Walt Disney World 101: A Planning Guide
MagicBands, Fast Pass +, Magic Express, character dining, Extra Magic Hours, PhotoPass… Planning a perfect Walt Disney World vacation can be complicated.
Here is a quick summary of everything you need to know to start planning a magical Disney vacation:
Table of Contents
Parks
There are 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, and 2 water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Water parks require separate admission.
| Park | Landmark | Park “Lands” | Popular Rides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom | Castle | Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Frontierland | Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, Thunder Mountain |
| Epcot | Spaceship Earth (“Ball”) | Future World and World Showcase (countries pavilions) | Soarin’, Test Track, Frozen Ever After |
| Animal Kingom | Tree of Life | Pandora – The World of Avatar, Africa, Asia, Discovery Island, Dinoland, Conservation Station | Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River ride, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur |
| Hollywood Studios | Chinese Theater/Tower of Terror | Toy Story Land, Galaxy’s Edge aka Star Wars Land (opening August 29, 2019), Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Grand Avenue, Animation Courtyard, Sunset Boulevard | Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash |
Tickets
Disney introduced new ticketing structure where the price per day varies depending on the days you are visiting (low-peak vs high-peak season).
One-day ticket prices ranges from $109 to $159 (plus tax). The price per day decreases as you add more days to your ticket.
Park Hopper
You need to have a park hopper ticket to visit more than one theme park a day ($65-85 extra, in addition to the ticket price).
Fireworks and Nighttime Shows
All of the parks offer can’t-miss nighttime entertainment.
Animal Kingdom is the only park without a fireworks display which is done out of consideration for the animals.
See Disney’s official site or mobile app for show times.
| Show | Park | Show Type/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Happily Ever After | Magic Kingdom | Fireworks/projections |
| Once Upon a Time | Magic Kingdom | Projection show |
| Illuminations – Reflections of Earth | Epcot | Fireworks/laser show. Ends September 30, 2019 |
| Epcot Forever | Epcot | Fireworks/laser show. Starts October 1, 2019 (replaces Illuminations) |
| Fantasmic! | Hollywood Studios | Fireworks/ projection/ live entertainment show |
| Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular | Hollywood Studios | Fireworks/projections |
| Wonderful World of Animation | Hollywood Studios | Projection show |
| Rivers of Light | Animal Kingdom | Water/lights show |
| Tree of LIfe Awakening | Animal Kingdom | Projection show |
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex on Disney property. I consider it the 7th park with no admission fee.
Resorts
There are more than 25 hotels located on Disney World property. There are 4 categories of the resorts:
- Value
- Moderate
- Deluxe
- Deluxe villa
See the reasons to stay on Disney property below.
Magical Express
Disney’s Magical Express is complimentary motorcoach transportation between Orlando International Airport and select Walt Disney World Resort hotels—featuring complimentary luggage delivery to your room. It is only available to guests staying on property.
See my post on how to find Magical Express at the airport here.
Park Transportation
Guests staying on property can enjoy a wide array of complimentary transportation options to travel to/from parks and Disney Springs: bus, boat, ferry, monorail, and Skyliner, gondola transportation system, opening fall 2019.
A few notes:
There are no buses from Disney Springs to the theme parks. If you want to enjoy a park after visiting Disney Springs, take a bus to any resort and then take a bus to a park from there. Or you could take Uber or Lyft.
There are no transportation options to travel between the resorts (besides the ones on the monorail loop). If you need to get to another resort, take a bus to Disney Springs and then take a bus to the resort from there. Or Uber/Lyft.
If you are new to Uber, you can get $2 off each of your first 3 rides if you use my referral link.
Or you can get $5 in ride credits if you use my referral link to sign up for Lyft.
Fast Pass +
Disney’s Fast Pass + system lets you reserve attractions times in advance (60 days in advance if you are staying on property, otherwise it is 30 days). It is “skip the line” access. It is FREE, provided you have a valid park ticket.
Magic Bands
MagicBand is a RFID wristband that is connected to your park ticket and resort reservation (if you are staying on property). You can use it to enter the parks, check in at FastPass+ entrances, connect Disney PhotoPass images to your Disney account, charge food and merchandise purchases to your Disney Resort hotel room (only available during your hotel stay), and unlock the door of your Disney Resort hotel room. MagicBand is free for Disney hotels guests (select solid color only, custom options available at discount).
PhotoPass
There are multiple Disney PhotoPass locations throughout the Disney property (select attractions and restaurants, photographers). Pictures taken at PhotPass locations can be linked to My Disney Experience. You can purchase one or more picture as you go, or you can add Memory Maker to your reservation to be able to download all of the pictures from your vacation ($169 if purchased in advance).
