If a trip to Disney World is on your horizon, you’re in for a magic journey. But planning a Disney World vacation can be daunting. At over 43 square miles, there is so much to do at Disney! Between dining reservations, Genie+, and all the newest attractions, it’s hard to know where to start.
That’s where Guide2WDW comes in.
Our site has hundreds of helpful articles and a treasure trove of Disney World tips. But this page is where you should begin. These are our recommended Disney World planning resources. From which travel agent to use to which rides to prioritize, this page will kickstart your WDW journey.
Resources for Before You Go to WDW
Which Disney World Travel Agent to Use
Whether you’re planning your first trip or your 50th, an EarMarked by Disney travel agency can be your best friend. They can find you the best deals, book your accommodations, and handle your dining reservations, all at no extra cost to you. A great Disney travel agent can actually save you money and a lot of work.
Guide2WDW’s Pick: Be Our Guest Vacations
Be Our Guest Vacations is the agency we recommend and our pick for the best Disney World travel agency. They’re a Platinum-level EarMarked by Disney Authorized Travel Agency and a Platinum-level Universal Preferred partner, so they can plan Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, and Universal trips all in one place. They’re a smaller, high-touch agency, which is exactly why the service feels so personal: you get a dedicated advisor who handles your whole trip and watches for discounts to apply even after you book. They’re also the preferred agency of Disney Tourist Blog and have been featured by outlets like WDWNT.
So, if you’re planning a vacation, starting with a free quote from Be Our Guest Vacations might just be your best first step!
Where to Buy Discount Tickets
Tickets are one of the biggest costs of a Disney trip, and buying from a reputable, established seller is one of the easiest ways to save. Just be careful, because ticket scams are out there. Stick with a trusted seller and steer clear of eBay or Facebook.
Guide2WDW’s Pick: Unlocked Magic
Unlocked Magic is the discount ticket seller we recommend. They offer up to 10% off Walt Disney World tickets year-round, and the tickets are authentic and link right to your My Disney Experience app, just like a ticket bought straight from Disney. They’re backed by the long-established DVC Rental Store, and they even discount tickets that are usually hard to save on, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and VIP Tours. Real buyers consistently report their tickets arrive by email within hours.
Once the tickets are linked, all I need to do is show up to the gate with my Magic Band or Apple Watch.
You can read more about saving money on WDW tickets in our Discount Disney Tickets Guide.
How to Stay at Deluxe Resorts for Less
Where you stay is one of the biggest costs of a Disney World trip, especially if you have your eye on a Deluxe resort. One of the best money-saving secrets on property is renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points, which lets you stay in those same Deluxe resorts for a fraction of Disney’s regular rates.
Guide2WDW’s Pick: DVC Rental Store
DVC Rental Store is the DVC rental broker we recommend. Renting points through them can save you up to 65% off Disney’s rates on Deluxe resorts, and you still get the full Deluxe experience: the same early park access, extended evening hours, and Disney transportation, plus the extra space and DVC room perks like kitchenettes or full kitchens and in-room laundry. Their team includes former DVC Cast Members and members, they offer payment plans and a built-in free cancellation policy, and you can either request a specific reservation or grab one of their confirmed reservations for a last-minute stay. Renting points works a little differently from booking directly with Disney, so if you have a specific resort or a busy season in mind, book several months ahead for the widest availability.
What to Pack for Disney World
A Disney vacation is unlike anything else. So you have to pack for it unlike any other trip.
In our Ultimate Disney World Packing Guide, we share all the items that we’ve found useful at WDW over the years. From cheap ponchos and Disney Gift Cards to neck fans and anti-chafe balm, these items can save you a ton of money and help you stay comfortable during your trip. Here are a few of our most recommended items.
Featured Items
The full packing guide has over 70 items on it. I’m not saying you need to pack every single thing on the list. But use it as a resource to get ideas for what to pack and what to buy.
We also have some more focused packing guides, including What to Pack if You’re Bringing a Toddler to Disney and Items to Beat the Heat at Disney.
When to Go to Disney World
Once you’ve decided to go to Disney World, the next two biggest decisions you’ll make are when to go and how long to go. Here’s our advice:
- How many days should I go to Disney World? I’d recommend 5-7 days of your vacation in the parks at Disney World. But obviously that depends on your budget, your time off, and your personal interests. You can read our guide on How Long to Stay at Disney World for more insights.
- When should I go to Disney World? In our guide on When to Visit Disney World, we break down everything from the least crowded months to the busiest weeks. You’ll also want to factor in the weather and special seasonal events. We love visiting in early March, October, May, and the first couple of weeks in December for the best mix of weather, crowds, and special things to do.
