It’s the premier party event of the holidays, and it takes place at the happiest place on earth. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party brings an extra dose of magic to the Christmas season, with magical rides, parades and special events, including a cookie stroll and free hot chocolate. If you’re thinking about joining the festivities, follow along as we cover Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024 dates, happenings and more.

When Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024: Dates and Times

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins at Magic Kingdom park in November and wraps up just before Christmas. Below are the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party 2024 dates:

• November – 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27 and 29
• December – 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20

While the party officially kicks off at 7:00 pm each night, guests with a party ticket may enter the Magic Kingom park as early as 4:00 pm. No valid theme park ticket is needed for guests entering at this time or later as long as they hold a valid Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Ticket for that date.

What Are Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Prices?

Prices for tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party vary by date and day of the week, with weekends generally commanding higher pricing. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party pricing for 2024 is as follows:

Adults

$169 plus tax      November 11, 12, 14

$179 plus tax       November 17, 19, 21

$189 plus tax      November 15, 22 and December 1, 3, 5

$199 plus tax      November 24, 26, 27, 29 and December 6, 8, 10, 12

$209 plus tax      December 13, 15, 17

$219 plus tax       December 19, 20

Children aged 3-9

$159 plus tax       November 11, 12, 14

$169 plus tax      November 17, 19, 21

$179 plus tax       November 15, 22 and December 1, 3, 5

$189 plus tax      November 24, 26, 27, 29 and December 6, 8, 10, 12

$199 plus tax      December 13, 15, 17

$209 plus tax      December 19, 20

Buy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets

Get a Quote for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets

As Disney Vacation Planners, we can help you purchase your Mickey’s Not So Scary Party tickets, backed with our years of Disney experience and planning tips. Click here to request your quote. You’ll never pay more than booking directly with Disney.

What Happens at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024?

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is filled with events for the entire family, from special character sightings to exclusive merchandise and snacks, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. Plan on experiencing rides with little wait, enjoying a spectacular Christmas parade complete with Disney Characters, witnessing special castle lighting, dancing the night away with familiar friends from Disney movies, strolling for a unique collection of cookies, and more.

How Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Works

As previously mentioned, guests may arrive at the Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 pm to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2024. If you don’t hold a theme park ticket for the day, you’ll be admitted through a dedicated queue for partygoers. 

Here, you’ll scan your MagicBand or ticket and then be directed to pick up your wristband from a cast member waiting just beyond the gate. At this time, you will also receive your special party favor, usually a collectable ornament, and guide to the party festivities.

Guests often begin lining up at the park gates as much as an hour or more before party opening time. However, this hardly seems necessary. The line is dispersed pretty quickly once 4:00 hits, so you really aren’t saving yourself that much time by standing in line for an hour or more to be one of the first ones let into the park. If you want to avoid waiting a few minutes for your wrist band, you’re better off arriving a little later, once the crowds have dispersed.

On the other hand, if you have a theme park ticket for the day and are already in the park, you’ll still need to pick up a wrist band before the party starts. You can do this at a number of places. Just look for the signs or cast members holding a sign. We usually pick up our wrist bands, party favor and guide at the entrance to Tomorrowland, right behind what used to be the Stitch’s Great Escape ride.

Once you have your wristband, fasten it on tight. After 7:00 pm, cast members will start asking to see it as you board rides or attempt to move away from the exit to the park. This is to ensure that only people who have purchased admission remain inside the Magic Kingdom once the party begins.

As the night wears on, cast members usually stop asking to see your band.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Schedule

You’ll find included in Mickey’s Verry Merry Christmas Party a strong lineup of events. These take place throughout the night, offering you non-stop activity even if you don’t ride a single ride.

Shows and Dance Parties

Shows and dance parties will take place at multiple locations and times. Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is presented several times during the evening on the Cinderella Castle stage. You can catch Disney characters celebrating the holidays at 7:40, 9:25, 10:35 and 11:55 pm.

Show off your moves at the Club Tinsel, the ultimate holiday dance party on the Rockettower Plaza Stage! Join Disney friends in Tomorrowland for a night filled with festive beats and nonstop dancing.

Little ones can enjoy their own holiday dance session at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. At the Disney Junior Jingle Jam, young guests get to groove with characters from Disney Junior favorites like Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and The Lion Guard.

Frozen Holiday Surprise
At 8:15 PM, join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the snowgies as they transform Cinderella Castle into a magical, icy wonderland—a holiday spectacle you won’t want to miss!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Character Greetings

Capture memories with your favorite Disney friends as they join the holiday cheer! Keep an eye out as you wander Magic Kingdom park—these Disney Characters will be dressed up in their seasonal finest, ready for festive photo ops.

