The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Where families play together while fairytales come true.
Walt Disney World truly is the most magical place on Earth! They have rides, shows, food… everything you could need in a theme park. In addition to the four separate theme parks, there are two water parks and an entire downtown district with shopping, entertainment, and eccentric dining. Everything is themed with a magical touch, and no detail is left to the imagination. Walt Disney World was named after Walt Disney (by his brother Roy Disney) because it was his dream. This was the big one. Disneyland was a fairytale come true, but WDW was Walt’s actual imagination come to life. We are so lucky to get to experience all that he dreamed it could be, and it is always changing to incorporate newer and exciting attractions!
When I go to the WDW website, it is easy to get lost. I am easily overwhelmed, so I wanted to provide a Quick Start Guide where all the basics are in one place for navigating Walt Disney World.
Resorts
The resorts at Walt Disney World are more than accommodations. It is entertainment, dining, and luxury all rolled into one. They have also customized entertainment and experiences at each resort, usually at no additional cost!
Staying at a Disney resort also offers exclusive perks: early entry, parking perks, extra magic hours, and opportunities of which you can spend an entire day taking advantage! Check out what the Disney resorts have to offer including, but not limited to, pools, spa treatments, and the best (in my opinion) dining options!
Walt Disney World Resorts are broken up into categories that represent price points. Based on your itineraries, resort location matters a lot as well, so I like to check on where the resorts are located to make my decision. Your resort is your vacation home, so make this decision a top priority (I can help)! Click on the Resorts to learn more about what each has to offer: accommodations, dining, pools, spas, and more! Most of the Disney resorts also have entertainment options off the beaten path that are sure to impress, like watching movies under the stars and games hosted by cast members!
Dining
Whether you are looking to grab a quick bite and head to the next attraction or sit down, relax, and enjoy a gourmet meal in style, Disneyland can satisfy that craving!
There are numerous restaurants all over the two theme parks, and they never miss one detail in style, taste, and experience.
Dining is one of the main reasons guests visit Walt Disney World! Disney breaks down their culinary experiences into three categories: Table Service, Quick Service, and Snacks.
There are so many options that it can be overwhelming, so I am going to break down the restaurants per park and districts in another post. Be on the lookout for that delicious information, coming soon!
Check out the Disney Dining plan below as well for a way to maximize your dining experience!
Quick Service Dining Plan
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2 Quick Service Meals
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1 non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage
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1 Snack or Beverage
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1 Resort Refillable Mug
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$23.83/night for kids ages 3-9
Table Service Dining Plan
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1 Table Service Meal
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1 Quick Service Meal
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1 Snack or Beverage
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1 Resort Refillable Mug
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$29.69/night for kids ages 3-9
Attractions
The main event! Disney defines attractions by more than just rides – although they do have plenty of those! You have thrill rides, dark rides, family rides, and full out experiences encompassing ride and show! Disney takes attractions to a whole other level because although you are “on a ride,” all of your senses come to life in every experience. You will be engulfed in the attraction: seeing, smelling, feeling, and hearing every facet of the moment as you explore what the Imagineers work so hard to bring alive.
Cast members are stationed at every attraction to make sure every part of the experience is top notch, and they even make sure nothing is less than perfect to ensure that you have the most magical experience possible. You always hear people talk about the “Disney difference,” and this is it! Whether you are speeding through a rollercoaster, cruising along slowly in a magic carpet, or even sitting back and enjoying a show, it is all part of what Disney calls an attraction. Even more so, it is worth the planning to get there! There are so many attractions at WDW, and these will be sorted by park below to make things simpler. Check it out below!
Entertainment
Disney’s claim to fame! Every single time I see a nighttime spectacular at WDW, the waterworks start. Nobody does entertainment like Disney, and you never know when their expertise is going to hit you at just the right moment and your heart will feel all the feelings!
Nighttime spectaculars are the nighttime firework shows held at the parks.
Parades are on large floats with a lot of characters and dancers and last about 30 minutes. Cavalcades are mini parades that usually only last about 5-7 minutes. They rope off the walkways for both of these, depending on the event.
Treasures Untold is my way of saying entertainment that is not live but is worth seeing. All of these are presented a little differently.
Live Shows are when you are watching live performers on a stage in front of you, and they are always broadway caliber.
Special events are magical extras that Disney holds, and they almost always come with an additional cost. These are mostly seasonal events.
Click below for more information and tips on maximizing each experience. I will break down each item on a separate post!
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios
Seasonal select dates
Seasonal select dates
Helpful Tips
Visiting Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is one of the most obvious vacations to include a travel advisor. There are so many options to choose from, and while none of the resort or dining options are going to dissatisfy you, the options can get a bit overwhelming if you are not as familiar.
Let me help! I will guide you through choosing a resort, choosing the number of days you would like to attend, park visiting order, rest days, Genie+, My Disney Experience app, attractions, dining, entertainment, and much more! I can book it all if you want to relax, or I can simply be a guide if you like the planning part as well and simply want to collaborate – you may even teach me a thing or two!
Don’t get overwhelmed! Every step of the planning is worth it to maximize your trip. Click on the links in this post to learn more about each option WDW has to offer, and I cannot wait to get to know you more so we can make this location your next favorite vacation!