109 Things To Consider Before Your Walt Disney World Trip

For our first-timers and our long-time veterans, there's always something new to consider when heading
to out on your Walt Disney World adventure. We’ve compiled 109 things you’ll definitely want to
consider before you drive through those big purple gates at Walt Disney World. But don’t worry – we
have all the planning resources you need over at AllEars.Net!

Let's take a look!

Budgeting For Your Vacation

1. Oh, yes. This is what keeps us from dining at Cinderella's Royal Table and California Grill every night.
The first step in budgeting is getting a general price for your vacation. You can do this online, through
chat or over the phone. We always recommend using MEI-Mousefan Travel to get a completely free
quote for your trip – the agents there know all the best discounts and can apply them to your trip.

2. Saving up for your trip is tough. There are always so many cool things to buy once you've decided
you're going. Thankfully, Walt Disney World allows you to send a payment as soon as you have the
money in your pocket.

3. You need not pay for the trip all at once. Monthly payments up until your cancellation window are
perfectly acceptable. You'll need a first night's deposit for your room up front, but that’s also completely
refundable within your cancellation window if circumstances change.

4. Don't forget to add a budget for spending once you're in the park, too! There's lots of park-only
merchandise you'll be tempted with and will likely end up scanning your MagicBand for. Set a budget
and stick to it!

5. Try finding discounted Disney theme park gift cards. Large box clubs, Target (purchase with your red
card to save 5%) and several other retailers carry these throughout the year. Any discount helps!

Disney World Weather Tips

6. Weather changes fast in the greater Orlando area. Keep an eye on the predictions during your trip.
Whether the forecast is rainy, cold, or crazy hot, pack for it. You'll be glad you did.

7. A hurricane may stop Walt Disney World's operation, but that's only happened a few times in the
history of the property. Tropical Storms? The party is still on! We recommend a poncho and foldable
umbrella – you don’t want to spend your souvenir money buying them in the parks.

8. Every year in the Orlando area is a little different than the last. That means one year February may be
in the 30's for lows and the next, it may be somewhere in the 60's or 70's. Pack a little of each type of
clothing if you're visiting during questionable seasons.

9. The hottest period of the year is typically from late May into early October. Tips to beat the heat
include bringing stay-cold towels, planning to spend the hottest parts of the day in the pool or indoors
while playing in the parks early in the morning and in the evening, and drinking LOTS of water. Disney
provides free ice water at all of its counter service dining locations.

10. There is seriously growing popularity (as of this writing) in the Walt Disney World resort area from
mid-October until late February. Once upon a time this was the off-season (minus the holidays, of
course). Since it is a bit cooler during this time (usually), it has gained in popularity and may be more
crowded than you remember.

Transportation to Disney World (Flying, Driving, Boating!)

11. There are many ways to get to Walt Disney World. You need to decide which one is for you! Flying is
likely the most common of them all since guests arrive from all over the globe to visit the most magical
place on Earth. The most common airport to fly in and out of for Disney World is Orlando International
Airport. It’s about 30 minutes away from Walt Disney World.

12. Flying can be seriously costly. If you have 2-3 children and you're within reasonable driving distance,
you may consider driving if your vacation day allotment allows. But note that if you’re staying at a Walt
Disney World resort hotel, you will now have to pay for parking your personal vehicle each night.
Internal Walt Disney World transportation is fantastic for guests who prefer to fly in.

13. For those who live full time on the seas (we know there are a few of you!) you can easily dock at
Cape Canaveral and hitch a ride over to Walt Disney World, which is about an hour away. Docking fees
will apply.

14. If you decide to drive you can cut down on gas costs by joining fuel rewards programs. Shell, Exxon
and BP are three of the easily found east coast gas stations. Speedway has its own rewards program and
is Walt Disney World's on-property gas station as of this writing.

15. Decided on flying in to MCO? That's Orlando International Airport for those unfamiliar with airport
codes. Disney's Magical Express will transport you to the Walt Disney World Resort free of charge if you
are staying on-property. Staying on-property means you are staying at a Walt Disney World-owned
hotel.

