Categories
Disney Cruises Disney News Disney Vacations

Adventures by Disney Extends Temporary Cancellation Policy

adventures by disney

Adventures by Disney has cancelled most departures through the end of July. They are also offering a temporary adjustment to their terms and conditions to provide more flexibility for Guests.

Guests currently booked on adventures through August 31, 2020, can change their reservation and receive a 100% credit to be used toward a future adventure. Guests may select a new travel date and/or an alternate adventure by March 31, 2021.

Additionally, Adventures by Disney is offering a temporary update to their cancellation policy. Any new bookings made on future trips through the end of June 2020 will be subject to fully refundable deposits up until the final payment date.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Adventures by Disney, Cancellation Policy

Categories
Disney Food Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

Don’t Listen To This BAD Advice: 8 Disney World Planning Tips That Are WAY Wrong!

Everyone seems to have an opinion when it comes to planning that PERFECT Disney vacation. And while we know that our friends and relatives have best of intentions, they could actually be passing along tips that are not only unhelpful, but simply WRONG.

Mickey Mouse

Today, we’re sharing eight tips that we hare ALL. THE. TIME. that are flat out wrong! There is certainly a reason why some of this advice is given, but we’re going to break each one down and explain why you should throw these tips out the window — or at least think long and hard before following them — when you’re planning your next Disney World vacation!

“You HAVE to do X, Y, or Z.”

You may hear your enthusiastic neighbor or aunt tell you ALL about the absolute best ride, resort, or restaurant that you MUST do in order to have a perfect vacation. Simply put, no one HAS to do the same exact things on their trip as someone else! Vacations should be a personalized adventure that works for THAT vacationer and their party.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Can’t afford to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for an entire week, but Aunt Suzie is insisting it’s the ONLY hotel worth staying at? Don’t try to stretch your personal budget to make it work, and don’t beat yourself up over it if the numbers just don’t add up. 

You can have a WONDERFUL vacation at any resort, plus you can still visit the Polynesian (or any resort for that matter) for a meal or just to walk around and explore!

Mickey at ‘Ohana’s character breakfast!

The same philosophy applies to rides. Do you absolutely despise roller coasters? Then don’t force yourself to ride them! One bad ride experience can really bring down your whole day.

Same thing goes with kiddos — if they’re too scared to ride, don’t force them to ride! Finding what works for YOUR family — not your neighbor, cousin, or mailman’s family — is going to be the best bet.

Tower of Terror might be TOO scary for some in your party!

FYI — that’s why we’re here. We’ve done it ALL…and our team has over 20 people on it who have been to Disney World in hundreds of circumstances. Keep an eye on the DFB YouTube channel and here on the blog. We won’t tell you what you HAVE to do. We’ll share our experiences with you so that you can figure out what you WANT to do with your family. 

“Kids don’t like Epcot — just skip that park.”

Epcot is often INCORRECTLY touted as the “adult park” with nothing to offer little kids. Epcot is really no different than any of the other parks in that there is something to do for EVERYONE. In fact, some kids enjoy Epcot more than any other park! (80’s Epcot Kids Stand UP!)

Even during popular “grown-up” events like the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, there is plenty to keep young ones entertained.

Walt Disney World’s Epcot

Many of the popular attractions in Epcot DO have a height requirement, like Soarin’ Over the World or Test Track, but we find most kids love these attractions when they’re tall enough to ride (which may be younger than you think!).

Test Track

Elsewhere in the park, kids can meet Nemo, Crush, and the gang over at the Seas with Nemo and Friends, go on a fun boat ride through the Land Pavilion on Living with the Land, and more.

And we can’t forget Frozen Ever After is located in the Norway Pavilion in World Showcase and is still INCREDIBLY popular with kids — plus it has no height requirement!

Frozen Ever After Ride

Epcot is about to become even MORE popular with the kids when the all-new ride, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, opens this summer in the France Pavilion.

New Remy Topiary

Epcot is also a great park to do some character meet and greets. In World Showcase, you can meet LOADS of characters in their native countries, including Mulan, Belle, and Snow White.

Snow White in the Germany Pavilion

If character dining is more your jam, Epcot has two excellent options: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion for those looking to meet the princesses, and Garden Grill in The Land Pavilion, where you’ll meet Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale!

“You can’t do a spontaneous trip anymore.”

