Deborah Goldberg • Disney Travel Advisor

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Frequently asked questions answered by Deborah

Should we stay on property or off property?

If your priority is full immersion in the "Disney Bubble" and saving time, an on-site resort is usually the better fit. On-site guests can purchase Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days before check-in (compared to 3 days for off-site guests), which is a huge advantage for securing popular rides. They also get 30 minutes of early entry at every theme park every day, with extended evening hours on select nights for Deluxe resort guests, plus complimentary access to Disney buses, monorails, Skyliner gondolas and boats as well as free standard parking at all theme parks. If you want to stretch your dollar further or need room for a larger group, off-property accommodations are the better fit.

When is the best time of year to visit?

It really depends on your priorities. Because Disney uses date based pricing, charging more for tickets and hotel rooms during high demand weeks, the least crowded times are almost always the cheapest times to go. Decide what matters most to your family, whether that is low crowds, ideal weather or saving money, and you can pinpoint your ideal travel window. Best for budget and lowest crowds: late August to September. Best for low crowds and mild weather: mid January to early February. Times to avoid for peak crowds and prices: Christmas week, Thanksgiving week and Spring Break.

How do we handle large or multi-generational families?

The key to a successful multi-generational or large group trip is balance: plan time to experience the magic together, but give everyone freedom to split up when priorities differ. Disney makes it easy to keep big groups comfortable, whether you want everyone under one roof or separate spaces to recharge. Villas and suites feature kitchens, living rooms and washer/dryers to keep families together in a home-like environment. If separate spaces or different budgets work better, you can request connecting rooms or adjacent standard rooms at any Disney resort. You do not need to stay glued together 24/7 to have an amazing trip: stay together for key moments, then divide and conquer based on ages and energy and thrill tolerance.

How many days do we need?

To get the full experience without feeling constantly rushed, most families find that 5 to 7 days is the ideal length for a Disney World trip. With 4 unique theme parks, I recommend dedicating at least one full day to each park. Theme parks mean walking anywhere from 8 to 12 miles per day, so scheduling in 1 or 2 rest days gives you time to sleep in and recharge, enjoy the pool and other resort amenities and activities, and explore Disney Springs for shopping, dining and entertainment without needing a park ticket. If you love water slides, lazy rivers and wave pools, plan an extra day to visit one of the themed water parks.

Is a Park Hopper worth it?

The Park Hopper option allows you to visit more than one theme park on the same day. While it offers maximum flexibility, it comes with an extra cost per ticket. If you only have 2 or 3 days to explore all 4 theme parks, park hopping is essential to pack in as many top rides and experiences as possible. If you are a repeat visitor who already knows your favourite attractions, hopping lets you hit your must-do rides in one park in the morning and move to another park for dinner and fireworks. Skip the Park Hopper if you are travelling with young children who move at a slower pace, since mid-day travel between parks takes extra time and energy and often leads to meltdowns, or if you are a first-time visitor, because each park easily has enough entertainment, rides and shows to fill your day.

Can we just wing it?

The short answer is yes, but with realistic expectations. While you can show up to the parks without a detailed strategy, going in completely spontaneous usually means spending more of your day standing in long lines and missing out on popular dining spots. A little advance preparation goes a long way to make your day run smoothly. You do not need to over-plan your entire vacation, but booking a few key reservations ahead of time ensures you get to experience your top priorities while leaving plenty of room for spontaneous magic.

Is the dining plan worth it?

The Disney Dining Plan lets guests pre-pay for their meals and snacks as part of a resort hotel package. Whether it is worth it comes down to convenience, your dining style and what you order. If you plan to eat most meals on property, in the parks, resorts or Disney Springs, and typically order higher priced entrees, specialty drinks or character dining, paying with a dining plan often works out cheaper than paying out of pocket. Every guest on a dining plan receives a refillable resort mug valid for unlimited self service fountain drinks, coffee and tea at any Disney resort hotel for the length of your stay, and you never need to worry about menu prices: just order what you want and redeem credits. The table service meal plan is perfect for families who want an all inclusive feel and love sit down or character meals. The quick service meal plan is the right choice for families who plan to eat on property but prefer to eat when hungry and on the go. For families who are light eaters, budget conscious, prefer sharing meals, or spend many days outside the resorts, it is better to pay out of pocket.

How will Disney handle my food allergies and dietary needs?

Walt Disney World is widely considered the gold standard for accommodating food allergies and special dietary needs, making dining stress free for almost any guest. Disney restaurants are fully equipped to accommodate the most common allergy concerns with allergy friendly menus and specialized brands and substitutions. Disney offers pre-packaged, certified Kosher and Halal meals at select table service and quick service restaurants across the parks and resorts. To guarantee availability, guests should request these meals at least 24 hours in advance.