16. Other ways to get from MCO to Walt Disney World include rental car (there are many rental car
agencies represented at MCO), ride sharing service like uber or lyft, black car service (we’ve always
recommended Happy Limo), and taxi. Minnie Vans, Disney World’s ride sharing collaboration with Lyft,
may also be able to transport from MCO.

Transportation In And Around Walt Disney World

17. The beautiful, wonderful bus fleet of the Walt Disney World resort is prompt, enthusiastic and
incredibly professional. However, if you are going from resort to resort, this could really give you a time
cramp. Buses do not deliver resort to resort. So if you’re going to take a bus from your Disney World
hotel to another Disney World hotel, you’ll need to take a bus to a theme park or Disney Springs and
then transfer to a bus to your destination hotel. This could take up to two hours.

18. Boats! There are plenty of waterways in Walt Disney World, and boats are often a primary mode of
transportation between hotels and theme parks. Rides are smooth and usually average about 15
minutes, but if you do get severely seasick, be prepared.

19. Most guests will eventually travel by monorail while they’re in Walt Disney World. This “highway in
the sky” is a fun train ride between select parks and resorts. There are three hotels that have monorail
service directly at their lobby-- The Contemporary, The Polynesian Village, and The Grand Floridian. If
you have very small children and plan to focus on the Magic Kingdom and Epcot primarily, paying the
extra money to stay at a resort with monorail service could be worth it.

20. If you've rented a car or you drove your own vehicle to Walt Disney World, you may be tempted to
drive yourself around the property. This is usually faster than taking the bus if you’re traveling between
resorts, or even between parks and resorts depending on the location. But keep in mind that the bus
drivers know what roads are closed today due to construction. Your GPS may or may not.

21. Is personalized service more your bag? Lyft and Uber both run on Walt Disney World property and
are widely available--there are local Orlando residents that make a living off of simply driving around the
Walt Disney World resort all day. However, there is a special, Walt Disney World-only feature that Lyft
offers. The Minnie Van, bright red vans covered in classic Minnie Mouse polka dots and a bow, transport
up to 6 people anywhere on Disney World property and will pick you up anywhere on Disney World
property. This is a fantastic experience, complete with your choice of Disney-inspired. Clean, safe Graco
car seats are available at request for your littlest passengers. These can even be turned into booster
seats for older children. Minnie vans are usually slightly more expensive than a standard Lyft or Uber
ride, but because the drivers are Disney cast members (many of them have been working for Disney for
many years), they’re extremely knowledgeable about the property, can answer any of your questions,
and are pre-screened as safe drivers for your family.

Making the Disney Theme Park Schedule Work For You

22. PPO, AH, EMH, MNSSHP, MVMCP, and EMM! These are all things you've probably seen (or maybe
things you can identify off the top of your head!) if you frequent Disney fan websites, but we may be
speaking Greek if you haven’t (check out our All Ears list of acronyms and abbreviations for details). It’s
no secret that planning a Disney trip these days takes a LOT of effort. All of these are ways to make the
ever-changing Park Schedule work for you. PPO (Pre-park opening) breakfasts are a great way to get in
line early for traditionally long-lined attractions. For example, The Garden Grill hosts a reasonably
priced, family-style all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast complete with Mickey and Pals characters in Epcot,
RIGHT next to Soarin's front gate. In Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace and Cinderella’s Royal Table might
be great PPO breakfasts that will get you closer to popular rides at opening time sooner than those
having to wait at the gates.

23. On the reverse we have AH (After-Hours) events and EMM (Early Morning Magic) events. These hard
ticket events (i.e. events that you have to pay an extra cost to attend) will cost you, but they’re a
surefire way to ride many rides with minimal wait.

24. EMH (Extra Magic Hours) are extra hours that the parks are open in the morning or evening
exclusively for Disney World Resort hotel guests. Morning hours are usually pretty quiet, and offer a
good opportunity to ride popular rides with lower wait times. Evening hours are usually packed, and
may not be the greatest way to get on those attractions without a crush of other people. However, it's a
great time to come back if you had to duck out earlier in the day because someone felt ill or needed a

nap. You'll have to deal with crowds but they still aren't as bad as the average Saturday during Spring
Break at the Magic Kingdom... usually.

