Disney World FAQs for First Time Visitors (and Veterans!)

I am a Disney Vacation Club member and I visit Walt Disney World with my family about once a year. When someone in my circle is thinking about planning a Disney Vacation, I’m always the go-to person for their questions. 



There’s good reason to that: Walt Disney World vacation planning can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors.



We get A LOT of questions at SheBuysTravel about Disney World, so we created this post as a resource or index for some of the most frequently asked questions about Disney World. Bookmark this page to refer back to as you plan your trip.



Read on for information, insider tips, and all the Disney tricks you could want ahead of your trip. 


How to use these Disney FAQs


This is a ton of information. You should carve out some time to read through this list of Disney World FAQs before you dig into vacation planning. If you don’t see your question, ask in the comments or join our Disney Planning Facebook Group . Now, on to the answers to all your Disney questions!



Planning a Disney vacation involves lots of moving parts. We’re here to break it down for you with answers to your most common Disney questions. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Disney World Vacation Planning Tips


My best Disney World advice is: Do not attempt to wing it. Disney isn’t a “go with the flow” kind of vacation. Although more free-spirited travelers might resist the idea of planning everything to a tee, you will be glad you took the time to plan. A successful Disney vacation has a lot of moving parts, and it is important to stay on top of them. This guide is a great start.



Even if you use a Disney travel agent, which we recommend, you’ll still have some research to do. I recommend dedicating a specific notebook for jotting down your Disney-related questions and notes as you think of them. You can also go digital and create a dedicated online space, such as a folder, smartphone note, or Pinterest board, to help keep all of your vacation stuff in one place.


What is the Best Time to Go to Disney World?


Topping the list of Disney World FAQs is: “When should I go?”



The answer: It depends. We don’t always have complete flexibility regarding vacation times, so my bottom line is that you should go when you can, and everything else will fall into place. 



Weather and crowds will factor into the equation when determining the best time to go to Disney World. In general, spring break, summer, and holidays are crowded. This makes sense: Families plan vacations around kids’ school breaks. If you go during Spring Break or during summer, expect crowds. If you’re planning your trip based on when your kids are on a school vacation, so is everyone else. 



I suggest looking at a Disney World crowd calendar when making your plans. They are easy to find online, and I find the one at touringplans.com to be pretty accurate. Even if you’ve got zero flexibility on your dates, I recommend checking out a crowd calendar to help manage expectations. Bigger crowds equal more time spent waiting in lines.



Central Florida is hot, or at least warm, most of the year. Based on weather alone, February and November are great times to go. You’ll probably still sweat in the parks but it should be warm enough to swim in the pool at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel .



SheBuysTravel Tip: If you are planning your visit to Walt Disney World around a special event, such as a runDisney race, long-range planning is extra important, since this brings more people into the parks.


How Far Out Should I Plan My Disney Vacation


Twelve months out is a good place to start planning your first visit. I acknowledge life’s unpredictability, and sometimes, last-minute vacations just make sense, but if you’ve never been to Disney World, 12 months is a sweet spot. 



Seasoned Disney pros who understand how to navigate the many parts of a Disney vacation will probably have an easier time with shorter-notice trips. But if it’s your first visit, more time is ideal. 



Once you have decided on your dates, I recommend booking your hotel and buying your park tickets . After you purchase your park tickets, find out if your ticket category requires a reservation. It probably doesn’t, but check to be sure. Park reservations were a thing from 2021, when the parks re-opened after the pandemic closure, to early 2024, so you might still hear people talk about needing park reservations. 



If you buy a date-based ticket, which is what most vacationers buy, you do not need a reservation, but certain categories, such as group tickets and Disney’s Military Salute tickets do require reservations. See this reference for the most up-to-date detail .



SheBuysTravel Update: If you hear someone talking about needing park reservations, they’re probably working off outdated info since  park reservations were required until recently. Plus, Disney changes their policies without warning, so once you get on board with a Disney vacation, ensure you’re keeping yourself updated.