Many characters will take up residence at a particular location to pose for photographs. When this happens, lines will usually form. It isn’t uncommon to stand in line for 15 to 20 minutes for photo ops with rarely seen characters.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade

One of the biggest highlights to the night is Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade. This spectacular event is filled with imaginative parade floats featuring many of your favorite characters, including the mouse himself, decked out in their finest holiday garb. The parade takes place nightly at 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm, but may be canceled due to inclement weather, which most often means torrential rain.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show

If you’ve ever seen a fireworks display at one of Disney’s ticketed events, you know how special the experience is. If you haven’t seen one yet, be sure to make time for this incredible presentation as the castle comes to life in moving beams of light and the sky above erupts with fireworks orchestrated to favorite carols.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show begins each party night at 10:00 pm, but like the parade, may be canceled due to inclement weather. In this case, inclement weather may mean heavy wind or rain.

Cookie Stroll

Stroll through Magic Kingdom, collecting cookies and hot chocolate as you go. Cookies are distributed at various locations throughout the park, and each venue offers a different flavor. Similar to Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom during the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, you may visit each location as many times as you’d like.

Holiday Ride Overlays

While these can be experienced at any time during party hours, it’s important to note that some rides will also be decked out for the holidays or feature special ride elements. These include Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain and Monsters, Inc. Jungle Cruise will become Jingle Cruise during the holidays, bringing an array of seasonal jokes, but this can be experienced during normal park hours.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party PhotoPass

PhotoPass photographers will be out in full force during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, to help you catch all of the Magic of the night in photographic memories. You may find added festive props and holiday-themed surprises show up in your shots. Special photo frames are also available around the park, so you can step into the shot.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Merchandise

If shopping is your vibe, you’ll find exclusive finds just for ticket holders to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. In fact, a number of surprises are likely in store. From unique holiday sippers and popcorn buckets to exclusive shirts and other apparel, we’ve seen it all.

Generally, merchandise features a specific holiday design for each year. For instance, in 2024, we saw this Mickey with a present graphic adorning a number of party-specific apparel and houseware as well as merchandise such as ornaments.

Some items, you may find at limited locations outside of the Christmas party, like our favorite from 2023, this Donald Tree Sipper.

While we won’t know what party merch is available until the start of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2024, we’ll be sure to report back with some pictures after our trip in early November.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Food and Dining

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party food choices include a bounty of treats and eats. From exclusive party snacks to all out special surprises, it’s sure to be a feast for all your senses. 

Holiday Snacks and Specialties 

Special snacks this year include the Letter to Santa flourless chocolate cake. Or, delight in hot cocoa mouse and marshmallows topped with chocolate pieces at Main Street Bakery.

If neither sweet treat appeals to your taste buds, no worries. Disney promises over 30 new items premiering at restaurant locations throughout the park:

• Main Street Bakery: Letter To Santa: Flourless chocolate cake, hot cocoa mousse, and marshmallow topped with chocolate pieces (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only); Mickey-shaped Cinnamon Roll with holiday-themed icing (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)

• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Hosted by Edy’s: Gingerbread Milk Shake: Vanilla ice cream, gingerbread syrup, and ginger snap crumbles topped with whipped cream and a chocolate piece (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only); Peppermint Brownie Sundae: House-baked brownie topped with peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and chocolate granola with candy cane pieces (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours); Peppermint Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich: Peppermint ice cream sandwiched between two oatmeal-peppermint chip cookies and rolled in candy cane pieces (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

• The Plaza Restaurant: Gingerbread Milk Shake: Vanilla ice cream, gingerbread syrup, and ginger snap crumbles topped with whipped cream and a chocolate piece (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours); S’mores Cake: Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, toasted marshmallow mousse, and sugar snowflakes (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)

Casy’s Corner Hosted by Coca-Cola

• Holiday Dinner Hot Dog: All-beef hot dog with turkey and gravy, fried onions, and cranberry sauce (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only; foot-long version also available)
• Holiday Dinner Loaded French Fries: French fries with turkey and gravy, fried onions, and cranberry sauce (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Candy Cane Tart: Chocolate tart filled with peppermint ganache topped with festive meringue (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Black Currant and Mint Lemonade (New) (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Main Street Snacks  

• Festive Pretzel: Jumbo pretzel with chocolate-hazelnut drizzle, caramel sauce, TWIX Cookie Bar Pieces, and festive sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Hot Cocoa Churro: Churro rolled in hot cocoa powder and topped with marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)
• Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Doughnut: Red velvet doughnut topped with buttercream and holiday sprinkles (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)
• Gingerbread Cola: Coca-Cola served with gingerbread syrup (New) (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Popcorn Cart near Cinderella Castle

• Hot Cocoa Churro: Churro rolled in hot cocoa powder and topped with marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)
• Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Doughnut: Red velvet doughnut topped with buttercream and holiday sprinkles (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)
• Gingerbread Cola: Coca-Cola served with gingerbread syrup (New) (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Aloha Isle Refreshments Hosted by DOLE Packaged Foods

• Holiday Pineapple-Orange-Guava Juice Float: Pineapple-orange-guava juice, coconut soft-serve, and a spiced pineapple tree pop (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 11 p.m.)
• Cranberry Citrus Float: Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry and fruity boba pearls topped with DOLE Whip (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 11 p.m.)