25. MNSSHP (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party) and MVMCP (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas
Party) are seasonal hard ticket events that offer guests a fun holiday experience in addition to lower
wait times on rides and free treats. These are fantastic additions to your vacation if you're a night owl or
you want to enjoy the park when it's a little cooler. Note that these hard ticket events are getting more
and more expensive.

26. The normal schedule is released a few months in advance. Usually after the 60 day mark things don't
change that much if for no other reason than FastPass+ are being reserved. We always recommend that
you work out a day to day plan of where you want to be and when. Planning ahead for a Disney trip is
no longer an option; it’s imperative.

In Park Dining vs On Property Dining vs Off Property Dining

27. Dining on Walt Disney World property has a huge number of perks, but the number of choices can
often be overwhelming for first-timers. Head over to our All Ears menu pages -- a recommended favorite
tool for thousands of Disney guests – to read up on possibilities.

28. In park dining is best for guests who have a tight schedule in the park, or who would prefer to not
have to go through security checks again. You may pay a slightly higher price for your lunch, but you also
won't have to spend time trying to get back into the park.

29. If you are park hopping in the middle of the day this is a perfect time to check out some of the
awesome eateries at the resorts. Places like Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian Café at
Grand Floridian Resort, and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge are often pretty quiet during a
park operating day, so these may be easier reservations to snag.

30. You'll need a car or a ride share service/taxi if you are heading off property to dine. However, there
are plenty of great places in the Orlando area that represent plenty of national chains and international
cuisines. The prices will probably be a bit lower than the parks as well. This can be a nice midday escape
from busy theme parks, too.

31. A pre-paid credit card with your dining budget pre-loaded may be a great way to help you stay
within the confines of your budget regardless of where you choose to dine.

Orlandoathon!

32. Are you considering visiting other Orlando theme parks while you're in the area? It may be best to
have a car or rent one since ride sharing and taxis can become costly.

33. If you are staying off property there may be buses or other forms of shuttle service to other theme
parks. Check before you go and double-check for any price point on these. Sometimes local hotels have
free shuttles to Walt Disney World but not to, say, Sea World.

34. Orlando does indeed have its own bus system. This may be one way that those staying on or off
property can experience the city if they are familiar with typical public transport maps.

35. Minnie Vans cannot pick you up from off property locations. This means that if you are stranded at a
restaurant off property, you may have to take a cab or ride sharing service back to your Walt Disney
World resort.

36. Consider seeking out Walt Disney World liquidation stores for your souvenirs instead. You may be
able to get some really neat off season things (like Christmas merchandise in February or March) for
much lower prices. There are a few of these around and they make a great complimentary day trip for
your Disney Springs day. One very popular option is the Disney Character Warehouse at the Orlando
Premium Outlets.

Special Events

37. We mentioned some of the special events in the park schedule section of this primer, but we didn't
really delve into specifics. If you are attending a special event, make sure that you are at the gates at
least half an hour before the event’s start time time. You'll need that time to get through security, and
at those prices, nobody wants to be late for the party.

38. An evening special event is an ideal way to kick off your vacation. This gives you access to many of
the rides and shows available at the park on a normal day but without paying full price for a day ticket.
This is ideal for guests arriving on flights mid-day.

39. Popular restaurants that have difficult-to-get reservations like Be Our Guest Restaurant and
Cinderella’s Royal Table could be open during special events. Just remember that spending event time
dining means you’re not taking advantage of the lower wait times and other unique event happenings.
Deciding whether to do a table-service dining option during an expensive hard ticket event could be a
quandary.

40. FastPass+ isn’t an option during special events. But lower crowds in the park should mean lower wait
times as well.

41. There are special merchandise items like trading pins, magic bands, apparel, and more that come out
only during special events. If you're a collector, you may want to check in just to see what's available.

