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Disney World Cost Calculator

It’s no secret that one of the biggest considerations when planning your Disney World vacation is how much it will cost.  With so many things contributing to the price of the trip , it’s easy to get overwhelmed or forget to account for something.  With that in mind, we offer our Disney World Cost Calculator to help simplify the process for you.

Our Disney Cost Calculator automatically figures in the costs of items directly under Disney’s control, such as tickets and hotel rooms.  But there are some prices we’ll have to ask you directly for, such as what you expect to pay for flights, or how much you’ll be spending on lodging if you’re staying somewhere other than Disney’s hotels.

Our tool is a great way to get a general estimate on the cost of your Disney vacation.  But for the most accurate price based on your exact travel plans, you’ll want to get in touch with a travel agent who specializes in the Walt Disney World Resort, such as The Vacationeer .

Note: the calculator assumes everyone is staying in the same hotel room; if your group is large enough to need multiple rooms, you’ll want to separate the group and run the calculator once for each of the rooms.

Want to see your exact price?

Our calculator is a great first step towards figuring out how much your Disney World vacation will cost.  If you like the numbers you’ve seen so far, it’s time to take the next step in planning your trip by getting an exact quote.

Contact the Disney World experts at The Vacationeer .  Their team of 90+ Authorized Disney Vacation Planners can provide you with an exact price quote for your vacation and discuss payment plan options .

It won’t cost you anything extra to use their services, and there’s never any obligation to book.

What does the trip cost calculator’s estimate include?

Our Disney World Cost calculator factors in these items when providing you with an estimated Disney vacation cost:

Time of year

We factor seasonal pricing into your estimated costs, based on the general time of year you expect to travel to Disney World.  This primarily affects the cost of hotel rooms and Disney theme park tickets.

Theme park ticket prices

We calculate estimated prices of Walt Disney World theme park tickets, based on how many days you’ll go to the Disney World parks, whether you’re upgrading your tickets to include the Park Hopper option, how many Adult and Child theme park tickets are needed, and seasonal pricing for the general time of year you expect to travel to Disney.

Hotel costs

For Disney World Hotels , our calculator factors in an estimated cost based on the general time of year you expect to visit, how long you’re staying, and whether you’ll be staying in a Value, Moderate or Deluxe Resort, or in one of the Disney Deluxe Villas.

For offsite hotels (those not located on Disney World property), we ask you to directly enter the nightly cost of your hotel so we can include that amount in the estimated final total expenses.

Transportation to and from Disney World

For those traveling b y plane , we ask you to directly enter the cost of your flight to Orlando so we can include it in the final total.  We also factor in the estimated cost of ground transportation from the Orlando International Airport to Disney World based on your input.

For those who are traveling by car , we ask you to directly enter the driving distance between your home and Disney World.  That allows our calculator to factor in an estimated travel cost (based on average gas mileage and average fuel cost) when calculating your total vacation cost estimate.

Parking fees

If you indicate you’ll be driving, we’ll factor in the cost of Disney’s parking fees .

Disney Dining Plans are currently suspended ( returning 2024 ).  In the meantime, we ask you to tell us your general plans for Disney World dining (such as if you expect to have a table service meal on most days, or if you’ll bring your own food ); we use that information to factor an estimated cost of food and drink into your overall estimated trip price.

Possible discounts

For those who indicate they qualify for some of the most common Disney discounts, we factor those savings into the overall total estimated vacation costs.

What is not included in the Disney World cost calculation?

There are a few things that we don’t try to account for in our calculator when providing an estimated cost of your Disney World trip.  Some of these are simply impractical to provide in the calculator, and others are left out because they don’t apply to everyone (so be sure to budget for them separately if you plan to include them in your vacation).

Exact costs based on your exact dates of travel and room/ticket type

Our tool provides a range of estimated average costs based on some general information you provide.  For an exact quote, you’ll need to do some further research or contact a travel agent specializing in Disney.

• Hotel rates vary on a nightly basis. Different hotels within the same category of resort can have different prices for the same night.  Some rooms charge a premium based on view. Prices for the exact same room on the exact same night can vary depending on how soon or how late you book. With that in mind, our calculator factors in an estimated average cost, but cannot produce an exact cost.
• Theme park tickets are priced based on a demand calendar, so different days have different pricing. Also, each park is priced differently; February 13 at EPCOT is priced differently than February 13 at Magic Kingdom.  Our calculator uses an estimated average cost based on the time of year and price range among the parks, but does not produce an exact cost.

Multiple hotel rooms

Our Disney calculator presumes that everyone will be staying in a single hotel room.  If you have a larger travel party, this may not be possible.  While Disney World does have some Disney Deluxe Villa accommodations that hold a large number of people, most regular rooms hold 4-5 people.  If you need more than one hotel room, you should divide your party up and run the calculator once for each hotel room.

Discretionary Spending

There are plenty of options to spend “just a little more” inside a Disney World theme park or around the area.  Each individual item isn’t necessarily that expensive, but they can add up over the length of your vacation.  For example, Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane access allows you to avoid some of the lines for rides.  You might want souvenirs like a pair of Mickey Mouse ears or a Walt Disney World t-shirt.  Or perhaps you’ll play some mini golf while you’re here.  If you think you’ll purchase any of these, don’t forget to pad your budget accordingly.

Non-Disney experiences

Ticket purchases for days in non-Disney theme parks — such as Universal , SeaWorld, LegoLand, FunSpot, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, and other Orlando and Central Florida attractions — are not included.  If you plan to spend a day or more outside of the parks, factor those costs separately from the total we show you here.  Also, note that this calculator is optimized specifically for Disney World in Florida; it is not programmed for Disneyland in California, which has its own rates for hotels and tickets.

How can I calculate the exact price of my vacation?

If you want to go beyond the estimates we provide here and figure out the exact cost of a vacation, you have a few options:

Research each component of your Disney World Vacation separately

Our articles How to Plan a Disney Vacation and How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World cover information about each of the major price factors you’ll need to budget for.  Using those lists as a guide, you can then visit the Disney World website to get specific prices for tickets , hotels , dining , recreation, tours, and more all based on your exact travel plans.  Don’t forget to factor in crowd levels and make a note of when you’re able to begin actually making dining reservations .

Let a travel agent handle your Disney World Planning

If you’d rather not do all of the leg work yourself, you can always enlist the completely-free services of a travel agent who specializes in Disney .  We’ve extensively covered why you should use a Disney travel planner in the past, but as a quick reminder:

• Most agents don’t charge a planning fee for their services.
• The trip won’t cost more than if you’d booked on your own; you might even find it’s cheaper !
• They know all the tips and tricks, including any Disney discounts you might not be aware of.
• They’ll provide you with an exact price quote based on your travel preferences, with no obligation to book .
• Your travel agent will make all of your Disney reservations for you, so there’s no getting up early, waiting on hold for hours, or struggling with websites.
• A good Disney travel agent will monitor your reservations after they’ve been booked, and automatically apply new discounts as they become available.

We believe The Vacationeer is the best Disney travel agency .  Their team includes more than 90 travel agents who specialize in all things Disney — get in touch with them now for a free quote:

Does Disney World offer a payment plan?

It’s no secret that going to Disney World can come with a bit of a sticker shock.  When you combine the price of hotels, tickets, food, and everything else, it’s likely your trip will cost at least a few thousand dollars.

That’s a lot of money to come up with all at once.  Fortunately, Disney World offers very flexible payment arrangements for their vacation packages.

In most cases, all that’s required to make your Disney reservations is a small deposit of $200.

Once you’ve made your deposit, you can pay Disney on any schedule you like, as long as you’re paid in full by 30 days prior to your vacation.  There are no minimum payments, and there are no payment milestones that Disney requires to be met prior to the date that final payment is due.

Note that this payment plan is offered only for Disney World Hotels, and for any Disney theme park tickets that are bundled into your Disney hotel vacation package.  If you’re not staying on-site at Disney World, any tickets you purchase will have to be paid in full at the time of purchase.  Ticket costs also have to be paid in full if you’re buying them separately from your Disney hotel reservation.

It also goes without saying that the costs of anything you’re not buying from Disney itself cannot be bundled into a Disney payment plan.  Tickets for non-Disney theme parks, airline tickets, off-site hotels, ground transportation from the airport, and other third-party services would be subject to whatever payment options those providers offer.

You might be able to pay your off-site hotel over time, but it’s reasonable to expect to pay in full (or at least charge the full amount to your credit card) for plane tickets, ground transportation, and non-Disney theme park tickets.

How can I budget for my visit to Disney World?

The fact that Disney allows you to essentially make your own payment plan for your vacation is great, but it also means that a big part of your Disney World planning is figuring out how to budget for your vacation; Disney is not going to tell you that you must pay a certain amount each month.

Our Disney trip cost calculator will give you a range of what you can expect to spend to go to Disney World, but it’s up to you to break that down into a reasonable method to save up that amount.

The most simple way to decide how much to budget for your vacation is to take the estimated cost from our calculator and then divide it by the number of months between now and your vacation’s start date.  Or, you might determine how many times you’ll get a paycheck between now and then, and divide by that number instead.

You might need to further adjust those smaller payments to account for bigger sums you might be able to apply towards your vacation (such as a tax refund or holiday bonus), or to make up for months when you might not be able to pay Disney as much as you’d like (perhaps due to seasonal employment changes).

Of course, breaking your vacation expenses down into smaller amounts is only part of the equation.  You also need to be able to actually come up with that money.  There are plenty of ways to find extra cash or adjust your vacation plans slightly so they’re more affordable.  Even making slight adjustments to your Disney World food costs or hotel plans can make a significant difference.  We offer 9 tips for cutting costs to get you started with saving on Disney.

Final Thoughts

Planning a visit to Disney requires budgeting for a number of factors.  Not only are there the obvious expenses like Disney park tickets, but there are also expenses that might not be so obvious, like parking fees and ground transportation.  Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on your Disney World vacation . And with proper planning for each of these costs well in advance of your stay, you can make sure that your visit to Disney doesn’t become a financial burden.  That’s why we created this tool; we want to make sure everyone who wants to go to Disney knows how much it’ll cost and doesn’t wind up with any nasty financial surprises along the way!

Ready to book your Disney World trip?

We hope our Disney World Cost Calculator tool has helped provide you with an accurate baseline estimate on how much your Disney World vacation will cost.

To get an actual cost and to book your Disney World vacation, we recommend contacting the Disney travel experts at The Vacationeer .

There’s no charge for their Disney planning services, and there’s never any obligation to book.

Related Posts:

• Disney World Packages
• Orlando Vacation Package Deals

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Walt Disney World Packages

Get the best deal on  Disney vacations and purchase a Walt Disney World ® vacation package complete with lodging and Walt Disney World tickets together. Customers who purchase a  Disney Package  save an average of 12% more than customers who buy each item each.

To find the absolute best Walt Disney World ® vacation package please use our custom package builder above or below. It will assist you in building your amazing  Orlando vacation package in just a few short minutes. Enter your travel dates and the number of adults and children in your party then click submit. The tool will show you the Orlando   hotels and vacation home rentals we have available during your travel dates, after you select your lodging the tool will walk you to the best options for choosing the   Walt Disney World tickets  for your party. If you have questions, please feel free to call us toll-free at (800) 641-4008 and one of our friendly Reservation Specialists will be more than happy to assist you in planning your best Orlando vacation .

Benefits of booking Disney Packages with OrlandoVacation.com:

• We have the lowest prices on our vacation homes, hotels, and theme park tickets ( Walt Disney World tickets , Universal Studios Discounted Tickets , and Discounted SeaWorld Orlando Tickets )
• We have won the Best of The Best Award for online travel agency customer service for the past 10 years (2013 through 2023).
• We are proud to offer the easiest and best cancellation policy in Orlando. Click here to see our reservation policy.
• We offer payment plans- You may call in and pay $5 or $500 on your vacation and the best part about this plan is that we do not charge you any services fees. The only thing we ask for is that your vacation is paid for in full 15 days prior to your arrival. Click here to learn more
• We only ask for a small $50 deposit to secure your reservation.
• We charge theme park tickets at the time you are making the booking, and we will send them out within 24 hours of you ordering your tickets so you can make reservations at the specific theme parks you want to visit. The lodging only requires a small $50 deposit and the remaining balance is due 15 days to arrival on hotels and 30 days of arrival on vacation homes.

Here are some great examples for creating Disney Packages…

Tips for getting the best deal on a Walt Disney World package:

• Make Your Theme Park Reservations: Once you know everything is set with your vacation we suggest you go ahead pay off your Walt Disney World ® vacation package deal as soon as possible so that we can mail you your tickets. Why would you want the tickets early? Simple, you can go online and register your tickets and go ahead and make your reservations. Every day you wait, there are more people who are registering before you.
• Get the Walt Disney World Base Tickets : This one tip will save you $50 per person on your Disney package price. A recent study showed that nearly 75% of the people who go to Walt Disney World buy the Park Hopper Option, but 60% of the people never actually use it. Our suggestion is to order your theme park tickets without the Park Hopper Option. When you are here in town if you find yourself really wanting to hop from park to park you can always go to the customer service desk at each Disney theme park and ask them to add the Park Hopper Option to your tickets which they will gladly do.

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Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

Costco member reviews, 1901 w buena vista dr, orlando, fl, 32836, united states.

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort features five Disney and Disney/Pixar film-inspired themed areas. Fantasia, Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, Mighty Ducks, and The Love Bug "Herbie" the loveable VW Beetle, is five times its regular size!

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

1850 animation way, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Be surrounded in the artistry, enchantment and magic of Walt Disney and Disney and Pixar movies. Stay at a Disney Resort hotel that invites you to explore the storybook landscapes seen in such classics as Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. From delightfully themed family suites to wondrously detailed courtyards, Disney's Art of Animation draws you and your family in to become a part of some of your animated favorites.

Disney's Pop Century Resort

1050 century dr, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Experience the unforgettable fads of the 1950s through the 1990s all over again. From yo-yos and Play-Doh® to Rubik's Cube® and rollerblades, this Resort hotel salutes the timeless fashions, catch phrases, toys and dances that captivated the world through the decades.

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Disney's caribbean beach resort, 900 cayman way, lake buena vista, fl, 32830-8411, united states.

A tropical paradise built around 45‐acre Barefoot Bay, this resort hotel brings the Islands to you with swaying palm trees, white‐sand beaches and colonial architecture. Explore the lushly landscaped grounds, or simply find a hammock and soak up the sun.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

1000 w buena vista dr, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Celebrate the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures at the newly re-imagined Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. This beautiful lakeside oasis offers classic influences, Disney touches and modern comforts to energize and inspire as you delight in an array of new features, eateries and enhancements.

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Disney's riviera resort, 1080 esplanade ave, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Enchantment awaits you at a resort hotel that's inspired by Europe and imagined by Disney. Here, you can delight in exhilarating activities, delectable dining and stylish accommodations – from cozy Tower Studios to spacious One- and Two-Bedroom Villas.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

4401 floridian way, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication at this lavish Disney Resort hotel. Unwind outdoors, indulge in a luxurious massage and watch evening fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella Castle. Just one stop to Magic Kingdom park on the complimentary Resort Monorail, this timeless Victorian-style marvel evokes Palm Beach’s golden era.

Disney's Contemporary Resort

4600 world dr, orlando, fl, 32830, united states.

Retreat to this ultra-modern Disney Resort hotel and discover award-winning dining, spectacular views and dazzling pools. Whether you’re staying in the iconic A-frame Contemporary tower or the nearby Garden Wing, you can walk to Magic Kingdom main gate or catch the Resort Monorail as it breezes through the tower.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

1700 epcot resorts blvd, orlando, fl, 32830, united states.

Delight in the formal grace of a grand New England-style yacht club at this lakeside hotel.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

901 timberline dr, lake buena vista, fl, 32836, united states.

Escape to the rustic majesty of America’s Great Northwest. Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates American craftsmanship and honors the beauty of the untamed wilderness. Soak in the splendor of the great outdoors, from nature trails through pine forests to rocking chairs that overlook a murmuring creek. Inside, discover towering totem poles, headdresses and more, and enjoy the rustic elegance of the stone hearth and roaring fireplace.

Disney's Beach Club Resort

1800 epcot resorts blvd, lake buena vista, fl, 32836, united states.

Located along Crescent Lake, Disney's Beach Club Resort's understated elegance mixed with the summer ambiance of the New England seaside combine to create a relaxing and casual atmosphere.

Disney's BoardWalk Inn

2101 n epcot resorts blvd, lake buena vista, fl, 32830-8442, united states.

Experience the charm and whimsy of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City at this waterfront resort hotel. Make a splash at Luna Park Pool and delight in a massage at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Discover carnival games, unique dining and exciting nightlife on the Coney Island-style boardwalk. Situated on shimmering Crescent Lake, the resort is located within walking distance of EPCOT® and Disney's Hollywood Studios®.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

2901 w osceola pkwy, kissimmee, fl, 34747, united states.

Step into the heart of Africa at this magnificent Resort hotel. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design provides spectacular views of 4 lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home. Delight in dazzling pool areas, exciting animal programs and one of the largest collections of African art in the United States as you experience your own African safari adventure with a touch of Disney magic.

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Disney's animal kingdom villas - kidani village, 3701 w osceloa pkwy, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Escape on your own African safari adventure at this magnificent Resort hotel. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design offers exquisite views of lush savannas—where over 30 species of African wildlife freely roam. Delight in dazzling pool areas, exciting animal programs and all the comforts of home in our spacious Studios and multi-bedroom Villas.

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

1960 broadway, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Experience the Disney difference by placing yourself in the midst of the magic, where moments and memories have no limits. From theme park to hotel, you never have to leave the magic.

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

4600 n world dr, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Warm luxury meets modern elegance at this lakeside resort hotel located in walking distance to Magic Kingdom park. Delight in studios and multi-bedroom villas, kitchens or kitchenettes and dramatic views that may include old-growth cypress trees, the shimmering Bay Lake, the lush courtyard or Cinderella Castle.

Disney's Old Key West Resort

1510 n cove rd, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Experience the romance of the Florida Keys at this tranquil community of Conch Flats – a sprawling island hamlet with shimmering waterways, swaying palm trees and manicured golf-course fairways. Delight in sun-soaked pools, casual dining and such amenities as fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes. A peaceful tropical paradise, Disney's Old Key West Resort is also just a boat ride away from the excitement of Disney Springs®.

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

901 timberline dr, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Recalling the 1860's railroad hotels of the American West, Boulder Ridge Villas offer the comforts of home amid the rustic beauty of Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Dine on traditional Pacific Northwest cuisine, explore trails through lush meadows and delight in the enchanting Copper Creek Springs Pool. Just a breezy boat ride to Magic Kingdom Park®, this Resort hotel celebrates the ethos of traditional craftsmanship and the great outdoors.

Disney's BoardWalk Villas

2101 n epcot resorts blvd, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Timeless elegance meets old-fashioned charm at this waterfront Resort hotel. Delight in saltwater taffy-colored cottages, private courtyards and picturesque gardens — plus the ragtime sounds and carnival pastimes of the exciting Coney Island-style boardwalk. Reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City, Disney's BoardWalk Villas is located within walking distance to both EPCOT® and Disney's Hollywood Studios® park.

Disney's Beach Club Villas

1800 epcot resorts blvd, lake buena vista, fl, 32830, united states.

Leisure, elegance and romance abound at this charming New England-style beach hotel — in easy walking distance to EPCOT® and a boat ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Enjoy the pools, spas and lagoons of Stormalong Bay, and the many amenities shared with Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Copper Creek Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Welcome to new idyllic retreat that evokes a rustic-elegant vibe—a perfect nod to the rich and pioneering heritage of the Pacific Northwest. Consider this your new go-to vacation base camp when pining for serene surroundings located just around the river bend from Magic Kingdom® Park. Standout features include a full range of accommodations with modern amenities—from Deluxe Studios to One-Bedroom Villas with a private porch or balcony.

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Home » Walt Disney World » Planning and Tips

2024 Disney World Planning Guide | How to Plan a Disney Vacation

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

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Planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2024 or 2025? We know it’s stressful, but don’t worry, our Disney World Vacation Guide will give you everything you need to know to get ready for your upcoming trip!

Whether you are looking for information about the Disney World Parks, hotels, dining, transportation, the best rides, how to save money, or how to avoid the crowds, we have you covered in this guide. Think of it as Disney World Vacation Planning 101.

This guide is especially great for beginners who have never been to Disney World or go rarely, but we also pack in a lot of good tips for regular guests too.

While we do have some of the most important tips & info on this page, we don’t have ALL the answers directly written out here. This guide organizes some of the best Disney planning content into categories giving you an overview of what you are looking for and then links to more in-depth guides on each subject.

In this post we will specifically cover:

• How to Plan a Disney World Vacation
• What You Need to Know BEFORE Going
• When to Visit Disney World in 2024
• Important Disney Vocab
• Where to Stay
• Buying Tickets
• Rides & Attractions
• Dining & Restaurants
• Disney Planning Timeline, & more…

Since this guide covers a lot of the planning steps of your whole trip in general, if you are looking for specific info on the Disney World Parks , then check out the following links:

• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Unfortunately, Disney World is one of the most complicated vacation destinations in the world. We know planning a Disney World vacation has become one of the most frustrating exercises and you’d just like to be there already having fun. Hopefully, we can help you do that as painlessly as possible.

We’ve been going to Walt Disney World multiple times per year since the early 1980s when we were babies, and we continue to spend way too much time there today trying all the new food, rides, events, and hotels. To say we are huge Disney fans would be an understatement.

The byproduct of countless hours spent visiting Disney World means that we have some valuable tips that we are eager to share with you. We aren’t going to lie, it will take some work on your end. But in the long run, it will be invaluable for your trip. Let’s get right into it…

Table of Contents

Changes in 2024 and 2025

Going to Walt Disney World in 2024 or 2025 is a MUCH different experience than it was just a couple years ago, and different again from even last year.

Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave for the last few years, you know that the parks closed down in 2020, and when they reopened Disney installed many new procedures to let guests back to the parks.

Thankfully, for the most part, the Disney theme parks have gotten back to normal again, and the restrictions Disney put in have gone away one by one. The Walt Disney World vacation experience should be “close to normal” once again.

For example, Fireworks are back with nighttime spectaculars happening in the parks nightly.

Many stage shows like Festival of the Lion King, Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular are back. There are still some missing, but the lineup of entertainment is heads and shoulders above where it was not too long ago. Not to mention, the overwhelming majority of attractions and restaurants have also returned.

If it’s been a few years, there are a ton of new attractions you have to experience, EPCOT in particular has gone through a pretty big transformation and the construction walls are almost all down now. There are still a lot of additions Disney would like to finish at some point during 2024, including what’s left of the massive EPCOT overhaul project .

There are also new hotel projects on the way including the new DVC tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort .

This should be a great time to visit, but if you are worried about the changes, you may want to wait until the end of the year.

That’s what to expect this year, now let’s get into some of the Disney vacation planning basics.

How to Plan a Disney Vacation

Believe it or not, some of the most important planning steps of your Disney World trip happen as much as one year BEFORE your vacation starts, or even more.

Some things you are going to have to think about are:

• What dates do I want to go? Are those dates flexible?
• What is my budget?
• What type of hotel do I want to stay in?
• How many days do I want to go to the theme parks?

The most important suggestion we can give you is to get organized. The more work you do before your trip to plan everything out, the easier things will be for you and your family once you get there.

Can You Go to Disney World Without Planning?

As always in life, what you CAN do and what you SHOULD do are two entirely different things, and that is also true in this case.

Yes, it is physically possible to go to Disney World without planning your trip, but I would highly recommend against such an action. Organizing everything months ahead of time is a lot of work and a big pain, but it is vital if you want to have a successful trip.

Your choice of hotel will be severely limited if you don’t book it well in advance. You won’t be able to get dining reservations at the best restaurants in Disney World. You won’t know which attractions to reserve with Genie+. Right now, you can’t even get into the parks without a prior reservation.

If you are looking to go to a destination where you can just “wing it” and not have to make any plans ahead of time, we recommend choosing another destination besides Disney World.

How Do I Start Planning a Trip to Disney World?

STEP 1: Write down notes. There are going to be a lot of details, prices, and dates to remember so get a dedicated notebook for your upcoming trip. If you prefer, you can take notes on your phone or computer, but make sure you have a way of jotting down notes in a convenient place where you will be able to find them.

STEP 2: Set a Budget. Make no mistake about it, a trip to Walt Disney World is expensive and costs can add up very quickly. So before you start choosing how many days you want to stay, your hotel, and ticket types, make a budget. It will be much easier to organize your vacation if you already have an idea of how much you are willing to spend.

