Everyone has their own preferred methods of travel. What I may prefer may not be how others like to travel. Here are a few suggestions of how I like to travel to Walt Disney World and what I found to be popular with other people as well. This will give everyone the important information you need to make an informative decision based on your own personal preference for your next vacation to Walt Disney World.
Drive to Disney
For those who are lucky enough to live close enough to drive, that saves money and allows you to frequent Walt Disney World. For those who could drive, but are far enough away where flying is an option, the decision can be more difficult.
- Driving positives: Pack what you want without TSA/airline restrictions; will avoid having to rely on Disney buses for transportation; it is easier and quicker to walk back to your car for a quick bite/drink out of your cooler in the parking lot rather than a bus ride to your resort; you can drive off Disney property for something less expensive to eat or go to the grocery store.
- Driving negatives: Theme park parking fees (some exclusions apply), the long, daunting walk to/from the parking lots to the theme park or have to wait for the Disney tram to/from the parking lot to the theme park; takes much longer to drive to Walt Disney World than to fly adding more vacation time, possibly crabby passengers, more meals to pay for, bathroom breaks, etc. Then, after you are exhausted from your time at Disney, you have to drive all the way back home.
Fly to Disney
Yes, you will not have the freedom to drive off Disney grounds when you want and will need to rely on Disney transportation to get around. Yes, you will have airline luggage restrictions (or you could just pay more for the overweight bags). There are no bending the TSA rules, but a quick flight to Orlando has my vote! Your luggage can be stored with Bell Services so you can head out to the parks until your room is ready. Just be sure to have some tip money ready for Bell Services.
Beverages
Like I said in “Free Items at Walt Disney World“, water is free at any quick service restaurant. You can carry a bottle of water/juice/soda or the refillable mugs and refill at a bubblah (aka: water fountain), but if you do not have a stroller, wheelchair or a backpack to hold bottles (with caps to avoid a mess in your bags) then do not worry about carrying it. How will you enjoy yourself on the rides if you are holding mugs or bottles?! Just go to a quick service restaurant and ask for a cup of water.
Cell Phones/Meeting Place
I am sure EVERYONE has a cell phone to get in touch with others in your vacation party, but batteries die, phones get lost, people get (inadvertently) separated, etc. Set up a time and place to touch base in person, just in case. Have a plan ready for when others are separated by accident. Example: Wait 15 minutes in current location. If not there, meet at the baby care center. For young children, finding a cast member is best so they do not get scared. Lost children whose parents cannot be found will be brought to the baby care center by a cast member. While I have not had to do this, it sounds like meeting at the baby care center is best when children are involved. How about making your own bracelet for your child to wear or an ID card that has your contact information?
Luggage/Bags
Do not forget to pack the very important stuff that you cannot live without and would have difficulty replacing while at Disney. For instance, forgot a sweatshirt? That is ok. You can buy one at Disney. Forgot the sunscreen? That is ok. Disney has that, too, but you are going to pay top dollar for it. Forgot your medications? That can be a problem, but there is a solution.
I will never make that mistake, again! As I said in “Random Tips“, there is a way to get medications delivered to Disney that you forgot, but it is time consuming and costly. You have to find a pharmacy that carries your medication (Yes, I had that problem. One of my husband’s medications was not carried at 3 pharmacies!), call your doctor to have them call amount of the prescription you need while you are there, which will not be covered under insurance, because the insurance company says you already have the proper amount of medications needed, but they are AT HOME. There is also a delivery fee. Keep in mind, if it is on the weekend or after hours, you have to wait for the doctor to call back.
Weather
It may be 20 degrees at home, but it is probably in the 90’s in Florida depending on the time of year. Oh, wait, the forecast just changed and now it will be in the 60’s a couple days and 40’s at night. Checking the weather forecast is the best thing you can do a couple days before you are expected to fly down to Walt Disney World. I use www.weather.com and type “Walt Disney World” for the location.
Listen To Your Body
Don’t allow your body to get to the point when you are listening to it that you are thirsty, because you should already be drinking lots of water before you get to that point. Feet aching? Sit down and rest. Back aching? Sit down and rest. Muscles cramping? Sit down and rest. Walt Disney World is a very, VERY large resort. You will, easily, walk 8-20 miles per day. That is without backtracking. Wear very comfortable shoes, but even with the best shoes, you still need to rest…..even if it is for 5-10 minutes. Here are some suggestions on how to rest and rejuvenate while being entertained.
Itinerary
It is best to figure out the basics of your days. What parks are more important to you to spend the most time at? Can you split 2 parks into one day? Start with the basics, but don’t have it etched in stone until you nail down your dining reservations. Almost all of my days changed, because of where I was able to get dining reservations on certain days, but I still kept the basics in the back of my head when revising my itinerary. Then, you will be able to see if you can take advantage of “Early Theme Park Entry” and “Extended Evening Theme Park Hours” (some exclusions apply). If going to WDW for less than 4 days, click here for All Access Disney‘s Facebook Group’s theme park choices based on who is in your vacation party.
Dining Reservations
This is so, so, so, so important. It does not matter what time of year you are going to Walt Disney World. In order to dine at some of the best restaurants you heard so much about, you need to start the process, if at all possible, 180 days out from 1st check-in date (**currently booking 60 days in advance due to Covid). This is where I will refer you to the page “Tips To Successful Dining Reservations“.
Disney Resorts
It is no secret that Disney is expensive, but staying in a Disney hotel does have benefits that you cannot get if you stay off Disney property. Plus, with the extras you have to pay for staying off property, how much is the difference? Plus, look at Walt Disney World’s site for specials. There may be discounts offered during the times you want to go. Click here for the Pros and Cons With Staying On or Off WDW Property.
Here are a few negatives to staying off Disney property:
- Cannot take advantage of “Early Theme Park Entry”.
- When parks are almost hitting capacity, anyone not staying in a Disney hotel are the first to not be allowed in the parks.
- Disney Dining Plans are not available for purchase or free when offered during certain special dates (See Disney Dining Plan Helpful Information for more information). (Currently suspended due to Covid.)
- Will not be able to enjoy the special Disney hotel entertainment.
- Will not be able to use Disney’s free transportation to the parks.
Some people prefer to stay off property, because it saves them money. How much money? I do not know, but based on my experience, the difference is minimal unless your stay off property is free, because you are staying at a friend’s house or something. If you need help cutting costs, go to “Money-Saving Tips For Your Walt Disney World Vacation” for some useful tips.