How School Schedules Affect Your Disney World Trip

42. School schedules around the world can seriously impact your Walt Disney World vacation. We’ll go
over a few examples to consider here. “Jersey Week” is when kids in the New Jersey area have time off
school. It's incredibly popular for Walt Disney World trips from up north and swamps the parks. This
usually happens in November.

43. Spring Break is another consideration. While this is a great time to go without your kids having
unexplained absences, the parks are usually incredibly busy because everybody else wants to have
unexplained absences, too. If you decide to go during Spring Break, have a great FastPass+ plan.

44. Winter holidays are another very popular. No school for the kids and free vacation days from work
for mom and dad mean it’s prime time for a Disney World trip. Weeks earlier in December will be less
crowded than ones closer to the big holidays like Christmas.

45. 3- and 4-day school breaks (like Presidents Day and Columbus Day) see an uptick in attendance as it
is a good way to have fewer unexplained absences; though these are not usually quite so crowded as
Spring Break.

46. Want to go during the school year? See if your school will allow you to take your children to Walt
Disney World as an educational trip. Between all four theme parks, especially Epcot and Animal
Kingdom, there's plenty to learn.

“What I Wish I’d Known” Tips In The Parks

47. The occasional snack can add up to a few hundred dollars without you noticing. If you prefer to
snack throughout your day, consider consciously limiting yourself to 1-2 snacks per theme park visit and
taking along favorites in your bag.

48. Have little ones with you? Take their favorites with you. A lot of the Walt Disney World snack carts
have wonderful snacks -- but they are usually very strongly flavored or have high fat or sugar content.
It's okay for your kids to have their Mickey Premium Bar, of course, but one too many on a hot summer
day is a recipe for disaster.

49. Have a blister? Keeping moleskin and dry socks with you can be a blessing in serious heat. Consider
tucking these away for your whole family in your pack as well.

50. Carrying water bottles may add 3-4 pounds to your pack but it will save you $3.50 per bottle. Most
counter service locations are happy to give you cups of free ice water to refill your water bottle, and
there are lots of fountains around the theme parks that have bottle filling setups.

51. Medications that need to be kept cold, like insulin, can be stored at the park's first aid station for
absolutely no fee. There are also cold thermos containers with frozen inserts that you can purchase
before your trip to keep your bottles cold during the day if you prefer to keep your medication with you.

“What I Wish I’d Known” Tips Outside The 4 Major Theme Parks

52. Once the parks shut down for the day and you need some late-night eats, Disney Springs is usually
open until 12 am or 2 am, depending on the season. Three locations in Disney World offer food 24 hours
per day – Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort, Picabu Buffeteria at the Dolphin Resort, and
Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian Resort. If none of these restaurants appeal to you,
remember that you can still easily Uber or Lyft off property. Plenty of Orlando dining establishments are
open 24 hours per day. It's a good thing to Yelp beforehand.

53. Quiet time can be hard to find if you're in a busy Walt Disney World resort. Need some cool-down
time before you turn in? Many Disney resorts offer running and walking paths that you can stroll.
Eventually, you will leave populated areas and move into quieter ones. Be safe and bring your own light
and a mobile phone in case of emergency.

54. We always recommend taking a Resort-Only day during your vacation. Opting out of the parks for
the day can give the whole family a good bit of relaxation and rejuvenation. Learn the menus and the
activities at your resort hotel ahead of time. Those staying in a Value resort (Art of Animation, Pop
Century, and all three All Stars) will only have access to a food court and pizza delivery. They're excellent

food courts but they may not satisfy everyone. If you decide to rumble between resorts remember that
a ride share, taxi, or your own vehicle may be your fastest option, though some resorts (Epcot area and
Magic Kingdom area resorts) may have quick Disney transportation readily available via boat or
monorail.

55. Disney Springs is absolutely free. If you have a local friend who doesn't have a theme park ticket but
wants to meet up, try heading to Disney Springs and enjoying the street shows or having poutine for the
first time.

56. Water parks often have fewer operating hours than the 4 major theme parks do. Watch their
schedule and their refurbishment plans. Refurbishments at the water parks happen once a year for
about two months at a time for each water park – usually during the winter months.

