Our Australian / New Zealand Guide to Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World (WDW) covers over 47 square miles of Orlando Florida, has four major theme parks, two water parks, over 200 locations to dine, 33 resorts and hotels located on the Walt Disney World property, Disney’s own campground, a Wide World of Sports complex, six golf courses, a major Disney shopping center, Disney’s own Cirque du Soleil venue and many more night time, sporting and family activities.

In addition to the above facilities and activities provided on the Walt Disney World Resort, the surrounding areas of lake Buena Vista, Celebration and the suburbs of Orlando offer thousands of hotels, resorts, dining options, shopping and other holiday activities.

This vast resort is definitely one of the World’s leading vacation destinations, however the sheer size and scope of Walt Disney World can be confusing and daunting for the first time Aussie or Kiwi traveller.

The following travel tips is an overview of what we have learnt from our frequent visits to Walt Disney World and is intended to provide a general guide for the first time visitor. Please email Disney Traveller directly for any detailed advice you may require for your upcoming holiday and we will endeavour to point you in the right direction.

Enjoy!

WHEN SHOULD I GO

Choosing the right time to Walt Disney World has become very difficult due to Disney enticing travellers to visit throughout the year, with their introduced special events, festivals and travel promotions.

A major factor to consider when planning your trip is the Florida weather. This place can get hot and wet during the summer months (June – September) and is also vulnerable to hurricanes between August and October.

The second major factor is crowds. Walt Disney World can become very crowded during major holidays (including Christmas, New Years, Easter and their Independence Day)

Our favorite times of the year to visit Walt Disney World are in January/early February (due to the cool weather and very low crowds), April and May (To visit Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival), October and November (Due to the autumn weather, Halloween Parties and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival), and the first three weeks of December (To experience the Christmas decorations and activities throughout Walt Disney World).

HOW LONG DO I NEED

Further to our introduction above, this place is BIG. Do not think about Walt Disney World as a theme park, think of this holiday destination as a City. The resort area occupies approximately 30,000 acres or 47 square miles (120 km²), about the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan and employs in excess of 66,000 people and the resort even has its own city infrastructure and transportation system.

As we all know, it is a long way from Australia to Florida and we recommend at least a week at Walt Disney World to see the 4 main theme parks. If you also want to visit the resort’s hotels, water parks and Downtown Disney Shopping areas, extend your visit to at least 10 days.

But this is only the beginning. Florida is one of the largest travel destinations in the world and offers thousands of activities and destinations to visiting tourists. Within an hour of Walt Disney World you can experience a variety of one day and multi day world renown attractions including:

As you can see, a seven to ten day trip to Orlando can easily turn into a two to three week vacation, if you want to experience all the major tourist attractions in the region.

Our advice is to allow at least a day for each attraction you want to visit and then add a few rest days in your itinerary. For example if you want to visit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach, Seaworld and Universal’s Islands of Adventure allow for seven park days and three rest days. This will ensure that you are not exhausted and will allow you to explore the local shopping, minor attractions and enjoy some down time around the resort.

WHAT TICKETS DO I PURCHASE

Buying tickets to Walt Disney World can be confusing due to the many options Disney offers to their guests. You can check out the official ticket options here, but this is what we recommend for first time Aussie travelers.

Disney offers vacation packages that include accommodation and theme park ticketing that is usually less than paying full price for the separate components, plus they also throw in a few extra items at no additional cost.

The packages change throughout the year, but can great value for individuals and families that are staying at a Disney resort hotel.

When booking your tickets or package you will need to determine what you want to see and how you are planning to visit the parks. Disney call their tickets Magic Your Way Tickets and they give each member of your travel party entry to one Theme Park per day each day of your ticket and use of internal Disney transportation.

The more days you pay for, the less you pay per day. Depending on length of ticket purchased, the average price per day for a 7-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket is less than half the price of the same single-day ticket. It’s like saving over 50%!

In addition to choosing the number of days (from 1 to 10) of your ticket, you can add these fun-filled options in any combination you choose:

Park Hopper Option – Enjoy the flexibility to come and go through Magic Kingdom theme park, Epcot theme park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park on the same day for the entire length of your ticket!
Water Park Fun & More Option – Includes one admission per day to your choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (with reserved tee time) for each day of your ticket.
No Expiration Option – With this option, your unused Theme Park days and Water Park Fun & More Option visits never expire. This includes Magic Your Way Base Tickets, which normally expire 14 days from their first use.

Disney FASTPASS System

Wouldn’t it be great if you could cut your wait time for some of your favorite attractions? Now you can!

