May 1, 2025 • 29 mins
Planning your first trip to Walt Disney World? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to make your vacation magical, stress-free, and unforgettable.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Hotel Breakdown: We explore the differences between Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Disney Resorts, plus the pros and cons of staying on vs. off-property.
Ticket Options: From single-day tickets to Park Hopper passes, we’ll help you choose the best ticket option for your trip.
Disney Transportation: Learn how to navigate the parks with Disney’s free transportation options, including buses, monorails, boats, and the Skyliner.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or just need a refresher, this episode will help you make the most of your Walt Disney World adventure.
Love this episode? Subscribe to our podcast and leave a review (please)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thegenxcouple for more. Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or family who might also like it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hi, I'm Robin and I'm Chris together. We're the Gen X couple
(00:23):
Hey guys take one hello everyone
Hey, the last two we did on take one. I don't want to jinx us, but I think we're killing it over here
We might be considered experts now. I'm pretty sure you're right
so welcome back as we
Hinted at last week, but we didn't hand we flat out told you but we're gonna be talking about one of our all-time
(00:48):
Favorite topics and that's Disney. I'm so excited to be talking about Disney
If you've been around here a while, you know that we're a big Disney family. We love all things Disney
Yeah, we are full fledged Disney adults and
We have raised our children to love Disney as much as we love Disney
(01:08):
today together we've been to Walt Disney World in Florida over a dozen times and
A few times separately before we even knew each other
Yeah, so what Chris is saying is that we've learned a thing or two over the years. I personally have helped several people
play in their trips and we thought it would be good to do
In that episode or two on planning your own magical vacation to Disney World as I sat down to make my notes
(01:34):
It's gonna be a four-part episode
I had originally thought it would be two but there's just too much and we didn't want to overwhelm people
so it's gonna be a four-part series and
And this way hopefully you'll be able to plan your own amazing Walt Disney World and hopefully our tips will help you
Yes, Rob and I can talk about Disney all day and sometimes we do yeah, he's not exaggerating
(01:57):
I could sit and talk about Disney all day every day
But we mentioned this at the end of last week's episode a couple of people have actually requested that we do these episodes
So like I said, I made a list of everything
It's very highly detailed and after listening to these four episodes. You should be able to plan your own trip to Walt Disney World
There is a lot to cover and we know it can be confusing
(02:20):
Especially if you've never been there before so we want to break down everything for you all today
Yeah, I remember my first trip
Well, actually my first trip was with my aunt uncle and two cousins and I had been one other time after that
But then I had gone actually Chris and I were first dating I had gone with my friend Julie and
(02:41):
She showed me the ropes because otherwise I don't even know I would have been so overwhelmed
I wouldn't have known what to do, but she is a Disney person. She's been a ton of times and she showed me the ropes
So we're gonna cover everything from different modes of transportation on the Disney properties
We're gonna talk about the hotels the dining plan
(03:01):
You name it and we're gonna talk about it. So for everyone that's not familiar with Walt Disney World now in Orlando
There are four theme parks the Magic Kingdom Epcot
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
There's also two water parks in Disney Springs
Which everything has everything from world-class restaurants to unique stores live performances
(03:26):
And it makes the perfect place to explore outside the parks
If you've been dreaming of a magical trip but feel overwhelmed by all the details, don't worry. We got you covered
Hopefully after today our must-know beginner tips will help make your Disney trip as smooth as possible
Did you say smooth smooth?
(03:48):
So first up step one before anything else
Download the my Disney experience app
This app is your key to managing park reservations, mobile food orders, ride wait times and
so much more
Your hotel key. I'm trying to think if it does anything else. It does but I can't vote your favorite thing a
(04:11):
Countdown it gives you a countdown
Yes, it does and we will mention that to it
But it does do a countdown so you can click in at any time after you book your trip and see how many days you have left until your trip
We have three countdowns going on right now. We've got Chris and I have a trip to
Disney World we're recording this before this is gonna actually air after we get back from that trip because we're recording in advance
(04:37):
But so right now we have Chris and I and a lone trip in April. We're going to Disneyland Paris
In June that was a squill of joy and then we're going back to Walt Disney World in August because we take the kids every year
But anyway back to the app think of it as your Disney trip control center and we will definitely circle back to the app later
I'm going to mention it a bunch of times and
(04:59):
So don't worry about that. Stay tuned. Just download the app for now
So when it comes to booking a lot of people think or assume that you need a travel agent or that it's a long
Complicated process to lock in your trip. But honestly guys, it's super simple. You can book your entire Disney vacation right on your phone
Through the official the official Disney website
(05:19):
It just takes a $200 deposit to secure your reservation and then you can pay off the rest over time
So that's right. You don't have to pay it all the ones you can but you don't have to
We usually call and all of the cast members are so incredibly knowledgeable and helpful
They can answer any question you can come up with yeah, that actually goes for all Disney cast members
(05:42):
You're probably thinking what's a cast member a cast member is a term used by Disney to refer to employees at the theme parks and resorts
Actually anybody that works for Disney is a cast member
The term comes from Walt Disney's use of theatrical terms to describe park operations
And you can view your view your booking and reservations in that isn't that correct? Yes
(06:03):
The my Disney experience app is where you go to see all your reservations and like for said a few minutes ago
You can click in and get your countdown to see how many days you have left until your trip
When you are booking your trip make sure you make hotel reservations
Even to get your park tickets and there are several different types of park tickets
(06:24):
And I thought it would be helpful to include a breakdown so that it doesn't get confusing
So first up there's the standard one day
Her park day ticket. Did I say that right?