Illness and Injury in Walt Disney World

57. Sickness happens, and the longer you stay at the Walt Disney World resort, the longer you have a
chance of catching a virus. With so many people around, it’s common. The parks are flawlessly clean,
but they can't stop someone from sneezing near you. Bring cold medicine from home or be ready to
take a trip to the Walgreens located just off property. Disney resort hotels also sell over the counter
meds in their gift shops. If you don’t see them readily available, just ask.

58. For those who tend to get sick easily you may want to boost your immune system before you go.

59. There are a lot of low curbs and places to trip or bump into objects at Walt Disney World. An ace
bandage is a great solution for a turned ankle and takes up very little space in your bag. The same goes
for knee or ankle braces.

60. Ice is readily available at the First Aid stations around the theme parks. If you twist something or
you're just sore, stop by and grab a baggie of ice instead of trying to construct a bag from a counter
service restaurant. You may also choose to bring along a frozen ice pack for your snacks or drinks and it
can pull double duty for you. First Aid locations are also great places to go when you’re feeling unwell,
need to lie down, or getting dehydrated.

61. Injuries and illness do not stop your vacation from happening, however, if you are within your
cancellation window and someone in the family breaks a leg or becomes seriously ill, Walt Disney World
will happily refund your vacation deposit or help you schedule a new one at a later date. It just takes
one quick call.

62. If the worst happens and you need emergency or urgent care, there are several urgent care centers
around Walt Disney World (CentraCare is the most popular and is a quick taxi ride off property). The
closest Emergency Department is at Celebration Hospital. For necessary prescription fills or refills,
consider a prescription delivery service.

Special Needs in Walt Disney World

63. We can't possibly cover every special needs situation, but we're going to try to cover a few of them
in this section. Going to Disney World can be overwhelming for people on the autism spectrum who may

be sensory sensitive. First Aid stations in the parks have quiet rooms where sensitive individuals can take
a break if they need one. No cost.

64. For those with mobility concerns, Walt Disney World rents both ECVs and wheelchairs. There are
also several other vendors out there who rent them to guests (we recommend Buena Vista Scooters).
Walt Disney World buses, boats and monorails are equipped to handle these assistance items and a
great number of rides and attractions are available for those who can and cannot transfer. Research
your rides -- the Walt Disney World website should say if the ride is equipped for ECVs or wheelchairs or
if the rider must transfer. See our AllEars.Net Mobility FAQ for details.

65. ASL is offered at most Walt Disney World shows for those who require this assistance. ASL
professionals must be requested and are available at specific performances only. Contact Walt Disney
World directly for more details. We have to note: the ASL professionals are incredible at Walt Disney
World and manage even uncommon phrasing very well. Closed captioning devices are available for
some attractions.

66. If you have a party member who is dangerously allergic to some food item or a specific scent, be
sure to speak with a cast member about the situation. Disney is excellent with providing safe
alternatives for those who have allergies. In restaurants, request a chef consultation to ensure you have
a wonderful experience.

67. Asthma inhalers may overheat in the Florida sun. Try a cooling pack or, if the inhaler is not a rescue
inhaler, ask to store it in the air conditioning of the First Aid stations. It will be kept safe and secure until
needed. This also counts for the rare freezing Disney day.

How Long Is The Perfect Trip Length?

68. This is THE question that so many guests have in the early stages of planning their vacation. For the
average first-timer family (2 adults, 2 kids under the age of 10 but older than 6), the sweet spot is
between 6 and 7 days. This gives you time to visit each park, take a day off, and do a couple of your
favorites over again -- or visit the water parks.

69. If you have special needs within your family, you may wish to take it a little slower. Do you need
medical treatment, such as kidney dialysis, in the middle of the trip? Plan to take it easy that day. Disney
Springs, mini golf, a resort day, and monorail resort exploration are all great ways to spend a non-park
day.

70. Are you adding a cruise to your vacation? Walt Disney World offers free shuttle service between the
theme parks and their dock in Florida. A lot of people like to visit the parks for a few days, take their
cruise, and come back to the parks. A split stay like this may be just what the seasoned Walt Disney
World explorer is looking for, just to change things up a little!

