Beginning May 31st – 2024 WDW vacation packages will be available for booking. For just a $200 refundable deposit you can secure your room and lock in today’s prices. Agents at Happy Travel Company can not wait to start planning 2024 vacations for our clients!

Park Reservations

Starting January 9, 2024 park reservations will no longer be required for date based tickets. If your tickets are tied to a vacation package, and booked for specific dates, you will no longer need to make park reservations.

Dining Plans

Dining plans will be available to add to a vacation package for arrivals after January 9, 2024. Disney is bringing back the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and Disney Dining Plan.

Genie+

Moms who have to wake up at 7am to make LL and ILL selections, Disney has heard our cries! They announced today that they are working on ways to allow us to plan more BEFORE our trip. I am excited to hear more about this as they release new information.

Let’s Plan a 2024 Disney Vacation

If you would like a free, no obligation, quote for a 2024 Walt Disney World vacation fill out the form below. I will send you information on May 31st when they become available for booking!

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I’d be willing to bet that most people have a Walt Disney World trip on their bucket list, if not on their short term plan in life. You’re here because you’ve most likely decided it’s time to start really thinking about taking your family to Disney. 

There are two destinations in the United States that come to mind when you say “we want to go to Disney” – Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California. My love for Disney includes Disneyland but Walt Disney World is the destination that truly has my heart.

Walt Disney World opened in 1971. It is actually located in Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, but most of us just say Orlando. It is roughly 25,000 acres and about the size of San Francisco. Walt Disney World includes 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and many other attractions. This is not simply a day trip my friends!

Disney Parks

There are 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. Each theme park is unique and features rides and experiences that you won’t want to miss. 

*This is the part where I have to point out that Harry Potter is NOT at Disney. Totally different trip, totally different destination.*

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the main park and the location of Cinderella’s castle. It is broken into six lands – Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Main Street U.S.A. Each land features themed rides, restaurants, shows, and experiences. This park is classic. It really has something for everyone, even the littlest mouseketeers in your family. Magic Kingdom can be reached by bus or monorail. 

Animal Kingdom

The theme of Animal Kingdom is animals, nature, and conservation. My favorite ride, Expedition Everest, is located at Animal Kingdom. This park features areas such as Asia, Africa, DinoLand U.S.A., Discovery Island, and Pandora- The Land of Avatar. One of my favorite things about Animal Kingdom is the variety of food available at Quick Service Locations. (It’s also the only park besides Magic Kingdom that serves Dole Whip). Animal Kingdom is only accessible via the busses.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has quickly become one of our favorite theme parks. With the recent additions of Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, there are just so many rides that we love now. Along with those two lands, Hollywood Studios also has Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Grand Avenue, and Animation Courtyard. Hollywood Studios can be reached by bus, Skyliner, or water taxi. 

Epcot

The name of the park was originally an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The idea behind it was a utopian futuristic city. The ball (which features the ride Spaceship Earth) is the symbol for the park. Epcot is broken into two parts- World Showcase and Future World. World Showcase features 11 pavilions which are each themed to be a different country. You may have heard of adults who enjoy “drinking around the world”. In my family, the kids like to snack around the world! Each country features restaurants and snack carts with foods that are authentic to that country. It’s truly one of the best places to eat at Walt Disney World! Epcot can be reached via the busses, monorail, water taxi, or Skyliner. 

Water Parks

WDW is also home to two water parks – Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. I’ve gotta be honest. We’ve never visited a WDW water park. Since Christmas is our favorite time to visit it just doesn’t usually fit into our trip. I would love to visit in the summer one year and include the water parks in our trip. Since everything Disney touches turns to gold, I can only imagine these water parks are incredible!

Disney Resorts

There are Walt Disney World hotels on property and there are also your regular hotel chains available off property. Staying on property gives you access to Disney transportation, the dining plan, FastPass+ selections, MagicBands, and so much more. When considering a Walt Disney World resort there is an option for every budget and preference. Walt Disney World is home to 28 Disney owned resorts. These are broken down into categories- Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Deluxe Villas and Disney Vacation Club. I always recommend that my clients stay “on property” and I work with each family to help choose the best resort for their needs.

Value Resort Hotels

Walt Disney World is home to five value resorts – All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, Pop Century and Art of Animation. Value resorts have value level amenities. Each resort has a food court (Quick Service dining), a pool, and gift shop. The transportation available at the value resorts is typically limited to busses with the exception of Pop Century and Art of Animation that are both on the new Disney Skyliner route. 

Our family favorite value resort is All Star Sports. We have to peel them away from the turf field outside of the football themed buildings to get them to go to the parks with us! We love the sports theme, the variety of foods in the food court, and the budget friendly price of the All Star resorts.

Moderate Resort Hotels

The moderate category offers a step up in caliber of amenities as well as price. These resorts all have a pool, gift shop, Quick Service food court, and Table Service option. The pools at the moderate resorts are a little nicer than the value resorts and most even have a water slide! Walt Disney World’s moderate resorts are Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Transportation options at moderate resorts include busses, the Skyliner, and the water taxi to Disney Springs. 

Our family favorite moderate resort is Coronado Springs. This resort is also a conference resort and it is HUGE. I highly recommend a preferred room at Coronado Springs because it is closer to the main lobby. As always, Disney has thought of everything, and there are multiple transportation stops around this resort so you are not expected to walk from the back of the resort all the way to the busses at the front!

Deluxe Resort Hotels

Deluxe resorts are just that, deluxe. These resorts are immaculately designed and themed with the highest level of standard when it comes to amenities. Walt Disney World’s deluxe resorts are Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian. Each of these resorts features multiple Table service dining options, a Quick service food court, a pool that is worth the trip on it’s own, and so much more. Transportation available for deluxe resorts varies from the busses, the water taxi, and the coveted monorail. 

Our family favorite is the Polynesian Village resort. If you’ve spent much time around this blog then you know that Hawaii is my other favorite destination. My family has fallen in love with Hawaii as well so the Polynesian Village Resort is a no brainer for us. It truly makes us feel like we’re in Hawaii. The pool is incredible with a water slide and view of Magic Kingdom. Polynesian is also home to one of our favorite restaurants, Ohana, and just a short walk from our other favorite- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. The Polynesian is on the monorail which gives quick access to Magic Kingdom as well as dining options at the other monorail resorts!

Disney Deluxe Villas and Disney Vacation Club

The last categories include Disney Deluxe Villas which are villas at some of the deluxe resorts and Disney Vacation Club resorts. Disney Vacation Club, or DVC, is Disney’s version of a timeshare. These resorts are DVC home resorts but are also open to booking by non DVC members. 

Disney Transportation

One of the perks of a Walt Disney World vacation is the complimentary transportation. In my opinion this is the #1 reason WDW is a vacation and not just a trip. 

Theme Park transportation

WDW offers complimentary transportation to each of the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Utilizing busses, the Skyliner, the monorail, and water taxis Disney get you where you need to be! 

Planning your Disney trip

This information is probably overwhelming and it’s really just the tip of the Disney iceberg. That’s where I come in. Using a travel agent who specializes in Disney destinations, like me, is the best way to get the most out of your WDW vacation. 

When you contact me to start planning your trip I will help you determine the best resort for your family, plan your time in the parks, and arrange necessary transportation for you. 

If you’re ready to start planning your Disney destination vacation contact me today!

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