So it's a one one park per day ticket and this is the most basic option
So you pick a set number of days and if you do this option you can visit one of the Disney
(06:46):
Parks each day so you pick which one you want to go to on whichever day
So the Magic Kingdom Epcot Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom and this is a great chance if you plan
Did I say chance? This is a great choice. I'm getting so excited to talk about Disney. I'm messing up
But this is a great choice if you plan to take your time and fully enjoy each park without hopping in between them
(07:09):
With this option you can leave the park and go back to your hotel for a break during the day
But you must return to the same park. There's no park hopping with this option
If you want more flexibility, then you might want to consider the park hopper ticket
This allows you to visit multiple parks in a single day
So you can start your morning at the Magic Kingdom and then head over to Epcot for dinner
(07:32):
Now if you want more adventure and there actually is even more adventure
There's the park hopper plus option. So that ticket includes park hopping and
Access to Disney's water parks golf courses and mini golf courses
So it's perfect if you want to mix in some non park fun
How many parks have we visited in one day?
To I think that was our limit. I don't know. I'm trying to think back. We've been so many times
(07:57):
I think just two although I don't think we've done more than two in a day
We've done more than two because by the time you get to the front of the park and there's a lot of walking involved on Disney trips
I I think to I know to there's a four-park challenge that some people do that
That's too much even for me. Yes, I have no desire to go to four parks in one day
(08:17):
I know what I like at this point and I want to do the things I like
But I like to take my time too because sometimes the mood just strikes you and you want to go do something else
But back to the ticket options. I just also wanted to mention
Disney also has after hours and special event tickets like Mickey's not so scary Halloween party or Mickey's very Merry Christmas party
(08:40):
And we are going to get into more details about those. I think probably like in the last part
I forget where it falls on my outline, but I think it's near the end
Those things that after hours the Halloween and the Christmas party are separately ticketed events
So that means you don't need a regular park ticket for that day
You just need the event ticket which gets you in during the late afternoon and lets you stay past regular park hours
(09:04):
So I think it's four o'clock for the parties the Halloween and the Christmas party
I'm not sure about the after hours because we've never done the after hours because that's way too late for us
It is too late and last but not least I did want to just mention for the Disney super fans
There is an annual pass option. There's a Florida
resident option and a non-florid resident option and someday that will be us
(09:28):
The annual passes give you year-round access, but there are blackout dates depending on which tier you choose
So which ticket is right for you?
It's hard to say if you're visiting for a few days
I want to take it slow the standard ticket works great if you love
Flexibility and maximizing your time the park upper might be the way to go
(09:48):
And if you want extra perks like the water perks the park hopper plus might be worth it
That was a lot of information. I know it was but it's important to know what kind of ticket options are available and
That way, you know if you don't feel comfortable calling to book it yourself
booking it on the app or
Whatever if you don't feel comfortable
(10:10):
Go to a travel agent. Honestly, I mean, I feel like I broke it down for you guys
It is confusing, but if you still feel fee go just go to a travel agent
Anyone that books Disney has to go through training courses. So they're pretty knowledgeable
So we've talked about the tactics tickets now
Let's move on to the next stage and we'll talk about the hotels on the Disney property
(10:32):
Yeah, you're right the Disney property in Orlando is literally the size of a town
So in addition to the theme parks Disney Springs water parks golf courses mini golf courses
There are over 25 resort hotels on the property
So I thought it would be helpful to break down the hotels on the Disney property and what category they fall into because let's be real
(10:54):
Disney has a hotel for every budget
All right, first up. Let's talk the value resorts
These are perfect for families who want to stay in the Disney bubble, but without breaking them bank exactly
They include all star movies all star music and all star sports
These are fun oversized themes and budget friendly prices
(11:18):
Also, there's pop century a blast from the past with decade
theme decor and the art of animation theme suites that immerse you in Disney movies like
Finding Nemo and the Lion King. Yeah, we I've stayed at pop century before and we've stated a couple of the all-stars if
You're just planning on going to the hotel to sleep and you're gonna be out at the parks all day
(11:42):
Those are a great option for you guys
But next up there are moderate resorts and there are a step up in both theming and amenities
So there's Caribbean Beach. We've stayed at Caribbean Beach. What five times we love it there
It that has tropical vibes and a skyliner station and don't worry. I'm gonna explain what that is later
(12:04):
There's Coronado Springs, which has a mix of Spanish Mexican and Southwestern styles plus the stunning Grand
Destinino Tower. I know I just stumbled up my words
There's Port Orleans. They have two sides a Riverside and French Quarter
Which really is just a way to make it a bigger hotel think Southern charm by your beauty
(12:27):
And yes, they have been a's and then there's the cabins at Fort Wilderness
Which is a rustic home away from home experience with lots of outdoor funds
The moderate resorts give you a mix of comfort and affordability and most of them have table service restaurants
Now if you want to go all out Disney deluxe resorts are where it's at
Mmm, you get the Grand Floridian the crown jewel right on top on the monorail loop
(12:53):
the Polynesian village a tropical paradise with dough whoop and a killer view of the fireworks
Oh, I love me some doll whips and the contemporary the one with the monorail inside the hotel very cool very cool
the wilderness lodge a cozy Pacific
Northwest escape the animal kingdom lodge imagine waking up to giraffes outside your window. Yep, that's a thing
(13:20):
And the beach and yacht club, excuse me. These two shares storm along Bay basically the best pool on Disney property
That it's definitely the best pool on Disney property 100% there's no argument and the last one boardwalk in
Classic Coney Island vibes with nightlife right outside your door
(13:42):
The deluxe results come with bigger rooms more dining options and the best locations
Many within walking distance of the parks. Yeah, the beach and yacht club is our home base. We stay there
