travel agent to plan disney trip

Your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency!

Your dream vacation is our top priority.

Welcome to your Disney Vacation Planners!

Quick Stats

What We Offer our Guests

• Our Services are 100% FREE ! • Our Goal is to make your Dream Vacation a Reality • We’ll help you avoid the long lines • Decades of In-depth Disney Knowledge • Dining Reservations done for you! • The Best Discounts Available • Just book with us and get all this and So Much More!

CALL US NOW – (833) 469-8747

A proud Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency!

The Vacationeer is honored to have been selected to join the elite club of Diamond Level Earmarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. The top level in the Disney Earmarked Program. Disney bestows this recognition on a small handful of agencies that meet an exacting standard of service and sales volume, which ranks them among the best in the industry. We proudly accept this honor and look forward to helping thousands more people enjoy Disney Destinations for years to come!

Our Most Popular Vacations

Walt disney world.

By far our most popular vacation destination, Walt Disney World consists of 4 Major Theme Parks (Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) as well as 2 Water Parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach). Add to that dozens of the best Themed Resorts and Restaurants around and you have the perfect combination of Magic and Relaxation. Contact us today and we’ll get started on planning your next vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Universal Orlando

The most popular add-on for our guests traveling to Orlando is 2-3 days at Universal Orlando Resort. There’s so much to enjoy here, like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Men In Black, Minions, Transformers, The Simpson, E.T., Dr. Seuss, and so much more. Universal also features some of the best new Resorts in Orlando, some of which allow you to walk to the parks. Booking with us also gets you Early Park Admission!

Disney Cruise Line

No Cruise Line has distinguished itself for quality and immersive experience quite as well as Disney Cruise Line. We book more Disney Cruises than all of the other Cruise Lines combined, and that’s for very good reason. Our guests are consistently pleased with the experience and value for money they get with their Disney Cruises. Experience the Disney Magic at Sea! We also offer a significant onboard credit for anyone who books a Disney Cruise with us. Click here for more information!

Adventures by Disney

Disney is world-renowned for their Theme Parks, but did you know you can experience Disney led Adventures all over the World? Adventures by Disney offers all the service and attention to detail you’ve come to expect from Disney with carefully curated guided tours all around the World. From Rhine River Cruises to African Safaris, Adventures by Disney does it all with thoughtfulness and care. We also offer an Industry leading up to $1,500 off all Adventures by Disney vacations. Visit our Adventures by Disney Discount Page for more information. Let Disney sprinkle a little pixie dust on your next world tour!

Get In Touch Today!

833-469-8747

[email protected]

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As featured on…, w hat our customers are saying about us.

“We had a wonderful vacation and much of that had to do with the help we received from JoMarie! Disney can be a little overwhelming when you’re new to it, but she made it a very enjoyable and low stress during the planning phases! Thanks JoMarie!”

“Carla worked side by side with me to plan the perfect banquets, shows, fast pass rides, fireworks and places to stay with our group and I could not be happier! If you are planning a disney trip the best advice I could give you is use Carla, a Disney agent. We saved the most money possible and she directed us to the perfect experiences just for us. We will never forget the magic we experienced at Disney World, thank you Carla from the bottom of my heart! You were awesome!”

“I am already a client but wanted to mention what a wonderful job my agent has done. Her name is Ashtin and she has done a great job for us. We’ve changed our dates twice now, due to some unforeseen issues, some medical, and she’s handled it so well. It makes us very comfortable and confident that she will take care of all aspects of our trip. It is greatly appreciated and hopefully there won’t be any more changes. Thank you”

“I could not thank Emily enough for the AMAZING job she did planning my disneymoon. The resorts she put us in we amazing. I never would have stayed on site without her! From our food recommendations to fast past set ups. The attention to detail is absolutely spot on! I can’t wait for her to plan our next vacation!”

“I am rarely at a loss for words, but I can’t express how amazed I am by the service Tiffany has and continues to provide. I was thrilled with her service even before anything went sideways (none of which had anything to do with her). But she has been there for us through the need to reschedule our trip from May of last year to this March due to Covid. To then having to reshuffle all of our reservation dates when the family we were planning to go with canceled due to a medical condition. ”

“With a vacation that takes a TON of planning, Chuck made it extremely easy to navigate. He has excellent recommendations from personal experience with restaurants and advice on what parks to go into when. He also did all of our fast pass and dinner reservations that turned out wonderfully. We are so excited for this vacation and couldn’t have done it without Chuck. He made the notorious stressful Disney planning an absolute breeze. Plan your Disney trip through him!”

“Whitney was simply amazing! She organized all our activities, meals and accommodations for 9 adults and 5 kids at Disney World. We had a wonderful vacation that was well thought out, and we got to experience each park. She really spent time considering what my kids loved most and made sure we were able to get into those dinners and rides, it made it so easy for us! I would highly recommend using Whitney, she sent an entire binder with travel tips, itinerary, little gift for the kids and much more, there’s no question we will use her again!”

The Vacationeer is more than just a group of Disney-focused Travel Agents . We are dedicated to helping you through every phase of planning and booking your magical vacation. Our team of Disney travel experts has a passion and level of knowledge that is unsurpassed in the industry, and our enthusiastic returning customer base is a testament to our expertise and customer satisfaction.

Planning a vacation can be stressful and time-consuming, so why not let one of the best Authorized Disney Vacation Planners do the heavy lifting for you? Our Vacationeers will learn about your vacation goals, help formulate the right vacation package for you, and ensure that your expectations are met at every step. We take the headache out of booking your trip because we help you work out the details and, ultimately, book the trip for you. The only thing left to do is pack your bags and go!

When you book with The Vacationeer, not only do we provide the answers you are looking for, but we also scout out the best possible vacation deals for you. And, best of all, our services are completely FREE of charge! There is no catch. Call or email us today and we will help you create memories that will last a lifetime.

The Vacationeer Difference.

The Vacationeer isn’t like those “big box” travel agencies where you are just another number. We take pride in the way we conduct our business and the special attention we provide to you, our client. At The Vacationeer, the client’s needs will always come first, so rest assured we will accommodate you at every step and never talk you into something that isn’t right for you.

Disney Experts

Whether it’s your first Disney vacation or your 100th, The Vacationeer travel experts can save you money, time, and aggravation. Take comfort in knowing that we are a trusted and knowledgeable Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. Each of our travel advisers is a proud graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge . But what really separates us from the rest of the pack is our passion for all things Disney. We live and breathe Disney, and would never have started this business without the compelling urge to help others discover the magic of Disney vacations. The Vacationeer travel planners have spent countless days exploring Disney parks, and we know our way around them like we do our hometown neighborhoods. It is our intimate knowledge of Disney – and our dedication to our clients – that separates us from the crowd.

Other Vacations

Disney isn’t our only specialty. The Vacationeer travel experts are fully authorized to book vacations to Universal Studios (FL and CA), Sandals & Beaches Resorts, All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation packages, as well as on Royal Caribbean and a variety of other cruise lines. Whatever your vacation goals are, our knowledgeable and passionate travel experts will help you plan the perfect getaway. Sit back, relax, and let us book your trip!

Ready to talk with our travel experts? Call us at 1-833-4MY-TRIP (1-833-469-8747) or send an email to [email protected] and we will respond to your inquiries as soon as possible.

H ow it works…

• Contact one of our Vacationeers today either by clicking on the Free Quote Page , calling us at 833-469-8747, or choosing an agent from the Our Team Page and messaging them directly.  
• Your Vacationeer agent will tailor a quote to your vacation specifications and advise you all along the way.
• Once you’re ready to book, your Vacationeer Agent will get your written authorization to make a deposit payment to secure your booking.
• Advice on securing Park Pass Reservations
• Securing Dining Reservations at your favorite Restaurants
• Educating you on how to navigate the Disney Transportation System
• Help with learning the ins and outs of the Genie+ App
• Answering all your questions so you arrive ready to enjoy your magical vacation

W hat we can’t help with…

While we are an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, there are some limits to how we can help:

• Don’t be discouraged if you already booked direct through Disney, if you booked in the last 30 days and haven’t paid in full we might still be able to help.  Reach out and we’ll let you know if we can.
• We cannot book your flights
• The exception here is Universal bookings

When in doubt please reach out and we’ll be happy to let you know if your unique case is something we can assist with.

Vacationeer – [vā-ˈkā-shə-ˈneer]

NOUN 1. A Professional Planner of the most Magical Vacations available, at the best Theme Parks and All-Inclusive Resorts in the World. 2. An adult Travel Agent that is still a kid at heart and never outgrew their love for the Magic of Disney World and Theme Parks in general. VERB 1. To plan and execute a Vacation that you’ll never forget.

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Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Walt Disney World®

Disney Cruise Line

Universal Orlando Resort

Disneyland®

Adventures by Disney®

Virgin Voyages

Your dream vacation begins with

Be Our Guest Vacations

Universal Florida

Expert Knowledge

Our travel advisors have firsthand experience enjoying Disney resorts and theme parks, setting sail aboard Disney cruise ships, soaking in the sun at Aulani and exploring Adventures by Disney destinations.

Personalized Communications

Receive one on one service and timely information on new destination offerings, attractions and vacation planning milestones.

We are a no-fee agency. In addition, our concierge services are available to all clients who book trips with our skilled travel professionals.

Savings Opportunities

We monitor all eligible promotions to ensure our clients book at the very best prices.

Concierge Service

Personalized support when you need it most, from the time you book throughout your planning process.

Award Winning Agency

We have an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau, we're accredited by IATAN, and CLIA. We are licensed, bonded and insured.

Our difference

The Be Our Guest Vacations team is made up of professionals who turned a passion for Disney vacations into a career. Be Our Guest Vacations was founded in 2012 by passionate Disney fans. Our agents visit the parks often, so their knowledge of Disney evolves as the destinations do. Consistent on-site training for our team makes all the difference, allowing them to make recommendations to their clients based on first hand experience. Our team channels their knowledge and deep love for Disney into helping you plan trips to your dream Disney Destinations around the globe!

AUTHORIZED DISNEY VACATION PLANNER

Be Our Guest Vacations’ knowledge of Disney products has earned us the distinction of being named an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Disney bestowed us this designation because of our agency’s ongoing focus and unwavering commitment to planning customized, magical trips to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line and other Disney vacation destinations worldwide. We strive to provide excellence at every step of the planning process.

ACCREDITATIONS:

Here's what our clients are saying

"We were in for a real treat when Kim O’Neill was assigned to our family to help plan our vacation. Kim helped us navigate the various resorts, which ones provided the best amenities for what we needed, how to handle one family members extreme food allergies, booking dining reservations 60 days in advance, understanding the new MagicBands, booking tours, booking limo service, which stroller rental company to use and general advice that was timely and appreciated and giving us a timely heads up when Bibbidi opened back up to secure our reservations. The key thing was that we wanted the kids to have a blast and not know that there were a million different planning decisions happening in the background before the trip. I think we can all say with a resounding - YES - that the trip was a smashing success. In no small part to Kim and the services provided by BeOurGuest. The only downer is that we will no longer be in constant communication with Kim now that our trip has ended, but we can’t wait until our next trip and to use Kim and BeOurGuest again! We highly recommend BeOurGuest and Kim for both first time and long time Disney vacationing families!"

"A+ for Laney! We had a wonderful experience with Laney and Be Our Guest Vacations. I usually plan our Disney trips myself but decided to use an agent this time and I’m so glad we did! She was responsive and kept track of our timeline so we didn’t have to! She was able to secure our preferred hotel, dining reservations, park passes and even a VIP tour (THE highlight of our trip!). We will be sure to recommend Laney to our family and friends and definitely will be using her for future trips. Thanks again Laney!"

Dannielle C

"Our travel professionals offer personalized service customized to your needs, because there's no such thing as a “one size fits all” vacation. We plan your trip with the thoroughness and enthusiasm that we would if we were planning it for our own families."

"Thank you so much to Courtney Trying to plan the ultimate trip to Disney World from Australia was so overwhelming as a first time visitor. Courtney lead us through the process each step of the way. Her advice and assistance with booking dining and fast passes was worth its weight in gold! She was very patient when answering ALL my questions (and there were many) and we always received a prompt response, given we had such a gap in time zones. Our arrival to Disney was seamless and everything we had asked for was on our Mickey bands. Our family holiday was made all the easier cause of Courtney’s hard work. You really did make it magical for us!"

"A big THANK YOU to Lindsay G. for helping me plan our trip to Disney. I had never used a travel agent and she was so patient! Lindsay communicated with me throughout the entire process, finding discounts and promotions, truly helping our family have the most magical experience possible. She took the time to understand our family dynamic and gave suggestions that fit our needs. I will definitely be asking Lindsay for help with our next trip!"

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WHAT DOES AUTHORIZED DISNEY VACATION PLANNER MEAN?

“Fairytale Journeys Travel has been officially designated by Disney Destinations as an ‘Authorized Disney Vacation Planner,’ showcasing its exceptional commitment to promoting and selling Disney vacations.”

Fairytale Journeys Travel

 Fairytale Journeys Travels, your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner! We’re thrilled to share our seventh-year Platinum Earmarked Agency status with Disney Destinations, a testament to our dedication to crafting exceptional Disney vacations.

Are you ready to turn your dream Disney Vacation into a reality? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Ever since 2010, our Disney Travel team has been dedicated to saving our clients time and money, while also crafting magical memories that will last a lifetime.

Ready to embark on a truly magical Disney vacation? Contact Fairytale Journeys Travels, your Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, for a FREE Disney Vacation Quote. Let’s create an unforgettable journey for you and your family!

“The Elite EarMarked Platinum status level recognizes our agency’s stellar sales performance in Disney Vacation Planning.”

Our Disney vacation planning services are FREE, with NO COST to you!

Sign up for our Disney Newsletter

Why you should book with an authorized disney vacation planner.

As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, we offer top-notch customer service and a personalized trip-planning approach. Moreover, our Disney Travel Agents have been trained in the art of Disney travel through years of experience and the Disney College of Knowledge program. Additionally, they are Disney Experts and have seen it all! From the best hotels to the best restaurants, from the most magical attractions to the most memorable characters. Therefore, they love their work and are excited to share their knowledge with you!

When it comes time for your trip, we’ll ensure that everything is taken care of, so all you have to do is enjoy your Disney vacation. Most Importantly, there are no hassles, no headaches—just fun times with family and friends at one of the happiest places on earth!

Book Your Disney Cruise with Fairytale Journeys Travel and receive up to $1000 onboard credit

Follow us for exciting updates on disney vacations and universal travel.

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Featured destinations.

Walt Disney World

An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can help you book a lifetime vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. In Fact, we will help plan your entire trip across all four parks, places to stay, and other memorable experiences to do.

Let our  Disney Travel Agents help you create long-lasting memories on Disney Cruise Line with live shows and spectacular fireworks at sea. In addition, our team of Disney travel agents will plan and book your entire trip and more.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Orlando is one of the most exciting vacation destinations in Florida. Let a Universal Travel Planner help you plan your trip to Universal Studios Orlando. Furthermore, with three fantastic theme parks to visit, we will be sure you get the most out of your trip.

Complimentary Services

If you’re looking for the best way to plan your next Disney vacation, look no further than Fairytale Journeys. We are an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, meaning we have gone through extensive training with Disney and Fairytale Journeys Travel, which means you can rest assured knowing that your vacation will be in good hands.

Our team of Disney travel agents is dedicated to ensuring your trip is as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can enjoy every moment of your time at Walt Disney World Resort and beyond. Our goal is to make sure that your family has a magical experience that they’ll never forget!

Expert Advice

Our travel planners are experts in Disney Destinations, Universal Studios Orlando, Sandals/Beaches Resorts, Cruise Lines, and all-inclusive resorts. They are continuously traveling to provide you with expert knowledge.

Promotion & Discount Monitoring

Personalized itinerary planning, ready to book your next disney vacation, what's new in disney vacation planning.

Fairytale Journeys Travel Earns Disney Platinum Earmarked Status!

Jan 14, 2024

Fairytale Journeys Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, is a leading travel agency specializing in Disney destinations. It is proud to announce that they have achieved the Disney Platinum Earmarked Status for the seventh year in a row. This prestigious recognition...

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Aug 9, 2023

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Free! Disney Cruise Onboard Credit

Aug 6, 2023

Disney Cruise Line Onboard Credit offer from Fairytale Journeys Travel. Book directly with our Disney Travel Agents to get the best possible rate available on your next Disney Cruise.

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Already Have a Disney Vacation Trip Booked?

Our Walt Disney Vacation Planners at Fairytale Journeys Travel are here to help you create memories that will last a lifetime with your family. All our services are free. We are the same price if you went directly through Disney, except you will receive expert advice and one-on-one communication with a well-trained Agent.

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Destination Magic

Call 855-45MAGIC

(855-456-2442)

We are Disney travel planning experts specializing in creating stress-free vacations to magical destinations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Adventures By Disney. Plus, Universal Studios, Cruises, Caribbean, Hawaii, and more!

Get up to a $200 gift card with promo code HAPPY24. Click to learn more.

Disney world travel agency specialists, simply magical vacations.

It's time to experience the magic!

Are you ready to book a disney vacation contact us today to learn more., we plan simply magical vacations.

Welcome to DESTINATION MAGIC!  Our team of expert Disney vacation planners are dedicated to creating exceptional vacation experiences to magical destination like Disney, Hawaii , the Caribbean, cruises, and more.  As Walt Disney World travel agency specialists, we know the ins and outs of a simply magical Disney vacation full of memories to cherish. We will book a Disney vacation package that make your vacation dreams come true. And, our booking services are 100% free!

But we are not order-takers. Our advisors are travel consultants that will take the time to discover your wishes for the ideal vacation — and make those wishes come true through our extensive knowledge and expertise. Each advisor is a proud graduate of The College of Disney Knowledge as well as additional professional training to ensure they are on top of the current industry standards.

Your vacation starts as soon as you contact us. We do the heavy lifting so you can relax and enjoy a stress-free vacation, even before you leave home. Its vacation planning simplified!

 As a Disney World Travel agency, our Disney vacation planners are among the best in the business. But our expertise goes far beyond Walt Disney World. We are just as skillful at crafting magical vacations to other Disney destinations including Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani Resort and Spa, and Adventures by Disney. Plus, we are just as knowledgeable about Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Sandals and Beaches resorts, just to name a few the other magical vacations we create. 

Whatever destination you choose, we can save you time and money by finding you the best deals and providing exemplary travel planning services. Whether you book a Disney vacation package with us or a journey to another fabulous destination, your trip is destined to be more magical from beginning to end!

SIMPLY MAGICAL VACATIONS

Industry leading expertise.

With a focus on Disney World, our travel agents live and breathe Disney. We are steeped in knowledge and up to date on the latest news and trends. Each agent is a graduate of The College of Disney Knowledge and does continuing education throughout the year.

Simply stated, we know the ins-and-outs of planning a magical Disney World vacation package. If you are looking for an extraordinary Disney experience, from beginning to end, book a Disney vacation with us! Our Magic Makers are dedicated to helping you have a simply magical vacation full of cherished memories.

But we are more than just a Disney World travel agency. We bring that same level of care,  dedication, commitment, and expertise to every magical destination we provide travel planning services to.

Premier Disney expert travel agents

We know Disney! With a focus as a Disney World travel agency takes dedication—and we are. We have decades of experience and understand the ins-and-outs of how to make a Disney vacation truly magical.

Save time and money

You will never pay when you book a Disney vacation package with us than if you booked directly with Disney. We offer all available deals and promotions. Best of all, our booking services are 100% free to our clients.

More than just Disney

We are just as knowledgeable about destinations such as Universal Studios, Hawaii, Sandals, Beaches, the Caribbean, and cruises!

Concierge services

For clients looking for VIP treatment, we can provide enhanced itinerary planning, even if you have already booked a Disney vacation on your own. Let us help create your perfect dream vacation.

Customized planning

One of the benefits of using a Disney World travel specialist is to avoid doing all heavy lifting yourself. There is a lot of planning that goes into any vacation package, especially a Walt Disney World vacation package such as securing Disney park pass reservations and advance dining reservations, to learning how to use Disney Genie Plus. When your book a Disney vacation package with us, we can do that for you!

You are our top priority

Our goal as specialists as a Disney World travel agency is for you to have the most magical, memorable experience ever!

Take the next step to your dream vacation.

Featured destinations - walt disney world and beyond.

Although we focus as a Disney World travel agency, our expertise does not stop there. Our vacation planners specialize in all Disney Destinations plus Universal, Cruises, Caribbean, and Hawaii, and more.

Magical vacations begin here! By answering a few key questions about your dream vacation, we will make recommendations that are a perfect fit. (Like Cinderella and her glass slipper). As always, your quote 100% FREE.

3 Simple Steps to Your Dream Disney Vacation

Tell us about your dream vacation.

Please provide as much information as possible so we can provide the most accurate and comprehensive quote.

Get paired with a Magic Maker

We will provide a FREE, no obligation quote. No strings attached.

We'll book a Disney vacation for you!

Then, the fun really begins!

MAGICAL VACATION PLANNING SIMPLIFIED

We partner with the best brands in the travel industry.

Industry partnerships

Destination Magic is proud to partner with leading industry specialists.

Certified in Accessible Travel

Accessible Travel Certification awarded through CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). We have the knowledge to help those with special needs—whether physical, developmental, cognitive, or sensory—have a full and enriching travel experience on land or sea.

Luxury Travel Specialist

Whether it is outstanding accommodations, concierge services, or one-of-a-kind experiences, our Magic Makers can provide the guidance and expertise to meet the needs of those looking for a vacation beyond the ordinary.

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Thinking About Planning a Disney Vacation? Let MickeyTravels Team Help

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Welcome to MickeyTravels!

MickeyTravels, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, is proud to be one of a select few travel agencies in the world that has been designated by Disney Destinations with  DIAMOND Earmarked status!

We’ve been so proud to be a Platinum level agency the last several years, and we are now ecstatic to be one of a small handful of agencies who have earned the elite Diamond Earmarked agency status for 2023! This is the absolute highest level that can be bestowed upon a travel agency by Disney!

We are recognized nationally as a leader in planning magical Disney vacations and we’re proud to offer industry leading customer service to ALL of our clients. We have been voted BEST TRAVEL AGENCY by multiple newspapers and magazines throughout the country based on all the MAGICAL services we provide.  If you’re searching for the Travel Agents that specialize in Disney destinations , congratulations! You’ve found them at MickeyTravels, your DIAMOND level Authorized Disney Vacation Planners!

We Only Book Disney Vacations – our travel agents spend 100% of their time booking Disney vacations.  Disney is our passion!  Being a “Disney-only” travel agency enables us to keep up to date with all the latest Disney news, deals, discounts, and promotions.  We’re self-proclaimed Disney experts!  Every MickeyTravels agent eats, breathes, sleeps and lives the MAGIC of Disney! The end result is more MAGIC for you!  That’s what you want out of your Disney vacation, isn’t it?

It doesn’t matter if your vacation is for one person or a family reunion of 50 people – we handle each Disney vacation the same!  Our Disney Travel agents are always available & accessible via email or phone to answer any questions you may have – whether it’s advice on which Disney resort to stay in, what Disney restaurant to dine in, or what Disney discounts are available for you to take advantage of…we’re intent on Making Magic One Vacation at a Time… ®

Making Magic ® – You will work hand in hand with one magical Disney Travel Agent throughout your entire planning process! All of our Disney Travel Agents specialize in Disney vacations.  They offer years of experience regarding Disney travel, and are proud graduates of the Disney College of Knowledge! We ONLY plan Disney vacations and as a DIAMOND level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , we are widely considered THE Disney experts at Making Magic ® – that’s what we do!

One Vacation at a Time ® – MickeyTravels personalizes each client’s Disney vacation based on their specific needs and wants. Do you want to plan a vacation to Walt Disney World ® ? Disneyland ® ?  How ’bout a Disney Cruise? Maybe Aulani?  Or what about taking an Adventures by Disney vacation?  Whatever your Disney vacation preference is, be confident knowing that you’ve selected the best Disney travel agency to make your vacation truly magical.

Book Now. Pay Never.  – Our Services are always 100% FREE! As such, when you book your Disney vacation with MickeyTravels, you’ll never pay us a planning fee. That’s right…you get expert planning advice from a DIAMOND Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner…and it’s free! Now that’s magical!

Will you be celebrating an event such as a birthday, an anniversary, or your child’s first Disney vacation? How about a honeymoon or a reunion?  Whatever the occasion, we’ll let Disney know and they’ll make it magical for you.

Want to know where the best locations are for Disney parades & Disney fireworks? No problem!  We’ll let you know! Want a customized itinerary showcasing Disney’s extra magic hours? We can help with that too! We are intent on keeping our eyes & ears open for discounts, promotions and special offers that can save you time AND money even after you’ve booked your Disney vacation!

Do you already have your Disney vacation planned? No worries…It’s possible we can still help – and we may be able to get you a discount too! Visit our Already Have a Vacation Booked? page for more details!

Get a FREE quote or contact us today to learn how MickeyTravels, your DIAMOND level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, can make your Disney vacation MAGICAL…one you and your family will remember forever!

CONTACT US TODAY!

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Experience the Magic of Disney

Get started planning your magical Disney vacation with Main Street Magic, LLC — a no fee travel agency and authorized Disney vacation planner. Contact us today for a no obligation quote!