STEP 3: Get familiar with Disney World. Even if you are not ready to book your vacation yet, start reading up on Disney World and familiarize yourself with all the locations, attractions, restaurants, and special events. A website like this is one way to do that, but also look through the official Walt Disney World website and download the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device.

STEP 4: Choose your Dates. These don’t have to be written in stone, but we recommend at least having some idea of when you would like to plan your trip for. Later in this guide, we will show you how to decide on those dates.

Once you get these four things done, you are ready to start planning the details.

When Should I Start Planning My Disney Trip?

When is the best time to start planning a Disney World vacation? We recommend to start planning as soon as possible , but at least one year before you plan to go.

The sooner you start planning your Disney vacation, the better. In fact, once you finish reading this guide, you should start writing ideas down for your trip.

As you will see in our vacation planning timeline, some of the first steps can be completed as many as 499 days before your vacation starts.

We believe the sooner you start the process of organizing your trip, the better. Starting now will give you a leg up on other guests when it comes to getting reservations for dining, hotel rooms, the parks, and any special events you want to attend+. I will also make you aware of discounts to save money on your trip.

What Do I Need to Know Before Going to Disney World?

Here are 9 main things to know about Disney World before going:

• There are 4 Theme Parks in Disney World: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
• There are 2 Water Parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• 31 Resort Hotels to stay in.
• There are countless Outdoor Activities to do such as swimming, fishing, golf, boating, and more.
• WDW has 5 golf courses and 2 mini-golf courses .
• Disney Springs is the nighttime entertainment hub with dozens of first-class restaurants and shops
• You can catch a Dinner Show at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or dine at one of the many character meals .
• It is a self-contained city with its own fire department, water treatment, waste disposal, and power generation.
• Disney World is HUGE at 25,000 acres. That means travel time can be long between two places.

How Many Days do you Need for Disney World?

There is really no wrong answer to how many days you need for a trip to Walt Disney World, and it depends on many factors, including if this is your first trip or not.

• The ideal Disney World vacation is 7 days long . That allows for 2 travel days (arrival and departure), and 5 open days to visit the parks and have fun.
• The bare minimum we recommend for first-timers is 5 days , ideally with an early arrival and late departure.

In fact, most Disney World vacations are between 4 to 7 days long. That gives you enough time to visit all the theme parks at least once, and have extra time for staying at the resort and swimming or shopping.

If you want to visit any other Orlando-based attractions like Universal Studios, for example, you can still do that in 6-7 days total.

It’s possible to visit Walt Disney World in only 3 or 4 days, but you will feel very rushed. You can make the highlights of each park, but you won’t really have time to do all the rides, see all the shows and take in the details.

One thing to keep in mind is the longer your trip, the less you pay per day for your park tickets. So in a way, it’s advantageous to stay longer than only 5 days.

If you have the time and money , we recommend doing a 9 or 10-night stay and really taking the time to soak it all in. That gives you enough time to visit all 4 parks multiple times, and have days off to relax.

How Much Does a Trip to Disney World Cost?

Let’s get to the bottom line…how much does a Disney World vacation really cost?

Everyone has different budgets, so the cost is going to depend on how many days you go, how many people are in your group, and how you like to vacation. Our Guide to Doing Disney World on a Budget will help you with more of the details.

The major costs to consider for a Disney World vacation are:

• Park Tickets
• Souvenirs/Shopping

We’ve made our estimated costs based on a family of 4 on a 5-Night vacation to Walt Disney World in the Summer, with 4 days of theme park passes.

For a family of 4, a Walt Disney World vacation in 2024 costs: $5,895.26 , $7,378.61 , or $10,757.96 . These prices include the above expenses and are broken down our price estimates into 3 categories: Budget , Moderate , and Expensive .

• For a family of 2 adults , the prices change to: $3,667.10, $4,684.80, and $7,323.00 .
• For a family of 3, the prices change to: $4,689.19, $5,861.19, and $8,768.94 .
• For a family of 5, the prices change to: $8,862.35, $10,005.00, and $12,203.90 .

Of course, there are many more factors to take into consideration, especially the time of year you visit. We calculated these prices based on a Summer vacation, but they can change by hundreds of dollars in either direction, so keep that in mind.

Read our post on the Average Cost to go to Disney World for more details and how to save money on your trip.

Should I Use a Disney Travel Agent?

One option you might want to consider is using an authorized Disney Vacation Planner when planning your trip. Even though there is a ton of great information on the internet to read, sometimes it’s just too much and you prefer having someone take care of the work for you.

The nice thing is most Disney travel agents don’t cost any extra money to work with. That means you can have someone personalize your trip for you and make the tough reservations, all for free. In fact, most of the time, using an agent will actually SAVE you money since they know when the discounts come out.

Using an authorized Disney vacation planner, your trip will be much better organized, less stressful, and save you money.

If you like the hands-off approach to trip planning, we highly recommend Rene Cittadino and her amazing team from Show You the World Travel. We’ve worked with Rene and her team of experts many times before and she is our Disney Travel Planner of choice.

• Contact René at Show You the World Travel for all your trip planning needs, including a FREE quote.

List Your Priorities

There is way too much to do at Walt Disney World, no matter how long your trip is. That means you need to make a priority list of must-dos.

• Is there a restaurant you absolutely must go to? Write it into the schedule.
• What are the attractions you have to do at each park?
• Which shows do you want to see?
• Which characters?

When we are planning a trip to Disney World, we put all the must-dos in one column and then find a place for them in the program. We also have a secondary list of things we’d like to do if time allows, and we fill in the cracks with those.

When to Visit in 2024 or 2025?

Above all things, deciding when to visit Disney World is the most important decision you have to make when planning your trip.

Factors such as crowds, price, weather, and special events should all be taken into consideration when choosing your dates. Unfortunately for some, it’s not always up to us to decide. If you have children in school, you might be forced to only choose dates during the holidays or summer break, and those can be the worst times to visit.

Let’s look at some of the factors, meanwhile, our post on The Best Times to Visit Disney World goes into more depth.

The crowds are probably our most important factor in deciding when to go to Disney World. Trust us, there is nothing worst than going to Disney World when the parks are their busiest.

Crowds at Disney World tend to follow the school calendar, which means holidays and the Summer are when they are at peak levels. If you can avoid going during those times you will be better off, but sometimes this is not possible, especially if you have to take your kids out of school.

Read our 2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar post to see which months are the busiest and least busy.

Whether in Orlando, Florida can be brutal for a good part of the year with scorching temperatures and unbearable humidity. Even though it’s known for sunshine, Disney World also gets tons of rain during some months.

The best weather for the parks tends to be from November to March when the climate is mild and there are few rainy days. You also need to know when there are Hurricanes at Walt Disney World and how to avoid them.

What is the Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World?

Going to Disney World is expensive, so planning a vacation for cheap can be a huge help to many guests. So what is the cheapest time to go?

Disney World offers the best rates and the biggest discounts during the off-season when kids are at school. Prices are the highest during the summer and during holidays. Things like ticket prices, airfare, and hotel rooms are all more expensive during those times.

If saving money is important to you, try booking your trip in January, February, or September.

Read our post on the Cheapest times to go to Disney World for more info and tips for guests on a budget.

Special Events

Disney can throw quite the party, and many people come to Disney World specifically for the yearly special events put on. Depending on your needs, you might want to come during one of the events or avoid them altogether.

Here are some of the biggest special events to make note of in 2024:

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 3-7, 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January 12- February 19, 2024)
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (February 28 – Early July, 2024)
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (Mid-July – Mid-November, 2024)
• Walt Disney World 100th Year Celebration (Most of 2024)
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Select nights from Mid-August – October 31, 2024)
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Select nights November and December 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Late November – December 30th, 2024)

Park Pass Reservations

Right now in 2024, Park Pass Reservations are no longer required for most ticket types (there are some exceptions for Annual Passholders and other special tickets) , and for the most part you no longer have to worry about park capacity.

If your ticket type does require Park Pass Reservations, make sure there are open dates for the parks you want before booking your trip, then once you buy your tickets, make your park pass reservations so you are sure to get in.

However, the good news is that park reservations are no longer required for the majority of ticket holders starting January 9, 2024.

We explain it all in our post on how to make Disney Park Pass reservations .

New Attractions

If you love attractions, then you might want to plan your trip around some of the new rides that are opening up. This is especially true if you’ve been to Disney World many times before and want to hold out until something else is new.

Here are the biggest new attractions opening in 2024:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Test Track 3.0
• New Country Bear Jamboree Show

We have been spoiled with a lot of new attractions over the past few years.

EPCOT has been a big focus of recent additions with our favorite being Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which opened on May 27, 2022, and it has immediately become the most popular ride in EPCOT and a must-do on your visit.

Other new EPCOT attractions include Moana: Journey of Water , Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure , Space 220 Restaurant , and the new Luminous The Symphony of US Fireworks Show .

The TRON: Lightcycle Run Roller Coaster similarly has been a smashing success at Magic Kingdom when it opened on April 2nd of 2023.

Those are just a taste of what’s coming next. Read our guide on New Rides Coming to Disney World which will help you decide when to plan your trip.

What Month is the Best to Go to Disney World?

In general, we find that January and September are the best months to visit Disney World .

Both are incredibly quiet times of the year. January has nicer park weather for long days in the park. September can be wonderfully quiet if you can endure 90-degree days.

For a variety of reasons, we feel that September and May will also be great months at Disney World in 2024. Read our post on Disney World – Month by Month Rankings for a comparison of each one.

Wait Until 2025?

Unlike in 2020-2022 years, most of the health restrictions have now been removed from the Disney parks, making it much more like a normal visit. In our opinion, most guests don’t have reason to be fearful like at the beginning of the reopening.

If you have been waiting for a couple of years to visit, 2024 and 2025 may be the perfect opportunity for your perfect Disney World vacation with all that is coming down the pipeline.

Our article “Should you visit Disney World in 2024?” can help make the case for each year and includes the positives and negatives for both.

No matter what dates you have in mind, check out our post “How Far in Advance Can You Book a Disney Vacation?” That will give you the full timeline and let you know when to get started.

Limited Experiences & Closures

Some of the normal experiences guests are used to at Disney World are not running right now. Since a Disney World vacation is not cheap, this can be a huge factor in deciding whether it’s worth the cost at this time.

Some of the things missing are:

• Some Stage Shows
• Fewer Street Entertainers
• Fewer Characters in the parks

This is another problem brought on by the fact that Disney is not able to find enough cast members to fill the roles required for all the positions in the parks. That’s why we still have limited entertainment options compared to a few years ago.

Thankfully, we have seen the return of fireworks to the parks on a nightly basis and dessert parties to go along with them. Character meets are open again, and at least you can get hugs and autographs from them too!

We are also excited to know that more special events are running again in 2024 with the Disney After Hours Events in full swing. On top of that, the Disney Dining Plan is made its long-awaited return on January 9th, 2024! Guests can begin booking it for trips on that date and after.

At least park hours are pretty much back to normal once again so you can expect to stay in the parks like before.

Important Disney World Vocab

Genie+, PhotoPass, ADRs, MDE, EMH…anyone else confused yet?? In fact, before you start planning your Disney vacation, there are some basic vocabulary terms you need to learn.

Below we’ve listed the most Disney important terms you will see while planning your trip:

My Disney Experience

Everything starts with My Disney Experience when planning a Disney World vacation. Also known as MDE, this is Disney World’s app that handles dining reservations, Genie+, mobile ordering, park maps, resort stay information, itineraries, PhotosPass pictures, and much, much more.

My Disney Experience is accessible through the website or the mobile app on your phone. Get familiar with it, because it’s a necessary tool to use before and during your vacation.

As you may have heard, FastPass+ has been retired and replaced by the new Disney Genie service . Disney Genie is a day-planning app in My Disney Experience that includes two paid ride reservation systems, Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections.

They allow guests to reserve access to the most popular theme park attractions, essentially skipping the lines and saving you time along the way.

Genie+ is not free like its predecessor was and instead costs between $15 and $39 per day, per guest. With that fee, guests can make reservations for attractions they want to ride throughout the day in a specific time slot like FastPass+. They then come back when that time slot arrives.

Reservations are limited to one at a time, so you can’t have 3 all at once like before. Once a two-hour window passes from making your first reservation, you can then make a reservation for the next attraction.

A few of the most popular attractions instead use Individual Lightning Lane selections. These let you skip the line for a one-time fee between $10-$25 depending on the ride. Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections are two different pay-to-ride services and guests can use one without the other if they choose.

If you choose not to use either of these services, you will just wait in a standby queue to ride the attraction like normal.

• READ: We cover everything you need to know about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes in our guide which is essential reading before deciding how to tour the parks each day. I also recommend reading our post “ Is Genie+ Really Worth the Cost? ” which helps you to know if you should spend the extra money.

Early Theme Park Entry

Early Theme Park Entry allows Disney World Resort hotel guests to have access to the theme parks in the morning before the general public . This is one of the biggest benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort hotel with guests experiencing fewer crowds in the parks.

It works in a similar way as Extra Magic Hours did only that Early Theme Park Entry runs every day of the week and lets guests in 30 minutes before the parks open. It’s unclear if EMH will ever return or if Early Theme Park Entry is here to stay long-term.

One thing is clear, you get a big advantage showing up early and it can really help you get the more popular rides in each park done before the crowds arrive.

MagicBands are an all-in-one mobile connectivity device disguised as colorful bracelets. These devices connect with My Disney Experience and can be used by guests to buy food or merchandise, unlock hotel room doors, redeem Genie+ selections at rides, and use them as theme park tickets.

In 2024, MagicBands are no longer free to guests but can be purchased for a small fee online or in the parks. The future of MagicBands and replacement technology is much more clear now that Disney finally launched MagicBand+ a couple of years ago.

Park Hopping

Park hopping is Disney’s system for allowing guests to visit multiple theme parks on the same day. It is an add-on feature to your Disney World theme park admission and is an extra cost. Whether or not it’s worth it to you depends on if you prefer hopping around to multiple parks per day or doing one park per day more thoroughly.

Park Hopping is alive and well in 2024 after being unavailable for a while after the parks reopened. Read our post on Disney World Park Hopping to see what changes there are to the system now.

ADRs is an abbreviation for Advanced Dining Reservations and it is how you reserve a table at Disney World restaurants. Dining reservations are a MUST to get into the more popular restaurants, especially for character meals, theme park restaurants, and the more elegant dining experiences.

If you are staying at one of the Disney World Resort hotels , ADRs can be made 60 days in advance of your check-in date, and reservations can be made for up to 10 days past the check-in date, for a total of 60+10. If you are staying off-site, you are at a disadvantage because you can only make reservations 60 days in advance of the dining date.

Read our Disney World Dining Reservations Guide for more details and tips on getting into the restaurants you want.

PhotoPass & Memory Maker

PhotoPass is Disney’s photography service offered at the Walt Disney World Resort . Professional photographers (and machines) are stationed throughout the parks and are available to take pictures of you and your family as a memory to take back home with you.

These photographers are set up in the most scenic areas, with many of Disney World’s famous icons in the pictures with you like Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, etc. These photos are connected to your My Disney Experience account and can be downloaded or printed at a later time.

Many of the photographs include MagicShots, which are photos with a little bit of extra Disney magic in them, often including the characters and funny poses. On-ride photos are also available on many of the attractions and also can be downloaded.

In order to get these photos, you will need to purchase the Memory Maker package for your trip. It is an additional cost of $210 + tax (or $185 + tax if you purchase it at least 3 days in advance) but gives you unlimited photo opportunities for your whole travel party during your entire vacation.

You also have the opportunity to purchase Memory Maker for only one day, and that costs $75.

Disney photographers will also take photos of you and your family with your own phones if you ask, so don’t be afraid. This service is free of charge.

Where to Stay?

The next step in booking your Walt Disney World vacation is figuring out where you want to stay.

Some of the factors to consider when deciding where to stay are:

• Staying On-Site or Off-Site
• Accommodation Type
• Location and Convenience
• Hotel Amenities
• Airport Transportation
• Extra Perks

Some of these will be important to you while others not so much. Base your decision on the accommodations that check off the most boxes for you and your family.

The first step in this process is deciding if you want to stay at a Disney World Resort hotel (on-site) or outside of the resort property (off-site).

Disney World Resort Hotels

Staying On-Site Benefits

• Location – Resorts are located near the Disney theme parks which means less travel time each day. You can also go back to your hotel for a nap in the afternoon before heading out once again later.
• Genie+ – Staying at a WDW resort hotel means you can make your Individual Lightning Lane reservations at 7:00 am, before guests who are staying off-site.
• Early Theme Park Entry – You will have extra time in the parks in the morning before the general public arrives.
• Transportation – Disney includes free transportation to and from the theme parks, Disney Springs, and other hotels. Free airport shuttle service is no longer provided through Disney’s Magical Express , and you’ll have to take care of getting from Orlando Airport to Disney World on your own. Options include the Mears Connect Shuttle , taxi, or a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
• Theming – Most Disney World hotels have unique theming that you and your kids will love.
• The Disney Bubble – There is something magical about stepping into Walt Disney World at the beginning of your vacation and then not stepping out until the end. You feel tucked away inside this magical world that you never want to leave.

Staying Off-Site

Benefits of Staying Off-Site:

• Lower Cost – This is the biggest benefit, one that could make a huge difference in your decision. Compared to each other, non-Disney hotels cost significantly less than Disney hotels of the same hotel class (value vs. value, deluxe vs. deluxe). You could save between 30-50% on hotel costs by staying off-site.
• Transportation – Some of the off-site hotels have a free transportation service between the airport and the hotel so make sure to ask for your options.
• Genie+ – While you don’t have the advantage with the Individual Lightning Lane selections, making Genie+ reservations is the same for guests staying on-site or off-site.
• Better if Visiting Other Orlando Destinations – If going to Orlando, Sea World or other destinations, a more central location outside Disney World is nice.
• More Luxurious – Some of the hotels available in the Orlando area like the Four Seasons Orlando or Ritz-Carlton Orlando, are true luxury hotels, and offer more amenities than the Disney World Resorts.

On-Site vs Off-Site

If you are looking for the easiest, most convenient choice and money is not your number one deciding factor, we recommend staying at a Disney World Resort hotel . The only real negative is the cost, and most of the time the benefits outweigh that, but it will depend on your priorities and budget.

We recommend exploring both options and weighing the cost vs value for you and your family. If you are only going for 4-5 days though, we think staying at a Disney hotel is the smart play since time is of the essence. If you have a longer stay (7 days or more), you might find more value in staying off-site.

Our On-Site vs. Off-Site Disney World Hotels Comparison will help you decide if the benefits are worth the extra cost.

Disney Hotel Types

There are 4 tiers of Walt Disney World Resort hotels and they are organized by cost:

• Value Resorts
• Moderate Resorts
• Deluxe Resorts
• Deluxe Villas

Value Resorts are the cheapest of the hotel types and can be booked anywhere from $130 to $415 per night depending on the season. They have the fewest amenities, the smallest rooms, the cheapest theming, the worst dining options, and the transportation is the slowest.

Moderate Resorts are a step up from value, but not nearly as nice as the Deluxe resorts. The rooms are bigger than value rooms, and the dining is much better at most of them. Prices range from $260 to $505 per night.

Deluxe Resorts are our favorite hotels in Disney World and for good reason. Most of the rooms are large and can fit more than 4 people. The best dining locations are located here with some world-class restaurants. The pools are the best and the locations and transportation options can’t be beaten such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner, and most are within walking distance of the parks.

Of course, expect to pay for this upgrade and prices can vary between $490 to $1350 per night depending on where and when you stay.

Deluxe Villas are Disney Vacation Club properties located at the Deluxe Resorts. Some guests own timeshare points they can spend at these resorts, while other rent points from members. This is the cheapest way to stay at one of the deluxe resorts without breaking the bank and a strategy we highly recommend.

We recommend reading our Guide to the Best Disney World Resorts where we rank them all from best to worst and share the pros and cons of each resort.

Vacation Packages 

Disney World Vacation Packages are your hotel room + theme park tickets in the same bundle. These can be a mixed bag. Sometimes they can be a great value and offer deep discounts on room rates or even include discounts on food like the Disney Free Dining package included.

Most of the time we find you can save more money by getting a hotel room-only discount and buying tickets separately. You should do your due diligence and compare prices between the two options. Disney World Vacation Packages can be booked at www.DisneyWorld.com

Again, we highly recommend you use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner as they will always be able to find the deepest discounts for you and save the most money.

Airbnb and Nearby Hotels

Instead of staying at a hotel, if you are really trying to save money on your trip , then consider staying at one of the many third-party hotels or an Airbnb near Disney World.

If you aren’t familiar with how Airbnb works, it is a service that rents out peoples’ residences to travelers like a hotel room.

The Airbnbs in Orlando include vacation homes, apartments, and condos. Besides the lower cost, guests have more privacy and space in a private residence than at a hotel. There is also usually a full kitchen so you can prepare your meals and save even more money.

Another cheaper alternative is staying at one of the nearby off-site hotels, or a hotel located on Disney property, but not run by the mouse. This can save you a lot of money, just make sure you are aware of the extra costs that could be involved.

The biggest downside for off-site hotels, Airbnb, or vacation homes is the distance from the parks and not being able to use Disney transportation. You will either have to rent a car or use a ride-sharing service like Uber to get around, and that can be inconvenient. If you already will be using a car, then consider this a great alternative.

Read our Complete Disney World Resort Hotels List for a look at all the Disney and Non-Disney hotel options in the area and what to expect.

Park tickets can be the most expensive part of a trip to Walt Disney World, even more than dining and your hotel. That’s why it’s important to do your research beforehand and know how to save money when buying them.

You also need to decide exactly how many days you want to spend in the parks so you don’t end up paying for more days than necessary.

Where to Buy Tickets

Options for buying Disney World Tickets include:

• Directly from Disney
• Authorized Ticket Reseller
• Travel Agent

Getting your tickets from Disney on the official Disney World website is your first option. It’s almost always more expensive, however, and it pays to look elsewhere.

To save money on your park tickets, we recommend using one of the authorized resellers online such as Get Away Today or Undercover Tourist . They are legit resellers so you don’t have to worry about being ripped off like other places online.

If you really want to save money, we highly recommend Orlando Va cation which often has the best prices for any of the Disney World ticket resellers.

Depending on what type of ticket you are buying, these options can save you as much as $50-$70 per ticket! That’s a huge savings, especially if you have a big family. Once you buy your Disney World park tickets, they can be linked to your My Disney Experience with a code.

In our Discount Disney World Tickets Guide , we cover the best places to buy tickets from and how to get the absolute cheapest tickets possible.

Ticket Types

There are three basic types of Disney World theme park tickets: Standard tickets, Park Hopper tickets, or Annual Passes . Both standard and park hopper tickets can be purchased as single-day tickets or multi-day.

Standard Tickets – This is the cheapest ticket type. They allow you admission to one theme park per day for the number of days you purchased. You can visit the same park for multiple days if you choose.

Park Hopper Tickets – This option allows you to visit multiple parks per day for the entire amount of days you purchased. Technically you can visit all 4 parks in one day if you like. There is a Water Park version too. They are more expensive but allow for greater flexibility.

Annual Passes – There are multiple versions with different restrictions but the higher-end options give you unlimited access to the parks letting you visit whenever you want. If you live close to WDW or are planning on visiting multiple times in a one-year period, an annual pass could be a good investment.

Here are some links that explain about all the various ticket types, differences, pros and cons, prices, and their unique features:

• Disney World Tickets Complete Guide
• 1-Day Disney World Tickets
• Disney World Annual Pass Guide
• Florida Resident Disney World Tickets

Disney World park tickets are priced on a date and length-based system. That means the prices will fluctuate greatly depending on when you go.

For example, in 2024, a 1-Day standard park ticket starts at $109 per day and goes all the way up to $189 per day (plus tax) . That’s a huge difference and you can get a lot of savings by going in the off-season.

Another important factor is that tickets cost less per day the more days you have on your ticket. In fact, Disney’s motto is: “the longer you play, the less you pay per day.” Once you get higher than a 3-day ticket, the price per day drops dramatically.

To find out the latest prices and how much they’ve increased this year, read our Disney Tickets Prices Guide .

When to Buy Tickets

There are multiple reasons to buy your Disney World park tickets as soon as possible . One reason is you can’t make Park pass reservations without them. That is important because the longer you wait the less likely you will get into the park of your choice when you want.

Disney tickets never become less expensive, so buying early also locks in your price before the next price increase comes.