Help! I’m Already Confused! Get Help Planning Your Disney Vacation


If you’re already starting to go into information overload, consider working with a Disney-authorized travel planner. 



Our SheBuysTravel team recommends Get Away Today for discount Disney tickets and vacation packages. If you ever find park tickets cheaper, Get Away Today won’t just match the price, the company will beat it! Great customer service is another reason why we recommend Get Away Today . From buying your tickets to planning your Disney vacation, the travel agents at Get Away Today help you every step of the way.



Read our full review of Get Away Today here. If you want to know what it would cost to take your family to Disney World, ask for a free quote.



With its lush green landscape, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is my favorite park out of the four Disney Parks. That said, if you’re short on time, I recommend you prioritize Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


How Long is the Ideal Disney Vacation?


For a first visit, I recommend five to seven days, understanding that not all families have the luxury of taking a trip of that length. If you can’t spend at least four days at Disney World, I recommend postponing your trip until you can stay for at least that long. 



Walt Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, two 18-hole miniature golf courses, and Disney Springs , a shopping and entertainment district. While you shouldn’t try to see everything in one trip — because that’s impossible — dedicating one full day to each of the four theme parks is ideal. 



I strongly recommend having a non-park day to chill at your resort or explore Disney Springs. Five to seven days gives you time to experience most things, visit all the parks relatively unhurriedly, and not feel exhausted at the end of your trip. 



The water parks are great, but if you’re short on time, especially if it is your first visit, they are skippable, as are the miniature golf courses.


But What if I Only Have One Day?


It happens. Here’s my best advice. 



Suppose you are a first-time Disney visitor with minimal time. In that case, I recommend spending your day at Magic Kingdom, unless you are a Star Wars superfan, in which case you simply must do Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. 



Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also a great option for younger kids. You’ll see many Disney Junior characters and Pixar friends. Toy Story Land is really, really cool for kids of all ages.



If you are pairing Disney with another Florida city, I recommend you do Disney first, especially if your second destination will move at a slower pace. Ditto for land and sea vacations, combining Disney World with a Disney Cruise leaving from nearby Port Canaveral. 



SheBuysTravel Tip : Try one of these Florida vacation spots for your after-Disney vacation.



One of the most common Disney World FAQs: “Should I stay in a Disney Resort?” My answer is yes. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Should I Stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel?


If you hear folks talking about “on property” versus “off property,” that means staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel rather than a hotel or resort not owned by Disney. This is one of the first Disney World FAQs you need to answer when planning your trip.



My short answer is: There are terrific off property Disney hotels , but staying on property is better. That is not to say you can’t have a great stay at a non-Disney hotel or that I never have. There are usually several things that go into deciding where you will stay, but if it’s a simple choice between on-property and off, I’d choose on-property every time, especially if you are shorter on time. 



Walt Disney World has a resort hotel for everyone and every budget. There are three levels of resort: Value, moderate, and deluxe.  Value is obviously the least expensive option. Moderate and deluxe hotels have larger rooms, are generally closer to the parks, and have more amenities, better pools, and more resort dining options. 



This is not to say the value resorts are not nice, because they are. You’ll spend more and get more at deluxe-level resorts, which is pretty much the way hotel pricing tiers anywhere work.



SheBuysTravel Tip: Deluxe villas aren’t always out of reach. There are ways to book them for less .



This is the lower level of the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This is a moderate resort but the tower is new and the rooms and lobby have a Deluxe Resort vibe. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


How to Choose a Disney Resort


It depends on what kind of vacationer you are and what your budget is. If you plan to be in the parks from rope drop – that’s Disney-speak for park opening – to close and don’t care much about hotel amenities, such as higher thread count linens or a balcony, a value resort might make more sense. Going a bit cheaper on accommodations can also leave room in your budget for a splurge like character dining or more souvenirs. 



If hotel amenities are important and you plan to spend time enjoying the resort as well as time in the parks, a deluxe resort is the ticket, provided you have the extra room in your budget. I enjoy the subtle theming at the deluxe resorts, which is less traditionally Disney than the value resorts, which have colorful larger than life character statues and might appeal more to children.