Well, we love it. We love it. It's an excellent location. We're gonna get into it
Why we love staying there and why it's such a good location
(14:06):
But to circle back storm along Bay at the beach and yacht club. They have a mini lazy river
They've got water slides water slides a huge pool. It's phenomenal
That's why we started staying there because we had walked over there one day for something. Oh, beach is in cream
I think which is a restaurant. It's yeah, it's an amazing restaurant
(14:26):
Um, and then we saw the pool and we were like, oh my god. This is where we need to stay
So we've stayed there several times and we love it over there
Anyway, let's move on because I don't want this to be two hours long
There are also several partner hotels located on the property the swan and dolphin are technically Marriott hotels
(14:47):
So if you have points with them, you can use those there
Also shades of green is a military hotel that active or retired military can make reservations at and we are going to get into
Those a little bit later, especially shades of green
And while those hotels technically aren't Disney hotels, they are located on the property and do receive perks such as extra magic hours
(15:08):
which I will explain after and
Actually, we may not get to that until the next part, but don't worry
We're going to talk about extra magic hours and rope dropping and all that stuff
And finally there are deluxe villas which are part of the Disney vacation club
That's kind of like a timeshare sort of thing. We don't participate in that but
I know a lot of people do
(15:30):
And those resorts offer sweet style rooms with kitchens, which makes them great for longer stays
You'll find them at many deluxe resorts including bay lake tower
The Riviera resort and the boulder ridge and copper creek villas at wilderness lodge
Now each of these hotels have all kinds of activities that go on throughout the day as well
We will recommend that you look at the website for each hotel and make a choice that's right for you and your family
(15:58):
We stayed at several of the different resorts over the years and most of them have fun activities
Like pool games that go on throughout the day and movies under the stars
You'll find something for everyone for sure
Disney definitely goes out of their way to make sure that there's fun happening everywhere all the time
When the kids were little we loved movies under the stars because it was a great way to wind down after a long day at the parks
(16:22):
So whether you're looking for budget friendly fun moderate magic or ultimate luxury
Disney's got a resort for you
So I think we've covered the Disney planning phase
Don't forget to book yourself a flight though
If you book your trip yourself by calling Disney or through the app or on the website
You'll need to book your own flight if you book through a travel agent. They can do it for you
(16:47):
Honestly, we book our own flights and it's super easy. We normally fly jet blue and it's very easy to book with them online
it's
All really what you're most comfortable with to be honest
For your information the airport code for the Orlando international airport is mco
So look for that when you're booking your plate. Okay, so next step you got your
(17:09):
trip booked. It's time to fly to Orlando. Yes
So I'm so excited just thinking about it. So you touch down at or the Orlando international airport a
Kmco and here's what you do when you land first things first
Let's talk about the baggage claim. Orlando's airport has three main terminals a b and c
(17:31):
I don't think you said those jet blue is in terminal c
South west is in terminal a and I believe delta is in terminal b
Okay, so you've de-planned now. Let's go grab those bags
Once you step off the plane head down to level two if you have checked the luggage
The baggage claim is split between terminal a and terminal b
So double check your airline before wandering in the wrong direction
(17:53):
But hey, if you do get lost just look up mco has plenty of signs to guide you along
Okay, so your bags are in your hand now. It's time to figure out your next move ground transportation. Here's the breakdown
rental cars if you're renting a car head down to level one
The rental car counters are inside the terminal and many companies have cars just a short walk away in the garage
(18:18):
And then there's ride shares uber and lift
Also on level one
But make sure you go to the right pickup area as the signage will point you to the designated zones
And there then there's shuttles and buses
Many hotels have resorts and resorts offer complimentary shuttles
So check ahead to see if yours does
(18:40):
And if you're heading to disney and book mirrors connect or sunshine flyer
You'll find their check-in desk and terminal b level one
And then there's taxis and private car services
You can grab a taxi or pre book a car service from level one two
And if you're staying at a disney hotel, this could be a hassle free way to start your trip
(19:02):
So if you're staying at a disney hotel and this isn't your first trip to disney world
You might remember the old magical express service
And i'm incredibly sad to say that that's now gone
But mirrors connect and sunshine flyer are great paid alternatives
Both of them offer comfortable buses that take you straight to the disney resorts and the prices are reasonable as well
(19:24):
We've taken mirrors connect several times and they bring you right from the airport to your hotel
And i highly recommend booking them in advance
And for as renting a car
We normally don't when we we are staying on a disney property because there's no need for it
Because disney has so many transportation options and there really isn't a need for car if you're staying on property
(19:47):
Right because even if you're going off property for something like say you have to run to walmart
It's easy enough just to take an uber or a lift
Last summer we planned a day at universal
And the four of us took a lift from disney to universal and it was like less than 20 dollars each way including dip
Yeah, it's definitely all in what you're comfortable with
So you're finally at your hotel and now you're probably wondering how you get around to the disney property
(20:13):
Well, we have a disney transportation breakdown for you. Yes, this
Is detailed so pay attention. There are several different modes of transportation that can get you anywhere on the disney property
Exactly if you're staying on property
You can get around for free by using one of the transportation services the bus
the monorail
(20:34):
Water transportation, which is ferry or boats and the skyliner. Yeah, so let's start with the disney buses
I feel like that's the mode of transportation. We take the most. Yes
So they
I'm fairly regular schedules which makes planning your day and how to get around pretty seamless
Generally transportation services begin about 45 minutes to an hour before the park's open and stop about an hour after park closes
(21:00):