Buy your tickets whenever your budget allows, just never wait until you get to the gate or you will pay more.

How to Travel to Walt Disney World

Now that you have your hotel and tickets all set, you need to decide how to get to Walt Disney World. This will depend on how far away you live and what your plans are when you get to Orlando.

Drive or Fly ?

These are the two most popular options for getting to Disney World and depend mostly on where you live.

Drive – If you are within a few hours of Walt Disney World, your best option might be to drive. You also might decide to drive if you are live close enough nearby, or if you are staying off-site and will be visiting other destinations outside of Disney World.

One thing to keep in mind is that many Orlando hotels charge parking fees for each night of your stay, and that will cost you an extra $20-$30 per night. These can be avoided if staying at one of the WDW Resorts.

Fly – For most guests, an airplane is the most convenient way to get to Disney World. The Orlando International Airport is the best choice and is located only 30 minutes from WDW. There are multiple flights per day arriving from most cities in the United States and Internationally.

Airfare is also not expensive and good discount flights can be found online with many between $150-$250.

Booking Airfare

We recommend setting your dates and to start looking for airfare 1 year before your vacation. That will give you the best chance to score a deal.

If you are booking airfare yourself, we usually find the best prices on ITA Software by Google , AirfareWatchdog , or Skyscanner . You can set up price alerts and they give a flexible dates option to find the best price.

Transportation to and from Airport

The Orlando International Airport is located approximately 20 miles from Walt Disney World, which means you will need transportation to get to your hotel.

The popular & free Disney’s Magical Express transportation was discontinued in 2022 so now in 2023, you’ll need another option to get from the airport to your resort hotel, which means you need to pay out of pocket.

One solution when staying at Walt Disney World is the Mears Connect Shuttle , the most similar replacement for the Magical Express.

Other options no matter where you are staying include taxi service or ride-sharing such as Uber or Lyft .

• Taxis are by far the more expensive choice and will cost around $50-$60 each way plus tip depending on where you are going.
• Uber is a much cheaper option and will cost between $30-$40 each way.

Allow sufficient time to get to your hotel from the airport. If you have a 10:00 am arrival you can expect to get to your hotel by around 11:30 am if taking a cab or Uber. It will be longer on one of the bus services and in that case you will probably arrive between 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm.

Read “ How to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World ” for the full breakdown of all your options and how to save money with transportation.

Attractions and Rides

Most people come to Walt Disney World for the attractions, and you want to plan them out as best as possible in order to do all the ones most important to you.

Pay special attention to this section if this is your first time or you haven’t been to Disney World in a few years as there are many new attractions to experience. Make sure to check the Disney World Ride Closures List to see which rides will be open during your trip.

If you are going to EPCOT, make sure to read our post on How to Get a Boarding Pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , and How to Get a Boarding Pass for TRON: Lightcycle Run over at the Magic Kingdom. These are two of the hardest attractions to ride in Disney World at this time.

You’ll definitely want to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , and right now you’ll need to use the standby queue to ride. You can also read How to Get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance for the times it uses the virtual queue system.

For a detailed look at all of the attractions, be sure to check out our other Disney World Ride Guides:

• Best Rides in Disney World Ranked
• Magic Kingdom Rides and Attractions Guide
• EPCOT Rides and Attractions Guide
• Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions Guide
• Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions Guide
• Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney World

Pick Your Park Days

First, you need to pick how many days you need for each park and how many park days total. Depending on your interests, some parks you can get done in half a day, and some will take you multiple days.

If it’s your first time we recommend 1 full day for each park, and an extra half-day or more for the Magic Kingdom since it has the most attractions.

• Magic Kingdom – The best park for small kids and has the most rides.
• EPCOT – Best park for foodies, festivals, and culture.
• Hollywood Studios – Best park for teens and thrill-seekers.
• Animal Kingdom – Best park for animal and nature lovers and a good selection of rides and food.

The highlights of EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom can all be done in 3 half-days, but we recommend spending at least a day in each to soak up the atmosphere and not feel rushed.

Must-Do Rides

There are some truly special ride experiences at Disney World and each park has a number of Must-Do attractions you won’t want to miss. Here are some of the best ones:

Magic Kingdom – TRON: Lightcycle Run , Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Jungle Cruise

EPCOT – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway , Toy Story Mania!, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Animal Kingdom – Avatar: Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Na’vi River Journey

Those are by far the most popular attractions in each park and the ones that should be at the top of your list. That is a great starting point for any park itinerary.

Make sure to leave enough time to fully explore all the details in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora: The World of Avatar , two of the most immersive lands we’ve ever seen!

Characters are a huge draw for guests when visiting the parks, especially kids. Character meets can be found in all 4 theme parks and include favorites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Princesses, and characters from the Pixar films.

Character meets were suspended temporarily for two years, but they returned in 2022, and you can hug the characters and get their autographs now just like normal! You can also see them in the new Character Cavalcades that go through the parks at various times of the day.

Entertainment

Besides rides, Disney World also offers first-class entertainment with amazing stage shows and nighttime spectaculars. Here is a list of the ones you shouldn’t miss and where to find them:

Fireworks/Nighttime Spectaculars – Happily Ever After (MK), Luminous the Symphony of US (EPCOT), Fantasmic! (HS), Tree of Life Awakenings (AK).

Stage Shows/Street Shows – Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (MK), Dapper Dans (MK), Jeweled Dragon Acrobats (EPCOT), Voices of Liberty (EPCOT), Serveur Amusant (EPCOT), A Frozen Sing-Along (HS), Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (HS), Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (HS), Festival of the Lion King (AK), Finding Nemo – The Musical (AK)

Parades – Character Cavalcades (All Parks), Festival of Fantasy Parade (MK)

Most of these entertainment options are now back in 2024, and we are hopeful more will come back later this year.

High Priority Genie+ and Lightning Selections

FastPass+ has been retired and Disney has shifted to its paid replacement Genie+. However, not all Genie+ or Lightning Lane reservations are equal, and there are some attractions where it’s much more advantageous to use them.

After all, you are limited to one Genie+ reservation at a time for the most part, so you need to choose wisely.

You should use Genie+ selections on higher-profile attractions that always draw long wait times like Peter Pan’s Flight or Test Track. Using a Genie+ on Alien Swirling Saucers at Hollywood Studios for example would be a waste.

Here is our list of High-Priority Genie+ attractions:

• Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
• Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom)
• Test Track (EPCOT)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EPCOT)
• Frozen Ever After (EPCOT)
• Na’vi River Journey (Animal Kingdom)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Hollywood Studios)
• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios)
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
• Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)

Not all the Individual Lightning Lane selections are worth the money either as some don’t usually have long enough wait times.

Here is our list of rides we would spend an Individual Lightning Lane selection on if the circumstances were right:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
• TRON: Lightcycle Run (Magic Kingdom)
• Avatar: Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)

Here are some other posts about Genie+ and Lightning Lanes that you should read before planning your trip:

• Ultimate Genie+ & Lightning Lane Guide
• Is Genie+ Worth It?
• How to Purchase Genie+ at Disney World
• How to Purchase Individual Lightning Lanes

For some, dining is their favorite experience when visiting Walt Disney World, and there is an unlimited number of choices available for every palate. In fact, there are over 400 restaurants at Walt Disney World, with varying menus and themes to choose from.

Some restaurants are table service where you sit down and a waiter serves you and some are quick service/counter service which is more like fast food.

Among the decisions you have to make are where to eat, when to book reservations, and whether or not to use the Disney Dining Plan or not.

Choosing Restaurants

The first decision to make about dining in Disney World is which restaurants you want to go to.

It can be hard to make a decision, especially if you haven’t been to any of them before. We suggest reading through the menus on the Disney World website to see what stands out to you and reading some of our Disney Restaurant Reviews for more info.

Character dining and buffets are options to consider, and some restaurants are more kid-friendly than others.

Here are some of our rankings of the top places to eat at Walt Disney World:

• Best Walt Disney World Restaurants
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at EPCOT
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at Disney Springs
• Best Disney World Resort Hotel Restaurants

Making Reservations

Once you’ve picked out your restaurants, it’s time to make reservations. They can be made using the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device or on your computer on the Disn e y World website.

Advance Dining Reservations can be made 60 days before your check-in date for the length of your vacation (Previously 180 days) . We highly recommend making them as soon as possible as the most popular restaurants fill up months ahead of time.

Read our Disney Advance Dining Reservations guide for more tips on how to book the restaurants you want and the highest priority restaurants.

High Priority Restaurants

Here is a list of the hardest-to-book restaurants in Disney World and ones that should be booked right at the 60-day deadline:

• Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
• Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
• Le Cellier (EPCOT)
• Oga’s Cantina (Hollywood Studios)
• ‘Ohana (Disney’s Polynesian Resort)
• Space 220 (EPCOT)
• Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
• Victoria & Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort)

There are other hard-to-get ones like Via Napoli and California Grill, but the above ones are by far the hardest.

Our Favorite WDW Restaurants

Our favorite WDW Restaurants for First-Timers are:

• 50’s Prime Time Cafe (Hollywood Studios)
• California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
• Hollywood Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios)
• Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom)
• Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs)
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Cafe and Inn (Magic Kingdom)
• Satu’li Canteen (Animal Kingdom)
• The Boathouse (Disney Springs)
• Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)

That list has something for everyone no matter your budget or tastes.

Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan returned to Walt Disney World on January 9th, 2024 ! For all the news on the new dining plan, check out my post here .

Even though we aren’t fans of the Disney Dining Plan, many guests love to use it and it’s something you need to understand to make an educated decision on how you want to pay for your meals.

The Dining Plan lets guests pay for their meals before their vacation starts giving each person in the group a number of credits they can spend on meals each day. This makes it very convenient since you don’t have to pay for food “out-of-pocket” during your trip, and your budget is already set.

There are 4 levels of the Disney Dining Plan, (Quick Service, Standard, Plus, and Deluxe) each with different prices and tailored to how much you plan on eating during your trip.

In general, we don’t recommend the Disney Dining Plan because it is a bit too expensive. In order to make it worth it, you need to do a lot of research ahead of time, and pick the “right” restaurants and the most expensive items on the menu. Most people don’t end up using all their credits, essentially paying for food they never eat.

Disney World Transportation

Next, it’s important to know how to get around Walt Disney World once you arrive. With almost 500 buses, dozens of watercraft, a monorail, and a gondola system, Disney World has a larger public transportation system than many American cities.

Should You Rent a Car?

Renting a car at Disney World has its positives and negatives and is a big decision you need to make. It comes down to if you are going to visit other places outside of Walt Disney World or stay on property the entire time.

If you are going to spend the entire vacation at Walt Disney World, there is absolutely no need to rent a car. Disney’s public transportation is more than sufficient for your needs.

If you are just going to spend one day in another Orlando destination like Universal Studios, you don’t need a car and you will save money by catching an Uber or a taxi to your destination.

The best reason for renting a car is if you plan on spending multiple days outside Disney World. Just know that parking fees at the theme parks can add up if you aren’t staying at a Disney World Resort, so expect to spend an additional$25 per day on top of rental car fees.

Just remember, if you have a car, in some cases, you will need to pay parking fees either at the hotels or theme parks which is an extra expense on top of the cost of the car itself. Sometimes both. We explain it all in our Guide to Parking at Disney World .

The most common form of transportation at Walt Disney World, and also the worst. No matter where you are staying, you will eventually have to use a Disney bus at some point in your trip to get to at least one of the theme parks.

They can each hold 100+ guests so they can get very packed and uncomfortable. Buses also tend to be the slowest way of getting around at Disney World, so if there is an alternative to where you are going, take it.

If you do end up taking the bus, make sure to show up 20-30 minutes before the time you want to leave as they are notoriously late.

When Disney World’s monorail system debuted back in 1971 it was an instant hit with guests and become the most popular mode of transportation.

The monorail has 3 lines loops. 2 of them (Resort and Express) go around the Seven Seas Lagoon and connect the Magic Kingdom with the nearby hotels at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and the Ticket and Transportation Center.

The third line connects EPCOT to Magic Kingdom lines allowing access to the surrounding resorts.

We love the Monorail and it’s still a great time riding from resort to resort, but they are outdated and in great need of refurbishment. The trains haven’t been replaced since 1989 so it’s beyond time for a new system.

This is the newest transportation mode at Disney World and our current favorite. Reminiscent of the old Skyway buckets from the Magic Kingdom, this gondola system brings guests between Disney parks and resorts with a wonderful bird’s-eye view.

Disney Skyliner Stops – EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Read our Full Guide to the Disney Skyliner for more tips, maps, and everything else you need to know.

Disney World has a fleet of watercraft that 3 of the theme parks with various surrounding resort hotels. It’s a fantastic way to get to the parks, and to relax with great views on the way.

• Parks with Watercraft Service – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.
• Resorts with Watercraft Service – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort (and Bay Lake), Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts, Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (Treehouse Villas).

Expect to wait 20-30 minutes between boat arrivals.

Ride Sharing (Uber/Lyft)

Sometimes you just don’t have time to wait for Disney transportation and you need to get to your destination fast. A ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft is perfect at Disney World in that situation.

Ride-sharing such as Uber will bring you anywhere you want in Walt Disney World. The only place they can’t go is to the front entrance at the Magic Kingdom. Instead, they drop guests off at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Disney doesn’t offer hotel to hotel bus service, so we often use Uber to get from our hotel to another one where we have a dinner reservation. This is a big-time saver instead of taking a bus to Disney Springs or a Park and then over to the second hotel.

Minnie Vans

Minnie Vans are Disney’s attempt to counter the popularity of ride-sharing services over the last few years. They are now back at Walt Disney World after being discontinued for 2 years.

They were run through the Lyft app and would bring you anywhere on property for a fee. Cars were painted red and black with white polka dots to resemble Minnie Mouse’s patented dress. They were much faster than Disney buses, but in the end, 2-3x more expensive than an Uber and not worth the high cost.

Getting from Park to Park

If you are park hopping you will want to go from one park to the other in the same day. Thankfully, Disney offers park-to-park transportation for resort hotel guests.

You can take the monorail between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. If you want to go between the Magic Kingdom and any other park, you will need to take the bus. Right now they run from 2:00 pm daily between parks.

Hollywood Studios and EPCOT have multiple transportation methods between them with boats, walking, and the Disney Skyliner all options.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most difficult park to get to from another park and can only be reached by bus.

Other Stuff to Do

Most guests only come to Walt Disney World in mind, not realizing there is a whole world of other activities and entertainment to enjoy. There are water parks, boating, fishing golf, spa treatments, shopping to enjoy. You can even take a private tour or get a ticket to a special event.

You can celebrate a special moment in your life like an engagement or anniversary. Believe it or not, there are even a bunch of free things to do on your trip! There is something for the whole family.

Let’s take a look at some of the other things to do at Disney World.

Water Parks

Disney World has 2 water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. To go, you need to purchase the water parks add-on to your regular theme park admission or buy a single-day ticket.

• Typhoon Lagoon has 7 water slide rides, one kiddie slide, one kiddie play area, one lazy river, one wave pool, and one small exploration trail. More family-friendly.
• Blizzard Beach has seven water slide rides, one kiddie play area, one lazy river, one wave pool, and a chairlift. More thrilling water slides.

Both water parks are fun, but if we are going to spend one day at a water park, we choose Typhoon Lagoon every time. The overall theming of the park is amazing, and the lazy river and wave pool are much better than at Blizzard Beach.

Disney Springs

This is Disney World’s main shopping and dining district and where you go if you are looking for nightlife at Disney World. Disney Springs underwent a major refurbishment and expansion a few years ago and now has countless must-try dining options as well as a Cirque du Soleil show, a movie theater, a fun bowling alley, and more.

Most of the restaurants at Disney Springs are much easier to get a reservation for than the restaurants at the parks and resort hotels, so keep that in mind if you have difficulty.

Read our rankings of the best Disney Springs restaurants for suggestions of where and what to eat.

Resort Days

Disney World can be exhausting running from one park to the next. We recommend spending at least one day doing absolutely nothing at your resort hotel. When I say nothing I mean lounging by the pool with a drink.

A good strategy is to have one resort day in the middle of your trip so you can recharge your batteries before doing the rest of the parks.

What is there to do at the resort hotels you ask? Tons! Here are some of our favorite recreation activities at Disney World:

• Boating/Jet Skis
• Horseback Riding
• Organized Resort Activities & Games
• Painting, Pottery & Crafts
• Sports – Tennis, Basketball, Golf, Archery
• Jogging/Trails
• Movies Under the Stars

Those should keep you busy for a while!

Visiting Other Resorts

Another option is to visit other Walt Disney World Resort hotels during your stay. The theming on some of them is really incredible (Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge), it’s free to do, and it’s fun to just walk around and check out the grounds.

No, you can’t swim in the pools at a resort you aren’t staying at, but you can scout out the hotels to find the resort you will stay at on your next trip to Disney World. Many enjoy doing this during the holidays to see the various decorations at each resort.

If you don’t want to take a whole day visiting other resorts, we suggest booking a lunch or dinner reservation at one of the restaurants in the resorts and then going early to check things out.

Sure you can go to the parks and ride the attractions, but did you know there are dozens of tours (paid and free) that you and your family can take? Planning a tour can be a great addition to your vacation and there is one for the whole family.

Best Tours at Disney World

• Keys to the Kingdom (Magic Kingdom)
• Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour (Magic Kingdom)
• Behind the Seeds (EPCOT)
• English Tea Garden Tour (EPCOT)
• Star Wars Guided Tour (Hollywood Studios)
• Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience (Animal Kingdom)
• Wild Africa Trek (Animal Kingdom)
• Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour (All Parks)

(Some tours are back right now at Disney World and others are still suspended.)

Extra Magic

There are also other special experiences at Disney World we like to call “Extra Magic” as they add just that extra touch you or your family member is looking for on your vacation. Be sure to look into these, especially for a special occasion.

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – This is a special salon that transforms your little princess or prince with a complete makeover. There are multiple packages that include costumes, make-up, manicures, and hair styling. Packages range from $75-$450.
• Dessert/Fireworks Parties – Each of the theme parks holds Dessert Parties on almost a nightly basis. These parties include all-you-can-eat desserts and a reserved view of the fireworks shows. Prices range from $40-$70 per person.
• Hard-ticketed Parties – Periodically there are events at the parks that require an extra ticket to and private from the general public and are some of the most popular events in Disney World each year. These include Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party , Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party , and various Disney After Hours events . Expect to pay between $109-$200 for these events.

Have a Daily Itinerary

No one likes being tied to a schedule on vacation, unfortunately at Walt Disney World that is not an option if you want to have the best experience possible during your visit.

We’re not saying you have to walk around with a clipboard and spreadsheet, but you need to create a general itinerary for the parks you are going to, which restaurants, etc.

The hard truth is, Disney World is too big and you can’t do it all even if you are there for 2 weeks. That’s why you need to make a plan and prioritize the most important things to you each day.

Some of the general questions about your Disney World trip that you need to think about are:

• How many days are you going to spend in the parks?
• How long will you go to the parks each day? Full days? Half days? Leave and come back in the evening?
• What order will you visit the parks in? Do you need to visit some parks more than once?
• How many sit-down meals per day? Where will you have those meals, at the parks or resort hotels?
• Which extra experiences are important to me? Special events?

The clearer your answers are to those questions, the easier it’s going to be to plan your days, and ultimately the more fun you will have.

When You’re In the Parks

Assuming you know how many days you want to spend in each park, the next thing you need to do is choose the attractions that are most important to you. Make a list of the ones you absolutely NEED to go on and prioritize those first.

Once you have your list, you will know which ones to prioritize when making your Genie+ reservations . When you have those it will be easier to map out the park and decide what order to do the attractions in.

We recommend looking at the park maps and doing the rides systematically. If you are in Adventureland for Jungle Cruise, then do the other rides on that side of the park while you are there. It will save you valuable time instead of walking back and forth multiple times.

What to Pack & Bring

We are almost there, the only thing left to do is pack your bags. Walt Disney World is a unique place and there are many things you might not think about packing that will be very helpful on your trip. We usually think we packed everything, but inevitably leave something at home, that’s why it’s best to have a list.

Here are the most important things to pack:

Luggage/Bags – Make sure your suitcases are in good condition before packing and are big enough to hold all your essential items. Decide how many bags each person is bringing. This will also depend on how many bags your flight permits.

We always pack too much on our trips to Disney World and we find ourselves swimming in bags. If you have a room with a washing machine, take advantage of that and do a load of laundry to save space in your bags.

If you have colorful, character-themed bags, this is the time to use them, your kids will love them. Also, make sure to bring a small backpack. We like to carry one during the day so hold our camera, a bottle of water, sunscreen, medicines, and other necessities.

Shoes – This might be the MOST important item on the list. If you don’t have comfortable shoes in Disney World, you are going to have a miserable time. On average, we walk between 8-10 miles PER DAY on our trips. You may not walk as much as us, but it will be at least 2-3 times more than what you are used to back home.

Here are some other important things you need to bring with you to Disney World:

• Medications
• Phone Chargers
• Travel Documents
• Water Bottles
• Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads (when it gets too hot)

Disney Vacation Planning Timeline

Now that you understand the basics of planning a Disney World vacation, it’s time to put it all together. When are you supposed to do all these planning tasks?

Most planning items need to be completed a certain number of days before your trip. We’ve created a planning timeline for you to make it easier to know when you need to get all these things done by.

One rule you should live by with Disney vacations is “it’s never too early.” Start planning as soon as possible and things will go much smoother.

499 Days Before Your Trip

You have to be kidding right? I need to start planning my trip 499 days before I go? While it’s not absolutely necessary to start this early, it will give you an advantage.

Start Thinking about Travel Dates – Get at least an idea of the dates you want to go to Disney World. Consult our Best Times to Visit Disney World guide to see which months are the best and worst.

Research/Book Hotel Reservations – Disney makes resort hotel reservations available for booking as many as 19 months in advance. If you know where you want to stay already, you may as well book your hotel now because you’ll have a better chance of getting a room.

This is especially helpful if you plan on going during the holiday season or other very busy times of the year. Read our article on How to Book a Disney World Vacation for all the details and booking tips.

Download My Disney Experience – Even if you don’t have dates in mind, travelers should download the MDE app and open an account right away to start getting familiar with the layout. It’s also time to go on the Disney World website to start doing research on the hotels and parks.

1 Year Before Your Trip

Decide Travel Dates – By this time you should have picked out when you want to take your vacation. If you need help deciding, it’s wise to look at a Disney World Crowd Calendar to find out when the busiest and least busy times of the year are.

How Many Days at the Parks – You also need to think about how many days you are going to spend in each park and how many days total of your trip. Think about which parks you want to go to and if you want to visit one of the water parks.

Research Attractions – Familiarize yourself with all the top attractions at each park and think about which ones you really want to do.

Price Airfare – It’s never too early to start looking up prices for airfare if you are flying. You should aim to get your tickets no more than 6 months before your trip.

9 Months Before You Go

Make Hotel Reservations – By this time you should know when you are going and which hotel to stay at. If you wait any longer you really run the risk of not getting the hotel you want. Lock in your room and then wait and see if a better offer opens up.

Get Everyone on My Disney Experience – You should already have an account, but you also need to make sure your family and all members of your travel party also are signed up. You will need them to be in the system for your dining reservations and FastPass+ reservations down the line, so take care of it early.

Buy Tickets – It’s always good to buy your Disney World park tickets as early as possible. First, the price never goes down and you will not find a lower price than what you see today so lock it in. Secondly, you need to have your tickets before making park reservations which tend to sell out early, especially if going at a busy time.

Make Park Pass Reservations – Once you buy your tickets, you can now make your park pass reservations. Don’t waste time, they sell out quickly.

180+ Days Before You Go

Park Hours – A few days before the 180-day mark arrives, look at the park hours for each day. This will let you plan out your day and will play a park in where you plan your meals and which Genie+ reservations you plan on booking.

Write Itinerary Rough Draft – Start writing out your ideal vacation itinerary day by day. Go through which parks you will be at on which days and which restaurants you would like to dine at. You now have a good idea of how your days are going to play out. Do this a few days before the 180-day mark as you need to have all the restaurants decided by then.

Book Special Events/Experiences – Decide which special experiences you and your family want to do. After Hours events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party should be booked once they are available. Experiences like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique take reservations 180 days before and they sell out quickly.

Decide to Rent a Car or Not – If you are renting a car, start looking a prices and book one when possible.

Disney Dining Plan – You need to decide if the Dining Plan is worth it to you or not. If so, you can add it to your package.

Book Airfare – This is a good time to buy airfare and if you’ve been monitoring it for a few months, you have an idea of what a good deal is.