Whichever you decide, I recommend picking one end of the spectrum or the other and skipping the moderate resorts. The two main differences between value and moderate resorts:





T he size of a standard room



The pool areas





Moderate resorts have larger, themed pools with slides whereas value resorts have basic pools. I don’t think this jump in amenities is worth the extra money. First-time visitors should go budget or go big.



Disney’s Deluxe-Level Resorts have more elaborate pools. Photo: Walt Disney World Photographer Todd Anderson


Recommendations for First-Time Visitors


We have stayed both on and off property . We’ve stayed at partner/good neighbor hotels (certain resort hotels offering their guests the same perks as Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests, such as early theme park entry) and at Orlando area hotels that have no agreement with Disney. 



I’ve had great stays off-property and at partner hotels. But, if this is your first Disney vacation, stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. There’s something so magical about being on-property. Walt Disney World is about the size of San Francisco so there is definitely a learning curve to navigating your way around. The convenience of being close to the parks while you’re learning the lay of the land is helpful, too.



A dip in the pool is a great way to relax after a day in the Disney Parks. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


What’s the Best Way to Get from the Airport to Walt Disney World ?


Uber, Lyft, taxis, and private car services are all solid options to get from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney World. There are also private shuttles that must be booked in advance.



SheBuysTravel Tip: Before you book your flights, make sure you know whether you’re flying into MCO or Orl ando Sanford, It’s a smaller airport farther away from Disney World. You might get a cheaper flight to Sanford, but you’ll probably pay more to get from the airport to Disney


D i sney Parking Fees to Consider


If you are renting a car or driving, Disney charges a per-day fee for resort parking. This parking fee covers you for parking in the parks as well, so if you drive to the resorts and drive to the parks, you’ll only pay once for parking. 



Should you have a car at Disney? While not absolutely necessary if you’re staying “in the Disney bubble” – AKA staying at a Disney hotel and not planning to go anywhere besides the parks and Disney Springs – I enjoy having a car at Disney World . While transportation to the parks and Disney Springs is included in the cost of on-property hotel stays, the lines for buses can often be long, especially at the end of the night. I like being able to come and go on my timetable versus waiting for a bus.




What’s the Best Age for Disney?


There is no wrong age for Disney, in my opinion, but I know parents talk a lot about the best age for Disney when planning their special trip.



Disney World has universal appeal. I love it just as much now as I did when I first went as a 9-year-old. Most people have grown up with some sort of Disney presence in their lives, whether it be from trips to the theme parks or movies, so the nostalgia and magic is something I think is timeless. Everyone experiences it in a different way. 



That said, I think the best time for a first visit is between ages 4 and 8. Kids this age will likely have a favorite Disney character and the experience of seeing their favorites is magical for them. My sons were in the first grade the first time we took them to Disney World and they truly believed that the guy dressed up like Peter Pan was the real deal. It was very special. 



Although Disney is very stroller-friendly, I think the experience is better when you’re not encumbered by a stroller or having to carry small children who are too tired to walk on their own. Every family has a different perspective on this.



Disney is for all ages but ages 4 through 8 are ideal for a child’s first visit. Photo credit: Walt Disney World photographer Brooke Fehr.


Ride Height Limits at Disney World


Disney has pretty generous height limits for attractions, meaning there’s quite a bit for smaller kids to ride. Kids who are at least 48 inches tall can ride all the rides in the park. Some of the rides might be scary for younger kids, though. There’s no height requirement for The Haunted Mansion, but younger kids may find it too intense. 



Disney’s more thrilling rides are fairly mild when compared to other theme parks, such as Universal Studios. True adrenaline junkies might perceive these rides as too tame.



  Here’s a look at the Disney roller coasters from the always-entertaining SheBuysTravel contributor Fran Capo:








Is it Worth it to Go to Disney For One Day?


If friends came to me and said “Jill, I want to fly to Orlando and go to Disney World for one day and then fly home,” I would try my best to convince them that this is a bad plan. I would tell them to find a few more days or move their trip to a time when they could stay longer. 



