Hello Everyone!
So far Spring has being cold and dreary around here, but it has given people dreams of warmer weather and Summer vacations. Now is the time to be planning for Summer and I have been busy helping clients with Walt Disney World Vacations.
When I was growing up, my mom would always take our family on vacation. Several times those vacations included Walt Disney World. I have such happy memories of going to the parks and riding the rides!
Then, I thought of Disney as a place for kids, but now, being a travel agent I know it is also a great place for adults too! There is everything from world class spas to championship golf to fine dining. Disney World offers wonderful vacations for families, couples, and even girlfriend getaways.
Every bride wants to feel like a princess so why not make that happen with Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. You have amazing choices of wedding collection options, ceremony locations as well as some spectacular reception choices. You can even arrive at your wedding in Cinderella’s Crystal Coach which is a silvery, pumpkin-shaped carriage that is horse drawn and guided by a coachman in full royal attire! Or you could choose to have your wedding at a private island or on board Disney Cruise Lines and then spend your honeymoon at Disney World!
When you make hotel arrangements, be sure to stay at the Disney World Resort on site properties for perks that include free airport and resort transportation, early park admission, and package/souvenir delivery to your resort. You will also get a Key to the World Card. This all-in-one card acts as your hotel room key and Theme Park ticket. You can also use the card to charge souvenirs throughout Disney World Resort directly to your room so there’s no need to carry money while enjoying your vacation. Present your card to a select Disney Cast Member to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours benefit. And if you’ve purchased the Disney Dining Plan, use the card during your vacation to pay for meals at over 100 select locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Investing in dining packages are really worth it and sometimes, are offered as freebies, however to get the dining you must get park passes.
I suggest the Park Hopper passes instead of the Base ticket option for the parks, because it allows you much more freedom to come and go as you please. A common mistake I see with clients is that they tend to get a 3 day pass even if they are really staying 7 days, thinking the savings is huge. The difference in cost between a 3 day ticket and a 7 day ticket is around $40 total. The passes include admission to one or more of the following theme parks for each day of the ticket:
- Magic Kingdom Park
- Epcot
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Get your passes for the length of your stay, you will not regret it and for just a little more include the water park option.
If you stay at the most economical Disney World Resort on site properties, make sure you spend a few dollars extra and get the preferred rooms which are closer to the front of the properties.
One of my favorite resorts to stay at Disney World is the flagship property, the Grand Floridian. It’s a beautiful Victorian style property on the white sand shores of the Seven Seas lagoon. Its has a wonderful spa, a beach pool with a 181 foot long water slide and romantic dining at Victoria & Albert’s.
If you want to feel like you are on safari, you will love the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge. It features its own 33-acre savanna where over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, kudu and flamingos reside. It’s Africa in the middle of Florida where guests can swim in a pool or soak in spa tubs not far from giraffes and gazelles. Make sure you upgrade and get a room with a savanna view!
Make good use of your time with Disney’s FastPass that lets you bypass the long regular line. Get your FastPasses at your top two or three rides ( most people include Space Mountain) and make sure you start early since you can get a FastPass for every two hour window.
If money is no object and you want the best experience ever, then try Disney’s VIP Tour Service. They will customize your day to include whatever you need. You can book them up to 6 hours a day to get private tour guides, behind the scenes tours and special front row seating for shows. The rate starts at $315 an hour, but is definitely worth it because with a premium tour you get perks like going directly thru the FastPass line as many times as you want, and getting those impossible to get dining reservations on the day of your tour. Of if you are like most of us and money is an object, get a Chase INK Bold or INK Plus and a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card® Card to help pay for these VIP trips!
Disney often runs great specials mid July to late September so make sure to check out those dates if possible. Right now specials include up to 3 kids stay free with 1 paying adult and 2 free nights at select properties.
Just talking about Disney World makes me smile, I hope you get to visit soon! – Tamara
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Not all resorts hotels have free transportation from the airport. The Swan and Dolphin (both Starwood properties) are not part of the Magical Express program. You must use a taxi or something like Mears to get you there and back.
@Dan Morgan: you answered your own question. The Swan and Dolphin are not Disney properties. That can actually be a good thing since Disney does not have a frequent stay program, such as SPG.
Disney World is WAY too big to be covered by a simple post by a travel agent. And the recommendations Tamara made all have ifs ands and buts in my opinion. But, hey, it’s a start.
My wife and I tried setting up our wedding at Disney World. Both of us have grown children, out of the nest. We go to DW a few time a year. But they dissappointed us for our wedding. We called and talked to a planner. We set up a time when we would be on the properties to meet with her. When we arrived we tried calling many times, and she never answered, or returned our messages. When she finally did, a few weeks had passed. We ended up doing Sandles in Jamaica. My princess was dissapponted, but we made it right on the islands.