When you buy your Disney tickets they include Disney’s complimentary FASTPASS Service that saves your place in line for an attraction while you enjoy the rest of the theme park.

To use Disney’s FASTPASS service simply:

Look for the “Disney’s FASTPASS® Distribution” sign near the entrance of an attraction.
Check the “Return Time” displayed on the sign.
The sign will indicate the time you would return to enjoy the attraction using a FASTPASS ticket.
For attractions, the return time is a one-hour window (e.g., 1:10 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.), so you don’t have to be there exactly at a given time. For shows, your return time will be for a specific performance.
If the return time is one that works for you, just insert your admission ticket into the Disney’s FASTPASS Service machine. (You may use your Walt Disney World Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket, Disney Resort Hotel keycard or Annual Passport.)
A FASTPASS ticket will emerge with your return time printed on it. Now you’re free to go and enjoy the rest of the theme park!
Go back to the FASTPASS ticketholder entrance when your return time rolls around, show your ticket to the Cast Member and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.

This great service can save you hours when utilised correctly. Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding the FASTPASS system.

Our advice is to book a package if you are staying at a Disney resort and to get the add on park hopper option. This will allow you to move between the individual parks on the same day, which is very convenient if you want to see as much as you can during your visit.

If you are not staying at a Disney resort, buy a Magic Your Way Ticket with the Park Hopper option for as many days as you are planning to be in the area. For example the difference between a 7 Day Magic Your Way Ticket ($301 + Tax) and a 10 Day Magic Your Way Ticket ($316 + tax) is only $15 extra or $5 per day to visit one of Disney’s theme parks.

When you consider that a one day ticket plus park hopper is a whopping $136 per day, this is an amazing saving and equates to a very cheap $5.00 day out inclusive of rides, entertainment and attractions.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY

When planning a Walt Disney World vacation you need to make one initial decision before requesting quotations and comparing resorts and that is to decide whether you want to stay in a Disney resort (Onsite) or stay with another hotel / motel chain (Offsite). There are advantages and disadvantages with both options, but the two major factors in your decision will likely be room capacity and price.

Staying Onsite With Disney

A vacation at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is surprisingly affordable. And their hotels offer outstanding benefits designed to provide Guests with a convenient, hassle-free and relaxing stay:

Extended Theme Park Hours - Extended Theme Park hours, known as Extra Magic Hours, offers Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels the unique opportunity to enjoy additional time in the Disney Theme Parks—above and beyond the standard operating schedule—at no extra charge. Valid Theme Park admission and Resort I.D. are required.

Complimentary Airport Transportation - Complimentary airport transportation service, also known as Disney’s Magical Express Transportation, offers free roundtrip airport transportation and baggage delivery to and from Orlando International Airport for Guests staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Complimentary Resort Transportation - Complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort is available via bus, boat or monorail for Guests staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Disney Dining Plan - Disney Resort guests can save up to 30% per adult on dining by purchasing a Disney Dining Plan as part of their Magic Your Way Package. The plan allows guests to choose from over 100 select restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort!

Golf Clubs Rental - Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will enjoy complimentary Titleist and Cobra club rental when they purchase a full round of golf at any of the 4 Disney Championship Golf Courses. Log onto disneygolf.com to book a tee time.

Key to the World Card - This all-in-one card you receive upon check-in acts as your hotel room key and Disney Theme Park ticket. It lets you charge souvenirs and gifts throughout Walt Disney World Resort directly to your room and should be presented to Disney Cast Members in order to take advantage of extended Disney Theme Park hours. Additionally, the card also can be used to pay for meals with the Disney Dining Plan.

Package Delivery - Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests can have packages or souvenirs purchased throughout Walt Disney World Resort delivered directly to their hotel. Simply present your Key to the World Card at the time of purchase and your package will arrive at your hotel the very same day.

Disney Service - Disney Cast Members are available 24 hours a day to make your vacation relaxing and worry-free, only steps or a phone call away. Certain benefits are also available to Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and select Downtown Disney Area hotels.

In-Room Character Calls - Any Guest celebrating a special occasion while staying at any Walt Disney World Resort hotel may request to receive a Disney Character voicemail message on their in-room phone. Occasions for Character calls can include birthdays, romantic celebrations or any other special event.

If you are looking to be immersed in the Disney “magic”, staying onsite is a fantastic option. Disney has three main pricing categories, which are Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts and Deluxe Resorts. They also offer Disney Vacation Club Villas (Their time share resorts that are available to be rented by the public) and the Fort Wilderness Cabins and Campsites.

Prices vary greatly between the categories and resorts and the time of the year.

