When people talk about going on a Disney vacation, they aren’t always aware of the various options. There are primarily five ways to do a Disney vacation, each with their own unique offerings and specialized elements.

 

 

The most popular option for a Disney vacation, Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL offers families 22 Disney themed resorts, four amusement parks and two water parks. The Magic Kingdom closely resembles the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim, CA and offers many of the classic rides and attractions that have come to be associated with a Disney vacation. Epcot Center, unique to Orlando, offers a more hands on experience with science and technology in addition to giving guests an up close experience with various cultures from around the globe. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the home of the television and movie studios used by Disney. Here attractions allow guests to pretend to star in their own movies or take a behind the scenes tour of production studios. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park takes guest on animal safaris and allows them to learn more about exotic animals and their natural habitats.

Visiting Orlando in the dead heat of summer makes it almost necessary to spend at least one day of your Disney vacation at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach-Disney’s two outdoor water parks that provide countless water rides including a water coaster and a pool where guests can swim and snorkel with live fish. 

Those traveling to Disney World can fly right into Orlando International Airport. Some hotels provide complimentary shuttles to and from the airport. Guests of most Disney resorts are offered the complimentary Disney Magical Express service. This service allows guests the benefit of a shuttle to their hotel and a baggage service that delivers luggage directly to their hotel rooms, eliminating the necessity of waiting at baggage claim. Disney resorts also offer complimentary shuttles to and from the theme parks. Taking advantage of these services can be very cost effective as it will help guests save money on toll roads, parking fees and rental cars.

The ideal times to visit Disney World are the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas (when the parks are festively decorated), January after most children have returned to school, late April-late May and late August. Although, going at low traffic times like these do have downsides. Planning your Disney vacation during peak travel times can be advantageous, as all of the parks tend to stay open later during these times. You can also take advantage of the Fast Passes at most of the popular rides to help eliminate long waits in line.

If you are looking to take a vacation that offers some Disney elements without making it an exclusively Disney vacation, one of these other options might be better suited to your needs.

When it comes to planning a Disney vacation one thing is certain: the sky really is the limit as you customize a plan that is exactly what you are looking for..