71. If you decide to fly to Orlando, check prices on surrounding days. It may be significantly cheaper to
stay an extra day or to leave a day earlier. This could impact both your budget and your length of stay.

72. Don't try to do it all in one trip, you never will. We here at AllEars.Net have been to Walt Disney
World countless times and we still find something new every time. You can definitely try to do all of the

rides but, for instance, you won't be able to eat at every restaurant on property. Enjoy what you get to
do and make notes for next time!

Traveling With Little Ones in Walt Disney World

73. What limits are you going to have with your little kids? There are some seriously scary attractions.
Almost every time I'm in the Animal Kingdom show It's Tough To Be A Bug, someone has to escort their
child out of the show and that little guy or little girl is screaming at the top of their lungs. Read reviews
of rides and watch youtube ride-throughs of attractions to see what your kids can handle and what they
can’t.

74. Consider a stroller even for older children. Families can easily walk 10 miles or more on a Disney
theme park day, and even your five and six year olds may need a break or a nap. Believe me, you’ll be
glad you prepared for it.

75. Never met a costumed “fur” character before? Take your kids to a local baseball game or a Chuck E
Cheese for a test run to see how they react. That way you don't waste a FastPass+ on meeting Mickey if
they can't handle it yet. If your kid is unsure about the costumed, masked characters, consider watching
a meet an greet from afar to get them used to the idea before standing in line to get their own
autograph. Note that if you are at a character meal where your child is deathly afraid of the characters,
you can let a cast member know that the characters should stay a safe distance away from your little
one.

76. Kids get sick more easily than most adults do. Bring your own miniature pharmacy with you in a
carry-on bag. Things like tylenol, stomach settlers, and allergy medicine are frequently needed. You can
certainly get these at the First Aid station, too.

77. If your little ones are still toddler age, plan your day around them. Some toddlers will blast from 3
am until midnight because they're just so excited. Others will crash out at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 3 pm and
then right before the fireworks show of the evening occurs. Want to stay in the park? Give them a fan
and some cushion on their stroller. Most very young kids will climb in and pass out straight away, and
even your older kiddos could surprise you with how exhausted they get.

Traveling in Disney World With Teens

78. Teens present an entirely different challenge than younger children. They may wish to wander by
themselves and that's A-Okay with Disney. Just make sure their cell phone battery is charged so they can
contact you in the event of an emergency, and set a very clear meeting time and place to reunite. For
example, don’t just say you’ll “meet at the castle around 3:00pm.” Instead, say you’ll meet “under the
Tony’s Town Square restaurant sign at 3:00pm” to make sure you don’t miss each other.

79. Though teenagers are usually very capable, make sure they understand the Lost Parents areas just in
case. At Walt Disney World there are never any lost children--just lost parents, or separated groups.
Security is incredible at finding separated group members.

80. If your teen is the type to explore off-limits areas, it may be a better idea to keep them close. Urbex
explorers have been lifetime banned from Walt Disney World from getting into areas (like Discovery

Island in Bay Lake) where they aren’t allowed. If they disappear up to the second floor of the
Imagination Pavilion it's unlikely they'll get banned, but they should still respect the velvet ropes.

81. This kind of goes along with the prior one: impress on them that while Walt Disney World is an
incredible, magical place there ARE dangers there, too. All waterways in Florida have alligators, and
Disney waterways in particular have pumps that may suck in unsuspecting swimmers (who are warned
not to be out there). Resort pools and waterparks are the only areas you should be in the water. If stuck
on a water ride, cast members will slog it out to you to get you to a safe area to evacuate via loading
ramps.

82. Does your teen feel they're "too old" for Disney? Almost everybody goes through this phase.
However, it is very possible to spark that magic in them once again. Savvy shoppers will find something
to love at Disney Springs while animal addicts will enjoy a safari tour or lunch at Sanaa. There truly is
something for everyone at Walt Disney World -- you may just have to hunt for it.