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Where can we help you go?

Kinds words from our clients, dream up the perfect disney vacation and beyond, do you love disney vacations, do your friends and family call you the “go to” person to help them plan their disney trips, are you a self-driven professional with a high attention to detail, do you fit this description, then you might make an excellent disney travel agent, get a travel quote today.

• Disney Vacation Planner

Disney Vacation Planner. If you're looking for a Disney Travel Agent and vacation planner, don't wait to contact one of Me and The Mouse's agents now at 1-855-764-2539 or get a free quote . We make sure that your trip is going to be a memory, be affordable, and be efficient. As experienced Disney Vacation Planners, we help you make a stress-free trip of a lifetime whether by yourself or with friends and family.

Whether you want to go to Florida and visit Disneyland">Disneyland , go on a cruise , or choose your own adventure, Me and The Mouse Travel is here to help. Our agents make sure that you have the best, most cost-effective experience possible.

What Does a Disney Vacation Planner Do?

A Disney Vacation Planner, also known as a Disney Travel Agent or Disney Vacation Specialist, assists clients in planning and booking their trips to Disney destinations such as Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and other Disney resorts worldwide. They help you with:

• Providing Expert Advice: Disney Vacation Planners have in-depth knowledge of Disney resorts, theme parks, attractions, dining options, and special events. We offer personalized recommendations based on clients' preferences and budgets.
• Booking Accommodations and Tickets: We assist our clients in selecting suitable accommodations, such as Disney resort hotels, and purchasing theme park tickets, dining plans, and other optional add-ons. Learn more with our FAQs .
• Creating Itineraries: Our Disney Vacation Planners create detailed itineraries that may include park schedules, dining reservations, FastPass selections (where applicable), and suggestions for maximizing the trip and Disney experience.
• Handling Reservations and Changes: We manage reservations for accommodations, dining, and activities, as well as making changes or handling cancellations when necessary.
• Providing Insider Tips: Our Disney Vacation Planners share insider tips and tricks to help clients navigate the parks efficiently, avoid crowds, and make the most of their Disney vacations.
• Offering Support: We provide ongoing support before, during, and after the trip, answering questions, addressing concerns, and providing assistance in case of unexpected issues or emergencies.

Overall, our Disney Vacation Planners aim to simplify the vacation planning process, enhance the Disney experience, and ensure that our clients have a magical and memorable trip. This magical trip might include:

• Disneyland Hotel
• Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
• Fantastic Food
• Hands-on Tours
• Live Entertainment
• Mickey's Toontown
• Avengers Campus
• Character Dining
• Special Events

Contact our agents today for more information.

Our agents at Me and The Mouse help individuals and families plan out their trips. Trips to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or even a voyage on a Disney Cruise Line can be complicated. Luckily, you have someone on your side that can find you deals, help with logistics, and make sure that you're trip is one to remember.

Here are a few things our agents can help you with:

• Providing Expert Advice: Our Disney vacation planners have in-depth knowledge of Disney resorts, theme parks, attractions, dining options, and special events. We offer personalized recommendations based on clients' preferences and budget.
• Booking Accommodations and Tickets: We help clients select the most suitable accommodations, such as Disney resort hotels, and purchasing theme park tickets, dining plans, and other optional add-ons. Learn more on our FAQs .
• Creating Itineraries: Our Disney Vacation Planners help clients create detailed daily itineraries, including park schedules, dining reservations, FastPass selections (where applicable), and suggestions for maximizing their Disney experience.
• Handling Reservations and Ticket Changes: We manage reservations for accommodations, dining, and activities, as well as making changes or cancellations when necessary.
• Providing Insider Tips: We have insider tips and tricks to help clients navigate the parks efficiently, avoid crowds, and make the most of your Disney vacation without interfering.
• Offering Support: We provide ongoing support before, during, and after the trip by answering questions, addressing concerns, and providing assistance in case of unexpected issues or emergencies.

Overall, the Disney Vacation Planners at Me and The Mouse Travel aim to simplify the vacation planning process, enhance the Disney experience, and ensure you have a magical and memorable trip.

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As a certified Disney vacation planner , it's our job to help you make sure your trip to Orlando is stress-free and as enjoyable as it can be. Our agents are here to help you plan your trip, which includes:

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This is the second time we booked everything with Amy and WOW! She nailed it from start to finish. I cannot express how easy she makes the process. She knows it all, from the parks to the resorts and even character dining and other "things to do" We talked about everything from which attractions to visit first, down to the best place to get a stroller for our 4-year-old. She thought of EVERYTHING-was available any time I had a question and the care package we received was a magical "it's almost time" gift for my kids. Amy made our trip a breeze and I cannot say enough great things about her and the work she does. We WILL be returning again soon and we WILL be booking our trip with Amy! <3

Elizabeth, we want to thank you so much for planning such an amazing family vacation. Every detail was taken care of which allowed us to just relax and enjoy our time together as a family. We had so much fun that we are already talking about our next trip. All the tips and suggestions you had were spot on and the trip couldn’t have gone smoother. We will definitely be using Me and the Mouse again!

Becky Roland

Amy has amazing service!!! Answered all of my newbie Disney questions and made sure our first time was a complete success. Very thankful and will be referring to all of our friends!!

Sarah Garcia

We have taken our oldest son to Disney a few times before, but this was our first trip using Tressa and our first trip for our two youngest children. We are clients for life!!! Tressa planned the perfect vacation for our family. Every dining reservation, fast passes, and meet and greet was planned perfectly to make the most of our time there. No stress, planning, or worry for us. She had a million tips and suggestions to make our vacation magical. Thank you Tressa for planning our perfect trip!

Andrea Perry

We used Amy for our family vacation, we booked it just a couple of weeks before our trip as a last minute surprise for our family and she was able to get so many reservations that I thought would be impossible! She was so quick to answer any questions, offer great advice and the help with fast passes/dinner reservations, etc was AMAZING! Made our vacation so easy and effortless and we had so much fun! We will definitely use her again and again!!

Misty Nolan

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Why You Should Use A Disney Travel Agent

Using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can take the stress out of planning a Walt Disney World vacation, which is complicated and overwhelming for first-timer tourists. Travel agent can make the process easier by booking reservations, making itineraries, securing discounts, and more. ( Updated April 11, 2023 .)

One thing that regulars often forget once we’ve learned the ropes is just how convoluted it is to plan and take a trip to Walt Disney World. Thanks to years of experience and research, WDW veterans know the basics of planning–from tricks for booking Advance Dining Reservations to leveraging discounts, using Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, navigating virtual queues, making ideal itineraries to beat the crowds, and more–inside and out. However, the whole process is foreign and daunting to newbies, which is why there’s huge value in using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

If all you’re looking for is a travel agent recommendation, Be Our Guest Vacations is our preferred Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. They offer no-cost planning, their agents have  years  of experience and visit the parks multiple times per year, and their team is talented and tight-knit. However, this is not simply a sales pitch for Be Our Guest Vacations…

Our advice to use a travel agent holds true regardless of which agency you end up choosing. The point here is more broadly that it’s incredibly advantageous to use Authorized Disney Vacation Planners– any of them! While some agencies and agents do a better job and have more thorough knowledge of Disney than others (more on these pitfalls in a minute), the vast majority are helpful. Suffice to say, if you’re overwhelmed by planning, a Disney TA can help.

More importantly, there’s no shame in needing help or being overwhelmed! We travel around the globe, and nowhere that we visit is as complicated or intimidating for first-timers as Walt Disney World. It’s literally the size of a city, and Walt Disney World has its own quirks, policies, and unwritten rules that are not easily understood. It’s a bit like learning Na’vi , a language without much real world value but that will endear you with a hardcore community of fellow-fans!

The first and biggest reason to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is the service. Imagine the knowledge-base of this blog (assuming you think I’m knowledgeable), but in a form that can apply the tips here to your particular circumstances, preferences, and needs. That’s what a good Authorized Disney Vacation Planner provides. It’s a back-and-forth dialogue, and they’re there to hold your hand and give you personalized advice.

Unlike traditional, large-scale travel agencies, most Disney-specializing agents got into it not due to a desire to build some highly profitable business empire, but because they love Disney and really enjoyed planning their own trip. This is why I distinguish between “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” (the words you want to look for) and traditional travel agents. The latter are professionals who book trips to myriad destinations, but don’t have a Disney focus. This usually means they don’t have the expertise to provide high-quality service for Disney destinations.

For this reason, we do not recommend national, non-Disney travel agencies when booking Disney vacations. No offense to Costco or AAA, but they simply cannot compete with the ‘mom and pop shops’ in terms of quality service and knowledge. Agents at the big companies are booking myriad destinations with little experience at many of them.

It’s entirely possible that the agents at Costco, AAA, or other big box travel agencies have never visited Walt Disney World, or at least not within the last year. The best Authorized Disney Vacation Planners visit the parks multiple times per year and keep abreast of all the latest changes. They are Disney specialists, not travel industry generalists.

Unfortunately, big box agencies aren’t the only ones to avoid. In recent years, there has also been a proliferation of Disney travel agencies that are thinly-veiled multi-level marketing schemes (MLMs). These are agencies that exist not to provide exceptional service to clients, but primarily to recruit more agents and grow by charging initiation and training fees. The problem with these agencies is similar to the big box ones–a lack of quality control and subject matter expertise. They will hire any agent who expresses an interest in joining (because that’s their  actual business, not helping clients) and don’t care about the caliber of client service or knowledge of their agents.

There’s no easy way to identify which Disney travel agencies are primarily MLMs. An obvious indicator would be if they recruit you despite your lack of knowledge, but it’s not always that obvious. To each their own, but my rule of thumb is avoiding agencies with hundreds of agents. When it comes to Authorized Disney Vacation Planners, size is a liability and not an asset. Go for a boutique business and get better service.

The second biggest reason to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is the time-savings. This has become a particularly pronounced advantage in the last couple of years, and is arguably the biggest reason to use a travel agent now–especially if you’re already knowledgeable about Disney.

Currently, Walt Disney World and Disneyland both have staffing shortages. This is a problem throughout the parks and resorts, but nowhere is it more pronounced than the call centers. It used to be the case that you’d wait on hold for a long time only on the days that discounts, special event tickets went on sale, or something else major and new was released.

Long hold times have become the rule rather than the exception. You might think that this is no big deal, as you’ll simply book everything online. That’s a good plan… until something goes wrong. 

Disney IT also isn’t the most reliable; between that and problems with reservations, there’s a strong probability that you’ll need assistance via a call center representative at some point during the planning process. Having an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner deal with this and advocate on your behalf will save you headaches and time waiting on hold, and the benefit of that cannot be overstated.

The third biggest reason to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planners is saving money. This is not to say travel agents have access to better discounts than you or anyone else–they don’t. (I don’t know why there’s this mistaken belief out there that some travel agents find better or worse prices when it comes to Disney–any variance in pricing is a result of games Disney plays with its inventory and special offers at different times.)

The advantage they do provide when it comes to price is that they are knowledgeable and diligent about discounts, and continue monitoring your reservation even after booking. This can be particularly beneficial if you book far in advance before discounts are released–relevant right now as 2024 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages will be released in June 2023.

I know several Authorized Disney Vacation Planners who get up at 3 a.m. every time Walt Disney World releases a new discount in order to quickly apply the deal to all eligible reservations they’re managing. By contrast, if you learned about the deal a few days later and called Disney to book, a lot of availability would already be gone.

They also know the ins and outs of tweaking reservations so they fall within Disney’s eligibility parameters and are less likely the be excluded from promotions. (All too often, we hear from readers who technically qualify for a discount to be applied to their existing reservation, but Disney finds a way to exclude them due to lack of availability under the promotion or something else.)

So, in that sense, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are finding better prices for many of their clients, but it’s indirectly as a result of that knowledge and diligence.

The fourth biggest reason to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is for booking Advance Dining Reservations or ADRs–Disney’s term for restaurant reservations. Guests staying in Walt Disney World resorts can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days). This little 60+ days rule quirk is something that can be difficult to explain and comprehend, but knowledgeable travel agents  know it well–and exactly how to leverage it. 

Using the length of stay + 60 day rule, a skilled travel agent will book your ADRs in order of difficulty, so you’re more likely to get the most elusive reservations. And with many restaurants still operating at reduced capacity, ADRs are more competitive than ever–by the time the 60 day mark hits, some will already be fully booked. So if you want character meals or other popular restaurants, your best bet is having an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner make your ADRs.

Beyond that, there are some generalized reasons to use Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. For one thing, they are almost always fans themselves who exclusively plan Disney travel. Most I’ve encountered over the years are good people. The overwhelming majority became travel agents because they’re passionate about planning vacations and became the go-to resource for their friends and family, and just decided to turn it into a job. Out of the Disney TAs I’ve encountered, this is true  at least 95% of the time.

And, because they’re passionate about Disney, they actually know about Disney. A traditional travel agent faces obsolescence because they were (basically) just someone to outsource the booking of vacations and had no firsthand knowledge of destinations to which they booked trips.

On the other hand, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are only becoming more relevant thanks to the service and answers they provide in response to Disney vacations becoming increasingly complex. They know Disney inside and out (they are literally tested on it!) and have lots of first-hand experience.

They will be up at the 60-day mark to make your Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs), come up with plans to help you score the prime Lightning Lane selections, constantly monitor new discount offers to see if they can reduce the cost of your trip, and generally able to assist with other facets of trip planning.

Beyond that, there’s no cost to you for most travel agents specializing in Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are paid commission by Disney on the trips they book, so you’re usually not paying anything extra. I don’t know why Disney pays them, but my educated guess is because it’s essentially Disney ‘outsourcing’ the planning resources they’d otherwise need to provide. If you’re calling your travel agent, you aren’t calling Disney directly, tying up their guest services or other Cast Members.

This is win-win-win. Disney doesn’t have to deal with your questions, the Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is able to make money doing what they love, and you’re able to get free advice and help planning your trip. The biggest ‘winner’ there is you. One point person gets to know you, is responsive to your requests & questions, and feels a vested interest in making sure you have a great trip. You don’t call Disney, wait on hold for an interminable amount of time, and receive inconsistent answers from random Cast Members.

With that said, an increasing number of Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are charging an additional flat fee or hourly rate for their booking and/or planning services. This comes at a time when Walt Disney World vacations are more complicated than ever, and dealing with Disney (due to the aforementioned staffing shortages) is more time-consuming.

Without question, travel agents are  worth  these extra fees, as their professional expertise and experience is valuable. Whether you want to pay such a fee when free alternatives exist is a matter of personal preference. ( Be Our Guest Vacations , the agency we recommend, currently does not charge any consulting fees.)

The added value and expertise offered by Authorized Disney Vacation Planners is especially true in the era of My Disney Experience, MagicBands, Genie+, etc. The Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is a liaison ( or buffer! ) between you and Disney, putting out fires and fixing problems as they arise. They save you headaches and stress in solving these problems.

Again, I speak from the experience of having to deal with these headaches myself–although things are getting better with these systems. I love Disney Cast Members in the parks, but my experiences have not been overwhelmingly positive on the phone.

With all of that said, using a travel agent isn’t for everyone. Some people have obsessive personalities and like total control over their vacations, or actually enjoy spending hours reading blogs like this one (and thank you to those of you who tolerate all of my corny jokes! 😉 ). Although we used Authorized Disney Vacation Planners years ago, I’ll admit that this now describes me. I love figuring this all out for myself, and I’m a total control freak.

Even if you are a control freak like me, it might make sense to book through a vacation planner so they monitor discounts and be your liaison with Disney in the event My Disney Experience issues arise, while you can do the “fun” stuff like planning ADRs and Genie+. Most vacation planners are as hands on or off as you specify, and it’s pretty easy to let them know what expect of them and what you’d like to do yourself.

If you’re convinced that a travel agent is for you, there are a few things to consider when choosing one. First, while I think it’s poor form to comparison shop or seek information without actual intent to book through them–as this is their job and they’re only paid on bookings they actually make–I do think it’s a good idea to make sure you “click” with an agent after requesting a quote.

It should be pretty easy to tell based on their first email or two whether they’re someone you want to work with, but if you’re still unsure, request a quick phone call. You are trusting this person with your vacation and (potentially) will communicate with them a lot, so you should make sure they aren’t impersonal or will treat you like a number. This is typically a total non-issue, as most vacation planners I’ve encountered are incredibly pleasant and enthusiastic, but it’s good to double-check if things don’t seem right from the get-go.

Second, make sure they’re providing the level of service detailed here. If you want someone to make your ADRs or make recommendations with things like stroller rental, make sure those are things they do. Not all agencies offer the same services, so be sure the one you’re considering will help in the areas you’d like assistance.

Finally, they have to know their stuff. Confirm they’ve been to whichever Disney destination you’re considering (and have been there recently ). If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip, you don’t want a Disneyland regular–they’re totally different destinations from a planning perspective. If you’re taking a Disney cruise, your travel agent having stayed at every Walt Disney World resort hotel is meaningless. You get the idea. I’m not saying they need to spend 50+ days per year in the parks, but you want them to know their stuff.

Your Thoughts

If you’ve used an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, how was your experience? Which Disney TAs do you recommend? Any other tips you’d like for choosing a vacation planner? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

Written by Tom Bricker

I do want to comment that AAA has a specific branch that specializes in Disney vacations. I have used only one AAA agent for my bookings over the years, and she has a Certified Disney Planner designation. After enjoying this article, I’d say the difference is the other Disney dedicated agents handle all the smaller stuff that I happily do on my own. My AAA agent would not be doing dining reservations I don’t think. I use her for the hotel/tickets package, with the goal of being sure sure of the best price on that potentially high price tag.

If I rent DVC points for my hotel stay, can I still use a Disney Vacation Planner for everything else?

I would imagine there are some that will work with you, but they’ll likely charge a fee. Most of the free ones require a resort reservation through them.

Who “authorizes” Disney travel agents? According to the Walt Disney company, they don’t authorize any and have no official links. So what exactly do you mean by Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? It seems a deceptive designation.

Hi! I think I can answer this. I am an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner”. Basically it is an individual that is signed up under an agency and has registered with Disney and taken all of the required training and tests to be able to sell Disney products. The individual agents are responsible for their actual first hand experience with Disney products. The big agencies he refers to are like Costco and AAA who can sell you Disney products, but they aren’t specifically Disney, and wouldn’t offer any of the specialized services he detailed in this article. They would book your trip, possibly give you perks, but you would be on your own if a new discount was offered, with your dining and Genie+ reservations, etc… and with any personal questions you have.

Can you hire Be Our Guest Vacations to book your Genie+ and ILL reservations each morning of your trip? If not, does anyone know of a travel agent offering that service. (I’m happy to pay.) Thanks!

Oh my God, ! That’s brilliant!

Oh my God, you mad freak! That’s brilliant!

We were going to use a Disney planner but they encouraged us to call “for a quote.” We’d long understood that compensation for their services came from Disney so we avoided that planner company so we wouldn’t have to pay ourselves. But we noticed you’d used “call them for a quote” as well. What kind of quote would they give us if we didn’t have to pay. Confused.

For the price of the vacation package, not their services. You provide party details and resort preferences, and they quote you a price on what Walt Disney World will charge for that. No different than the price quotes you’d get from Disneyworld.com.

I have had a handful of wonderful experiences with Be Our Guest Vacations! Jeanette has been patient and helpful in planning Walt Disney World vacations as well as Disney cruises. She was accessible in a situation where things with the airline went sideways, and found me last minute accommodations so I didn’t have to spend the night in a chair in the Orlando airport. I have not been disappointed!

My husband and I are trying to plan a trip right now for the 4th of July weekend. He is having trouble with people emailing him back or even calling him back. We are finding better ticket prices at Sam’s club but I don’t know anything about what we are doing. We aren’t trying to spend an arm and a leg.

Thanks for sharing this great advice, it will help me a lot.

Do you know of a good planner that you would recommend for my Disney World trip?

I’m having trouble getting return emails. I’ve sent emails to two highly recommended agencies in the past few days and have not received any response. So frustrating

Hi John… interested in having your help. Let’s start the conversation. Target date May 7 – 14, 2021.

We are looking at coming next September. When we book through you; do we pay the $200 deposit to hold it and pay if off 30 days before? Or do we pay for the full trip up front?

Is there a website or somewhere I can find a ADVP in my area? I’d prefer to work with someone who is local 🙂

My question is a little unique. Are there any Authorized Disney Vacation Planners that can help with things like dining reservations, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, etc. if we are staying at Shades of Green? The only thing stopping me from fully committing to Shades is I don’t know if there are any travel agencies that can help with just the reservations (and yes, I’m aware Shades is DoD owned). Thank you so much in advance!

I’m looking to book a trip to Disney World now that it’s open again . Looking at 3 week of September.

I am a little nervous about using a Disney planner since the one I have been in contact with is asking for my credit card information and my account password. I know they need it for reservations, but is there supposed to be a more secure way or is this how it works? Just need some ease of mind!

To my knowledge, that’s the way it works–at least with the credit card. I’ve always wondered why there Disney doesn’t create some sort of secure payment portal.

Thanks for that fast reply!

I requested a quote for an Adventures by Disney and received the first email from one of the agents at BOGV. Do I ask them if they have done the chosen destination? If they haven’t, how do I go about asking for a different agent?

You can certainly ask if you want, but I probably wouldn’t bother. There aren’t a lot of planning variables associated with Adventures by Disney, so they don’t need to have done the itinerary to book and arrange it for you.

You’re highly unlikely to find many travel agents who have done multiple Adventures by Disney itineraries, anyway.

We plan to go next year inAugust, is it too early to email them and start planning? Or will they prefer to wait as it gets closer?

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Ultimate Walt Disney World Planning Guide (2024)

Planning a Disney World vacation can feel like a daunting task, especially for first-time guests. The entire Walt Disney World resort area covers around 43 square miles, which is almost twice the size of Manhattan!  Learning how to plan a Disney Vacation can help ensure you have a great time on your trip.

There are so many engaging activities, exciting attractions, magical details, and wonderful restaurants and resorts.  It’s nearly impossible to experience everything at Disney World over the course of several trips, let alone in a single visit to the park. That’s why it’s important to start your planning early and decide what you should prioritize on your trip.

This guide will take you through how to plan a Disney World vacation step-by-step. Disney vacations have become harder to plan each and every year, with Disney Genie+,  Advanced Dining Reservations, My Disney Experience, transportation, etc.  There’s so much to know, and this Disney vacation planning guide will be your go-to resource.

Do You Need To Plan a Disney World Vacation in Advance?

It’s no longer feasible to go to Disney World without doing at least some planning ahead of time.  Even entering a theme park requires an advance reservation in many cases.

In our view, these are the four bare-minimum planning actions needed to have even a functioning  Disney vacation.

• Decide when you will visit.   Crowd levels can impact your experience and time of year will affect your overall cost.
• Decide which park you will attend on each day.   Theme park reservations are mandatory for some ticket types — no reservation, no entry.
• Decide which hotel you’ll stay in.   While you can technically find a room without a reservation during some parts of the year, it’s not worth the risk.
• Decide if you want to dine at any table-service restaurants.   Dining reservations are strongly suggested; during the busiest days, many restaurants may completely refuse walk-ups.

These are the minimum plans needed to have a tolerable Disney World vacation.  To make your vacation good — or, dare we say, magical — you’ll probably want to do a good bit more Disney planning.  Below, we walk you through the eleven things you need to do to plan the best possible Disney World vacation .

Our planning guide is a great way to get started with researching your upcoming Disney World vacation.  As you’ll see, planning a Disney trip is no small task.  Imagine if you could have someone else do most of the work for you, for free!

That’s why we strongly recommend you contact the Disney travel agents at The Vacationeer .  There are plenty of good reasons why you should use a Disney travel agent , including taking advantage of their years of Disney experience and letting them handle making all of your reservations.

But one of the best reasons is that their planning services don’t cost you anything!

The Eleven Steps to Disney World Planning

There are plenty of ways to plan your Disney vacation, and everybody has their own way of doing it.  Below we’ve outlined what we believe to be eleven critical steps, in roughly the order that you should do them.  We’ve tried not to overwhelm you with too much information at once, but there’s no doubt that planning a Disney trip can be very complicated.  Take your time, read through it all, and follow the links throughout to find out more about some of the items we discuss here.

1. Learn the basics by doing some research

As you start to plan for a Disney World vacation, you should begin researching well in advance of booking the trip.  The information you gather during this important first step will help you through the rest of the process; starting early gives you plenty of time to learn before key dates in the trip planning process.  It will also be key to creating a detailed itinerary for each day so that your vacation will include every event, attraction, and restaurant you wish to experience.

Without a daily itinerary and at least some knowledge of the parks, Disney World can be a confusing and overwhelming place. Informed and organized vacationers are less stressed, save more money, and have more fun!

Being in-the-know will also help you secure your spot at popular resorts, attractions, and dining establishments.

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to research travel destinations online , and Disney World is no exception. There are lots of Disney World resources online these days (such as our entire website!), so getting up to speed with the ins and outs of the parks is well within your reach.  To get you started, we’ll go over some basic information about Disney World.

