Top 5 Disney World Planning FAQs
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be very overwhelming for a first-time guests. We have compiled just a few of the frequently asked questions by guests planning a Walt Disney World vacation.
1. How far in advance should I book my vacation package? Short answer: 6+ months.
Some people are planners and book their vacations at least a year in advance, while others are more spontaneous planning a vacation weeks before traveling. To really take advantage of all the benefits of booking a Walt Disney World vacation, we recommend booking at least 6 months in advance. Dining reservations open up 60 days prior to your reservation date. If you plan on dining at some of the more popular restaurants, this is a must! Room availability lessens as time goes on, so if you wait too long, the standard (cheapest) rooms are booked full, and you are left with the more expensive options. Lastly, you have a better chance of having a discount by booking earlier, because discounted rooms sell out quickly.
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2. Should I add the Park Hopper option? Short answer: Yes.
For most guests the answer is a resounding “yes”but there are circumstances where a Park Hopper is unneccessary. When contemplating the Park Hopper option, you need to consider whether or not you would like visit 2+ separate parks in the same day. There are a myriad of reasons why this would be necessary, but some of the most popular reasons are:
- you plan on spending your day at one park, but have dinner reservations inside another park
- you plan on spending your day at one park, but want to attend Extended Evening Hours for deluxe resort guests and/or see a nighttime show or fireworks at another park
- you want flexibility to hop to a new park if the first one is too crowded, or there's a ride you missed at another park
- you are only there for a few days and want to visit all four Disney Parks
3. How much does it cost to add Lightning Lanes to my vacation package? Short answer: It varies based on date.
Because Disney uses date-based / demand-based pricing, costs fluctuate depending on day, crowd levels, and park. There are several ways to “add” Lightning Lanes:
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass— gives you access to many rides for skip-the-line reservations during the day. Starts around $15/day + tax on slower days. More commonly, expect roughly $30–45/day in 2025 depending on park and date. Doesn't include the newest rides. For those you will need the Single Passes.
- Lightning Lane Single Passes— for the very popular attractions that are not included in Multi Pass; you pay extra for each ride. These rides include (but are not limited to) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Avatar Flight of Passage.
- Lightning Lane Premier Pass — a “one-and-done” pass that (for one day + one park) gives you skip-the-line access to all Lightning Lane attractions, no booking times required.With this pass, you don’t need to pre-book ride times; you can just walk up and use Lightning Lane entrances for all eligible rides in that park that day.
4. Can I still use Disney’s Magical Express to get to Disney? Short answer: No.
Disney’s Magical Express is no longer available. For guests who need transportation between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Walt Disney World Resort, there are a few options. You can used a rideshare, like Uber or Lyft, or you can book a shuttle through Mears Connect. There are a few other options like private transfers, taxis, rental cars, and Minnie Vans. Ask your Kingdom Konsultant Agent which ones are available for your trip, and the cost for each. If guests fly into or out of any other airport, the options are a bit different.
5. When is the best time to travel to Walt Disney World? Short answer: It depends.
The best time to travel really depends upon each family’s individual needs and expectations. If the budget rules and your priority is to avoid crowds, then the best time to travel to is during Value Season, such as January or September. If you are a wine connoisseur and foodie, then fall during the Food & Wine Festival would be a perfect time to go. If you want to see the parks decorated for the holidays, then November or early December is best. If you are a horticulturist, then spring during the Flower & Garden Festival would the ideal time to travel.
My personal favorite time to go is when there's a discount! My least favorite is during school breaks, when it feels like everyone who lives in Florida is at WDW. I avoid the crowds as much as possible. Last year, we went in late January and then in late July. Both were great times to go crowds-wise!
I answered this question in more detail here: The 4 Best Times to Visit WDW.
When you work with one of our agents to plan your Disney Vacation, they can customize your trip to meet your priorities and price out different dates for you. Contact Us today to begin the planning process! 💫
Summer Squires is a Mom of 4 who loves helping other parents plan memorable and stress-free family vacations! She is a Disney Parks and Cruise Line Specialist. You can email Summer at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.
