Dozens of Essential Disney World Tips

Disclosure: Affiliate links within. Purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links in this post may result in a commission paid to us at no extra cost to you. I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. These Disney World tips are all from my personal experience.

Planning a Walt Disney World family vacation can certainly be confusing, whether it’s your first Disney vacation or your 10th. With four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of lodging options, and so much more, it’s hard to learn everything that you need to know about planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

Although there are numerous online places to learn more about Walt Disney World, there are also so many different acronyms to learn. Here are Family Travel Magazine, we’ve put together dozens of articles with key information about Walt Disney World. If you are looking for Walt Disney World planning tips, this is definitely the place to start.

Read Our Dozens of Disney World Tips

Before you plan your Walt Disney World vacation, you’ll need to do a few things – like review your budget, and decide when to go. This article on Disney World Planning – Things to Do Before Your Start Planning, is the best place to start. How to plan a Disney Vacation is also a helpful article to review. You’ll also want to figure out the best time to travel to Walt Disney World, as well as the best age for a first Walt Disney World trip.

Once you’ve figured out those things, you’ll want to check out these Free Resources to Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation. In addition to the articles I have published here, those resources can definitely help. You may also wonder – should You Stay On Property at Walt Disney World? There are lots of good reasons to stay on property, but some families prefer to stay off-property. You’ll also want to review our list of The Best Hotels for a Disney World Vacation. There are definitely other great hotels that aren’t on the list, but these are the hotels we’ve experienced first hand. I also have these tips for saving money on a Walt Disney World vacation.

You’ve probably heard all about FastPass+ and MagicBands – but do you know how they work? If you are planning an off-property stay, check out this post for Off Property Disney Guests: Things You Should Know About FastPass+ and Magic Bands as well as this update for MagicBands 2. You should also review these 10 Things You Need to Know About Walt Disney World Resort’s MagicBands and Fastpass+, 9 Things to Know About the New FastPass+ System at Walt Disney World, and 7 Tips for Booking Your FastPass+ Allocations.

Unlike other theme parks, you won’t pay a fee to use the FastPass+ system – but will need to do some advance work. Don’t plan on renting a car? You don’t need one, but if you are flying in to MCO, you’ll want to learn about Disney’s Magical Express.

You’ll also want to book Disney Dining in advance of your stay. The booking window opens 180 days in advance, and yes – restaurants do book up right at this window. Check out these 9 Things to Know About Disney Dining, as well as our review of one of the most popular restaurants – Be Our Guest.

As it gets closer to your Walt Disney World family vacation, check out these Things to Do Before Your Disney Vacation. You’ll also want to download the My Disney Experience app, and check out this article that explains How to Use the My Disney Experience App to Improve Your Disney Vacation. The parks, as well as the Disney resort hotels now all have WiFi, so you’ll be able to check the app on the go. Be sure to bring along extra power if you need it to power up your phone. The Disney Play app can also be lots of fun to play while waiting in line.

If the forecast shows rain, you may want to be prepared. Check out these things to do at Walt Disney World in the rain.

See all of our Disney World tips in these articles:

Free Resources For Planning a Trip to Disney World

Are you planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World? It can certainly be intimidating, with four major theme parks, two water parks, and countless resorts and restaurants along with numerous other activities. Planning is essential though - you don't…

The Magic Kingdom is definitely the most popular of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, and is home to lots of rides that kids and adults will love. When visiting Walt Disney World, you may be wondering what Magic…

I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. I am always asked questions about traveling to Walt Disney World,…

If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you're probably wondering about Disney FastPass. FastPass (now officially referred to as FastPass+) is a system used at Walt Disney World to help you skip the long lines and make…

The third theme park at Walt Disney World in Florida is also one of the most exciting. With many changes already occurring and in the works, Disney's Hollywood Studios features themed rides, thrill rides, and fun shows. Here's our guide…

Walt Disney World has definitely needed a reasonably-priced resort that accommodates families larger than 4. I welcomed the news of the new Art of Animation Resort, located across the bridge from Pop Century - where the "Pop Century Legendary Years"…

Epcot may seem like more of an adult park for the outside, but it’s really so much fun for the whole family. In addition to the Epcot rides and attractions for the whole family and the countries of the World…

I am often asked about the value resorts at Walt Disney World. They can be a great deal for families, because they offer the same on property benefits as other Walt Disney World resorts, but are less expensive. A few…

Most people don’t associate Walt Disney World with scary rides. There definitely are some scary rides at Walt Disney World, however -- from dark rides that may frighten kids (like the Pirates of the Caribbean) to thrill rides with big…

"I shee aminals".... my not-quite-two-year old son pressed his nose against the balcony door of our savanna-view room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and shouted out in excitement. I’ve been to quite a few of the properties on site at…