Disney World at a Glance

Walt Disney World has four major theme parks:

Magic Kingdom

It’s the flagship theme park of Disney World and a rite of passage for kids of all ages.  Leave the real world at the gate — age melts away as you walk down Main Street, USA to reach Cinderella Castle.  Then, head in any direction to experience Liberty Square, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland.  Your kingdom awaits with adventures on flying elephants, doombuggies, space rockets, and steam trains.

Rides   |   Dining   |   Secrets

Originally envisioned as a functioning city of the future, EPCOT offers four neighborhoods: World Showcase , a tribute to the global diversity that enriches us as a species; World Nature , showcasing our interaction with the planetary forces that drive us; World Discovery , celebrating humankind’s ingenuity and innovation; and World Celebration , dedicated to the joy and camaraderie that are essential parts of the human experience.

Rides   |   Dining   |  Secrets

Hollywood Studios

Hooray for “the Hollywood that never was and always will be!”  Here, the golden age of motion pictures gets equal billing with modern blockbusters in a park dedicated to an entire universe of entertainment.  Drop into the Hollywood Tower Hotel, find yourself off-world on Batuu, or slink your way into a Pixar adventure.  You’re the star of this silver screen epic — are you ready for your closeup?

Animal Kingdom

Experience the glory and wonder of nature as you immerse yourself into a world that more than 1,000 animals call home.  Set off on safari, where giraffes are free to walk right alongside your open-air vehicle (from which you can also glimpse elephants, lions, and hippopotami).  Then, escape reality by staging a daring mountaintop run from the mythical Yeti, or traveling back in time to rescue a doomed dinosaur.

Other Resort Complex Amenities

In addition to four theme parks, you’ll find a full resort complex covering upwards of 27,000 acres:

• More than 20 large resort hotels are owned and operated by Walt Disney World, with additional third-party hotels nearby
• There are nearly 400 places to eat and drink at Disney World, from ice cream carts to high-end luxury dining, and everything in between
• Disney Springs is the largest shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Disney World ( no tickets required ); Disney’s BoardWalk offers an additional entertainment and dining district
• Disney World has 2 water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• WDW has 5 golf courses and 2 mini-golf courses , an entire sports complex , and several lakes (offering boating, kayaking, parasailing, fishing, and other water sports)

There’s much, much more to learn about Disney World, but the above information should give you the basics that you’ll need to know as you start to plan.  At the end of each of our 11 steps in this guide, you’ll find links to special planning tools and additional articles/websites that further discuss items mentioned in each section of our planning guide.  The tools and links for this step are immediately below:

Planning Tools for This Step:

✔️  Use our  Disney World Map to get the lay of the land

✔️  Use our Disney World Transportation Map to chart your route

✔️  Subscribe to Disney-focused  YouTube channels

✔️  Review some fascinating Disney World Statistics

✔️  Learn the History of Disney World

✔️  Enjoy some interesting WDW Trivia

2. Download the My Disney Experience App

My Disney Experience is Disney’s mobile app & website that serves as a centralized hub for everything related to your Disney vacation.  In the app, you can:

• Create a profile
• Add friends and family members so you can plan together
• View your tickets and reservations
• Access the Disney Genie itinerary planning service
• Purchase priority access to certain attractions through the Genie+ and Lightning Lane service
• Enter a virtual queue for highly-demanded attractions, when available
• Access entitlements under the Disability Access Service, if applicable
• Place mobile orders for some meals, helping you avoid lines at some quick-service restaurants
• Use the MagicMobile service, which lets you use your mobile device as a contactless payment/entry device around Disney World.

Note:  If you’d rather not use the MagicMobile service to access your tickets and services, you can either purchase a MagicBand (a colorful RFID-enabled wristband), or request a plastic RFID card at no charge. 

The app is available for both iOS and Android devices — you might see it listed in the app store as “My Disney Experience” or even just as “Disney World.”  There’s no charge to download and use the app; you might see a notice about in-app purchases, but that refers to the ability to do things such as buying park tickets or placing mobile dining orders.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll want to sign in — you can use an existing Disney account or create a new one.  You’ll also need to grant it permission to use location services because some features such as virtual queuing are geofenced (only available when you are in a certain location based on your phone’s GPS).

Downloading the app early in the planning process is important for a few reasons.  First, it’s a great research tool.  Second, getting to know it now will make it all the easier to use during your trip.  And most importantly, as you begin to purchase tickets or make reservations you’ll want to link them to your Disney account.  For example, linking your hotel reservation in the app allows you to access an extended restaurant reservation booking window — as well as to access early booking for Lightning Lane attraction entrances.

Many (but not all) of the same services are also available through a dedicated section of the Disney World website.

Ready to talk to someone about planning next steps?

✔️  Download the My Disney Experience app

✔️  Access My Disney Experience via the Disney World website

✔️  Learn more about My Disney Experience

✔️  Learn more about using the MagicMobile service

3. Start Considering How Much to Budget for Your Disney World Trip

On average, a typical Walt Disney World vacation for a family of 4 in 2024 will cost about $6,559. This includes a 7-night hotel stay at a Disney Value Resort, 6 days of standard theme park tickets, Genie+ or Lightning Lane service, and quick-service meals for 4 people over the course of the trip.

Just like any vacation, you might want to plan for additional expenses such as transportation costs, upgrades, a longer stay, and souvenirs; or you might opt to save some money by staying off-site, shortening your trip, spending a day or two away from the parks, or visiting during the off-season.

Not surprisingly, some families end up putting themselves into debt to make a Disney World trip happen.

Of course, you won’t know exactly how much to budget until you make some choices about hotels, dining, tickets, etc. — but now’s a good time to at least begin thinking about how much you’re comfortable spending on your trip so you’re not left with sky-high credit card bills long after.

The resources below are a great way to start that process.  If you don’t want to devote a ton of time to it at this point, we suggest you start with just the first two resources… our How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World article and our Disney World Cost Calculator .

✔️  Explore how much it costs to go to Disney World

✔️  Estimate prices with our Disney World Cost Calculator

✔️  Learn about Disney Payment Plan options

✔️  Find the Cheapest Time to go to Disney

✔️  Check out Disney World discounts & deals

✔️  Save on your trip by buying discounted Disney gift cards

✔️  Learn how to do Disney on a Dime

✔️  Explore some free things to do at Disney World

✔️  Read Is Disney World Worth It?

✔️  Leverage your credit card points on your Disney vacation

Consider Working with a Disney World Trip Planner (For Free!)

This is a great time in your Disney vacation planning timeline to connect with a Disney Travel Agent if you’re planning on using one.  Your agent can provide a more accurate estimate of what you can expect to spend by walking you through all of the big choices you’ll be making in the remaining steps of the process.

Not sure which Disney World Travel Agency to use?  We strongly recommend The Vacationeer .  It’s not hard to see why we’ve ranked them as the best Disney travel agency .  First and foremost, they don’t charge anything to use their planning services and there’s never any obligation to book.  And, as an EarMarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , they’ve arranged Disney trips for thousands of families.  They boast a team of 90+ travel agents, but you’ll have one dedicated agent to serve as your personal Disney trip planner from start to finish.

Contact them to see which money-saving promotions might be available for your trip.  They can book your reservations, set up a payment plan for your trip, and even automatically apply newly-announced discounts to your trip after you book!

4. Decide When to Go to Disney World

Holidays at Disney can be crowded but festive

Deciding which time of year to go to Disney World is a very important part of the planning process, and not just for the obvious reasons of school/work schedules.  Crowd sizes, special promotions, festivals, and weather should also factor in your decision; these can not only affect your overall experience at Disney, but also your overall cost as well.

Crowd sizes are a major consideration when planning a trip to Walt Disney World.  Because park attendance fluctuates throughout the year, there are certainly better (less crowded) times of the year go.

For those of you who are not as tied down with schedule obligations (such as parents who homeschool or people who can work from anywhere), you are in a much better position to be flexible with your travel dates. For the rest of us, work schedules, school schedules, and other factors often influence the timing of our vacations, so we just have to plan a trip around a timeframe that works.

With millions of annual visitors, each Walt Disney World theme park can become crowded. The week you choose to visit the park can have a major impact on wait times for attractions and crowd density on the sidewalks and in the restaurants. Each park also has day-to-day crowd dynamics to consider.

The best way to gauge crowd sizes any particular day – at any one of Walt Disney World’s 4 theme parks – is to consult our  Disney World Crowd Calendar .  By using data compiled from recent years, our crowd calendar determines which theme parks will have the shortest lines and which parks will have the longest lines.

While not everyone has the flexibility to plan their trip around the least-crowded dates, crowd calendars can still be a valuable tool to help you to maximize your Disney experience during your visit.

It’s also worth noting that crowd levels tend to be a good indicator of how expensive your hotel and tickets will be.  Hotels and tickets are both subject to seasonal prices; the less popular times of year are the least expensive, while high-demand times like holidays and summer vacation cost more.

When is Walt Disney World Least Crowded?

Walt Disney World parks are typically less crowded from January 2nd until just prior to Presidents’ Day week (third Monday in February ), the week after Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week, and the week after Thanksgiving weekend until the week prior to Christmas. As a general guide, when schools are in session, WDW is usually less crowded.

When is Walt Disney World Most Crowded?

Walt Disney World parks generally experience their highest attendance around school breaks. These include around Presidents’ Day week (third week in February), the Spring Break timeframe from mid- March through late April , Memorial Day weekend , Summer (mid- June through Labor Day), Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week through January 1st.

Special Promotions

During their slower seasons, Disney World will sometimes offer special promotions to lure guests to the park.

Some previous examples have included a Free Dining promotion which offered meals as part of a package that included non-discounted resort hotels and park tickets.  Other promotions have also been offered from time to time, allowing for discounted hotel rates, special ticket packages, or other benefits.

While promotions have been a bit scarce lately, things do tend to change quickly.  It’s a safe bet, though, that any promotions that come along will be limited to specific hotels or specific travel dates, and will likely be in the off-season.  If your plans are flexible, you’re more likely to be able to take advantage of these.

Walt Disney World is a great destination any day of the year. However, there is something about the seasonal festivals which make the park extra magical.

Besides the spectacular Festival of the Arts (typically in January) and the Flower & Garden Festival during the spring and early summer, most of our favorite seasonal events take place during the Fall and Winter months.

Epcot hosts The  Food & Wine Festival in the fall, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a real treat for Magic Kingdom guests around – you guessed it – Halloween.

During November and December , the wildly popular Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place at Magic Kingdom, as do a host of other holiday events, such as A Frozen Holiday Wish Show (Magic Kingdom), Christmas Day Parade on ABC (Magic Kingdom), Joyful! (Epcot), Holidays Around the World (Epcot), and much more .

If we had an absolute favorite week to be at Walt Disney World, we may have to choose some time in early December. The park is festive, the weather is comfortable, and the crowds are lighter than normal.

Any How to Plan a Disney Vacation guide must discuss the nuances of Disney’s weather.

First of all, Orlando, Florida is known for its warm and sunny weather. Ice and snow are virtually non-existent here and the temperatures rarely dip below the freezing level.

That said, there are some seasonal differences that you may want to take into consideration when booking your Disney World vacation. January is typically the coolest month, July is the warmest and wettest (though August is a close second for heat), and June has the most sunshine hours.

Daytime thunderstorms are a given during the summer; they often pop up with little warning and disappear just as quickly, usually leaving a rather unpleasant sauna effect in their aftermath.  On the bright side, a storm lasting 30-45 minutes is usually enough to send people scurrying for the exits, leading to lighter crowds afterwards.

Hurricane season technically lasts from June-November, though September has historically been the most active.  Even then, it’s rare for the Orlando area to take a direct hit from a hurricane.  That said, the parks have had to close a few times for hurricanes, though typically only for a day or so at a time.  Thanks to Disney’s generous hurricane cancellation policies , it’s still generally safe plan a trip to Disney World during hurricane season (though travel insurance is still also a good idea).

Our favorite seasons at Walt Disney World are probably the pleasant spring and fall seasons, with October being particularly nice. Our least favorite season is during the summer months — not only are the crowds heavy, but the weather can be quite hot and humid. If you do plan a summer vacation at Disney World, remember to come prepared with the proper amenities to keep you cool and hydrated.

Overwhelmed and ready for some expert help?

✔️  Use our Disney Crowd Calendar to pick the best time to visit

✔️  Research typical Disney World Weather

✔️  Learn about the best time to go to Disney World

✔️  Review our tips to avoid lines at Disney World

✔️  Beat the rain with the best attractions for rainy days

✔️  Learn about Hurricane Season at Disney World

5. Decide on Your Length of Stay (How Many Days)

Because there is just so much to see and do at  Walt Disney World , there is really no right answer for how long your Walt Disney World vacation should last. However, there are several wrong answers. One wrong answer would be staying for only 1 or 2 days!

We recommend that any trip should last at least four days, with an ideal range of a full week or so. Some people buy an Annual Pass and spend 30+ days at the park, so the sky is the limit! It just depends on your budget, time limitations, who you are traveling with, and what the goals of your trip are. But with so much to see and experience, a day or two won’t even scratch the surface of what Walt Disney World has to offer.

How Long Do Most People Stay at Disney World?

Most Disney World vacations last 3 – 7 days. Many guests devote one full day to each of the four Disney World theme parks. Given their size and number of attractions, it’s certainly possible to spend two days each at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Additional days can be spent re-visiting one of the parks, going to a Disney water park, or doing other various activities, inside or outside of the park.

If your objective is to experience most attractions, shows, parades, etc., you really need to provide yourself with adequate time/days to explore all facets of each park.  If saving money is an important consideration, a shorter trip can help accomplish that.

Many guests like to spend a day or two at other (non-Disney) Orlando-area attractions – such as  Universal Studios , SeaWorld, Legoland Florida, or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Other guests set aside a day or two for golfing, boating, or just to simply relax at the pool.

If your trip to Disney World is a “rite of passage” event for the kids – and your goal is to just experience the popular rides and get a feel for the park – 3-4 days is doable. However, just be aware that you may feel as though you are rushing to get as much in with your time constraints.  You probably won’t be able to experience everything that you set out to achieve.

Besides simply having enough time at Disney World, another reason for booking a longer WDW vacation is the financial incentive. The more days you spend at the park, the less the cost of your daily ticket. That’s not to say you will spend less money on an 8-day pass vs a 3-day pass — you certainly won’t. But, the cost per day  goes down substantially the more days you spend at Disney World.

Thoroughly review all current promotions and ticket pricing scenarios before deciding on the duration of your Disney World vacation.

✔️  Compare prices for different trip lengths with our Cost Calculator

✔️  We explore how long to stay at Disney

✔️  See how many days you need for each park

✔️  See our favorite day trips from Disney World

✔️  Extend your trip by visiting one of the beaches near Disney World

6. Decide How to Travel to Disney World

Planning a Disney World trip must, of course, include consideration of how you will actually get there.

The two most common modes of transportation to Walt Disney World are by car and by air.

Buses and trains also come in and out of Orlando, but these options tend to be more problematic with luggage considerations. Consult your bus service or Amtrak for their guidelines on luggage if you decide to go this route.

Driving to Disney World

For guests within a reasonable driving distance (or those who just love a good road trip), there’s some convenience in having your own car at Disney.  Of course, you’ll need to consider all of the costs associated with driving to Disney… fuel prices, auto maintenance / wear & tear, tolls, and parking fees.

An oft-forgotten expense is that those staying in an off-site hotel must pay a daily parking fee at the theme parks (Disney hotel guests don’t pay this fee).

Those who live far away will likely find the cost of driving to Disney World to be prohibitively expensive.  But for those who live in the southeastern US — or who are faced with the prospect of buying airline tickets for a large family — driving might be the right choice.

Flying to Disney World

Since most people fly to Disney World, let’s review some of your best options for booking a flight.

Most people use airline travel search engines – such as Priceline, Kayak, Expedia, or Travelocity – to book their air travel. We also recommend checking Google Flights or ITA Matrix  — both are robust search engines for finding airline deals. If you have flexibility with your booking dates, sign up for Airfarewatchdog alerts. You can get real-time or daily alerts for special offers and flight deals between your departure city and Orlando.

Which airports are closest to Disney World?

Orlando is served by three major airports, all of which have confusingly similar names.

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the airport of choice for trips to Disney World.  It’s the nearest airport (about 20 miles away)  and offers by far the most ground transportation options to Disney World.
• Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is located about 45 miles away from Disney World.  Though it’s further away and offers fewer ground transit services, it may be your only choice for a nonstop flight if you’re flying with a smaller/discount carrier or if your home airport is a smaller regional facility.
• Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is located about 65 miles away from Disney World.  It’s the farthest “Orlando” airport from Orlando (they actually got sued for using the word Orlando” in their name) , and is likely better suited for a Disney Cruise from Port Canaveral than it is for a stay at Walt Disney World.

If you’ll have a rental car and don’t mind a bit of a drive, you can also investigate flights into Tampa International (TPA, about 75 miles away) or Daytona Beach International (DAB, about 70 miles away)… but the flight discounts would have to be amazing to make up for the difference in time and cost.

Tips To Save on Flights to Disney World

Here are a few more cost-savings tips for booking your flight to Walt Disney World:

• For the best deals, book six weeks in advance.
• Scan for deals in the morning, as most airlines offer their best deals at this time. Act fast because good deals get scooped up quickly.
• The most inexpensive flights are often the earliest departures in the morning.
• Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly.
• Credit cards with frequent flyer mile points can save you money on future flights.
• Not all airlines offer their cheapest flights through travel search engines. Check low-cost airlines individually to see if booking directly through their website is less expensive.

Traveling Within Disney World

Regardless of how you get there, once you’ve made it to Disney World, transportation is a breeze.  Disney offers a completely free network of monorails, boats, buses, Skyliners (suspended aerial gondolas), trams, and walking paths to move people from place to place.  You’ll really only need a rental car if your plans take you off-site to a non-Disney destination (and even then, an Uber might be better).

Check out our Disney transportation map in the planning tools below to map out your journey through Disney World.

✔️  Search for airfare on Google Flights

✔️  For advanced flight search options, try ITA Matrix

✔️  Explore our Transportation Map to find out how to get around Disney World

✔️  Review options to get from the Orlando Airport to Disney

✔️  Estimate the cost of taking an Uber

✔️  Learn about parking at Disney World

✔️  Explore the Disney Monorail

7. Choose Your Disney World Resort Hotel

Disney owns and operates more than 20 on-site hotels, which it calls “Resorts.”  This name can be a bit confusing, because you’ll also hear the entire Walt Disney World area referred to as a “resort.”  As an alternative to the on-site hotels, you can choose to stay at a hotel not owned by Disney; that could save you some money, but you’ll miss out on a number of perks offered exclusively to on-site Guests.

Official Disney On-Site Resorts

There is something special about staying at an official Disney World resort.

For one, each resort has its own distinctive character, charm, and identity. You can leave the real world behind and surround yourself with Disney magic, 24/7.

Since all of these resorts are on Disney World property, you will be in close proximity to all the parks and have direct access to monorails, boats, skykliners, and buses.  A few resorts are close enough that you can easily walk to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.

On-site guests also receive special perks that off-site guests do not. These include Early Theme Park Entry and the ability to book Dining Reservations and Lightning Lane entries ahead of non-Disney resort guests. For 2025, Resort Guests also receive free water park admission on their check-in day.  Make sure you link your Disney World hotel reservation to your My Disney Experience account to take advantage of these perks!

Disney’s on-site Resorts are categorized within the following tiers:

Disney Value Resorts

The rooms at  Disney Value Resorts are smaller and are situated among larger campuses, so you might find there’s a bit of a walk between your room and the bus stops, dining, and front desk.  Transportation to the Disney World theme parks is mostly via bus or Skyliner.  Dining is typically quick-service that’s more akin to a food court, but still usually features a surprising variety that goes well beyond burgers and pizza.  Value resorts are a fantastic option for families who want to keep an eye on their budget but still have all the benefits of staying on Disney World property.

Disney Moderate Resorts

The  Disney Moderate Resorts offer a nice middle ground between the Value and Deluxe resorts.  You’ll have a somewhat upgraded room, good transportation, and usually a few different dining options that may offer a broader menu.  A Moderate Resort is a great way to upgrade your stay at a Disney World resort hotel without a major impact on your budget.

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Deluxe Resorts tend to be closest hotels to the Disney World theme parks, usually just a monorail, boat ride, or short walk away.  Not only is it easier to get to the parks in the morning and back from the parks at night; it’s also easy to avoid the hottest and most crowded parts of the day by returning to your hotel and letting the kids cool down in the pool or take a midday nap.  Then, while everyone else who stayed in the park all day is hot, tired, and cranky, you’ll be refreshed and ready for the nighttime fireworks.  Disney World’s Deluxe resorts also often feature larger rooms, the best pools and restaurants, and a generally upgraded experience.

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Deluxe Villa Resorts offer vacation home style amenities such as kitchens and separate bedrooms, which can be a great option for larger groups.  These range from studios (basically a hotel room that also includes a kitchenette and pull-down bed) to 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units featuring full kitchens and living rooms.  There are even some unique offerings, such as treehouse villas and over-the-water bungalows.  Even beyond these deluxe villa resorts, many other Disney World hotels offer family suites .

The only major disadvantage of staying at an on-site Disney resort is the cost. With the extra perks and close proximity to the park, these resorts are more expensive than off-site resorts, so your decision will really just depend on your budget and the priorities of your vacation.

Traveling with a fuzzy friend?  You might be surprised to learn that pets are welcome at a select few resorts, and there’s even a facility made exclusively for them.  Check out Pets at Disney World for more information.

Our favorite Disney World YouTube Channel has a great overview of Disney’s official on-site Resorts.

Off-Site Hotels (non-Disney)

Most off-site properties are further away from the park and do not have direct access to the monorail (though some might offer a limited shuttle service). Despite this, many off-site resorts are still quite close to the parks – some, in fact, are situated directly on Disney-owned land.  For example, you’ll find third-party hotels not far from EPCOT, as well as an extensive “Hotel Boulevard” just an intersection or so away from Disney Springs.

While you won’t enjoy the same perks as on-site guests, these off-site properties are generally very nice.  And some  non-Disney hotels do have agreements with Disney to allow their Guests to experience some special perks.

Many have all the amenities of the more expensive Disney Resorts (some even have more), and the rooms are often larger. If your party has 5 or more guests, off-site resorts offer more value, as most of the on-site 5-person+ options are quite pricey.

The bottom line is, if you are sticking to a tight budget and don’t mind being a little further away from the action, a non-Disney resort may be your best bet. You can have a fantastic vacation staying at either on- or off-property resorts.

We recommended that you explore both options and weigh the pros and cons as they apply to your situation. You can certainly split your nights between on-property and off-property. But if you are only at Disney World for a few nights, we recommend just paying a little more to be on the property.

Find the perfect hotel for your budget

✔️  Explore our Disney Resort Comparison page

✔️  See the best Disney Value Resorts

✔️  View the best Disney Moderate Resorts

✔️  Review the best Disney Deluxe Resorts

✔️  Find the best Family Suites at Disney

✔️  See the best Disney Resorts for kids

✔️  Explore the best Disney Resorts for adults

✔️  Learn where to book Disney World hotels

✔️  Find off-site hotels with shuttle service

✔️  Find our picks for the best on-site hotels overall

✔️  See which resorts have the best hotel pools

✔️  Splurge on Club Level at Disney World or a Five-Star Hotel at Disney

✔️  What’s the cheapest on-site hotel?

8. Buy Theme Park Tickets and Make Park Reservations (if needed)

Image © Disney

While it’s certainly possible to go to Disney World without ever setting foot inside a theme park, very few people actually do that.

And given that it’s possible that you may end up spending more on park tickets than on your hotel room, the decision about which tickets to buy is an important one.

We recommend you review all your options well in advance so you have time to think about which package makes sense for your budget and duration of stay.

And remember, you might need to make a theme park reservation (Disney Park Pass), depending on your ticket type.

Disney Theme Park Tickets

Let’s first look at the theme park tickets.

When and Where to Buy your Disney World Theme Park Tickets

As a general rule, you should always purchase tickets either directly from Disney, your travel agent, or an through an authorized seller/reseller — and you should do so well in advance of your departure. This will shield you from any price hikes that might occur and gives you the best chance of securing a reservation to your desired park on your desired day  (if your ticket type requires reservations).

Given that tickets can sell out and that some even require a theme park reservation, it’s not wise to just wait to buy your tickets when you get to the front of the park .

Most importantly, NEVER buy your tickets via eBay, Craigslist, or another unauthorized reseller.   There’s a very good chance that those tickets will be expired, completely used (no days left), or simply counterfeit.  Don’t risk it!

Ticket Pricing

Disney World theme park ticket pricing varies throughout the year.  They’re generally the most expensive during popular times (such school breaks, holidays, and weekends) and the least expensive during slower times. Prices also vary by park; Animal Kingdom is usually the least expensive and Magic Kingdom is usually the most expensive, with Hollywood Studios and EPCOT falling somewhere in between.

You can purchase single-day tickets or multi-day tickets (up to 10 days).  Ticket prices are structured in a unique way that rewards Guests for committing more time to the parks; the per-day price of a multi-day ticket gets cheaper the more days you add.

We have a full rundown of the ticket pricing structure in our How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World article.

2024 One-Day One-Park Ticket Starting Price (actual price varies by park)

Types of Theme Park Tickets

The basic Disney World theme park ticket allows entry to only one theme park per day.  But there are optional upgrades which allow you to visit multiple parks on the same day or add other special experiences.