75 Days Before Your Trip

New Hotel Deals – Throughout the year, Disney introduces new discounts on hotel rooms. Periodically during the planning stage, check if any new deals have come out for your hotel. If a better room opens up at another hotel, so still have time to switch resorts.

Last Call on Tickets – If for some reason you haven’t got your park tickets by now, this is almost the final opportunity with park reservations sometimes filling up a couple of months before your trip. Make sure you have your tickets before then.

30-60 Days Before Your Trip

Book Your Restaurants (60 Days before your arrival date) – Wake up early and be on your computer by 6:00 am sharp to make dining reservations. This is the most stressful part of planning as it can be hard to get the most difficult restaurants. Write backups for the most popular restaurants in case you can’t book your favorites.

Write Final Itinerary – Now that you have your parks and dining reservations locked in, you can write a final copy of your itinerary. You can always make adjustments later but you now know how most of your vacation will go.

45 Days Before Your Trip

Order MagicBands – Even though MagicBands are no longer free to guests, we still recommend ordering them for a small fee. They are $5-$20 per guest depending on what type you order. These must be ordered no more than 11 days before your trip to arrive at your house in time, but we recommend doing it earlier.

10 Days Before Your Trip

Shuttle Service – You can make a Mears Connect Shuttle reservation or other shuttles sometimes even 24 hours before departure, but there is no reason to wait. Get it done early.

Online Check-In – To skip going to the lobby upon arrival we suggest using Disney’s Online Check-In through My Disney Experience. You can set your credit card for room charges and set a pin for your MagicBand.

3 Days Before Your Trip

Memory Maker – This is the photo package with unlimited photos and downloads during your trip for you and your whole family. This must be ordered 3 days before arrival to get the lower price.

Pack Bags – We sometimes start earlier if we have time, but you should start getting out everything on your packing list and seeing how it fits in your luggage.

Keep Looking for Dining Reservations – If you weren’t able to get any high-priority dining reservations, keep looking periodically from the 60-day point to now. Reservations are more likely to open up the closer you get to your dining date as other guests cancel and change plans. Keep trying up until the morning of the date you are looking for.

Double Check – Run through the list one more time to make sure you have everything covered.

Get Excited – You are going to Disney World, the most magical place on Earth, so get happy!!

Right now. Do it as early as you can and start making plans even up to a year or more before your trip.

The average guest vacation to Walt Disney World is 4-7 days. We recommend 5 to 7 days for first-timers depending on your budget.

You can, but it is a bad idea. Walt Disney World is one of the most complicated vacations you can take and it needs the proper planning to make the most out of your trip.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our Disney Planning Guide…

• What are your best suggestions when planning a trip to Walt Disney World?
• What are your biggest questions about planning a Disney vacation?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

Sunday 14th of January 2024

My special needs son and I are going on the Disney Wish in early March. Have you ever tried a Disney cruise?

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Can dining reservations be made 6 mo in advance or 2 mo in advance please?

Monday 19th of June 2023

I just love your site. All the information provided is extremely helpful and useful. Thanks so much for everything!!!

Yvette Parent

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Hi Ziggy I would like to get a PDF copy of your guide. Would this be possible? Thank you

Thursday 3rd of February 2022

Hello my friend. We will be staying on Disney property this Sunday and we have a reservation for Epcot on Monday morning. Our plan is to ride Ratatouille and would like your advice to go directly to that ride and have a short wait. What should our strategy be? Thank you for your help. Dan and Lora ps we also just purchased an annual pass holder ticket that is only valid on weekdays - I am not sure if that helps.

Ziggy Oskwarek

Hi Dan. That's a good question you have. If you aren't planning on using Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, then going to Remy's Ratatouille Adventure right at rope drop is a good strategy. The day doesn't make a huge difference as it will be morning and festival crowds tend to come more in the afternoon. Have an awesome time and let us know how it goes!

Walt Disney World Vacation Packages

More Affordable. More Flexible. More Magical.

Are you seeking an unforgettable vacation to the most magical place on earth? Look no further than Disney’s Vacation Packages! Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with the whole family, there’s something for everyone at Walt Disney World ®.

Disney’s Vacation Packages offer many options to suit every budget and travel style. From budget-friendly value resorts to luxurious deluxe accommodations, you can choose the perfect lodging option to fit your needs. Plus, with the added convenience of including park tickets and other extras, you can save time and money on your Disney getaway.

But that’s not all! Disney also offers a variety of additional options for vacation packages that can take your trip to the next level. Do you want to experience the ultimate example of luxury and exclusivity? Check out the Club Level Packages, which offer personalized concierge service and access to private lounges. Or, if you’re looking to add some adventure to your trip, consider adding a Disney Cruise Line packages to combine a stay at Walt Disney World ® with a magical voyage to exciting destinations.

At The Magic For Less Travel, we specialize in helping our guests plan the ultimate Disney vacation. Our team of knowledgeable travel advisors will work with you to find the ideal Walt Disney World ® vacation package to meet your needs and budget and guide you through the many options available to make the most of your time there. So why wait? Contact us today to start planning your magical adventure!

• 2024 Disney Resort Hotel Packages
• 2025 Disney Resort Hotel Packages
• 2026 Disney Resort Hotel Packages

The Walt Disney World ® vacation experience is more affordable, flexible and magical than ever. With new things to see and great Disney Resort benefits to enjoy, there’s never been a better time to visit. A Walt Disney World Package gives you plenty of options to see and do it all. So, kick back and relax. Take a snooze in your room or a dip in the pool. Dine with the characters, or enjoy signature dining. Experience thrilling attractions or mesmerizing shows. After all, it’s your vacation. You set the pace with a Walt Disney World vacation package.

Choose the Disney Resort that fits your needs and your budget. Each resort offers plenty of benefits and plenty of magic. Disney Resort Hotel Packages also make the Theme Parks more affordable. The more days you add to your ticket, the less you pay per day. Save even more on meals at Disney restaurants, Dinner Shows and even Character Dining when you add on a Disney Dining Plan.

Walt Disney World packages give you ultimate flexibility. Customize your vacation with Theme Park tickets that allow you to make every dream come true. Choose the length of ticket and the options to meet your needs. Add a Disney Dining Plan to open up a magical world of Disney Dining.

Explore the Disney Resorts , theme park tickets , and Disney Dining Plan options and then let one of the destination specialists at The Magic for Less Travel help you book a Walt Disney World Vacation designed just for you.

Start with the base ticket

Decide how many days you want to visit the theme parks. You can buy Walt Disney World Theme Park Tickets with choice of ticket length from 2 to 10 Theme Park days. A Base Ticket gives you admission to one Theme Park per day. And each day, you choose which one of the four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks you want to enjoy.

Add more flexibility with the Park Hopper® Option

Want to enjoy more than one Theme Park per day? Add the Park Hopper ® Option. With so much to see and do, you’ll love the ability to come and go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day.

Add even more fun with the Park Hopper Plus Option . Visit more than one theme park on the same day, plus enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World fun with the Park Hopper Plus option.

Water Parks subject to seasonal or weather closures. Age restrictions may apply for access to certain facilities.

Tee times required and subject to availability.

Add a Disney Dining Plan

Disney has two dining plans available exclusively to guests with a Disney resort hotel package. A Disney dining plan offers guests a convenient way to save money while dining at Disney restaurants. Choose from the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan and Disney Dining Plan .

Add Other Options

With a Disney resort hotel package, you can also add options like vacation insurance, ground transportation, and recreation options. You can even add a side trip to a Florida Beach Hotel.

Experience The Magic for Less Travel’s free concierge services as we work with you to design your perfect Disney vacation. With Disney resort hotel packages, you can do Disney your way!

Disney’s Memory Maker

Disney’s Hollywood Studios® Memory Maker Magic Shot

Imagine if your vacation magical moments were captured for you and available for digital download. The Memory Maker product does just that, preserving those special moments for you, so you can relax and simply enjoy the fun of being with your family and friends in the most magical place on Earth.

It starts with the team of Disney PhotoPass™ Photographers who’ll preserve magical memories for your family at hundreds of photo locations throughout Walt Disney World® Resort. All those great shots are magically captured: posing in front of Cinderella Castle, screaming down Splash Mountain® attraction, enjoying breakfast at Chef Mickey’s and so much more.

An unlimited array of the photos taken by Disney PhotoPass Photographers during your vacation, PLUS photos at select attractions and dining locations, will be captured. Forget about having to purchase each photo individually – with Memory Maker you get digital copies of them all to download! You can relive all your favorite memories and share them with family and friends.

You can learn more at the Disney’s Memory Maker website or ask your The Magic For Less travel counselor.

Use the form below to request a FREE, No-Obligation Quote for a Walt Disney World ® Resort Hotel vacation package from one of our travel agents.

Our  services  are provided FREE of charge. You won’t pay more when you book with The Magic For Less Travel. 

Start planning your  Walt Disney World  Resort vacation today!

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My Disney World Cost Calculator & Our Total (Bottom Line) Price

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

There are so many variables to consider when it comes to the cost of a Disney World vacation.

In this article, we’ll answer the age-old question of, “How much does it cost to go to Disney World?”, as well as review potential expenses using our Disney World Cost Calculator 2022.

With the total cost of a Disney vacation depending on your length of stay and how much you choose to splurge on food, accommodations, and other extras, the total cost will vary significantly.

By using our Disney World cost calculator, however, we’ll show you a real-life example of our family of 5’s total Disney World vacation price (with a FREE printable too!)

* Updated for 2022 .

The links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on links and purchase them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Disney World Cost Calculator: Getting There

Let’s get started in working through the steps of our Disney World cost calculator so that you can custom-fit your Disney vacation to meet the exact needs of your family and budget.

One of the easiest decisions to make regarding your Disney World cost calculator will be on how you will get to Orlando.

You’re either close enough to drive (or are up for a long haul road trip !) or you’ll have to arrive by air.

When considering your Disney vacation estimator, let’s take a look at both!

Orlando is serviced by two main airports, Orlando International (MCO) and Sanford International.

Most airlines fly into Orlando International which is a convenient 30-minute drive from Walt Disney World.

When considering flights, your Disney cost calculator will vary according to the time of year and where you fly from.

For the cheapest rates, it is recommended to search for flights that arrive and depart mid-week.

Also, know that the least expensive months to fly to Orlando typically tend to be from late August to mid-November. And again, from mid-January to mid-February.

Additional planning tip: Purchase airline tickets 4 months in advance in order to guarantee the best pricing.

Airlines such as Delta and Southwest have Disney World packages that include airfare.

These are worth checking out if you’re looking to bundle your expenses.

Getting To and From the Airport

Disney has announced that their complimentary Magical Express transportation service will be discontinued in January of 2022.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is serviced by ride-hailing services including Lyft, Uber, and airport taxis.

Other transportation options include hotel shuttles and car rental services, with Alamo being our most recommended. (Use their Skip the Counter option to go straight to your rental car.)

And next, as a replacement for Disney’s Magical Express, Mears Connect will be offering shuttle service to the Disney Resort area (from the airport) beginning on January 1st of 2022.

Unlike Disney’s Magical Express, Mears Connect isn’t free, however.

Instead, there are two tiers of service: standard vs. express.

Standard service is a shared ride that makes a few stops en route to your hotel with waits of up to 20 minutes after checking in at the Mears reception area at the airport.

Express service provides a direct ride to your resort with no other stops and “limited to no wait time.”

You can find a list of current resorts that Mears Connect will pick up and drop off from, as well as pricing and the option to book your rides at Mears Connect’s site .

Additional planning tip: The resorts that Mears Connect services will appear in the drop-down menu when reserving. The list is expected to expand throughout 2022.

If a road trip to Orlando makes more sense, or if you are looking to travel to Disney on a budget , there are a few things to keep in mind.

Be sure to calculate the cost of gas by determining daily gas prices , as well as account for a hotel en route and meals along the way (if coming from far away).

In addition, most hotels, including Disney hotels, charge a daily parking fee that sh

Be sure to verify and account for that additional expense if you plan to drive and/or rent a car.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Buying Tickets

Park tickets will account for a large portion of your Disney World cost calculations.

Disney World considers ‘children’ to be between the ages of 3 – 9 years old. Any person age 10 and older needs to pay adult ticket prices, and those 2 and under are free.

Disney World ticket prices also vary based on the season, how many days you’ll visit the parks (Multi-park tickets), and if you plan to travel between parks on a given day ( Disney Park Hopper tickets ).

They can be purchased directly through Disney and can often be found bundled in Disney World packages that include resort accommodations.

Disney park tickets can also be purchased at discounted rates from authorized wholesalers, such as our favorite, Undercover Tourist .

Additional planning tip: Don’t forget to account for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon water park tickets if you plan to venture to one or both of Disney’s two water parks.

Multi-Day Tickets

Disney tries to get you to play in their parks as long as possible.

This is why purchasing multi-day park tickets will always be the best value when it comes to overall ticket prices.

For instance, the average daily rate is discounted by almost 50% when you buy a 7-day park pass versus a 1-day pass.

Simply put, the longer you stay and the more parks you visit, the more you will save on admission and on your overall Disney World cost.

Historically speaking, the best time to visit Disney World is during the months of mid-January to mid-February, late April to mid-May, and again from mid-August through September.

You can expect to save up to 20% when visiting during these months .

The most expensive weeks, however, are around Christmas, President’s Day, and other U.S. holidays, as well as during Spring Breaks in the entire month of March.

You can almost guarantee that things will cost 50% more than during non-peak times.

Other factors like weather and other special events that may be taking place at Disney greatly affect the park crowds.

*If you’re heading to Disney for a special event, there are many additional costs and considerations to consider. Here’s an example of how much a runDisney race weekend will cost , for instance.

Parking and Transportation

Guests at select Disney Resorts can travel to and from all 4 theme parks by complimentary bus, boat, monorail, or Skyliner.

Complimentary resort transportation begins 60 minutes prior to Disney theme park opening time and up to 90 minutes after Disney theme park closing time.

Additionally, buses operate until 2:00 AM from the Disney Springs area.

Keep in mind that most of Disney’s deluxe resorts have well-lit, paved walking paths to at least one of the theme parks.

Likewise, many off-site hotels offer a free or fee-based shuttle to the various Disney parks and properties.

If you do end up driving to the parks, however, parking is $25 a day at Disney.

This parking fee applies to all of their parks and comes with in/out privileges.

Click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list and BONUS Disney Day Bag packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Disney World Cost Calculator: Lodging

Lodging is a big determinant of your Disney vacation cost calculator.

Quite honestly, this is where you can either spend or save a huge chunk of money.

There are literally a ton of options when it comes to Orlando accommodation options, and prices can range from $100 a night to $800 a night or more.

Your individual selection will come down to your budget, space requirements, location, and availability.

Hotel accommodations are available in the following four categories:

Disney Resort s

There are currently more than 25 on-property Disney-owned resorts to pick from when staying at Walt Disney World.

Disney World Resort hotels are categorized with price categories of Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas.

Off-Site Hotels with Disney-Like Benefits

There are some off-site hotels that provide nearly all of the benefits that you’ll find at an on-site Disney World resort.

Hotels with Disney benefits include: The hotels located in Disney Springs plus Shades of Green, The Four Seasons, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Waldorf Astoria, and the Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts

Off-Site Hotels

For the most space and cheapest rates, Orlando is packed with off-site hotels in close proximity to Disney World.

Amazing deals can be found on websites like Mousesavers that frequently feature hotels with excellent quality and outstanding value.

We’ll never regret our choice to stay at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista and would highly recommend it as an affordable, off-site option.

Vacation Rentals

Many people choose to stay in vacation homes in nearby Celebration or Kissimmee, Florida.

Vacation homes are great since they come with fully-equipped kitchens and come in all different sizes and price ranges.

With so many vacation homes to choose from, it helps to first consult on how to pick the best rentals .

Disney World Cost Calculator: Food

With a Disney World vacation costing anywhere from $1000 – $5000 USD per person, one of the biggest determinants of your overall cost is the amount of money spent on food and dining.

After all, Disney World has a variety of restaurants to choose from, as well as special dining opportunities such as (currently modified) Character Dining experiences.

Options include:

• Counter service (fast-food style): $10-$15 USD per person
• Sit-down: $20-$50 USD per person
• Character meals: $20-$60+ USD per person
• Prix Fixe meals: $29-$79 USD per person

Disney resort guests also have access to purchasing a Disney dining plan.

Essentially you prepay for a set number of meals and snacks to be used at different types of restaurants throughout your stay.

Your Disney dining plan cost calculator will be based on which Disney Dining Plan that you choose in terms of how many meals, snacks, and drinks that it includes.

If you want to reduce the amount you will spend on food, however, your best strategy will be to pack your own meals.

After all, you are allowed to bring food and drink into all Walt Disney World Parks.

We found a ton of value and convenience in stocking our Disney day bag with water bottles, sandwiches, fruit, and other healthy snacks to avoid the high cost of meals on-site.

Other Disney Costs to Consider

Your Disney World trip calculator should account for extras such as:

• Special ticketed events and Disney dinner shows
• Stroller/scooter rentals
• Disney Memory Maker photo packages
• Other Orlando activities and attractions

Adhering to your Disney Cost Calculator

Along with determining approximately how much your Disney Vacation will cost, I highly recommend you put time into planning your days at the parks.

Basic planning will aid you in saving time, avoiding long lines, and helping to stick to your budget.

For your convenience, be sure to consult our best Disney World tips and review our Disney packing list (that includes the top 9 most forgotten items to bring to Disney!).

In addition, our 1-day Disney touring plans can be found here:

• Magic Kingdom
• Animal Kingdom

Summary: Disney Cost Calculator 2022

• Drive or fly to Orlando based on your budget and proximity.
• Reduce transportation costs once there by using any complimentary services offered to you.
• Travel during the ‘slower’ months for the best overall prices.
• Check every park ticket offer that applies to you and choose the cheapest option and how many parks you plan to visit.
• Choose a lodging option while considering the perks of staying on-site, versus the cost savings of staying off-site.
• Go all-in with a Disney dining plan or save by picking up groceries and packing as many meals/snacks as you can.
• Don’t forget to account for extras like parking, souvenirs, and ticketed events and activities.
• Finally, go into your Disney World vacation with a solid touring plan in order to adhere to your Disney World cost calculator and budget.

One Week Disney World Budget for a Family of Five

Answering the question of, “How much does it cost to go to Disney World” is tricky, as you can now see.

Disney is definitely not a one-size-fits-all family vacation.

The following is a breakdown, using the components of our Disney World cost calculator 2022, of what our family of 5 spent during 1-week in Orlando .

As an overview, we rented a minivan from our home state of Minnesota and drove to Orlando.

We stayed off-site, visited 3 Disney theme parks, used complimentary hotel transportation, and did not purchase a Disney dining plan.

Other shortcuts for us involved eating breakfast (from our own groceries) in our hotel every morning and shopping for souvenirs off-site.

Your Disney trip cost calculator will be more expensive if you fly to Orlando, stay on-site, visit all 4 parks, and purchase a Disney dining plan.

Click here for a free pdf version of our Disney World cost calculator that outlines our bottom line price of $5,030 . (Photo image below.)

How much did you anticipate spending on your Disney World vacation? Was there anything that surprised you when using this Disney Vacation calculator? Jen

If you enjoyed our Disney World price calculator , click here continue planning your Disney World vacation!

Disney World Touring Plans:

• 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary: A Perfect Day At Disney
• 1-Day At Animal Kingdom Itinerary: The Perfect Family Touring Plan
• One Day Itinerary for Epcot: Family Touring Plan

Disney World Ride Tips:

• Disney World Magic Kingdom Wait Times (Longest and Shortest Lines)
• Top 5 Rides for Toddlers at Magic Kingdom

Disney World Planning Tips:

• The 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Our First Disney Vacation
• Disney Packing List: 9 Things You Can’t Forget
• 7 Things to do on a Disney World Non-Park Day
• Best Off-Site Hotel Near Disney World, Orlando
• Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue: Our Complete Guide

Disney World Cost:

• Disney World Cost Calculator: How Much Will it Cost?
• How to Save Money At Disney World: 15 Ways We Saved Big

*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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I love how you spell it out. Disney can add up quickly, and this helps people think through everything.

Thanks Kirsten! It was fun to sit down and write this article….my husband actually helped me on this one 🙂

So helpful! A WDW vacation expenses can get out of hand if we’re not careful!

Right?!?! Without planning a big beforehand, the expenses can get totally out of hand 🙂 Thanks for your note!

This is very handy cost calculator for Disney, which is often more expensive then one thinks!

Thanks! I love seeing the cost of something laid out step-by-step 🙂

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Disney World Itinerary: The Perfect Plan for Your Family Trip

Imagine the perfect Disney World itinerary for your family vacation at Walt Disney World, where every day offers a new adventure and unforgettable memories.

What if I told you that it’s possible to experience the best of Disney World in just 5 days?

Well, I’m an Orlando local with a lot of Disney World experience under my belt. And I’m here to help you out.

My meticulously crafted itinerary will guide you through the magic of all four Disney World parks, plus a relaxing day at a water park, ensuring that you and your family make the most of every enchanting moment.

Ready to embark on the ultimate Disney World adventure?

Let’s dive in!

Short Summary

• Embark on a magical Disney World adventure with thrilling attractions, character meet-and-greets and unforgettable memories!
• Explore Future World, the African Safari at Animal Kingdom and classic Hollywood Studios attractions for an incredible experience.
• Relaxation spots, delicious dining options & transportation tips help make your family’s vacation perfect!

Day 1: Magic Kingdom Adventure

There’s no better place to start your Disney World adventure than at the iconic Magic Kingdom. Filled with classic Disney attractions, mouth-watering snacks, and loads of character meet-and-greets, Magic Kingdom offers a magical experience for all ages.

Begin your day with a visit to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, one of the most popular attractions in the park. As the day unfolds, make sure to check the wait times in the My Disney Experience app and take advantage of Disney Genie+ for the optimal experience.

Morning Attractions

As you step through the entrance gate of Magic Kingdom, the excitement begins! Head straight to Discovery Island and marvel at the park’s iconic Tree of Life. With the morning sun shining bright, take a spin on Tomorrowland classics like the PeopleMover and Astro Orbiter.

When you’re ready for a break from the heat, explore the incredible indoor shows at Magic Kingdom, such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, and Carousel of Progress.

Remember, planning is key to making the most of your time at Magic Kingdom, so use Genie+ to buy Lightning Lanes and maximize your morning fun.

Afternoon Thrills

As the afternoon unfolds, don’t miss out on Magic Kingdom’s thrilling attractions like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Experience the spine-tingling adventures of Haunted Mansion, soar away to Neverland on Peter Pan’s Flight, take a flight on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and take a thrilling mine car ride on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Remember to stay cool and hydrated, and don’t forget to capture those magical moments with your favorite Disney pals.

Evening Entertainment

As the sun sets on your first day at Magic Kingdom, prepare to be dazzled by the evening entertainment. Character meet-and-greets, the spectacular Festival of Fantasy parade, the awe-inspiring Happily Ever After fireworks, and the magical Cinderella’s Royal Table are all waiting to enchant you.

Indulge in savory spring rolls, regular and specialty Dole whips, and corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese as you explore the park at night. The magic of Disney World comes alive at night, so be sure to soak in every unforgettable moment.

Day 2: Exploring Epcot

On Day 2, it’s time to journey into the realms of imagination and innovation at Epcot. With Future World’s exhilarating attractions and the World Showcase’s cultural experiences, Epcot offers a unique blend of entertainment and education for visitors of all ages.

From the breathtaking Soarin’ to the exhilarating Test Track, you’ll discover a world of excitement at every turn.

Future World Adventures

Epcot’s Future World is home to some of Disney World’s most thrilling attractions. Experience the adrenaline rush of Soarin’ Around the World, the high-speed action of Test Track, and the captivating journey of Spaceship Earth.

For the more daring, take on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – a thrilling backwards launch with 360-degree vehicle turns and a unique soundtrack that’s random every time you ride.

Be sure to make the most of your time in Future World by utilizing Genie+ to access Lightning Lanes for popular attractions.

World Showcase Exploration

The World Showcase at Epcot invites you to embark on a fascinating exploration of 11 pavilions representing different countries around the world. Be sure to experience Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion, a thrilling family boat ride featuring your favorite characters from Frozen.

As you wander from pavilion to pavilion, take time to uncover the unique side exhibits and galleries that act as a mini self-guided tour through each country’s history and current culture. Don’t forget to indulge in a variety of delectable dining options, including the Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom, La Crêperie de Paris in France, and Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy.