What's your favorite Walt Disney World Resort Hotel? That's a question I'm frequently asked, and it's so difficult to answer. Of course, I love Disney, but I'm also obsessed with hotels in general, and I've come to appreciate all of…

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be challenging, because there are so many options. In addition, Walt Disney World has their own language - with various acronyms and terms that may seem very difficult for beginners to learn. Because…

I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these…

My family loves visiting Walt Disney World, and we've been visiting the theme parks as a family since my kids were toddlers. I find that it's so convenient to visit Walt Disney World with kids, because the parks are made…

Walt Disney World is huge - so big, in fact, that people regularly run marathons right on property. Getting around a resort this large requires several different Disney transportation options, and it can be a little confusing for families to…

If you are visiting Walt Disney World on a family vacation, you may wonder what there is to do outside the parks at Walt Disney World. You can easily spend so much time in the parks, but you may want…

One of the most frequent questions I get from families traveling to Walt Disney World is, "Should we stay on or off property at Walt Disney World?". You are likely to find people whose opinions solidly fall on either side…

Choosing my favorite Walt Disney World resort hotel is extremely difficult. Depending on plans and budget, any of the on-property hotels can be excellent for a Disney family vacation. But, given the choice of resorts, we usually choose Disney's Beach…

Have you looked at the wide variety of Walt Disney World Resort hotels? There are so many different options - with various themes, locations, and price categories. Want to save money but don't want to stay in a value resort?…

If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, especially with younger kids, you’ll probably want to see some of the Disney World characters. While the parks offer lots of attractions, shows, rides, food, and festivals, the characters can often…

Disclosure: I learned about Toy Story Land at Disney Social Media Moms. While I did pay a fee, I received discounts and complimentary experiences/items. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A click through/purchase through one of…

There have been a lot of changes since this post was published back in 2013. We've listed some additional posts at the end. Walt Disney World Resort’s new MagicBands and Fastpass+ systems are causing quite the buzz down in the…

Educational experiences at Walt Disney World including activities and private tours at Animal Kingdom & Epcot. Whether you are traveling during a school vacation, or during the school year, you may be looking for some educational experiences at Walt Disney…

Everyone knows about the attractions, restaurants, and characters at the four Walt Disney World theme parks, but did you know that there are also Walt Disney World tours that you can book? Offered on a regular basis, these tours are…

There is so much that goes into a Walt Disney World vacation that it can seem overwhelming. When you need to book hotel, FastPasses, and dining reservations at separate times, it can be a bit challenging to remember all of…

Rivers of Light, the highly anticipated new nighttime show at Disney's Animal Kingdom, is premiering tomorrow, February 17th, 2017, after some delays. As an attendee of Disney's Social Media Mom Celebration, I was able to see a preview of the…

Everything that you need to know about the Disney Magical Express, including information about resort airline check in. If you are planning a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, you've probably heard about Disney's Magical Express. The Magical Express…

While Walt Disney World is often thought of as a vacation destination for families with children, there’s also so much for adults to enjoy. Over the years, I’ve been able to experience Walt Disney World without kids, and have had…

Disclosure: Affiliate links within. Purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links in this post helps support Family Travel Magazine®. I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and some of my trips to Walt Disney World…

Thinking of surprising your kids with a Walt Disney World vacation? See how we did it, and then get our tops tips for a Disney surprise vacation reveal. Disclosure: We surprised our kids with a trip to Disney Social Media…

Is Disney's After Hours Worth the Money? It's expensive, but is it worth it to get access to popular attractions? Here's my experience. Last year, before heading out on a three-day cruise with my friends, I planned to spend the…

With all of the different Disney vacation options available, it can be hard to choose just one. Luckily, due to the proximity of Walt Disney World to Port Canaveral, it's easy to plan a Walt Disney Land and Sea vacation.…

Traveling to Walt Disney World? Anyone can tell you to ride Soarin' and it's a small world - but there are lots of fun, more "off the radar" things to do at Walt Disney World. Of course, this list is…

If you know anything about Disney's Animal Kingdom, you probably know that it is not a zoo - it's a theme park. While you can see so many different animals while visiting the theme park as a guest, if you…

A lot has changed at Walt Disney World over the past few years, and if you haven't been in a while, you may be surprised. I was pretty well-versed in the old legacy FastPass system at Walt Disney World, and…

Kids love ice cream, and when you travel to Walt Disney World, you have lots of delicious options. My kids have their favorites, and we always have to space out our delicious snack stops throughout our vacation. If your children…

All about Disney Moderate Resorts, including the amenities and transportation they offer. Through press trips, Disney Parks Moms Panel trips, and Disney Social Media Moms, I've stayed at some Disney resorts (moderate included) at no cost or discounted cost. I've…