Park Hopper option

The Park Hopper ticket option allows Guests to visit multiple Disney World theme parks on the same day.  After starting the day at one park, Guests may then go to a different theme park later in the day.

We especially love the Park Hopper for spending the first part of the day at one theme park, then spending the evenings at Epcot to take advantage of the wonderful dining options at World Showcase.  It’s an especially great option for those who have a limited amount of time at Disney World, and for those who have short attention spans!

Water Park and Sports option

The Water Park and Sports option allows Guests to visit one theme park per day, while also providing visits to other Disney properties.  Guests who purchase this upgrade will be able to visit water parks, mini golf and nine-hole golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, when available.

The number of these visits provided is equal to the number of days of theme park admission purchased.  As an example, a 4-day park ticket allows four visits to these facilities.

Park Hopper Plus option

The Park Hopper Plus option combines the Park Hopper option and the Water Park and Sports option into a single upgrade.  Guests who purchase this upgrade will be able to visit multiple theme parks in the same day, and also enjoy a number of visits to water parks, select mini golf and nine-hole golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, when available.

Disney Park Pass (Theme Park Reservations)

A theme park ticket isn’t necessarily the only thing you need to get into a Disney theme park.  Guests who buy theme park tickets may also need a theme park reservation through a system called Disney Park Pass .

Because of this, planning ahead can be crucial to ensuring you can get into your desired theme park on the day you want to visit.  If you’re traveling during a more popular time of year such as spring break, summer, or Christmas, it is quite possible that tickets or reservations may not be available if you wait until the last minute.

Example of a theme park reservation availability calendar

Park Pass theme park reservations can be made as soon as you’ve purchased your theme park admission tickets.  We recommend you buy your tickets as far in advance as possible to have the best chance of getting the theme park reservations you want.

Park reservations may be needed for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — but it depends on the type of ticket you purchased.   They’re not needed for Disney Springs or the water parks.

As of December 2022, all One-Day One-Park tickets automatically include a park reservation — no need to make one separately. And as of January 9, 2024, all date-based tickets will be reservation-free. Other ticket types may still require one, so be sure to check out all the details when you purchase.

If your park hopper ticket requires reservations, you’ll only need a reservation for the park you’ll be  starting  your day at.  You do  not  need a reservation for the  second  park you’re visiting (“park hopping” to) on the same day, but the park still needs to have capacity to admit new Guests.

✔️  View Disney’s official theme park ticket price calendar

✔️  Check Disney’s theme park reservation availability calendar

✔️  Explore ticket prices in our How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World article

✔️  Read our complete guide to  Disney Park Pass theme park reservations

Need help navigating all of the ticket options?  Contact the Disney Experts at The Vacationeer .  They can help you decide which tickets are right for you and give you tips on snagging theme park reservations.  And best of all, their planning services are completely free!

9. Select Your Disney World Dining Options

There are literally hundreds of places to eat and drink around the Walt Disney World Resort, from the humblest popcorn cart to the fanciest high-end fine dining restaurant.  If this is your first trip, you may be surprised by all the world-class dining experiences the parks and resorts offer.

Gone are the days when Disney was known simply as a “burgers and kid’s meals” type of destination.  Sure, there are plenty of quick-service restaurants and snack stands around the park, but there is also an eclectic mix of fabulous table-service restaurants to satisfy the toughest of culinary critics.

Some restaurants are themed around Disney attractions, while others are geared towards families or offer formal dining experiences.

All-you-can-eat buffets are popular, as are regional cuisine restaurants. Epcot’s World Showcase offers culinary experiences aligning with the specific country represented, while Disney Springs has an abundance of fabulous dining experiences to choose from.

There’s even a popular dinner show called the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue that features two hours of comedy and music (accompanied by endless fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and strawberry shortcake).

There is really something for everyone’s taste buds at Walt Disney World!

Types of Restaurants

There are two primary types of restaurants at Disney World.

Quick-Service Restaurants

A quick-service restaurant, sometimes also called counter-service, is a place to grab a casual, quick bite.  The ordering, payment, and service experience is somewhat similar to what you might expect at either a fast food restaurant or a “fast casual” place such as a Panera Bread or Chipotle.  You’ll stand in line, order, and pay (or use the mobile ordering service described later in this planning step); then, you’ll either receive your food right away on a tray or be given a pager-type device to alert you when it’s time to come and pick up your meal.  You won’t have a server at your table, and when your meal is over you’re expected to bus your own table and discard your trash.  Despite the ordering experience being akin to a fast food place, your food isn’t necessarily just burgers and fries.  Many locations have innovative menus and substantial meal offerings that rival those of a traditional restaurant.

Table-Service Restaurants

A table-service restaurant, sometimes also referred to as a “sit-down” location, is a more refined dining experience.  You’ll check in with a host/hostess, be taken to a table, and be introduced to a server who will take your order and tend to your needs during your meal.  These restaurants vary from relatively casual a la carte locations, to all-you-care-to-eat buffets, to elegant signature dining locations.  Menus vary from homestyle cooking to authentic international cuisine.  Advance reservations (described below) are strongly suggested, as some restaurants may completely refuse walk-ups during busy times.

Advance Dining Reservations

If you plan on dining at table-service restaurants during your vacation (recommended!), reservations are essential.

Disney calls its restaurant reservations “Advance Dining Reservations.”  Sometimes you’ll hear people call these “ADRs.”  An ADR lets you secure your table at some of Disney’s most popular table-service restaurants (restaurants in which you have a server at your table who takes your order and brings your food to you).

Slots during prime hours go quickly, especially at popular dining locations like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s.  Booking your reservations as soon as the reservation window opens is key to getting what you want.

Guests staying in a Disney Resort hotel  may make dining reservations for the entire length of their stay (up to 10 days’ worth of reservations) as early as 60 days in advance of their hotel check-in date.

All other Guests can make their advance reservations for dining as early as 60 days in advance of the meal.

Note: you might have previously heard that dining reservations could be made 180 days in advance.  While that was previously true, the booking window changed in 2020.

We recommend that you spend some time reviewing on Tripadvisor  and  Yelp  before making your Advance Dining Reservations (or speak w/ a Disney Travel Agent first).

Mobile Ordering

Reservations are not offered for quick-service dining at Disney World, though some locations do provide a mobile ordering service through the My Disney Experience app.  For these locations, you can view menus in the app, then order and pay ahead of time.  When it’s time to eat, you can bypass the regular ordering/payment line and go straight to the mobile pickup window to get your food.

Skip the Line with Mobile Ordering

Character Dining

One of Disney’s unique dining offerings is its character dining.  If getting some face time with Disney characters is a must-do for your trip, this is a great way to accomplish it without having to wait in line (and you get to enjoy a great meal, too!).

While you enjoy your meal, several Disney characters will come to your table for a brief visit.  It’s a great chance to snap a photo, ask for an autograph, or just enjoy a personal interaction.  Because the characters are coming to you, there’s no need to wait in any long lines.  And there’s just something special about having the main mouse himself pop up over your shoulder while you’re chowing down on a Mickey waffle!

Each character dining experience focuses on a specific set of characters… for example, the “Fab 5,” Disney princesses, Disney Junior Stars, or Winnie the Pooh and friends.

Disney Dining Plans

For some travelers, one of the best options for dining at Disney is to add a Disney Dining Plan to your on-site hotel stay.  These plans offer a set number of meal and snack credits per person at a fixed daily cost.  Historically, during certain low-demand seasons, Disney has even  occasionally offered the dining plan at no additional charge as part of a vacation package including a hotel stay and theme park tickets.

Disney Dining plans were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re returning for 2024 Disney World vacations .

Until the dining plan fully returns, you’ll be paying out of pocket for your food on-site, unless you opt to bring your own food into the parks (and yes, you can get groceries delivered to your hotel).

✔️  Calculate the date you can book dining reservations

✔️  Explore menus for every restaurant at Disney World

✔️  Use our Disney Dining Plan Calculator (Note: Dining Plans are currently suspended until January 2024)

✔️  Estimate your food costs by viewing examples in our  How Much Does it Cost article

✔️  See how different meal choices affect your budget in our Disney World Cost Calculator

✔️  See our picks for the best Magic Kingdom restaurants

✔️  Explore our ranked list of the best EPCOT restaurants

✔️  Review our choices for best Hollywood Studios restaurants

✔️  Go wild when dining at the Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants

✔️  Explore the best options for Character Dining

✔️  Experience culinary excellence at one of the Michelin Guide restaurants at Disney

✔️  On a plant-based diet? Check out the best Vegetarian dining

✔️  Just love food? Review our guide to Disney World for Foodies

✔️  Learn more about Disney Dining Plans

✔️  Read about Disney World Free Dining promotions

10. Create a Daily Itinerary for Your Disney World Vacation

Now that we have covered the basic elements of your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s time to start thinking about the nitty-gritty details of your trip. Improvising on-the-go can cost you money and lost time while you are at the park, so creating an itinerary will keep your vacation on track.

If your trip to WDW is 4 days or fewer, you will most likely spend each day exploring at least one of Disney’s 4 theme parks. Consider a Park Hopper pass so that you have the ability to jump between parks during the day.

Time is of the essence, so we recommend that you map your route and create an itinerary of high-priority attractions so nothing is overlooked.

If your Disney World vacation is a week or so, consider spending one day at a Disney water park (Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon), at a non-Disney property (such as SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens), golfing, boating, shopping, or just taking a day off to relax.

Reservations for theme parks and dining should be made well in advance of your trip, so the process of selecting which restaurants and attractions are top priorities should begin as soon as you book your trip (if not before).

As you research your options, make notes to help you formulate your Walt Disney World itinerary.

Here are a few things to consider when making your daily plans:

One of the primary factors for your daily itinerary should be how late the park is open each day you’re there.  Park opening and closing times can vary from day-to-day.  So you might want to base your daily park choices on which park has the longest hours — or at least make sure you don’t shoehorn yourself into only being able to visit a certain park on the one day during your trip that it closes early. Some parks take longer to fully experience than others, and you don’t want to run out of time.

A great perk of staying at an on-site Disney hotel is having extra time in the parks when the general public is not allowed in.  While not all attractions operate during these extended hours, it’s still a great way to get a few extra rides in with typically lower wait times.  The previous Extra Magic Hours  program has now been replaced by two offerings:

Early Theme Park Entry

Disney Resort hotel Guests (and Guests of other select hotels) may  enter the Disney parks 30 minutes earlier  than the general public, every day of the week. Each of the four parks offers this perk every day of the week; which park you choose is solely up to you!

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

Guests at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, and a few other select hotels may also enjoy additional time at specific parks on specific nights.  You’ll want to check the  latest schedule  to verify which dates and parks are available during your trip.

Waiting for Rides/Attractions

It’s an unfortunate fact that a sizable portion of your Disney World trip will be spent waiting in line to get on rides or see shows.  Fortunately, there are ways to minimize this as much as possible.

Standby Lines

When most people think of waiting in line for a ride, they’re thinking of what Disney World calls a Standby queue.  It’s line waiting in its simplest form; you walk up to an attraction entrance, wait in line for as long as it takes, and then get into the ride vehicle.

Standby wait times can fluctuate wildly throughout the day, often peaking in the mid-afternoon.  While you can’t do anything about the length of the line itself, you can game the system a bit by deciding when to enter that line.

For your most important attraction of the day, I suggest doing what frequent visitors call “rope dropping” the park.  This means that you are at the park before it opens for the day, enter the park as soon as Guests are allowed in (as soon as they “drop the rope” that is keeping people out), and go directly to the desired attraction so you can ride it with as little wait as possible.

Other tactics to try to avoid the worst of the standby wait times is to go during the afternoon parade, or to go when most people are having lunch/dinner.  The Disney Genie section of the My Disney Experience app will also show you a forecast of wait times for each hour of the day so you can better plan your arrival time to minimize waits.

One further tip that won’t necessarily help you avoid an extended wait time but will certainly increase your comfort level. As a long-time Floridian, I highly recommend doing all of the rides that have completely-outdoor waiting lines either early or late in the day; when it’s miserably hot/steamy outside during the afternoon hours, I prefer to hide away from the midday sun by experiencing the rides with indoor air-conditioned queues. These rides are also less likely to close during afternoon thunderstorms.

Virtual Queues

If your trip happens to occur in the months immediately following the opening of a highly-anticipated attraction (such as a new roller coaster), you’ll likely find that you can’t simply go stand in line for that ride.  Instead, you might have to use something called a virtual queue .

It’s exactly what it sounds like — rather than physically standing in line, your spot in line is held virtually via the My Disney Experience app.

Virtual Queue

A virtual queue is both good news and bad news for your itinerary planning.

The good news: Historically, people have spent as much as five or six hours (!) waiting in line for a new ride — I did that when Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened and don’t recommend it.  Those long lines are not the case with virtual queuing.  Your wait might technically still be that long, but you don’t have to spend that time actually waiting in a line.  You’re instead free to go have plenty of other fun elsewhere in the park during that time, and then come back when it’s time to ride.

The bad news: Competition to grab a spot in the virtual queue can be fierce.  Spaces open up daily at 7AM and again at 1PM.  On dates when Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are offered for select Resort Guests, another round of queuing begins at 6PM.  On the busiest days, all available slots can be claimed within seconds of being released. To give yourself the best possible chance of snagging a spot, read Disney’s extensive instructions  ahead of time so you know exactly what to do at 7AM on the day you wish to visit.

Priority Attraction Entrance (Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane)

Many rides and experiences in the parks have a special Lightning Lane entrance which allows you to bypass the regular line and board more quickly.  If you’ve been to Disney World in the past, you might remember these entrances having been previously called FastPass or FastPass+.  The Lightning Lane concept is still mostly the same, but there’s one big difference: you now must pay to enter the Lightning Lane.

Genie+ Service

Most rides which have a Lightning Lane entrance are packaged together into a bundled service called Genie+.  For a combined fee of approximately $15-$30 (varies based on date/demand/park) per person per day, Genie Plus lets guests make reservations to use the Lightning Lane entrance at more than 40 attractions throughout the parks.  Guests make their first Lightning Lane reservation on the morning of their visit and then make additional ride reservations, one at a time, for the remainder of the day (subject to availability).  Disney says this service will usually help you experience a quicker load time on 2-3 attractions on a busy day (maybe more on less-crowded days), which can help save you hours of waiting in line.

Note: The paid Genie+ service should not be confused with the basic Disney Genie service, which is an itinerary suggestion service inside the My Disney Experience app.  Disney Genie provides suggestions of what to do based on wait times and your interests.  Genie+ saves you time waiting in line by letting you instead select a time to return to ride.

Individual Lightning Lane entry

The Lightning Lane entrances at the most popular attractions in each park are not included in Genie+ and are instead sold separately.  You’ll be able to purchase one entrance per day for each ride offering this individual entry service.  The cost usually ranges from $10-$20 per ride and varies based on the attraction, date, and availability.

If a ride’s Lightning Lane is sold under this individual pricing structure, it will not be included in the Genie+ package offering.

You can’t actually book your Lightning Lane entrances in advance — they’re available for purchase only on the day of your visit — but you’ll still want to research them in advance to include in your daily itinerary.

Disability Access Service

A special service is provided to assist Guests who have a condition that interferes with their ability to wait in line.  This offering, called the Disability Access Service (DAS), assigns return times so Guests don’t need to be physically present in the attraction line (but still experience a similar length of wait as those who are waiting in line).

There’s an important distinction when understanding DAS: qualifying is based on a guest’s ability to wait  in line, not their ability to  stand in line. Most attraction lines are wheelchair accessible , so a wheelchair alone is unlikely to qualify someone to use DAS.  There’s no official list of disabilities which automatically qualify, but some which may qualify include ADHD, autism , or anxiety.  Each decision is made on an individual basis, and Disney alone has sole authority to grant or deny DAS to a Guest.

This is a highly-nuanced topic that we can’t completely cover in just a few sentences.  We suggest you read our extensive guide to the Disability Access Service for further details.

Timing Your Meals

Your itinerary should include a solid plan on when you’re going to eat your meals.

Unless you have breakfast reservations for an in-park restaurant, we do NOT recommend that you have breakfast in the park.  You’ll likely be missing out on some of the lowest ride wait times of the day if you’re off getting food right after the park opens.  One option is to have breakfast at your hotel’s restaurant before heading to the park (the restaurants open early enough to allow this without missing park opening). I personally prefer to just have bagels and cream cheese in my room and opt for an early lunch — that lets me sleep in just a bit and still get to the parks early.

Speaking of an early lunch, having your meals during an off-peak time is a great way to avoid wasting time waiting in long lines at counter-service restaurants.  If you have lunch at noon and dinner at 6PM, you’ll quickly notice that pretty much everyone else in the park had the same idea.  Not only will there be longer waits in line (and for your food to be prepared), but you might even have to “hover” a bit to find an empty table.  If you do have to dine during the busiest hours, take full advantage of mobile ordering within the My Disney Experience app whenever you can.

Of course, should you have dining reservations at a table service restaurant for lunch or dinner, your time for that meal is set and you just need to plug it into your daily itinerary.

Planning When to Stop and When to Go, Go, Go

With the prospect of a full vacation in front of you, it’s easy to either over or under do it.

Yes, you’re on vacation, so it’s tempting to sleep in.  But doing so will put you a step behind everyone else in the park, meaning you’re at the mercy of higher crowds and longer lines.  Waking up early and getting to the parks right away goes a long way toward starting the day right.

On the other hand, if you plan to go nonstop from morning to night seven days in a row, you’re going to crash midweek and have a miserable time.  You’ll probably end up losing more time due to the inevitable meltdown than if you had just planned to take some downtime along the way.

Take it from someone who spend more than a decade battling the central Florida heat: the afternoon sun will suck the life right out of you. A midday break is just the thing to rejuvenate your spirits.

If you’re staying on-site, you can easily go back to your hotel for a midday nap or dip in the pool.  I also like to give myself at least one “day off” during my trip. I usually just spend it relaxing at the hotel or maybe checking out the animals on the Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge — but you might want go play a round of golf, sit on the lakeside “beach” at some resorts, or have a laidback day at Disney Springs (go shopping, have a meal, take a balloon ride , or see a movie ).

Giving some thought  now to periods of activity and periods of rest will help make sure your vacation doesn’t veer off track.

Our Top Tips for Disney World Itinerary Planning

With all of the above in mind, it’s really going to come down to a matter of personal preference.  Once you have a good handle on all of the things to do, see, eat, and experience at Disney World — what do you want to do each day?

Only you can answer that question.  But here are a few of our favorites to consider when planning your daily itinerary:

Some of the most popular rides for Lightning Lane passes and Disney Genie+ are:

• Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; Space Mountain
• Epcot – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind; Frozen Ever After; Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Hollywood Studios – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run; Rise of the Resistance; Slinky Dog Dash; Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Animal Kingdom – Pandora’s Na’vi River Journey; Avatar Flight of Passage; Expedition Everest

Some of the other most popular attractions at each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks include:

• Magic Kingdom – Haunted Mansion; Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Pirates of the Caribbean; Splash Mountain (currently closed)
• Epcot – the pavilions of Epcot World Showcase; Mission: Space; Test Track; Spaceship Earth; Soarin’; Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest; Jungle Cruise; Kali River Rapids; Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Hollywood Studio – Fantasmic; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster; Toy Story Midway Mania; Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Some of our favorite WDW restaurants include:

• Be Our Guest Restaurant , Magic Kingdom – This ornate French eatery with a Beauty & the Beast theme offers fixed-price dining.
• California Grill, Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Contemporary Resort’s premier restaurant is a great spot to watch the fireworks and offers breathtaking views of the park.
• Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Popular breakfast & dinner buffet restaurant with special visits from Mickey and friends.
• Cinderella’s Royal Table, Magic Kingdom – This Cinderella-themed eatery is set in a room that resembles a medieval castle’s banquet hall.
• Flame Tree Barbeque, Animal Kingdom – Tasty BBQ featuring a relaxing outdoor pavilion with amazing views of Animal Kingdom. And it’s quick-service, so no need for a reservation!
• Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Retro dining establishment with fantastic caricatures of old-time celebrities on the wall.
• Le Cellier, Canada Pavilion at World Showcase, Epcot – Steaks are a specialty at this top-notch table service dining establishment.
• ‘Ohana, Polynesian Village Resort – All-you-can-eat, American-style (with a Polynesian twist) buffet for breakfast and dinner.
• Teppan Edo, Japan Pavilion at World Showcase, Epcot – Guests are seated around the teppanyaki grills as skilled chefs prepare your meal in front of you.
• The Boathouse Restaurant, The Landing, Disney Springs – Upscale waterfront dining experience featuring steaks and seafood, Amphicar tours, Italian water taxi tours, and live music.
• Via Napoli, Italy Pavilion at World Showcase, Epcot – Amazing pizza! Need we say more?

✔️  Find out which rides and experiences have a Lightning Lane

✔️  See the scheduled Disney Park Hours

✔️  Learn about the Virtual Queue

✔️  Learn a few of our favorite Disney Tips and Tricks

✔️  Find the Best Days To Visit Magic Kingdom

✔️  See  What’s New at Disney World

✔️  Check the  Ride Closure and Refurbishment Calendar

✔️  Investigate whether Genie+ is worth it

✔️  Learn if we believe Lightning Lane passes are worth the cost

✔️  See our complete guide to the Disability Access Service

✔️  See our list of fun things to do at Disney

✔️  Traveling with little ones? Find the best attractions for kids

✔️  Want some time off your feet? Plan on attending a stage show

✔️  Find the best places to relax at Disney

11. Create Your Disney World Packing List

Depending on the duration of your Walt Disney World vacation, you will most likely pack lots of items to take with you. Let’s look at some of the things you should include in your WDW packing list.

Luggage / Backpacks for Disney World 

First and foremost, make sure your luggage/backpacks are in tip-top shape for the journey, and of adequate size to hold your travel essentials.

Many families prefer to bring a backpack with them into a Disney World park so they have everything with them. It’s handy to have the essentials (or even a snack) — just remember not to overdo it!  Everything you bring in with you has to be hauled around all day, stowed away for rides, or left in a rented locker at the front of the park.

Some people prefer to skip the backpacks all together and use a smaller pack that goes around the waist.  While not necessarily the height of fashion, they certainly do the job and are much easier to work with when it comes to boarding ride vehicles.

Disney Souvenirs

This tip might sound odd, but hear us out.

Consider purchasing some of your Disney World souvenirs before your departure.

Purchasing items beforehand – like t-shirts, trading pins and lanyards, Disney autograph books, games and toys, and Mickey Mouse Ears hats – can save you money and time spent shopping for these items at the park. Plus, you will have these Disney souvenir items ready to use as soon as your flight touches down in Orlando.

Packing List

And finally, it’s time to think about which clothing items, documents, toiletries, medications, electronics, swimwear, baby items, food and snacks, and other accessories you will need to pack.

From our experience, you will arrive at Disney World – thinking you have packed everything you will need for your trip – only to discover that you left an important item or two at home.

For your convenience, we have created a suggested Disney World Packing List  to ensure that nothing is overlooked during the packing process.

Print this list and check items off as you pack. We have also included a few recommended items on our Packing List.

These include links to inexpensive ponchos, comfortable shoes, external batteries, USB wall chargers, and Disney beach towels, as well as water bottles and Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads for those warm days at Disney World.

✔️  Download our suggested Packing List

✔️  See our suggestions for the Best Backpacks for Disney World

✔️  Review the Best Disney World Fanny Packs

✔️  Scope out the Best Souvenirs in advance of your trip

Final Thoughts on How To Plan a Disney World Vacation

We hope our Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World Vacation Planning will get you on the right path to planning, prioritizing, and booking your magical vacation to Disney World.  It’s a lot of information, but with enough research and planning, you’ll have a magical trip!

We should point out that this guide is mostly geared towards Walt Disney World in Florida, but many of the basic ideas still apply to other Disney vacations .  If you’re headed to Disneyland in California, you’ll also want to check out our Disneyland vs Disney World ,   Disneyland Resort Map , and  Disneyland Crowd Calendar pages.  We also offer extensive resources for those planning trips with Disney Cruise Line (including a complete guide to planning your first Disney Cruise ), as well as resources on Adventures by Disney .

Contact a Disney Travel Planner to Book Your Disney World Trip

As you’ve seen in this article, there is a LOT that goes into planning a Disney vacation.  Why not call in a professional to help?

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at The Vacationeer can plan your trip for you and take care of all of your reservations, all at no additional charge.  You won’t pay a penny more than if you’d have booked it yourself — and you might even pay less !

Their team of 90+ Disney fanatics know all the tips and tricks for hotels, dining, park tickets, and more… and can even apply new discounts to your trip as they’re announced, after your trip is booked!

There’s never any obligation to book and their services are free, so there’s nothing to lose by contacting them for a quote.

Related Posts:

Countdown to Magic

12 Best Disney World Travel Agents to Book Your Trip

Embark on a magical journey to Disney World with our curated selection of top-tier travel agents. Planning a Disney adventure can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Let our guide streamline the process, helping you discover the best Disney travel agents to make your dream vacation a reality.

Unveiling the Best Disney Travel Agents

Up first is Orlando Vacation.

Orlando Vacation

Simplify your booking process with Orlando Vacation.

