can swing it. If neither one jumps out as being obviously better for you and this is your “once in a lifetime” trip, we’d go with a Disney resort just to get the full experience. If you think you’ll come back, just pick one option at random; you can always try it the other way on your next visit.
If you’re considering an on-site resort stay, you will want to see some photos and details about Disney’s resorts. Disney’s own disneyworld.com website is a good basic resource.
If you decide to stay on-site, there are discounts available at certain times of year for Disney’s resorts as well as discounts on Disney’s vacation packages. If you will be staying for 5 nights or more at a Disney resort, that’s a big investment and we hope you’ll seriously consider contacting a Disney Specialist travel agent such as myself. It costs you nothing to have someone else keep track of all the resort discounts and find you the best deal. They will even rebook your resort reservations if a better discount becomes available.
If you’re considering non-Disney/off-site hotels — and it’s worth considering, especially if you are on a tight budget and/or have a family of 5 or more — we have visited dozens around Walt Disney World and can help you choose the perfect hotel for your family.
7. How you’re getting from the airport to your hotel (if you’re flying)
There are lots of options.
If you are staying at a Disney resort, Walt Disney World Resort offers a FREE airport shuttle service called Disney’s Magical Express that includes a complimentary airport shuttle bus to and from the Disney resorts*, and luggage delivery from your home airport directly to your Disney resort hotel room (as long as you arrive between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm).
If you are staying at a non-Disney/off-site hotel, one option is to use an airport shuttle — a shared van or bus service that runs at scheduled times between the airport and your hotel. You will need to check if this is offered by your hotel as not all hotels offer this service.
Another option if you will not be staying at a Disney-owned and -operated hotel, is booking Mears Shuttle. When arriving, you don’t really need to make a reservation (though it still may be helpful during peak season). There’s a Mears desk in the airport and you can walk up and arrange to go on the next shuttle. When going back to the airport, you will need to arrange a pickup time with Mears. You tell Mears when your flight leaves, and they assign you a pickup time. They’re generally pretty good about arriving close to that time and getting you to the airport in time for your flight. Transfers between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney World-area resorts are $37 roundtrip for adults (12 and older) and $28 for kids ages 4-11, plus tip. Kids 3 and under are free.
Unfortunately, Mears can be slow, since you will have to wait for the shuttle (which is often a big bus) to pick up numerous passengers and take them to their individual hotels. Allow about 90 minutes from the time you get off the plane until you arrive at your hotel. (Direct driving time is 20-30 minutes.)
Other options include a shared shuttle van service or towncar/limo transfer
That’s it!
Seriously, everything else is “gravy.” You can make reservations for your meals, book special events and do all kinds of other planning, but these are the basics. Enjoy your planning!
Start planning your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They’ll help you get the best price for your vacation, share their expert advice and their services are totally FREE!
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World During Peak Times
Although Walt Disney World commercials can make you believe that crowds, lines, and not-so-magical people are non-existent, they are a reality of visiting Disney during “peak seasons.” Don’t fear though, it is possible to still enjoy the parks during popular vacations times with these tips.
1. Patience
This is probably the most important thing to bring (besides clothing) when visiting the parks. Lines will be plenty, and attractions that may usually not have a line could surprise you.
2. Arrive early, or stay late
For events like Christmas, New Year’s and the Fourth of July where specialty nighttime fireworks are the main draw, you should plan to arrive early (think park opening) and stay until the end of the day. On days like New Year’s, plan to arrive shortly at the Magic Kingdom early (think 7 am) that way you can hopefully be able to experience quite a few attractions before crowds are noticeably heavier at around 10 am. On other crowded days, typically crowds can thin out towards the end of the day, especially after the first parade and fireworks (if the nighttime parade runs twice).
3. Have (somewhat) of a plan
This can be something as simple as scheduling FastPass+ selections ahead of time, or as complex as a step-by-step plan that maps out your entire day. It doesn’t take much for walkways to become congested, and you don’t want to be that party stopped in the middle of the sidewalk wondering “what now?”