Hotel Check-In at Walt Disney World

83. Hotel check-in is a breeze if you use My Disney Experience to check-in online. Be sure to sign up for
the My Disney Experience service on the Walt Disney World website long before your trip begins. This is
where you’ll make FastPass and dining reservations as well.

84. If you are staying at a moderate or a deluxe hotel, you may be able to check-in with a rope walker.
Rope walkers are people carrying iPads and walking along the velvet rope trying to speed up longer
lines. They only appear when there's quite a wait and can only check you in or check you out.

85. Military members staying at a military rate must go to the front desk to check-in. They have to show
their ID. Some rope walkers can check them in, others can't. Ask and explain your situation if the line is
long.

86. You can check-in at ANY TIME but your room isn't guaranteed to be ready until at least 3 or 4pm
depending on the hotel. There may be further delays if something slows down housekeeping for the
day.

Scouting Out Your Hotel Before You Get There

87. Research your resort hotel on AllEars.Net before you go! This will help you plan to get the most out
of your stay.

88. Consider requesting particular room specifics before you leave for Walt Disney World. If you’ve paid
for a water view, but would prefer looking at a lake instead of the pool, call Disney World ahead of time
to note that request or others.

89. Curious to see what your hotel room will look like? Youtube has thousands of room reviews and
often complete tours. The lower the price of your resort, the more likely you are to find a recently
updated video.

90. If you have a large party (5 or more) you may want to consider renting Disney Vacation Club points
(we recommend David’s DVC Rental for an easy, excellent experience) or asking the Walt Disney Travel

Company about Disney Vacation Club villa rooms. The largest rooms, called Grand Villas, can hold a total
of 12 people over the age of 3 and an additional 2 year old or younger child in a crib or pack and play.

91. Are you staying in a value resort? Do your family members have a favorite, older Disney movie?
Instead of requesting to stay in a certain room, you can request a certain area. With Toy Story Land's
opening, the Toy Story area at All Star Movies is very popular at the moment!

92. Need some larger accommodations but you're on a tight budget? Most of the value rooms can inter-
connect. Again, this can't be assured or guaranteed (so if you’re in a situation where smaller kids would
need to stay by themselves, be aware) but cast members will do everything in their power to please you.

93. Everyone knows about the family suites at Art of Animation. Most people overlook the family suites
at All-Star Music. These are excellent options for families who need a bit more room, or who have older
children who would prefer some privacy. You can’t beat two full bathrooms in your hotel room!

94. Research the food court and any table service dining establishments at your hotel. You may have in-
park plans, but if you escape a rainstorm, you may be eating at your resort for the rest of the day. It pays
to plan ahead and know what's there! Check out our Rate and Review section to see recent reviews of
all Disney World eateries.

95. Consider how big your resort is. Moderates tend to be pretty sprawling and may pose a challenge for
those with mobility issues staying in a standard view room. While some of us just love staying in
Ranchos at Coronado Springs, not everyone wants to walk 15 minutes both ways just to fill up their
refillable mug.

96. Ask about internal transportation. Many of the larger resorts will give you a ride to the lobby or the
Magical Express check-in on the back of their golf carts for free if you are in a hurry.

Deciding On A Disney World Hotel

97. So you've decided to go to Walt Disney World but you aren't sure which hotel you want to stay at.
That's fine! There are over 20 different resorts that are considered "on property" resorts. These are all
owned by Walt Disney World and come with full park perks like Extra Magic Hours in the parks.

98. Value resorts are ideal for kids and kids-at-heart adults. They usually feature smaller rooms but have
explosive colors and lots of Disney-fied feel to their theming. These rooms typically hold 4-6 guests ages
3 years and up. They are: All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, Pop Century, and Art of
Animation. Remember the family suites at Art of Animation and All-Star Music can sleep six, plus a child
in a pack and play, and offer two full bathrooms in each suite.

99. Moderate resorts are great for those who need a little bit more elbow room. They're a fantastic
place for adult couples to hang out, too. These resorts are usually themed but not quite as wildly as the
Value resorts are. These resorts hold 4-5 guests over the age of 3 and include: Coronado Springs,
Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans: Riverside, Port Orleans: French Quarter, and the Fort Wilderness Cabins.