Their user-friendly website allows you to effortlessly purchase discounted tickets or book a hotel stay at DIsney World or Universal Studios. Whether you’re planning a solo trip or a family reunion, Orlando Vacation caters to all your needs.

Why Use Orlando Vacation?

• Family-run business since 1991
• Assist customers with group tickets and theme park youth programs
• The company’s president, Trey Duling, can be contacted directly if you need additional help

Orlando Vacation Reviews :

My husband and I went to Orlando for vacation and booked our trip through OrlandoVacation.com. We stayed at Emerald Island and it looked exactly the way the pictures on the website did.  I was pleased with how clean it was and I am a pretty difficult person to please when it comes to the cleanliness of hotels, resorts, etc.  The Office Manager, Hailee, was simply amazing and provided the best customer service ever! She made our stay in Orlando one we will never forget.  I would definitely recommend using them for your next vacation and we are already planning a return trip!

This Orlando Vacation review comes from Lianne T on Yelp .

Small World Vacations

With years of experience, Small World Vacations stands out as a Diamond level authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

Their dedicated team ensures a personalized planning process, covering everything from ride reservations to finding the best Disney deals.

Small World Vacations has been in operation since 1996 and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau in New Jersey .

Why Use Small World Vacations?

• Small World Vacations is a Diamond Level Disney vacation planner travel agency
• Universal Orlando Resort experts
• Graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge

Small World Vacations Reviews:

I’m so impressed with the TA we’ve been using through Small World because of her amount of knowledge and her level of patience with me. I asked her a ton of questions (an hours worth of talking) before I committed to booking our trip. She’s experienced in her job as well as personal travel to Disney. She sends follow ups when she says she’s going to and I absolutely love all the Disney information they send out (first time Disney trip for us).

This Small World Vacations review comes from kirchemjt on the Touring Plans forum .

Mickey Travels

Join forces with Mickey Travels for an exclusive Disney experience.

As a Diamond level authorized Disney vacation planner, they focus on one client at a time, guaranteeing personalized attention.

From custom itineraries to monitoring discounts, Mickey Travels has your back.

Why Use Mickey Travels?

• Diamond level travel agency
• Focused on “Disney-only” travel destinations
• Can help you even if your vacation is already booked

The Vacationeer

Despite being a smaller agency, The Vacationeer boasts Disney School of Knowledge graduates, ensuring in-depth knowledge and top-notch recommendations.

Their services, specializing in both Disney and Universal vacations, come at no cost to you.

Why Use The Vacationeer?

• The Vacationeer is a Diamond Level Earmarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
• Can help plan Disney Cruise Line vacations and Disney VIP Tours 

The Vacationeer Reviews:

Kristin booked our vacation at Universal Studios and it was perfect! We stayed at the Aventura Hotel which is very close to the park, has shuttles all day long and allows you to enter the park one hour before the general public. Kristin booked the rooms and tickets to the park, gave us recommendations for restaurants and even reminded me to be prepared for the afternoon storms and to bring rain ponchos. She communicated with me right up until our trip and remained available for questions or issues that could have come up during our stay. Although we’ve never met in person, I felt as though I’ve known her for a while. So happy we found her and will definitely use her again. Highly recommend!

This The Vacationeer review comes from Sheri D on Yelp .

Mouseketrips

Dedicated to Disney vacation planning, Mouseketrips aims to eliminate confusion from your trip.

As an authorized Disney vacation planner, their staff provides free services, backed by stellar customer reviews.

Why Use Mouseketrips?

• Mouseketrips have been Disney travel agents since 2002
• Mouseketrips focuses solely on Disney vacations

Mouseketrips Reviews:

My family of 3 just got back from a weeks vacation to Disneyworld and Universal Studios Orlando which was all planned out for us by Kelly at Mouseketrips. I am so glad I found out about the company and had Kelly to help us throughout this journey! We planned it about 9 months ago. Kelly let us know when it was time to book restaurant reservations, character interactions etc.

This Mouseketrips review comes from Melanie G on Yelp .

Dreams Unlimited Travel

Dive into the mecca of Disney knowledge with Dreams Unlimited Travel.

As a an authorized Disney vacation planner, they offer a wealth of information on deals, park additions, and more.

Why Use Dreams Unlimited Travel?

• Dreams Unlimited Travel also books Universal Studios vacations
• You can also book non-Disney cruise travel, like Royal Caribbean and Holland America

Dreams Unlimited Travel Reviews:

We’ve been using Dreams Unlimited since our first cruise in 2016. We do it mainly for the on board credit (OBC). If you live in the US/Canada they also mail you a gift basket shortly before your cruise.  With Covid, I am so thankful I used a TA. My 2020 cruise that was booked with an on board booking was cancelled. My TA called for me when I wanted to use the future cruise credit and extended OBB to an 8/21 Fantasy cruise…and then I had her move it to a 6/22 Greek cruise…and then to a 6/22 Fantasy Western Caribbean cruise.  My poor TA had to call each time since I’m using an OBB that was originally going to expire in 8/2020.

This Dreams Unlimited Travel review comes from Geomom at DISboards.com .

Pixie Vacations

Known for attention to detail, Pixie Vacations ensures a personalized touch to your Disney experience.

As authorized Disney vacation planners, they keep you informed about the best vacation deals, providing free quotes on their website.

Why Use Pixie Vacations?

• The owners of Pixie Vacations are former Walt Disney World cast members

Pixie Vacations Reviews:

I contacted Pixie and selected Stephanie and all my plans and wish-list were accommodated. Stephanie is so patient, kind, thorough, detail oriented, trustworthy, organized, approachable, accessible, and most importantly, knowledgeable! We even received a special thank you for booking with her. For a family that rarely travels and definitely resists flying, she made each step stress-free. She sent us a detailed document that provided each encounter of our trip from start to finish including cool travel mentions to guide and/or make our experience better.

This Pixie Vacations review comes from S G. on Yelp .

Be Our Guest Vacations

Enjoy a detailed and charitable approach with Be Our Guest Vacations.

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau , they donate a portion of their earnings to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Why Use Be Our Guest Vacations?

• Be Our Guest Vacations was founded in 2002
• Be Our Guest Vacations is accredited by IATAN and CLIA

Share the Magic

Share the Magic specializes in Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Universal Studios.

While their website might lack information, their impressive social media presence on Facebook makes up for it.

Why Use Share the Magic?

• Founded in 2019
• Over 150 travel agents available to help you

Destination Magic

A boutique agency with “Magic Makers,” Destination Magic ensures a stress-free vacation planning process.

With nearly 70 agents, each with a profile on their website, you can find the perfect match for your planning style.

Why Use Destination Magic?

• Every Destination Magic planner graduated from The College of Disney Knowledge
• They can book you a Disney World, Disneyland or Disney Cruise vacation

Ears of Experience

Founded over a decade ago, Ears of Experience focuses on creating stress-free Disney vacations.

With over 170 “Mouse Experts,” they cater to families with special needs, providing a personalized touch.

Why Use Ears of Experience?

• Ears of Experience was founded in 2009
• Decades of experience booking Disney vacations

The owner of Ears of Experience has multiple special needs degrees and can advise families traveling with a child that has special needs

Fairytale Journeys Travel

Established in 2010, Fairytale Journeys Travel combines sales expertise and Southern hospitality.

As Platinum Authorized Disney Vacation Planners, they offer free planning services, price monitoring, and a personal concierge service.

Why Use Fairytale Journeys Travel?

• Fairytale Journeys Travel has been on the Disney earmarked agency list for seven years.  They have achieved Platinum Earmarked Agency status from Disney Destinations.

Fairytale Journeys Travel Reviews:

Fairytale Journeys Travel has always been my go-to for all Disney vacations. However, I was never interested in cruises; but with the encouragement and assurance from Susanne, the owner of FTJ Travel, telling me how relaxing, exciting and fun it would be, I boarded the Disney Princess in October of 2018. I had the time of my life!!! 

This Fairytale Journeys Travel review comes from Kat K on Yelp .

What Are Disney World Travel Agents, Anyway?

Disney World travel agents are highly trained, Disney-focused experts who can guide you through every aspect of your vacation. 

Ideal for first-timers, these agents provide information on pricing, restaurant recommendations, theme park passes, and more. 

Hiring a Disney travel agent is usually free, and it ensures a stress-free experience for families, allowing them to focus on creating magical memories at the parks.

Should I Hire a Disney World Travel Agent?

Whether you’re a first-timer, planning a return visit, or managing a busy schedule, hiring a Disney travel agent can enhance your experience. 

For first-timers, the intricate details of Genie+ selections , restaurant reservations, and deal hunting can be overwhelming. A travel agent can navigate these complexities. 

If you’re well-versed in Disney World, a travel agent can still provide valuable insights. Balancing your priorities and preferences, a Disney travel agent ensures a seamless and memorable vacation.

Wrapping It Up

Choosing the right Disney travel agent is crucial for a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Our curated list, coupled with your research, will help you find the perfect planner to make your Disney World vacation truly magical. 

Selecting an authorized Disney vacation planner with experience and knowledge ensures a smooth planning process, allowing you to focus on the excitement of the happiest place on Earth. Plan your adventure today and start counting down the days until your Disney dreams come true!

If you enjoyed this article on the best Disney travel agent and agencies on the market, please “like” our Countdown to Magic Facebook page ! If you need additional help with your Disney vacation plans, be sure to visit my detailed Start Here page .

Michael has been visiting Disney World since he was a kid. He's also been to Disneyland and sailed on the Disney Dream. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic.

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VIP Disney Travel

The Best Disney Travel Agents & Best Disney Travel Planners

Planning a Disney trip is in a class by itself. It is not like planning any other vacation. There are so many options, choices, and decisions to make. Whether you prefer to call them Disney travel agents or Disney travel planners, using one makes planning your vacation fun and easy! Keep reading to see out picks for the Best Disney Travel Planners out there. 

Planning a Disney vacation can quickly become confusing and overwhelming, especially if you are going to Disney World for the first time. Even if it’s not your first visit, it is very time-consuming, not to mention stressful.

There are also some key dates to meet in order to make sure you are maximizing your time and your money. A Disney travel agent that specializes in planning Disney vacations can help you make the most of your hard-earned vacation dollars. 

The single biggest mistake in planning a Disney vacation is not using a Disney Travel Planning specialist . And we are going to tell you why below.

But first, here our top 5 list of the best Disney travel planners in the business today. We think these are the best Disney travel agents that specialize in providing customers with VIP-level service, regardless of your budget.

Let’s also get the biggest question out of the way now…

How much does it cost to book with the best Disney travel agents?

With many, booking your trip is a complimentary service. Yes, Free! However, some of the best Disney travel agencies have a modest service fee for concierge-level services. Is it worth it? That is a huge Yes! Continuing reading to learn why.

Below the list of our top-rated Disney travel agent companies—the best Disney travel planners in the biz. We’ll share the reasons why booking your vacation with a Disney World Travel agent is a smart choice and your best bet for the most magical Disney vacation.

Top 5 List of the Best Disney Travel Agents & the Best Disney Travel Planners

#1. destination magic, our award for the best disney travel agents goes to….

Destination Magic Travel is a boutique agency comprised of the best of the best Disney travel planners in the biz. Known for their unrivaled knowledge and exceptional customer service,  they are dedicated, and seasoned Disney travelers called “Magic Makers”. 

What sets Destination Magic apart as the best Disney travel planners is their agents are travel professionals, not just people who book Disney in their spare time. Sharing the magic of Disney travel and creating magical vacations for others is their passion.

Each Magic Maker is a proud graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge program, but their training does not stop there. Each agent is required to maintain continuing education both online and by attending in-person training events. More importantly, they know Disney! Not only have they gone at every time of the year, done every ride, attended all the festivals and parties, but they’ve even stayed at every Disney resort in every room category. That is the kind of unrivaled expertise you cannot get elsewhere.

They also keep on top of all the trends, the latest news and watch out for all the deals. Rest assured you will always get the best available price with Destination Magic , even after you’ve booked.

Whether you are looking to travel on a budget like a pirate, or splurge like a princess, Destination Magic can help you discover all that Disney has to offer. They have the background to meet the needs of discerning travelers seeking a luxury, VIP Disney experience with personalized concierge-level services for those guests who want to ensure they experience the best of Disney with the least amount of stress.

Click HERE to get a compimentary, no-obligation quote from the best Disney travel planners, or visit DestinationMagic.com .

Disney Travel Services

Destination Magic  is designed for luxury-minded travelers.  They understand the finer details that make your vacation a magical and memorable experience to last a lifetime.

Their team of Magic Makers organize and oversee bespoke travel itineraries to exciting destinations so their clients can relax and enjoy an effortless, stress-free vacation even before they leave home.

Planning travel can be daunting and draining. Guided by practical experience and first-hand insights, they make trip planning fun and easy.

While Destianton Magic is and Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, they are equally knowledgeable about other magical destinations including Universal Orlando Resort, ocean and river cruises, Hawaii, and all-inclusive Caribbean resorts.

Whatever destination you choose, Destination Magic can save you time and money. They know the ins and outs of planning a memorable and stress-free Disney vacation. By handling the heavy lifting for you, your trip is destined to be more magical from beginning to end.

Their service does not stop once your trip is booked. They are there to help you before, during, and after your vacation with a level of excellence that is unsurpassed.

Booking your trip with Destination Magic is complimentary. These Disney travel agents will plan and book your Disney resort package complete with hotel, tickets, and dining.  In addition, they offer Concierge-level services to meet the needs of every guest. Those additional services include booking your dining reservations at the crack of dawn, assisting with Genie+, and creating a comprehensive custom itinerary plan.

Whether it’s a family vacation, a honeymoon or romantic getaway, a group or reunion, a solo escape, or just for fun, we believe Destination Magic  will plan a simply magical vacation just for you.

Destination Magic features the following destinations:

• All Disney Resorts
• Non-Disney Resorts
• Luxury Disney area Resorts
• Single Family Resort homes
• Disneyland (California)
• Disney Cruise Line
• Aulani Resort and Spa (Hawaii)
• Adventure By Disney
• Universal Resort (Orlando and California)
• Sandals & Beaches Resorts
• Ocean cruises
• River cruises
• Europe and the Mediterranean

Specialty travel :

• Multi-generational
• Solo travelers
• Guided Group Adventures 
• Romance Travel
• Group Travel

#2. World of Wonder Vacations

Our runner-up award goes to World of Wonder Vacations. This small Disney travel agency delivers big-time fun.

World of Wonder Vacations employs a small team of dedicated Disney die-hards whose purpose is to share their passion for Disney with others by creating magical vacations filled with cherished memories. Their goal is to bring the WOW-factor to your vacation.

World of Wonder’s booking services are complimentary. Plus, they are running a FREE ONBOARD CRUISE CREDIT promotion. Visit WorldofWonderVacations.com to request a consultation and complementary quote.

World of Wonder focuses on the following destinations:

• Walt Disney World
• Aulani, Hawaii
• Universal Orlando Resort
• Caribbean All-Inclusive

#3. Sweetbay Travel Concierge

Sweetbay Travel Concierge is a full-service travel agency. They specialize in creating exceptional experiences around the world. They take a consultative approach to travel planning, ensuring that they get to know their clients before providing recommendations. They create custom itineraries designed especially for their clients. Just like no two clients are identical, no two trips are the same.

Sweetbay Travel Concierge focuses on the following destinations:

• Theme Park Vacations

#4. Mousekeplanner

Mousekeplanner’s philosophy is that every aspect of your vacation should be fun. We facilitate that fun by managing all the details and guiding you through the planning process so you can relax and enjoy it. We are there for you long after your deposit is made — from where to dine, where the best location is to view the fireworks, to where to meet your favorite characters. 

Mousekeplanner focuses on the following destinations:

• Sandals Resorts

#5. Hour Glass Travel

Aside from personal travel, Hour Glass Travel also has a division targeting convention and meeting planning. While they focus on Disney, they also do other bucket list travel destinations. They realize that trip planning takes time-consuming research and stress that cause many to avoid vacationing altogether. 

As a full-service travel agency, they can help you plan your getaway to any destination. They pursue personal experience in the adventures they recommend so that they can be confident your “time away” is something you never want to forget.

Hour Glass Trval focuses on the following destinations:

• Adventures by Disney
• ​Universal Orlando Resort
• All-inclusive

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Disney Travel Agent

Sure, you can read the blogs, watch videos, and ask your friends for advice and that would be helpful. But nothing comes close to the knowledge and experience that the best Disney travel planners can provide.

Disney Travel Agents are usually referred to as Disney Travel Planners . That is because they do so much more than just book your room. They are your partner though the entire process, before, during and even after your trip.

The best Disney travel agents live and breathes Disney.  They have visited many times, stayed at all of the resorts, done all of the attractions, and knows the ins and outs of what makes a Disney vacation truly magical.

Here are the top 5 of many reasons you should consider booking your Disney vacation with  the best Disney travel planners.

1. Knowledge and Experience

You can cut your own hair, you can fix your leaky faucet, you can even do your own taxes. But a professional can do it better. This is especially true when it comes to planning a Disney vacation.

A Disney World vacation is like no other trip. With over 25,000 acres, it’s twice the size of the island of Manhattan. With so much to see and do, how do you decide what’s best for you and your family? By contacting the best Disney travel agents.

Guidebooks and blogs can be helpful. But there nothing like speaking with a live person. Enlisting the help of someone who really knows the ins and outs of planning a Disney vacation can make all the difference in the world.

A professional Disney planner is like not like other travel agents. They are someone who lives and breathes Disney.  They have visited many times, stayed at all of the resorts, done all of the attractions, and knows the ins and outs of what makes a Disney vacation truly magical. On top of that, they know how to navigate through all the options, decisions, and deadlines to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

They have completed Disney’s own training program, the College of Disney Knowledge. Professional Disney travel planners strengthen their expertise with continuing education through training, not just online but in person. It’s that kind of first-hand experience that you cannot get from a blog or a book or even when calling Disney directly.

If you have ever called Disney directly, and asked whether you should go with option A or B, you may hear something like, “Oh, they are both fabulous choices.” I’m sure they are, but that is not particularly helpful.

When you hire a Disney travel agent, they are there to be a sounding board. They will give you an honest assessment based on you and your preference. Plus, maybe there is an option C that you didn’t even know about—but they do!

2. The best pricing

When you book your trip, your Disney Travel Planner will find you the best price there is at the time. You will never pay more than if you booked directly with Disney—and you get the added bonus of a dedicated travel planner who works specifically for you.

If you are eligible for any discounts, such as Annual Passholder discounts, Florida resident discounts, or Military discounts, your Disney travel agent will be able to apply those as well.

On occasion, Disney may send out a special private offer to select guests. Commonly called “Unique Offer Codes,” you do not need to book directly with Disney to take advantage of them. You can still book with a travel planner to take advantage of that offer.

The best Disney travel agents are on top of what’s new and exciting. They follow the trends and stay up to date with all the news. They also monitor all the promotions to make sure their clients are getting the best deal out there.

If a new, better deal comes out, your agent will try to modify your reservation to the best available offer, without you even having to ask! You won’t find that service when you book online, or with a big box travel agency. Disney will not even do that for you.

It’s important to note that many deals have blackout dates, excluded resorts, or other caveats in the fine print. They also limit the number of rooms eligible for those promotions. Even though your agent may try to get you a better offer, it is not guaranteed. There may be some aspects of your reservation that don’t meet the qualifications, or your dates are simply sold out for that offer. Even so, it’s still better to have someone trying on your behalf than not.

Whether you are planning your first visit or your fifteenth, using the best Disney Travel Planners can save you a lot of money. Even if you decided to take advantage of a paid service like itinerary planning, the time you save both in planning and during your vacation will be well worth it.

Although this article is mainly about Disney World, I don’t want to neglect mentioning another place where booking with a Disney travel agency is better financially. If you are booking a Disney cruise, be sure to find an agency that is offering a Free Onboard Credit promotion. You get all the benefits of a dedicated travel planner, plus, you get extra money in your pocket.

Our friends at Destination Magic and World of Wonder Vacations are both offering FREE On-board credit with every sailing. Click on their names above for a FREE Quote.

3. Customer Service

The best Disney travel agents pride themselves on delivering exceptional customer service. They will be available to answer your questions and guide you through the entire planning process.

This is your vacation, and they will take their cues from you. A good agent will be respectful of your wishes, and also your budget.

It is their job to make suggestions and inform you of the options available. Afterall, they are the experts in what would make a vacation more magical. However, it should never feel like a hard sell or that they are trying to convince you to purchase something you do not want or is beyond what your comfortable spending.

A travel agent can help as much or as little as you like. If you prefer to manage your own reservations, that’s fine. If you want white-glove service, that is available too. It’s your vacation. You call the shots!

Many agencies do charge a fee for concierge-level services, but it can be well worth it. Knowing a professional has got you covered eases the stress and ensures your plans are done right. You are spending a lot of money to go to Disney World. You don’t want to leave things to chance. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small cost for a huge benefit.

Travel advisors are invested in their clients’ happiness. They want to make sure each and every trip is packed full of lifelong, heartwarming memories and magical moments.

They listen, understand, recommend, adjust, and become a friend.

They get to know you and your family. They know who does not like rollercoasters and what your kid’s favorite characters are.

They are there to help you celebrate. And if something does not go quite as expected, they are there to help.

They are there before, during, and after your trip. That is service.

4. Convenience

Good customer service and convenience go hand-in-hand. By providing excellent customer service, the best Disney travel planners make it easier for you to understand all the components that make up a Disney vacation. Therefore, you can make better decisions and reduce your stress.

Sure, reading about places to go is fun — but planning a trip is hard work, and you never know what to believe. Pouring through guidebooks and blogs can make it even more confusing than when you started, particularly if you are researching all the factors that go into planning your first Disney trip.

Even if you have been to Disney before, there’re still so many pieces of the puzzle to put into place for a Disney vacation that it becomes very time-consuming very quickly. Plus, to be sure to take advantage of all the things they have to offer, there are several key dates you need to be sure not to miss.

Park reservations…dining reservations…setting up Magical Express transportation… linking to your My Disney Experience account…these are all tasks that need to be checked off the to-do list way before you even arrive—some many months in advance. If you miss a key date, you may be missing out in a bigger way.

The best Disney travel agents can help you with all of that and more.

Wouldn’t it be nice just to tell someone what you want and let them do all the work? This is your vacation, after all.

You set the pace. Travel planners will be able to do as much or as little as you want. If you prefer to make your own transfers and dining reservations (and many people do), that is perfectly fine. They can still give you suggestions and tips.

If you prefer to sit back and let them do all the legwork, they are happy to do it.  Many agencies do charge a fee for concierge-level services, but it can be well worth it.

Knowing a professional has got you covered eases the stress and ensures your plans are done right. You are spending a lot of money to go to Disney World. You don’t want to leave things to chance. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small cost for a huge benefit.

Let’s not forget with your own personal travel advisor, you are only dealing with a person who already knows you and knows about your trip, your budget, your wishes, your likes, and your dislikes. Not just a random person who answers the phone.

If you have already booked your trip with Disney directly or even with a travel agent that does not specialize in Disney, it’s not too late to take advantage of the benefits of working with a Disney travel planner.

If you booked your trip less than 30 days ago and have not paid in full, you are able to transfer your reservation to a Disney Travel Planner. Your Disney Travel Planner can tell you how.

If it’s been more than 30 days, you are staying off Disney property or using DVC points, and there are still some agents that can help. Since they are not earning a commission from Disney to book your vacation, some agents offer concierge planning services for a fee. It can be well worth the additional charge to get all the benefits we’ve talked about.

A Disney travel professional will save you time, give you insider expertise, and help you have the trip of your dreams! You can’t put a price tag on that. F

or many, a Disney vacation is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip. No matter your budget, you want to be sure to get the biggest bang for your buck. Probably even more important than that, you want to be sure you do not miss a thing. 

While Disney Travel Planners may charge a fee for their services, they provide incredible value and benefits that make them well worth the investment.

First and foremost, a Disney travel planner is an expert in all things Disney. They have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to planning the perfect Disney vacation. They know all the ins and outs of the parks, resorts, and attractions, and can provide insider tips and recommendations that you won’t find anywhere else. They can help you make the most of your time and budget, ensuring that you have a truly unforgettable trip.

When booking with a Disney Travel Planner, the cost of your vacation package itself is the same price as if you are booked directly with Disney. Whether they charge a fee or not, consider at all the services you are getting in return. And in return, you get a dedicated travel planner who will work tirelessly to create the most magical vacation possible. They’ll handle all the details of booking your accommodations and answer any questions you may have before, during, and after your trip. They’ll also keep an eye on sales and promotions to ensure you get the best deal possible.

But the value of a Disney travel planner doesn’t stop there. They can also provide additional concierge-level services, such as booking your dining reservations, arranging transportation and special experiences, and guiding you on how to use Disney Genie Plus. And perhaps most importantly, they can save you time and reduce stress by handling all the details for you, so you can focus on having fun and making memories with your loved ones.

In short, working with a Disney travel planner is a great value that can enhance your Disney vacation in countless ways. Their expertise, personalized service, and attention to detail can make all the difference in creating a truly unforgettable trip. So why not let a Disney travel planner help you plan the vacation of your dreams? It’s so worth it!