Nighttime Spectacular

Finish your day at Epcot with the mesmerizing nighttime show, Harmonious. This awe-inspiring performance combines global influences, incredible special effects, and breathtaking fireworks to create a truly unforgettable experience.

For the best views, head to the front of the World Showcase, between the Mexico and Canada Pavilions. As the night sky lights up with dazzling colors and classic Disney songs, you’ll be reminded of the magic that only Disney World can create.

Day 3: Animal Kingdom Safari

Day 3 takes you on an African safari adventure at Animal Kingdom, where you’ll encounter exotic animals, lush landscapes, and thrilling attractions. Start your day with a visit to Pandora – The World of Avatar, and then head to Kilimanjaro Safaris for an up-close encounter with the wildlife of the African savanna.

Experience the sights and sounds of the African savanna, and get a chance to see some of the most iconic animals in the world, including giraffes, elephants, zebras, and more. Enjoy the thrill of the thrill.

Pandora – The World of Avatar

Step into the breathtaking world of Pandora – The World of Avatar, where you’ll find two awe-inspiring attractions: the tranquil Na’vi River Journey and the exhilarating Flight of Passage. Be sure to take advantage of the a la carte selections for a Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage, as they’re not available with the regular Genie+ choices.

As you explore the bioluminescent landscape, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another world.

African Safari

Next, embark on an unforgettable African Safari at Kilimanjaro Safaris. This 20-minute adventure takes you across an expansive savanna, where you’ll encounter a variety of incredible animals. The best time to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris is during a light rain, when many animals are most active.

After your safari, explore the walking trails such as the Maharajah Jungle Trek and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail to see even more amazing animals up close.

Asia and Dinoland U.S.A.

Continue your adventure in Asia, where you’ll find thrilling rides like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids. Be prepared to get soaked on the exhilarating Kali River Rapids, or take on the heart-pounding Expedition Everest roller coaster for a different kind of thrill.

In Dinoland U.S.A., step back in time to experience the prehistoric world on the exciting Dinosaur ride. Animal Kingdom offers a unique blend of excitement and exploration that you won’t find in any other Disney park.

Day 4: Hollywood Studios Action

On Day 4, it’s time for some Hollywood Studios action. This action-packed park is home to Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and classic attractions like the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Get ready for a day filled with excitement, adventure, and a touch of Hollywood magic.

Toy Story Land

Venture into the world of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and all your favorite Toy Story characters at Toy Story Land. Here, you’ll find two exciting rides: Toy Story Mania and the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster. Be sure to arrive early and head straight for Slinky Dog Dash, as wait times can get quite intense.

Toy Story Land is a fantastic place for both kids and kids-at-heart, with larger-than-life decorations and plenty of photo opportunities.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Next, step into a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Here, you can pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run, join the Resistance on the thrilling Rise of the Resistance ride, and immerse yourself in the intergalactic world of Star Wars.

Be sure to plan ahead and aim for the best ride-throughs, as this immersive land is incredibly popular.

Classic Attractions

Don’t forget to experience the classic attractions that make Hollywood Studios a must-visit park. Plunge into the Twilight Zone on the Tower of Terror, race through the streets of Los Angeles on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and journey to a galaxy far, far away on Star Tours.

With so much action and adventure, Hollywood Studios is sure to leave you starstruck.

Day 5: Water Park Fun

After four action-packed days, it’s time to unwind and enjoy a day of relaxation at one of Disney World’s water parks. With thrilling attractions, serene relaxation spots, and delicious dining options, a day at a water park is the perfect way to recharge before continuing your Disney World adventure.

Attractions and Slides

Whether you’re visiting Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, you’ll find a variety of attractions and slides that cater to all ages and thrill levels. From family-style raft rides to adrenaline-pumping waterslides and wave pools, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Remember to follow safety guidelines and keep an eye on little ones, as water park attractions can sometimes be intense.

Relaxation Spots

When you’re ready for some downtime, Disney’s water parks offer a range of relaxation spots, such as hot tubs and spas. Find a comfortable lounge chair on a sandy beach or float along a lazy river, soaking in the sun and the soothing sounds of the water.

These serene spots provide the perfect opportunity to recharge and reflect on your Disney World adventure so far.

Dining Options

A day at a water park wouldn’t be complete without some delicious dining options. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach offer a range of quick-service restaurants, snack stands, and even full-service dining options.

From classic theme park fare like burgers and hot dogs to more unique options like tropical-inspired dishes, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Transportation Tips

Navigating the vast expanse of Disney World can be a little overwhelming, but with the right transportation tips, you’ll be able to move between parks and resorts with ease. From buses and monorails to boats and the Skyliner gondola ride, Disney World offers a variety of transportation options to help you make the most of your vacation.

Whether you’re looking for a quick way to get from one park to another or a leisurely ride to your resort, there’s a transportation option that’s perfect for you. With a little planning, you can make the most of your time in Disney World.

The Disney bus service is a convenient and efficient way to travel between the parks, Disney Resort hotels , and the Disney Springs area. Buses run approximately every 20 minutes, ensuring that you’ll never have to wait too long to get to your destination.

Be sure to allow for some extra travel time, especially during peak hours, and remember to check the bus schedules in the Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date information.

The monorail system is another fantastic transportation option at Disney World, providing a unique and scenic way to travel between the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and select Disney Resort hotels. With three different routes to choose from, the monorail offers a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the resort.

Be sure to take advantage of this iconic mode of transportation during your Disney World vacation.

Boats and Skyliner

For a more leisurely journey, consider taking a boat ride between select Disney parks and resorts. The water taxis offer a relaxing and scenic way to travel, providing a unique perspective on the resort’s beautiful landscapes.

In addition, the Skyliner gondola ride offers a thrilling bird’s-eye view of the resort as you soar between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and several Disney Resort hotels. No matter which mode of transportation you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Accommodations and Dining

With so many exciting experiences to be had at Disney World, it’s important to choose the right accommodations and dining options for your family. From luxurious Disney Resort hotels to memorable character dining experiences , there’s something to suit every budget and preference .

Choosing a Resort

When planning your Disney World vacation , consider the three tiers of resorts available: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Each tier offers a range of accommodations , from standard rooms and suites to extravagant villas and cozy cabins.

Choosing a Disney Resort hotel allows you to take advantage of the many exciting amenities and services offered, such as convenient transportation, delicious dining, and thrilling entertainment.

Character Dining

For a truly unforgettable dining experience, consider booking a character dining experience at one of Disney World’s many restaurants. Character dining allows you to come face-to-face with some of your beloved Disney characters while savoring a delectable meal. Options include Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, Hollywood and Vine, and the Garden Grill, to name just a few.

Be sure to book dining reservations well in advance, as character dining experiences are extremely popular and can fill up quickly.

Quick Service and Snack Options

In addition to table service restaurants and character dining, Disney World offers a wide range of quick service and snack options to satisfy your cravings throughout the day. From classic theme park fare like burgers and hot dogs to more unique options like cultural cuisine and specialty treats, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Be sure to try some of the must-have snacks at Disney World, such as Dole Whip, Mickey-shaped pretzels, and churros.

Additional Experiences

Beyond the four main theme parks and water parks, Disney World offers even more exciting experiences for you to discover. From the vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex of Disney Springs to special events and festivals throughout the year, there’s always something new and exciting to explore at Disney World.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a must-visit destination during your Disney World vacation. This bustling shopping, dining, and entertainment area offers a unique experience away from the parks, with no admission fee required. Browse an array of shops, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants, or catch a live performance at one of the entertainment venues.

Don’t forget to stop by World of Disney, the largest Disney merchandise store in the world, for the perfect souvenir to remember your trip.

Special Events and Festivals

Throughout the year, Disney World hosts a variety of special events and festivals that offer unique experiences for guests. From the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival to the Food and Wine Classic, there’s always something new and exciting happening at Disney World.

Be sure to check the event calendars when planning your trip to see what special events might be taking place during your visit.

Disney World Itinerary for 2024: My Parting Words

My Disney World itinerary has taken you on a magical journey through the four theme parks, a relaxing day at a water park, and a variety of additional experiences at Disney Springs and special events. By following this carefully crafted plan, you’ll be able to make the most of your time at Disney World, ensuring that you and your family create memories that will last a lifetime.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your perfect Disney World vacation today and get ready to experience the magic, adventure, and unforgettable moments that only Disney World can offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7 days at disney world too much.

Disney World is the ultimate vacation destination, so going for 7 days will ensure you don’t miss out on any of its exciting activities. You’ll get enough time to explore all the rides and attractions and make magical memories that will last a lifetime.

Spending 7 days at Disney World will certainly be an unforgettable experience!

Is 10 days at Disney World too much?

It really depends on what you want to do at Disney World. Ten days is plenty of time to experience the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, but if you want to truly immerse yourself in all that Disney has to offer, it may not be enough.

Enjoy your time and create magical moments!

How to do all 4 Disney parks in one day?

Experience all four Disney parks in one day by making a park reservation and utilizing the 2:00 pm park hopping time. Take full advantage of your ‘home’ park before you move on to exploring the other three.

With careful planning, you can conquer all of them in a single day!

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Walt disney world® resort vacations & packages.

• Things to do

I only need accommodations for part of my trip

Visit Walt Disney World® Resort

Walt Disney World® Resort is the perfect place to stay in Orlando as a large number of the area’s star attractions are within easy driving distance. Two sights that should be at the top of every visitor’s itinerary is the wonderful Disney's Boardwalk and the ever-popular Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course. Two other great attractions you’ll find within a short distance of Walt Disney World® Resort are the Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and the Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

Walt Disney World® Resort has a number of cultural attractions nearby that allow visitors to really get a feel for the area. To experience Orlando’s vibrant arts scene, book a show at one of the popular live performance venues such as the La Nouba Theater in Lake Buena Vista.

After exploring the delights of Walt Disney World® Resort, stay the night at one of the area’s bed-and-breakfasts, hotels or short-stay apartments. Take your pick from the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, Lake Buena Vista, or the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek.

Buy tickets to Walt Disney World® with Expedia.

Plan a trip to see Walt Disney World® Resort

Palazzo Lakeside Hotel

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2024

Westgate Palace Hotel / Universal / I-Drive

Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa Universal Studios Area

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Kennedy Space Center Admission

Universal Orlando Resort Express Passes

Aquatica Orlando

WonderWorks Orlando Admission Tickets

Go City: Orlando Explorer Pass - Choose 2 to 5 Attractions

Crayola Experience Admission Tickets

Old Town Entertainment District Attraction Tickets

Tours & day trips.

Go City: Orlando All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

Clearwater Beach Day Trip

Orlando: Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket

Manatee Adventure, Airboat, Lunch, Wildlife Park with Transport

Kennedy Space Center Tour with Transportation from Orlando Region

St. Augustine Day Trip with Transportation

Private Helicopter Day Tour Funspot (16miles)

Exclusive Helicopter Night Tour: Orlando Parks (31 or 48 miles)

Day Trip to Clearwater Beach with Sea Screamer Ride

Park Whispers: Love and Legacy in Orlando

Shows & concerts.

Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney

Orlando: Island H2O Water Park Admission

Pirate's Dinner Adventure Orlando

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows

Dream Tour - City Lights: 30 Mile Helicopter Tour

Orlando: Polynesian Fire Luau with Dinner and Live Show

Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show, Orlando

Orlando: Andretti Indoor Karting Attraction Ticket

Wildlife & nature.

Manatees Swim, Snorkel and Boat Day Tour from Orlando

Deep-Sea Fishing Tour in the Gulf of Mexico with Lunch

Clearwater Deep Sea Fishing

4 Hours Morning Bass Fishing in Orlando

2 Hour Eco Tour

Florida: 90 Minute Everglades Cruise

Shopping & fashion.

Kids Eat Free iCard PLUS City Hopper (Orlando, Virginia and more)

Dollar Off Drinks Card: Orlando

The Mall at Millenia's Personal Styling Experience

Reviews of walt disney world® resort, 5/5 - excellent.

Definitely stop at Walmart and pick up all your Disney apparel

Too much walking, most of waiting areas have no shade

Kennedy Space Center Seaworld Magic Kingdom

We had dinner at Boma and it was an excellent buffet. We really enjoyed it.

Pricing was the same on line as it was getting them at the resort we stayed at

Check all the extra $$ needed for resort fees, parking and bell hops before booking a room!

Popular places to visit

• Magic Kingdom® Park

One of the most famous theme parks in the world offers a land of fun and fantasy at the foot of a fairytale castle.

Beachcomber Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Beachcomber Beach during your trip to Lake Buena Vista? Discover the top-notch restaurants and entertainment choices in this family-friendly area.

Tibet Butler Preserve

Explore the lovely green spaces of Tibet Butler Preserve and enjoy the golf courses in Windermere. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Grand Cypress Golf Club

Play a few rounds of golf at these Nicklaus-designed, award-winning courses which are located in the very heart of sunny Orlando.

Design your own race car and take an international food safari at the theme park that celebrates human achievement.

Norway Pavilion

Bring your family to Norway Pavilion and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Lake Buena Vista. Discover the top-notch restaurants and acclaimed theater scene in this family-friendly area.

Best Lodging Options Near Walt Disney World® Resort

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• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
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• Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
• Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs Area
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
• B Resort & Spa in the Disney Springs Resort Area
• Candlewood Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista, an IHG Hotel
• Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs® Resort Area
• Margaritaville Resort Orlando
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Disney World Cost Calculator 2024

Is a trip to Disney World on your family’s bucket list? Before you book, use our Disney World cost calculator to estimate how much your trip will cost. We’ll help you figure out the best way to budget for your vacation, including tips on where to save and ways to score discounts. So start planning today and make your dream vacation a reality!

Let’s get into what goes into your Disney World trip cost!

Table of Contents

Disney World Cost Calculator: Budget Example at a Disney Resort

Example Budget – Flying

Example Budget – Driving

Disney Cost Calculator Instructions

• Figure out how you’re getting to Orlando and price that out.  Here are a few tools you can use
• Kayak.com for flights and rental car prices
•  http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/fuelcostcalculator/ for estimated fuel cost
• Other transportation costs, such as oil changes, tolls, etc
• Is your dream to stay at a Disney resort?  Head on over to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/ and plug in your dates to the price that resorts out.  Remember, you can sort by price as well.
• Use GetAwayToday to figure out park ticket prices
• Decide what your ideal food budget would be using the methods I covered
• Decide how much an ideal amount for groceries will be
• Spending Budget

At this point, it is up to you what you shave off your budget.  Maybe you should eliminate flights and drive instead. Perhaps staying off-site or spending fewer days in the park would be better.  With this budget, it is going to be super easy to get to that final budget.

The Actual Disney World Cost Calculator

I built this Disney World cost calculator or budget sheet to help people easily know what they need to consider when they’re looking into the cost of their Disney vacation but also put it together quickly.

Disney on a Budget Worksheet (excel format)

Disney on a Budget Worksheet (pdf)

(Google Sheet) Disney on a Budget Worksheet

Disney World Cost Calculator: Disney World Seasons and How They Affect Cost

When it comes to vacationing at Disney World, timing is everything. The cost of your trip will be affected by the time of year you travel, as well as the demand for tickets and hotel rooms. Generally speaking, the busiest times at Disney World are during the Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as during the summer months.

These are also the most expensive times to visit, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to consider traveling during the off-season. While you may have to deal with some crowds, you’ll find that prices are typically lower for hotels, tickets, and food. And who knows? You may even get to see a few of your favorite characters in person!

Disney’s Value Season

The least expensive time to visit Disney World is during the Value Season. These dates typically fall during the months of January and February, as well as September and October.

If you’re looking to save money on your trip, this is the best time to travel. However, you should keep in mind that some attractions and events may be closed during this time, so it’s always a good idea to check the calendar before you book your trip.

Disney’s Fall Season

The Fall Season is a great time to visit Disney World if you’re looking for moderate crowds and prices. These dates typically fall during the months of September and November.

During this time, you’ll find that many of the popular attractions and events are still open, but you won’t have to deal with the large crowds that typically flock to Disney World during the summer months.

Disney’s Regular Season

The Regular Season is the busiest time of year at Disney World, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, this is not the best time to visit. These dates typically fall during the months of December and April.

During the Regular Season, you’ll find that prices are higher for hotels, tickets, and food. However, you’ll also find that there are more events and attractions open, so if you’re looking for a truly magical experience, this is the time to visit.

Disney’s Summer Season

The Summer Season is the busiest time of year at Disney World , so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, this is not the best time to visit. These dates typically fall during the months of June and August.

During the Summer Season, you’ll find that prices are higher for hotels, tickets, and food. However, you’ll also find that there are more events and attractions open, so if you’re looking for a truly magical experience, this is the time to visit.

Disney’s Peak Season

The Peak Season is the busiest time of year at Disney World, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, this is not the best time to visit. These dates typically fall during the months of December and April.

During the Peak Season, you’ll find that prices are higher for hotels, tickets, and food. However, you’ll also find that there are more events and attractions open, so if you’re looking for a truly magical experience, this is the time to visit.

Disney’s Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is the busiest time of year at Disney World, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, this is not the best time to visit. These dates typically fall during the months of December and April.

During the Holiday Season, you’ll find that prices are higher for hotels, tickets, and food. However, you’ll also find that there are more events and attractions open, so if you’re looking for a truly magical experience, this is the time to visit.

As you can see, timing is everything when it comes to vacationing at Disney World. The best time to visit really depends on your budget, the size of your party, and what you’re looking to get out of your trip. No matter when you choose to visit, you’re sure to have a magical time!

Disney World Cost Calculator: Getting To Florida

You’ve decided you want to go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida! But how do you get there? If you’re driving, you’ll need to factor in gas, tolls, and lodging. If you’re flying, you’ll need to consider airfare and transportation to and from the airport.

If you’re driving to Florida, you’ll need to factor in gas, tolls, and lodging. Gas will cost you an estimated $4 per gallon, and tolls will cost you an estimated $5 per day. Lodging will cost you an estimated $75 per night.

If you’re flying to Florida, you’ll need to consider airfare and transportation to and from the airport. Airfare will cost you an estimated $400 per person, and transportation to and from the airport will cost you an estimated $35 per person.

Check the average cost of your flight with Google. Use this link to type in your airport and figure out how much you will likely be paying.

Total Cost:

The total cost of getting to your Disney World vacation will depend on the method of transportation you choose. Driving will most likely cost less overall but take less time. The choice really is about what you can afford and what you’re comfortable with.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Hotel

When calculating how much your Disney World hotel will cost, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the location of the hotel. If it is close to the parks, it will likely be more expensive.

Second, think about the amenities that are important to you. If you need a pool or a shuttle to the parks, that will add to the cost.

Finally, consider the time of year that you are visiting. Peak season rates will be higher than off-season rates. By considering all of these factors, you can get a good estimate of how much your Disney World hotel will cost.

Disney World Resorts costs between $100 and $400 per night.

Off-site hotels near Disney cost between $60 and $200 per night.

The following are some popular off-site hotels near Disney World:

• Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort: $100 per night
• Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando-John Young Parkway: $115 per night
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista: $118 per night
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Orlando – Kissimmee Maingate: $119 per night
• Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista: $122 per night
• Baymont by Wyndham Kissimmee/Orlando: $123 per night

Disney World Budget Hotels

Airbnbs in the area cost an average of $80 per night.

As you can see, there is a wide range of prices for hotels near Disney World. It is important to consider what amenities are important to you and how close you want to be to the parks before making a decision

Disney World Cost Calculator: Park Tickets

When it comes to planning a trip to Disney World, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of tickets. There are a variety of ticket options available, and the price can vary depending on the time of year and the type of ticket you select. Fortunately, there is a simple way to calculate how much your tickets will cost.

First, decide how many days you want to visit the parks. Then, choose the type of ticket you want: a one-day ticket, a multi-day ticket, or an annual pass.

Once you have made your selection, enter the type of tickets, date, and number of tickets into the online calculator at disneyworld.com . The calculator will give you the total cost of your tickets, as well as any applicable discounts.

For discounted Disney tickets , you’ll have to buy 3-day or higher tickets as 1 and 2 days tickets are always cheaper directly from Disney World. Some of the best Disney ticket deals can be found at GetAwayToday .

Disney World Cost Calculator: Food

For many families, a trip to Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime event. And while there’s no doubt that it can be a magical experience, it’s also important to be prepared for the costs. One of the biggest expenses you’ll face is food. Prices at Disney World restaurants can be steep, so it’s important to plan ahead and budget accordingly.

There are a few things you can do to save money on your food budget. First, take advantage of getting basic groceries delivered to your room.

Groceries at Disney are a must-have for a budget-conscious trip. In addition, set a budget for your meals and do your research so that you’re able to stick to it.

Quick service restaurants are the cheapest places to eat at Disney World. There are so many options and GREAT quick service to eat that can help you keep costs at around $15/person.

Table service restaurants are more expensive, with an average entree price of around $15-$65/person. If you’re looking to save money, consider sharing a meal or ordering from the kid’s menu.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Souvenirs

When visiting Disney World, it’s important to have a souvenir budget in mind. There are so many tempting trinkets and toys available, and it can be easy to overspend if you’re not careful. So how do you know how much to budget for souvenirs?

A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10-15% of your overall vacation budget for souvenirs. That way, you’ll have enough money to buy some keepsakes without blowing your entire budget.

Of course, this is just a guideline – you may want to spend more or less depending on your personal spending habits. But no matter what, it’s always helpful to have a firm plan in place before hitting the parks!

Whatever you decide your souvenir budget to be, put that in a Disney gift card to help you stay on budget!

What are you trying to accomplish with this Disney World trip?

Are you looking to create magical memories with your family? Check.

Are you looking for a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life? You’ve come to the right place.

Is this going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you should go all out for, or do you expect to come back?

Asking yourself these questions will help you better understand what kind of experience you want and how much you’re willing to spend.

No matter what your answers are, we can help turn your Disney World dreams into reality without breaking the bank.

If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it’s ok to wait one more year to do it so you can go big or go home. Sometimes, that is the right thing to do.

Use our cost calculator to get a better understanding of how much your trip will cost so you can start planning and saving.

When you start using the cost calculator, go all out. This means that money isn’t an issue. Then you can start shaving off costs from there.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Family of 5 Cost Example

A vacation to Disney World is a dream come true for many families. However, the cost of a Disney vacation can be daunting.

For a family of five, the average cost of airfare, hotels, and tickets is around $5,000. To save money, many families plan their trips during the off-season or take advantage of special offers. For example, Disney World often offers discounts for military families and Florida residents.

Families can also save money by staying in a Disney resort hotel or by using a vacation package that includes airfare and tickets. By doing some research and planning ahead, families can find ways to enjoy a magical Disney vacation without breaking the bank.

As you start thinking about how much your Disney vacation is going to cost, you want to think about what you want to accomplish. For this example, I am going to use a family of 5, with two children under 10 and 1 above 10.

I am also going to book a 4-day Disney base ticket so they can experience all four theme parks.

Disney Package Cost – Since this is a family of 5, the room options will be limited because a Murphy bed will be needed for the 5th person. However, Disney does accommodate this family size at Port Orleans Resort. The cost of the hotel + the 4-day Disney ticket is $5,092.06

Disney Meals Cost – We should split the cost of food into 5 categories: Groceries, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks/Drinks. Using my expertise, I average the cost of these items and add them to the budget. $2,660

Disney Transporation Cost – You will see this in detail below, but your transportation costs depend on whether you fly to Orlando or drive. Driving is significantly cheaper, but you will have to account for Disney resort parking fees, tolls, gas, and oil changes depending on the mileage. You will spend about $500 driving to Disney from about 1500 miles away and $1,100 flying.

Nonetheless, for this example budget, let’s calculate it by flying to Disney World. All in all, we are looking at about $9,056.06 for your Disney package .

Are there ways to save a ton of money here? Yes 100%. Just by staying offsite, driving to Orlando, and going down to a 3-day Disney ticket, you could save close to $2,500.

Ideas for Sticking to your Disney Budget

If you do have a set budget you want to stay under, as long as it’s realistic, there will be a way to get there. Here are a few quick tips on that.

• Work with a Disney Travel Agent who is an expert and can build your vacation around your budget.
• Take advantage of Disney specials offers when they come out
• Stay off Disney property to save on overall resort costs with more amenities.
• Buy souvenirs ahead of time or after your trip.

Disney Money Saving Tips

When it comes to saving money at Disney World, there are a lot of different tips and tricks that can help. Here are a few of our favorites:

Try to stick to quick-service restaurants as much as possible. They’re the cheapest option, and there are plenty of great choices.

