Booking a Disney World vacation can be an exciting but stressful process.
There are many decisions to make. Where will I stay? When should I travel? Should I purchase travel insurance?
Will I require making dining plans? Should I set extra money aside for Park Hoppers?
These are essential questions to ask yourself before selecting the right Disney World vacation package. Thankfully, many resources such as books, blogs, and YouTube videos can help you stay informed.
Likewise, the easy accessibility of all these online resources can also confuse and overwhelm you. So when selecting the right package for you and your family, there are essential things to consider.
Below are essential points to help you find the right vacation package:
1. Choose Ideal Travel Dates and Make Prior Reservations
The first step to booking a smooth Disney World vacation is deciding the suitable dates to go. It’s recommended to book your vacation 3-6 months in advance when visiting Walt Disney World. This is because Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) open up two months from the day of your arrival.
Alternatively, you should put character dining reservations on the top of your vacation booking to-do list. Most people are often online at 6.00 a.m. immediately after the reservations go live. This is quite a big deal for many.
Before the pandemic, guests were allowed to book Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) 6 months in advance. Today, they allow guests to book 60 days in advance. At this time, it’s still unclear whether this will be their permanent scheduling window.
If you can’t decide on the ideal date to visit Disney World, check out an online crowd calendar. These calendars recommend the right dates to book your vacation when there aren’t a lot of crowds. Additionally, remember to avoid the weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. These are some of the busiest weeks in Disney World.
2. Contact a Reputable Travel Agent
Booking a Disney World vacation can be quite challenging and complicated. The best way to make the process uncomplicated and easy is to hire a professional to help. Today, there are numerous travel agents in the market that specialize in Disney World vacations.
Some are even free. Your agent will reduce the stress and complication involved in the entire process. They will even help you and your family score a special time at Cinderella’s Royal Table for breakfast.
The best thing about using a travel agent is that they allow you to do some planning processes while handling the most challenging parts. And thanks to all the changes that resulted from the COVID 19 pandemic, you will need all the help you can get. Your travel agent will be informed and updated on any policy changes on Disney World, and they will inform you before you make the trip.
The agent could even help you find other unrelated Disney World activities to do during your Florida vacation. This is why it’s recommended to use a reputable, knowledgeable, and experienced Disney World travel agent.
3. Choose the Ideal Hotel
Another source of headache when planning a vacation is choosing the right hotel or Disney World vacation rentals. There are numerous accommodation facilities to fit almost any vacation budget. The hotels come in different categories, each with unique features.
These hotel categories include Deluxe Villas, Deluxe, Value, and Moderate Hotels. Most people ask when booking a Disney vacation, “Where should I Stay?” This is a decision that your travel agent can’t make for you.
You will need to sit down with your family and come up with a list of potential accommodation options and find the right one that checks all your boxes. Below are some tips when choosing the right vacation hotel for you and your family:
- Consider a hotel with bus service or Skyliner transportation to the park
- Quick service dining
- Standard rooms that will fit your family’s needs
- The hotel should be relaxing, affordable, and comfy
- Find a hotel with a pool
- Check the number of bathrooms if you choose to stay in a villa
Unfortunately, Disney hasn’t reopened most resorts and villas due to the effects of the pandemic. If you’re in doubt, consult your travel agent or check the Disney World website to determine which hotels are open to the public before booking.
You can also access the best Disney hotels through membership in the Disney Vacation Club. Ensure you also check DVC availability to make it more affordable.
4. Pick Your Tickets
Have you decided how many days you will visit the theme parks? Disney has four theme parks: Disney Animal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studio, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom. There are also two water parks- Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
All these parks need one to have a ticket before entering. The only place you won’t need a ticket to access Disney World is Disney Springs. Today all the water parks are reopened.
After deciding on the number of days you will need, it’s time to choose whether to purchase Park Hopper tickets or Base tickets. So what is the difference between the two? The Base tickets only allow you access to one park each day.
With a base ticket, you can enter and re-enter that park as many times as possible without requiring another ticket. On the other hand, with a Park Hopper ticket, you can visit all the four theme parks as many times as you would like in one day.
Deciding between the two types of tickets can be quite challenging. However, ensure you choose the right one for your family.
Are You Ready for Your Disney World Vacation?
Are you planning a Disney World Vacation but unsure where to start? The tips above should help you through this exciting yet complex process. With so many decisions to make about your travel, asking a travel agent for assistance will take the stress off our plate.
When looking for the right Disney World vacation package, it’s essential to plan in advance. Late planning may result in mistakes and oversights that may cost you later.
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