4. Manage Your Expectations
Going in, know that the parks are going to be a little…cozy. Remember that pretty much every attraction is going to have a considerable line, and people will be everywhere. Enjoy the day for what it is – eg: spending New Year’s Eve at the Magic Kingdom. And even though you will spend that day with tens of thousands of your “closest” friends, there was still plenty of “Disney Magic” to be found in the park.
5. HAVE FUN!
It's not uncommon for parks like the Magic Kingdom to reach some stages of crowd closure during peak time. Your day is what you make of it – even though the crowds may be big, knowing you may not experience everything will keep smiles on your faces.
6. Stay On Property
There are many benefits for staying at a Walt Disney World resort. Not only do you get to stay at a uniquely themed hotel, but you are also eligible for several great Disney perks. Free transportation is provided to nearly anywhere you would want to go on Disney property. As a Walt Disney World hotel guests, you can also take advantage of extra time in the parks through Extra Magic Hours.
7. Eat At Off-Hours
The lines at quick service restaurants around Walt Disney World can get quite long at common dining times. To avoid these long lines and get the most out of your time at Disney, I recommend eating at unusual times. This trick also works great if you’re having trouble getting the ADR you want. Since most people will eat at the normal times, you may have more luck requesting an ADR at an off-hour. If you do get hungry prior to lunch or dinner, just grab a snack to tide you over until meal time.
8. Find Your Parade Viewing Location Early
The parades at Walt Disney World are popular. In order to get a great viewing location, you will need to arrive early (about an hour to 1/2 hour ahead of time).
9. Character Dining
The lines to meet characters in the parks can get quite long, especially for characters from newer films. Waiting in these lines can take up a good bit of time which could be spent visiting attractions. A great way to avoid these long lines but still get to meet your favorite characters is to make ADRs for character dining.
10. Go To Popular Attractions First
When you arrive at the parks in the morning, be sure to visit some of the more popular attractions first. For the first hour or two the parks are open, many of the popular attractions will have a much shorter wait than they will later in the day.
11. Take advantage of FastPass+
Disney World's FastPass+ service lets you pre-book attractions up to 60 days or 30 days in advance, depending on whether you are staying onsite or not. You only get a certain number of ride or entertainment selections per day from any one park. If you will be visiting Disney World during spring break, you definitely want to book those rides as soon as you can! And make sure to buy your tickets far enough in advance so that you can book your FastPass+ selections when your reservation window opens.
12. Think about Renting a Car
While Disney World offers complimentary transportation, wait times can be long during peak times. Buses (or boats, or monorail cars) can fill quickly, and you may find yourself waiting for a second or third bus before you can board. Having a rental or driving your own car gives you the convenience of going anywhere at any time.
13. Watch Fireworks from Outside the Parks
Magic Kingdom fireworks shows are viewable from the Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the beaches at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center, and on the boat ride between Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness. Epcot fireworks can be seen from the bridge that connects Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District and Disney's Yacht & Beach Club. You don't have to be staying at the hotels to watch the fireworks from them.
14. Be flexible
While I love when a great plan comes together, I know when it’s OK to alter that plan and change course. Take occasional “temperature” checks of everyone’s energy levels and attitudes. If you have to cut something short or go to a different park than you planned, don’t sweat it. It’s about quality not quantity.
1. Patience
This is probably the most important thing to bring (besides clothing) when visiting the parks. Lines will be plenty, and attractions that may usually not have a line could surprise you.
2. Arrive early, or stay late
For events like Christmas, New Year’s and the Fourth of July where specialty nighttime fireworks are the main draw, you should plan to arrive early (think park opening) and stay until the end of the day. On days like New Year’s, plan to arrive shortly at the Magic Kingdom early (think 7 am) that way you can hopefully be able to experience quite a few attractions before crowds are noticeably heavier at around 10 am. On other crowded days, typically crowds can thin out towards the end of the day, especially after the first parade and fireworks (if the nighttime parade runs twice).
3. Have (somewhat) of a plan
This can be something as simple as scheduling FastPass+ selections ahead of time, or as complex as a step-by-step plan that maps out your entire day. It doesn’t take much for walkways to become congested, and you don’t want to be that party stopped in the middle of the sidewalk wondering “what now?”