However, if you’re stacking Disney with another trip, such as a convention trip to Orlando, adding one day at Disney World makes a little more sense. 


If you really only have a day, here’s what to do:



Pick just one park



Make a list of your “Must Do’s” and “Must Eats



Plan to be there at park opening and stay until it closes



Buy Lightning Lane when available- more on that in a minute but it’s a paid “jump the line” pass



Should I Use a Travel Agent?


Yes. It costs you nothing to use an authorized Disney Vacation Planner like Get Away Today . The commission your travel agent earns is paid by Disney, not you.



If you’ve never planned a trip to Walt Disney World, there’s a lot you don’t know. Let someone who does know help you plan your vacation. They may also have access to discounts and experiences not available to the general public.



I’ve never understood anyone’s hesitance to use a travel agent for Disney. If you had a friend who had superhero-level Disney knowledge and would hold your hand throughout the trip-planning process, keep your budget in mind and be on call during your trip to answer questions or smooth out any wrinkles, why wouldn’t you tap into that resource? 



Even if you’ve already started the planning process on your own, it’s probably not too late to turn your booking over to a Disney travel agent .



Disney’s Skyliner is just one of the ways to get around Walt Disney World . Photo: Jill Robbins


How Does Disney Transportation Work?


Buckle up (pun intended). W e’ve got a full guide to Disney transportation .



I’ve already mentioned that Disney World is about the size of San Francisco. You probably wouldn’t show up to explore San Fransisco via public transportation and expect all the buses and cable cars to be 100 percent intuitive with zero learning curve. 



The good news is, Disney transportation isn’t too difficult to figure out and there are plenty of Cast Members (Disney workers) who can answer your questions and point you to the right bus. Just be patient and build in about an hour to get from place to place. 



SheBuysTravel Tip: Disney’s transportation is something to be considered when booking an off-property hotel room or resort. Are you going to be driving to the parks every day? If so, have you factored in the cost of parking? Although many off-property hotels offer transportation to Walt Disney World , it is not as robust as Disney transportation Before you book what you think is a great deal, consider how much time and money you’ll spend going back and forth to the parks each day.



Transportation includes buses, the monorail, Disney water transportation, and the Skyliner. All of these help guests get around the parks and resort hotels. Photo credit: Walt Disney World photographer David Roark.


Free Disney Transportation


There are four free ways to get around Walt Disney World : buses, the monorail, Disney water transportation, and the Skyliner . Which mode of transportation you take will depend on where you start from and where you are going. The Boats and Skyliner don’t go everywhere. 


Rideshare at Disney World


There are also the Disney Minnie Vans . They’re specialized Lyft vehicles decked out like our favorite polka-dot-loving gal. Minnie Vans have two car seats and are operated by Disney Cast Members who know how to install them properly. Disney Minnie Vans can drop off guests in the same places the Disney buses use. Guests using regular ride shares are dropped off a little further away. 



Minnie Vans are ordered through the Lyft app. If you check your Lyft app while on the Disney property, you should see the option for a Minnie Van. If you don’t see it, ask a Cast Member for assistance. 



A Minnie Van costs between $30 and $70, depending on where you’re going. It is substantially more expensive than regular Lyft or Uber, which is my favorite way to get around Disney. 



SheBuysTravel Tip: If you are short on time, consider using rideshare or driving vs. Disney’s transportation. 



Disney Minnie Van Service is operated by Lyft. Photo credit: Disney photographer David Roark.


How Does the Disney Dining Plan Work?


The Disney Dining Plan allows you to prepay for your food, which is a great tool for staying on budget and avoiding having to keep track of expenses as you enjoy the parks. Food and snacks will add up fast and can be an unpleasant surprise when you get the bill at the end of your stay if you’re not tracking as you go.  The Disney Dining Plan takes the unknown out of the equation.  



Starting January 9, 2024, guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can add on one of two dining plans: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. Both help you have some control over what you spend based on your budget and what kind of traveler you are. You can get the quick service plan if you prefer to be on the go. If you want sit-down dining experiences every day, there is a plan that caters to that, too. 



