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| Cinderella Castle under the glow of the nightly "Wishes" fireworks. |
Hit the following jumps to begin the course: When to go? How long? Where to stay? What tickets? Discounts? Getting around? What to eat? What about the parks? Beyond the parks? Best advice?
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| Monorail Orange cruises through Epcot's Future World. |
If you can swing it, early May and October are generally good times to visit from both a weather and crowd perspective. An added bonus is Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival in the spring and Food & Wine Festival in the fall. If you're looking at going cheap, consider September (hurricanes) or January (frostbite). Just know what you're getting into.
We recommend checking out TouringPlans. Their crowd calender gives you a detailed look at crowd levels throughout the year and can help you nail down a trip date. While impossible to perfectly predict crowds, these guys usually get you in the ballpark. Top
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| Riders prepare to descend into the Himalayas on Expedition Everest. |
Extra Magic Hours (EMH) are additional park hours available to WDW resort guests. Extra Magic Hours rotate among the 4 parks and are available either 1 hour prior to posted park opening or 3 hours after posted closing. This guest benefit is deceptive as it can lead you into over-crowding situations. As a result, we suggest the following:
Morning EMH: Use it and head elsewhere. EMH guests combined with regular guests make for crowded park as the day progresses. Avoid the participating park if you're not using EMH.
Evening EMH: Use it in the later stages. The combo of EMH guests pouring in and regular guests hanging around causes over-crowding early in the event. Avoid the participating park near closing if you're not using EMH. Evening EMH usually results in light crowds for the same park the morning after. Top
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| The Polynesian reflects across the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon. |
The resorts range from low priced, simply themed values to pricey, highly themed deluxe accommodations. Moderate resorts that offer a little of both extremes fill the middle. For our money, we recommend both Pop Century (avg $120/night) and Polynesian (avg $350/night) depending on your budget. Pop Century for kitsch theme and solid bus service. Polynesian for the vintage vibe and monorail access. If you opt to go moderate, choose Coronado Springs for the best rooms, grounds of the bunch.
We avoid the All-Star resorts for the garish theming, Caribbean Beach for the recently refurbished, but still dated rooms, and Contemporary for its sterile, airport-like atmosphere. If you have the extended family in tow, you'll want to check into some of the Deluxe Villa resorts as they offer 1 and 2 bedroom suites. If booking for Summer 2012 and beyond, the Art of Animation resort features family suites (along with standard rooms) at value accommodation prices. If you're not crazy about the previously mentioned resorts, take a look at all of the WDW resorts to find one that best suits your family. When choosing a resort, take a look at the WDW resort map to get a general lay of the land. Top
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| The Main St Train Station greets you upon entering the Magic Kingdom. |
Park-hoppers give you the ultimate flexibility in your vacation game planning. With the ability to hop around to multiple parks on any given day, park-hoppers take away the stress of 'getting it all done' in one day. Find yourself in an over-crowded park? Oh well. Hop over to another one. Miss a parade or show the day before? No big deal. Go back and try again. Park-hopper tickets are vital enough that we really don't consider them optional. Ignore the Water Park & More (see Beyond the parks?) and No Expiration options. Any changes in plans will negate any no expiration ticket savings. Go annual pass if you plan on returning within a year.
You'll want to hold your breath and check the latest ticket prices to know what you're getting into. While its tempting to look for discounted tickets, we discourage folks from purchasing third party (i.e. online discount ticket brokers). Its not worth the hassle or loss of assurance to save a few dollars. By no small coincidence, the price of Magic your way tickets are front-loaded so that each day you add costs less than the previous. As a result, if you're looking to save money on tickets, stay longer.
If you purchase a WDW vacation package you'll pay ahead and pick up your tickets at your resort upon check-in. If booking a room-only reservation, simply purchase tickets from the concierge desk at your resort. Top
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| Donald can't catch a break in Mickey's Philharmagic. |
The amount of discounting is contingent on the time of year you visit, with the best deals available in the value seasons. Don't be surprised if no discounts are available for the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Finding WDW discounts is not rocket science. You'll first need to register on WDW's official website. By doing so, you'll receive the latest general public and individual discounts straight from the source. Afterwards, continue to check our Discounts page and WDW's special offers page to stay up-to-date on deals that could apply to your upcoming trip. Occasionally, third-party sites like Travelocity will run specials for specific dates and targeted resorts. It doesn't hurt to check.
If you're trying to decide between a room-only reservation and a package a major advantage to booking room-only is your ability to cancel it 6 days out from arrival. Package reservations have to be paid in full 45 days out and incur cancellation or change fees if altered within this window. Don't forget to check your room for 'bounce-back' discount offers if you plan on returning soon. Top
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| Dino's try to catch a ride in Dinorama at Animal Kingdom. |
While both transportation components work as well as can be expected, the lack of flexibility these options offer will test even the most easy-going guests. Trust me, squeezing onto a freezing cold, standing-room only bus after a long day in the parks will make even the most budget-conscious traveler regret not renting a car. Plus, the ability to venture off-site to grocery stores, restaurants, and pharmacies if needed is huge. Again, it all comes back to flexibility. If you have to use WDW Transport, allocate 1 hour travel time to and from the parks from your resort.