We think half of the fun of any Disney World vacation is the planning! People love to start planning their Disney trips as early as possible, sometimes before their current trip is even over! This can lead many to believe that a spontaneous, last-minute trip is impossible to achieve.

Cinderella Castle

Between making advance dining reservations, FastPass+ reservations, and making sure you get the best resort hotel room possible, there’s certainly a lot to think about before you ever make it to the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Slinky Dog in Toy Story Land

But the idea that you can’t do a GREAT spontaneous trip is just not true! You can get really good last-minute dining and same-day FastPass+ reservations if you’re willing to hunt for them!

We don’t recommend you solely rely on booking everything day-of as this doesn’t necessarily work out every time, but you don’t have to have everything planned 180 days out if you don’t want to!

Haunted Mansion

If you missed that hard-to-get dining reservation, keep checking! Often, a dining reservation will pop up last minute as folks are always changing and adjusting their plans. That means if you’re refreshing the My Disney Experience app throughout the day, you could possibly snag a great table! There are also some great restaurants where you can usually get a table without a reservation.

Via Napoli

Same applies to FastPasses. Keep checking the My Disney Experience app for last-minute awesome FastPasses — you never know what you’ll find! Even if you can’t manage to snag those popular FastPass+ reservations, it doesn’t mean you can’t ride!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom

You can always strategize to get a shorter standby experience, whether that’s by riding first thing in the morning or last thing at night, waiting in a Single Rider queue if that’s available, or even looking into the possibility of a ticketed after-hour event where the crowds are typically lower.

“Don’t go during the busy season or the holidays!”

One of the most popular WRONG pieces of advice we hear is to never go during the holiday season, or to never go when the parks are “crowded.” For starters, some people simply CAN’T go any other time of the year due to school or work schedules, hence the crowds! If that’s the only time your family can find to visit, you can still have a great time!

Magic Kingdom at Christmas!

The important thing here is to manage your expectations and plan ahead. Setting your priorities for what is MOST important to get done will make all the difference on your trip. We aren’t saying it won’t be crowded — it WILL likely be crowded, and depending on when you visit, you may not be able to do EVERYTHING on your wish list…

Holiday Crowds at Magic Kingdom

…but there ARE some unique pros of going specifically during the holiday season. If you go in November and December, the weather will be much less rainy and hot than in the summer months, and the decorations are beautiful! There are a lot of limited-time events and happenings throughout Walt Disney World at this time of year, like the Gingerbread displays at many resorts, that are truly special to witness. 

Disney’s Grand Floridian Christmas Tree

Another perk of visiting in the “busy season” — there’s MORE time to do it all. The parks can often stay open till 11PM or later (Magic Kingdom often stays open till 1AM or later many nights during the summer!) so you’ll have more time to check off your to-do list!

Even with heavier crowds, if you don’t mind a late evening you can cover a ton of ground.

You Can Stay in Magic Kingdom LATE During the Busy Summers!

Perhaps most importantly, don’t assume that if you DON’T go during those “busy seasons” that you’ll avoid crowds altogether. There can be crowds almost year-round these days, so don’t stress on finding that ‘magic’ low-crowd week. Pick what time works for your family and plan accordingly. 

You HAVE to get the Disney Dining Plan; it’s a great value!”

Harkening back to our first incorrect yet often heard tip, lots of folks insist everyone should get the Disney Dining Plan. While the Dining Plan is right for some people, it can be very wrong for others.

When you crunch the numbers you might find that it is actually harder than you think to save money on the Dining Plan unless you’re maxing it out everywhere you go.

Ribeye Steak from California Grill

Back in the day, it may have been easier to score a great deal with the Dining Plan, but now you can only really save money if you dine at the most expensive restaurants, AND order the most expensive meals on the menu, AND take advantage of the one alcoholic beverage that comes with your meal, AND get the most expensive snacks you can.

Cocktails at Topolino’s Terrace

This can be extra problematic if you have a kiddo that’s old enough to be considered an “adult” by Disney’s pricing standards but isn’t quite big enough to scoff down an adult-sized meal. It also is hard to get the best value if you have a picky eater in your party or a vegan or vegetarian diner — simple entrees like chicken nuggets or meat-free options are typically some of the cheaper items in restaurants.

Dr Falls Signature Grilled Steak from Skipper Canteen

One big benefit of the Disney Dining Plan is the added convenience of essentially “pre-paying” for all of your meals. However, keep in mind that you will still need to take care of tips out-of-pocket, as this does NOT come included on the Dining Plan.