This link breaks down everything included in both plans to help you decide.



SheBuysTravel Tip: Here’s how to save $50 a day at Disney by packing your own snacks.



A classic but always my favorite: the one and only Mickey Bar. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Keeping Track of Your Disney Eats


Disney MagicBands are one way to keep track of your dining credits. Since Disney has eliminated the free MagicBands for people who stay in a Disney hotel, more people are using paper tickets and the My Disney Experience app to keep track of things. (More on the app in a minute.)



I still have a good stash of free Disney MagicBands we’ve collected through the years and I purchased the 2.0 version, MagicBand+ which has new and different styles to match your Disney outfits and interacts with your Disney environment. MagicBand+ can also be used as a DisneyBand+ aboard Disney Cruise Line ships.



Festival food and drink at EPCOT = the perfect adults-only day. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Is Disney Still Fun Without Kids?


You’re reading an article written by someone who went to Disney on her honeymoon, so you know what my answer is going to be. But seriously, any vacation where I don’t have to keep track of my kids is a great vacation in my book. Disney for adults is pretty awesome.



I’ve been to Disney World with girlfriends and with just my husband and strongly recommend both experiences. Going to Disney World without kids might give you a chance to try some different types of dining that you wouldn’t book with kids in tow, such as The California Grill or one of the chef-curated restaurants in Disney Springs. Disney Springs also has nightlife options that child-free groups can stay up late for.



Taking a captain-guided tour aboard an amphibious auto is just one of the things you can do at Disney Springs. Photo credit: Disney photographer Matt Stroshane.


Should I Visit Disney Springs?


Yes, time permitting. If you have a shorter stay (four days or less), I recommend leaving Disney Springs for a longer visit, unless you snag a dining reservation you really can’t pass up. 



Disney Springs is one of the reasons I recommend a five- to seven-day stay. This will give you plenty of time to explore all the parks and explore Disney Springs . Disney Springs is a fun collection of shops, dining and other experiences. It’s got a great selection of restaurants that are more high-end/gourmet versus Disney-themed. Whatever you like to eat, there’s a ton of choices. Don’t worry, everything is kid-friendly. Your kids might not enjoy Wolfgang Puck’s quite as much as you do, but there’s no place in Disney Springs where kids are not welcome. 



You do not need a park ticket or a reservation to go to Disney Springs. There will be a dedicated bus from your hotel. Saratoga Springs and Old Key West have boat service to Disney Springs. 



I recommend making a dinner reservation here and arriving a couple of hours early so you can shop/walk around. If you need to walk off your dinner or want to grab an ice cream cone or a cupcake for dessert (buy it from the cupcake ATM outside Sprinkles!), you’ll certainly find more to see.


Activities and Rides at Disney Springs


There are also fun activities you can do at Disney Springs. From riding in a floating car to bowling, there are all kinds of activities you can do at Disney Springs without a park ticket, although just about all the activities at Disney Springs cost money and may require advance reservations. 



There are a couple of small rides at Disney Springs that are great for younger kids. The train and the carousel charge a small fee per ride and the wait times are usually minimal.



Know how much things cost before you book. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Disney World FAQs: How Much It Costs


There’s no simple answer to this question, although the short answer is “a lot.” That might not be the answer you were hoping for but this isn’t a cheap vacation. There are things you can do to cut costs when planning any vacation but I think the notion of Disney on a shoestring budget is not realistic. 



We break down all of the costs in this post: How much does it REALLY cost to go to Disney World?



Here are some thought-starters to help you figure out your budget:


Transportation Costs to Get to Disney World


You’ll have to decide iwhether to fly or drive . Driving is almost always the cheaper option, especially for larger families. 



We live about 17 hours from Walt Disney World . Our family just can’t do that kind of a drive and be ready to party in the parks for several days. Disney is an active vacation and being tired from a road trip before we start is just not for me. Plus, that’s at least four days of vacation time my husband is using just to get there. 



If driving, factor in the cost of gas, tolls, food and hotels along the way to Disney. 