Each Walt Disney World Resort hotel as well as the swan and dolphin offers complimentary bus service
To and from the theme parks and disney springs
The one exception is shades of green, which is the military hotel
We mentioned earlier while it's technically located on disney property
It is not a disney hotel and they have their own bus service that goes back and forth to the ticket and transportation center
(21:26):
From there you can catch a bus to where you're going or the monorail to abcourt or the magic kingdom or the ferry to magic
Magic kingdom
Yeah, and unfortunately there is no direct bus service between the theme parks and disney springs
So you would need to take a bus to one of the hotels first and then transfer from there
If you're planning on rope dropping, which we will explain
(21:50):
rope dropping 101 in one of the future episodes
Be on the bus be on the lookout for the bus at least an hour before the parks open or just rideshare. So uber or lift
Now let's talk about some of the water transportation option and while disney world
We mentioned it before but there is a ferry that runs between the magic kingdom and the ticket and transportation center
(22:13):
They run on a 15 to 30 minute intervals
So if you're staying at a hotel in the magic kingdom area
There is a water taxi option that will bring you to the resort
These those resorts are the contemporary the Polynesian the grand philharianian or the or fort world wilderness
They're called friendship boats and they run between abcourt and hollywood studios
(22:37):
Which are very close together if you don't already know
The friendship boats stop at the following locations along the way between the two parks the boardwalk hotel
The beach and yacht club with share a stop and the swan and dolphin
We'll also share a stop and if you're staying at any of these hotels
I just mentioned is very easy to walk to abcourt or hollywood studios
(23:01):
And there's a nice walking pack along a crescent lake if you're doing so
And there's also a boat that runs between port Orleans
Saratoga Springs and old key west and that goes to disney springs and back
And most boats run about 15 to 30 minutes
Yeah, and then there's the newest mode of transportation at disney the skyliner
(23:25):
The skyliner connects hollywood studios and abcourt to select disney resort hotels
If you're staying at caribbean beach the riviera resort pop century or art of animation
The skyliner is the only disney transportation option offered for guests who want to go to abcourt or hollywood studios
Buses are only available if the skyliner is not operating
(23:48):
Which does happen sometimes mostly in the summer due to bad weather
If you're staying at the abcourt resort area riding the skyliner is a possibility in addition to walking or taking a friendship boat
You'll find the skyliner at abcourt just outside the back of the park by the international gateway
Which is behind the france pavilion
And I know we mentioned walking a few minutes ago for the crescent lake resorts
(24:11):
The beach and yacht club the boardwalk and the swan and dolphin
But if you're staying at the contemporary
The magic kingdom is only about a 10 minute walk and that may be faster than taking the monorail
Which has several stops along the way? You can also walk from the grand faluridian or the Polynesian
But that's a bit longer walk and you may not want to start your day with many steps right off the bat
(24:36):
Yeah, actually, that's a good idea because you're going to be putting in probably 20 to 30 thousand steps
On a normal park day. So you might as well save those steps
So let's talk about the monorail. I am team monorail and will always ride when given the opportunity
I don't know why it's an obsession of mine. I love the monorail
The express monorail goes directly between the park and the ticket and transportation center while the resort monorail
(25:01):
Also includes stops at the contemporary Polynesian and grand faluridian
The apcot monorail transports guests directly from the ticket and transportation center to apcot
But remember that the apcot monorail only goes back and forth between those two locations
So you'll need to transfer to the express monorail if you want to head to the magic kingdom
I hope that wasn't too confusing
(25:22):
I swear once you get there and you see it in action, it will all make sense. Yes
And finally you can always call for a ride sharing service like uber or lift
They have designated pickup spots at each of the parks. They're clearly marked
But there are always cast members around that can point you in the right direction
But make a note if you're at the magic kingdom
(25:44):
You would have to take the ferry or the monorail to the ticket and transportation center to get your ride because there is
Not a pickup spot at the park itself
Unless you call for a minivan. I love minivans too
Minivans are owned and operated by disney themselves and are driven by cast members
They're these cute little red. Well, not little. They're regular size
(26:06):
They're it's a red minivan with white polka dots just like minis dress
And you can call for one through the lift app
They do cost a little more
But since they only operate on disney property the weight is potentially a little shorter
And each vehicle can accommodate up to five guests and has a complimentary car seat if needed
And of course you could always rent your own car so you can be control of your own transportation around disney world
(26:32):
But there's overnight self parking is free for any guests staying at one of the disney hotels
And general parking at the theme park is also free for on-site hotel guests and annual pass holders
Yeah, if you're not staying on site friss and i would encourage you to weigh the costs of ride sharing services
And parking fees at the parks against the cost of a rental car
(26:55):
The last time we rented a car and state of property was in 2023 and at the time it cost $25 a data park
And I think it was 35 for oversized vehicles. So that adds up
I guess it would all come down to how many people you have in your party
How far you are staying like how far away you are from the parks
But one thing to keep in mind is if you can walk to disney springs from a hotel you're staying at
(27:19):
You can hop on any of the resort buses there
Although you'll have to transfer buses if you're headed to any of the theme parks, but that could work for some of you guys
So that was a lot of information and we should probably stop here for now
Yeah, I agree that will give people a chance to digest the park ticket options the hotel options and all the different transportation options around
(27:39):
around disney property
And while it may seem overwhelming, I swear once you're there it will make so much sense
Agreed it really does come all together once you're there and doing it
In the next part we're going to talk about things like extra magic hours and rope dropping
And plus we'll get to restaurants and reservations, but i'm not sure if that's going to be the next part or the part after that
(28:02):
And when are we talking about food?