If you are still not convinced a Disney Travel Planner makes sense, read Why Use a Disney Travel Planner .  

If you are on the fence, reach out to one of the travel agents above for a free, no-obligation quote . The is nothing to lose!

For more helpful planning tips, check out these articles:

• How to Plan a Disney World Vacation
• Timeline and Important Key Dates When Planning a Disney World Vacation​
• Walt Disney World Tickets Explained

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Get Planning Help From The Disney Experts

Be sure you are making the most of your vacation time and money. Click the box below to request a free, no-obligation quote. And start planning your vacation with The Disney Experts, Destination Magic!

Destination Magic Travel Agents specialize in all Disney Travel. They will help you plan and book an amazing vacation to:

• Disney Cruise

Their services will save you time, money, and stress. Start planning your simply magical vacation today!

Get Your FREE Disney World Vacation Planner!

Enter your name and email and we’ll email you this free “Disney World Planner.” It’s the easiest way to keep organized when planning a trip to Disney World.

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• PLAN A TRIP
• WHERE TO STAY
• DISNEY CRUISE LINE
• DISNEYLAND PARIS
• ADVENTURES BY DISNEY
• HONG KONG | SHANGHAI | TOKYO

Hong Kong, Shanghai & Tokyo

• HONG KONG | Hong Kong Disneyland Park + 3 Hotels
• CHINA | Shanghai Disneyland Park + 3 Hotels
• JAPAN | Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea + 6 Hotels 

How many of Disney’s twelve different theme parks have you seen? Die-hard fans know that if you want to visit Disney’s most beautiful and innovative parks, you’ll need a passport! 

Tokyo Disney Resort is home to the 3rd and 4th most visited theme parks in the world. Many Disney experts consider Tokyo DisneySea the greatest Disney park on Earth, and Disney’s newest castle is now charming guests in the adorable Hong Kong Disneyland.  With Shanghai Disneyland’s innovative new attractions, all of Disney’s Asian international parks set a high bar for creative enchantment.

But coming out of the pandemic, visiting Japan and China has become extra tricky. When is the best time to go? Can international guests easily access the Disney parks? What kind of reservations or visas are required?

We know Japan & China.

Chris from Wishful Thinking studied abroad in China and has visited Japan many times. He recently visited all four Asian Disney parks in December 2023.

For 2024 and 2025, we’ve got up-to-date information on the international travel & visa requirements to visit Asia. Post-pandemic international travel to Japan and China has more than rebounded — it’s thriving. Now more than ever, it’s wise to start planning as early as possible. 

We’re happy to help. For free.

Thankfully, Wishful Thinking is more than merely an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We’re experts about Disney destinations around the world, and we’ve planned detailed trips to Asia for dozens of clients for more than a decade. 

As soon as you’ve got travel dates in mind, it’s smart to start planning. Asia’s Disney destinations sell out months in advance. To learn more, visit our FAQ articles below.

TOKYO DISNEY RESORT

Shanghai disneyland resort, hong kong disneyland resort, tokyo disney resort.

For over a decade, Chris from Wishful Thinking has made regular visits to Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea; most recently in December of 2023.

Post-pandemic travel to Japan is thriving. 

Wondering which hotel is best? How many days for sightseeing in Tokyo? How to include visits to Kyoto, Osaka, or Universal Studios Japan? Scroll down for some expert advice, which we updated in April 2024.

Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th Anniversary Celebration is underway. Disney’s most exciting, new, state-of-the-art attractions are coming this June to Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea . 

Now’s the time to plan your visit to the Land of the Rising Sun!

Tokyo Disney Resort | FAQ

Curious about Tokyo’s two spectacular theme parks, their five Disney-owned resort hotels, and some of the most creative Imagineering on Earth? Tokyo Disney Resort is preparing to launch Disney’s latest innovations to Tokyo DisneySea at the deeply imaginative new Fantasy Springs.  Disney fans are thrilled to finally see these sights with their own eyes. 

But when we compare it to Disneyland (in California) and Walt Disney World (in Florida), what’s different about Tokyo Disney Resort?  Let’s answer some of the most common questions:

• TIMING | When is the best time to visit Tokyo Disney Resort? How many days do I need? What holidays or days of the week should I avoid? Should I visit Disney before or after some sightseeing in Tokyo? Should I visit before or after the new Fantasy Springs area opens? | Get the answers ▸

• COMING SOON | What do we know so far about the exciting new Fantasy Springs area at TokyoDisneySea? What attractions are on the way? Fantasy Springs opens on June 6, 2024. What can we expect? | Get the answers ▸

• HOTELS | What are the best hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort? The Disneyland Hotel, the Hotel MiraCosta, the Toy Story hotel, the Ambassador hotel, or the Celebration hotel? What about the other hotels along the monorail? When will the new Fantasy Springs Hotel open for bookings? | Get the answers  ▸

• TICKETS | How do I get theme park tickets for Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea?  Can I get single-day tickets without a hotel stay? Will North American credit cards work? | Get the answers ▸

• PACKAGES | Is a Package a good value? Is Fantasy Springs access guaranteed? What are Attraction Tickets? If are packages only available for one or two nights, how can I extend my stay? | Get the answers ▸

• TOURISM | What should I see & do in Tokyo? How many days do I need for sightseeing? How should I get around? What’s the most essential etiquette? | Get the answers  ▸

• TOKYO + SHANGHAI + HONG KONG | What’s the best way to visit all three Asian Disney destinations?  Which should I visit first? How many days do I really need in each location? What’s the best way to schedule this kind of trip? 

These are just the first batch of questions you’re likely to have. Thankfully, we’re experts on travel to Asia, and we’re ready to help you plan every detail of your trip — for free.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TOKYO DISNEY RESORT?

The weather’s different, the holidays are different, and the local traffic patterns are very different from North American Disney parks. You won’t want to arrive in Japan and question if you’ve timed it right. How many days do you need to see everything? Is it best to wait to visit after Fantasy Springs opens at Tokyo DisneySea?

When you think about planning your visit, keep these guidelines in mind:

You’ll probably want four days to see the parks. | If you’re a major Disney fan — like many Wishful Thinking clients — you’ll probably want at least four days to properly explore Tokyo Disney’s parks.

Tokyo Disneyland’s shows, restaurants, parades, and shops are completely unique. You’ll want to see them all. Other one-of-a-kind attractions — like their new Beauty & the Beast attraction, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monsters Inc. Ride & Go Seek, and others — are so cool that you’ll want to ride them more than once to notice new details! 

Tokyo DisneySea is Disney’s best theme park. You could easily spend an entire day exploring the astonishing theming without getting on a single ride. Nearly all the attractions at DisneySea are unique to Tokyo; you’ll want more than one ride. Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, The Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Nemo & Friends SeaRider are all originals. Even the Tower of Terror has an entirely unique story.  

If you only have a day or two, we’ll help you prioritize what to see. If this might be your one and only visit, give yourself sufficient time to explore everything. 

On June 6 2024, Fantasy Springs will open at DisneySea.  | This will feature the most state-of-the-art projects that Disney Imagineering is currently working on, with attractions and lands themed to Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan. After new concept art and the names of each attraction were revealed in August 2023, it’s fair to say that anticipation is absolutely through the roof. If you want to avoid Tokyo’s biggest crowds, show up before this land opens. If you want to see the best that Disney has to offer, wait until after this land opens.

Plan for intense jet lag. | If you’re arriving from North or South America, It isn’t wise to visit Disney immediately upon arrival. Why? Because you’ll be dealing with intense jet lag symptoms. For the first two or three days, you’ll feel like you’re sleepwalking. Your body will be saying, “Cannot do this right now. Must. Lie. Down. Immediately.” You’ll be foggy-brained and exhausted. 

Plan for Tokyo sightseeing first. | At the start of your trip, give yourself a few full days in Tokyo. Fill your itinerary with flexible sightseeing plans. Book a comfy, centrally-located hotel where you can sleep in or take mid-day breaks without fearing that you’re wasting the precious time you’re supposed to be in the parks. Save your Disney days until after your body has had some time to adjust. | See our expert tourism tips ▸

Expect massive crowds. | 38 million people live in Tokyo Disney Resort’s backyard. On Saturdays and Sundays — all year long — you’ll see an influx of local families with kids and huge groups of teenagers who crowd the parks. If there’s any way to visit during the week — at least before June — it’s a bit more chill. However, when Fantasy Springs opens, you should expect sold-out peak capacity days every day of the week until the fall. 

Prepare to wait in lines. | At Disney, there are no VIP Tours, and FastPass was discontinued. If you cannot handle waiting in queues, do not go to Tokyo. It’s that simple. The Japanese queue up for everything in Tokyo, even beyond Disney, from train stations to restrooms to ramen shops. That’s how things are in the world’s largest city.

Avoid Japan & China’s major holidays. |  The parks’ busiest periods are during  Golden Week (late April into early May), Obon (August), and the New Year (Dec 31 through early January). Hotel rates are higher throughout the country. historically Chinese New Year brings many vacationers to Japan, and Chinese tourists love Tokyo Disney Resort. The Western holidays of Christmas, Easter, & Halloween don’t bring major crowds — they do, however, bring delightful decorations to the parks.

Tokyo’s weather is similar to Washington, D.C. | Tokyo has four distinct seasons. Summer is hot and humid, fall is cooler and dry. Winter sees frigid temperatures & occasional frozen rain / snow. Spring tends to arrive a bit early, with warm sunshine and springtime showers. Tokyo’s Disney parks are designed for this weather, with more indoor queues than you’ll find in Florida or California. But even sub-zero temperatures don’t drive away crowds — guests show up in their warm winter coats & fuzzy character hats, and make it a fun day with hot cocoa and warm hugs. Extended rainy days — like during a fall typhoon — do tend to inspire the locals to stay home. 

Tell us about your travel dates & let’s start planning ▸   

COMING SOON | WHAT IS FANTASY SPRINGS AT TOKYO DISNEYSEA?

Curious about the enchanting additions coming to Tokyo Disney Resort’s Fantasy Springs,  opening on  June 6, 2024? If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to see Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival or sail up into the sky on pirate ship with Peter Pan, get ready for an adventure like no other. Disney’s just announced all new details for Fantasy Springs, its captivating attractions, dining, and more!

WHAT IS FANTASY SPRINGS?

Get ready for a whole new world of Disney magic with all-new state-of-the-art attractions, restaurants & entertainment inspired by Tangled, Frozen, and Peter Pan. The eighth themed port at Tokyo DisneySea promises a paradise of enchantment, featuring three waterfront areas: Rapunzel’s Forest, Peter Pan’s Never Land, and Frozen Kingdom.

At last — you’ll see the light! Join  Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival as you sail away on a romantic boat ride, reliving the heartwarming tale of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.  Head to The Snuggly Duckling  for a delicious meal in a brand new restaurant that’s ready to refresh all your ruffians.

Never-grow-up adventures will unfold in Peter Pan’s Never Land.  Explore a swashbuckling pirate ship playground, then chow down at Lookout Cookout, the hideout for the Lost Kids.  Peter Pan will host an all-new one-of-a-kind attraction that soars far beyond Peter Pan’s Flight. Little ones are sure to giggle as they help Tinker Bell deliver packages in Pixie Hollow on the Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies .

Frozen Kingdom will beckon you into the unknown on  Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey . You’ll relive the heartwarming sisters’ story and enjoy captivating views of fjord cliffs at the  Royal Banquet of Arendelle restaurant. The park’s newest snacks will tempt your tastebuds at Oaken’s OK Foods.

WHAT WILL I NEED IN ORDER TO VISIT FANTASY SPRINGS?

Tokyo’s just announced that all guests who want to see Fantasy Springs will need a valid park ticket for Tokyo Disney Sea plus at least one of the following:

• A Standby Pass, which is essentially just like one of Disneyland / WDW’s Virtual Queues — it’s free. You’ll request one in the Tokyo Disney app on the day of your visit after you enter the park.
• Disney Premier Access — which is just like an Individual Lightning Lane — it’s available for a fee. You will be able to purchase them within the app on the day of your visit after you enter the park — or — receive one as a perk of booking a specific Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation Package. View the latest updates on Premier Access ▸ 

TDR has announced that guests will only be able to obtain these entry methods after they have passed through the turnstiles. This is one reason why Early Park Entry is being restricted to Tokyo DisneySea; after June 6, only the guests of the Hotel Miracosta and the Fantasy Springs Hotel will have early park entry at DisneySea. (Disney’s said that this is subject to change.) It’s reasonable to assume that not everyone who enters Tokyo DisneySea on a given day will gain access to Fantasy Springs. (If everyone did, guests would lack a strong incentive to purchase Disney’s Premier Access for entry.)

WHAT IS THE NEW 1-DAY PASSPORT – FANTASY SPRINGS MAGIC?

It’s a new type of 1-day ticket that bundles together Tokyo DisneySea theme park entry with a Disney Premier Access pass for Fantasy Springs. It guarantees that you’ll gain entry to the land. Currently, they’re only available to those who book new type of Disney Vacation Package — although they may become available to regular ticket buyers. We’re awaiting details.

WHAT IS THE FANTASY SPRINGS HOTEL?

Built right into the perimeter of the park, the elegant new Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel brings enchanting luxury accommodations and Art Nouveau to Fantasy Springs. With rooms and restaurants that gaze directly into the land, the Fantasy Springs Restaurant will offering buffet-style dining, La Libellule will serve gourmet French cuisine, and Grand Paradis Lounge will offer a relaxing salon with wide open windows and one-of-a-kind views. Read on below for more info about Disney’s resort hotels.

WHAT ELSE IS ON THE WAY TO TOKYO DISNEY RESORT?

A whole newly-themed Space Mountain and surrounding Tomorrowland is set to open in 2027, with ultra-modern styling that’s undeniably leaning into future-fantasy.

Complete this form and we’ll keep you up to date on all the news from Tokyo ▸

WHAT ARE THE BEST HOTELS AT TOKYO DISNEY RESORT?

If this is your only chance to visit, you’ll want to be comfortable. Let’s explore the Disney resort hotels — plus the hotels along the Disney resort monorail line. And, let’s discuss why you shouldn’t stay in central Tokyo for your Disney days.

THE LAY OF THE LAND

Before you think about where to stay, let’s cover some navigational basics:

Tokyo is huge. | You can easily spend two hours traveling from one side of the city to the other. That’s why you’ll want to stay right near Tokyo Disney Resort during your theme park days. Stay in central Tokyo when you’re sightseeing.

Tokyo Disney Resort is located on the distant southeastern waterfront. | It’s about as far from central Tokyo as Disneyland is from central Los Angeles. It’s in the neighborhood of Urayasu, along the shores of Tokyo Bay. Technically, Urayasu is not in Tokyo — it’s in the neighboring Shiba prefecture. The train station nearest to Tokyo Disney Resort is Maihama .

View the location on Google Maps ▸

Traveling to Tokyo Disney Resort can be a hike. | Depending on which train you catch (and the time of day), reaching Urayasu can take 30 minutes from Tokyo Station, 35 minutes from Shinagawa Station, and 45 minutes (to an hour) from Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, and Ikebukuro Station. Like any major city, there are rush hour delays. If you’re traveling here directly from either international airport —  Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) — trains and shared shuttles are your best transfer options. The Friendly Limousine Airport Bus is slowly resuming service after pausing its operations. 

More on traveling from HND  Airport ▸ | More on traveling from NRT Airport ▸

The resort area includes five Disney-owned hotels and six Official Hotels (aka ‘Good Neighbor’ hotels) | All but one of them are accessible along Tokyo Disney Resort’s monorail line. Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel is a quick shuttle ride away.

View the resort hotel map* ▸    * the new Toy Story Hotel is located between map markers 4 and 5

DISNEY-THEMED HOTELS AT TOKYO DISNEY RESORT

The official owner of Tokyo Disney Resort is the Oriental Land Company (OLC) , which owns and manages the following Disney-themed hotels.

HELPFUL TIP: At each link, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and you’ll be able to view a simple calendar that reveals which dates have rooms remaining and the nightly rate (in Japanese Yen) of the lowest-price available room. As of today, hotel rates and booking are only available 120 days in advance. We’ve got expert tips and advice about how to start planning now; complete this form and we’ll send you three very helpful FAQ guides. Be sure to also see our information about Disney Travel Packages below.

• Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel | Opening in June 2024 | Luxury / Deluxe |  Disney’s newest luxury hotel experience will open on June 6th when the land itself opens.  The hotel is divided into two areas: the Grand Chateau offers Luxury accommodations and amenities (including line-skipping privileges) , while the Fantasy Chateau is classified as a Deluxe hotel. Its three new restaurants will offer beautiful views of the park, and this hotel benefits with unique ticketed access to Fantasy Springs plus the 15-minute early park entry directly into Tokyo DisneySea. | View more details about the hotel ▸ 

• Tokyo Disneyland Hotel | Deluxe | Luxurious, classical, elegant. Similar Victorian-era design as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, but nicer (if you can believe it) . Located just outside the monorail station entrance to Disneyland park. Some rooms feature views of Cinderella Castle; you may see fireworks in the distance. You’ll find art inspired by Alice in Wonderland, beautifully appointed rooms with subtle theme details, themed suites, and a gorgeous lobby with high-end restaurants and cafes. | View the room availability & rate calendar ▸ 

• Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta | Deluxe | Ornate, sumptuous, opulent. The world’s only hotel located inside a Disney theme park. Baroque design invites you to relax within an 18th-century Italian waterfront village, inspired by Portofino and Venice. Its main façade serves as the entry point to Tokyo DisneySea’s Mediterranean Harbor. Many rooms feature water views of the park’s nightly spectacular. Its recently renovated, sophisticated rooms feature rich brocades, tapestries, and wood-carved furnishings. The stunning domed lobby features fresco paintings and entryways to a collection of delicious restaurants. | View the room availability & rate calendar ▸ 

• Disney Ambassador Hotel | Deluxe | Clever, cool, comfortable. Art deco design evokes 1920’s – 1930’s railway sleeper cars and Atlantic steamships. Although the rooms are simply appointed (on par with a Moderate-level hotel at Walt Disney World) the lobby, pools and common areas feel like a Deluxe resort. Around every corner, you’ll find extravagant details and gleaming artwork from the period. The hotel is located near the back of  Disneyland Park, but it’s a bit too far to walk. Entrances to both parks are just a few minutes away via the monorail. Dining includes a gourmet table service restaurant, a casual diner, and some of Tokyo’s only character dining, Chef Mickey’s. | View the room availability & rate calendar ▸ 

• Toy Story Hotel | Moderate | Colorful, whimsical, imaginative. Tokyo’s newest Disney-themed resort hotel, located right along the monorail line. Think: Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World / Disneyland Paris — the vibe is identical.  Lots of two-dimensional drawings and oversized toy-sized architecture. Rooms are inviting and full of clever details, like an Etch-A-Sketch TV screen and Andy’s iconic bedroom wallpaper: blue sky & white clouds. The hotel’s extensive original merch, kid-friendly play areas, and casual affordable eateries make this family-friendly hotel ideal for guests of all ages.  | View the room availability & rate calendar ▸ 

• Tokyo Celebration Hotel | Value | Fanciful, cute, casual. The only Disney-themed hotel located beyond the resort, about a 15-minute complimentary shuttle drive away. Formerly the Palm & Fountain Terrace Hotel, Oriental Land Company began to transform these hotels a few years ago by adding all-new Disney designs to its rooms, lobbies and pools.  The comfortable rooms are modestly-appointed. The amusing, brightly-colored murals and various bed configurations, however, are designed to appeal to families with young kids. Affordable nightly rates make this hotel one of the most economical lodging choices for Tokyo Disney Resort. | View the room availability & rate calendar ▸ 

TOKYO DISNEY RESORT OFFICIAL HOTELS

In addition to the hotels above, Tokyo Disney Resort also features six official hotels which are located along the resort monorail.   These are similar to what you might know in the USA as Good Neighbor Hotels. OLC doesn’t own or manage them, but they meet the resort’s high standards for cleanliness, service, and amenities. Each of them has an on-site official Tokyo Disney Resort ticket & planning desk.

Two of the hotels are owned by American brands, and are exceptionally accommodating for English-speaking travelers.

HELPFUL TIP | Unlike the Disney hotels above, these hotels may be booked up to 1 year in advance, and Wishful Thinking can set up your hotel reservation .

• Hilton Tokyo Bay | Modern, efficient, familiar. Our top choice for where to stay if you’re not in one of the Disney hotels. This large, recently renovated resort hotel feels like any upscale Hilton you might find back home, with polished marble floors and sleek, modern décor. The Front Desk staff speaks impeccable English. Standard rooms are divided into two design categories — one is more serene and classic, the other more colorful and contemporary — but you can’t go wrong here. The on-site restaurants are big — if a tad bit overpriced — with impressive menus that cater to North American, European, and Asian travelers. Best of all, the hotel’s just a quick monorail ride away from the theme parks. | Get pricing ▸

• Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay | Pleasant, reliable, anodyne. A perfectly nice hotel that guarantees a comfortable stay for international guests. It’s probably due for some refreshed décor and room renovations, but you’re unlikely to remember what the hotel looks like when you’re staying this close to the Disney parks. Like the Hilton, it’s especially accommodating for English-speaking guests. | Get pricing ▸

CHOOSING A HOTEL IN CENTRAL TOKYO

Tokyo’s main sights aren’t near Tokyo Disney Resort. You’ll want a separate hotel in central Tokyo for your sightseeing days. Some guidelines:

Choose a cool neighborhood. | You’ll probably have the easiest time getting around the city if you stay in Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, or Ginza. These neighborhoods are all full of terrific dining, elaborate shopping, and vibrant street life.  I f we had to pick just one neighborhood, we’d probably point you toward Shinjuku. But it’s a tough call; they’re all great.

Choose a hotel near a train station. | As we explain below, Tokyo is all about train travel. If possible, select a hotel that’s within a comfortable walking distance of a big train station. 

Compare North American hotel brands vs. Japanese lodging. | If you don’t have a lot of international travel experience, try to minimize your culture shock. A North American hotel chain might be your smartest option. Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG  all have properties in Tokyo. 

What’s the biggest advantage? Familiarity. Their websites, support staff, and on-site front desk staff will work in fluent English. In the guest rooms, you’ll find familiar bed sizes and amenities. If you need to modify / cancel your booking, you’ll be able to rely on English language phone support. When you’re visiting an unfamiliar country, that can help guarantee more restful nights.

However, if you’re an adventurous, seasoned traveler and you’re drawn to unique experiences, consider staying in a  ryokan . These traditional, family-owned lodges are Japan’s most memorable accommodations, particularly in historic locales like Kyoto, Nara, or Osaka. Learn all about ryokan ▸

We have a terrific shortlist of hotels in central Tokyo. | Get in touch and we’ll identify the best match for your particular travel party and time of year. 

Get pricing & information on Tokyo hotels ▸

WHEN & HOW TO BOOK YOUR HOTELS FOR A TOKYO DISNEY RESORT VACATION

When should I visit? And how far in advance can I book?

It greatly depends on whether you want a simple hotel stay, a Disney Vacation Package, or if you’d simply like to visit Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea during a longer stay in Tokyo. Tap below and we’ll send you a free, informative FAQ to help you think through all these decisions.

Let’s plan your trip to Japan ▸

HOW DO I GET THEME PARK TICKETS FOR TOKYO DISNEYLAND & TOKYO DISNEYSEA?

Having trouble with North American credit cards? Wondering if you should get your theme park tickets before you arrive in Japan? Are theme park reservations required?

Learn the secure & guaranteed way to get Tokyo Disney Resort's theme park tickets

Here’s the main thing you need to know: many of Tokyo Disney Resort’s operations have changed post-pandemic.

That’s especially true of their ticket & reservation systems. Much of what we could tell you today could be different tomorrow. 

Here are the most essential updates (updated April, 2024):

If you’re an overnight guest in one of the Disney resort hotels, Disney instructs you to WAIT to buy theme park tickets through your hotel. |  As Tokyo Disney Resort explains on their helpful FAQ, all Disney resort hotel guests are guaranteed to be able to enter the parks on all their dates of stay (check-in through check-out) even if all the day’s theme park tickets are sold out for non-hotel guests.  However, you should wait to purchase your tickets for a few big reasons: one, you’ll need the type of ticket that includes early park entry. Those tickets aren’t available on the internet. Two, Disney may someday offer other types of tickets that were paused for the pandemic, namely, a park hopper ticket and a multi-day ticket. As of April 2024, only one-park-per-day tickets are being sold.

The Disney resort hotels are:

• Tokyo Disneyland Hotel
• Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta
• Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel
• Disney Ambassador Hotel
• Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel
• Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel

Guests at the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel have unique access. | As of April, 2024, guests of this hotel (who are not package holders) have exclusive access to a one-day ticket that includes guaranteed Fantasy Springs entry and reduced wait times at its attractions. Learn more here. Additionally, guests in the Grand Chateau rooms receive extra line-skipping privileges .

If you’re a guest in one of the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels — the ones which are not Disney operated & themed — guests may buy tickets through the hotel. | All guests of the Hilton Tokyo Bay may purchase one-park, one-day tickets in person, in the lobby of the Hilton, even when the tickets are sold out for the general public. Wishful Thinking can book you today into the Hilton, and we highly recommend it. Start here ▸ 

You may buy advance-day tickets online, but you can’t buy tickets more than 60 days in advance. | Currently, online tickets are only valid on the date you select when you purchase them — no additional Theme Park reservations are required. As of now, there are no in-person theme park ticket sales at the parks. You MUST buy your tickets online (or through your Disney-area hotel).

