FAQ: Walt Disney World, Florida
Benefits of Staying On Property
Staying On Property:
Transportation: No need for a vehicle! Disney provides free transportation via buses, boats, and the Disney Skyliner to all theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
Extra Magic Hours: Guests staying on property can enjoy early or late park hours, giving you access to certain attractions before or after the general public. (Bonus: staying at a Deluxe resort gets you special evening hour perks with little to no wait times for rides!)
Proximity to Parks: Being close to the parks means less time spent commuting, which means more time in the parks!
Free Parking: If you’re staying on property, parking is free at the resorts, and you can use Disney’s transportation to get to the parks without worrying about parking fees.
Dining & Discounts: You can book reservations for dining up to 60 days in advance, which is helpful for hard-to-get spots like character meals. Your reservation also comes with a Magical Extras package that includes dining discounts and more perks. Read more here.
Resort Theming and Activities: Disney resorts often have fun activities, pools, and themed experiences that can make your stay magical.
Free Water Park Day!: New for 2025- your Disney Resort comes with a free water park day. Read more here.
Staying Off Property:
Transportation Costs: You may need to rent a car or rely on paid shuttles, which adds extra costs and may take longer than Disney transportation.
Less Magic: Off-property hotels typically lack the immersive theming and magic that Disney hotels provide, and you won’t have access to perks like Extra Magic Hours.
Limited Dining and Experiences: You might miss out on some Disney-specific dining experiences or events.
Recommendation: We ALWAYS recommend staying on Disney property. The convenience of free transportation, special perks, and immersive experiences will make the trip more enjoyable and relaxing. You will maximize your time and energy by staying close to the parks.
Should We Get a Meal Plan?
Disney’s Dining Plans are a great way to streamline meal costs, but it depends on how your family likes to eat.
Quick Service Dining Plan: Includes 2 quick-service meals and 1 snack per day per person. Great if you prefer quick, casual meals.
Disney Dining Plan: Includes 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal, and 2 snacks per day. This is a good middle ground.
Deluxe Dining Plan: Includes 3 meals (any type: table service or quick service) and 2 snacks per day. Ideal for families who want to enjoy sit-down meals more frequently.
Considerations:
If your family tends to eat at table-service restaurants, or you plan on character dining, the Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan might be a great fit. You will save money vs paying out of pocket for each meal.
For more flexibility or if you’re planning on quick meals, the Quick Service option might be sufficient.
Payment Flexibility: The dining plan can also be pre-paid, helping with budgeting and spreading out costs.
Bottom Line: The meal plan will save money for guests you plan to eat food in the parks or at resort vs bringing their own snacks/groceries.
If you don’t plan on eating Disney food for most meals, you can also pay out-of-pocket for meals as you go, though this can be trickier for budgeting.
Disability Access Service (DAS)
Disney offers Disability Access Service (DAS) for guests who need assistance with waiting in line and qualify. Here's how to apply:
Pre-Arrival (Online): You can pre-register for DAS online through Disney's website or by using the Disney Parks Disability Access Service Registration form. This must be done at least 2 days before your visit, though it's best to do it as soon as possible.
In-Park Registration: Please note: in park registration is no longer available at Walt Disney World. You must register and interview using the online option.
How DAS Works: With DAS, instead of waiting in a physical line, you can schedule a return time for an attraction based on its current wait time, which helps avoid long waits. You can use the My Disney Experience app to schedule and manage DAS return times.
Additional Tips: Be sure to share any specific needs or triggers with Disney staff to ensure accommodations that will make the experience more comfortable. Your DAS will show up on your Disney account your first park day.
Special Promotions
Disney frequently offers discounts and promotions, Including the following:
Special Deals on Vacation Packages: Disney often offers discounted rates on hotel rooms, tickets, or dining packages. Booking a vacation package (hotel + tickets) can save money and help bundle everything together.
Seasonal Promotions: Keep an eye out for promotions like “Free Dining” or “Room Discounts,” which Disney releases at various times of the year.
Disney Visa Cardholder Discounts: If you have a Disney Visa card, you can sometimes access special discounts on hotels, tickets, and even shopping.
When you book your package with a travel agency, you are guaranteed the best pricing. If a promotion or deal comes up that your vacation qualifies for, your travel agent can apply the difference to your trip saving you time and money.
Payment for Packages
You can book a package with a deposit ($200 plus travel insurance if you choose to add it) and then make payments in any amount up until one month before your trip. This flexibility can help you spread out the cost and make your budget work more comfortably. Final payment is due one month before your vacation.
Park & Rest Days
To maximize your time and minimize stress:
Must-See Parks: If you want to hit all the parks, plan on visiting:
Magic Kingdom (classic Disney experience)
EPCOT (future world and world showcase)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land, etc.)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Pandora – World of Avatar, Kilimanjaro Safaris)
Giving yourself 2 days at some parks (especially Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios) help you maximize rides and experiences without overdoing it each day.
Rest Days: To keep everyone from getting overwhelmed, plan rest days between park visits. These could be at the resort (using the pools, activities) or exploring Disney Springs for shopping and dining.
Park Hopper Option: Consider purchasing the Park Hopper option, which allows you to visit more than one park on the same day. This gives you flexibility to explore different parks at different times of day and flexibility to see fireworks/shows if they are cancelled due to weather. You may also find your family only wants 1/2 day at Animal Kingdom and 1 1/2 days at Magic Kingdom (or other parks).
Best Time of Year to Visit
The best times to visit Walt Disney World generally fall outside peak seasons:
Late January to February: After the holiday rush, the parks are typically less crowded and the weather is cooler.
Late April to early June: Before schools let out for summer vacation, the parks are a bit quieter.
September to early November: After schools are back in session and before the holiday season begins, the parks are quieter, and the weather is still warm.
Avoid major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and summer months (June-August) if you want to avoid peak crowds.