There are a few situations where WDW transport can be the better option. If driving to the Magic Kingdom, you'll have park your car in the lot, take a tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), then board a monorail or ferry to reach the park. It's just as time consuming and aggravating and as it sounds. Bus service to Magic Kingdom bypasses the TTC and instead drops you off at the park entrance. Also, monorail service works well for Epcot, Magic Kingdom park-hopping, while boat service works reasonably well for Epcot, Hollywood Studios park-hopping.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to utilize Magical Express (ME), simply indicate you'll need transportation when booking your WDW room or package. You'll receive an ME booklet detailing service procedures along with your designated ME luggage tags. If you are carrying more bags than you receive tags for, present your checked luggage receipts to a ME representative prior to boarding a WDW-bound bus. You can figure at least 1 hour travel time from MCO to WDW as each bus serves multiple resorts. The night prior to check-out you'll receive a scheduled ME pick-up time for the next day, typically 3 hours prior to your flight. Check with the resort front desk to see if your airline participates in resort check-in as this will save you time and hassle back at MCO. Top
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| The Via Napoli staff keeps the wood-fired pizza coming. |
On the whole, we say no on the dining plan and yes to eating sensibly with an eye toward finding value when possible. Because much of your spending will be tied up in in-between meal snacks and drinks, get an insulated backpack or two for food and drink storage on the go. Also, consider the child's meal at quick service locations. You'll get a slightly smaller portioned entree, 2 sides, and a drink for almost half the cost of the adult version. Avoid expensive buffets and family-style dining options. Consider splitting table service meals when possible. Because you are paying a food premium anyway, eat in the parks. We find resort dining rather boring in general and like the following:
Magic Kingdom: The Plaza for the Plaza Club and Philly Cheesesteak, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn for the Taco Salad and Angus Burgers, and Main St. Ice Cream Parlor for the Double Scoop.
Epcot: Via Napoli for the Wood-fired Pepperoni Pizza, Le Cellier at lunch for the New York Strip, Rose and Crown for the fish, La Cantina De San Angel for the Nachos and Tacos De Pollo, Fife and Drum Tavern for the American Dream.
Hollywood Studios: Fairfax Fare for the 1/2 Chicken, Studio Catering Company for the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and Starring Rolls for the Bagels and Specialty Sandwiches.
Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree BBQ for the Smoked Turkey Sandwich and Onion Rings, Dino Bite Snacks for the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich.
If your on the dining plan and looking for character dining, we like the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom for dinner and Tusker House in Animal Kingdom for breakfast.
Check out Disney Food Blog for reviews, suggestions, and changes concerning WDW dining.
Whatever you decide, make sure you book your table service dining online early as slots fill quickly. Reservations can be made 180 days out. If staying in a WDW resort, you can make all of your reservations for the length of your stay at the 180 day mark. Some of the most popular restaurants go quick. Plan on booking all dining possibilities as you can always make changes up to 24 hours out for most restaurants without penalty. Top
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| Mine, mine...mine. Talking seagulls man the entrance to Epcot's Seas Pavilion. |
If you're looking for a leg up on the average guest, TouringPlans offers proven step-by-step guides for navigating the parks. They are a no-brainer when tackling the parks for the first time. If you're visiting during value season (early fall, mid winter), stick with a general game plan and worry less about step-by-step attraction planning.
We cannot stress how important it is to arrive early each day. Do whatever you need to do to get your family to the parks at least 15 minutes prior to posted opening. You will typically be held in a main hub area and released into the parks slightly ahead of posted opening. This is especially vital at Hollywood Studios and Epcot where Fastpasses for Toy Story Midway Mania and Soarin are distributed in a hurry.
As you enter each park, pick up a map and a times guide. The times guide contains entertainment schedules, character meet-n-greet locations, and specific attraction operating times.
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| Lines is a must-have for checking wait times while at the parks. |
Be sure to keep a look out for Photopass locations throughout the parks. Photopass photographers are available to take pictures of your family at popular locations and character meet-n-greets throughout the parks for pickup later in the day. Your Photopass card given to you after your first shoot details this process. Don't hesitate to ask Photopass attendants to take a pic using your own camera.
Fastpass is a slightly complicated, but useful way to make reservations for popular rides and avoid waiting in long lines. Once you understand the system, you'll have a critical advantage over the average guest. Here's a primer: Get a Fastpass from a participating attraction (example: Splash Mtn) using your park ticket (say around 9:00). Check your Fastpass for the ride reservation time (1:30-2:30). Once your window opens, (1:30) your can then return and queue up for Splash Mtn with a significantly reduced wait time. You can also pick up another Fastpass at this time. Because your reservation time is beyond 2 hours from the initial distribution time (9:00), you can actually get another Fastpass at 11:00. Make sure you Fastpass the following attractions: Space Mtn, Toy Story Midway Mania, Soarin', Expedition Everest.