Tickets do not include Genie+ — that’s not how things work in Tokyo. | Instead of FastPass or Genie+, Tokyo Disney Resort offers Premier Access, which any guest may purchase on the day of their visit within the Tokyo Disney Resort app. As of now, Premier Access is only offered on about 3 or 4 attractions per park — here’s the list of attractions and prices. It works almost identically to Individual Lightning Lane purchases at Disneyland in California. You purchase the enhancement after you scan into the park.

Many USA-based credit cards are declined because the Tokyo Disney Resort website and app rely on advanced credit card security called 3D Secure. | The 3D Secure verification is standard for Japan-based banks, but it’s a protocol that isn’t yet standard within the USA. For this reason, many USA-based credit cards will not work if you try to book a hotel or purchase tickets on the Tokyo Disney Resort site. If your card is not working, you need to get a new card. Why? Because you will need a card with this feature when you actually visit Japan. The paid features in the Tokyo Disney Resort app won’t work without one, and many other vendors in Japan require this type of authentication.

Get a card from Revolut. | We highly recommend the safe, secure, internationally-accepted debit cards & credit cards from Revolut, which specializes in international travel . Their exchange rates are tremendous, there are no international transaction fees, and you can even store online balances in multiple currencies — a great strategy if you’d like to buy JPY in advance when the USD is strong. Best of all, their cards support 3D Secure verification.

Explore debit & credit cards from Revolut ▸

Multi-day tickets are still not available. | The 2-day Passport, 3-Day Magic Passport, 5-Day Magic Passport, Annual Passport, and many other long-standing ticket categories are currently not available, and we don’t know when Tokyo Disney Resort may resume the sales of these ticket types. 

Wishful Thinking provides expert guidance & assistance for Tokyo Disney Resort. | Complete our form and we’ll send you an extremely informative, helpful FAQ, direct to your inbox.

SHOULD I BOOK A PACKAGE FOR TOKYO DISNEY RESORT?

Packages at Tokyo Disney Resort are very different from what you’ll find at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For starters: they’re more expensive than simple hotel bookings + park tickets. You’re paying for unique perks & privileges . So are they worth it? What are the minimum / maximum number of hotel nights and theme park days? When do Tokyo Disney Resort Travel Packages become available? We’ve got all the nerdy details.

Nothing confounds international visitors more than Tokyo Disney Resort’s Disney Travel Packages.

Why? Because their offerings and restrictions are dramatically different from Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Pay attention to the details we’re sharing here; they matter tremendously.

To begin, it’s important that you recognize a few things about Tokyo Disney Resort:

• The crowds are massive. | Every day of the week. Ignore outdated information online that says that things are only busy on weekends. Not anymore. See what rope drop looks like.

• FastPass doesn’t exist anymore. | Post-pandemic, Tokyo Disney Resort replaced their FastPass system with a new benefit called Premier Access, which any guest may purchase on the day of their visit within the Tokyo Disney Resort app. As of now, Premier Access is only offered on about 3 or 4 attractions per park — here’s the list of attractions and prices. It works almost identically to Individual Lightning Lane purchases at Disneyland in California. You’re waiting in line for everything else. UNLESS you have a Disney Travel Package. 

• Tokyo Disney Resort does not offer VIP tours | This is simply not a thing at Tokyo Disney Resort. Pre-pandemic, the park offered informational tours in Japanese (similar to the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom ), but they haven’t returned.

Therefore, knowing that avoiding crowds are the MAIN thing that its guests would want, Tokyo Disney Resort offers exclusive additional line-skipping (and show / parade viewing) privileges within their Disney Travel Packages. But there are severe restrictions:

Packages are ONLY available for a one night stay or a two night stay.

• A ONE NIGHT package includes TWO DAYS of theme park tickets: Tokyo DisneySea on day one and Tokyo Disneyland on day two.
• A TWO NIGHT package includes THREE DAYS of theme park tickets: Tokyo DisneySea on day one, Disneyland on day two, and DisneySea again on day three.
• You cannot modify when you use your tickets; your first ticket MUST be used on your check-in day, and your last ticket MUST be used on your check-out day. For this reason, you will probably not want to begin any Disney Travel Package on the day you arrive in Japan. Thankfully, we’ve got expert recommendations for additional hotels in Tokyo. Get pricing ▸
• Disney will not permit any guest to purchase two tickets for the dame day — therefore, you CAN NOT simply book back-to-back packages. (That would mean you’d double up on tickets when one package’s check-out day is another package’s check-in day.)
• As of April 2024, there are no packages available for longer stays. This is all there is. See our recommendations below about adding a hotel stay to your package.

Currently, package perks include extra line-skipping privileges . This is the sweet gooey center of Disney Travel Packages, and this is why Disney guests are willing to pay more for them. When you book your package, you’ll gain the ability to select from a handful of attractions that are NOT offered as part of Premier Access . Disney simply calls them Attraction Tickets, but they work essentially like a FastPass. They’re available for the ‘2nd tier’ of popular attractions, and they include:

AT TOKYO DISNEYLAND | ATTRACTION TICKETS

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion
• Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!
• Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

AT TOKYO DISNEYSEA | ATTRACTION TICKETS

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Indiana Jones® Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• The Magic Lamp Theater
• Nemo & Friends SeaRider
• Raging Spirits
• Tower of Terror
• Turtle Talk

See more details about Attraction Tickets included in Vacation Packages ▸ 

What to choose? | When you purchase your package, you’ll make your selection as for which attractions you’d like to use for your benefit. Because the ultra-popular attractions Beauty and the Beast and Soaring; Fantastic Flight are also available via Premier Access, we suggest that you use your perks here for one of these ‘2nd tier’ attractions that are ONLY available to package holders. That’s the best way to maximize the value of your purchase. Buy Beauty & the Beast after you’ve entered Disneyland. And if you’re big into the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) , don’t miss Soaring: Fantastic Flight. The pre-show is stunning. 

Guaranteed Fantasy Springs Access | As of now, all packages for stays beyond June 6th also include guaranteed entry to the new Fantasy Springs land at Tokyo DisneySea on one of your days. We don’t know how long that benefit will be offered as a package perk, and we don’t know whether future packages might include it. But because this is currently the ONLY way to guarantee that you’ll get into Fantasy Springs, these packages are highly sought after. This also explains why they cost so much.

Most Wishful Thinking clients choose to book a package PLUS an additional hotel stay. As you can imagine, many who journey from abroad want more than a two night stay. We recommend that you obtain an additional hotel reservation — a la carte — and purchase any additional theme park tickets on-site at your Disney hotel. (As you’ll see above, ALL Disney resort hotel guests are guaranteed to be able to purchase theme park tickets for the dates of their stay even if tickets are sold out to the general public.)  Do note, however:

• Tokyo Disney Resort does NOT guarantee that if you purchase an a la carte hotel stay for the same hotel as your package that you’ll be able to remain in your same room. These decisions are handled on a case-by-case basis after you arrive at your hotel.
• If you’re in a different room type at the same hotel, Cast Members will transfer your bags for you.
• If you select to stay at a different Disney resort hotel  — including the Hilton Tokyo Bay or the Sheraton, but excluding the Celebration Hotel — Disney Cast Members will transfer your luggage for free to your next hotel. See details about the luggage delivery service ▸ 

IMPORTANT NOTE ON THE JAPANESE-LANGUAGE SITE | Package type availability and benefits differ between the Japanese-language portal of the site and the English-language portal.  Just as Disneyland has special offers for California residents and Walt Disney World has special offers for Florida residents, Tokyo Disney Resort has special offers for Japan residents. Don’t try to be sneaky and enter the name of your Japan-based lodging; if you cannot enter your legal name, permanent address, and credit card billing address using Japanese characters, you will not qualify for these packages. 

When do Tokyo Disney Resort Disney Vacation Packages become available? | Since early 2024, as the resort prepares for / promotes the new Fantasy Springs expansion, Disney’s been releasing them in monthly ‘dumps.’ Typically, Disney only provides a few days notice as to when the next release is coming, and no one knows how long this release pattern will continue.

Bookmark this page and watch for announcements ▸ 

Can an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner or a travel agent book a package for me? | No. As of April 2024, you are literally the only person on the planet who can book a Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation Package; Disney explicitly forbids others from booking a package on your behalf, and if any agent offers to do this for you, your tickets may be invalidated.

What CAN Wishful Thinking quote and book for me? | We’re experts on Japan and Tokyo travel, and we can quote / book all your additional hotel stays in Japan, plus guided day tours, private transportation, and phenomenal multi-night guided tours via Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions. Also, as of spring 2024, we can book a la carte hotel stays at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel — but these are not Disney Travel Packages. You’ll still need to purchase your tickets after arriving at the hotel.

Share your plans here — we’ll send free Disney tips and expert recommendations on Japan hotels & sightseeing ▸

WHAT SHOULD I SEE & DO IN TOKYO?

The world’s biggest metropolis: 20 million people live here. Thankfully, it’s also one of the most hospitable destinations for international travelers. But what are the real must-sees? And how should you get around the city?

Have you ever walked into an incredible party in full-swing and thought, “gosh, if I’d known it was going to be this cool, I would have shown up earlier!” 

That’s what it’s like to visit Japan for the first time. It’s even cooler than you imagine it’s going to be. Most North Americans have only a surface-level knowledge of Japanese cuisine, history, & culture. Research can only get you so far. You simply have to go.

Here are a few of the key things you’ll need to know as you plan your visit to Tokyo:

It’s all about the trains | Getting in a car means you’ll be sitting in traffic, not moving. Taxis & rideshares are very expensive — we’re talking $250+ USD just to get to the airport. Not worth it. Getting around Tokyo — and journeying to cities beyond — is all about train travel. There are 3 major train systems in Tokyo:

• The Japan Rail (JR) |  A nationwide rail network, kinda like Amtrak in the USA (but far, far better)
• Tokyo Metro | 9 train lines serving 179 stations
• Toei Subway | 4 train lines serving 106 stations

Taken together, they form an interconnected web of train lines that service the whole city. Thankfully, an IC (integrated circuit) payment card (like  Suica ) works for all three systems, so it doesn’t really matter which train you use. There are many major train station hubs where you can easily transfer from one train to another: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Kita-senju and Tokyo Station are the busiest.

Check out this excellent guide to Tokyo’s train systems ▸ 

Bullet trains to other cities | The JR lines also include Japan’s famous bullet trains, known by the Japanese word shinkansen . These high-speed trains are excellent and affordable and provide easy access to cities like Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Many theme park fans who visit Tokyo Disney Resort are also interested in Universal Studios Japan in the city of Osaka, which is 3+ hours away by train. 

View shinkansen routes, schedules & tickets ▸

Japan’s trains can be intimidating at first. Soon, you’ll learn that the station signs, onboard announcements, and train schedules are available in English — once you know where to look. Within a few days, you’ll wish that travel in North America was this quick, efficient, and easy to navigate!

Sightseeing: a contrast of ancient & modern | The sights of Tokyo inspire you to appreciate one of the world’s most incredible ancient cultures with a non-stop eye on the future. From Buddhist temples to high-tech shopping, you should give yourself at leas t three full days for sightseeing. Remember, you’ll be very jet-lagged, so don’t plan on overdoing it. Here are the most popular tourist sights for international visitors:

• Tokyo National Museum | An eye-popping, incredibly curated museum that traces Japan’s history from the shogun to the modern era. More ▸
• Sensō-ji Temple / Kaminari-mon Gate | Tokyo’s oldest and most spectacular temple, dating back to the year 645. More ▸
• Meiji-jingū Shrine | A beautiful, picturesque Shinto shrine within a peaceful evergreen park — one of Tokyo’s most-photographed locations. More ▸
• Ghibli Museum | A family-friendly, incredible museum devoted to the films of the legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke & many more). A must-see, especially for Disney fans. More ▸
• Shibuya Crossing & Hachikō statue |  The zig-zag pedestrian traffic crossing that you’ll recognize from countless video composites of Tokyo. You might not be familiar with the touching story of the adorable Akita who waited for his dearly-departed master here every day for ten years. More ▸
• Takeshita-dori street in Harajuku | An alley-style shopping bazaar catering to the latest youth trends. You’ll find cutting-edge fashion and the newest must-have snacks. More ▸
• Ginza | A tawny neighborhood with impressive department stores offering high-end accessories, housewares, and designer clothing. More ▸
• Kamakura | The former capital of Japan and an ideal day trip from the city. Visitors flock here to explore its beautiful ancient temples and pose in front of one of Asia’s largest Buddha statues. More ▸
• Nightlife in Shinjuku  | Among many nightlife districts, Shinjuku is especially energetic and over the top. Check out the  Mario Brothers Go-Kart experience and the must-be-seen-to-be-believed Robot Restaurant . Shinjuku Ni-Chome is where you’ll find a collection of tourist-friendly LGBTQ+ bars and dance clubs. More ▸

Learn Japanese manners and courteous phrases. | Japan is a very, very polite society. To avoid unpleasantness, it’s best to learn the most common Japanese phrases, along with the most essential etiquette:

• Payment is given & received with two hands. | When greeting a cashier, always present your cash or credit card with two hands, and do the same when receiving it back.  More ▸  
• Don’t walk & eat / drink at the same time. | Food and drink are meant to be consumed while seated indoors. Even if you place an order ‘to go,’ never eat or drink while walking. You’ll notice that there are virtually no trash cans on public street corners — and this is why. The one spot in Japan where you can probably get away with this? Inside Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea. 
• Remove your shoes in establishments, if requested. | Many traditional tea shops, restaurants, and ryokan hotels will provide slippers or sandals for you to wear upon entry. Place your shoes in the provided cubby holes and change into the footwear they provide.  More ▸
• To visit gyms, pools or onsen spas, be cautious about tattoos. | Tattoos are considered disrespectful by traditional Japanese society. If you’ve got large, elaborate tattoos, it’s possible that you may be denied entry to certain gyms, pools, or onsen spa baths. You may want to seek out a tattoo-friendly gym or onsen that has a stated tattoo-friendly policy. Learn more  ▸
• Learn important, courteous Japanese phrases. | It’s absolutely crucial to learn the Japanese words for please, thank you, hello, goodbye, etc. Here’s a great guide  ▸

This is just the beginning. We’ve got far, far more tips to share.

Wondering where to find the biggest selection of kawaii collectibles, manga , and anime merch? Wondering where to pipe up for some karaoke with the locals?  Want to try fluffy Japanese cloud pancakes, giant multi-colored cones of cotton candy, or the city’s best sushi, omakase, gyoza, ramen & more?

We’ve been to Japan many times, and we’d love to tell you.

If you plan your trip with Wishful Thinking, we can provide a shortlist of our favorite restaurants, the coolest shops, most unique bars, and the best locations to find the hot new food trends. We’ve also got lots of practical tips on how to overcome jet lag, how to set up your WiFi and phone service, how to pay for things, tipping & gratuities, and more. It’s never too early to start planning!

Let’s plan your Japan adventure ▸

Shanghai Disneyland Resort | FAQ

Do I need a visa to enter China if I want to visit Shanghai Disneyland Resort? How many days should I spend in the park? What are the best Shanghai Disneyland resort hotels?  What’s the best way to include a visit to the Great Wall of China? We’ve got answers to the most common questions below.

WHERE IS SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT LOCATED?

Shanghai Disneyland is around 11 miles from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It’s in the Pudong District of Shanghai, just 12 miles from the city center. Most guests take the train.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN SHANGHAI?

Shanghai’s weather offers four distinct seasons. Summers are sizzling, and winters can be rather chilly. The sweet spot for visiting? Spring and autumn. Here are the historical average temps.

HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I PLAN FOR SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT?

If you’re a major Disney fan, we recommend at least two full days in the park, plus at least two additional days for sightseeing. If this will be your first destination after flying from North America, schedule your sightseeing days first. Jet lag is going to be absolutely brutal.

WHEN & WHERE SHOULD I GET TICKETS?

It’s best if we set up your theme park tickets with your Disney resort hotel stay. See below.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY AT SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT?

There are two Disney-owned hotels. The Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is an upscale resort with blissfully charming Art Nouveau décor. It overlooks the beautiful Wishing Star Lake. For a more budget-friendly option, the Toy Story Hotel makes Andy’s room larger-than-life. They’ve each got their own pros & cons, which we’d love to share with you:

Get pricing and expert insights for the Shanghai Disney Resort hotels ▸ 

WHAT DINING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARK?

Just like any other Disney park, dining is a combination of table service, quick service & kiosks. Traditional Chinese cuisine is served in the beautiful Wandering Moon Restaurant, while the Royal Banquet Hall is a must-see fine dining restaurant inside the castle. The Tangled Tree Tavern is a charming quick service spot serving international fare. Sweet treats are available at the Duffy & Friends-inspired Cookie Ann Bakery Café on Mickey Avenue.

After you book your trip , we’ll happily steer you toward the best dining options.

WHAT ARE THE PARK’S HIGHLIGHTS?

Shanghai Disneyland boasts seven unique themed lands:

Mickey Avenue | Here’s the welcome mat of Shanghai Disneyland. Imagine a Disney character-infused hometown, rather than your typical Main Street, U.S.A. vibe. Pick up your “why yes, I’ve been there” apparel in Avenue M Arcade — their equivalent of the Emporium — where you’ll find a huge selection of unique Disney merchandise. 

Gardens of Imagination | A touch of calm with a dash of imagination, Gardens of Imagination is where you’ll come across the Chinese Zodiac-themed garden, a Disney twist that’s genuinely delightful. Key spots? The Storyteller Statue and the Fantasia Carousel. And, of course, there’s the Enchanted Storybook Castle — it’s the largest one that Disney’s ever built.

Fantasyland | Step into a realm brimming with classic Disney stories. The enchanting Voyage to the Crystal Grotto is a must-do. Kids (and kids at heart) adore Peter Pan’s Flight and the Hunny Pot Spin.

Adventure Isle | Time for some adrenaline rush. Prehistoric fun meets high-stakes adventure in attractions like the Roaring Rapids and Soaring Over the Horizon. And don’t miss out on the Camp Discovery challenge trails — they’re like full on hiking adventures.

Treasure Cove | All aboard mateys for the one and only fully pirate-themed land across all Disney parks. A must-see? Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure . Widely considered the world’s best Pirates. Discover legends and lore on a real pirate ship: Siren’s Revenge. And don’t miss Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular.

Tomorrowland | Shanghai’s Tomorrowland aims to be actually futuristic. The TRON Lightcycle Power Run is a definite bucket-list item, while the Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue provides an entertaining (if familiar) alternative.

Toy Story Land | It’s time to play along with Woody, Buzz, and friends in this fun-filled setting. Ride high on Slinky Dog Spin, test your courage on Rex’s Racer, or join Woody’s Roundup. Remember to pop by Al’s Toy Barn and grab a bite at the Lotso Lunch Box.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO BEYOND THE PARK?

Although Shanghai Disneyland Resort doesn’t offer the vast outdoor recreation activities of Walt Disney World, Shanghai Disneyland’s footprint is unique — it’s the one Disney ‘castle park’ where the main thoroughfare — Mickey Avenue – is located  before the theme park’s turnstiles . In Celebration Square, the Market District and more, you’ll find ample Disney shopping, dining, and entertainment . For a quieter moment, take a stroll around Wishing Star Park to enjoy nature, views, and tranquility.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I SEE WHILE VISITING CHINA?

How much time have you got? Many North Americans only know of a handful of sights — the Great Wall of China, maybe the Forbidden City, or the Xi’an Terracotta War Soldiers. China is a gigantic country with 1/5th of the world’s population. Planning a trip here can be incredibly complicated, even for seasoned travelers. None of these must-see sights are within easy reach from Shanghai.

That’s why we highly recommend the Adventures by Disney trip through China , which includes an unforgettable visit to both Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland.

ADVENTURES BY DISNEY: CHINA | 12 DAYS, 11 NIGHTS | HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore Hong Kong Discover the vibrant harbor city with an iconic skyline, world-class shops and exciting street scene.

Hong Kong Disneyland & Shanghai Disneyland Check 2 more Disney theme parks off your bucket list as you immerse yourself in Disney magic at China’s Disney theme parks.

Great Wall of China Cable Car Ride Reach new heights as you ride to Mutianyu for an amazing walk atop this iconic structure.

Victoria Peak Be awed by panoramic views of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline and harbor from the top of the mountain.

Beijing’s Ancient & Modern History Tour Walk through centuries of history as you tour this modern city with a rich past.

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven Tour this massive temple built for emperors to worship the god of heaven.

Panda Visit Get a rare peek at China’s cutest residents on a tour of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Sichuan Opera Enjoy music, acrobatics and the classic face changing act that has delighted audiences for centuries.

Shanghai Acrobat Show Experience the excitement of this acrobatic performance and live rock show.

Lijiang River Guilin Boat Tour Cruise the Li River and take in the scenic landscapes, including the “gumdrop mountains.”

Terracotta Warriors & Horses in Xi’an Marvel at this sculpted army created to protect China’s first emperor in the afterlife.

Explore Shanghai Discover the sprawling skyline, classic architecture and waterfront district of this truly international city.

Tiananmen Square Walking Tour Learn the rich history of this focal point of celebration and protest with a local guide.

Yu Garden Tour in Old Shanghai Find peace and inspiration in this 300-year-old garden sanctuary in the heart of Shanghai.

Get 2024 / 2025 dates and pricing for an Adventures by Disney trip to   China ▸ 

DO I NEED A VISA FOR PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA?

Travelers from 50+ countries — including USA, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom — can enjoy a visa-free visit to China for up to 144 hours if they’re transiting to another country. That’s 6 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you enter the country. There are specific restrictions on where you can travel in China and which ports of entry / airports you may use, so it’s very important to study the regulations. Fact check everything.

How it works: upon arrival at the immigration desk in the airport or cruise terminal, you’ll complete a simple form (in English) that includes your lodging address and the reason for your visit. It about 5 minutes to complete.  In addition to your completed form, you will need to present a departure from Shanghai travel confirmation (i.e., a cruise itinerary or a flight confirmation). It’s best to print up this document on paper and have it ready for inspection; the officials will photocopy your confirmation and return it to you. Please note that if you only have the conformation on your phone, the officials will ask you to unlock your device so they can screenshot your phone’s screen. Paper is better.

Learn more about China’s 144-hour visa-free travel policy and review the countries which qualify ▸ 

If you plan to do any sightseeing in mainland China beyond Shanghai, you will you will need a visa . Best to apply for your visa 2 to 3 months before your trip.

If you are ONLY planning to visit Shanghai (for less than 144 hours) and Hong Kong, most international travelers do not need a visa before arrival. See information under Hong Kong, below.

CHINA CONSULAR SERVICES:   For citizens of the USA ▸   |   For citizens of Canada ▸  

List of China consular service websites for other countries ▸ 

LET’S START PLANNING YOUR ASIA DISNEY TRIP

The sooner we start, the better prepared you’ll be for the adventure of a lifetime.

Start planning your trip here ▸ 

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort | FAQ

Please check back soon — we’re updating this section as we speak! Chris from Wishful Thinking was just able to visit Hong Kong Disneyland and experience the new Arendelle – The World of Frozen. This absolute gem of a Disney park has so many delights that aren’t well known in the USA, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it!

BRILLIANT GUIDES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD

Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025

When is the best time to visit? How busy will it be in the theme parks?

Why should I book a hotel on-property vs. off-property?

What’s located at each  theme park? What’s a must at Disney Springs?

What rides, dining, & experiences are most popular & need reservations?

How can I combine  park tickets, dining, and hotel stays to save money?

What are realistic tips for  transportation and getting places on time?

How much do park tickets cost? Which ticket options save money?

When & where do I use the  smartphone app, Genie+ and MagicBand?

Join our community!

Ask questions. Share your favorite travel stories. Get expert-level free help for any Disney travel destination around the world. You’re invited to join our Facebook group! As Yzma would say, it’s brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!

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Stay in the Magic… and Play!

Customize a walt disney world resort vacation package to suit your style and budget., start planning your disney vacation, what’s exciting and new, finding nemo: the big blue… and beyond.

Witness a stirring spectacle of puppetry, music and more during this reimagined stage show set in Nemo’s vibrant underwater world.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Bring the whole family to zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s kitchen as you take in the sights, sounds and even smells from Remy’s world.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

Leave the real world behind in this high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON .

Watch in awe as Mickey Mouse’s dreams come alive in a nighttime musical with stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and more.

4 Enchanting Theme Parks

Magic kingdom park.

During your visit, you can:

• Be dazzled by music, dancing and vivid pageantry during the Festival of Fantasy Parade —a grand tribute to the tales and inhabitants of Fantasyland.
• Enjoy iconic attractions and experiences across incredible lands—including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , a swaying family coaster ride that will have you racing through a diamond mine.
• Rediscover beloved classic Disney attractions such as Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and “it’s a small world.”
• Delight in family-friendly thrills on ever-popular coasters like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .
• Leave the real world behind for a high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON —on TRON Lightcycle / Run .