4. Manage Your Expectations
Going in, know that the parks are going to be a little…cozy. Remember that pretty much every attraction is going to have a considerable line, and people will be everywhere. Enjoy the day for what it is – eg: spending New Year’s Eve at the Magic Kingdom. And even though you will spend that day with tens of thousands of your “closest” friends, there was still plenty of “Disney Magic” to be found in the park.
5. HAVE FUN!
It's not uncommon for parks like the Magic Kingdom to reach some stages of crowd closure during peak time. Your day is what you make of it – even though the crowds may be big, knowing you may not experience everything will keep smiles on your faces.
6. Stay On Property
There are many benefits for staying at a Walt Disney World resort. Not only do you get to stay at a uniquely themed hotel, but you are also eligible for several great Disney perks. Free transportation is provided to nearly anywhere you would want to go on Disney property. As a Walt Disney World hotel guests, you can also take advantage of extra time in the parks through Extra Magic Hours.
7. Eat At Off-Hours
The lines at quick service restaurants around Walt Disney World can get quite long at common dining times. To avoid these long lines and get the most out of your time at Disney, I recommend eating at unusual times. This trick also works great if you’re having trouble getting the ADR you want. Since most people will eat at the normal times, you may have more luck requesting an ADR at an off-hour. If you do get hungry prior to lunch or dinner, just grab a snack to tide you over until meal time.
8. Find Your Parade Viewing Location Early
The parades at Walt Disney World are popular. In order to get a great viewing location, you will need to arrive early (about an hour to 1/2 hour ahead of time).
9. Character Dining
The lines to meet characters in the parks can get quite long, especially for characters from newer films. Waiting in these lines can take up a good bit of time which could be spent visiting attractions. A great way to avoid these long lines but still get to meet your favorite characters is to make ADRs for character dining.
10. Go To Popular Attractions First
When you arrive at the parks in the morning, be sure to visit some of the more popular attractions first. For the first hour or two the parks are open, many of the popular attractions will have a much shorter wait than they will later in the day.
11. Take advantage of FastPass+
Disney World's FastPass+ service lets you pre-book attractions up to 60 days or 30 days in advance, depending on whether you are staying onsite or not. You only get a certain number of ride or entertainment selections per day from any one park. If you will be visiting Disney World during spring break, you definitely want to book those rides as soon as you can! And make sure to buy your tickets far enough in advance so that you can book your FastPass+ selections when your reservation window opens.
12. Think about Renting a Car
While Disney World offers complimentary transportation, wait times can be long during peak times. Buses (or boats, or monorail cars) can fill quickly, and you may find yourself waiting for a second or third bus before you can board. Having a rental or driving your own car gives you the convenience of going anywhere at any time.
13. Watch Fireworks from Outside the Parks
Magic Kingdom fireworks shows are viewable from the Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the beaches at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center, and on the boat ride between Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness. Epcot fireworks can be seen from the bridge that connects Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District and Disney's Yacht & Beach Club. You don't have to be staying at the hotels to watch the fireworks from them.
14. Be flexible
While I love when a great plan comes together, I know when it’s OK to alter that plan and change course. Take occasional “temperature” checks of everyone’s energy levels and attitudes. If you have to cut something short or go to a different park than you planned, don’t sweat it. It’s about quality not quantity.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
When is the Best Time to go to Walt Disney World?
The BEST times to go to Walt Disney World are:
Mid-November through mid-December (except the week of Thanksgiving). The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the attendance is usually moderate. Expect crowds on Saturdays, especially at the Magic Kingdom. Disney’s resorts typically fill up early for all of December, but this doesn’t necessary translate into huge crowds during early December.
Second week of January through mid-February. It’s cool (sometimes even a bit cold) at this time of year. This is one of the least busy times of year and hotel prices are lower. However, some rides will be closed for refurbishment at this time of year. The first week of January can be busy due to extended holiday vacations and the Walt Disney World Marathon. Avoid any holiday weekends.