That's going to be in the last part. So that's part four. That's my favorite. I saved the best for last
We also should walk people through what one of the typical disney world trips look like
Like what for us? Yeah, yeah, that's a good idea. Actually, I don't know if I have that on my outline
But we should talk about that
So make sure you come back next week for part two and I really hope I didn't overwhelm you too much today
(28:24):
But it really is all important information
And it will definitely help you have a smoother vacation when you do get to Walt Disney World
If anyone has any questions ever at any time feel free to email me and I'll get back to you
You know where to find me, but in case you don't I know I've said it a hundred thousand times
But I'm the gen X couple podcast at gmail.com
(28:45):
I'm the one that usually checks the email. So I will get back to you. I promise and robin could talk about disney all day
Every day, so don't be shy with any questions you might have
And thanks for tuning in and until next time. See you later alligator in a while crocodile
Hi, I'm Robin and I'm Chris together. We're the Gen X couple
(00:23):
Hey guys take one hello everyone
Hey, the last two we did on take one. I don't want to jinx us, but I think we're killing it over here
We might be considered experts now. I'm pretty sure you're right
so welcome back as we
Hinted at last week, but we didn't hand we flat out told you but we're gonna be talking about one of our all-time
(00:48):
Favorite topics and that's Disney. I'm so excited to be talking about Disney
If you've been around here a while, you know that we're a big Disney family. We love all things Disney
Yeah, we are full fledged Disney adults and
We have raised our children to love Disney as much as we love Disney
(01:08):
today together we've been to Walt Disney World in Florida over a dozen times and
A few times separately before we even knew each other
Yeah, so what Chris is saying is that we've learned a thing or two over the years. I personally have helped several people
play in their trips and we thought it would be good to do
In that episode or two on planning your own magical vacation to Disney World as I sat down to make my notes
(01:34):
It's gonna be a four-part episode
I had originally thought it would be two but there's just too much and we didn't want to overwhelm people
so it's gonna be a four-part series and
And this way hopefully you'll be able to plan your own amazing Walt Disney World and hopefully our tips will help you
Yes, Rob and I can talk about Disney all day and sometimes we do yeah, he's not exaggerating
(01:57):
I could sit and talk about Disney all day every day
But we mentioned this at the end of last week's episode a couple of people have actually requested that we do these episodes
So like I said, I made a list of everything
It's very highly detailed and after listening to these four episodes. You should be able to plan your own trip to Walt Disney World
There is a lot to cover and we know it can be confusing
(02:20):
Especially if you've never been there before so we want to break down everything for you all today
Yeah, I remember my first trip
Well, actually my first trip was with my aunt uncle and two cousins and I had been one other time after that
But then I had gone actually Chris and I were first dating I had gone with my friend Julie and
(02:41):
She showed me the ropes because otherwise I don't even know I would have been so overwhelmed
I wouldn't have known what to do, but she is a Disney person. She's been a ton of times and she showed me the ropes
So we're gonna cover everything from different modes of transportation on the Disney properties
We're gonna talk about the hotels the dining plan
(03:01):
You name it and we're gonna talk about it. So for everyone that's not familiar with Walt Disney World now in Orlando
There are four theme parks the Magic Kingdom Epcot
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
There's also two water parks in Disney Springs
Which everything has everything from world-class restaurants to unique stores live performances
(03:26):
And it makes the perfect place to explore outside the parks
If you've been dreaming of a magical trip but feel overwhelmed by all the details, don't worry. We got you covered
Hopefully after today our must-know beginner tips will help make your Disney trip as smooth as possible
Did you say smooth smooth?
(03:48):
So first up step one before anything else
Download the my Disney experience app
This app is your key to managing park reservations, mobile food orders, ride wait times and
so much more
Your hotel key. I'm trying to think if it does anything else. It does but I can't vote your favorite thing a
(04:11):
Countdown it gives you a countdown
Yes, it does and we will mention that to it
But it does do a countdown so you can click in at any time after you book your trip and see how many days you have left until your trip
We have three countdowns going on right now. We've got Chris and I have a trip to
Disney World we're recording this before this is gonna actually air after we get back from that trip because we're recording in advance
(04:37):
But so right now we have Chris and I and a lone trip in April. We're going to Disneyland Paris
In June that was a squill of joy and then we're going back to Walt Disney World in August because we take the kids every year
But anyway back to the app think of it as your Disney trip control center and we will definitely circle back to the app later
I'm going to mention it a bunch of times and
(04:59):
So don't worry about that. Stay tuned. Just download the app for now
So when it comes to booking a lot of people think or assume that you need a travel agent or that it's a long
Complicated process to lock in your trip. But honestly guys, it's super simple. You can book your entire Disney vacation right on your phone
Through the official the official Disney website
(05:19):
It just takes a $200 deposit to secure your reservation and then you can pay off the rest over time
So that's right. You don't have to pay it all the ones you can but you don't have to
We usually call and all of the cast members are so incredibly knowledgeable and helpful
They can answer any question you can come up with yeah, that actually goes for all Disney cast members
(05:42):
You're probably thinking what's a cast member a cast member is a term used by Disney to refer to employees at the theme parks and resorts
Actually anybody that works for Disney is a cast member
The term comes from Walt Disney's use of theatrical terms to describe park operations
And you can view your view your booking and reservations in that isn't that correct? Yes
(06:03):
The my Disney experience app is where you go to see all your reservations and like for said a few minutes ago
You can click in and get your countdown to see how many days you have left until your trip
When you are booking your trip make sure you make hotel reservations
Even to get your park tickets and there are several different types of park tickets
(06:24):
And I thought it would be helpful to include a breakdown so that it doesn't get confusing
So first up there's the standard one day
Her park day ticket. Did I say that right?
