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Be our guest
Tricks & Tips
Tricks & Tips
What Should I Pack for Disney?
Ponchos? Check. Good walking shoes? A must. Umbrella? Yes, please.
There are so many things to think of on your trips to Disney. Packing the usual is only the start. In order to make your trip a success, I've compiled this "What should I pack for Disney?" shopping list here.
This will make your trip even more spectacular.
Now it's time for fireworks!!
Amazon Packing List
Promos
What are the latest cruise promos?
Check out these deals before they disappear.
New Disney Cruise
The Treasure
Sets Sail Dec. 2024
Up to 35% OFF
Cruise Specials for Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Virgin Adults Only
What?? Kids sail FREE on Royal Caribbean. You heard right!
Norwegian has fantastic group specials!
Royal Caribbean Group Deals/ Family Steals
Virgin Voyage Voted #1 Cruise Line! Adults Only
More great deals from Carnival Cruises
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Christmas Specials
Genie+Pass
Genie+ Pass Now Lightening Lane
Update: ​​For theme park visits beginning July 24, 2024, Lightning Lane Multi Pass will replace Disney Genie+ service, and Lightning Lane Single Pass will replace individual Lightning Lane entry. Learn more here.
Disney's new Lightning Lane Pass is a virtual queuing system that allows guests to reserve a spot in line for select attractions Walt Disney World Resort and Resort. This new replaces the previous FastPass+ and MaxPass programs and is designed to streamline the guest experience and reduce wait times. Guests can purchase the Lightning Lane Pass as an add-on to their park ticket or as part of a vacation package.
Don't want to wait?
Genie is a FREE service for everyone, full concierge, which helps to tailor and pick the very best interactive experience to steer you toward what you'll like the best...from dining, to rides and even forecasting wait times. Genie + means on-resort guests or select certified off-resort guests can make first Genie+ park selection at 7AM. After your first ride, if a selection return time is over 2 hours, whether you've gone to the ride or not, you don't have to wait to select another ride.
Genie+ is a paid service that can be bundled with package up front and tack it on to everything you have or buy it day to day $15/person. You can only use Genie+ once on a ride per day. But it does HOP with YOU.
The Genie essentially waits in line for you while you do other things in the park.
Genie Plus is the new Fast Pass!
Skip the lines.
Lightening Lane is an additional service provided via Genie, which is a paid per ride, for big ticket rides. Selections also open up at 7 am for on-resort guests and select certified off-resort guests
Tiered pricing from $9-$15/person can pay to skip the lines for the big rides because they are not on Genie+.
(Rise of Resistance is a great ride to use it on; the wait can be long.)
Eats + Drinks
There are lots of ways to dine at Disney. Most meals are quick service snacks and can now be mobile ordered and paid via the app.
Some quick service restaurants may have longer waits than others.
Dining reservations are 60 days out and cover highly coveted options like character meals.
I will get up at 4:30AM to snag these options for clients.
These dining experiences take 1-2 hours. Enjoy the view and ambience, but know they can be pricey.
For Cinderella's Table, Cinderella will grace the dining room. Expect $58-$65/plate per adult, plus alcohol and gratuity.
Chef Mickeys and Topolino's are both off resort and very popular.
The dining experience can be pricey and have set menus, but creates beautiful memories.
Epcot has one of the best dining options with an 'around the world' theme. The prices are more reasonable. $7-8/plate.
'Ohana at Disney World offers Polynesian themed dining and is super popular.
Epcot Space 220 may run $400-$500 for a family of four.
SAVERS:
You can bring in water bottles, Yeti, Hydro flask and refill any bottle for FREE with ice and water.
But... don't carry something too big because you'll get tired of carrying it.
Vacation Grocery Delivery will bring you groceries to stock your mini fridge.
Villas with partial kitchens are helpful.
Popcorn Buckets are great souvenirs and hook to a backpack with ease and refill for $2 ONLY!!!
Bring lots of granola bars & snacks. Magic Bands are tied to your card are easy way to grab food also.
Dining passes are not back yet from COVID.
Certified off-resort guests can get 4 or 5 day quick service dining cards.
These are valuable making things less stressful by paying up front.
Eats & Drinks
Park Hours/Show Times
Park availability + Show Times Park Hours + Key Holder
Disneyland park availability
Disney World park availability
Disneyland Park hours and showtimes
Disneyland CA Adventure park hours showtimes
Disney World: hours & showtimes
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Animal Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Disneyland Magic Key holder/Annual Pass
Disney World Magic Key holder/ Annual Pass
Virtual magic band is your park ticket, hotel key, credit card, and key to the park!
Now, it's interactive with park, for extra 50th Anniversary fun!
Resort Options
Resort Options
Value, Moderate, & Deluxe
Value
Resorts
Want 30 min. early park entry?