Now, we’ve got you covered here, too! Our DFB Guide has TONS of additional information on the Disney Dining Plan, including the pros and cons in determining whether or not it’s right for your family! We break down the numbers FOR you, so you can figure out easily whether the dining plan is the right choice for you.

Stuff your kid’s shoes to make them taller so they can get on a ride.”

You may be surprised at how often we hear this next tip in passing (even celebrities are guilty of doing it!). The height requirements for each attraction are there for your child’s safety. Stuffing their shoes to give them that extra inch so they can ride could put them in harm’s way, as the seating restraints are not designed for people under that height.

Rise of the Resistance Height Requirement

We shouldn’t have to explain this much further — please keep your child safe! Cast Members will measure how tall your kiddo is, but if they aren’t tall enough, the Cast Member will put safety first and won’t allow them to ride.

Star Tours

Keep in mind that if you run into this issue, you can take advantage of Disney’s Rider Switch program so everyone else in your party can still experience the attraction while one adult waits outside with the child(then they get a chance to ride without waiting in the full line!).

FYI, let us suggest from experience a very GOOD piece of advice — check out the ride height requirements BEFORE you go to Disney World. That way, nobody ends up waiting hours for a ride just to find out they’re too small to experience it. Many tears could ensue… .

“[Fill in the blank] restaurant is a must-do or a must-skip.”

Those well-meaning friends and relatives really want to make sure you have the best Disney World vacation possible (or is it THEIR best Disney vacation possible? ?). Unfortunately, that could result in some unhelpful advice like this gem we hear alllll the time!

Tomahawk Veal Chop

If your Uncle Mike HATES Mexican food, chances are he’s gonna tell you to avoid La Cantina de San Angel in Epcot at all costs. But what if you LOVE Mexican food (like SO MANY of our readers who almost crowned this spot their favorite fast food spot in Disney World!)? Who do you trust?

La Cantina de San Angel

Ultimately, no one can determine what restaurant is a must-do for your family EXCEPT FOR YOU! Experience the restaurant for yourself and give a try before you pass judgment! There’s so much more that goes into picking the perfect restaurant besides just the menu!

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Everyone’s tastes and preferences are different (that’s why Disney has such a wide variety of options to choose from!). Here at DFB, it is our goal to share what the restaurant is like instead of whether it’s “good” or “bad.” So, read our reviews to get a good understanding of what’s available at each restaurant and what the atmosphere is like. Then decide for YOURSELF if your family might like to try it.

Wait until your kids are X years old or they won’t enjoy it.”

Some folks may recommend you wait until your kids reach a certain age or a certain height to even bother considering a trip to Disney World. But we all know that every family is different and every kid ‘ages’ differently! There are pros and cons for just about every age, so consider when YOU want your kids to visit, and don’t worry about what others say! Only you can know what’s best for your family.

Even Babies Are Enchanted by Snow White!

Even if they won’t remember it as clearly as you will, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! If you want to (and are able to) go — GO! You can make some incredible memories with your littlest ones if you take them early (plus, under three, they get in for FREE!).

At the end of the day, you might have to crunch numbers, talk to your family, or do some research when you get advice on how to best plan your Disney World vacation! We have tons of additional articles and videos all about making sure your next Disney trip is the best for YOU! To learn more about how to work around bad advice (and what to do instead!), check out our video below!

What is the most overheard bit of Disney World advice that you don’t follow because you know it’s not true for your family? Share with us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Character Dining, Counter-Service, disney dining tips, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Hard to Get Reservations, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, disney dining plan, Disney With Kids, Disney World, disney world dining, disney world planning, FastPass+, FastPass+ Reservations, peak season, Rider Switch

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

NEWS! Disneyland Releases More Details About New Vacation Club Tower

From new attractions to park makeovers, Disney has its hands full with the amount of construction planned over the next few years.

Downtown Disney

A while ago, Disneyland had proposed a Four Diamond hotel that would be placed inside Downtown Disney. When the idea was scrapped back in 2018, plans for a new Disney Vacation Club time-share tower started to form in 2019.

And, according to the Orange County Register, the new Disney Vacation Club time-share tower is still in the works for the Disneyland Hotel.

Disneyland Hotel

During an Anaheim town hall webinar, Disney revealed more details about the tower that is projected to open in 2023 (even though the current closures might push that date back).

