Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Will Take Walt Disney World Resort Guests to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

A Star Wars vacation experience unlike anything Disney has ever created before will fully immerse guests in a galaxy far, far away when Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser debuts at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Exciting new details were shared Sunday live from D23 Expo 2019 by Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer and creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will offer a two-night itinerary where all guests arrive and depart together, similar to Disney Cruise Line. Unlike any typical cruise, though, you can become the heroes of your own Star Wars story in a new type of immersive experience that only Disney could create.

You will cruise the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon, known for its impeccable service and exotic destinations. Onboard, you will stay in well-appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, and much more. Throughout the journey, you will be invited to delve deeper into your personal adventure by participating in onboard activities, interacting with characters, crew, other passengers you meet, and becoming part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga:

The adventure begins when you arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World and check-in for your two-night experience.

You will be invited to enter a Launch Pod for transport into space. Through windows above, you’ll see yourself leave the real world behind as you jump to hyperspace and draw closer and closer to the Halcyon.

When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon and the airlock opens, you will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin your journey through a galaxy far, far away.

A visit aboard the Halcyon becomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The all-immersive experience also features entertaining activities, such as wielding a lightsaber while facing off against a training remote, where you may discover your own connection with the Force.

Visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, including navigation and defense – skills that may come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.

Fun Facts – Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser 

Every window in the Halcyon – including those in each cabin – has a view of the galaxy beyond, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progresses from place to place.

You’ll be able to explore the Halcyon and perhaps discover hidden spaces deep in the mechanics of the ship – perfect for uncovering secrets … or holding secret meetings.

Choices you make during your adventure will help determine how your Star Wars story progresses.


I don't know about you, but I am super excited about this!


source: Disney Parks Blog

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Announced yesterday, just ahead of the annual D23 convention in Anaheim, CA was Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

No, this isn't a new ride being developed for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - in fact, it's the name of the new Star Wars Hotel being built at Walt Disney World.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be a first-of-its-kind vacation experience where guests will check-in for a two-night adventure aboard a starship. Once onboard, guests will interact with characters and participate in a story that unfolds around them.

Inside the Disney Parks “Imagining Tomorrow, Today” pavilion at D23 Expo, attendees can see a model of the starcruiser, called the Halcyon. Known for its “impeccable service and exotic destinations” throughout the galaxy, the Halcyon will offer well-appointed guest cabins, onboard dining, a planet-side excursion to Batuu, and more.

First Look - Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

The Walt Disney World Resort has shared photos of the gorgeous interior of the brand new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort including the magnificent two-story grand lobby, the beautifully appointed guest rooms, as well as the restaurants and lounges.

Celebrating the rich cultures and vibrant landscapes of Spain, Mexico, and the American Southwest through contemporary design and Old World traditions, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort shines with renewed luster. On July 9, 2019, the resort will complete a multiyear re-imagining focused on today’s travelers, marking the official debut of a new tower, new restaurants and a new arrival experience.

The new Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower – opening to the public July 9 – offers 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services), a grand two-story lobby, new meeting venues, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with spectacular views. The distinctive tower becomes the stylish new gateway to the 2,385-room resort.

Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” Drawing inspiration from the surrealist animated short, the tower is a whimsical, magnificent visual feast, diverse in its design and execution. The tower’s outdoor Destino Plaza are also ideal for weddings, business receptions or other special events.

Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – an homage to the Catalan Modernism style. On their way to check in, new arrivals pass intricate wooden screens with rows of beautiful Moorish hanging lanterns, while decorative bronze screens inspired by Spanish tile patterns accent the rear wall of the lobby.

The warm colors and patterns of Barcelona inspire the sun-filled Barcelona Lounge on the lobby’s lower level, offering plenty of casual seating and lake views. Beneath a magnificent chandelier framed by sculpted plaster columns, guests can enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails as the day progresses.

The Catalan theme extends to the tower’s stylish new guest rooms and suites. A wall covering in each room is inspired by Spanish tile medallions, adding an Old World touch to a contemporary design. The new tower also offers club-access rooms for guests who want to enjoy the benefits of the Chronos Club. The club boasts commanding views of Walt Disney World Resort and cast members who can assist with vacation planning. Light refreshments are available throughout the day.

Now let's take a look at the rooms ...

Each tower guest room also offers a new interactive television system that provides a more customized and Disney differentiated in-room experience. This new television system will enhance the guest experience with Disney-quality services, content and personalization. For example, guests can view their Disney PhotoPass images on the large screen and stream their entertainment services from their personal devices to the in-room television.

Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations; Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World from the tower’s 16th floor. Named for the storied Spanish city home to avant-garde writers and artists of the 1920s and ’30s, Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service dining experience. The Spanish-inspired menu features entrees like chuletón, a 32-ounce, Spanish-style ribeye for two, as well as sustainable seafood and classic Spanish sides. It’s all served in a setting that features live olive trees, vibrant colors and an intricate vaulted ceiling with stained-glass accents. There’s also an onstage tapas kitchen inspired by the flavors of Spain, specializing in small plates, charcuteríá, and cheeses.

The adjacent Dahlia Lounge takes its mesmerizing shapes and swirling patterns from Spanish Modernism, inviting guests into an intimate, artful space where they can enjoy signature cocktails and panoramic views.

As part of the broader re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, three new pedestrian bridges now extend across Lago Dorado, allowing for quick and convenient passage to and from all parts of the resort. In the middle of the lake at the nexus of these new pathways is Villa del Lago (“Lake Villa”), home to a new outdoor restaurant, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The open-air, waterfront dining location offers delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers. Three Bridges Bar & Grill features a rustic, Old World charm anchored by a large stone hearth behind the central bar.

These new experiences complement the wide array of amenities and experiences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including floating gardens, scenic nature trails, and palm-shaped courtyards. All existing guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were updated with new fixtures, furnishings, and lighting. Guest feedback helped shape the room remodel that introduced an expansive desk space, hard-surface floors, platform beds and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is now a celebration of Spanish, Mexican and American Southwest cultures, infused with a profound respect for the natural world – most notably water. These design motifs span centuries to form a common thread that connects the new with the newly re-imagined.

New My First Disney Getaway Package

If you have little ones and are looking to visit Walt Disney World, you are in luck. Disney has announced the My First Disney Getaway Package. The first memories are the ones you will cherish forever. Experience these magical moments together at Walt Disney World Resort with this kid-sized vacation package.

The package offers a 2 Park Magic TIcket valid for one-day admission to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks and includes attractions like the Mad Tea Party Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Triceratop Spin.  You'll also have the opportunity to meet Disney character friends such as the Disney Princesses and Mickey Mouse and friends from beloved movies and TV shows.

The package includes a 2 night stay at a Disney Resort hotel, immersing you in the magic and giving you access to complimentary benefits like Extra Magic Hours, access to Disney FastPass+ and complimentary transportation.

At this time, the package, which is $999 for 2 adults and 1 child, is only available by calling the Disney Reservation Center and is valid for arrivals most Sunday to Wednesday nights between August 11 and September 25, 2019.

The Magic of Disney's Magical Express

Disney offers a complimentary airport transfer service called Magical Express to all of its resort guests. Not only will Disney pick you up at the airport and drop you off at your resort, but they’ll also retrieve your bags and deliver those to your room, as well.

When it’s time to go home, you can check your bags at the resort and use Magical Express for your return to the airport.

If you are traveling with small children, Magical Express can be a lifesaver at the end of a long day of travel since you don’t have to worry about waiting for your bags and then schlepping your suitcases (and children) through the airport to whatever ground transportation you’re using.

It is also handy if you prefer to not drive or want to save money and not rent a car or car service. The downside to Magical Express is that, in some instances, it can take some time for your bus to depart the airport and it will take several hours for your bags to arrive in your room.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Now Open at Disneyland Resort

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland Resort on May 31, 2019 and invited guests to live their own Star Wars adventures as they explore a remote planet of Batuu which is full of unique sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and many other immersive experiences.

Upon entering the land, guests will be transported to a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on their journey to Batuu.

Welcome to the Edge of Wild Space: Black Spire Outpost on Batuu

Photo courtesy of Disney

Batuu is a far-flung destination along the galaxy’s Outer Rim, on the frontier of Wild Space – the uncharted region beyond all known star systems. The planet is home to Black Spire Outpost, an infamous port for smugglers, traders, and adventurers wishing to avoid any unnecessary … entanglements with the First Order.

When guests arrive at Black Spire Outpost, they will come across aliens, droids and other inhabitants of this planet as they search for rare and unique goods, discover unusual food and drink, or join a crew seeking adventures. Along the way, guests may encounter some familiar faces, including Rey, Chewbacca or even Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and his Stormtroopers.

Star Wars Adventures Come to Life in Two Thrilling Attractions

For more than four decades, fans of Star Wars films have imagined what it would be like to blast across the stars inside the Millennium Falcon or race through the halls of a Star Destroyer. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will feature two signature attractions that turn those dreams into reality.