7AM Genie Plus & Lightening Lane selection?
Stay on resort! ...
VALUE RESORTS
Includes All Star Music, All Star Sports and All Star Movie Resorts.
All Star Music and Sports rooms only sleep 4.
All Star Music can sleep 4 or 6 with the basic family suite.
Bus transportation only.
Higher-end options are Pop Century & Art of Animation, which share a walkway and access to the Skyliner.
The Skyliner is an additional mode of transportation which can cut down on bus time tremendously.
Pop Century is a decades themed 50s, 60s, etc.. hotel. Rooms sleep 4 max.
Art of Animation is great for younger kids. Can sleep 4 or 6.
If you want two queen beds, the only option is the Little Mermaid room.
The King mermaid room is first come, first serve, upon check-in.
Art of Animation has a 6-person family suite in Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo suites.
(2) queens with pull-out sofa or (1) Queen with queen pullout and two chair pullouts. Sleeps 6.
Pros: Cost effective
Cons: May not be the most comfortable when you are 'Disney tired'. Longer transportation times.
Moderate
Resorts
MODERATE RESORTS
Most people prefer this level.
It's a happy medium of price and comfort.
Convenience, closer locale, and eclectic themes win the day.
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is a personal favorite.
It is located on the hub of the Skyliner, so just jump on and get direct access to the parks.
Pirate themed rooms abound with the option to sleep 5, with a Murphy twin pull-down.
Plus, you can book a King room directly.
Caribbean has a standard, pirate room (favorite), water view and preferred room (close to lobby/pool/food).
Port Orleans Riverside Resort has a beautiful, newly appointed, 'Royal' room for the princess in your life. Orleans also boasts the option to sleep 5 with a Murphy pull-down twin.
Book a King room directly.
Coronado Springs in the Disney Springs area is another fan favorite for moderate hotels.
Beach Club, Boardwalk (carnival theme), Yacht Club, and Old Key West walkable to Epcot.
Pros: Lots of options and themes for the real Disney experience
Cons: Not many. Best bet for you money is moderate.
Deluxe
Resorts
DELUXE RESORTS
Most expensive and most luxurious resorts available.
Stunning, relaxing rooms with a view.
The monorail at Disney World runs right through the main resorts.
Access to Epcot is available too.
Animal Kingdom Lodge has a basic standard room, but has less desirable view is of the parking lot.
For the price, I suggest booking the Savanna Room because it has a view of the animals in the safari park.
It is an amazing experience.
Contemporary Resort is the oldest and original hotel in Disney World.
It is ultra modern and has the monorail running right through the steel A-frame shape for a dazzling look.
Inside find Chef Mickey character dining restaurant, California Grill with fireworks show, and Steak 71, an iconic famous restaurant which has the best burger on property.
Bay Lake Tower of the Contemporary has great views of Animal Kingdom.
Polynesian Resort is a personal favorite. It is Moana themed with Lily & Stitch, 'Ohana family style restaurant, nightly luaus, beach fireworks, Dole Whips, Hawaiian leis, and water bungalows on the lagoon.
What else could you want?
Grand Floridian looks like the beautiful Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.
It is stunning, pristine, grandiose and gorgeous.
An old caged elevator envelopes you inside, while the Citricos Restaurant entertains with a Mary Poppins theme.
SPA IS REOPENING FEB 2022.
DELUXE VILLAS- TOP TIER
Riviera Disney is a beautiful European inspired resort and also a Disney Vacation Club Resort.
Newly opened in 2019, it has both Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Villas.
The Villas are 2 or 3 bedroom and come fully equipped with a kitchen. Sleeps up to 12 and book up fast.
Topolino's is located inside and is a coveted character dining experience with great French food.
Don't miss the coffee shop at Riviera.
Full acess to the Skyliner.
Other Villas: Boulder Ridge Villas (Wilderness Lodge), Bungalows (Polynesian).
Pros: Upscale. Lifetime of memories in one trip. Stay longer hours in the park.
Cons: Price points. Restaurant reservations required.
FAQS
FAQs
01
What does Disney cost?
Family of four, on resort, Hopper pass, $3500-$5500.
Start planning 1.5 yrs in advance for best deals. Certified off-resort hotels can save money.
02
Can I change my Disney agent to you?
Yes. Within a 25 day new booking window, you can transfer to me.
03
What does it cost to use a Disney agent?
Nothing. Zero. Nada. It's free to you! Why not have a personal Disney concierge at your service 24/7?
04
Payment plans available?
Yes. 0% down and starting at $200/month.
Credit cards accepted.
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Kristen Vandevender, CLIA, Certified Disney Travel Agent, #00365415
Also Licensed To Sell in California, #2146673-50
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