Disney stated that “As with all projects, this proposed plan will go through a series of reviews as part of the project approval process with the city of Anaheim. Right now, we are in the entitlement process with the city, which is a continuation of an application submitted back on November 22, 2019.”

Disney Vacation Club Sales Kiosk

While we already know that there will be two multi-level Grand Villas on top of the tower along with a Mickey-shaped spa and outdoor pool bar, the Disney Vacation Tower will also have 350 rooms for guests. In comparison, the amount of rooms is pretty close to the size of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn with 378 rooms in Disney World.

©Disney

In the town hall meeting, Disney also shared that the Disney Vacation Club complex would be arranged in an L-shape with a 12-story tower at the front and a 5-story tiered section in the back. There will also be poolside garden units and “interactive water features.”

As a courtesy to the residents of Walnut Street where the tower will be built, Disney will also put up a sound wall west of the pool to dampen the overall noise.

©Disney

Disneyland has not released an updated timeline for construction, but Orange County was just cleared to move into “full stage two” of California’s reopening plan.We will keep you updated with more information and news on the tower.

What are you excited to do the most in Disneyland when the parks re-open? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Disneyland, Disneyland Column, Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney Anaheim, Featured, Disney, disney hotels, disney news, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Vacation Club Time Share Tower, Disneyland Disney Vacation Club time share Tower, Downtown Disney

Categories
Disney Parks Disney Vacations

News! Florida’s Vacation Rentals Near Disney World Have Been Approved to Reopen

After being shuttered for many months, Florida is well into Phase One of its gradual reopening.

Disney Springs

Just yesterday, we saw several third-party restaurants and shops resume business at Disney Springs and last week Universal Studios’ CityWalk took its first reopening steps. But while Disney and Universal-owned hotels and theme parks will remain closed until further notice, some vacation rental properties in the area have just been given the green light to start reopening.

According to News 6 WKMG, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has approved an outline that was submitted to him last week allowing Osceola County vacation rentals to reopen.

Palm Trees

“We appreciate the quick review of our plan and the State’s realization that the vacation rental home sector is a massive part of our economy,” Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer said. “We know that this action will have a ripple effect in our community as there are so many small businesses that support the vacation rental market – from housekeepers to lawn and pool maintenance workers, to security staff and caterers, to property managers and companies that handle the numerous details that surround a successful vacation.”

Earl of Sandwich

Osceola County, a major tourist destination that comprises a portion of Walt Disney World Resort, has over 30,000 licensed vacation home rentals.

City Works

Osceola Country included some of the key details in the plan they gave to Florida’s Governor which included:

  • Property owners and managers have to adopt guidelines that are in place for businesses
  • They must follow reopen guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting for all lodging
  • Property owners will be asked to provide coronavirus guidance on local restrictions put in place during a guest stay
  • Any guest coming from a highly-infected area must reserve a minimum stay of 14 nights and follow CDC’s self-quarantine guidelines
  • Vacation rentals are not allowed to be used for gatherings that exceed the maximum occupancy

So far, Osceola County is the first to have its plan passed by Governor Ron DeSantis. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.

Are you planning to visit Florida soon? Let us know in the comments below. 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under:

Categories
Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

5 Rookie Mistakes You’re Making When You Book A Disney World Hotel

YAY! You’re planning a Disney World vacation and we couldn’t be more EXCITED for you! ::Happy dance! Happy dance!::

Magic Kingdom Sign

We’re betting you’ve already done some extensive research to figure out which Disney World resort hotel is best for you, but we want to share a few common pitfalls that trip up a lot of Disney World guests!

Which mistakes should you avoid? Let’s examine five BIG ONES!

Booking Your Disney World Resort Without a Discount

Trust us, we get it. Before we learned how things work, we overpaid for our Disney World vacations too. That’s why we want you to know there’s almost ALWAYS a discount you can apply to your trip, be it a park ticket offer, free dining offer, or room discount!

Free Dining

Always check the special offers tab on Disney World’s website before you make your reservation!

Cake Pop at Magic Kingdom

And if you forget (or already have a reservation when a new promotion or discount is released), you can usually call Disney and rebook your trip with the new discount applied!

Minnie Mouse at Hollywood Studios

Disney doesn’t normally advertise this service, but they’ll do it for you if the offer is still available for your requested room or package. Some promotions such as Disney World’s free dining offer book up VERY fast, so make sure you are signed up for our newsletter so you’ll be one of the first to know! 