So it's a one one park per day ticket and this is the most basic option
So you pick a set number of days and if you do this option you can visit one of the Disney
(06:46):
Parks each day so you pick which one you want to go to on whichever day
So the Magic Kingdom Epcot Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom and this is a great chance if you plan
Did I say chance? This is a great choice. I'm getting so excited to talk about Disney. I'm messing up
But this is a great choice if you plan to take your time and fully enjoy each park without hopping in between them
(07:09):
With this option you can leave the park and go back to your hotel for a break during the day
But you must return to the same park. There's no park hopping with this option
If you want more flexibility, then you might want to consider the park hopper ticket
This allows you to visit multiple parks in a single day
So you can start your morning at the Magic Kingdom and then head over to Epcot for dinner
(07:32):
Now if you want more adventure and there actually is even more adventure
There's the park hopper plus option. So that ticket includes park hopping and
Access to Disney's water parks golf courses and mini golf courses
So it's perfect if you want to mix in some non park fun
How many parks have we visited in one day?
To I think that was our limit. I don't know. I'm trying to think back. We've been so many times
(07:57):
I think just two although I don't think we've done more than two in a day
We've done more than two because by the time you get to the front of the park and there's a lot of walking involved on Disney trips
I I think to I know to there's a four-park challenge that some people do that
That's too much even for me. Yes, I have no desire to go to four parks in one day
(08:17):
I know what I like at this point and I want to do the things I like
But I like to take my time too because sometimes the mood just strikes you and you want to go do something else
But back to the ticket options. I just also wanted to mention
Disney also has after hours and special event tickets like Mickey's not so scary Halloween party or Mickey's very Merry Christmas party
(08:40):
And we are going to get into more details about those. I think probably like in the last part
I forget where it falls on my outline, but I think it's near the end
Those things that after hours the Halloween and the Christmas party are separately ticketed events
So that means you don't need a regular park ticket for that day
You just need the event ticket which gets you in during the late afternoon and lets you stay past regular park hours
(09:04):
So I think it's four o'clock for the parties the Halloween and the Christmas party
I'm not sure about the after hours because we've never done the after hours because that's way too late for us
It is too late and last but not least I did want to just mention for the Disney super fans
There is an annual pass option. There's a Florida
resident option and a non-florid resident option and someday that will be us
(09:28):
The annual passes give you year-round access, but there are blackout dates depending on which tier you choose
So which ticket is right for you?
It's hard to say if you're visiting for a few days
I want to take it slow the standard ticket works great if you love
Flexibility and maximizing your time the park upper might be the way to go
(09:48):
And if you want extra perks like the water perks the park hopper plus might be worth it
That was a lot of information. I know it was but it's important to know what kind of ticket options are available and
That way, you know if you don't feel comfortable calling to book it yourself
booking it on the app or
Whatever if you don't feel comfortable
(10:10):
Go to a travel agent. Honestly, I mean, I feel like I broke it down for you guys
It is confusing, but if you still feel fee go just go to a travel agent
Anyone that books Disney has to go through training courses. So they're pretty knowledgeable
So we've talked about the tactics tickets now
Let's move on to the next stage and we'll talk about the hotels on the Disney property
(10:32):
Yeah, you're right the Disney property in Orlando is literally the size of a town
So in addition to the theme parks Disney Springs water parks golf courses mini golf courses
There are over 25 resort hotels on the property
So I thought it would be helpful to break down the hotels on the Disney property and what category they fall into because let's be real
(10:54):
Disney has a hotel for every budget
All right, first up. Let's talk the value resorts
These are perfect for families who want to stay in the Disney bubble, but without breaking them bank exactly
They include all star movies all star music and all star sports
These are fun oversized themes and budget friendly prices
(11:18):
Also, there's pop century a blast from the past with decade
theme decor and the art of animation theme suites that immerse you in Disney movies like
Finding Nemo and the Lion King. Yeah, we I've stayed at pop century before and we've stated a couple of the all-stars if
You're just planning on going to the hotel to sleep and you're gonna be out at the parks all day
(11:42):
Those are a great option for you guys
But next up there are moderate resorts and there are a step up in both theming and amenities
So there's Caribbean Beach. We've stayed at Caribbean Beach. What five times we love it there
It that has tropical vibes and a skyliner station and don't worry. I'm gonna explain what that is later
(12:04):
There's Coronado Springs, which has a mix of Spanish Mexican and Southwestern styles plus the stunning Grand
Destinino Tower. I know I just stumbled up my words
There's Port Orleans. They have two sides a Riverside and French Quarter
Which really is just a way to make it a bigger hotel think Southern charm by your beauty
(12:27):
And yes, they have been a's and then there's the cabins at Fort Wilderness
Which is a rustic home away from home experience with lots of outdoor funds
The moderate resorts give you a mix of comfort and affordability and most of them have table service restaurants
Now if you want to go all out Disney deluxe resorts are where it's at
Mmm, you get the Grand Floridian the crown jewel right on top on the monorail loop
(12:53):
the Polynesian village a tropical paradise with dough whoop and a killer view of the fireworks
Oh, I love me some doll whips and the contemporary the one with the monorail inside the hotel very cool very cool
the wilderness lodge a cozy Pacific
Northwest escape the animal kingdom lodge imagine waking up to giraffes outside your window. Yep, that's a thing
(13:20):
And the beach and yacht club, excuse me. These two shares storm along Bay basically the best pool on Disney property
That it's definitely the best pool on Disney property 100% there's no argument and the last one boardwalk in
Classic Coney Island vibes with nightlife right outside your door
(13:42):
The deluxe results come with bigger rooms more dining options and the best locations
Many within walking distance of the parks. Yeah, the beach and yacht club is our home base. We stay there
Well, we love it. We love it. It's an excellent location. We're gonna get into it
Why we love staying there and why it's such a good location
(14:06):
But to circle back storm along Bay at the beach and yacht club. They have a mini lazy river
They've got water slides water slides a huge pool. It's phenomenal