Magic Shots
Magic Shots add Disney characters and other fun surprises to your PhotoPass pictures after they are taken. You can see all of the Magic Shots offered and their locations on the PhotoPass Facebook page.
Here are just a few of our Magic Shots:
Extra Magic Hours
Each day, guests staying on the property have the opportunity to enjoy select attractions in at least one of 4 theme parks, before or after regular operating hours.
You can see what park(s) have EMH either on Disney’s website or in My Disney Experience mobile app.
Dining
Dining Plan
If you are staying on property you can add Disney dining plan to your reservation. There are three tiers:
- Quick Service plan (2 counter-service meals, and 2 snacks per night, 1 refillable mug)
- Standard (1 counter-service meal, 1 sit down meal, and 2 snacks per night, 1 refillable mug)
- Deluxe (3 meals at counter-service or table service restaurants, and 2 snacks per night, 1 refillable mug).
Depending on what your dining preferences are, purchasing the dining plan could be cheaper than paying out of pocket. Disney has been running “free dining” promos for the last several years, so keep an eye out for the promos.
Restaurants
There are three restaurant types:
- Quick service. They are generally either cafeteria-style or counter-service venues. You order or take the food items that you want, pay for your food and sit down to enjoy your meal. Use the mobile order feature in the My Disney Experience app when dining at quick service locations to save time.
- Table service. Standard restaurants with the waitstaff.
- Signature. Fine cuisine restaurants requiring two table service credits to dine there if you are using Disney’s dining plan.
Character Dining
Booking character dining is a great way to maximize time in the parks. Instead of waiting in line to meet the characters, you can enjoy a meal (usually a buffet style) while the characters come to your table to interact and sign the autographs.
Dinner Shows
Want to combine live entertainment with all-you-can-eat food? Look no further than these dinner shows:
| Show | Location | Entertainment | Food | Drinks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue | Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground | Wild West dancing, singing and zany vaudeville comedy | All-you-care-to-enjoy fried chicken and smoked BBQ pork ribs, tossed green salad, baked beans, fresh-baked cornbread and strawberry shortcake | Unlimited draft beer, wine and sangria are included for Guests 21 years of age and up. Soft drinks. |
| Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show | Polynesian Village Resort | Dancers, drummers and a show-stopping fire-knife performer | Aloha pulled pork, Polynesian ribs, roasted chicken and seasonal vegetables, fresh-cut fruit and a salad with ginger-lime dressing, pineapple-coconut guava cake with chocolate crunch | Soft drinks, lemonade, coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages, Guests 21 years of age and up can enjoy beer and wine. |
If you have dining plan, you can redeem two table service credits for one of these shows (tier 2 or 3 seating only).
Reserved Viewing Dining Package
These set price packages grant you access to a reserved viewing area for a show or a parade. You will get a ticket that you will need to be present at the reserved area after your meal.
| Event | Park | Restaurant(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Festival of Fantasy Parade | Magic Kingdom | Tony’s Town Square Restaurant |
| Fantasmic! | Hollywood Studios | Hollywood and Vine Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano The Hollywood Brown Derby |
| Rivers of Light | Animal Kingdom | Tusker House Tiffins |
| Disney on Broadway (during International Festival of the Arts) | Epcot | Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Biergarten Coral Reef Garden Grill Rode & Crown |
| Garden Rocks (during Flower and Garden Festival) | Epcot | Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Biergarten Chefs de France Coral Reef Garden Grill La Hacienda de San Angel Nine Dragons Restaurant Marrakesh Rode & Crown San Angel Inn Restaurante Spice Road Table Via Napoli Tutto Italia Ristorante Tokyo Dining Teppan Edo |
| Eat to the Beat (during Food and Wine Festival) | Epcot | Biergarten Chefs de France Coral Reef Garden Grill La Hacienda de San Angel Nine Dragons Restaurant Marrakesh Rode & Crown San Angel Inn Restaurante Spice Road Table Via Napoli Tutto Italia Ristorante Tokyo Dining Teppan Edo |
| Disney World Candlelight Processional (during International Festival of the Holidays) | Epcot | Ale & Compass Biergarten Chefs de France Coral Reef Garden Grill La Hacienda de San Angel Nine Dragons Restaurant Marrakesh Rode & Crown San Angel Inn Restaurante Spice Road Table Via Napoli Tutto Italia Ristorante Tokyo Dining Teppan Edo Trattoria al Forno |
Dining Reservations
Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance. You can make them online (MyDisneyExperience) or over the phone (407-WDW-DINE or 407-939-3463). Please note that Disney requires you to enter a credit card info to make the reservation and you will be charged $10 per person a no show fee so make sure to cancel the reservation if you are not able to attend.