Not Requesting a Room

Many Disney guests don’t realize what POWER they have! 

Lobby in Art of Animation

They show up at their Disney World resort, end up with a room they don’t like, and figure, “Well, that’s just the way it’s going to be!” This is NOT how it has to be!

Request a Room When You Book Your Reservation

Select Disney World resorts will allow you to note a room preference when you check-in online!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

But if the resort you’re staying at doesn’t offer this feature, you can call Disney and a representative will make note of your preference on your reservation. You can request what kind of view you’d like, what building you’d like, what floor, etc (just bear in mind certain rooms will come with an added cost!).

Ask To Switch If You Don’t Like Your Room

If you realize you don’t like your room once you arrive at Disney World (maybe because it has a funky configuration or is too far from the lobby) check with the front desk. You can sometimes move to a different room IF there’s one available in the same price range. If not, you might be able to upgrade to a better room for an additional cost.

Coronado Springs Front Desk

It’s not always possible to transfer rooms or have your first preference, but we’ve found out it never hurts to ask!

Going Straight For a Deluxe Resort Without Considering Other Options

Depending on how much time you’re actually planning on spending at your hotel, a Deluxe resort might not be your best option at Disney World.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Sure, these luxury hotels have A LOT of bells and whistles including nicer rooms, fancier grounds, and loads of other amenities; but depending on how you plan to vacation, you might not get your money’s worth out of the facilities. Whether you’re looking to hit the parks all-day-every-day and won’t be at your resort much OR you’d like a bit more space without shelling out a ton of cash, consider the Value Resorts!

Larger Rooms and Access to Disney’s Skyliner

First up, let’s look at families that might want a bit more space than standard Disney rooms provide. You don’t HAVE to look to Deluxe accommodations to find more spacious rooms! One of our favorites is the Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

These larger guest rooms cost twice what standard rooms at Art of Animation run BUT they can hold up to six adults and have a separate sitting area, TWO FULL BATHROOMS, and lots of extra space. They even include a separate sleeping area for adults and kids! We think you might be quite drawn in by them!

Art of Animation Resort

AND Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has a Disney Skyliner station (which it shares with Disney’s Pop Century Resort), meaning you can hop on a gondola and ride over to Hollywood Studios or Epcot SUPER FAST instead of taking a bus!

Many Guest Rooms Have Been Recently Remodeled

You may also want to consider staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort or one of Disney’s All-Stars Resorts — they have recently renovated many of their guest rooms!

All Things Groovy at Pop Century Resort’s Hippy Dippy Pool

For instance, all of Disney’s Pop Century Resort rooms have been completely overhauled and now feature new flooring, tiling, fixtures, giant flatscreen TVs, and all-new soft furnishings including linens and drapery! And don’t forget — it’s also a Skyliner resort like Art of Animation!!

Amenities

Amenities at some of the value resorts might not be as high-end as Disney World’s more luxurious resorts, but they can still be pretty amazing! Like we previously mentioned — both Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort share a Disney Skyliner station, making it super convenient to access two of Disney World’s four theme parks.

Other than Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, you won’t find a resort that’s comparable in price with access to Disney’s Skyliner — and keep in mind Caribbean Beach’s room rates are higher since this resort is classified as Moderate and NOT a Value!

Disney Skyliner

Plus, we really dig the more playful-aspect of the Value resorts! Disney is more “present” in these resorts’ guest room decor as well as each Value resorts’ pool and play area. Kiddos (and adults too!) really seem to get a kick out of seeing larger than life representations of their favorite Disney characters, toys, musical instruments, and other crazy things sprinkled throughout the Values’ buildings and courtyards! Plus these resorts are just SO fun and colorful!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The style of Disney World’s higher-end Moderate and Deluxe resorts skews a bit quieter and subdued. Their guest rooms and courtyards aren’t as flashy while their decor tends to only have a hint of Disney.

Who knows — you might prefer being surrounded by the bigger ‘n bolder Disney stuff at one of the Value resorts because it will remind you you’re on a vacation AT Disney World!

Going Straight For a Value Resort Without Considering Other Options

Wait, didn’t we just say the opposite? But it’s true; you have to carefully weigh out ALL of your options and sometimes the best way to do this involves a little reverse engineering!

Luna Park Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk

That means taking a deep dive into what you’re expecting to get out of your trip to Disney World! This could equal spending a little bit more money on your room if you really want swankier Disney digs!