Length of Stay at Disney


A seven-day Disney vacation will cost more than a three-day Disney vacation. That’s simple math, right? I recommend you crunch numbers at the beginning of your planning phase and compare different lengths of stay to find what’s comfortable for you. If you can only afford a couple of days, that might be your sign to plan your trip a bit further out or to save more aggressively. 



You can purchase tickets to each park individually or purchase a Park Hopper option. A Park Hopper allows you to visit more than one park per day and offers additional flexibility, although they are more expensive and you should factor in the transportation time between parks when you think about whether a Park Hopper is worth it.



Disney World tickets are priced seasonally, which means tickets may cost more on weekends and higher demand times. Discounted tickets are available for Florida residents and military personnel. You also may find additional discounts and offers directly from Disney or, again, buy discounted tickets from our partners at Get Away Today .


Disney Resort Hotel Choice


Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will generally be more expensive than staying off property. Staying at a hotel or resort farther from the park usually means you will pay less money per night, but spend more time and money traveling to and from the parks each day. 



I mentioned the three different resort categories above: deluxe, moderate and value. Expect to pay upwards of $500 per night at deluxe resorts, about $175 per night for value resorts, with the cost of moderate resorts landing somewhere in the middle. The time of year will impact the price. 



Disney also has a campground with both tent and RV sites.



Don’t forget to budget for food and snacks. P.S. Disney’s popcorn is awesome. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Food: Because You Have to Eat


If you are going to eat three meals a day plus snacks in the parks or resorts, that is going to add up. You can get around that by packing your own snacks . But some Disney treats are so cute that you’ll want to budget for them. There is just something super fun about Mickey-shaped food. 



You also can save by having easy grab-and-go breakfast items like Kind Bars handy in your hotel room. There’s also a retail shop in each resort hotel that sells food items, but you pay resort prices. Or you can use a delivery service, such as Garden Grocer, Shipt or Instacart to deliver items to your resort hotel. Disney may charge you a fee to have an outside service deliver to your hotel.  



If you have a car, you can always drive to a local grocery store to stock up or dine in restaurants outside of Walt Disney World Resort. There are a handful of fast food options off the Disney World property that aren’t too far away. I think the savings are minimal when you stack it up against the time you’ll spend getting off property to eat.  



The Disney Dining plan rates – about $57-$95 per day for adults and about $28 for kids 3-9 is a pretty realistic idea of how much food costs at Disney World.



Guests who purchase the Disney Dining Plan can choose from the standard Disney Dining Plan or a quick service plan. Photo credit: Disney photographer Matt Stroshane.


Disney Souvenirs and Merchandise


“Mom, can you buy me…”



Does that sound familiar?



The Disney Parks, resorts and Disney Springs have incredible shopping. From high-end clothes and accessories in Disney Springs to princess dresses to mouse ears to pin trading pins, there’s so much cool stuff to buy.



So. Much. 



In Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, you can build a custom droid (highly recommend) or your own lightsaber. If you’re a real Star Wars fan, there’s an incredible array of art and merchandise. 



I find it helpful to set a limit on souvenir spending. You can set a per-trip or per-day limit or have your child bring his or her own spending money. Talk about (or at least think about) what you really want to come home with and try to plan as best you can.



If you think this first trip to Disney might be the start of MANY trips to Disney, consider purchasing a Disney Annual Pass.



SheBuysTravel Tip: To save a little, do your souvenir shopping at the Disney Outlet in Orlando, although be warned, this is outside the parks and Disney transportation doesn’t stop here.



There are tons of opportunities to purchase souvenirs at Disney World, such as The Droid Depot in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Photo credit: Walt Disney World photographer David Roark.


How Can I Afford a Disney Vacation?


This answer, of course, depends on your family. The following insights are based on my family’s planning style and things we’ve learned along the way. 


Plan in Advance


Disney allows you to book resort hotel rooms up to 500 days in advance with a minimal down payment. The balance is due seven days before your trip. Get Away Today  (which we always recommend) will hold your Disney vacation for just $175 down.