There is so much to do when planning a trip to Walt Disney World. With finding the perfect hotel, purchasing park tickets, booking dining reservations, adding enchanting extras, and figuring out Genie+, it can be a daunting task.
If you’re thinking of planning a Disney vacation, here are a few things you should consider.
1.) How do you want to vacation?
If you want an easy, peaceful, relaxing vacation, then a trip to Walt Disney World may not be the right choice for you. While it can be tons of fun, a Disney trip requires a lot of work and planning before your arrival, and a lot of walking (miles!), potentially long lines, and waking up early to beat the crowds once you get there. Can you still go to Disney World if you don’t want to do those things? Absolutely, but be prepared to miss out on a lot (unless you’re planning to pay thousands for a V.I.P. tour).
2.) Who Should You Take?
Family trip? Girls trip? Guys trip? Couples trip? Make sure you think through whoever you plan to bring along with you on your visit. If you’re planning a family vacation with kids, it might be fun to bring along grandparents. It’d be a great option to have grandma watch the little kids while the grown-ups go on Space Mountain, but also keep mobility in mind while you may be able to power walk down Main Street while pushing a stroller, you may need to take it a little slower with the whole family.
3.) How old are your kids and how tall are they?
The perfect age to take your kids to Walt Disney World always has a variety of answers. While kids under age three get into the parks for free, they won’t be able to remember much from your trip, but seeing a cute little toddler meeting their favorite character for the first time is adorable (and a memory that you can hold on to forever).
However, little kids won’t be able to ride all the rides. Disney World has rides with height requirements varying from 32 inches to 48 inches tall. Measure your kids before you go, and set expectations accordingly. Little kids may need more breaks for naps and/or diaper changes or potty breaks. If you do take little kids, make sure you take advantage of the Baby Care Centers located inside the parks.
4.) How much time will you spend in the parks?
Should you take a rest day at your resort and hang out at the pool? If you plan to be in the parks all the time, the resort that you choose may not matter that much to you. You may want to save money and book a Value Resort, since the only time you’ll be in your room is for showering and sleeping. If you have a longer, more leisurely trip and plan to spend more time at your resort, you may prefer to opt for a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. Get a quick overview of all the Disney Resort Hotels here.
5.) How much park can you handle?
Visiting Disney World can take a toll on you. You and your party will likely be walking miles and miles and miles each day, and it can be really hot in the Florida sun. Can you handle it from park open to park close? Most people need at least a little bit of a break.
Try some indoor attractions (with air conditioning!), and maybe even nap through a few shows. Take a break with a long, relaxing, (air conditioned!) lunch in the middle of the day, or maybe even head back to your hotel for a swim. Remember your kids, while they may be getting a ride in the stroller (and we’re totally jealous!), can also suffer from long hours in the heat. Even if they’re having fun, they may need some rest too. Will your kids nap in the stroller or do they need to go back to the room? Whatever you do, make sure everyone drinks plenty of water and stays hydrated.
6.) Does anyone in your party have any sickness or conditions?
Disney World has several rides warning Guests that they should be in good health in order to ride. If anyone in your travel party has high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems, it is advised that they not ride many of the rides. Those that have motion sickness may also want to pass on a few rides. And while there are plenty of rides that expectant mothers can ride, there are several rides that are not recommended for women who are pregnant.
7.) What are your must-dos?
What do you HAVE to do on your trip? What are your can’t miss rides or must see characters? Make a list for you and everyone in your travel party, and prioritize these things. If you LOVE princesses, are you okay with just waving to them from a distance at the parade? If not, you’ll need to be on the lookout for character meet and greets or plan to book a character meal, in order to hug your favorite characters and snap a few pictures together.
8.) What kind of food do you want?
Disney World is home to a variety of restaurants. From quick-service, fast-food style chicken nuggets and fries, to AAA Five Diamond Award winning restaurants, you can find it all here. Quick-service meals are quick and easy to eat on the go without much advance planning. Table-service meals require reservations and usually take more time out of your day. A nice break in the air conditioning can be a much needed in the Florida heat, especially if you are traveling in the summer months.
9.) Do you want to do any enchanting extras?
Adding on some extra fun to your Disney trip makes it extra magical. Pamper your little princess with a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, or have your little one’s first haircut at the Magic Kingdom at the Harmony Barber Shop. From custom Christmas ornaments, to mini golf, spa packages, photo shoots, and behind-the-scenes tours and V.I.P tours, there is something for everyone to enjoy. While most of these options are offered at an additional cost, there are a few fun free things you can find, such as celebration buttons and scavenger hunts.
10.) You can’t do it all.
Walt Disney World is over 40 square miles. That is as big as the whole city of San Francisco. With 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Disney Springs, over 25 hotels, and hundreds of dining locations, there is no way to do every single thing in one trip. But the good news is, you don’t have to do everything.
The array of activities at Walt Disney World aim to appeal to a range of individuals, so there will be some things that just aren’t your thing. Teenagers probably won’t be interested in seeing the Disney Junior Dance party, adults won’t be able to get a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and kids under ten aren’t allowed at Victoria & Albert’s. While you definitely want to get your money’s worth, you probably don’t really want to attempt to do absolutely everything.
Need more planning help? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Disney World.