That's why we started staying there because we had walked over there one day for something. Oh, beach is in cream
I think which is a restaurant. It's yeah, it's an amazing restaurant
(14:26):
Um, and then we saw the pool and we were like, oh my god. This is where we need to stay
So we've stayed there several times and we love it over there
Anyway, let's move on because I don't want this to be two hours long
There are also several partner hotels located on the property the swan and dolphin are technically Marriott hotels
(14:47):
So if you have points with them, you can use those there
Also shades of green is a military hotel that active or retired military can make reservations at and we are going to get into
Those a little bit later, especially shades of green
And while those hotels technically aren't Disney hotels, they are located on the property and do receive perks such as extra magic hours
(15:08):
which I will explain after and
Actually, we may not get to that until the next part, but don't worry
We're going to talk about extra magic hours and rope dropping and all that stuff
And finally there are deluxe villas which are part of the Disney vacation club
That's kind of like a timeshare sort of thing. We don't participate in that but
I know a lot of people do
(15:30):
And those resorts offer sweet style rooms with kitchens, which makes them great for longer stays
You'll find them at many deluxe resorts including bay lake tower
The Riviera resort and the boulder ridge and copper creek villas at wilderness lodge
Now each of these hotels have all kinds of activities that go on throughout the day as well
We will recommend that you look at the website for each hotel and make a choice that's right for you and your family
(15:58):
We stayed at several of the different resorts over the years and most of them have fun activities
Like pool games that go on throughout the day and movies under the stars
You'll find something for everyone for sure
Disney definitely goes out of their way to make sure that there's fun happening everywhere all the time
When the kids were little we loved movies under the stars because it was a great way to wind down after a long day at the parks
(16:22):
So whether you're looking for budget friendly fun moderate magic or ultimate luxury
Disney's got a resort for you
So I think we've covered the Disney planning phase
Don't forget to book yourself a flight though
If you book your trip yourself by calling Disney or through the app or on the website
You'll need to book your own flight if you book through a travel agent. They can do it for you
(16:47):
Honestly, we book our own flights and it's super easy. We normally fly jet blue and it's very easy to book with them online
it's
All really what you're most comfortable with to be honest
For your information the airport code for the Orlando international airport is mco
So look for that when you're booking your plate. Okay, so next step you got your
(17:09):
trip booked. It's time to fly to Orlando. Yes
So I'm so excited just thinking about it. So you touch down at or the Orlando international airport a
Kmco and here's what you do when you land first things first
Let's talk about the baggage claim. Orlando's airport has three main terminals a b and c
(17:31):
I don't think you said those jet blue is in terminal c
South west is in terminal a and I believe delta is in terminal b
Okay, so you've de-planned now. Let's go grab those bags
Once you step off the plane head down to level two if you have checked the luggage
The baggage claim is split between terminal a and terminal b
So double check your airline before wandering in the wrong direction
(17:53):
But hey, if you do get lost just look up mco has plenty of signs to guide you along
Okay, so your bags are in your hand now. It's time to figure out your next move ground transportation. Here's the breakdown
rental cars if you're renting a car head down to level one
The rental car counters are inside the terminal and many companies have cars just a short walk away in the garage
(18:18):
And then there's ride shares uber and lift
Also on level one
But make sure you go to the right pickup area as the signage will point you to the designated zones
And there then there's shuttles and buses
Many hotels have resorts and resorts offer complimentary shuttles
So check ahead to see if yours does
(18:40):
And if you're heading to disney and book mirrors connect or sunshine flyer
You'll find their check-in desk and terminal b level one
And then there's taxis and private car services
You can grab a taxi or pre book a car service from level one two
And if you're staying at a disney hotel, this could be a hassle free way to start your trip
(19:02):
So if you're staying at a disney hotel and this isn't your first trip to disney world
You might remember the old magical express service
And i'm incredibly sad to say that that's now gone
But mirrors connect and sunshine flyer are great paid alternatives
Both of them offer comfortable buses that take you straight to the disney resorts and the prices are reasonable as well
(19:24):
We've taken mirrors connect several times and they bring you right from the airport to your hotel
And i highly recommend booking them in advance
And for as renting a car
We normally don't when we we are staying on a disney property because there's no need for it
Because disney has so many transportation options and there really isn't a need for car if you're staying on property
(19:47):
Right because even if you're going off property for something like say you have to run to walmart
It's easy enough just to take an uber or a lift
Last summer we planned a day at universal
And the four of us took a lift from disney to universal and it was like less than 20 dollars each way including dip
Yeah, it's definitely all in what you're comfortable with
So you're finally at your hotel and now you're probably wondering how you get around to the disney property
(20:13):
Well, we have a disney transportation breakdown for you. Yes, this
Is detailed so pay attention. There are several different modes of transportation that can get you anywhere on the disney property
Exactly if you're staying on property
You can get around for free by using one of the transportation services the bus
the monorail
(20:34):
Water transportation, which is ferry or boats and the skyliner. Yeah, so let's start with the disney buses
I feel like that's the mode of transportation. We take the most. Yes
So they
I'm fairly regular schedules which makes planning your day and how to get around pretty seamless
Generally transportation services begin about 45 minutes to an hour before the park's open and stop about an hour after park closes
(21:00):
Each Walt Disney World Resort hotel as well as the swan and dolphin offers complimentary bus service
To and from the theme parks and disney springs
The one exception is shades of green, which is the military hotel
We mentioned earlier while it's technically located on disney property
It is not a disney hotel and they have their own bus service that goes back and forth to the ticket and transportation center
(21:26):
From there you can catch a bus to where you're going or the monorail to abcourt or the magic kingdom or the ferry to magic
Magic kingdom
Yeah, and unfortunately there is no direct bus service between the theme parks and disney springs
So you would need to take a bus to one of the hotels first and then transfer from there
If you're planning on rope dropping, which we will explain