Staying Offsite

If staying with Disney is not right for you, the local area surrounding Walt Disney World has thousands of hotels, motels, apartments and vacation homes options available.

Staying offsite can provide a better range of accommodation for the same or a lower price, access to better deals and discounts, the opportunity of seeing the “real” Orlando and its suburbs and easier access to non Disney shopping, restaurants and attractions.

Disadvantages of staying offsite is access to the theme parks, negotiating peak hour traffic getting to and from the parks, security and safety concerns, a reduced quality of service, a poorer level of amenities at some resorts and the need to rent a vehicle.

Off-site guests must also pay for parking at Disney theme parks unless they purchase an Annual Pass. These advantages and disadvantages must be considered carefully in comparing onsite and offsite accomodation rates.

Our recommendation is to stay with Disney during your first vacation to Walt Disney World. Disney’s onsite inclusions allow guests to totally relax and enjoy their holiday without the distractions of the outside world.

Our resort recommendations are:

Value Resorts: Pop Century

Moderate Resorts: Caribbean Beach Resort

Deluxe Resorts: The Polynesian

Each of these resorts are wonderfully themed, well maintained, great value for money and captures the magic of staying on Disney property.

WHAT WILL IT COST

Visiting Disney is not cheap, but it is value for money. A recent 14 day visit to Walt Disney World for our family (4 people all at Adult rates) cost us $3144.00.

At first glance, this may seem like an expensive holiday, but when you break it down it worked out to be $786.00 per person (or $56 per day per person). This price include included the following:

14 nights accommodation at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
14 Counter Service Meals
14 Restaurant Meals
14 Snacks
Transfers to and from Orlando International airport to the resort
Unlimited Disney bus transfers to the theme parks and around the Walt Disney World Resort Area
10 Day Disney Magic Your Way Theme Park Tickets with the Park Hopper add on option
A $15 Certificate valid for food and non-alcoholic beverages and a souvenir merchandise keepsake at Planet Hollywood.
One admission certificate per room (for one person) for a round of miniature golf at either Disney’s Winter Summerland or Fantasia mini-golf courses
An arcade card loaded with 100 credits valid for game play in the arcades at the Walt Disney resorts
Disney World Marina Discounts: Add 30 minutes of watercraft fun when you rent a watercraft for 60 minutes.
10% discount at Sammy Duval’s Water Sports
10% discount on Bass Fishing Excursions
15% discount on the Niki Bryan Spas located at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
One Walt Disney Travel Company luggage tag per person.
Access to Disney’s Extra Magic Hours Park hours in the Disney Theme Parks
Purchases made at the Theme Parks or other Disney resorts being delivered to your Disney resort at no extra charge

When you consider that a single day theme park ticket with a park hopper option for one person costs $136 per person, the above package is incredible value for only $56 per person per day all inclusive!

When traveling to Walt Disney World is ESSENTIAL to be aware of the latest deals, offers and discounts being offered. Many deals can save you up to 40% of the rack rates for accommodation and offers such as free dining and ticket upgrades are also frequently offered.

Make sure that you subscribe to the Disney Traveller Blog today and bookmark our Disney Traveller Travel Information Page to be kept up to date on all available updates. This advice is essential, as many of these offers are not advertised in Australia and definitely will NOT be offered by our Australian travel wholesalers (such as the airlines) and many local travel agents.

If you want to save time, money and hassle when booking your next Disney vacation follow us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK to be informed as soon as discounts, offers and Disney travel news articles are released. All subscriptions to Disney Traveller are free and you can find all of our subscription options here.

WILL I NEED A CAR

No, you will not “need” a car, but on occasion it may be convenient to rent one. If you are planning on staying at a Disney Resort and only spending time on Disney property seeing the theme parks, water parks, the Disney resorts and Downtown Disney, there is absolutely no need to rent a car.

When you book a Disney vacation the following transportation options are included for free:

Complimentary Airport Transportation - Complimentary airport transportation service, also known as Disney’s Magical Express Transportation, offers free roundtrip airport transportation and baggage delivery to and from Orlando International Airport for Guests staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Complimentary Resort Transportation - Complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort is available via bus, boat or monorail for Guests staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

However, if you would like to leave Disney property or stay offsite, a rental vehicle will assist you greatly. Although many of the offsite hotels have shuttle buses to Disney, these shuttles run on certain schedules, have varying levels of reliability and are often overcrowded. Remember though that all of the themeparks chage for parking if you are not staying onsite (some charge even if you are staying on site) to be sure to include hidden charges such as parking, tolls, fuel and insurances into your rental budgets.