Golden Oak Outpost 

• Holiday Chicken Nugget Platter: Crispy chicken nuggets with sage butter and cranberry barbecue glaze served with mashed potatoes and corn (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Festive Beignets: Light and fluffy beignets dusted with blue sugar cookie dust and served with cookie butter icing (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Fried Ice Cream Christmas Tree: Peppermint ice cream rolled in cereal topped with green cookie butter whipped cream and festive sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café

• Carne Asada Loaded Fries: Seasoned french fries with carne asada, chipotle queso, caramelized onion, avocado salsa verde, and queso fresco (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 11 p.m.)
• Cheese and Chile Tamale: Served ‘Christmas-style’ with mild red chile and green chile-pumpkin seed sauces, citrus-chipotle chicken, cilantro rice, pinto beans, and queso fresco (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 11 p.m.)
• Chocolate Eggnog Tart: Chocolate tart topped with eggnog mousse and chocolate antlers (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 11 p.m.)
• Salted Caramel Horchata (New) (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 11 p.m.)

Sleepy Hollow  

• Orange Chicken Tenders: Fried chicken tenders with orange-soy glaze, glass noodles, green onions, and crispy garlic (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Szechuan Cauliflower: Spicy breaded cauliflower tossed in kung pao sauce, glass noodles, green onions, and crispy garlic (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Brownie Peppermint Bark with peppermint candy pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starting at 8:30 p.m.)
• Holiday Red Velvet Waffle Sundae: Mickey-shaped red velvet waffle topped with M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies, peppermint ice cream, and hot fudge (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Milk and Cookies Mousse: Brown sugar cookie cake topped with chocolate chip cookie dough mousse, milk mousse, and chocolate chip cookies (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Pinocchio Village Haus

• Baked Brie Flatbread: Brie-cheese spread, mango chutney, green apples, arugula, almonds, and a honey drizzle (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 9:30 p.m.)
• Lasagna Flatbread: Italian sausage, meatballs, five cheese mix, ricotta cheese, and pesto (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 9:30 p.m.)
• Black Forest Parfait: Flourless chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and cherry chantilly topped with brandy-cherry compote and chocolate popping candies (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only until 9:30 p.m.)

The Friar’s Nook

• Holiday Pot Roast Hot Dog: All-beef hot dog topped with braised pot roast, Swiss fondue, horseradish mustard, and crispy onions (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Italian Beef Tots: Tots topped with braised beef, cheese curds, zesty giardiniera, and red wine gravy (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Sugar Cookie Hand Pie: Sugar cookie dough wrapped in a flaky crust with icing and festive sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Toasted Marshmallow-Panna Cotta Tart with graham cracker ganache macaron (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Eggnog Shake: Eggnog soft-serve with ginger snap crumbles topped with whipped cream and festive sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)

Storybook Treats

• Sugar Plum-Vanilla Soft-serve Sundae: Sugar plum-vanilla soft-serve swirl dipped in birthday cake cone dip topped with marshmallows and almonds (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours) 

Pretzel Cart in Storybook Circus

• Festive Pretzel: Jumbo pretzel with chocolate-hazelnut drizzle, caramel sauce, TWIX Cookie Bar Pieces, and festive sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Hot Cocoa Churro: Churro rolled in hot cocoa powder and topped with marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces(New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)
• Santa Belt Buckle: Pistachio mousse with a dark chocolate truffle center and a chocolate buckle (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café Hosted by Coca-Cola

• Holiday Pot Roast Melt: Slow-cooked beef on thick toast with cheddar, provolone, and beef gravy (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Holiday Turkey Burger: Turkey burger topped with traditional stuffing, provolone, and cranberry chutney on a brioche bun (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Christmas Cookie Cake Roll: Christmas cookie roll with buttercream topped with festive holiday sprinkles (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Peppermint Éclair: Éclair with white chocolate peppermint mousse and chocolate pieces (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Christmas Punch: Cranberry and citrus punch with amaretto syrup and Seagram’s Ginger Ale (New) (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies  

• Lump of Coal In Your Stocking: Cookies and cream shake topped with whipped cream, cookies and cream crumbles, and a chocolate doughnut hole (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Smoky Chocolate Brownie Sundae: House-baked brownie topped with smoky chocolate soft-serve covered in chocolate cone dip topped with marshmallows and festive sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Whoopie Pie: Chocolate cake sandwiched with marshmallow mint buttercream (New) (Plant-based) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
• Cherry Cordial Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Cold Brew topped with cherry whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and chocolate curls (New) (Non-alcoholic) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dining

To make sure revelers stay fueled for the long night ahead, several quick service restaurants stay open during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024. These include: 

• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
• Casey’s Corner
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn Cafe
• The Friar’s Nook
• Sleepy Hollow

If you’re willing to take more time away from your party-going adventures, 3 different table service restaurants will be offering dinner dining at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party. These include: 

• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• The Plaza Restaurant

Special Dessert Parties

For a truly special addition to your Mickey’s party agenda, why not try a dessert party? You’ll sample a selection of yuletide delectables while watching Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, all from a prime viewing location.

