How to Plan a Trip to Disney World: A Step-by-Step Guide?

Did you know that there are twenty-seven different Disney World resorts found around the world? Whether you’re going to the famous Florida park or one of the other great options, you’re bound to have a good time. However, if it’s your first time planning a Disney vacation, then it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the decisions.

After all, there’s a lot of planning that needs to go into the experience. Luckily, we’ve organized this guide to provide you with everything you need to know about how to plan a trip to Disney World. Let’s get started!

How to Plan a Trip to Disney World?

At first, glance, planning a trip to Disney World can seem like an overwhelming task. However, the key is to break it down into manageable parts. To help you organize we’ve broken down the essentials into six easy steps. As long as you follow them you’ll be on your way to Disney World in no time. 

1. Plan Ahead

It’s important to not wait until the last minute when planning your Disney World vacation. We recommend planning for at least a year or more. At max, you shouldn’t wait less than six months.

During this time, you should also pick the time of year you want to go. Keep in mind that some seasons, like Summer, are more popular which can make them more expensive. Planning this far ahead allows you to make important decisions for your trips that shouldn’t be rushed by stress or procrastination. 

2. Layout a Budget

After you decide when you’re taking your trip it’s time to set a budget on how much money you’re able to spend on the Disney World vacation. This is important to do early on because it informs decisions like where you’ll stay, how long you’ll stay, and what you can do.

As such, during this time you should firmly decide how long you’re going to stay, whether it’s a few days or several weeks. Make sure to also factor in hidden costs, like food, transportation, and souvenir expenses.

Unless you keep your budget on a tight reign, a Disney vacation can quickly get expensive. As such, be firm in sticking to your budget so you don’t go into unexpected debt. 

3. Decide What You Want to Do

Next, it’s time to decide what you want to do. This means breaking down which parks you want to go to each day. This is an important step because it informs what tickets you need to purchase.

During this step, you should also think about any additional activities you might want to do. For example, if some adults want to spend a day golfing, then they should set aside a day for that. This organizational phase is the key to making sure that you get the most out of your Disney World vacation. 

4. Purchase the Ticket or Package That Suits Your Needs

Once you decide where you want to go, it’s time to buy park tickets. This tends to be the most expensive part of any Disney vacation, so it’s ideal to find package deals that save you money.

Unfortunately, Disney recently introduced surge pricing when purchasing single-day tickets. This means that the price of admission increases when demand increases. As such, one way to save money on tickets is to purchase them on slower days. During this phase, you can also purchase a variety of add-on.

Some popular ones are the park-hopper feature. This allows you to visit multiple parks throughout the day.

You can also add a dining plan, which makes figuring out food on your vacation much simpler. If you aren’t sure what add-ons you want, then don’t panic. You can always add them on after you purchase your tickets. 

5. Figure Out Lodging

The next step is to figure out where you’re going to stay. There are two main decisions here: whether you want to stay on-site or off-site. On-site resorts are ideal because they’re closer to the park and usually come with bigger pools and facilities. Off-site lodging isn’t as luxurious, but it’s more affordable — especially if you are traveling with more than five people.

However, you likely will need to rent a car or similar transportation when you use this type of lodging. As such, it can have some unexpected expenses. If you’re a regular Disney World visitor, then you might want to take advantage of Disney Vacation Club (or DVC).

This system allows you to purchase points which can then be used at a variety of different resort locations. Whether you want to go to the Florida location through DCV, or a Disney Polynesian DVC, the program can help you see what the vast world of Disney resorts has to offer. 

6. Book Transportation

Finally, it’s time to decide on transportation. This includes both how you’re getting to the park or resort, as well as how you’ll get around once you’re there. There are three main ways you can get to the park: flying, train, and road trip.

Trains and road trips tend to be more affordable, but flying is usually a lot quicker. However, make sure to book your airfare ahead of time, since ticket prices fluctuate.

Once you’re at the park, you’ll need a way to get from place to place. Some popular options include park and airport shuttles, private ride services, rental cars, and taxis. Ultimately, where you’re staying will play an important factor in determining what type of transportation option you need. 

Want More Content? Keep Exploring

We hope this article helped you learn how to plan a trip to Disney World. As you can see, organizing your trip to these parks and resorts isn’t too hard. Sure, there are other considerations, like meal reservations, special events, and activity planning.

But, as long as you follow the steps in this article you’ll a base layer for a great holiday. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics you’re sure to love.

Also read: How to Practice Self Care When Traveling