100. Deluxe resorts are upscale in one way or another and are some of the finest rooms on Walt Disney
World property. They are numerous and offer a wide range of theming -- from a beautiful African-style
lodge to an historic Boardwalk. These resorts also have Disney Vacation Club room options. Including

these DVC rooms, there are rooms that may hold anywhere from 4 to 12 guests over the age of 3 years
old. These resorts include: The Contemporary Resort, The Polynesian Village Resort, The Grand Floridian,
Wilderness Lodge, The Boardwalk, The Beach Club, The Yacht Club, and Animal Kingdom.

101. Is your party made up of adults and teenagers? You may want to find something a little quieter
than the Value resorts. Coronado Springs, the Contemporary, and the Yacht Club are all more muted
than some of the more primary colored resorts out there. They're also typically more attractive to
mature guests so corridors are likely to be quieter.

102. Is your party made up of excited little ones and their giddy parents? Do they want a rainbow of
magic right outside their door? Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian Village and
the Boardwalk are very bright and cheerful resorts and they run the gamut from Value to Deluxe.

103. Camping at the Walt Disney World resort is allowed in the Fort Wilderness area of the park only.
Spots are reserved and include both tent and RV areas. Fort Wilderness also has cabins for rent, which
tend to be about the price of a moderate resort room.

Disney Technology

104. My Disney Experience launched some time ago for your mobile phone and as your Walt Disney
World website go-to for all your reservation needs. Here you can view wait times for the theme parks,
make advanced or last-minute dining reservations, view your FastPass+ options, and see your photopass
pictures -- it is the essential center for managing your Walt Disney World day.

105. FastPass+ changed from a paper ticketing system to an all-digital platform several years ago,
though we are well aware that some vacationers still may not have experienced it. Instead of dashing to
your favorite queues, you'll simply make all your FastPass+ reservations via your smartphone, desktop
computer, or a kiosk located in the park. If you aren't at the park, you can also log in to the Walt Disney
World website and make them via your My Disney Experience account on there -- 60 days prior to
arrival for those staying at select Walt Disney World resorts, 30 days for those not.

106. Mobile Ordering allows you to walk up to several counter service restaurants and pick up your
order without standing in line. You simply pre-order via your mobile device, tap "I'm here” when you
arrive at the restaurant, and they'll make your food immediately. Skip the line and go to the Mobile
Order Pick Up window.

107. Projections are becoming the norm for Walt Disney World theme park rides. These projected faces
are simply everywhere compared to the old "solid" animatronics. If you are photosensitive, you may
want to check with your doctor before enjoying the attractions just to be on the safe side.

108. Projection mapping falls under the same state as projections on the rides... except these are part of
nearly all nighttime spectaculars. Rivers of Light and the Tree of Life Awakenings both use projection
mapping. Most nighttime shows in Disney's Hollywood Studios are pretty intense. Epcot uses very little
in Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, though it can be viewed around the entire park and hard to avoid if
you need to do so. Lastly, Happily Ever After explodes across the castle with projection mapping
technology. If you are photosensitive or have members of your party who are sense-sensitive, we
cannot recommend heavily enough that you speak to a doctor and preview these shows at home before

going to them. Happy Hallowishes and Holiday Wishes are a little less intense but fall under the same
umbrella here.

109. Magicbands are slender RFID chip wristbands that contain all of your necessary information. They
open your hotel room door, they hold your FastPass+ reservations, they know where you're eating and
when, and they have your payment information embedded. These little guys are a wealth of information
on your wrist or in a pendant on your lanyard. The biggest issue is that sometimes they fall off on wilder
rides. If yours falls off, any City Hall/Guest Services building will shut off your old band (so people can’t
take your information from the band) and replace it for free with a simple grey band. Other colors can
be purchased at many gift shops around the Walt Disney World resort.

So there you have it. 109 considerations you should have for your Walt Disney World vacation long
before you ever step foot on the plane--or whatever your chosen mode of transportation is! Have
something we missed? We'd love to hear your suggestions!