In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests climb into the cockpit of “the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” for their own Star Wars adventures. They take the controls of the Falcon in one of three unique and critical roles as the ship hurtles through space. Some will be pilots, some gunners, and some engineers, creating multiple ways for guests to engage with the attraction in an experience that responds in real time to the actions they take.

Photo courtesy of Disney

A second attraction, opening by the end of 2019, is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will be one of the most ambitious, advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. It will place guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, including a faceoff with Kylo Ren. Their journey takes them aboard a full-size transport shuttle and then into a nearby Star Destroyer on a harrowing and thrilling adventure that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.

A Diverse Menu of Food and Beverages Await

What does Blue or Green Milk actually taste like? That question and more will be answered when guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experience the new land’s expansive array of food and beverages. Guests walk through a bustling marketplace, where vendors offer various local delicacies, including an Outpost Mix of flavored popped grains from Kat Saka’s Kettle, a unique popcorn snack with a combination of sweet, savory and spicy flavors.

At Oga’s Cantina, even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Here, guests gather to share their tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment provided by DJ R-3X, otherwise known as Rex, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid from the original Star Tours. Rex re-invents himself as the cantina’s DJ, and he’s as quirky and talkative as ever.

A multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of a large hangar beckons guests into Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs is in much demand for his culinary skills, so he moves from site to site in a modified.

Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport that becomes a mobile kitchen and restaurant. His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients he uses to make new and unusual dishes. He is proud to present Tuggs’ Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling,” inspired by dishes he created during his time working for Maz Kanata on Takodana.

Elsewhere in the market, Ronto Roasters draws attention with its large podracing engine firing up a barbecue pit for mouth-watering Ronto Wraps. When hungry customers queue up to order, they encounter a former smelter droid, carefully turning the spit of meats. Guests can also choose from a variety of exotic non-alcoholic drinks like the Sour Sarlacc or Tatooine Sunset.

The Milk Stand offers two local favorites – Blue Milk and Green Milk. Blue Milk was first seen in Star Wars: A New Hope when Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal. Green Milk was introduced in Star Wars: The Last Jedi when Luke lived on the planet Ahch-To. Now, thirsty guests can order these colorful frozen drinks as they live their own Star Wars adventures.

Take a Piece of the Star Wars Galaxy Home from a Vibrant Marketplace

Photo courtesy of Disney

Food is one of many discoveries just waiting to be made while wandering the lively marketplace of Black Spire Outpost, where guests encounter a robust collection of merchant shops and stalls filled with authentic Star Wars creations.

The Droid Depot invites guests to construct their own astromech droids. Patrons pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to build one of two core models (R-series or BB-series) and they can customize their droids with various parts and colors. These droids interact with elements throughout the land, enhancing guests’ adventures. Additional accessories can be added to further customize these new friends. In addition, the Droid Depot will offer pre-built droids, droid- inspired toys and apparel, and more.

At Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests have the opportunity to craft and customize their very own lightsabers. In this mystical experience, guests feel the Force as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age.

Inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, guests find a selection of rare and mysterious items for sale representing different eras of the Star Wars galaxy, including holocrons, ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts, lightsabers and more. As they explore the nooks and crannies of the shop, guests also see Dok-Ondar at his desk as the large Ithorian checks his inventory and barks the occasional order at his assistants.

In addition to these special experiences, the Black Spire Outpost marketplace features the Creature Stall dedicated to the plethora of rare and fascinating creatures that populate the galaxy, as well as Black Spire Outfitters, showcasing the latest in galactically trendy apparel and accessories. The Toydarian Toymaker stall is full of toys and games crafted by a Toydarian (the flying alien species first seen in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace). And all tourists who visit Batuu will want to make a stop at Jewels of Bith, offering “trinkets to treasure” and other accessories.

Guests can also demonstrate where their loyalties lie with the gear and accessories they purchase within the land. Resistance Supply is a “makeshift” location at the Resistance’s hidden command post, selling Resistance pins, badges, hats, and other accessories to help guests feel like part of the cause. First Order Cargo, meanwhile, is a temporary First Order storage dock near the marketplace. Easily identified by a never-before-seen First Order TIE echelon ship, the cargo location offers guests a chance to pledge their loyalty by purchasing pins, caps, gear, model ships and more.

Play Disney Parks Mobile App Deepens Guest Engagement with the Land

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land within a Disney park designed to integrate with the Play Disney Parks mobile app. The app debuted last year and offers interactive adventures and experiences that bring surrounding environments to life at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. When guests choose to use the Play Disney Parks app in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they will be able to transform it into their very own Star Wars: Datapad. Using the app provides new opportunities for guests to engage with the land, such as translating a galactic language or learning what’s hidden inside crates and containers.