Get groceries delivered to your resort room so you can save money by eating breakfast in your room or packing snacks and drinks for the park.

Take advantage of Disney’s specials when they’re available. If you’re eligible, it can help you save a ton of money on your trip.

Avoid buying souvenirs at the parks. You can often find the same items for cheaper at a nearby store or online.

Use a Disney gift card to help you stay on budget. This is a great way to make sure you don’t overspend on souvenirs or food.

Take a break from the parks and enjoy one of Disney’s many free activities.

Bring your own snacks and drinks into the parks to save money on food.

Visit the parks during off-peak seasons to save on admission costs.

If you don’t have a travel credit card with great rewards, get one. You’re missing out on expensive freebies like free flights. When I had to pick my top travel card, I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred , it allows you to collect points on a purchase you were going to make anyway, use those to get 2-3 free flights/year. Here’s why this is my card of choice

• 1%-3% rewards
• 80,000 point sign up bonus (like two free domestic flights just for signing up)
• No foreign transaction fee
• Travel insurance
• Car rental insurance
• 1:1 transfer to reward programs (like Southwest Rapid Rewards)
• No blackout dates, no travel restrictions.

Get your flights for free using your credit card sign-up bonus.  If you aren’t going that route, you should become comfortable flying budget airlines.  

If the flight isn’t that long, I don’t care if I am squashed in the back with a chair that doesn’t recline.  I just want to get to Orlando.  

A lot of people stay away from budget airlines because of the fees they charge.  Which they do in order to keep their fares extremely low.  They want you to break their outrageous rules so they can charge you. 

But I still use them, I just pay attention and follow the rules.

Disney Springs Resorts

Let’s talk about the seven Disney Springs resorts.  Disney Springs Hotels is a really good middle ground.  When going to book a Disney Springs Resort, get special deals from MouseSavers: https://www.mousesavers.com/disney-springs-area-hotels/  

While finding a Disney room at $100/night is possible, it is way easier to do so at one of these 7 resorts.

Bring souvenirs with you.   

Buying before your trip might seem odd but it’s cheaper and better for your pocket.  

Dollar Tree is a great store to find $1 Disney odds and ends.  Definitely worth a visit before you head to the World. 

You can get an autograph book from Walmart for less than $6.  Collect as many signatures as you can. Or make your own autograph book for less than $5. 

Buy souvenirs at sales before you go. Disney Stores has awesome sales sometimes, so make sure to shop the sales. 

Visit discount stores that carry Disney toys and clothes, such as Disney outlets.

Bring your favorite Disney storybook and make it even more purposeful by getting characters to sign it.  

Make a scrapbook after your trip.  Collect free things during your trip, like the celebration pins and theme park maps. 

Get your Mickey Ears from Amazon for less than $10 .

Value of the Disney World Vacation

When it comes to the value of a Disney World vacation, different factors can significantly impact the perceived worth of the trip. The time of year in which you visit can affect the cost of flights and accommodations, as well as the crowds you’ll encounter. 

For instance, visiting during peak season means higher prices and larger crowds, while visiting during the off-season can mean lower prices and fewer people. 

Additionally, the age of the travelers can impact the perceived value of the trip. Young children may find more value in meeting their favorite Disney characters, while older children and adults may find more value in the rides and attractions.

Overall, when calculating the cost of a Disney World trip, it’s essential to consider the value of the experience as a whole, rather than just the monetary cost. 

Disney Savings Chart

If you’re like most people, you love to save money. And what better reason to save money than for Disney World? With a little bit of planning, you can easily save hundreds of dollars for your next trip to the happiest place on earth. One great way to save money is to take advantage of Disney’s Savings Chart.

This is a way to take your calculated Disney World cost and make it a reality with a way to save money for your trip. Simply put, the Disney Savings Chart is a way to help you save money for your trip by setting aside a certain amount of money each week.

You can start saving as little as $5 a week, and over the course of a year, that can really add up! For example, if you save $5 a week for 52 weeks, you’ll have $260 saved up. And if you save $10 a week, you’ll have $520 saved up!

You can use this money for anything you want- to help pay for your park tickets, souvenirs, food, or anything else. So what are you waiting for? Start saving today with the Disney Savings Chart

So there you have it! You’ve just completed the first major step in planning your Disney vacation- calculating your cost. This is an important step, as it will help to keep you within budget and make sure that you are able to enjoy all the magic that Disney has to offer. Now that you know how much your trip is going to cost, it’s time for the next step- deciding where to stay! I’ve got a plethora of information on my website about different types of resorts and hotels at Walt Disney World, so be sure to check it out. And as always, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me. I love helping people plan their perfect Disney vacation, and

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2024 Disney World Planning Guide

Our Walt Disney World vacation planning guide offers tips & tricks for 2024 on how to avoid crowds, save money & time, with info on Genie+ & Lightning Lanes, best rides, restaurant reviews, and itineraries for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios. (Updated February 1, 2024. )

The latest update comes as Walt Disney World is in the midst of more changes to restore normalcy, making the guest experience closer to what it was like in ~2019. With this, theme park reservations have mostly been eliminated, return of the Disney Dining Plan , and resumption of unlimited all-day Park Hopping . Next up is pre-arrival Lightning Lane ride reservations , a system that should closely resemble FastPass+ (but paid).

Beyond the rolling back of temporary changes implemented during the phased reopening and pent-up demand period, a ton is happening and changing at Walt Disney World. There are new attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and other additions on the horizon. We visit the parks regularly, reporting on everything as it happens–if you want to receive updates when discounts are released, new things are announced, etc., sign up to receive our FREE Walt Disney World Email Newsletter .

There are a few important things you need to know if you’re visiting Walt Disney World soon. First, the big new ride is TRON Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom. This attraction is very popular and can be difficult to experience due to not having a standby line. Improve your chances for success in scoring virtual queue spots by reading our TRON Lightcycle Run Virtual Queue Strategy Guide & FAQ .

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, which was the previous big addition, also does not have a standby line. At least, for now. Walt Disney World has been setting up overflow queue and seems poised to ditch the virtual queue for that once the off-season rolls around.

Second, there’s the paid Genie+ service that offers Lightning Lane line skipping service (free FastPass+ was retired a few years ago). This can be purchased in the My Disney Experience app for variable, date-based prices that now differ for each park (Magic Kingdom and Park Hopping are most expensive, costing up to $39 per person, per day plus tax).

Genie can be confusing, but we’ve used and tested Genie+ and Lightning Lanes a ton . Everything you NEED to know, including ride priorities, where it’s NOT necessary to buy Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, and much more is covered in our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World .

If you’re looking for ways to avoid waiting in long lines  without spending extra on Lightning Lanes, see our Best Time-Saving Strategies for Walt Disney World , which covers the best & worst ways to do that in each park–and is accurate for the entirety of 2024. That’s the result of extensive testing, and the optimal methods for outsmarting the crowds aren’t always intuitive. For 3 of the 4 parks, you’re better off using a ‘free’ strategy rather than paying extra for Genie+ and Lightning Lanes!

Winter is also typically ‘refurbishment season’ at Walt Disney World. For a look at what’ll be temporarily unavailable during your trip, see the 2024 Walt Disney World Refurbishment & Closure Calendar , which we update regularly with return and downtime dates. There are some big closures right now, including Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

The other big closure is Splash Mountain, which permanently closed about a year ago. The good news is that this is also for 2024’s big new attraction: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure . That’s currently scheduled to open sometime this year–the timeline could move forward to Summer 2024…or be delayed until early 2025!

Then there’s the colossal EPCOT overhaul, which is now mostly finished now that new Luminous: The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular and World Celebration Gardens have debuted. The only thing left is the CommuniCore Hall event space, which will likely debut before Summer 2024.

There’s a lot more on the horizon than just those things–here’s everything exciting being built: What’s New & Coming to Walt Disney World in 2024 & Beyond .

With those updates out of the way, let’s tell you about ourselves and why this guide is useful to your trip planning. We are obviously big Disney fans, but with this guide, we share our objective and unbiased tips. This covers the good and the bad, and the hard realities of planning Walt Disney World trip. We don’t sugarcoat everything or feel the need to put a positive spin on things. A lot about Disney is great, but that’s plenty that’s overpriced and not-so-great. If blunt, honest advice is not for you, there are many other sites that are all-positive.

With hundreds of trips dating back to the 1980s when we were kids, we’ve learned a lot about all things Disney. That now comes full circle as we start taking our daughter to Walt Disney World! We visit every month to see what has changed, taste-test new menu items, analyze crowds, offer recommendations for things you should do on vacation, share updates on construction, and much more.

This guide distills the key things we know about Walt Disney World into something easy to absorb and less overwhelming. Think of this planning guide as WDW101, with everything organized into the most important aspects of planning. The reality is that Walt Disney World is one of the most complicated vacation destinations on earth, and having a smooth and good trip requires doing your homework. With that said, we promise that taking the time to learn about Walt Disney World will be worth it, so let’s get started…

1A. Best Times to Visit for Avoiding Crowds

“When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?”  This is often the first question readers ask, and it’s not an easy one to answer because it’s subjective. What makes an experience the “best” differs from person to person. With that said, in helping first-timers plan over the course of the last decade-plus, there are usually three distinct components to this:  crowds, cost & fun.

The first two variables are the overriding factors and, thankfully, those are objective. If you’re primarily concerned with avoiding long lines and high wait times, consult our 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars . That takes into account Orlando area school schedules, conventions, youth sporting events, park hours, special events, and more to provide you with specific dates that are the least and most crowded.

While that’s all about crowds (and can be overwhelming), we also have something more holistic: our list of the  10 Best and 10 Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025 . As the title suggests, that identifies the ‘red flag’ dates to avoid, as well as the ideal times to visit. It’s really more than just 10 weeks, as a number of the good and bad windows are far longer than a single week.

For example, pretty much the entirety of August and September are great from a crowds perspective, but we zero in on a single week that’s the best-balanced (from our perspective) as it combines low crowds, seasonal events, weather, and other factors. Same idea for a number of other dates throughout the year.

Rather than our objective crowd calendars, those are our subjective picks for when to visit. In addition to wait times, those rankings take other things into account: seasonal offerings like Christmas & Halloween, weather, new attractions, and more. If you find the crowd calendars intimidating, go with the Best & Worst Months post instead.

The good news is that, as a general rule, lower prices and crowds coincide with one another. Meaning that if you book your trip around the cheapest dates, you’re more likely to also have lower crowds. Prices are higher and discounts are weaker when crowds are higher, meaning you get hit with a double-whammy if visiting during these times of the year. (Spoiler: the highest prices and crowds both occur when school is out of session.)

1B. Best Times to Visit for Saving Money

The second component is cost. This one is especially significant now, as prices are up across the board. If you’re a first time visitor or it’s been a few years since your last trip, you might be in store for sticker shock. We take a look at this topic in How Much Does a Walt Disney World Vacation Cost? with sample pricing for multiple ‘trip tiers,’ from budget to luxury.

However, it’s not as straightforward as that. Some people don’t realize it, but prices vary significantly based upon when you’re visiting. If you visit for New Year’s Eve, you could end up spending close to double what it costs to visit a few months earlier, in September. Cutting to the chase, here are the Cheapest Times to Go to Walt Disney World .

The good news is that there’s considerable overlap between the cheapest times to visit and the least-crowded times. Visiting during the least-expensive and least-crowded times is entirely possible, and those goals align pretty well. Conversely, the most expensive times are usually also the most expensive.

Intuitively, this should make sense. When demand is highest, prices are highest. Like most other businesses, Walt Disney World charges what the market will bear, raising prices when able and discounting in order to incentivize visits when attendance and hotel occupancy are lower.

To that point, the other good news is that deals are starting to return to Walt Disney World after a couple years of very strong pent-up demand! See All Current Walt Disney World Discounts   for a full rundown of special offers through Spring 2024. There are a TON of discounts available right now, some of which offer up to 40% off hotels!

If you want to save even more money and do WDW as cheaply as possible, we have the 14 Best Tips to Save Money at Walt Disney World in 2024 . Those tips cover a lot of excellent ideas, such as buying discount Disney gift cards or having Groceries Delivered to Your Walt Disney World Hotel Room .

Those are just a handful of ways to save a ton of money on a trip to WDW! It also covers several options for the biggest expense of your trip–lodging. Among other things, you can stay at Walt Disney World’s best resorts for a fraction of full price by renting DVC points .

The idea behind all of these money-saving tips is not cutting corners and compromising on the quality of your vacation. To the contrary, we aim to “cut the fat” from your budget and recommend ways to save while also improving efficiency. Taking grocery delivery as an example–we do not recommend cooking dinner in your room or packing picnic lunches. Instead, we advice ordering nutritious breakfasts (the weakest meal at Walt Disney World restaurants) to have quickly have in your room or on-the-go each morning to save money and time .

1C. Best Times to Visit for Having Fun

Now we’re getting into the much more subjective area of determining when to visit. What makes a time of year more or less fun? Will you enjoy the parks more or less during certain timeframes? That’s really difficult to say. As a general matter, our mantra is this: “A rainy day at Walt Disney World is better than a sunny day at home.”

This is to say that you can have a great Walt Disney World vacation no matter what time of year you visit. The smile and laughter of your child hugging Mickey Mouse for the first time; the delicious taste of a Dole Whip or Citrus Swirl; the sight and sound of fireworks exploding over Cinderella Castle at the end of a long and satisfying day at Magic Kingdom. Absolutely none of that is seasonal. Those joys are possible 365 days of the year at Walt Disney World, and your trip will be made up of moments big and small exactly like those that happen daily.

However, it’s also fair to say that a sunny day is better than a rainy day at Walt Disney World. Most people probably are more comfortable during mild and temperate days than oppressive heat and humidity. Seasonal events can likewise add a lot to the baseline experience, taking a trip from “memorably magical” to “magnificently magical” on our  highly scientific scale of magicalness.

Hopefully you get the point here–that every day at Walt Disney World has the potential to be great, but also, that greatness has its own sliding scale, with weather, seasonal enhancements, and more cranking things up to the next level of magicalness.

The holiday season is our favorite time at Walt Disney World. It’s not even a close call. If we could only visit Walt Disney World one month of the year for the rest of our lives, we’d pick November or December. (Super-specifically, we’d pick the week after Thanksgiving that straddles the two months– that’s our favorite week to go! ) If you’re thinking of a holiday vacation, we’d implore you to start by reading our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World .

Every park, resort, and Disney Springs gets into the spirit of the season. The last few holiday seasons have been scaled back, first as the parks reopened and then for the 50th Anniversary. With that now over, things are almost 100% normal for Christmas, minus the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights.

Last Christmas, there were two hard ticket events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) at Magic Kingdom and the brand-new Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. MVMCP will definitely be back for Christmas 2024, but it remains to be seen whether Jollywood Nights–which received a mixed reception in its inaugural year–comes back for a second season.

There are other seasonal events throughout the year, starting with the EPCOT Festival of the Arts in January and February. Following that is the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival from March through late May. Notably, Flower & Garden Festival has been shortened by over a month for 2024. Our expectation is that Food & Wine Festival also starts later and EPCOT debuts a new summer festival–but that’s just a guess!

It’s also possible that Magic Kingdom will once again do a special event in Summer 2024. In fact, we’d expect this to occur, with new entertainment debuting and smaller scale additions. Walt Disney World’s big new attraction (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) won’t be ready in time for Memorial Day, so they’ll need something else to market in the first half of 2024.

Even if a summer-time event doesn’t happen, Pride is celebrated in June, and there are other smaller-scale events spread across the calendar. After Hours parties will once again occur in Summer 2024, too.

The special events kick into high gear in August, which will kick off the 5-month long ‘party season’ at Magic Kingdom. That starts with Halloween time in Magic Kingdom, from August through the 1st of November. Our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Guide offers info & tips for Magic Kingdom’s fan-favorite Halloween-themed event.

While it has nothing to do with Halloween, another staple of fall is EPCOT’s annual culinary event. Read our Guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival to prepare for that park’s colossal culinary celebration. This just scratches the surface. You can see everything that happens throughout the year in our Calendar of Seasonal Events at Walt Disney World .

2. How Long to Visit

How long you should stay at Walt Disney World depends largely upon the type of trip it is. If you’re not much of a Disney fan but are taking your kids on a “once in a lifetime” rite of passage trip, we recommend a Walt Disney World vacation of at least 6 or 7 days. The exact length will still vary a bit depending upon how much vacation time you have and if you plan on visiting non-Disney theme parks or destinations.

In addition to visiting Disney’s theme parks, you’ll also probably want to build a day into your itinerary for relaxation, and this is good to plug into the middle of your trip so you don’t get worn out by the theme parks. The other consideration for planning trips to Walt Disney World might be how much time to spend doing other things.

You might want to do Orlando-area theme parks like Universal, SeaWorld, or Busch Gardens. We recommend at least a couple of days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Use our Universal Orlando Resort Trip Planning Guide for strategy. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is absolutely mind-blowing, even if you’re not a fan of the books. The new Jurassic World VelociCoaster is the best roller coaster in all of Orlando–and that’s just one of several excellent recent additions.

We also have a post titled Walt Disney World vs. Universal Orlando that covers a lot of the pros and cons of visiting Universal. If you want to broaden your horizons and do something beyond Central Florida’s world-class theme parks, check out our 50 Things to Do in Orlando, Florida (Outside Disney’s Parks) . That covers beaches, manatee-watching, outlet malls, and much more.

3. Booking Vacation Packages

Vacations booked via DisneyWorld.com cover some combination of hotel, park tickets, and dining. Sometimes these packages offer excellent savings off rack rates, sometimes they’re merely full price elements of the trip bundled together. If you’re looking further into the future, 2024 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages are now available! (For those already wanting to plan 2025 WDW vacations, you’ll need to wait until late June or early July 2024, unfortunately.)

If you’re already overwhelmed, you might want to consider using a travel agent. If you go this route, look for one who primarily or exclusively does Disney-related bookings. As you can probably gather already, planning a Walt Disney World vacation is incredibly complex. If a travel agent doesn’t specialize in Disney, they probably won’t know the many nuances of Walt Disney World vacations. (For this reason, we don’t recommend AAA or Costco, even though some of their agents have Disney knowledge.)

Most travel agents specializing in Disney are “no fee” agencies, meaning that it costs you no more to book through them than it does to book through Disney (they get commission from Disney). If you are unsure of which package might be best for you–or need personalized help with any aspect of your trip–we recommend contacting a no fee “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” ( here’s why we recommend one ) to get a quote and to help you plan. Request a quote from our recommended Authorized Disney Vacation Planner here .

4. Park Tickets

If you opt to book things yourself and without a vacation package, we recommend buying your tickets from an authorized third party ticket seller to save money. Read our Tips for Buying Discount Walt Disney World Tickets post for everything you need to know about choosing the right tickets and saving money on them.

Normally, prices increase in February and/or October. They increased twice two years ago, with the second occurring later than usual in December. Last year, the only admission costs that increased were on Annual Passes, which raises a question about whether tickets will increase again in December, or if Walt Disney World is waiting until February 2024. Either way, it’s not a bad idea to buy now to lock-in current prices no matter when you’re visiting between now and December 31, 2024.

If all you want to know is where to safely buy the cheapest, legitimate Walt Disney World multi-day tickets from an authorized reseller click here to buy via Get Away Today , our recommended & Disney-authorized ticket seller.

Disney’s mantra is “the longer you play, the less you pay per day.” It’s corny but true. Single-day Walt Disney World tickets are expensive , but multi-day tickets are much cheaper per day. The cost of additional days on a ticket substantially decreases with each day you add after 3 days. In other words, longer trips are not proportionately more expensive than shorter ones.

This is just one of the many tips we cover in our post about saving money on Walt Disney World park tickets . Whatever you do, don’t wait to buy your tickets at the front gates of the parks or on eBay…they won’t work!

5. Where to Stay

One of the very best posts on this blog is our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page . We have stayed at every Disney hotel, plus many off-site ones. That page offers links to each of our hotel reviews, room photos, thoughts on the amenities, pros & cons, and more.

When deciding whether to pay the premium prices that Disney-owned hotels charge, one important consideration for many will be on-site perks. Unfortunately, there aren’t many anymore–basically just some extended hours (see our Guide to Early Entry at Walt Disney World ), location, theme, and more convenient transportation. Since reopening, many benefits have been eliminated–either permanently or temporarily. Read about this in Is Walt Disney World’s On-Site Advantage Disappearing or Reappearing ?

When pricing out Walt Disney World hotels, you’re bound to have some sticker shock. Prices have gone up considerably in the last few years, and discounts are not nearly as abundant as they once were. If your budget is tight but you still want on-site luxury, consider getting a quote from Disney Vacation Club point rental company ( click here to book with the cheapest point DVC rental company ).

For more info about renting points, you might want to read our Guide to Renting Disney Vacation Club Points article. This is a great way to save money on nicer accommodations than you otherwise might be able to afford.

If you’re going to stay on-site at Walt Disney World, the three main tiers are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe, which are exactly what their names sound like they are. There’s also a Deluxe Villa tier, which is basically Disney-speak for “timeshare room.” Looking for the best hotel in each tier? Check out the following posts ranking the various Disney hotels:

• Value Resort Hotel Rankings
• Moderate Resort Hotel Rankings
• Deluxe Resort Hotel Rankings
• Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) Resort Rankings

Debating whether to stay off-site to save money or on-site at Walt Disney World for convenience and to be immersed in the magic? We have an Off-Site vs. On-Site Walt Disney World Hotels article that goes into great depth about the pros and cons of both options.

If you’re also visiting other theme parks in Central Florida, one alternative is to stay off-site. Our Universal Orlando Hotel Rankings & Reviews covers the pros & cons of those resorts, many of which we love for their locations, theme, on-site perks, and value for money. Additionally, refer to Universal Orlando v. Walt Disney World Resorts for a comparison between Disney’s and Universal’s hotels to see what each does better.

6. What to Pack

It might sound hard to believe, but packing for Walt Disney World offers ways to save money and improve your experience. There are some wrinkles to Walt Disney World that make packing a bit different, and by bringing certain “clever” (we think) items in your luggage, you will improve your experience. We go over the best stuff in our Walt Disney World Unique Packing List .

Two of our favorite examples from that list are Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads and this Compact External Charger . Seriously, you’ll wonder how you ever travelled without these (and many other) items on our list!

One of the most important things to pack for Walt Disney World is comfortable shoes. This can trip people up, as you probably walk  far, far less at home than you will at Walt Disney World. Suffice to say, what’s best for logging tens of thousands of steps could differ from your day-to-day footwear. See our picks for the Best Shoes to Wear at Walt Disney World for guidance–and be sure to plan ahead, breaking in your shoes before your trip!

Comfort is also key when planning your clothes for Walt Disney World–and weather can make that challenging. If you’re going in the colder months, check out our Packing for Disney in Winter post. For summer months, read Tips for Beating the Summer Heat at Disney .

7. Itineraries & Attraction Advice

Having an itinerary is a big deal, even for some frequent Walt Disney World guests. Some visitors create binders, spreadsheets, and schedule every step of their day. People get serious and obsessive about this. We are not those people. Planning is important, but going to those lengths is unnecessarily stressful and creates unrealistic and rigid plans. The best laid plans often go awry, and when that inevitably happens, it can be disappointing if you’ve over-planned.

With that said, we also recommend first-time visitors do not “wing it” for your daily itinerary . You don’t need to plan every movement so that there’s no spontaneity in your trip, just make sure you have at least a loose plan of what you’re going to do. As with most things in life, balance and moderation are key.

We have the following flexible step by step plans for each park that cover our perfect days using standby-only:

• 1-Day Magic Kingdom Park Itinerary
• 2-Day Magic Kingdom Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Epcot Itinerary Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Animal Kingdom Park Itinerary
• 1-Day Hollywood Studios Park Itinerary

For step-by-step single day itinerary using Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, see these itineraries:

• 1-Day at Magic Kingdom with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• 1-Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• 1-Day at Epcot with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes
• 1-Day at Animal Kingdom with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes

Additionally, we have itineraries for Universal Orlando offering the same type of step by step advice:

• 1-Day Universal Studios Florida Itinerary
• 1-Day Islands of Adventure Itinerary
• 1-Day Universal Park Hopping Itinerary ( both Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Florida )

If you’d prefer to create your own itinerary, we recommend reading our Disney Parks Ride Guides and getting a rough idea of which attractions you want to do:

• Magic Kingdom Park & Attraction Guide
• Epcot Park & Attraction Guide
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park & Attraction Guide
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park & Attraction Guide

We also have guides for the Walt Disney World water parks and Disney Springs:

• Blizzard Beach Water Park Guide
• Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Guide
• Disney Springs Shopping & Entertainment District Guide

With that said, we’d strongly recommend using our pre-made Walt Disney World Park Itineraries . Those step by step guides are maximized for efficiency, and will save far more time than ones you put together yourself, or just winging it. These are good, flexible itineraries that offers attractions, dining, and other things to enjoy without going crazy with mapping out every bathroom stop of your day.