First three weeks of May. The weather is warm in May, but usually not unbearably so. Crowds and hotel prices are moderate. Memorial Day weekend will be more crowded, but often not as bad as you might expect.
Late August and entire month of September (even Labor Day weekend). It will be extremely hot, and this is peak hurricane season. Plan on taking afternoons off and visiting water parks. Crowds are low. Off-site hotels usually have their rock-bottom deals during this period, and Disney has offered “free dining” packages in this time frame each year since 2005.
During special events that interest you. Bear in mind that events held on major holidays usually attract significant crowds, however.
The WORST times to visit Walt Disney World are:
December 26-January 1. This is the most crowded and most expensive time of year. Crowds get increasingly bad starting about December 20 and running through the New Year. (If you absolutely must go at this time, check out our Christmas week survival guide.)
Mid-February through mid-April (or later, depending on the date of Easter). Easter week (the weekend of Easter and the following week) is the second most busy time of the year. Holiday weekends in this time frame, such as President’s Day, are also exceptionally busy. Expect big crowds, high resort prices and expensive airfares, but usually very nice weather. This whole period is a peak time due to various overlapping Spring Breaks, though there can be slower periods of a few days here and there, particularly mid-week.
Midsummer (June through early August). Expect it to be very busy and extremely hot, with heavy humidity. To maximize your experience, plan on hitting the parks first thing in the morning. After lunch, take an afternoon break, then return to the park in the late afternoon/early evening. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm is the hottest part of the day and ironically the most crowded, too.
Other holidays. Among the other busy time periods are Thanksgiving week and any national holiday with a 3-day weekend (except Labor Day weekend and to a lesser extent Memorial Day weekend).
During special events. Some don’t create a lot of crowds, but some do.
Some less-known events that may affect crowds, park hours/experiences and/or traffic at Walt Disney World:
Cheerleading/Twirl/Dance Competitions – Various dates each year, especially January-March and end of April, early May. These usually don’t have a lot of impact on the in-park crowds. The issue is that the Value resorts (All-Stars and Pop Century) play host to hordes of girls who can be extremely loud, so you may want to avoid those resorts during competitions.
South American Tour Groups – In January and July each year, large groups of teenagers from Brazil and Argentina descend on Walt Disney World for their school breaks. Some of the groups do a lot of chanting, singing, clapping and shouting. The sheer size of the groups (up to 100 kids in a single group) can make navigating around them difficult.
Mardi Gras Week. February or March (varies annually). Many New Orleans schools have all or part of this week off, so families leave town the weekend before the holiday and head to Disney World in droves. However, this usually doesn’t have a huge influence on the overall crowds, unless it corresponds with another holiday weekend.
“Jersey Week” – Usually the first or second week of November. The New Jersey schools have a teachers’ convention, which is often close to Veterans Day. Lots of people take advantage of this time off to pull their kids out of school for the whole week and add on the weekend before and/or after, taking this opportunity to go to Disney World in the “off season.” New Jersey is the single biggest market for Walt Disney World — you do the math!
ABC’s Very Merry Christmas Day Parade - while the parade is broadcast on December 25th, footage is taped in advance in the Magic Kingdom usually shortly after Thanksgiving. The exact dates are often not released publicly, but they usually leak out a few weeks prior. Unless you want to watch the production process, you may want to avoid Magic Kingdom on those dates, because the taping creates crowd problems. Also, some shows or parades may be cancelled or rescheduled.
Pop Warner Week – The Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships are held at Disney World in early December. The Value resorts and some of the Moderate resorts will be FULL of kids (both football players and cheerleaders – there are 64 football teams and 400 cheer squads competing). Expect a lot of noise if you stay there. This event can cause increased crowds at the parks in the evenings (not during the day, since they are busy competing).
Mid-November through mid-December (except the week of Thanksgiving). The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the attendance is usually moderate. Expect crowds on Saturdays, especially at the Magic Kingdom. Disney’s resorts typically fill up early for all of December, but this doesn’t necessary translate into huge crowds during early December.
