CHAPTER TWO
BACK TO YOUR DASHBOARD
Chapter 1
That trip you've been rolling over in your mind? It's time to make it happen, for real this time. If you're like me, you get overwhelmed when you think of your trip all at once. What most people don't realize is the biggest step - booking your trip - is actually the easiest.
You may have already booked your trip, and that's okay. There may be some things in this chapter that could be useful to you, like setting up your My Disney Experience account. If not, click through to Chapter Two.
You ready? Start by watching the video below where I review everything in this chapter. If you have a sleeping babe on you, you can skip the video and read on. Whatever works for you, my friend.
Love, Dana
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Chapter 1 Video: Booking Your Resort
It comes down to three major factors:
- crowd levels
- pricing
- weather
Personally? I love the first week of May (after the Spring Break crowds disperse), and the first week of November or December.
I understand it's hard with most school schedules, but if you can, try to zig while everyone zags!
01.
Decide When to Visit
Cheapest: January, August, and September (minus major holidays)
Coolest: December, January, and February.
Most crowded: March and early April, the week of Thanksgiving, and the week of Christmas until after New Year's Day.
To keep up with events, head to my calendar below.
When you're visiting Walt Disney World from out-of-state, you need a place to stay.
There are two options: "on-site", meaning at a resort owned by Disney and select other hotels, or "off-site". This would include hotels in the Orlando area, or an Airbnb.
ACCESS TO EARLY ENTRY
02.
BETTER Dining Reservations
Disney resort guests are allowed in the parks 30 minutes before official park opening, everyday.
Find a list of which resorts are included here.
Guests staying at a Disney hotel, Swan, Dolphin, or Shades of Green can book Individual Lightning Lanes at 7am. Everyone else has to wait until park opening - by then they could be gone!
While everyone can make their dining reservations 60 days before, only resort guests can make them for their entire trip (instead of day-by-day.)
I'm going to encourage you to stay at one of the resorts on Walt Disney World property. Here's why:
buy individual lightning lanes early
For us, we think about location above all else. Being able to walk back to your resort after a long day is a luxury. Taking a boat, monorail, or Skyliner with a hot coffee in your hand is always a highlight. Having other transportation options other than buses is just...well, nice.
To see all the transportation options for each resort, DOWNLOAD THE TRANSPORTATION BUNDLE
LOCATION > EVERYTHING ELSE
Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney World Resorts are separated into four categories: value, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villas.
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF STAYING DELUXE: On select nights, guests staying at a Deluxe Resort have access to Extended Evening Hours. Learn more here!
Value
MODERATE
DELUXE
DELUXE VILLAS
DELUXE VILLAS
MODERATE
DELUXE
Value
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club
BoardWalk Inn
Contemporary
Grand Floridian
Polynesian Village
Riviera Resort
Saratoga Springs
Wilderness Lodge
Yacht Club
DELUXE VILLAS
Value
MODERATE
DELUXE
DELUXE VILLAS
DELUXE
MODERATE
Value
Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House + Kidani Village
Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary
Beach Club Villas
BoardWalk Inn Villas
Boulder Ridge + Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge
Riviera Resort
Old Key West Resort
Polynesian Villas + Bungalows
Saratoga Springs
Villas at the Grand Floridian
DELUXE VILLAS
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF STAYING DELUXE: On select nights, guests staying at a Deluxe Resort have access to Extended Evening Hours. Learn more here!
Set Up Your My Disney Experience Account
03.
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- Set up your profile
- Add a payment method
- Link your tickets + resort reservation
- Add family and friends
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SETTING UP YOUR MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE
Here are two agents I know personally, trust completely, and also align with my style of planning!
Before reaching out, you'll want to know:
- Your approximate budget
- Travel dates
- Who's going
- If you need a room, tickets, or both
- Any interest in special events or other celebrations
Decide if You Need a Travel Agent
04.
let them know Dana sent you!
05.
It's time to make this real! There are 3 options to secure your trip: a room-only reservation, a vacation package, or using Disney Vacation Club points. Here's how they compare:
Book Your Resort. Like, Really Book It.
Save around 30%
Due in full + no cancellations
Can't use a free travel agent
Park tickets are purchased separately
Rent DVC Points
my favorite
Deposit: 1st night's cost + balance due at check in
Tickets can be added later or through a third-party
Can be made up to 499 days beforehand
Room-only
Reservation
1
A way to save even more...
You'll see a section on every DVC broker site called "dedicated" or "confirmed" reservations. These are reservations that have already been booked, but for whatever reason can't be filled.
These are locked in and guaranteed with the room and dates aaaand come at even more of a discount!
Better for last minute trips, or if you're more flexible with your travel dates.
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Includes resort stay + theme park tickets
Depost: $200
Balance due 30 days before
Lots of flexibility when it comes to modifying/cancellations
2
Vacation Package
MOST POPULAR
3
Bonus Video: Renting DVC Points
As of May 31, 2023, room, ticket and vacation packages are available for all of 2024.
If you want to rent DVC points - my favorite way - you can book that up to 11 months before you want to visit.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How many days should I book?
If this is your once-a-year family vacation, a full seven days is ideal. It could look something like this: 2 travel days, 4 parks, and 1 day to chill or use as an extra park day.
Should I book a "split-stay"?
This is when you "split" your vacation in half by staying at two different resorts. I've done this and loved being in 2 unique spots BUT it is kind of a pain to pack up in the middle and then be sort of homeless until your room is ready at the second resort.
Do I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
If you book through Disney, you can add travel insurance for $95 per adult (this fee will cover your children, too.) If you're renting DVC points or not booking a Disney vacation package, use Travelex.
Is IT OK TO BOOK LAST MINUTE?
Until January 9th, 2024, you'll need a park ticket AND reservation to enter. Before you book last minute, check Walt the theme park reservation calendar here to make sure your dates aren't sold out.
“I didn't think it would be worth it. It was. I didn't think it would work for me. It did. I didn't think I'd be *that* success story. I am. ”
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- CAMILLE S.
Further Reading
Checklist
CHAPTER 1
Decide When to visit
REQUEST DVC POINT RENTAL
CREATE A MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE ACCOUNT
BOOK THE ROOM!
yes
no
You're on your way to creating the vacation of your dreams, I can feel it! This first chapter takes a lot of brain power - you got this!
continue to chapter 2
CHOOSE YOUR RESORT