Desserts are prepared by one of Disney’s pastry chefs and include classic Disney treats such as Candy Cane Tarts. Beverages, including beer and wine, are also available.

Dessert parties are categorized by the viewing location, either the East Plaza Garden viewing area or the Tomorrowland Terrace. Reservations are required. Dessert parties also incur a separate charge. 

You can check ticket pricing for various dates of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing here. Pricing and availability for Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace can be found here.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tips

Like any Disney activity, knowing some special Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tips can help you make the most of your trip. Based on our personal experience with this event, we recommend the following:

• If you plan to eat dinner at Magic Kingdom, dine early, preferably at 4:00 after you first arrive. We don’t advise that you wait until the party officially starts. Once party festivities begin, you only have a short time to enjoy them. There is so much to see and do, you’ll want to have time to take it all in.
• Be advised that Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass are not available during party hours. However, you really won’t need it. Lines tend to be far shorter than during regular park opening and get shorter as the night wears on. You may be able to use the virtual queue for Tron Lightcycle Run.
• If you’re looking to hit those really popular rides, Like 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, with little wait, be sure to ride during the first parade of the evening. Just make sure to make time at the end of your night to catch the last showing.
• Consider how badly you really want a picture with a character before jumping in line. These queues can be deceptively long and take up much of the time you could be spending on other party festivities. If you want to see popular characters, such as Jack Skellington, Pooh characters or the 7 Dwarfs, get in line when greeting locations first open. Consult the guide passed to you at entry for times and locations.
• Don’t skip the parade and fireworks. We tried to do this the first time we visited an after-hours event, but soon found ourselves being drawn in. Both the parade and fireworks at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party are worth the time.
• Stake out a viewing spot for the parade or fireworks at least 15 minutes before starting time. You’ll notice people beginning to grab ground as much as an hour before. However, unless you’re very particular about where you stand or sit, this isn’t necessary. For the fireworks, in particular, people will fill in around you, so there are very few private viewing spots. 
• The best place to view the fireworks is the castle hub at the end of Main Street USA. However, anywhere you have a clear view of the castle will allow you to see most of the show.
• Party parades begin in Frontierland and end at the firehouse on Main Street USA. This means, if you watch the parade from Frontierland, the procession has passed you by while viewers on Main Street are still enthralled in the action. This gives you a few minutes to jump on a ride or into character greeting line or grab that coveted piece of merch before people start to rejoin the queues.
• The second parade of the evening will have fewer people in attendance, meaning an easier time to grab a more choice viewing spot. Many people with young children will leave right after the parade or fireworks.
• Purchase your ticket now. Seriously, don’t wait until you arrive to buy tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is one of the most popular events of the year, and party dates do sell out.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Is It Worth It?

If you’re a fan of the Christmas holidays and/or Disney, you really need to be at this party. Where else can you combine seasonal festivities with the magic of Disney?

However, you don’t need to be a Christmas nut to enjoy this party. For one thing there are several exclusives, such as snow on Main Street USA, that can only be enjoyed during party hours. It’s also the only time to see the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade and Minnie’s Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show.

For many, it’s a chance to experience all of the popular attractions with little to no wait, particularly as the night wears on. It’s also a time to be in the park after dark, with the Christmas lights twinkling and Cinderella’s Castle lit up in holiday illumination.

If you have the funds in your travel budget, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a great way to add some park time to your vacation, experience more of the Magic Kingdom rides and enjoy the holidays while doing so. If you’re worried about budget and planning to purchase Multi Pass on your regular Magic Kingdom day, you could consider foregoing the purchase. Doing so won’t cover all of your party ticket, but could take a bite out of the cost.

More Disney World Tips

Disney World Christmas Time Secrets and More

Spooktacular Fun Is Back: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024

Managing Disney World Crowds: Guide to Disney World Spring Break and Holiday Trips

The post What Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: 2024 Dates and More appeared first on Seconds to Go.

The question many travelers ask is whether they need to book a Walt Disney World vacation package or if it’s better to make reservations a la carte. To help you decide, we’re breaking down the benefits of booking a package to Walt Disney World.

What Is Included in a Walt Disney World Vacation Package?