(21:50):
rope dropping 101 in one of the future episodes
Be on the bus be on the lookout for the bus at least an hour before the parks open or just rideshare. So uber or lift
Now let's talk about some of the water transportation option and while disney world
We mentioned it before but there is a ferry that runs between the magic kingdom and the ticket and transportation center
(22:13):
They run on a 15 to 30 minute intervals
So if you're staying at a hotel in the magic kingdom area
There is a water taxi option that will bring you to the resort
These those resorts are the contemporary the Polynesian the grand philharianian or the or fort world wilderness
They're called friendship boats and they run between abcourt and hollywood studios
(22:37):
Which are very close together if you don't already know
The friendship boats stop at the following locations along the way between the two parks the boardwalk hotel
The beach and yacht club with share a stop and the swan and dolphin
We'll also share a stop and if you're staying at any of these hotels
I just mentioned is very easy to walk to abcourt or hollywood studios
(23:01):
And there's a nice walking pack along a crescent lake if you're doing so
And there's also a boat that runs between port Orleans
Saratoga Springs and old key west and that goes to disney springs and back
And most boats run about 15 to 30 minutes
Yeah, and then there's the newest mode of transportation at disney the skyliner
(23:25):
The skyliner connects hollywood studios and abcourt to select disney resort hotels
If you're staying at caribbean beach the riviera resort pop century or art of animation
The skyliner is the only disney transportation option offered for guests who want to go to abcourt or hollywood studios
Buses are only available if the skyliner is not operating
(23:48):
Which does happen sometimes mostly in the summer due to bad weather
If you're staying at the abcourt resort area riding the skyliner is a possibility in addition to walking or taking a friendship boat
You'll find the skyliner at abcourt just outside the back of the park by the international gateway
Which is behind the france pavilion
And I know we mentioned walking a few minutes ago for the crescent lake resorts
(24:11):
The beach and yacht club the boardwalk and the swan and dolphin
But if you're staying at the contemporary
The magic kingdom is only about a 10 minute walk and that may be faster than taking the monorail
Which has several stops along the way? You can also walk from the grand faluridian or the Polynesian
But that's a bit longer walk and you may not want to start your day with many steps right off the bat
(24:36):
Yeah, actually, that's a good idea because you're going to be putting in probably 20 to 30 thousand steps
On a normal park day. So you might as well save those steps
So let's talk about the monorail. I am team monorail and will always ride when given the opportunity
I don't know why it's an obsession of mine. I love the monorail
The express monorail goes directly between the park and the ticket and transportation center while the resort monorail
(25:01):
Also includes stops at the contemporary Polynesian and grand faluridian
The apcot monorail transports guests directly from the ticket and transportation center to apcot
But remember that the apcot monorail only goes back and forth between those two locations
So you'll need to transfer to the express monorail if you want to head to the magic kingdom
I hope that wasn't too confusing
(25:22):
I swear once you get there and you see it in action, it will all make sense. Yes
And finally you can always call for a ride sharing service like uber or lift
They have designated pickup spots at each of the parks. They're clearly marked
But there are always cast members around that can point you in the right direction
But make a note if you're at the magic kingdom
(25:44):
You would have to take the ferry or the monorail to the ticket and transportation center to get your ride because there is
Not a pickup spot at the park itself
Unless you call for a minivan. I love minivans too
Minivans are owned and operated by disney themselves and are driven by cast members
They're these cute little red. Well, not little. They're regular size
(26:06):
They're it's a red minivan with white polka dots just like minis dress
And you can call for one through the lift app
They do cost a little more
But since they only operate on disney property the weight is potentially a little shorter
And each vehicle can accommodate up to five guests and has a complimentary car seat if needed
And of course you could always rent your own car so you can be control of your own transportation around disney world
(26:32):
But there's overnight self parking is free for any guests staying at one of the disney hotels
And general parking at the theme park is also free for on-site hotel guests and annual pass holders
Yeah, if you're not staying on site friss and i would encourage you to weigh the costs of ride sharing services
And parking fees at the parks against the cost of a rental car
(26:55):
The last time we rented a car and state of property was in 2023 and at the time it cost $25 a data park
And I think it was 35 for oversized vehicles. So that adds up
I guess it would all come down to how many people you have in your party
How far you are staying like how far away you are from the parks
But one thing to keep in mind is if you can walk to disney springs from a hotel you're staying at
(27:19):
You can hop on any of the resort buses there
Although you'll have to transfer buses if you're headed to any of the theme parks, but that could work for some of you guys
So that was a lot of information and we should probably stop here for now
Yeah, I agree that will give people a chance to digest the park ticket options the hotel options and all the different transportation options around
(27:39):
around disney property
And while it may seem overwhelming, I swear once you're there it will make so much sense
Agreed it really does come all together once you're there and doing it
In the next part we're going to talk about things like extra magic hours and rope dropping
And plus we'll get to restaurants and reservations, but i'm not sure if that's going to be the next part or the part after that
(28:02):
And when are we talking about food?
That's going to be in the last part. So that's part four. That's my favorite. I saved the best for last
We also should walk people through what one of the typical disney world trips look like
Like what for us? Yeah, yeah, that's a good idea. Actually, I don't know if I have that on my outline
But we should talk about that
So make sure you come back next week for part two and I really hope I didn't overwhelm you too much today
(28:24):
But it really is all important information
And it will definitely help you have a smoother vacation when you do get to Walt Disney World
If anyone has any questions ever at any time feel free to email me and I'll get back to you
You know where to find me, but in case you don't I know I've said it a hundred thousand times
But I'm the gen X couple podcast at gmail.com
(28:45):
I'm the one that usually checks the email. So I will get back to you. I promise and robin could talk about disney all day
Every day, so don't be shy with any questions you might have
And thanks for tuning in and until next time. See you later alligator in a while crocodile
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