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 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.
If the forecast shows rain, you may want to be prepared.
See all of our Disney World tips in these articles:
Disney Wilderness Lodge Review
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…
The Complete Guide to Disney World Vacation Planning
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…
5 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent for Your Disney Vacation
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…
9 Walt Disney World Planning Mistakes That Families Make
Updated 4/2020 A Walt Disney World vacation is almost guaranteed to be a fantastic time. But with such a big vacation, and so many different components to a Disney vacation, there are definitely some Walt Disney World planning mistakes that some…
Eat With Your Favorite Character: Disney Character Dining
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.…
Walt Disney World Crowd Tips For School Vacations
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…
Things to Know About Disney Dining
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 Disney dining plans to the character meal experiences, there are so many options…
35 Fun Must-Dos at Walt Disney World
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…
Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers
We first visited Walt Disney World with my kids when they were 11 months and 2 years old. It was challenging to travel with them, but Walt Disney World makes it so easy. Of all of the theme parks at…
A Review of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
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 Club…
Educational Experiences at Walt Disney World
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…
Review of Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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…
Use the My Disney Experience App to Improve Your Disney Vacation
There is so much that goes into a Walt Disney World vacation that it can seem overwhelming. When you need to book a hotel, park tickets, FastPasses, and dining reservations at separate times, it can be a bit challenging to…
Copper Creek Villas And Cabins At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
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…
Is Disney After Hours Worth the Money?
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…
A Review of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
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?…
Where to Visit: Disney Boardwalk or Disney Springs
While the theme parks are obviously the biggest draw at the Walt Disney World Resort, there is so much more to do on Disney property. If you are looking for great restaurants and entertainment options, especially in the evening, the…
All About the Disney Deluxe Resorts
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…
A Guide to Disney Transportation
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…
A Guide to Disney Resorts at Walt Disney World
When you plan a Walt Disney World vacation, one of the biggest choices you'll face is where to stay on your trip. While there are dozens of hotels located throughout the Central Florida area, many guests opt to stay on…
Review of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts
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…
The Scariest Rides at Disney World
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…
Magic Kingdom Dining: The Complete Guide
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.…
A Guide to Disney Memory Maker
If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you've probably heard about Memory Maker. This optional add-on is something you can purchase either before your trip or after your trip so that you can download your Disney photos.…
The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants
Although I usually travel to Walt Disney World for the rides and attractions, food is always a big part of my family vacation. The Disney's Animal Kingdom restaurants are my favorites among the theme parks, thanks to the diverse cuisine…
A Guide to Epcot Rides and Attractions
Post updated Jan 2020. I've always loved Epcot, even when I was a young kid and it was called EPCOT Center. It often has the reputation of being more educational than fun, but I love how it manages to be…
Disney Good Neighbor Resorts and Other Off-Property Hotels
When you plan a Disneyland or Walt Disney World trip with your family, you'll be faced with many options for where to stay. Most families know about the on-property Disney hotels, but there are also so many options for off-property…
A Galaxy’s Edge Guide From a Non-Fan of Star Wars
Although I've seen (most) of the main Star Wars movies, I don't consider myself a fan. I don't really understand the various affiliated movies and shows, like Solo and the Clone Wars. So, when Galaxy's Edge (often referred to as…
All About the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Epcot has always been my favorite Disney park. I especially love walking around the Epcot World Showcase, checking out the food, entertainment, and shops from the countries that are represented. Although I love visiting Epcot any time of year, I…
Should You Stay On Property at Walt Disney World?
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…
What to Do Outside the Parks at Walt Disney World
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…
Walt Disney World Tours You Can Book for an Extra Special Vacation
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…
Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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 Review of Disney’s Pop Century Resort
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. One of my…
Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Orlando
Disney's Hollywood Studios Orlando has gone through several iterations and changes over the years. Originally called Disney-MGM Studios, it was renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008. Now, Disney's Hollywood Studios offers some of the best experiences at Walt Disney World…
Guide to Epcot for Kids
I have always loved Epcot - even back when I was a kid and it was called EPCOT Center. However, it is often thought of as more of an "adult" park. As a result of that, some families opt to…
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…
All About the Disney Boardwalk: Restaurants, Resort, and Entertainment
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…
10 Things You Need to Know About Walt Disney World Resort’s MagicBands and Fastpass+
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…
Everything You Need to Know About Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR
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…
Review of the Disney Contemporary Resort
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…
Epcot Restaurants: Where to Eat in Epcot
I love eating out, and I love Disney, so it makes perfect sense that I'd love dining at some of the best restaurants in Walt Disney World. My favorite park for dining at Walt Disney World is Epcot. There are…
All About the Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World
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…
Walt Disney World For Adults
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…
The Best Places to Eat in Disney World
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…
All About Disney Moderate Resorts
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…
Worth the Line: The Best Rides at Disney World
Although there are so many reasons to visit Walt Disney World with your family, the rides are certainly a big part. There are so many things to do in the four theme parks and two water parks, so I'd definitely…
Seeing Walt Disney World Characters
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…
Everything You Need To Know About Disney’s Magical Express
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 Disney Magical Express…
Walt Disney World Christmas Events
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…
Fun Epcot Events To Enjoy Throughout the Year
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…
What You Need to Know About MagicBand 2
Recently Walt Disney announced the introduction of MagicBand 2 - the next generation of their game-changing MagicBands. Packages including these new bands are now being sent to resort guests, so those headed to Walt Disney World may be wondering what…
Guide to Disney FastPass and Frequently Asked Questions
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 Best Hotels for a Disney World Vacation
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…
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…
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review at Walt Disney World
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…
Shopping and Eating Your Way Through Disney Springs
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 premier shopping and dining destination, loaded with delicious restaurants, and…
All About Walt Disney World Family Vacation Packages
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…
All About the Disney Theme Parks in the US
There comes a time in most family's lives where they contemplate a family vacation to a Disney theme park. With six different theme parks over two resorts in the United States, you'll have a lot of options for your family.…
Major Differences Between Disneyland and Disney World
Many Disney fans are local to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland, usually based upon geography. But I'd definitely recommend visiting both parks because there are so many differences between Disneyland and Disney World. It's so fun to visit both,…
Planning A Trip To Disney World On A Budget
Many families want to experience Walt Disney World at least once. But with the price increases that have happened, it can be tough for some families to include a Walt Disney World trip in their plans. Luckily, planning a trip…
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Review
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 Resorts For Your Disney Family Vacation
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…
What You Need to Know as a Walt Disney World Off Property Guest
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…
See Animals Right From Your Room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
"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…
Tips for Choosing a Walt Disney World Resort
I am always asked questions about traveling to Walt Disney World, and I enjoy answering them. However, it's always difficult when someone asks where they should stay at Walt Disney World. It's not a simple question, because there are so…
Tips for A Walt Disney Land and Sea Vacation
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.…
A Complete Guide to the Magic Kingdom Rides
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…
Review of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
When deciding what Walt Disney World resort hotel to stay in, you’ll be faced with lots of options. There are deluxe, moderate, and value resorts on property, but there are also many off-site hotels that are great family hotels. There…
Review of Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World
The original Toy Story is one of our favorite Disney Pixar movies of all time. When we learned that Walt Disney World was opening a Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were so excited. Although there is also…
A Guide to Disney Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions
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…
What’s the Best Time to Visit Disney World?
What's the best time to visit 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 on who…
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.