When booking a package to Walt Disney World, you are able to roll a number of vacation elements into a single unit. For most people, this means bundling their tickets and resort hotel into a single cost.

However, the flexibility associated with a Walt Disney World vacation package means you can also include the cost of your ground transportation as well as other extras. To break it down, imagine that you want to book a 6-night stay at Port Orleans, a Disney World moderate hotel.

You could book your hotel in one reservation and then separately purchase theme park tickets. Or, you could purchase both in a single transaction called a package.

With a Walt Disney World vacation package, you also have the added advantage of purchasing travel insurance, Disney’s Memory Maker, a dining plan, transportation to and from the airport as well as magical extras, such as a round of golf. It’s the most simple and convenient way to plan and reserve Disney World travel.

Packages to Walt Disney World, What Are the Advantages?

As discussed, when purchasing a package to Walt Disney World, you’re rolling all of the elements associated with your trip into a single transaction. This is beneficial for a number of reasons:

Fewer Up-Front Costs with a Walt Disney World Vacation Package

When it comes to booking a Walt Disney World vacation package, you’ll only be required to make a $200 deposit at the time of booking. Contrast this to a booking where you reserve your hotel and purchase your tickets separately. In this scenario, you’ll need to leave a deposit equivalent to one night’s stay. At many resorts, this is more than the $200 required to hold a package reservation.

When it’s time to purchase your tickets, you’ll need to pay for the total cost up front. In contrast, booking a Walt Disney World vacation package allows you to hold the reservation with a $200 deposit. You then have up until 30 days prior to arrival to pay the balance. This provides you with ample time to save or to even make payments on your trip. Keep reading for more information on flexible payment plans.

Keep in mind, that while the $200 deposit will stand as an inititial down payment for most package elements, you will be asked to pay in full for any extras at the time of booking, such as travel insurance and Memory Maker. However, this would be true whether you booked these services separately or include them in your package.

If you aren’t ready to pay for extra add-ons to your package to Walt Disney World at the time of purchase, you can always add them later by contacting your Disney World travel agent. The same holds true if you simply decide later on that you want to add Memory Maker, ground transportation or other value-added benefits.

Package to Walt Disney World Offers Payment Flexibility

All Walt Disney World vacation packages must be paid in full 30 days before your arrival date. However, if you’re on a budget or prefer to make regular payments, you can easily set up a payment plan by booking your vacation through a travel agent specializing in Disney World vacations.

Your travel agent can set up a personalized payment plan, according to your needs, whether it be weekly, biweekly, monthly or whatever you choose. For guests booking reservations into the next year, a payment plan provides a nice runway for spreading out the cost and helping families afford a trip to Disney World easier.

Flexible Cancellation Policies with Package Convenience

Packages to Walt Disney World come with flexible cancellation and change policies. Guests may cancel up to 30 days before arrival and receive a refund of all monies paid, minus any non-refundable portions of a travel protection policy or other third-party charges where applicable.

If you need to cancel your Walt Disney World vacation package between 2 and 29 days before your arrival, you will be credited any monies paid (minus any non-refundable portions of a travel protection policy or other third-party charges where applicable) less the $200 deposit.

Walt Disney World Vacation Package Easy Change Policies

Planning a Disney World vacation can be a complex endeavor. Many guests book months in advance to secure special discounts or resorts for certain dates. So, what happens if plans change?

With a package to Walt Disney World, you’re able to make changes up to 30 days before arrival. This includes swapping out a guest who can’t make it with another traveler (as long as it is not the lead guest), changing travel dates, and selecting new accommodations or party size.

Keep in mind, if any change results in a higher cost to your travel arrangements, you will be responsible for the additional charges, but you will not be required to pay a change fee. Likewise, if the changes result in a decrease in package cost, you will receive a refund of any monies already paid that result in an overage.

For changes made 30 days or less prior to arrival, there is a $50 change fee.

Booking a Walt Disney World vacation package also allows you to cancel and receive a refund on the cost of your theme park tickets, according to the terms above. Tickets purchased separately are non-refundable.

When thinking about cancelations, keep in mind that many changes require a call to Disney World Travel. That means waiting on hold for the next available representative. To streamline their package purchase, many Disney World guests book through a Disney vacation planner or travel agent specializing in Disney vacations. That way, if changes are needed, your vacation planner can make these for you with far less hassle.

Receive a Free No Obligation Walt Disney World Vacation Package Quote

We’ve teamed up with Mickey World Travel as a Connecticut-based travel agent to bring our expertise in Disney World travel planning to your next vacation. Request a free, no obligation package quote, and let us help you plan your Disney World adventure! You won’t pay more, but the value you’ll receive is priceless.

Ready to Book Your Disney Vacation?

Let us help! Free vacation planning included with every Disney vacation booking. You’ll never pay more booking with a travel agent like us, but the added insight you’ll receive could be invaluable.