Those with small children should also know that some Walt Disney World rides have height restrictions, requiring kids be a certain number of inches tall (usually 38 to 44″) in order to experience. Measuring sticks are outside attractions with a requirement, and kids who do not meet the minimum height are not allowed to enter the line. There are no age requirements for any attractions. See  Height Requirements at Walt Disney World for a comprehensive list, updated with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Attractions that have height requirements also offer Rider Switch (also known as child swap, baby switch, rider swap, or parent swap). This is Walt Disney World’s system that allows parents with small children to take turns experiencing thrill rides and other attractions with height requirements via Lightning Lanes. See our  Guide to Rider Switch at Walt Disney World   for everything you need to know about this service. If eligible, it can save you a ton of time.

8. Where to Eat

A lot of the posts on this blog detail dining at Walt Disney World, which is a surprisingly complex (and fun!) topic. The most important thing for first-timers to know is that the tired stereotype that Disney dining is all burgers, hot dogs, and other fast food is not even remotely true. Disney has a lot of wonderful dining options that can be an experience in themselves.

To figure out where to eat, consult our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. That page has reviews of 75+ restaurants at Walt Disney World, plus other resources like our Magic Kingdom Counter Service Restaurant Rankings , and lots of other specific topics. Another great post with random quick-tips is our 101 Walt Disney World Dining Tips post.

Good dining experiences can make a trip, so if you only read more on one topic in this guide, make it dining. We know a number of people who have had their opinions of Walt Disney World changed for the better simply because they “discovered” the right places to eat.

If you’re starting the planning process far in advance, you might want to subscribe to our free newsletter for updates . We also provide subscribers with news from the parks, and have given a heads up on Free Dining and ticket price increases before they have been officially announced. This makes the newsletter especially handy for scoring discounts and being in the know as to what’s going on before your trip.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re trying to do “Disney on a Dime,” one of the easiest ways to save money is to not eat at Walt Disney World restaurants. Dining at Disney is expensive, and unlike park tickets, it’s not mandatory . You can save a lot of money by eating off-site, or better yet, getting groceries and preparing your own meals. We have a comprehensive Tips for Buying Groceries at Walt Disney World post that covers grocery delivery, local stores, and much more.

Even if you don’t want to make your own meals, grocery delivery is great for getting fruit and other small grab and go snacks, both of which are really over-priced at Walt Disney World. It’s also excellent for beer–for less than the cost of a single beer in the parks, you can have a 6-pack delivered to your hotel room!

9. Transportation

Walt Disney World transportation can be hit or miss, and can take a lot of time. For the most efficient transit options, read our Time-Saving Walt Disney World Transportation Tips post. This covers shortcuts, when to use buses v. monorail v. boats v. your feet, and more!

One of the other big considerations is whether you want to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel that offers a unique form of transportation, such as the monorails to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, or the boats, walking paths, or Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. These can be a huge time-saver.

Disney’s Magical Express has now ended, and following a merger of two competitors, it’s indirect replacement is essentially Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. This does cost money, but otherwise it’s roughly analogous to Disney’s Magical Express–it’s even operated by the same vendor that ran Disney’s Magical Express (same buses and everything, just no Disney branding!). For a broad overview of alternatives, see our Airport Transportation Guide to Walt Disney World .

An alternative to a rental car is Lyft (or the Minnie Van service powered by Lyft) or Uber. For the basics on using these ride-sharing services, read our Tips for Using Lyft or Uber at Walt Disney World post. This post also shares the easiest way to get to Universal Orlando Resort (in case you want to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, too)

10. What Else to Do

Your imagination is really the limit here. Most first-time visitors only know about the theme parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks. That’s just the surface of what Walt Disney World has to offer. There are tours, golf, fishing, nightlife, shopping, fireworks cruises, babysitting, spas, and much more. An exhaustive list would ultimately be longer than the rest of this already long blog post!

Most of our favorite things are couples or adult-oriented, which you can read about on our Walt Disney World for Adults page . Honeymooners (aka “Disneymooners”) should read our Walt Disney World Honeymoon Tips article. Here are some other posts that cover “other stuff” at Walt Disney World, and other ways to improve your vacation, that don’t really fit the categories above:

• Free Things to Do at Walt Disney World
• Best Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Spots
• Best Harmonious at Epcot Fireworks Viewing Spots
• Tips for Celebrating at Walt Disney World
• First-Timer Tips for Walt Disney World

If all of this is really overwhelming, we (again) recommend contacting an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and letting them do the work for you. This is Disney’s term for their affiliated travel agents, and the huge upside to them is that they don’t charge for their services–Disney pays them directly at no cost to you! Click here to get a vacation quote from our recommended no fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner .

Remember, what’s in this post is just a starting point. To recap, you’ll also want to read our When to Visit Walt Disney World post for the best time of year to plan your trip. If saving money is important, read Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post to buy the cheapest tickets from legitimate sources. To figure out where to stay, our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page is a great resource. Want to know where to eat or if the Disney Dining Plan is right for you? Our Walt Disney World Dining Resources will help!

These are just a few of many posts mentioned in this article that will provide the foundation for your planning…but these 4 other posts are probably the most important of the bunch! If you enjoyed this Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide, please help us out by sharing it with your friends via social media. We put a lot of ongoing work into this, and hope it’s as helpful as possible to as many trip planners as possible. Thank you so much for your support–we really appreciate it!

Your Thoughts

Are you visiting Walt Disney World in 2024? If you are a Walt Disney World veteran, what tips would you add to this? If you’re a first-timer, is there anything else you’d like to know? Are you excited to experience the parks for Disney’s 100th Anniversary, or will you wait until Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens or more on-site perks are restored? We love hearing from readers, whether it be questions from newbies or tips from seasoned Disney pros with tips of their own to add!

Written by Tom Bricker

I will l spend my first full day at Disney World on a Sunday should I go to the magic kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood studios first to avoid crowds? Going the first week of March.

Every traveler must read this crucial information before visiting Disney for tourism. I love the way you write for travelers this is easy to understand and the information itself is quality content.

Hey Tom! Will you do an article on how to navigate busy times of year like spring break? We have historically been off season travelers to avoid crowds but older kids in school prevent us from being able to do so and I am a bit anxious about what to expect during spring break and how to best manage the crowds!

Hi Tom, my wife and I are planning a trip to Disney World after Thanksgiving to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We have never been to Disney World and want to make the most of our time (and money). We are really good at Genie+(Disneyland) and are willing to arrive for rope drop and stay until the parks close.

Which of the following 2 options would you recommend? 1. A 4-Day Park Hopper and do MK on a MVMCP day and park hop to HS. On another day, do a half day at HS and park hop to MK to enjoy the evening with fireworks and the “Frozen” Castle Experience 2. A 3-Day Base Ticket and 1-Party Night Ticket (Jollywood Nights or MVMCP)

Hi Tom. Myself and my family spent 2 weeks in Orlando middle of August, including 5 days at WDW and we would like to thank you very much for all the advice you give. I read all of your blogs and the advice/information was so valuable to help us to get the best out of our holiday (we are from UK so we can’t visit as often as we would like!). Using Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours and very quick fingers on the Virtual Queues, we were able to do everything we wanted to do and much more!! The only thing that went wrong was when after doing Early Entry at MK we took the monorail back to our hotel (Yacht Club) via Epcot forgetting that we would technically be park-hopping so are restricted by the 14:00 rule. We arrived to EPCOT just after 13:00 so had to wait a bit. It was only a minor issue but thought I would mention as reminder to anyone else. We also learnt through this incident that although Park Hopping is officially allowed from 14:00, you can tap through from 13:45. Again, might be useful for others… We are already starting to plan our next trip and I continue to read your blogs every day! Thanks again and hope everything goes well with the baby!

Hi Tom! Do you have any articles or good tips for room requests (timing, method, hotel cast member insight, etc)? I would really appreciate it! I am a bit of a Disney veteran, but the art of the room request has eluded me (for example, old online articles suggest faxing things – that can’t possibly still be applicable, right??) – and if I ever post any questions on Facebook groups, the comment section eventually spirals into negativity and chaos. Thanks!

Hi! Thank you for everything you do, it is such a huge help when planning a Disney world trip when I’m used to just going to Disneyland. Do you have any tips on booking flights? Such as when is the best time to book, how far in advance and recommendations on which website to book through?

This information is crucial for every traveler. It is common to encounter health issues during our journeys, which is why this comprehensive guidance blog is essential for everyone. I greatly appreciate your kind words about the post, and I’m glad that the information shared in the article has proven helpful to you. bali tours

Hi Tom! Any tips for doing the Parks in the rain? We’ve been waiting months and see there maybe showers when we’re there next week. Thanks

Tom, My family and I planned for a 2-day Epcot experience in June. I am using your itineraries for the other parks and I thought I’d ask if you have a 2-day for Epcot?

Just amazing help for us in planning our vacation – thanks, Tom!

This is in dire need of updating. Rock n Roller Coaster is down, Toyland is open and fabulous, we did Lightning Lane at Rise of the Resistance. And more.

Have you heard anything about package service returning? It seems advantageous for Disney. I wouldn’t buy a large collectible if I have to carry it around all day. Having it sent to my hotel would’ve been nice.

I have not heard anything about that specifically, but I have recently been hearing about very big, very comprehensive announcement plans to coincide with 2024 Walt Disney World vacation packages. Normally, that news would be released in June or July, but I suspect it might be coming earlier this year.

Again, no clue if resort package delivery is among the changes (it was not one of the things mentioned to me), but it very well could be given the potential scope and scale of the news.

Hey Tom! What do you know about Typhoon Lagoons re-opening for 2023? I was thinking about adding the water park option to my annual pass renewal but wasn’t sure it would be worth it if both aren’t open. Thanks!

I’m grateful you recommended we consider opting for a week-long Walt Disney World vacation if we want the kids to enjoy the experience and all the attractions available without wearing them out. I’m planning to take my kids to Disneyworld this spring, so I was wondering how I should plan the trip. I’ll keep your suggestion in mind while I look for a Disney VIP tour to book in advance soon.

Hello Tom, I tried to use the code DTB5 at get away today and it says code is invalid?? Do you have another code that can be used? Also I love Sarah’s Mickey Mouse purse, where did she buy it I have to get one!! Thanks Lori

The Get Away Today website tells me that the DTB5 discount code is invalid, so this article may need further updating (that or there is an error on their side – just thought you should know).

This article is awesome. It was wonderful and I really like it. Thanks for sharing this post.

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30 best Disney World rides ranked for 2024

With four iconic theme parks, more than five decades of history, innovation and nostalgia to consider, and over 50 rides to choose from, naming anything the "best" at Walt Disney World is no easy task ... but we gave it a try anyway.

The best rides at the Most Magical Place on Earth are the ones that deliver incredible thrills, groundbreaking technology and mind-blowingly immersive theming — so this ranking — in order starting with our top pick — is based on a combination of storytelling, thrill factor, innovation, emotional response and old-fashioned nostalgia.

So buckle up, tug on the yellow strap and enjoy your tour of the best rides at Walt Disney World.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• Location: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Height requirement: 40 inches

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — the centerpiece attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge — is such an epic, visceral experience that it feels reductive to call it merely a ride. During the nearly 20-minute adventure in a galaxy far, far away, guests become recruits, enlisted to join the Resistance in the fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order.

There's no other Disney attraction that can compete with the scale of Rise of the Resistance and its four different ride systems, vast cinematic sets, upward of 65 Audio-Animatronics, original score by John Williams, and audio and visual media featuring the original "Star Wars" cast.

The queue, pre-show and ride experience blend seamlessly, forming a cohesive narrative journey that is enhanced by technology but never overpowered by it. The attraction makes you forget the real world — but not because you're stuck in a dark space staring at a screen. In fact, Disney cast members doubling as Resistance heroes or First Order captors appear at key moments during the attraction, bringing a tangible reality to the experience that deepens the immersion.

Rise of the Resistance is a fully realized attraction that also still feels aspirational — new rides have opened since, but none have been quite so ambitious or delivered as Rise does. The bar has been set, and Rise is holding strong.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

• Location: World Discovery, Epcot
• Height requirement: 42 inches

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — Epcot's first-ever roller coaster and Walt Disney World's first Marvel ride — definitely wins the "most fun" award. The fact that it's still using a virtual queue nearly two years after opening is a testament to its popularity.

The galaxy's fate is at stake, and the Guardians need help. Coming to their aid, guests board a "starjumper," a 360-degree rotating ride vehicle that reverse-launches into a high-speed indoor roller coaster journey through time and space.

One of six randomized '70s and '80s pop-rock classics provides the soundtrack for the silky smooth ride that feels like a swinging, soaring dance party through space. Like Space Mountain, the ride is in near darkness but enhanced with elaborate projections and some physical set pieces.

Everyone has a favorite song, and predicting which one you'll get adds to the fun, making the ride even more repeatable.

Bonus points go to the physical queue, which winds through the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, formerly "Universe of Energy," and tells a story that feels like classic Epcot but with plenty of Guardians banter.

Ride vehicles rotate to direct attention to a mix of screens and physical set pieces, and though it's a controlled rotation, those prone to motion sickness are likely to be affected by this ride. The negative effects can be minimized by avoiding looking at the screens and keeping your eyes pointed in the direction of the track.

Avatar Flight of Passage

• Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar, Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Height requirement: 44 inches

You don't even need to see an "Avatar" film to be wowed by your first ride on Avatar — Flight of Passage.

The breathtaking 4D experience simulates a flight over Pandora's Valley of Moara. A motorcycle-like ride vehicle creates the sensations of soaring, swooping and diving on the back of a banshee, which you can feel breathing and flapping its wings beneath you.

The stunning score, gorgeous visuals and effects like scents, mist and wind combine to make this one a top must-do, but it also comes with one of the heftiest wait times — still regularly clocking in at two or more hours, nearly seven years after opening.

Luckily, the standby queue is one of Walt Disney World's best, winding through alien flora, mysterious caves, an RDA bunker and a bioluminescent forest before entering an ACE laboratory that includes a stunning full-size Avatar moving inside a tank.

Interesting though the queue is, we still only recommend waiting in it when wait times are manageable, typically at rope drop or as late as possible in the evening.

For most Walt Disney World guests, time is money, so purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane is a smart way to skip the line.

Haunted Mansion

• Location: Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom
• Height requirement: None

An opening-day attraction that never gets old, Haunted Mansion adds more fans to its cult following every year. 2023 brought the debut of a new film inspired by the ride and the announcement that the mansion's 999 happy haunts would soon be hitting the high seas in Haunted Mansion Parlor, opening when the Disney Treasure sets sail this December.

This Ghost Host-led tour aboard a Doom Buggy weaves through the cavernous mansion and its grounds. It's spooky but not too scary for most kiddos — just remind timid little ones that these grim-grinning ghosts are having a big party, and everyone's invited to the swinging wake.

You don't need a new reason to keep this one high on the list, but last November, the Walt Disney World ride did get a long-awaited addition of the legendary Hatbox Ghost, already part of Disneyland's version.

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

• Location: Asia, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a great roller coaster on its own, but like the other top rides on this list, its immersive theming is as strong as its thrills.

From Serka Zong village in the Himalayan foothills, an old steam-engine tea train operated by a tour and expedition company brings climbers to Mount Everest base camp — if they're brave enough to ignore the warnings that a mysterious yeti stalks the mountain, that is.

The tallest "mountain" of any Disney park at 199 feet, this is definitely one of Walt Disney World's more intense rides. There's a sizable drop and some big surprises, but there are no inversions, and it's well paced, giving you time to catch your breath during the scenic ascent and dramatic pauses.

This is one of the better picks at Animal Kingdom if you have to do the standby line — it moves quickly, and the immersive queue sets the stage for the adventure, passing through the village tourism office, the Yeti Museum, and even an internet cafe and inn for trekkers.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

• Location: Frontierland, Magic Kingdom

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness combines family-friendly thrills, nostalgia and immersive theming. Hold on to your hats and glasses as you take off on a runaway mine train, weaving among the iconic towering buttes that reach 197 feet at the highest point.

The bumpy ride is laugh-inducing, sending riders sliding into each other as the train rounds tight turns. A fan favorite since it opened in 1980, the oldie-but-goodie still stands up to Disney's newer coasters in both theming and fun, and at nearly 3 1/2 minutes, it provides a much more satisfying length than many of the newbies.

Three main ascents are followed by gentle drops and thrilling turns that aren't overly stomach-churning. For the wildest ride, sit in Row 15 in the back of the train.

An enhanced backstory and new character, Barnabas T. Bullion, were introduced to the ride in 2013, along with an updated interactive queue. Owner and president of the Big Thunder Mining Company, Bullion is also a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, a fictional mythology spanning stories and attractions across Disney parks worldwide.

Pirates of the Caribbean

• Location: Adventureland, Magic Kingdom

Constructed in just 15 months after guests expressed disappointment when Magic Kingdom opened without the popular Disneyland attraction in 1971, Florida's version of the (mostly) slow-moving, dark boat ride absolutely deserves a top spot on this list.

Housed behind the facade of an old Spanish fort, El Castillo del Morro, the entrance and queue take their design inspiration from a fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Many people would argue Disneyland's version is better, but Walt Disney World's queue is far more immersive. Depending on whether you use the standby queue or Lightning Lane, you'll pass through either the soldiers' quarters or the dungeon, where a famous scene dreamed up by famed Walt Disney Imagineer Marc Davis shows two skeletons frozen for eternity staring at a chessboard stuck in a no-win configuration.

The ride includes one gentle but exciting plunge in the darkness, followed by some of the most iconic scenes, music and Audio-Animatronics on any Disney ride.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

• Location: Sunset Boulevard, Disney's Hollywood Studios

It's hard to imagine Disney's Hollywood Studios without the iconic Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but the attraction didn't open until 1994, along with the Sunset Boulevard area of the park.

Once the site of a glamorous Tinseltown hotel, the ominous 199-foot-tall tower casts an aura of foreboding over the decaying grounds. Overgrown landscaping and eerie big-band jazzy tunes help set the stage in the immersive queue, which becomes even more impressive upon entering the abandoned, cobweb-covered lobby.

As the story goes, on a fateful night in 1939, five hotel quests disappeared when lightning struck the hotel elevator. Today, guests visit the abandoned site — riding in a still-functioning service elevator that enters the fifth dimension, launching riders on a series of dramatic drop sequences.

Not for the faint of heart (or stomach), this ride is both scary and nausea-inducing for some, but a runaway fan-favorite thrill ride for many. Even if you hate the freefall sensation, it's worth trying to experience some of Disney's best-ever ride theming and storytelling.

Tron Lightcycle / Run

• Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
• Height requirement: 48 inches

A must for thrill-seekers, Tron Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom is now the fastest roller coaster at Walt Disney World. Inspired by the 1982 "Tron" and 2010 "Tron: Legacy" films, the indoor-outdoor coaster adds more thrills and gorgeous nighttime lighting to Tomorrowland.

We love the unique body positioning that really makes you feel like you're on a bike (especially in the front row!) and the silky smooth ride.

Many Tron fans will tell you night rides are superior — and with lighting after dark, they're not wrong — but unless you're willing to pay for a timed Individual Lightning Lane after sunset or are eligible for the 6 p.m. virtual queue drop during extended evening hours for Deluxe Resort guests, you'll have to settle for the virtual queue return time you're assigned.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

• Location: Hollywood Boulevard, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World took nearly 50 years to open its first ride starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, so it had to be good. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opened March 4, 2020, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, replacing The Great Movie Ride in the Chinese Theatre.

The innovative dark ride blends a little bit of everything — trackless ride technology, digital projections, Audio-Animatronics, a catchy original theme song and original animation based on the newest generation of Mickey Mouse shorts.

The pre-show features an original Mickey Mouse short called "Perfect Picnic," after which guests find themselves on a train ride driven by Engineer Goofy through Runnamuck Park.

The ride is packed with hidden Mickeys and Easter eggs. For example, the original whistle used in Disney's 1928 animated short film "Steamboat Willie" was used to create the train whistle sound on Runaway Railway.

Each "train" comprises four trackless ride vehicles, which split apart and shuffle positions during the attraction, with each car providing a slightly different ride experience.

Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled. In addition to a secondary storyline involving poor Pluto's desperate attempt to reunite himself — and a picnic basket — with his owners, a curious little crab appears in each scene, giving you even more to look for during repeat rides.

Spaceship Earth

• Location: World Celebration, Epcot

Housed in a geodesic sphere that's arguably as iconic to Walt Disney World as Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth opened with Epcot on Oct. 1, 1982.

Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World's must-do park

The 16-minute, slow-moving dark ride follows the development of human communication from prehistoric times to the computer age and beyond. From the invention of the alphabet to classical Greece to the Industrial Revolution, key periods and moments are represented with detailed sets, animatronic figures and narration by Dame Judi Dench.

The attraction has received a few updates through the years, but if you love the current version, thank the Phoenicians it's still around. While it might not be a physically thrilling ride, it's quite the thrill to make the "rounds" inside such a legendary structure.

Jungle Cruise

This opening-day attraction is always a good time; if you don't believe me, you're in de-Nile.

The "10-minute, 10,000-mile" boat ride down the rivers of Asia, Africa and South America first debuted on Disneyland's opening day in 1955 as a straightforward, educational attraction. It took shape as the joke-filled version we know today in 1960, when Walt Disney Imagineer Marc Davis stepped aboard to skipper the story in the comedic direction that made it the "World Famous Jungle Cruise" it is today.

A 2021 reimagining to address cultural insensitivities in certain scenes introduced new characters, animals and scenes to the ride and established a more elaborate backstory that deepens the ride's connections to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World in 2024

Pro tip: We love pairing a ride on Jungle Cruise with a meal at the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen restaurant across from the ride. This Easter egg-packed restaurant serves some of the best table-service food in Magic Kingdom (along with plenty of puns courtesy of Skipper servers).

Kilimanjaro Safaris

• Location: Africa, Disney's Animal Kingdom

The next best thing to a real African safari, Kilimanjaro Safaris is in many ways the realization of Walt Disney's original vision for Jungle Cruise, which was to have wild animals in true-to-nature environments. You can spot more than 30 different animal species during the 18-minute open-air drive across 110 acres of savanna — nearly as much space as all of Magic Kingdom park.

Given the unpredictability of live animals, no two rides are the same. Through the years, we've experienced so many memorable moments, from a giraffe coming right up to our vehicle and keeping us there until he was ready to move along, to watching a 2-month-old baby elephant run around on her first day on the savanna.

Pro tip: Many of the animals are most active early in the morning and at sundown, so aim for those times. And don't shy away from a rainy ride — some animals seem to love it, and you'll stay (mostly) undercover.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

• Height requirement: 38 inches

"Star Wars" fans simply can't pass on the chance to take the controls in the cockpit of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy by joining Hondo Ohnaka's flight crew for an important smuggling mission aboard the Millennium Falcon.

For "Star Wars" fans, the queue is as bucket list-worthy as actually taking a seat at the controls. After first passing the life-size Millennium Falcon from the front as you enter the queue, you'll get to see it from additional angles and from multiple levels, getting a closer look at the iconic ship from different perspectives as you wind through the Easter egg-packed queue.

Flight crews of six are assigned the positions of pilot, gunner or engineer and get a few minutes to explore the main hold and take a seat at the centerpiece dejarik table before heading to the cockpit.

Once in your seats at the controls, it's time to work as a team to put the bucket of bolts to the test and see if you can complete your mission — and get back to Batuu with the Falcon in one piece. Pilots steer, gunners defend and engineers perform repairs, and at the end of your mission, Hondo will let you know how well you've done — and what your cut of the credits will be.

Pro tip: Young riders who just make the 38-inch flight requirement often struggle to reach all of the controls in the pilot position. If they have their heart set on piloting, consider putting the longest-armed adult in the other pilot position so they can reach over and help.

Slinky Dog Dash

• Location: Toy Story Land, Disney's Hollywood Studios

When guests enter Toy Story Land, they "shrink" to the size of one of Andy's toys from the films. It's easy to look at Slinky Dog Dash, which Andy has "built" in his backyard by combining his Slinky Dog toy with a Mega Coaster Kit, and assume it's a coaster for little kids a la Magic Kingdom's The Barnstormer.