- Know which parks to visit on which days. Each park has its own crowd patterns. I’ve analyzed years of crowd data to give recommendations on when to visit each park, such as avoiding Magic Kingdom on Mondays or visiting Hollywood Studios on Sundays. You can find the full breakdown here:
What Reservations to Make for Disney World
Disney World requires a bit of planning before you head to Orlando. Most of that involves making lots of reservations.
Here are the reservations that you must make for your Disney World vacation.
- Park pass reservations are no longer required for most guests. As of January 9, 2024, standard date-based tickets don’t need a separate park reservation (some ticket types, like annual passes, still do). You just need valid admission linked to your account.
- You’ll also need to make a hotel or resort reservation. It’s important to make this early, as Disney resorts and certain third party hotels give you access to perks such as being able to make dining reservations earlier.
- You will want to make dining reservations, especially for the most in-demand restaurants at WDW like Beak and Barrel, Space 220, and Be Our Guest.
Speaking of dining reservations, you’ll definitely want to get acquainted with that system. Our Guide 2 Disney World Dining Reservations gives you a complete rundown of everything you need to know about Advanced Dining Reservations. This includes how early you can start making Disney dining reservations, how to score last minute tables, and how to use the Walk-Up Waitlist.
Resources for While You’re At Disney World
What to do at Disney World
With four theme parks, two water parks, and a shopping and dining district, there’s literally too much to do at Disney World in one vacation. I’ve been to Disney World dozens upon dozens of times, and I still haven’t done everything.
Don’t try to do it all while you’re at Disney World. Instead, pick the best of the best attractions, as well as the activities that best fit your interests.
We have a comparison of all four theme parks, as well as a ranking of every attraction in each park. You can use these guides to find out what you must do and what you should skip while you’re at WDW.
- The Best Rides and Attractions at Magic Kingdom
- The Best Rides and Attractions at EPCOT
- The Best Rides and Attractions at Hollywood Studios
- The Best Rides and Attractions at Animal Kingdom
- Disney World’s Roller Coasters, Ranked
- Every ride at Disney World, Ranked
If you’re worried about getting sick, we also have a complete Motion Sickness Guide, which lets you know what kind of motion each ride at WDW has.
How to save time with Lightning Lane
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Disney World lets you skip the line… for a price. Certain rides in each park have a Lightning Lane entrance, a much shorter line than the regular standby queue. If an attraction has a 60-minute standby wait, you can often expect to wait just 5–10 minutes in the Lightning Lane.
In 2024, Disney retired Genie+ and replaced it with the Lightning Lane pass system. There are now three options:
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass: The replacement for Genie+. You pre-book up to three Lightning Lane attractions in advance, then add more throughout the day as you use them. Pricing varies by park and date, generally from around $15 to $45+ per person per day. This is the option most families consider.
- Lightning Lane Single Pass: The replacement for Individual Lightning Lane. It’s an a-la-carte, pay-per-ride option for the most in-demand headliners (like TRON, Rise of the Resistance, Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar Flight of Passage) that aren’t included in Multi Pass.
- Lightning Lane Premier Pass: A premium, all-in-one option that gives you one-time entry to every Lightning Lane attraction in a park for one day, with no need to pre-select return times. It’s the priciest choice and best for a splurge day.
One key perk of staying at a Disney resort hotel: you can start booking your Lightning Lane selections seven days before check-in, while everyone else books three days out.
What to eat at Disney World
You could go to Disney World, not step foot on a single ride, and still have an amazing time. Why? Because there is incredible food all throughout WDW!
However, that doesn’t mean everything is exceptional. For every signature dining experience, you’ll plenty of bland burgers and generic chicken nuggets. So it’s important to know where to find the best restaurants, quick service meals, and snacks throughout the parks.
- Magic Kingdom Dining Guide
- EPCOT Dining Guide
- The restaurants with easy to get reservations that are actually worth it
- Character Dining at Disney World
- How to save money on Disney World food
- Disney Dining Tips and Tricks
We are currently working on brand new content to expand our Disney World dining guides, so stay tuned!
How to get around Disney World
Disney World is MASSIVE, so you’ll want all the information you can get on navigating the 43 square miles. Our Disney World Transportation Guide shares details on how to get to all the parks and Disney Springs, plus info on the monorail, Skyliner, and Disney busses.
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Stay tuned for more Disney World resources!
We are always adding new content and videos to our site, so be sure to bookmark this page as we add more WDW resources and recommendations.
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