Contact us for a quote today. Click here to be taken to our quote form.

Easy Setup of Your My Disney Experience Account

With a Walt Disney World vacation package, it’s easy to set up a My Disney Experience account or add your vacation to an existing one. Simply enter your reservation confirmation number and link the tickets associated with your package to the appropriate members of your party.

If you book extras, such as Memory Maker, these will also automatically sync with your account once you add your confirmation number, meaning all of your precious photos taken on rides or with PhotoPass photographers, will appear in your My Disney Experience account for download.

Walt Disney World Vacation Packages Include Magical Extras

When booking a Walt Disney World vacation package that includes a Disney owned resort hotel, you’ll receive Magical Extras that aren’t available with a la carte bookings. If you book a Disney World vacation package in 2024, you’ll receive the following Magical Extras:

• Receive four (4) vouchers per Walt Disney World vacation package, valid for one (1) 18 hole round of miniature golf on one (1) day for one (1) guest at either Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course or Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. 
• Receive four (4) vouchers per Walt Disney World vacation package, each voucher valid for one (1) general admission to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on one (1) day for ONE (1) guest. Valid only on event days. 
• Receive 10% off the non-discounted price of bowling (walk-in bowling only), receive 10% on the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages (dine-in only), and receive 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Splitsville Luxury Lanes located in Disney Springs West Side.
• Receive 10% off the cost of surrey bike rentals and resorts offering this recreation option.
• Receive 10% off food & non-alcoholic beverages at City Works Eatery & Pour House located at Disney Springs West Side as well as House of Blues Restaurant and Bar and House of Blues® Gear Shop.
• Receive 20% off your entire purchase at Local Green Orlando, located at Disney Springs west side. 
• Receive 20% off your entire purchase at JOFFREY’S COFFEE & TEA COMPANY® at the following locations at Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney Skyliner and Disney Springs® The Landing including Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company® store, or purchase online at JOFFERYS.com using coupon code. 
• Receive 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at Pardiso 37 located in Disney Springs.
• Receive 10% off adult entrees at Rainforest Cafe located in Disney Springs Marketplace or outside the entrance to Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the Boathouse restaurant in Disney Springs Town Center.
• Receive 10% off adult entrees at T-REX® located in the Disney Springs Marketplace. 
• Receive $1 off at The Spice and Tea Exchange: $1 off any 16oz Iced or Hot Tea To Go. Offer only available at The Spice & Tea Exchange® located in the Disney Springs® Marketplace.  
• Buy 2 pretzels, get one free at Wezel’s Pretzels located at Disney Springs West Side and Marketplace.
• Receive 10% off your entire purchase at Balocoloc Venian Masks. This offer is only available at the Italy World Showcase Pavilion location in EPCOT. 
• Receive 10% off entire purchase, excluding sale items, at Basin located at Disney Springs Marketplace or Basin White located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
• Receive 15% off entire purchase at Chapel Hats located at Disney Springs® the Landings.
• Receive 15% off purchases of $30 or more at Coca-Cola Store located at Disney Springs Town Center.
• Receive 10% off your order at Crown & Crest in EPCOT World Showcase.
• Receive 10% off purchases at the Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers stores at Disney Springs Marketplace, Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. Exclusions apply. 
• Receive 20% off your purchase (exclusions may apply) at Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear located in the Disney Springs® Town Center. 
• Receive 15% off entire purchase at Just Fun Socks located at Disney Springs the Landings.
• Visit Kendra Scott located at Disney Springs® Town Center and receive 15% off your entire purchase! 
• Receive 10% off your outbound Shipping services, and shipping boxes at Ricoh Business Centers.
• Receive 10% off non-discounted merchandise at Sugarboo & Co. located at Disney Springs Town Center.
• Visit Superdry at Disney Springs® Town Center and receive 15% off a purchase of regular priced items!
• Receive 15% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Volcom® located at Disney Springs® Town Center.

Walt Disney World Vacation Packages Are Available for Many Offsite Resorts

When booking a trip to Disney World, many vacationers assume they are limited to reserving Disney World resorts if they want to book a Walt Disney World vacation package. Fortunately, Disney World offers package options that include a number of offsite hotels, including popular chains such as Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott.

Hotels available for package reservations will hold a special designation, such as Good Neighbor Hotels, indicating that they meet Disney World’s stringent quality standards and offer a required set of amenities. However, you may not receive the same perks as you would when booking a Disney World resort hotel, depending on where you choose to stay.

Walt Disney World Vacation Package Caveats

As with anything, there are some things you should know before booking a vacation package to Walt Disney World. For instance, not all costs associated with your Disney resort stay will be included in the cost of your package.

If you opt to charge purchases to your room, you may see additional charges on your checkout statement, including the purchase of Lightning Lane reservations, as well as any purchases or restaurant tabs you charge to the credit card on file with your room.