Vehicle rentals can be heavily discounted in Orlando, so ensure that you email Disney Traveller if you would like access to a list of discount codes you can use to save hundreds of dollars on car rentals.

One last thing to factor to consider when deciding on transportation options is that Americans drive of the opposite side of the road to Australians and have substantially more vehicles on their roads. If you are not a confident driver, we strongly recommend not renting a vehicle and using other forms of transportation such as Disney, chauffeur driven vehicles (Town Cars and Limousines) and shuttle buses.

HOW CAN I PLAN TO MAXIMISE MY TIME IN THE PARKS

As time = money, it is essential that you maximize your time in the Disney theme parks. We have net people that will never return to Disney due to the long queues, big crowds and their perceived poor return on their travel investment travel dollars.

This never has to be the case and if you follow these easy steps, you will considerably reduce wait times, maximize your time in the Disney theme parks and get great value for the investment that you make in your holiday.

Step 1 / Travel Dates

Choose your travel dates carefully! As discussed in our accommodation section, stay away from major United States Holidays and school vacation periods.

For example, the difference between attending the Magic Kingdom during Christmas week or the second week in January can save you over two hours wait per attraction!

Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding when to travel.

Step 2 / Disney FASTPASS System

Wouldn’t it be great if you could cut your wait time for some of your favorite attractions? Now you can!

When you buy your Disney tickets they include Disney’s complimentary FASTPASS Service that saves your place in line for an attraction while you enjoy the rest of the theme park.

To Use Disney’s FASTPASS Service:

Look for the “Disney’s FASTPASS® Distribution” sign near the entrance of an attraction.
Check the “Return Time” displayed on the sign.
The sign will indicate the time you would return to enjoy the attraction using a FASTPASS ticket.
For attractions, the return time is a one-hour window (e.g., 1:10 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.), so you don’t have to be there exactly at a given time. For shows, your return time will be for a specific performance.
If the return time is one that works for you, just insert your admission ticket into the Disney’s FASTPASS Service machine. (You may use your Walt Disney World Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket, Disney Resort Hotel keycard or Annual Passport.)
A FASTPASS ticket will emerge with your return time printed on it. Now you’re free to go and enjoy the rest of the theme park!
Go back to the FASTPASS ticketholder entrance when your return time rolls around, show your ticket to the Cast Member and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.

This great service can save you hours when utilized correctly. Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding the FASTPASS system.

Step 3 / Have A Park Touring Plan

The biggest mistake first timers make is to turn up in a park without any plan of action of what they want to see and what order they are planning to see the attractions and show. With so much on offer it is essential to plan out your day to ensure that you see everything you want to experience.

Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding available tour plans of the parks.

Step 4 / Make Your Dining Reservations 180 Days In Advance

Yep, 180 days in advance. Seems crazy doesn’t it, but it is essential! Due to the popularity of Walt Disney World, it is very difficult to same day reservations at the Disney restaurants and Disney starts taking bookings (Advanced Dining Reservations) for their restaurants 180 days prior to the dining date.

It is common for the more popular restaurants to completely book out a few days after the 180 day booking window commences, so make sure that you book your preferred dining EARLY!

Our recommended Authorized Disney Travel Planners can book your Advanced Dining Reservations for you. This great free service can save you hours when utilized correctly. Please email Disney Traveller if you would like additional information regarding our recommended Authorized Disney Travel Planners and the Advanced Dining Reservations System.

THE FINAL NOTE ON SAVING MONEY, TIME AND FRUSTRATION

Walt Disney World and Orlando is a travelers paradise with so many options for all types of holiday makers, but it can be extremely expensive, time consuming and frustrating for the first time visitor.

Disney Traveller is committed that all Aussie travelers are supplied with all the information, assistance and guidance required to have a memorable, cost effective holiday that everybody enjoys.

Finally, please help us spread the word to other Australian / New Zealand travelers. Please spread the word through Facebbok, twitter and email about our site and blog to your friends, family and work associates. Your support will allow us to help all International travellers save money, time and frustration during their next vacation to a Disney theme park or on a Disney cruise.

Our Free Guides For The Walt Disney World (WDW) Resort Orlando

The following links provide access to our popular free Disney Traveller travel guides for the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

These travel guides will assist Australian, New Zealand and all international travellers to access essential travel information that is required to research their holiday, save money, make a vacation booking, plan for their pending trip and most importantly enjoy their next vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

How To Save Money, Time & Hassle When Booking Your Next Disney Vacation Or Cruise

Our Australian / New Zealand Guide to Walt Disney World

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