Everyone loves to plan a holiday. It keeps us going, something to look forward to. In fact now more than ever, during these exceptional times planning a Disney World holiday to Orlando is the ultimate dream destination for families.
Mr B and I have talked about going to Disney World Florida in the future when the girls are older to remember it and it gives us time to save! But how do you go about putting together a plan for Disney World? Well, I’ve been brainstorming and researching and finding a few Disney tips along the way.
Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash
First things first is to get a notebook or a spreadsheet set up to jot down your finds, and whether you need to explore an option in more detail. I’d recommend a Disney-themed notebook you can decorate!
Here is the quick plan we’ve put together:
- Determine Travel Dates: Select the dates for your Disney World trip, considering factors like weather, crowd levels, and special events.
- Book Flights: Reserve your flights to Orlando, making sure to select TUI Premium Seats to enjoy extra comfort during your flight. ‘Select Your Seat’ is included with the Premium upgrade, allowing you to choose your preferred seats as soon as you’ve booked and paid for your flight.
- Accommodation: Decide whether you want to stay at a Disney Resort hotel or off-site. If staying at a Disney Resort, book your room early to ensure availability. If you prefer an off-site stay close to the parks, Westgate Orlando is an excellent option, offering resort-style amenities and plenty of space for families.
- Theme Park Tickets: Purchase your Disney World theme park tickets in advance. Consider how many days you want to spend in the parks and if you want to visit more than one park per day (Park Hopper option).
- My Disney Experience: Create an account on My Disney Experience to manage your resort booking, theme park admission, dining reservations, and FastPass+ selections.
- Dining Reservations: Book your dining reservations 60 days in advance, especially for popular restaurants and character dining experiences.
- FastPass+ Selections: Choose your FastPass+ options to skip the lines for certain attractions, up to 60 days before your trip if staying at a Disney hotel.
- Special Experiences: Consider booking special experiences like behind-the-scenes tours, dessert parties, or character meet-and-greets.
- Packing: Make a list of what you’ll need for the trip, including comfortable clothing, footwear, sunscreen, and any Disney-themed apparel or accessories.
- Travel Insurance: Purchase travel insurance to protect your vacation investment, especially if travelling from abroad.
- Documentation: Ensure all travellers have valid identification, and if necessary, visas for travel to the United States.
- Transportation: Plan how you’ll get to and from the airport, and whether you’ll need a rental car or will use Disney’s transportation system.
- Download Apps: Download the My Disney Experience mobile app to keep track of your plans, view current wait times, and navigate the parks. Also, consider downloading the official TUI app to manage your flight details and have access to in-flight services.
- Budget Planning: Set a budget for your trip, including accommodations, tickets, food, souvenirs, and any additional experiences.
- Itinerary Planning: Create a rough itinerary of your days, including which parks you’ll visit and what shows parades, or fireworks you don’t want to miss.
- Prepare Your Home: Make arrangements for pet care, stop mail delivery, and secure your home if you’ll be away for an extended period.
- Finalise All Details: A week before your trip, double-check all reservations and plans, confirm flights, and make sure you have all the necessary documents.
Where should I start planning a holiday to Disney World Orlando?
I think the best place to start is to browse the main Disney World website. Discover what the resort has to offer you and your family. Once you have made a list of the different theme parks, water parks, and kingdoms. Discuss with the family who wants to see what and write it down. I think the best thing is to go with a plan so everyone makes the most out of the holiday. Look at prices of Disney tickets Orlando. You can find deals on 7, 14, or 21 day tickets. You can combine tickets with other parks like Universal Studios, and Seaworld.
Disney World contains four theme parks – Magical Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Two water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. And numerous hotels dotted around. Most are Disney owned, but a few are not.
Plan what you want to see an do and plan where you want to stay, within your budget. The hotels are based on 3 tiers, value, moderate, and deluxe.
I think the most important thing to remember about planning a holiday to Disney World Orlando is that you are not going to be able to see everything. The site is vast, about the same size as San Francisco I heard!
Shopping should be another essential element in planning your Disney holiday. Make sure to visit the Magic Lamp Vacations website to read more about Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and how to make the most out of visiting this attraction. One popular activity for little princesses is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where they can be transformed into a Disney Princess with a royal makeover. Bookings can be made in advance and it’s highly recommended to do so as spots fill up quickly.
Photo by Joel Sutherland on Unsplash
The Disney World plan step by step
To avoid the feeling of overwhelming here are the main steps your plan should include.
- Know your budget. Have this in place so you don’t spend outside your means. No holiday is worth the debt afterward.
- Decide on your dates to visit. Check out the busiest times to avoid.
- Decide on your place to stay while you are there. Do you want to stay on or offsite?
- Know which admission tickets you need to buy.
- Investigate FastPass + and the shows you want to see. Make these reservations.
- Decide on your meals and where you want to eat. Look at the Disney Dining Plan.
Having your detailed plan in place means you will be able to make the most out of your Disney World holiday to Orlando. It will save you time and money in the long run. Plus planning is an exciting part of the holiday. Let the planning commence!
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I have been fortunate enough to travel to Orlando a couple of times when my two eldest were young. I absolutely adored every minute there. Good luck with your planning, at least the internet gives you an advantage, we didn’t have that luxury when we went.
Making dreams come true