Second, while MagicBands are available for guests booking a Walt Disney World vacation package or hotel stay, they are no longer included in the cost of your package. Anyone wishing to use MagicBands will need to make a separate MagicBand purchase prior to arrival through their My Disney Experience account, Shop Disney or after arriving at Disney World.

Overall, booking a package to Walt Disney World is a convenient way to plan your travel, providing you the opportunity to consolidate your costs and arrangements. You’ll add convenience and cost protections over booking your travel elements separately, with no additional expense.

More Disney World Travel Tips

Financing Your Disney Dream: Plan Now, Pay Later Disney World Vacation Payment Plan

Where’s the Real Fairy Tale? Staying Onsite at Disney World or at an Offsite Hotel?

Trip to Disney World: All Inclusive Adventure Awaits

The post Why We Love Walt Disney World Vacation Packages (and You Should Too) appeared first on Seconds to Go.

Join us on this journey as we explore the magic of the holidays at Disney World and discover why it’s the perfect place to celebrate any occasion.

What Holidays Are Celebrated at Disney World?

From Halloween to New Year’s Eve and beyond, Disney World celebrates every holiday in its own unique way. Whether you’re a fan of spooky thrills, festive parades, or heartwarming traditions, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Disney World during several of the holidays recognized across the U.S.

If you want to experience holidays at Disney World but don’t know when to visit, this information can help you narrow in on the right holiday for you.

Christmas Is the Biggest Holiday Celebration at Disney World

If you’re looking for colorful decorations and dazzling light displays across the 4 theme parks, then Christmas is the time to visit Disney World. You’ll find towering trees and specialty décor designed to evoke the best of the season as well as the theme of each park. At Animal Kingdom, for instance, decorations take on a festive safari flair.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll discover nostalgic Christmas décor from the golden age of Hollywood.

However, the seasonal spirit brought to life inside each park is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to experiencing festive delights. You’ll find that each resort located on Disney property is decked out for the season. From the moment you pull up to the doors to the moment you enter your room, you’ll find that Disney hotels know how to celebrate the season.

Some of our favorite decorations can be found at the Grand Floridian Resort, where a giant ginberbread house takes center place in the lobby. We also love Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, where holiday décor takes on a jazzy flair, full of bright colors and glitz.

In addition to Christmas decorations, Disney World goes all out for the Christmas holidays in many other ways, with special events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional.

Another popular special event is Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This celebration showcases the diverse holiday traditions of cultures around the world with special performances, food booths, and holiday-themed merchandise.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of special ticketed events at Disney World to add even more magic to your holiday vacation. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, as these events often sell out quickly.

Enjoy a Not So Spooky Halloween Holiday at Disney World

While Christmas may be one of the more popular times for holiday-bound visitors, Halloween is one of our favorite seasons to visit Disney World. You’ll find the largest decorative displays at Magic Kingdom where everything from lamp posts to the windows on Main Street USA are decorated with fall flair.

Decorations tend to rotate as well, so you’ll never see quite the same decorations year after year. However, large jack-o-lanterns and Mickey shaped pumpkins tend to be standard.

At other parks, you’ll find nods to the holiday in seasonal treats and merchandise, but little in the way of décor. EPCOT often celebrates with pumpkins painted to represent Disney characters. They are hidden in various places for guests to stumble upon or seek out.

What the other parks lack in holiday decorations is more than made up for with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. This ticketed event brings everything you love about the holiday with none of the blood and gore.

Highlighting the event is the Boo to You parade, led by the Headless Horseman and featuring many of Disney’s more villainous charcters. You’ll also find special castle lighting, spooky fog and an array of Halloween treats and merchandise that is exclusive to the party.

To learn more about Disney World’s Halloween party, visit our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party guide.

Thanksgiving at Disney World

Thanksgiving at Disney World is nearly swallowed up by Christmas. As soon as the Halloween decorations come down, the Christmas decorations go up, in an overnight transformation that sees the Magic Kingdom turn from festive fall to glittery Christmas. However, you will find a few nods to the season as Thanksgiving Day approaches in the form of special treats or merchandise.

While Thanksgiving decorations may be lacking, you won’t have to forego your turkey and mashed potatoes if visiting on the holiday itself. Several restaurants offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including Liberty Tree Tavern, where you can dine on time-honored fare every day and experience newly found favorites.

Celebrating Easter at Disney World

Easter is another one of those holidays at Disney World that is often overshadowed by other events. At EPCOT, the Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing, celebrating the blooms and buds of spring with delightful character inspired topiaries and other garden delights.

EPCOT is also home to the Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt. For a small fee, you can purchase a map and stickers. Find the specially decorated eggs throughout the park, fill in your map with the provided stickers, and win a prize.

Each year, the eggs are decorated to a different theme. In 2023, eggs were decorated to resemble Disney’s famous character rabbits, such as Thumper, White Rabbit, and, well Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh.