Keep in mind as you schedule your travel time around the parks, crowd flow re-routing due to parades and shows can sometimes cause for longer travel times than expected. Also, unless you plan on hanging around the parks late into the night, position yourself for a quick exit after nightly shows (especially at the Magic Kingdom) to avoid long transportation waits.
Throughout this guide we have emphasized the importance of flexibility through ticket, transportation options, and allotted vacation time. When you do that, you have the ability to experience most everything in the parks and decide for yourself what you like. If you're on a tighter schedule, or simply need to prioritize, we call the following Must Do's and Must Avoid's.
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| Help Brer Rabbit as he tries to outfox Brer Fox on Splash Mtn. |
Magic Kingdom Do: Splash Mtn, Space Mtn, and Big Thunder Mtn, for immersive thrills, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise for that classic Disney vibe, Laugh Floor for the...laughs, Mickey's Philharmagic for Donald's antics, Main Street Philharmonic for the horns, Main Street Electrical Parade for the lights, Magic, Memories, and You for the technology, and Wishes for an emotional, explosive ending to a your day.
Avoid: Stitch's Great Escape for the smell of Stitch's burp, Carousel of Progress for being stuck in the 80's, It's a Small World for the song, Peter Pan's Flight for the undeserving hype, and Tom Sawyer Island for a lack of anything to do.
Worth Mentioning: Construction has relocated Mickey, Minnie, and Princess meet-n-greets to the Town Square Theater on Main St. Because most folks simply bypass the theater, you'll want to take advantage of the opportunity to meet in-demand characters with relatively little waiting at this location.
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| Spaceship Earth sets the tone for your day at Epcot. |
Avoid: Universe of Energy for 45 minutes of your life you'll never get back, Circle of Life for the heavy-handed message, and Journey into Imagination for being more annoying than imaginative.
Worth Mentioning: We hear from some folks who simply make the loop, or worse, avoid Epcot's World Showcase altogether. Do this and you'll miss out on one of the relatively untouched gems of early Epcot. If explored thoroughly, we think the showcase is one of the most rewarding experiences in all of WDW.
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| Step right up and test your gaming skills at Toy Story Mania. |
Avoid: Lights, Motors, Action for the tedious stunt setups, Backlot Tour for the lack of a working studio, Chronicles of Narnia for a glorified trailer, and Sounds Dangerous for Being alone in he dark with Drew Carrey.
Worth mentioning: Don't underestimate the need to arrive early to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater for Fantasmic. It's not unheard of, on busy nights, to arrive an hour prior to show start and find most of the seating full. If you miss it, take advantage of low attraction wait times during the show and try again later.
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| Giraffes wander the Animal Kingdom's African savannah.. |
Avoid: Festival of the Lion King for parade floats and bleacher seats, Conservation Station for a train ride to nowhere, Jammin Jungle Parade for the most boring parade in WDW, and Kali River Rapids for a very short, very wet jaunt.
Worth mentioning: Due to the terrain, cramped design of the park, Animal Kingdom gets hot and crowded quick. Utilize morning extra magic hours here and plan on retreating midday. We like to catch Finding Nemo in the cool right after lunch prior to heading back to the resort. Top
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| Stormalong Bay is an attraction in itself at the Beach Club resort. |
While fantastic in their own right, we say skip the water parks and enjoy your resort pool at break-time. You might as well enjoy the nice resort you've already paid for. Plus, you'll need all the time and energy you can muster to tackle the major parks. Save the water parks for a little trip.
Downtown Disney is a slightly different story. This over-hyped shopping district consists of overpriced, loudly-themed restaurants (e.g. Rainforest Cafe), gimmicky retail stores, and a few pay-for play entertainment options. The much-vaulted world of Disney store contains the same merchandise available in the parks while DisneyQuest, the indoor video game complex, is laughably outdated. The one bright spot is Cirque Du Soleil 's La Nouba. Again though, save it for a later trip. We just can't recommend taking time away from the parks to partake in what amounts to little more than a potentially expensive division. Top
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| Animatronics tell the inspiring story of America in the America Adventure. |
Stay flexible. Your carefully scripted plans will inevitably change as your vacation plays out. Don't lose you head over it. If you've taken our advice and incorporated in the kind of flexibility we've discussed you will be well equipped to handle any snags you encounter. To avoid meltdown when plans change, make time prior to your trip to discuss everyone's expectations along with possible contingency plans.
Lighten up. There's no need to take this, or any guide too seriously. We're just trying to make sure you don't encounter any major unexpected pitfalls in your vacation planning. Once you get this initial WDW vacation out of the way, you'll know exactly what works and what doesn't work for your family. Top
Think you're ready for the advanced course? Pick up the award-winning Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World or the Color Companion. Also check out the previously mentioned TouringPlans for an in-depth look at planning your upcoming WDW vacation. Class dismissed.
Special thanks to Tom Bricker for the images.