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Celebrate the magic of nature at Pandora – The World of Avatar . Here, you can fly on the back of a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage, hike amid floating mountains in the Valley of Mo’Ara and take a mystical boat ride into a bioluminescent rainforest on the Na’vi River Journey.
• Set off in an open-air vehicle across a lush African savanna teeming with exotic animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris .
• Speed through the Himalayas on a runaway train while avoiding the Yeti as you conquer Expedition Everest .
• Wave to beloved Disney Characters as they sail along the Discovery River on fabulous flotillas.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Pack your imagination, switch tracks and take a ride on the cartoon side like never before when you hop aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway .
• Live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge ! Experience 2 thrilling attractions, build your own droid or lightsaber, savor Batuu’s tasty food and beverages, shop for Star Wars -themed merchandise and more!
• Discover big fun for kids and grown-ups alike at Toy Story Land . Take a wild ride on Slinky Dog Dash and go for a whirl on Alien Swirling Saucers.
• Watch in wonder as Mickey Mouse’s dreams come alive in Fantasmic! —an extravagant nighttime musical with stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and more.
• Celebrate every season at themed festivals featuring fantastic food, live entertainment and more—select dates throughout the year.
• Blast off on an intergalactic chase with Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind —a coaster inspired by the rockin’ movies.
• Board an ancient Norwegian vessel and be whisked away to the kingdom of Arendelle during a Frozen Ever After adventure.
• Journey around World Showcase , where you can explore the culture, arts, food and beverages of 11 different countries.

Save Up to 30% When You Stay 5 Nights or Longer

Stay in the magic with disney resorts collection, enjoy more time in the parks.

Early Theme Park Entry Guests of Disney Resort hotels can get a 30-minute jump on their Disney day with early theme park entry —available at all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks. This popular benefit will continue through 2025!

Early theme park entry gives you a head start in the parks, so you’ll have access to select attractions, shops and dining before regular hours. And you can enjoy this benefit on each day of your stay—in any park, subject to capacity.

For early theme park entry, you'll need valid admission and a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World Card. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type.

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas can enjoy extended evening hours —experiencing select attractions, shops and dining after regular park hours—in select theme parks on select nights. This popular benefit will continue through 2025!

Together with early theme park entry—available to all Disney Resort hotel Guests—you’ll get to arrive earlier and stay later so you can maximize your time in the parks!

Review our calendar for extended evening hours and dates .

If using a ticket with the Park Hopper option that requires a theme park reservation, please remember that you must enter the park where you made your reservation before you can visit other theme parks.

Start Your Stay with a Water Park Day in 2025

With this water park benefit, it’s easy to unwind on the day you arrive. Get ready to zip down thrilling water slides, relax on sandy beaches, float along a lazy river... and let your cares drift away. Learn more about the Walt Disney World water parks .

More details about this benefit will be available in late 2024, and will be shared with you before your stay.

Important Information About This Benefit

• This benefit is exclusive to registered Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. All Guests must be on the Resort reservation. View eligible Disney Resort hotels .
• This benefit is only on the day of check-in, and is valid for admission to either Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. Check the park calendar and operating hours closer to your 2025 arrival to plan your check-in day.
• Usage of this benefit is subject to availability.
• At this time, a park reservation is not required to visit a water park; however, reservation requirements are subject to change.
• Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity and weather closures, or may close for other reasons.
• Each of our water parks is refurbished annually. These routine maintenance periods are staggered, so our Guests should be able to enjoy at least one water park experience year-round.
• Water park admission is nontransferable, nonrefundable and has no cash value, and excludes activities/events separately priced or not open to the general public.
• Parks, attractions and other offerings subject to availability, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refund or credit given for any such changes or cancellation. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.

Savor a World of Flavor

With tasty meals and snacks moments away, it’s easy to make the most of the magic during your stay.

Explore dining experiences available for booking during your vacation.

View a full list of the dining options at Walt Disney World Resort.

Add a Dining Plan

Now you can add a dining plan to Disney Resort Hotel Packages.

Dining plans can add the convenience and flexibility of prepaid meals and snacks to your vacation—and give you peace of mind.

Highlights include:

• Savings: Save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family as part of a Disney Resort Hotel Package! Savings compared to the nondiscounted price of menu items available to kids ages 3 to 9 at participating locations when purchased without a dining plan. Actual savings vary based on menu items ordered.
• Convenience & Peace of Mind: With 2 dining plans to choose from, you can spend more time with your family enjoying the Disney magic (and less time on meal budgeting). And this gives you the opportunity to say that magic word to your kids... "Yes."
• Flexibility: There are more than 200 locations to dine at throughout our Disney Resort hotels, theme parks and select locations at Disney Springs. So there’s something to delight nearly every taste!

Learn more about dining plans .

Immerse Yourself in the Magic

From unique accommodations to distinctive dining options, themed rooms and more, the Disney Resorts Collection offers Guests a variety of options that exemplify the Disney difference.

Proximity Staying at a Disney Resort hotel keeps you in the magic—close to the theme parks, water parks and shopping at the Disney Springs area.

Activities and Amenities Disney Resort hotels feature amenities that immerse Guests in the worlds of classic Disney tales—including themed pools with slides, poolside activities, Character Dining experiences, unique recreation, delightful surprises and so much more.

Endless Possibilities With all of the great options in the Disney Resorts Collection, you’re sure to find one—or more than one—that fits you. From theme to budget, you have a world of amazing options to consider. You’re not just choosing a place to sleep at night—you’re choosing your home for the duration of your Walt Disney World vacation.

Want to wake up, look out your window, and say good morning to a giraffe? You can when you stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge . Ever stayed on the shores of the South Pacific? Drift away to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort . Or come home to larger-than-life recreations of scenes from favorite Disney and Pixar classics at Disney's Art of Animation Resort !

These are just a few of the Disney Resort hotels that await you at Walt Disney World Resort !

Make the Most of Your Visit

Get around with ease.

Resort Transportation

Our complimentary bus , boat and monorail services are available to take you to popular destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort—some Disney Resort hotels even offer convenient walking paths to nearby parks.

Plus, the most recent addition to our fantastic world on the go, Disney Skyliner lets Guests glide across the sky while traveling between:

• EPCOT (International Gateway)
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels enjoy complimentary standard parking at Disney theme parks, Disney water parks and the Disney Springs area.

Add More Magic

As a Disney Resort hotel Guest, you can purchase a MagicBand+ at a special pre-arrival price.

MagicBand+ includes all of the features you’ve come to love with MagicBand—and more! Your MagicBand+ can be used to:

• Unlock your Disney Resort hotel room
• Enter theme parks and water parks (with valid admission)
• Check in at Lightning Lane entrances and virtual queues
• Charge food and merchandise purchases**
• Discover enchanting surprises and interactions across Walt Disney World Resort
• Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your Disney account

Learn more about MagicBand+ .

Early Access to Purchase Individual Lightning Lane Entry

Get quicker entry to a couple of our most popular attractions! If you’re a Guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you’re eligible to make your first individual Lightning Lane purchase starting at 7:00 AM each day of your visit. You can select a one-hour arrival window, one at a time, for up to 2 different attractions per day. Guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green may also enjoy this early-access benefit. All other Guests are eligible to make their first purchase when the park opens.

Learn more about our Lightning Lane entrances .

Note: Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, and are not guaranteed. To enter a theme park, valid admission is required. A theme park reservation may also be required. Price, terms and entitlements are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice.

Make Reservations for Dining and More Get ready to dine or unwind! Here’s when you can make reservations for dining and Enchanting Extras Collection experiences :

• Guests with a Valid Disney Resort Hotel Reservation: Make reservations for your entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay) up to 60 days in advance of your arrival! This can help you enjoy streamlined vacation planning , since you can make all your reservations on the same day—rather than checking availability day after day.
• All Other Guests: Make reservations up to 60 days in advance.

To dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant, a confirmed dining reservation for the total number of Guests—regardless of age—is highly recommended. You will also need valid admission for the same park on that same date for each Guest ages 3 and up. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type. Learn more.

Dining reservations do not guarantee access to a park, and Park Hopper availability may change daily.

** Credit card must be presented at Disney Resort hotel check-in for purchases with MagicBand. Purchases are charged to your Disney Resort hotel account.

Enjoy Magical Extras with Your Package

More fun for everyone, disney water parks.

Zip down some of the world's tallest and fastest waterslides, plunge into fun on a family raft ride, feel your cares drift away on a lazy river or unwind on a sandy beach. Plus, your little ones can splash around in kid-sized areas!

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park – Closed for Refurbishment Chill out in a winter wonderland at a one-time ski resort that melted into warm water.

Here, you can:

• Conquer the slopes of Mount Gushmore on Summit Plummet —one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall waterslides.
• Zoom down other thrilling waterslides, like the Downhill Double Dipper and Slush Gusher .
• Float along Cross Country Creek , a 3,000-foot-long lazy river.
• Let your little ones explore Tike’s Peak , a water play area with a snow castle fountain and kid-sized waterslides.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Now Open! Delight in this tropical paradise that’s been transformed by a legendary storm into an oasis of pure excitement.

• Ride a wave at Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool —North America’s largest wave pool.
• Grab a friend and take the plunge down Crush ‘n’ Gusher , featuring thrilling dips and turns.
• Watch your little ones enjoy a whimsical water playground with pint-sized slides, water cannons and other fun features at Ketchakiddee Creek .
• Relax as you float along Castaway Creek and take in lush, tropical surroundings.

Important Information Valid water park admission required. Water parks subject to seasonal and weather closures. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed for refurbishment.

Disney Springs

Find happily whatever you’re after at Disney Springs:

• Delectable dining options to please almost every palate
• Shopping galore , from unique boutiques to whimsical Disney-themed stores
• Fun for all ages , with bowling, a movie theater, a carousel and more
• Live entertainment , including Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil® and Disney—a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration between 2 iconic memory-makers

Delectable Dining

• Character dining (with modifications) at Garden Grill Restaurant, Hollywood & Vine, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, Chef Mickey’s and more
• Signature dining where you can celebrate a special occasion in style
• Counter-service restaurants —ideal for grabbing a quick bite on-the-go
• Mobile Order at select quick-service restaurants, which enables you to save time by ordering ahead via the My Disney Experience app
• Spectacular rooftop dining at California Grill, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

When to Make Dining Reservations Get ready to dine! Make advance reservations at select Walt Disney World restaurants.

Enchanting Extras Collection

• Hands-on Star Wars experiences at Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers (with valid park admission)
• In-Room Floral & Gifts , featuring beautiful gift and snack baskets, themed balloon bouquets and enchanting floral arrangements—all designed to celebrate your special moments
• Capture Your Moment , a personalized photo session with Disney PhotoPass photographers in a Walt Disney World theme park
• Fascinating tours that take you to special locations at Walt Disney World Resort—including Savor the Savanna and Behind the Seeds

Explore the Enchanting Extras Collection .

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Explore places to stay.

Choose from uniquely themed Disney Resort hotels—with options to suit your style and budget.

4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket

Enjoy 4 days of theme park fun from $99 per day, plus tax (total price from $396, plus tax). One admission per theme park. One theme park per day.

Become a Disney Vacation Planner.

Join The Happiest Team Around

As a top-tier, high-end agency, we attract the kind of clients you love to work with, so you can really make magic happen.

You’ve found the place where dreams come true. 

We are seeking independent travel consultants to add to our Disney travel planning agency.

Are you a type-A planner with an incurable passion for travel and a love for delighting others? Or have you ever dreamed of using your in-depth knowledge of Disney destinations as a career? Then as a Disney focused travel agent, you can begin crafting truly magical vacations for your clients.

We also welcome experienced agents to apply.

Positive Team Culture Education Collaboration

At The Enchanted Traveler, we are committed to…

What To Expect From The Enchanted Traveler 

• A high-quality brand known for its personalized, in-depth vacation planning. • One-on-one help from the moment you join the team and start your business, as well as through any step along the way • Any marketing advice and strategies you need • Commission splits with increases based on experience and productivity • Opportunities for both Disney knowledge training and business training • A team atmosphere, including a Facebook support group and more. • The flexibility to work when you want, where you want, and with the clients that you want.

"Being a part of this team is like being a part of an exclusive club!"

What OUR CONSULTANTS are saying

- Holly Woodlee

We are people from all over the world with different backgrounds who all have different strengths, even within a team of similarly skilled people. One colleague might be more strategic, while another one is more analytical. Yet when the right mix of people and skills are brought together, the results can be amazing. Our team of experts value and care for each other and want to see each other succeed. Above all, we LOVE what we do, and helping our clients create the perfect vacation is an absolute dream

A Passion for disney

You don’t have to be Disney obsessed, but you do need to believe that a Disney vacation is absolutely magical, and love the experience it offers.

Our ideal Disney Travel Consultant has:

Above average Disney knowledge

Do you have great tips and tricks? Know the best restaurants? Know how to avoid crowds? Can you create detailed plans to keep people out of lines?

A social media presence

So much of this business comes from word of mouth.

Most of our work is web-based, both within this agency, in our marketing, and with Disney.

experience in customer service or naturally personable skills

It is important that our clients feel special, valued, and happy when working with us.

Sales Experience

An important portion of this job is sales-based, so sales experience is preferred.

organizational skills and self-motivation

As an Independent Consultant, this is still your business and no one is going to manage it for you – you must be a go-getter!

A Desire to learn

Keeping up with all things Disney is extremely important and requires you to seek the information willingly and frequently. Being willing to learn other aspects of the business on your own time is also important to your success.

time to dedicate toward building a business

Whether part-time or full-time, we are not seeking hobbyists. We are looking for someone able to devote 20+ hours a week.

well-traveled within the Disney destinations

We’re looking for someone who has traveled to a Disney destination at least 4 times in the last 8 years, with at least 2 of those to Walt Disney World in the last 4 years. It’s an extra bonus if you’ve traveled recently to more than one Disney destination.

an expert level of knowledge on at least one Disney destination

Ability to continue traveling to a Disney destination regularly, at least once per year

"I absolutely love being an Independent Consultant with The Enchanted Traveler!"

- Kerri Danley

I started this industry knowing little about the travel agency business, but with a ton of knowledge and passion for Disney! Sabrina guided me as a mentor to set goals for business, market myself as my own brand, and provided opportunities to learn and collaborate with our team of agents. We are a supportive team who helps each other and celebrates our successes. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to work under a strong and encouraging agency, and the autonomy to work my own hours and build my business at my pace.

Want to be part of The Enchanted Traveler difference?

Join our team

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Customized Travel Planning

Since 2012, the Enchanted Traveler has become the go-to travel agency for moms and dads who want to save time and relieve the stress of planning a family vacation to Disney destinations and beyond. 

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How to plan a trip to Disney World on a budget

The most magical place on earth might not be as magical for your wallet.

Walt Disney World Resort has four theme parks, two water parks, over 120 attractions, 50 entertainment options and 140 dining destinations. With thousands of things to do, the standard date-based ticket starts at $109 per day, according to the ticketing website .

Besides the initial price of tickets, there are the costs of food, accommodations, souvenirs and transportation. The average family vacation to Disney World can rack up a total of $4,000 to $10,000, per Westgate Resorts .

What are good financial strategies to get to Disney World on a budget? Luckily, there are thousands of resources, professionals to talk to and classes you can take.

How can I spend the least money at Disney?

The travel planning experts, MagicGuides , have curated a list of their best advice for maximizing fun while staying within budget.

1. Bring your own water

Located by Orlando, Disney World can be incredibly hot. Staying hydrated is important to protect you and your family from heat exhaustion. However, the expense of purchasing liquids throughout the day adds up. Bringing drinks or reusable water bottles into the park is a great idea to save some extra cash. If forgotten, ice water is also free at Disney World quick-serve restaurants.

2. Buy discounted Disney gift cards

These discounted cards can be used to pay for admission, souvenirs, food and anything on property where credit cards are accepted. The gift cards can be found at grocery stores and other participating retailers. For example, the Target RedCard allows individuals to buy Disney gift cards at a 5% discount.

3. Avoid peak times

Rates of the park and to room somewhere are higher during peak days. Typically, the most expensive days are during the summer, holidays and school vacations. Use a crowd calendar to avoid these times and hopefully the high costs. MagicGuides has a crowd calendar here .

4. Pack the essentials for your trip

Purchasing essentials at parks can be expensive compared to buying them at home. Before your trip, consider making a list of needed items such as the ones below:

• Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant or lotion.
• Medications: ibuprofen, Advil or regularly taken meds.
• Snacks: meals, small snacks and reusable bags.
• Weather: umbrellas, rain jackets, ponchos and sunscreen.
• Portable phone chargers.
• Hand sanitizer or wet wipes.

5. Watch the food budget

If you want to buy food at the park, the Disney Dining Plan might be a good option if you spend a lot of money on food. However, if planning to only spend a little, bringing snacks along the way or a pay-as-you-go method might be best.

Food can also be bought at the local grocery store to be made into quick meals.

6. Pick a day to not spend at the park

To reduce admission expenses, enjoying non-park days can be a good idea. Picking a date in the middle of your vacation allows for rest and a recharge after an eventful beginning of the trip.

Cost-effective, non-Disney activities might include relaxing by the pool, going on Disney’s Boardwalk or taking the monorail resort tour.

7. Book your vacation through a Disney travel agent

Some reputable travel agencies do not have a fee attached. Disney pays these agencies to help plan and book Disney trips for their guests. Part of the planning includes making recommendations, purchasing tickets for you, booking a hotel, telling you about discounts and proactively re-booking a trip if a lower rate arises.

8. Stay off-site

A non-Disney hotel is usually cheaper, offering more room options that include larger spaces for big groups or families. These rooms often include kitchenettes so guests can purchase and cook their own food, helping to cut down on some costs. Other options include booking housing through Airbnb or HomeAway .

However, staying off-site gives you no access to free Disney World transportation services. If the hotel does not offer transportation, and if the additional fee of renting a car and parking charges, MagicGuides recommend staying at Disney Value resorts . These resorts are in-park lodging but offer the cheapest rates.

Available Disney World ‘classes’

Even when trying to stay in budget, navigating the world of Disney can be quite confusing. Content creators and travel planners have since stepped up to create TikToks, classes and guides. While purchasing a guide or signing up for a class costs money, it could save valuable time.

Brooke Raybould, a content creator who sells “ Mom’s Guide to Disney World ” for $40, has earned popularity on TikTok, according to The Washington Post .

“There’s an entire system to doing Disney World the right way,” she said on her video .

Kirsten Andrade, a concierge travel planner, created the Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lane Tips & Tricks Facebook Group. After several months and more than 200,000 members, she launched an online class for $39, per The Washington Post .

“It’s kind of a mixture of a Zoom and like a remote college class. We’ve got a little pop quiz built in,” she said to The Washington Post .

Jessica Mickelson has a Disney planning business, Well Hello Magic . Being the mom of four kids, her tagline is “minimizing parental stress at the Disney parks.” Her “ Magic Made Easy ” course is available for $139 while also having free park guides , a YouTube channel , podcast, blog and social media accounts, per The Washington Post .

No matter how you and your family choose to spend money, remember that being stressed about finances can take away the fun. Consider planning your trip in advance to enjoy the magic of Disney World.

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The Travel Agent's Guide to HAR's Disney World Planning & Booking Cheatsheet

Congratulations, Disney Agent! You have struck gold. What we’ve put together here is a Disney World Planning & Booking Cheatsheet to help you plan and book Disney World magic for your clients.

As with most things HAR, it got a little bigger than I thought it would be so I wanted to chat a little bit about it here, and share a few ideas on how you can use it and adapt it to your individual needs.

One of the cool things about this form is that it’s customizable, so you can change it as much as your pretty heart desires. Want to make it all about Disneyland instead? Go for it. Just want the checklist and delete everything else? Cool by me.

We created this form on JotForm and made it a template so you can quickly and easily copy it . JotForm's robust features are available on all of their plans - including the free one! The free plan allows 5 forms (you can always archive forms you aren't currently using so you don't lose any data), up to 100 monthly submissions and unlimited fields for your form.

What Exactly Are you Talking About, Here?

Big picture time. I think to think that our Disney World Planning and Booking Checklist is like a miniature CRM for your Disney trips—a tool where you can log important client info, reservation deadlines, and a checklist—that walks you through the steps in planning and booking a stellar Disney Vacation.

It's a JotForm form and similar to others we’ve published . The difference here is that it isn’t client-facing . So you will download the form to your own site and use it to track and log your own clients’ Disney World travel data in one place.

But How Do I Do that Download Thing You’re Talking About?

HARer, Bridget Lee, made a fancy video tutorial to show you how. So get your popcorn and dim the lights, folks. It’s showtime.

How Might I Use This?

You can use the form in a few ways:

• Narrow down options: When you listen to your clients, you can check off what you think might be right for them, and present them with multiple options.
• A tool to walk your client through options, and easily narrow them down further during their discussion based on their preferences.
• Help put together price quotes for different travel options. We do include categories for pricing since it will change frequently, but you can certainly add those in!

I Already Have a CRM. Why Do I Need This?

Good question, imaginary reader. This is not meant, by any means, to replace an existing CRM, but to complement systems that you already have (or not). It’s 100% Disney World specific and lists all the Disney resorts, events, and dining options in one form.

What Does This Newfangled Form Include?

We went all out, and the form includes 7 pages. Here’s the rundown:

1. Primary Contact: Enough said.

2. Party/ Group Info: Here you can list the members, their general ages, notes on their interests. Here are a few ideas on how you might customize this page:

• Add more info: Do you want to add a gender category for kiddos? Some agents might find that helpful.
• Jot Down Interests: You can include bucket list wishes for each person because one brain can’t hold what 6 different people want.
• Contact Info: If you’re working with a group of disparate adults who are each paying their own way (rather than as a group), you can add contact categories for individual party members (OR start a new entry).
• Add more people: If your party if larger than five, you can easily copy the fields to add more travelers!

3. Travel Dates and Occasion for Travel: Also self-explanatory.

4. Resort Options: This page will walk you through all the value, moderate, and Deluxe options that are available. Again you can compare value and moderate if you’d like, or just look at one category if your client already knows what they want.

5. Dining Plans:  Here you can explore dining plans with your clients—this will merit its own conversation to consider preferences for the entire party. I know what level of dining plan they want, you can select one, or you can choose multiple if you want to do a comparison with them. Different dining experiences will require a different number of dining points, so walking them through some of the restaurant suggestions might help determine what level of Dining Plan they want.

The Dining options are sorted into categories like character dining, fine dining, casual, etc. Restaurants that don't take reservations are not included in this list, so remember that you still may want to recommend awesome places for grab-and-go and snacks!

>>> NOTE: This form was created 03/31/17 so you'll want to make sure you update restaurant options as they are likely to change! 

6. Events:  Events can be reserved on the same timeline as dining and may also change frequently. The schedule of events will not all be posted at the same time, so it will be important to check which schedules are available.

The page includes seasonal, Holiday, sporting/running events, and more. We included everything even if the schedule isn’t out yet, so you’ll need to check to see which are available so you don’t break your clients’ tender Disney-magic-loving hearts. 

7. Fastpass+ Schedule: Weeeee! It's ride time Not all agents help clients plan out their Fastpass+ strategies, but some do (especially for newbies). This page is so you can fill out the client’s 3 Fastpass+ choices (plus two alternates) according to the date and what theme park they’ll be at on that day.

It has enough for 5 Days, but you can easily add more (or delete some). Once you fill it out, you can print it off and give it to your client with other documents—and you’ll truly be their prince (or princess) charming.

8. Final Checklist:  Just a little ditty to make sure all your ducks are in a row. You can add to or subtract from this list to your heart’s content.

Are You Ready to Make Some Magic?

Just click here to access the form!  Disney Planning & Booking Cheatsheet

All you need to do is find the Disney World Planning & Booking Cheatsheet , then click on Get Template !

About the Author

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

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I’m looking for a Disney travel agent. I’m an experienced traveller and could book my own flights, hotel, tickets but we are a group of 12 and I’d love to have some help coordinating and planning this trip ”

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Planning your Disney Cruise vacation with Castles and Cruises Travel

MOBILE, Ala. ( WALA ) - If you’ve been thinking about booking a Disney trip - and get overwhelmed by all of the choices and the planning - a travel agent may be a good option for you. Using a travel agent will not cost you any extra money, and you may even save money instead. They oftentimes get access to deals you may not even know about!

We were joined on Studio10 by Sandi Sadlock, a Travel Agent with Castles and Cruises Travel, to talk about what travel agents can do for you, and how she can help you plan your next Disney Cruise or Disney vacation.

If you want to get in touch with Sandi to book your next Disney vacation, you can  contact her on her Facebook page.

About Sandi:

Sandi has been a Travel Agent for over 8 years. As a child, Sandi lived in Florida for several years and grew up going to Disney World. Sandi has either stayed at or visited every Disney resort on the property. In addition to Disney World, Sandi has also been to Disneyland, on several Disney Cruises, and even an Adventures By Disney Rhine River Cruise. Sandi has been on several VIP tours and has even toured the underground corridors and been in Cinderella’s Castle suite. She has also completed 5 Run Disney Half Marathons.

Castles and Cruise agents are required to graduate from the College of Disney Knowledge and keep up their certification each year. Sandi has been selected to do onsite training with Disney,  in both the classroom and resort visits to keep up with all the updates at the parks and resorts at Disney World

Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.

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