But this coaster is tons of fun and worth the ride, even without kids. The ride vehicle mimics Slinky Dog's springy body — launching then seemingly springing along, bobbing up and down over gentle but exhilarating hills, and winding among Andy's toys. You'll also glimpse some wonderful vistas across the theme park. A second, more thrilling launch, narrated by Slinky Dog, sends riders seemingly straight up into the sky, giving a brief feeling of weightlessness.

Grown-ups will get a nostalgic kick out of the classic toy boxes used to construct portions of the queue and load area too.

Pro tip: Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular Genie+ Lightning Lane at Disney's Hollywood Studios, so make sure to grab this one first at 7 a.m. The ride also frequently goes down due to weather, so if you're opting for the standby queue and only have one day to ride it, make sure you don't save it until the end of the night if the sky looks threatening.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

• Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom

Like Slinky Dog Dash, this is another true family coaster that's not just for kids. Opened in 2014 as part of Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland expansion, this gentle but exciting coaster ups the thrill factor just enough to engage adults and bigger kids without scaring less daring littles.

The ride vehicles are modeled after mine carts and sway back and forth along the otherwise smooth track, which ventures into the diamond mine where the seven dwarfs famously whistle while they work.

Bright, reflective gemstones (look out for the Hidden Mickey !); cheerful, singing dwarf animatronics; and an earworm rendition of "Heigh-Ho" as you make your ascent up the main hill make it impossible not to smile on this ride.

One drawback — there's only one main show scene and a second brief final scene, making the ride feel over a little too quickly given its consistently long wait times.

The ride is available via standby queue (an interactive queue helps keep kids busy) or Individual Lightning Lane. The price may not be worth the cost for thrill-seekers, but it could definitely be worth it with antsy younger kids.

Star Tours — The Adventures Continue

• Location: Echo Lake, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge might get more of the attention lately, but Walt Disney World's first "Star Wars" ride has been going strong since 1989.

Opened first as Star Tours and later updated to Star Tours — The Adventures Continue in 2011, this 3D flight simulator ride takes guests on an unpredictable adventure across a galaxy far, far away in a Starspeeder 1000 ship helmed by reluctant pilot C-3PO and trusty navigator R2-D2.

Every adventure includes four randomized main scenes, introducing potential variability of characters, including classic original trilogy characters like Princess Leia and Darth Vader and destinations like the planets Tatooine and Hoth.

Updates through the years have added new characters and destinations as new "Star Wars" films have been released and ahead of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. On April 5, 2024, Star Tours got its latest galactic glow-up — new scenes and characters from the Disney+ series "Ahsoka," "Andor" and "The Mandalorian." Now, guests could get an urgent transmission from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor or the Mandalorian and Grogu.

For a limited time, all guests will visit a new destination, the planet Seatos from "Ahsoka," where the Starspeeder joins Ahsoka's T-6 Jedi Shuttle in a dogfight amid a pod of purrgil, massive space whales first introduced in the animated series "Star Wars Rebels." After this phase of introduction to the new characters and scenes, the ride will reenter a "random play" mode, as Walt Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald called the ride's eventual fully randomized sequencing, and will increase the ride's total potential storyline variations to more than 250.

Peter Pan's Flight

One of Disney's most nostalgic and iconic dark rides, with a soundtrack that can instantly unlock childhood memories, Peter Pan's Flight opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971 and to this day remains one of the park's most popular Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions — with a correspondingly hefty standby wait.

Board a pirate ship and take off from the Darling family nursery, flying over the rooftops of London then off to Neverland. Fly past scenes like a miniature Mermaid Lagoon below and a life-size swordfight between Peter Pan and Captain Hook overhead.

If you do end up in the standby line, the interactive queue through the Darling family home helps pass the time. Look out for twinkling signs of Tinkerbell's trail of pixie dust, and you might spot her rattling around and even getting stuck in tiny places around the house.

Space Mountain

This Walt Disney World original, which opened Jan. 15, 1975, was so popular that it inspired new versions in four more parks worldwide. Fitting for Tomorrowland, it was the first roller coaster ever to be controlled by a computer.

The iconic structure encloses two almost identical tracks, Alpha and Omega, which each launch spaceship-themed ride vehicles on their ride through space. The nearly total darkness makes the coaster feel much faster as it makes sudden sharp turns and drops.

An attraction that definitely feels its age, this coaster doesn't have any inversions or extreme drops, but it's definitely one of Walt Disney World's rougher rides.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

• Location: World Showcase, Epcot

Pixar meets Paris in a whimsical extension of Epcot's France pavilion that gently transitions from the real-world architectural grandeur of the City of Light to Pixar's more playful and exaggerated animated version, setting the stage for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.

You'll shrink down to rat size and board rat-shaped trackless vehicles for a 4D dark ride that has you scurrying through Gusteau's restaurant.

The multisensory ride combines screens and physical sets, enhanced with scents and some other surprise effects we won't spoil, and makes wonderful use of the film's excellent soundtrack.

Located at the opposite end of Epcot from most of the park's other rides, Remy's is a welcome reward for kids who lose steam making their way around Epcot's World Showcase.

The ride is equally enjoyable for adults and kids, but it may bother some guests prone to motion sickness.

Frozen Ever After

A reskin of the Viking-themed Maelstrom boat ride attraction in Epcot's Norway pavilion, Frozen Ever After takes guests on a cruise through Arendelle past scenes inspired by the original "Frozen" film.

Related: How Disney brought animated mega-hit 'Frozen' to life at Hong Kong Disneyland

Audio-Animatronic characters sing abridged versions of songs from the film, modified to support the ride's storyline. Light thrills include a gentle reverse drift during "Let It Go" and one thrilling drop that's not too scary to keep little kids off the ride — but just nerve-wracking enough to generate some hilarious expressions on the Disney PhotoPass ride photos.

This ride continues to be extremely popular and breaks down a lot, so if it's a top priority, try to pick up an early Genie+ Lightning Lane or rope drop it.

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania opened in 2008, long predating the opening of Toy Story Land, which better established the ride within the world of Andy's toys. The 3D carnival game-inspired attraction remains extremely popular, is endlessly rerideable (that is, until your arm gets too tired) and the game aspect of the ride even edges out newer game-focused rides like Web Slingers at Disneyland.

Ride vehicles seat two passengers side by side at spring-action shooters and whip and spin players from game to game.

Toy Story characters, including Woody and Jessie, Rex and Trixie, and the Green Army Men, host a series of five carnival-style 3D games on screens. Players ultimately compete against each other, but can also work together to unlock secret targets worth more points.

• Location: DinoLand U.S.A., Disney's Animal Kingdom

You either love or hate this rough, dark and downright terrifying (for some) blast to the past. Guests board a Time Rover with a mission to travel back to the Cretaceous period to retrieve an iguanodon and bring it back for research before the extinction-causing meteor strikes.

The fan-favorite preshow features Dr. Marsh (Phylicia Rashad), director of the Dino Institute, and Dr. Grant Seeker, a goofy, passionate scientist who briefs guests on the mission and frantically narrates during the harrowing attraction.

Loosely based on the 2000 film "Dinosaur," this attraction parallels Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure with respect to ride vehicle and layout. Unlike Indy, however, Dinosaur relies more on extreme darkness and jump scares than cinematic sets and impressive effects.

Kids who love dinosaurs and don't scare easily love this ride.

Dinosaur fans should get their rides in while they can. While no official retheme has been confirmed, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro began teasing potential rethemes of DinoLand, first in 2022 at D23 Expo, then again in 2023 at Destination D23, by playing "Indiana Jones" theme music, teasing a possible "Indiana Jones"-themed update in the area. More recently, D'Amaro confirmed that work is "well underway" for this project , with teams already going on research trips to Mexico.

Living with the Land

• Location: World Nature, Epcot

A prime example of Epcot edutainment, this "voyage of discovery and awareness" aboard slow-moving boats is part dark ride, part greenhouse tour.

Situated in Epcot's The Land pavilion, the dark ride portion showcases a variety of ecosystems — the tropical rainforest, desert and American prairie — before cruising through the pavilion's four working greenhouses.

It might sound dull, but guests of all ages will find themselves captivated by the array of different edible crops growing on display — from familiar tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens and strawberries, to the more exotic banana trees and giant melons, to cacao and peanuts. Fish farms and hydroponic and aquaponic farming methods are also showcased.

Get a taste of the end products by dining at Sunshine Seasons or Garden Grill Restaurant, also in the Land pavilion. Both restaurants use produce and seafood farmed in the greenhouses in some of their dishes.

If you visit Epcot during the holiday season, be sure to wait until after dark to ride, when a holiday overlay bathes the greenhouses in the warm glow of festive colored lights.

Pro tip: Want to learn more? Book a Behind the Seeds walking tour — a one-hour tour of the fish farm and greenhouses.

Soarin' Around the World

• Height Requirement: 40 inches

This flight simulator attraction gives riders a hang gliding sensation as they "soar," feet dangling up to 40 feet above the ground, through screen-based scenes.

The ride originally debuted as "Soarin' Over California" in 2005. In 2016, it was replaced with the current "Around the World" version, which visits some of the world's most famous natural wonders and manmade landmarks, including the American Southwest, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Recognizing fans' love for the original "Over California" attraction, Disney has begun bringing it back for limited runs. At Walt Disney World, it returned during the Disney100 celebration, and at Disney California Adventure, it's been making an annual return during the park's yearly Food & Wine Festival.

Pro tip: The farther you sit from the center of the screen, the more distorted some images appear — the Eiffel Tower in particular appears dramatically curved for guests sitting on the far sides. The best section and row for the least distorted image and no feet hanging in your view is B1.

Navi River Journey

• Location: Pandora — The World of Avatar, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Navi River Journey can't compete with Flight of Passage in the thrill department, but it does fully immerse guests in a beautiful, tangible Pandoran setting.

During the slow-moving (indoor) nighttime journey in Pandora's bioluminescent rainforest, boats float through the lush jungle, seemingly alive with the glowing sights and sounds of the planet's otherworldly creatures. Screens and projections are combined with physical sets, motion and sound to create impressively realistic effects, like alien creatures hopping from giant leaf to leaf overhead.

Ethereal music swells during the journey, reaching a crescendo as the boat approaches the massive Navi Shaman of Songs, a lifelike animatronic that is the most advanced Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created.

Navi River Journey gives those who don't meet the height requirement or are unable to ride Flight of Passage a great opportunity to experience Pandora's beautiful theming and detail.

"It's a small world"

Who wouldn't want to hop aboard "the happiest cruise that ever sailed"? An opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom following a successful debut at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, then at Disneyland in 1966, this nostalgic classic celebrates a message of peace, understanding and friendship by sharing a look at the world through the eyes of a child.

Different countries and cultures worldwide are represented by costumed Audio-Animatronic dolls designed to look as though they've been created by a child using papier-mache and other craft materials.

The lyrics to the timeless theme song by Robert and Richard Sherman, sung in the native languages of the represented regions, have become synonymous with calls for peace, empathy and acceptance. In an ongoing effort to honor the ride's message of inclusivity, a doll in a wheelchair was added to the ride last March.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

An oldie but goodie that's enjoyed a new wave of appreciation and popularity in recent years, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover takes guests on an elevated, narrated tour of Tomorrowland.

The magnetically powered tram takes passengers behind the scenes for a different perspective of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and travels right through Space Mountain. The ride also provides stunning views of Cinderella Castle, the canopy of Tron Lightcycle / Run and an overhead look at Tomorrowland Speedway.

There's no Lightning Lane but the standby queue moves quickly and is rarely longer than 20 minutes.

The current iteration of Test Track gets high marks for thrills but lands this low spot for seriously lackluster theming, especially when compared to a sister ride at Disney California Adventure Park. Radiator Springs Racers uses the same ride vehicles and mechanisms but adds the stunning backdrop of Ornament Valley, a heartwarming dark ride component, and a head-to-head race at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour to the finish for extra fun.

With the right theming, this could be a top-tier ride like Radiator Springs Racers — and the good news is, a retheme is in the works. Test Track will close June 17, 2024, for its reimagining, which will take inspiration from the original World of Motion. We can't wait to see how it turns out!

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is a high-speed roller coaster ride in the near darkness, save for neon signs, with Aerosmith music blasting the whole time.

The premise: After meeting Aerosmith in the recording studio, guests are invited to the band's concert on the other side of town and have to get through LA traffic in a super-stretch limo to get there.

This ride can be rough, but that doesn't stop it from being perpetually popular.

Note: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is currently closed for refurbishment, with plans to reopen in summer 2024.

Related reading:

• 'For the first time in forever,' Disney World feels like the good old days
• The 17 best Disney World hotels for your 2024 stay
• Save big bucks on Disney World tickets, hotel stays and dining with these discounts
• Tips for visiting Disney World in 2024: 19 ways to save money and have more fun

FinanceBuzz

15 Ways Middle-Class Families Can Afford a Trip to Disney World

Posted: May 23, 2023 | Last updated: July 23, 2023

The family trip to Disney World is a rite of passage for many American kids, especially those in the middle class. 

That said, the pilgrimage to the happiest place on earth is not cheap. There are plane tickets, park passes, hotel accommodations, and more to consider.

If you’re headed to Disney World, here are a few ways you can save money without missing out on any of the fun.

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Save up for your trip

This may seem rather obvious, but saving money over a few years for your Disney trip is a super savvy way to prepare for the expenses. 

You can do this with a savings account , though you may get a better return on your investment by working with a financial advisor.

Get expert advice on making more money - sent straight to your inbox.

Use a credit card

You can finance your Disney trip with a travel credit card, ideally one without a high APR or annual fee. 

Maximize this tactic by using an option that earns travel rewards , such as discounted hotel rooms and deals on rental cars.

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Buy parking passes and tickets ahead of time

If you’re going to be at Disney World for three or more days, you’ll save on park passes by buying them ahead of time. The price drops even lower once you hit five days or more.

Another reason not to wait until the last minute is that you never know when Disney will raise the price of admission. Again.

See how much you could save on auto insurance

Avoid the add-ons

You may be tempted to opt-in on the bells and whistles that can be added to your park passes, but don’t do it. For instance, why buy a photo package when you have a smartphone that takes amazing shots?

And while it may seem wrong to skip the waterparks, that’s what your hotel pool is for. You get the idea.

Hunt for discounts

It’s worth spending some time online to hunt for discounted Disney World vacation packages. For one, the park itself often offers specials, as do a variety of travel agents.

Just be savvy and make sure your vendor isn’t scamming you. A travel rewards credit card or discounted gift card can help offset the costs of your trip, too.

Visit during the offseason

Most families visit Disney World when their kids are off from school. However, this is usually during the summer, when the weather in Orlando is sweltering.

A better option is to visit during a time of year when the climate is better. Hotels tend to be cheaper off-season, making it worth pulling the kids out of school for a few days.

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Plan for the weather

It’s HOT in Florida. Okay, you probably knew that, but Disney is especially hot and humid from about June through October. 

Even when dangerous storms aren't hitting Florida, it can rain for short bursts every day in the summer. So, bring your own rain gear and sunblock so you don’t have to buy them at marked-up park prices.

Save on your hotel

While staying on-site at Disney World is fun, you can save a lot of money by making an off-site hotel your home base during your trip.

You might also fare well looking for an option on Airbnb or Vrbo. These places often have kitchens so you can cook meals instead of eating out.

… Or stay on the property

Not to contradict ourselves, but there are some cases in which staying on-site at Disney could save you cash. You’ll have access to the complimentary shuttle, for one, which means no car rental or Uber costs.

It’s also cheaper to visit the park during the park’s Magic Hours. Just be sure to pick budget-friendly accommodations.

11 legit ways to make extra money

Stay for a short time

While park passes get cheaper the longer you stay, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a full week or more at Disney World.

Booking only four or five nights could save you hundreds on hotel and food costs and still let you squeeze in all the rides and attractions you want. You might enjoy your trip more, too.

Focus on one or two parks

If you’ve never been to Disney World, you might not realize how large it is, with lots of places to spend lots of money. 

To that end, if you only focus on two parks — like Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, for example — you’ll have fewer temptations to spend money. And you'll more fully experience the parks you choose.

Don't forget the free stuff

Of course, the main reason people go to Disney World is for all of the cool rides and attractions, as well as the food. 

But don’t sleep on the free options, like window shopping in Disney Springs, exploring The Lego Store, and strolling around the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Pro tip: When you do buy something pricey, make sure you're using a cash back credit card to lessen the blow.

Speaking of the food at Disney World — which is plentiful and drool-worthy — you can save a lot by dining smart. Disney even lets you bring food into the parks, so plan for a picnic lunch here and there.

The parks also offer lockers, so you don’t have to lug your food along with you all day.

Be smart about souvenirs

If you buy every souvenir at Disney World, you’ll go broke in a matter of hours. Do yourself a favor and buy Mickey Mouse ears and other souvenirs ahead of time online.

Not only will they be cheaper than inside the parks, but you can also make a game of leaving them for your kids to find during your trip.

Bring a water bottle

Disney World lets you bring reusable water bottles into its parks and refill them at the many water stations you’ll find.

Not only will you save a dollar here and a dollar there — which can add up fast — but you’ll also stay hydrated in the hot Florida sun.

Bottom line

Going to Disney World is a dream come true for kids and adults alike, though it can be quite an expenditure. That’s why it’s smart to do your research about cost-cutting measures ahead of time and avoid wasting money .

By reducing your stress about spending while on vacation, you can just relax and enjoy the magic.

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know
• 9 things you must do before the next recession.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

We may receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies .

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FULL TOUR of the CHEAPEST Hotel in Disney World

When you’re choosing to stay on Disney World property , you have a lot of options.

If you’re trying really hard not to completely destroy your wallet, you may choose to stay at one of Disney World’s cheapest hotels, which are Value Resorts . The absolute cheapest Disney World hotel is Disney’s All-Star Movies , but what will a few hundred dollars a night get you? 

As you walk in the room, you’ll notice a table and chairs, mini kitchen set up, one bed, and the door to the bathroom.

Behind you, you can find the fire safety placard on the door.

Immediately to the right of the door, you’ll find the only window in the room, which looks out on the outside walkway. You can pull your privacy curtain if you’d still like some sunlight in, or pull your blackout curtain, as well.

Next to that, you’ll find the mini kitchen . While the top two shelves are open for storage, the middle is where you’ll find your icebox and coffee maker, with your mini fridge at the very bottom.

And the drawer has all the coffee supplies you need!

To the right of that, there’s a trashcan/recycling bin and the TV stand.

Speaking of TV stand , not only will you find a TV mounted on the wall…

…but the drawers on the right hand side open up for you to fill with anything you need.

The left side of the tv stand is where you’ll find your in room safe , as well as extra pillows .

Continuing to the right, you’ll find handy dandy hooks to hang whatever you need to — jackets, lanyards, you name it!

And that brings us to the bathroom ! It has a sliding door that can be opened or closed for more privacy.

Immediately to your right in the bathroom is a closet where you can hang up clothing items.

In front of you is the vanity , which has plenty of storage space for your personal items.

You’ll find multiple towels available for all your needs.

Underneath the vanity you’ll find additional appliances like tissues, a hairdryer, and an iron .

On the left side of the bathroom is the commode room , which does have another door that can be locked shut.

The commode itself is on the right side of the room with towels hanging above it.

Directly in front of you is the bathtub/shower .

We love the showerhead here…

…as well as those Disney hair care and body wash products !

On the left side of the commode room, you’ll find more towels .

Continuing throughout the room (which if we’re facing away from the bathroom will be on our right), we have the full size bed .

This can comfortably sleep two guests…

…and we love the headboard art above it!

To the left of the bed, you’ll find a bedside table with the resort phone .

To the left of that, you’ll find the table and chairs .

But if you’re sleeping 4 guests, this is the murphy bed too! All you have to do is remove the chairs, pull it down, and the table becomes the base for another full-size bed .

The headboard art above this one is Huey, Dewey, and Louie, dreaming of sports stardom!

To the left of the murphy bed is where you’ll find a bedside table complete with Hey, Disney!, as well as a pamphlet explaining what the digital assistant is. Don’t worry, if you don’t want it in the room, you can just unplug it!

And that’s the room! It’s a little tight for 4 guests , but you can certainly make it work, especially for only around $50 a night split between 4 people.

We’re always here bringing you the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to AllEars!

Join the AllEars.net Newsletter  to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!

Have you ever stayed in this hotel? Tell us in the comments!

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5 Things I Wish I Could Forget About the Underground Disney World Tunnels

By Samantha Kendall Leave a Comment

Disney World might be the Most Magical Place on Earth, but that doesn’t mean it’s all magic and pixie dust all the time.

We love Cast Members!

It takes a lot of hard work to keep the parks and more running, and that hard work is done by all those wonderful Cast Members ! But working at Disney World isn’t always glamorous, and in fact — sometimes there are certain things about their jobs they wish they could forget . This is especially true when it comes to the underground tunnels beneath Magic Kingdom — and we’re telling you why!

Here at DFB, we’re pretty lucky that we’ve got quite a few former Disney World Cast Members on our team. This means we get to learn all sorts of juicy details and exciting secrets about what working for the House of Mouse is like. But it also means that we get to hear about the not-s0-magical aspects of the job, too. The underground tunnels beneath Magic Kingdom — also known as the Utilidors — have always been a thing of wonder to regular Disney fans. But, apparently, some Cast Members would rather forget their time in the tunnels — here’s why.

The Travel Time

It can Disney World visitors a while to get to Magic Kingdom. You typically have to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center and then take a bus, ferry, or monorail to actually make it to the park gate. But guess what? The same is pretty much true for Magic Kingdom Cast Members as well. They also have to park far away and then hop onto a bus to make their way there.

©Disney | Obtained via News 6 Orlando

But then, once they do, they have to navigate through the tunnels to get to where they’re going and it’s often not a quick process. Even though these underground tunnels were designed to help Cast Members get around the park without people seeing them, there aren’t necessarily any shortcuts down there. Once you finally do make it to the right area, you might have to walk up 3-4 flights of stairs to get to your actual place of work! That sounds like quite an exhausting journey just to start your work day.

The Normalcy

Of course, Disney World is magical, but the Utilidors are disappointingly normal from what we’ve been told. Everyone is always so hyped to see them, and then once you do — it looks just like any other sort of industrial space (think like a parking garage or baseball stadium.) The general consensus seems to be that they’re pretty boring overall.

Our Cast Member team members had hyped them up in their heads to be fabulous and glamorous, and part of that is probably thanks to the mystery surrounding them. If you want to ever see them for yourself, you can either try to get a job as a Magic Kingdom Cast Member or book the Keys to the Kingdom tour! This gives folks a brief look at the Utilidors.

The Strange Sights

Magic Kingdom’s underground tunnels are essentially a series of break rooms, storage closets, hallways, and garages, so you’d probably expect to see some of that magic lifted while you’re down here. Seeing Cinderella without her gloves on or Goofy without his head is a normal occurrence — but apparently, it’s not one that you ever really get used to!

Obtained via AllEars.net

In addition, did you know that there’s a Subway sandwich shop in the Utilidors?! While that may not be a necessarily disturbing fact, it certainly could be for people who are terrified of Subway sandwich shops and would rather forget about their existence. Life is all about balance, you know?

Not only is there a Subway in the tunnels, but there are also places for Cast Members to work out and get some exercise before or after their shifts. However, these areas were often places that were passed by when people took the Keys to the Kingdom tour.

Cinderella Castle

Folks would often just ogle and stare at the Cast Members without really interacting, making them feel uncomfortable and like something on display in a museum. Here’s a tip: Cast Members are people too, so if you ever take this tour — don’t do that!

You haven’t thought of the smell! You see, Magic Kingdom has an incredibly intricate trash system. The park uses an automated vacuum collection or AVAC system to dispose of waste. Custodians collect and remove trash from the park twenty-four hours a day, and then the waste is dumped and processed. The trash travels from these processors through tubes that run through the Utilidors to a central location. So, as you can imagine, it can get quite stinky down there.

Do you know what other sorts of pipes are often found underground? Sewer pipes. And Magic Kingdom is no different. So, in addition to dealing with a trash smell — you also have to put up with the occasional whiff of poo down there too . There’s not a whole lot of stellar airflow or circulation in the tunnels, either. Still want to take that tour?

Stay tuned to DFB as we bring you all the juicy secrets, disturbing facts, and more news about Disney World!

7 Juicy Secrets You Learn As a Magic Kingdom Cast Member

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Have you been in the Magic Kingdom tunnels? Tell us in the comments.

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