I've stayed at most of the Walt Disney World resort hotels, but the Wilderness Lodge was one that I'd never been able to visit. On my recent trip for the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic…

Disney character dining is one of the most popular things to do at Walt Disney World. Young kids absolutely love seeing the characters, and booking a character meal is a great way to avoid the lines and have more interaction.…

In 2017, Walt Disney World hosted the first annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Joining the very popular Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival, the Festival of the Arts offers something for everyone…

A Review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort, including the location, amenities, and rooms at the Yacht Club. A convenient, elegant Disney hotel that is also kid friendly? While this may seem to be something almost impossible to find, Disney's Yacht…

On property. Off property. Value. Moderate. Deluxe. DVC. If you are planning a Walt Disney World Vacation, you are probably wondering what the best hotels for a Disney World vacation are. Whether you choose to stay on property or off…

Epcot resorts for a Walt Disney World family vacation, including the Yacht and Beach Clubs, the Swan and Dolphin, and the Boardwalk. I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press…

Those of us who live in the Northeast often think of Florida as having warm, sunny weather 24/7. But, on occasion, rain storms can foil your outdoor vacation plans. While rain in Florida is often a quick event, sometimes rain…

If you decide to stay on property at Walt Disney World in Florida, you'll find that there are a number of different lodging options available to you in several different price ranges. The Disney Deluxe Resorts, which are the most…

The Best Places to Eat in Disney World, including restaurants in Epcot, Walt Disney World resort hotels, and Disney Springs. Authentic Neapolitan pizza, a buttery steak over tomato risotto , and the best Cobb salad you'll ever have are just…

Disclosure: I toured the Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge during the Pandora media trip, which I experienced at no cost. All opinions are my own. Disney's Vacation Club is opening some brand-new accommodations, and I had…

Disclosure: Affiliate links within. Purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links in this post may result in a commission paid to us at no extra cost to you. We stayed at the Disney Port Orleans Riverside as part of…

Whether you are traveling on your first Walt Disney World vacation or your fifth, it's important to understand all of the nuances of Disney Dining. From the dining plans to the character meal experiences, there are so many options and…

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Planning a Walt Disney World family vacation can definitely be challenging, especially if it's your first time visiting, or if you haven't been recently. There's almost a whole new language to learn, with the…

This photo was taken from our very first Grundig family vacation to Walt Disney World. Back then, I was working full time and was desperate for a family vacation that would not only involve warm weather, but would also allow…

Everything You Need to Know About Pandora Animal Kingdom - Pandora - The World of AVATAR, including Pandora Disney World attractions, Pandora merchandise, Pandora food, and more. Disclosure: I had the opportunity to attend the Disney Pandora - The World of…

When I saw that the new Be Our Guest restaurant, located in Beast's castle in the new Fantasyland, was opening while we were on our Disney family vacation,…

When you plan your Walt Disney World vacation, you’ll have the option of staying on property or off property. There are a number of benefits to both, so you should definitely make a careful decision by researching the pros and…

I’ll be honest - the Magic Kingdom dining situation isn’t my favorite. It’s not that the food isn’t good, it’s just that I love the dining at the other parks (Epcot’s World Showcase is my absolute favorite) so much more.…

It's hard to imagine a place that would get more into the holiday spirit than Walt Disney World. Christmas is my favorite time at Walt Disney World. While late fall/early winter in Florida is much warmer than it is here…

What's the best time to travel to Walt Disney World? When people ask me questions about Walt Disney World, one of the most common questions I'm asked is what's the best time to go. The answer really varies - depending…

Disclosure: Affiliate links within. Purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links in this post helps support Family Travel Magazine®. Are you thinking of going on a Walt Disney World vacation? You definitely need to plan in advance, because there…

Dueling pianos? A magic-themed cocktail bar? Most guests to the Walt Disney World Resort know at least a little bit about Disney Springs, but some don’t know much about Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. This Disney deluxe resort also features one of…

If you haven't traveled to Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney) lately, you are in for a big surprise. This area of Walt Disney World has transformed into a premiere shopping and dining destination, loaded with delicious restaurants, and…

Built as one of the two original hotels on property when Walt Disney World opened in 1971, the Disney Contemporary Resort completed a renovation in 2009. While the A-frame building now may look a bit dated, the interior is sleek…

There’s plenty to do even if you don’t go to a theme park. Check out what to do outside the parks at Walt Disney World. If you are traveling without kids, you may want to read about adult things to do at Walt Disney World.

Remember to have fun, drink lots of water, relax, spend time at your resort, and get plenty of sleep. Have a great vacation!

If you are looking for a hotel for your Walt Disney World vacation, I recommend the following hotels. Note that I have stayed in some of these resorts as part of press trips, but all opinions are my own.

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Read Our Dozens of Disney World Tips

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