Second week of January through mid-February. It’s cool (sometimes even a bit cold) at this time of year. This is one of the least busy times of year and hotel prices are lower. However, some rides will be closed for refurbishment at this time of year. The first week of January can be busy due to extended holiday vacations and the Walt Disney World Marathon. Avoid any holiday weekends.
First three weeks of May. The weather is warm in May, but usually not unbearably so. Crowds and hotel prices are moderate. Memorial Day weekend will be more crowded, but often not as bad as you might expect.
Late August and entire month of September (even Labor Day weekend). It will be extremely hot, and this is peak hurricane season. Plan on taking afternoons off and visiting water parks. Crowds are low. Off-site hotels usually have their rock-bottom deals during this period, and Disney has offered “free dining” packages in this time frame each year since 2005.
During special events that interest you. Bear in mind that events held on major holidays usually attract significant crowds, however.
The WORST times to visit Walt Disney World are:
December 26-January 1. This is the most crowded and most expensive time of year. Crowds get increasingly bad starting about December 20 and running through the New Year. (If you absolutely must go at this time, check out our Christmas week survival guide.)
Mid-February through mid-April (or later, depending on the date of Easter). Easter week (the weekend of Easter and the following week) is the second most busy time of the year. Holiday weekends in this time frame, such as President’s Day, are also exceptionally busy. Expect big crowds, high resort prices and expensive airfares, but usually very nice weather. This whole period is a peak time due to various overlapping Spring Breaks, though there can be slower periods of a few days here and there, particularly mid-week.
Midsummer (June through early August). Expect it to be very busy and extremely hot, with heavy humidity. To maximize your experience, plan on hitting the parks first thing in the morning. After lunch, take an afternoon break, then return to the park in the late afternoon/early evening. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm is the hottest part of the day and ironically the most crowded, too.
Other holidays. Among the other busy time periods are Thanksgiving week and any national holiday with a 3-day weekend (except Labor Day weekend and to a lesser extent Memorial Day weekend).
During special events. Some don’t create a lot of crowds, but some do.
Some less-known events that may affect crowds, park hours/experiences and/or traffic at Walt Disney World:
Cheerleading/Twirl/Dance Competitions – Various dates each year, especially January-March and end of April, early May. These usually don’t have a lot of impact on the in-park crowds. The issue is that the Value resorts (All-Stars and Pop Century) play host to hordes of girls who can be extremely loud, so you may want to avoid those resorts during competitions.
South American Tour Groups – In January and July each year, large groups of teenagers from Brazil and Argentina descend on Walt Disney World for their school breaks. Some of the groups do a lot of chanting, singing, clapping and shouting. The sheer size of the groups (up to 100 kids in a single group) can make navigating around them difficult.
Mardi Gras Week. February or March (varies annually). Many New Orleans schools have all or part of this week off, so families leave town the weekend before the holiday and head to Disney World in droves. However, this usually doesn’t have a huge influence on the overall crowds, unless it corresponds with another holiday weekend.
“Jersey Week” – Usually the first or second week of November. The New Jersey schools have a teachers’ convention, which is often close to Veterans Day. Lots of people take advantage of this time off to pull their kids out of school for the whole week and add on the weekend before and/or after, taking this opportunity to go to Disney World in the “off season.” New Jersey is the single biggest market for Walt Disney World — you do the math!
ABC’s Very Merry Christmas Day Parade - while the parade is broadcast on December 25th, footage is taped in advance in the Magic Kingdom usually shortly after Thanksgiving. The exact dates are often not released publicly, but they usually leak out a few weeks prior. Unless you want to watch the production process, you may want to avoid Magic Kingdom on those dates, because the taping creates crowd problems. Also, some shows or parades may be cancelled or rescheduled.
Pop Warner Week – The Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships are held at Disney World in early December. The Value resorts and some of the Moderate resorts will be FULL of kids (both football players and cheerleaders – there are 64 football teams and 400 cheer squads competing). Expect a lot of noise if you stay there. This event can cause increased crowds at the parks in the evenings (not during the day, since they are busy competing).
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