Higher Quality Vacation Experience

You know yourself better than we do — maybe a Value resort just doesn’t fit with your vision of what your vacation should be. As fun as Value resorts can be, you might need something less economical to be reminded you’re on a magical Disney vacation! We’re talking maximum relaxation in Disney World’s more opulent settings!

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

That’s why a Moderate or Deluxe resort might actually be best for you. You’ll find more amenities such as work-out facilities, more diverse and high-end dining options, business centers, and even salons and spas at some Deluxe hotels. Many of Disney World’s Deluxe properties are also closer to the parks, making them ideal if you’re hoping to avoid extended travel-times!

Better Location

Instead of hopping on a bus, you can get right over to Magic Kingdom via the Monorail if you’re staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! And from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can take a boat directly to Magic Kingdom!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort with Monorail Access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot

And don’t forget about the Epcot area resorts which include Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. You’ll be able to walk over to Epcot AND Hollywood Studios from all three of these resorts — or take a ferry boat as well!

Cresent Lake Ferry Boat

PLUS you’ll even have access to the International Gateway Skyliner station located in Epcot, giving you even MORE options to get to the parks!

More Restaurants and Variety

While the Value resorts have great food courts, Disney World’s Moderate and Deluxe resorts often offer the best range of dining options.

Texas Wild Boar with Elote and Salsa Verde at Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Many Moderates and Deluxes have grab-n-go options for convenience while also providing a sit-down dining option, lounges or bars, and more. Some even have their own character meals, signature (meaning FANCY!) dining, and room service!

The Determining Factor

Here’s the thing: some people swear by Disney World’s Value resorts while others feel the exact opposite. The choice is ultimately yours to make!

Grand Floridian Lobby

If you think you’ll have a better trip at a Moderate or a Deluxe resort, don’t let your friends’ advice stop you from booking one of these options. Do what feels right for YOUR family.

How to Make It Work With Your Budget

If you’d like to stay at a pricier resort but having a hard time justifying cost, consider trimming a few days off of your itinerary to make staying at a Moderate or Deluxe more affordable! Not only will you be saving money on your room by staying fewer nights, but you won’t have to worry about purchasing extra food, park tickets, or additional parking costs if you’re bringing a car!

Disney’s Riviera Resort

That’s savings that can really add up quickly — which you can THEN apply to a nicer resort! Of course, the trade-off is you’ll have less time to spend at Disney World, but if staying at a pricier resort is a must-do for you it’s an option worth considering!

Not Thinking About Transportation and Proximity

Going off of what we’ve already mentioned a few times, you might really be surprised by the importance of your resort’s location. It could be the deciding factor for your whole vacation experience!

Art of Animation Entrance

If you’re planning on spending A LOT of your trip at a certain park, staying at a nearby hotel might be smart for your family.

Stay Closer to Where You Want to Spend the Most Time

Earlier we mentioned Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, along with Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort,  have access to Disney’s Skyliner — and therefore Hollywood Studios and Epcot are just a short ride away.

This makes travel to these two parks SUPER convenient, but this also means their buses to Epcot and Hollywood Studios run less frequently. This is something to consider if you have a fear of riding the Skyliner — you might have VERY limited bus access to those two parks!

Art of Animation Skyliner

If Magic Kingdom is your MUST-DO park and you plan to spend a good chunk of time there, the (pricier) Monorail resorts might be worth it to your family. Plus, these resorts often offer views of the Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon, if you want to feel right next to the magic.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks From Disney’s Contemporary Resort

And like we said before, Epcot’s resorts are awesome because you can literally walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. If you’re looking forward to spending a lot of time at one of Epcot’s annual festivals, these resorts have an optimal location so you can pop into Epcot as you please!

We hope we helped you make a little more sense out of the tough decision you’ll be making soon and as always, we’re here to help you every step of the way!

Which Disney World resort are you thinking about staying at? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, amenties, beginner’s guide to disney world, better access, bus transportation, deluxe resorts, dining, dining options, discount, Disney World, disney world hotel, disney world resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, disney’s grand floridian resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, disney’s skyliner, disney’s yacht and beach club resort, Epcot, family suites, first time, first trip to disney world, food courts, free dining, Hollywood Studios, how to pick a hotel, location, magic kingdom, moderate resorts, proximity to park, remodeled guest rooms, remodeled rooms, restraurants, rookie mistakes, room discount, skyliner, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, theming, transportation, Value resorts