Planning for Disney: 6 Steps to Experience the Magic

Vacations should be part of life. Whether it be to the charming city of Paris or the bustling town of Italy. However, if you're thinking of a magical and budget-friendly vacation option, then Disney world should be your top pick. This guide offers insights on how to plan a trip to Disney World.

If you're like me and love to experience magic when traveling, then I'd recommend a Walt Disney World trip. Whether you're in your 20s sorting a weekend getaway with your friends or in your 40s planning a trip with your kids, you're never too old for a little Disney!

The best way to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible is to plan your holiday travel in advance. I'm sure you'd like to avoid huge meltdowns, long lines, and wasted opportunities.

There's a lot to see at Walt Disney World, so ensure you book a reservation early and choose what your vacation priorities should be. If you're ready to start your adventure to Disney world, this article is the ultimate guide you need for your epic experience.

Why Do People Go to Disney World?

Without a doubt, Walt Disney World is really the loveliest place on earth. Kids and adults of all ages can agree that visiting Disney World is one of the happiest times of their lives.

There's always something for everyone, whether you're a daredevil or you prefer the gentler rides. Whatever your vacation needs are, you're sure to find them at Disney World.

6 Easy Steps to Plan a Disney Vacation

With the right strategy, you can discover real Disney magic. I'll show you how to plan the greatest Disney vacation and make the most of your trip.

Step 1: Learn The Best Time to Visit Disney World

You can see Disney World just about anytime. But I've noticed that to get the ultimate experience, there are some key moments that'd make your visit worth a while.

Best Months to Visit Disney World

If you're planning a trip to Disney World, the best time to go is in the fall or spring. The weather's nice and the crowds are minimal. During the Spring season, March to May, you can look forward to multiple meet-and-greet events perfect for the kiddos. 

There are other events like the Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival, Star Wars Rival Run Weekend, and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. 

If you travel in the Fall with your family, from September to November, you can enjoy Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and other special events for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

You can still go at other times of the year, especially if there's a special event that you've been looking forward to. For example, the Festival of the Arts is a terrific reason to visit Disney World in the winter. 

In the Winter Season, from December to January, there are usually holiday-themed events such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Best Time to Visit if You're on Budget

If you're on a budget, the best time to visit Disney World is between January and February. These months usually have fewer visitors, which makes it even more ideal.

Step 2: Decide How Many Days to Spend There

Disney World is so enchanting, you must see it for yourself. And honestly, it's almost impossible to see it all in a day! If you want to fully experience the magic of Disney World, you have to stick a little longer.

Common Itinerary Among Disney World Visitors

A typical Disney World vacation lasts 3 to 7 days. If you want to see the majority of the attractions, performances, parades, and so on, you should plan on spending multiple days at each park.

Most people devote an entire day to visiting each of the four Disney parks. Considering their size and the sheer number of attractions, Epcot and Magic Kingdom may need two days to explore.

Recommended Park to Prioritize

If you only have a couple of days to spend in the parks, Magic Kingdom must be your top priority. It's a classic Disney experience you shouldn't miss out on. I'll give you the highlights on these!

Step 3: Plan Where to Stay

If you're planning to stay for more than a day, you need to settle your accommodation in advance.

Accommodation Options

You can stay at one of the Disney World Resorts, especially if you're looking to stay longer. It's the official on-site accommodation at Disney World, with more than 25 options to choose from. With this, you can maximize early theme park admission and free transportation. 

You can also go for vacation packages that already take care of the accommodation for you. To make your Disney World vacation planning hassle-free, there's a simple way to ditch the complication and just go straight to embracing the fun. That is to use a trip planner like Pilot!

Step 4: Use Coupons and Discounts

There are a lot of transportation options available to help guests easily get around during their vacation. Disney World offers complimentary resort transportation, which is the most popular option. 

It includes monorails, buses, and boats and provides transport to and from all resorts, parks, and Disney World destinations. 

Guests can also use Disney's Magical Express, a complimentary airport shuttle service providing transportation between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World resorts.

There's also a Minnie Van Service, still operated by Disney, that can be booked through the Lyft app. Guests can also use the Disney Skyliner and the several walkways throughout. 

When arranging a trip to Walt Disney World, you can make use of a variety of discounts and coupons. It's a smart move to take one while available. 

Any specials will be limited to specific locations or dates and will most likely be during the off-season. You can also choose to join Disney Vacation Club for more discounts.

Extra Tips to Save More

Bring your snacks and meals to save even more costs. Another option is to avoid the PhotoPass package entirely. You can simply ask Disney photographers to take a photograph with your camera or smartphone. 

The Photopass Package is a service offered by Disney World in which guests can have access to unlimited downloads of the pictures taken by Disney Photopass photographers. This package is purchased separately. 

Though it's a great way to capture epic moments throughout the vacation, you can skip it to save costs.

Step 5: Discover The Available Parks

The next step is to decide which park you want to visit during your trip. The following are the parks you can explore at Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is Disney World's biggest theme park and a cultural thing for children and adults. It features classic Disney characters, attractions, and entertainment. 

There are 6 themed lands in the Magic Kingdom: Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland, and Main Street, U.S.

EPCOT

EPCOT is the second most visited park at Disney World. It was designed as a functional metropolis of the future, and it features a variety of rides and attractions. 

The name of the park stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It highlights human innovation and achievement through cultural exchange, technological advancements, and interactive experiences.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is a must-see for any film or television fan. You can fully experience movie magic and the glitz of Hollywood. 

There are multiple themed areas in this park such as Sunset Boulevard, Echo Lake, Hollywood Boulevard, Toy Story Land, Grand Avenue, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Animal Kingdom

Finally, there's the Animal Kingdom, which is great for every animal enthusiast in your family. Disney's Animal Kingdom is a 500-acre attraction with various theme parks, including Oasis, Discovery Islands, Africa, Asia, and Pandora. 

There are several experiences animal lovers and thrill-seekers would adore.

Step 6: Make Time for Must-See Characters and Must-Do Rides 

Planning a trip to Disney World would be incomplete without having a look at some fantastic characters or getting on some impressive rides.  

Must-See Characters

For many, one of the most charming bits of Disney World is meeting your favorite characters in reality. 

The princesses, for example, can be seen in Cinderella's Royal Table. So, if you're a Disney princess fan, you'll be able to meet your favorite princess and take a picture with her! Lilo and Stitch can also be found at the Polynesian Village Resort. 

Disney World's must-see characters include Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, Toy Story, Frozen, and Marvel Characters. 

Must-Do Rides

If meeting specific characters is not part of your Disney itinerary, you can try out the numerous rides. Keep an eye on the waiting list to avoid spending too much time in one area. 

You can also pay extra for Genie+, which allows you to skip the lines on most activities. Some of the must-do rides you should take part in are:

• Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
• Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom), 
• Test Track (Epcot)
• Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios) 
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)

Plan Your Visit to Disney World with Pilot!

Even with a comprehensive guide like the one above, arranging a Disney World vacation can still be stressful. To dive right in stress-free, work with Pilot to create the best itinerary that works for your schedule and budget.