Photo courtesy of Disney

In addition, guests can use the Play Disney Parks app to interact with elements in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including droids, blinking door panels and antenna arrays. Throughout the day, guests may participate in a multiplayer game throughout the land, “Outpost Control,” to support either the Resistance or the First Order.

In light of tremendous demand, Disney is opening Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland park in phases to allow guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular. Guests wanting to visit Galaxy's Edge between May 31st and June 24, 2019 must have a reservation to enter the land.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens August 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

MyMagic+ & MyDisneyExperience Explained

Walt Disney World Magic Bands Explained

Using Disney's Magical Express at Orlando International Airport

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.

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.

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!

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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).

Planning a Last Minute Trip to Walt Disney World.

For most of us, going to Walt Disney World means a little (or a lot) of planning in advance - with dining reservations, fast passes and flights.  But for others, sometimes it's a last-minute "Let's go to Walt Disney World" type of vacation.

In today's blog, I'm going to be sharing all about planning that last-minute Disney trip.

A very common question is do you get a Magic Band if you're traveling to Walt Disney World on a last-minute trip?  Well, it all comes down to how last-minute your trip is.  If you have more than eleven days prior to your stay at the time of booking, you can go into the My Disney Experience app and customize your Magic Band with your favorite color, your name on the back, and they will send your Magic Band to your house.  If it is ten to six days before your trip, you can customize it on the My Disney Experience app with your favorite color, your name on the back and Disney will send it to your Disney Resort so you can pick it up when you arrive,  However, if you have five or fewer days, unfortunately that's not enough time to customize your Magic Band and you'll pick uu a solid gray Magic Band when you check in (with no name customization on the back) but it will still work and it's still a free magic band.

Of course, if you have your own Magic Band, whether one the special design ones or one from a from previous trips, those will work as well and you can bring one with you on your trip and decline a new Magic Band.

If you've planned a trip to Walt Disney World before and taken advantage of the Disney Magical Express service, you know that before your trip, Disney will send you several yellow luggage tags you attach to your luggage allowing you to bypass picking up your luggage at Orlando International Airport.  Using these tags, Disney will deliver your luggage to your resort room via their luggage delivery service.

But what happens if you have a last-minute Disney trip?  There are a couple options - one being you could collect your luggage off the carousel yourself and bring it to the Magical Express bus where they will put your luggage on the bus with you, or two, you can hand the Cast Members at the Magical Express desk the claim ticket that you received from the airline when you checked in your luggage at your home airport.  They will take care of everything else it will arrive at your resort that night.

If you've been to Walt Disney World before you know the value of fast passes.  Disney's fast pass system can get you on some of your favorite attractions and rides with extremely low wait times but if you're going on a last-minute Disney trip can you still get them?  Of course you can, and you may even be surprised with how many attractions and rides still have fast passes available for your stay.  Of course, getting fast passes all depends on the time of year and the crowd level but you may even see some great fast pass availability on the day you're in the park.  The key is to keep checking the My Disney Experience app on your phone frequently.

What about dining reservations?  Well, you might be surprised how many dining reservations may still available at the very last minute.  If you can't find one available for your stay, don't be afraid to check in at the restaurant desk, keeping in mind walk-up availability comes down to the time of year and the crowd level in the parks.

Now you may be thinking that because you're planning a last-minute Disney trip, it's going to be more expensive, especially at the resorts.  That is not always the case especially depending on the time of year if you're trying to get a reservation for.  As an example, if you are trying to get a resort room at Walt Disney World two days prior to Christmas so that you can be in the parks on Christmas Day, you may be out of luck.  However, other times throughout the year you may be surprised at how much availability there is.  If Disney is not selling as many of those rooms as they would like, they may even start to discount them just a little bit.  There will be no big announcement like the regular discounts, you just have to search on the Disney World website and you may be in luck and be able to say "oh my gosh look at this great deal that I found for a Disney Resort - let's hop on a plane and go."

These last minute deals are not as frequent anymore but it does happen, so yes, you can still experience the magic of a last-minute Walt Disney World vacation.  The most important factor to remember is the time of year.  If it's the time of year when the crowds are relatively low, you are going to have better luck with finding great fast passes and dining reservations, and even your flight will probably be less expensive.

If you're thinking about going during a heavy crowd time of year like the middle of the summer or Christmastime, you're unfortunately going to be paying a little bit more and may not even find the availability that you're looking for.

Have you been successful in booking a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World??