Dessert Parties
Dessert parties let you watch fireworks or shows from the reserved viewing area after enjoying a buffet of desserts and snacks. They are offered at each of the theme parks. Adult prices range from $39 to $99.
Currently offered parties are:
- Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
- Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
- Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
- Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
- Halloween Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
- Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
- Rivers of Light Dessert Party
- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party
Special Events
Special ticketed events require a separate admission to enter the parks. Only guests who have purchased these special tickets will be able to attend as the park will be closed to the general public. This usually means less crowds and shorter wait times.
If you are not planning on attending any of these, pay attention to the park hours as they might closer earlier than usual due to these events.
You can currently purchase admission to the events below. There could be additional events offered in the future, for example, Early Morning Hour at Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.
Disney After Hours
This 3-hour nighttime event will let enjoy attractions and experiences with little wait times at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom theme parks. The price starts at $125/person.
Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park
After hours event with an evil twist: villain-themed food and beverage offerings, themed merchandise, an all-new, 20-plus minute stage show starring Hades, Meg, The Queen, Maleficent, Jafar and other hilarious hoodlums, and more. The price starts at $139/person.
H2O Glow Nights
A night party at Typhoon Lagoon water park featuring DJ-hosted dance party, a mix of Toy Story-themed experiences including Character Greeting with Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie, an array of limited-time food and beverage offerings, and more.
Select nights now through August 24th. From $59/person.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Trick-or-Treat at Magic Kingdom! And don’t forget to wear a Halloween costume.
Thrill to a Halloween fireworks spectacular, special spooky shows and celebrations and our ever-popular Halloween parade, where favorite Disney Characters march in masquerade alongside stars from the Haunted Mansion.
Select nights August 16 – November 1, 2019.
From $79/adult, $74/child.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate (included in the admission), Christmastime parade, fireworks show, mega-fun dance party, and more.
Select nights November 8th to December 22nd. From $94/child, $99/adult.
Epcot Festivals
Epcot celebrates the arts, flowers, food, music, holidays and non-stop family fun throughout the year during four signature theme-park festivals.
These festivals are included with the Epcot admission.
International Festival of the Arts
Immerse yourself in this celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts from around the world, featuring live Broadway-style entertainment and original artwork.
Mid-January to the end of February.
2020 dates to be announced.
See our 5 top things to do at the International Festival of the Arts here.
Flower and Garden Festival
Attend an annual event abloom with brilliant gardens, fresh flavors, rockin’ entertainment and more.
March – May.
2020 dates to be announced.
Food and Wine Festival
Taste your way around the world with an endless selection of global cuisine and beverages.
End of August through the end of November.
2019 dates are August 29 to November 23, 2019.
International Festival of the Holidays
Celebrate holidays around the world during this spirited seasonal festival featuring the holiday traditions of 11 World Showcase nations, and seasonal food & beverage specialties at the expanded Holiday Kitchens.
End of November – December.
2019 dates are November 29-December 30.
Benefits of Staying on Disney Property
- Free solid color Magic Band or $14.99 discount on a custom band.
- Access to Fast Pass + reservations 60 days in advance (vs 30 days for everyone else)
- Free transportation to and from MCO airport
- Airport luggage delivery service: no need to pick up your bags upon arrival and an option to check in your bags at the resort
- Extra Magic Hours
- An option to purchase dining plan
- Purchases delivery service
- Bounce back offers
Using a Travel Agent
Planning a Disney vacation can surely be stressful and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be!
A Disney travel agent will help you plan a perfectly magical vacation absolutely free.
Reasons to use a travel agent:
- Disney travel agents have extensive knowledge of resorts, parks, restaurants, and everything else on Disney property and beyond
- You will save time as TAs can book dining, fast passes, special events, etc. for you.
- You will save money since, if there is a promo released after you booked your vacation, the travel agent will be able to apply it to your reservation.
With that being said, if you need help planning a magical trip, contact me for free no-obligation quote. My concierge travel planning services are absolutely free and I can help with:
- Getting the maximum value out of the dining plan
- Restaurant suggestions
- Restaurant reservations
- Fast pass booking
- Itinerary planning
- Hotel recommendations
and much more
See the list of currently available Disney promos here.
Related WDW posts
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