At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you can find a chocolate Easter Egg display as well as Easter inspired treats. The Easter Bunny and his bunny wife have also made appearances on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom in an Easter procession. Mr. Bunny is also willing to meet with children and other fans during this one time of year.

Other Easter delights at Magic Kingdom include a spring trolley show, where the citizens of Main Street dress up in their brightest and finest holiday style. You’ll also find a number of Easter inspired snacks throughout the parks.

Earth Day at Walt Disney World

Since Animal Kingdom Park was established in 1998 to inspire conservation, it doesn’t come as a surprise that most of the Earth Day activities take place here. You’ll find nature-inspired activities, special snacks and possibly an original show to commemorate the day.

Fourth of July at Disney World

When it comes to commemorating America’s independence, Disney World pulls out all of the stops, blazing the night sky with one of the most spectacular fireworks displays. That statement says a lot, because Disney is one destination that knows how to put on a show, and holiday fireworks are no exception.

You’ll also find special nighttime surprises at EPCOT. In years past, this park celebrated the event by adding a special segment to the currently running nighttime spectacular. With a new show in the making, we can’t wait to see how EPCOT amps up the celebration this year.

The only big downside to visiting Disney World during the Fourth of July is the fact that you can’t be in both parks at once.

Holiday Eats and Treats at Disney World

Every holiday at Disney World features special snacks or other food items that can be purchased at different eateries. In the past, we’ve celebrated with something as simple as Christmas spiced frosting on the cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern to new palate-busting wonders in unusual shapes or forms.

If you’re curious about the culinary delights you’ll see at Christmas, drop us a line at ka*****@Mi***************.com . Ask to be put on our holiday food list, and we’ll alert you as soon as the special eats are released.

Special Ticketed Events to Celebrate the Holidays

One of the many reasons that guests enjoy holidays at Disney World is due to the special ticketed events that take place throughout the parks. These events offer visitors the chance to experience even more holiday cheer and unique experiences during their stay.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a favorite among Disney fans. Held in Magic Kingdom, this special ticketed event features Christmas holiday-themed parades, fireworks, and even snow on Main Street, U.S.A. Guests can also enjoy exclusive access to attractions and character meet-and-greets, as well as complimentary holiday treats and beverages.

Jollywood Nights premiered in 2023 at Hollywood Studios. This after hours event celebrates the Christmas season as only old Hollywood can, with glitz, glam and a host of holiday delights. Enjoy special entertainment, exclusive treats, rides with lower wait times as well as a special nighttime spectacular celebrating Disney films.

In the past, guests have had the option to experience a truly unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience: Disney Elegant Evening Under the Stars at the Contemporary Resort. Here, you could join Disney characters as you toast in the new year, while also enjoying live entertainment. If you don’t mind the price tag, nearly $700 a person, it’s also the perfect place to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks display from an exclusive viewing area.

If you’re interested in this or other ticketed events, be sure to contact us at ka******@Mi***************.com . Ask to be put on our ticketed event list, and we’ll contact you as soon as news is released on these events for the current year.

One of the most popular special events at Disney World is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Held in Magic Kingdom, this spooky celebration is perfect for families looking to enjoy Halloween without the intensity and scares that might highlight other celebrations.

Guests are encouraged to dress up in costume and can trick-or-treat throughout the park. They can also enjoy exclusive access to attractions, meet-and-greets with Disney favorites, and a special Halloween parade featuring Disney characters dressed up in their Halloween costumes. The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display. If you haven’t experienced a Disney holiday fireworks show, you are in for a treat!

Tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are available now for anyone holding a current Disney World resort hotel reservation. Contact us by emailing ka******@Mi***************.com for more information or to purchase your tickets.

Disney Has Its Own Holidays

Epcot, one of Disney World’s four theme parks, is not only a celebration of human achievement and technological progress, but also a hub of cultural diversity and culinary excellence. One of the ways Epcot showcases this diversity is through its many festivals that take place throughout the year. We like to think of these as Disney’s own holidays.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is one of the most beloved springtime events at Disney World. During this festival, guests can admire stunning topiary displays featuring favorite Disney characters, attend gardening seminars, and taste delicious food and drink at outdoor kitchens throughout the park. The festival also features outdoor concerts, family-friendly activities, and a butterfly garden.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a must-attend event for foodies and wine connoisseurs. Taking place in the fall, this festival features dozens of food booths serving up international cuisine and wine pairings, as well as cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and seminars on wine and beer.

Guests can also enjoy live music and special events, such as Party for the Senses, a grand tasting event that features dishes from Disney chefs and renowned guest chefs from around the world. Since the Food & Wind Festivals is easily one of the most popular events, expect nights to be crowded around the world showcase during the dates that the festival is running.

For fans of the arts, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is a winter event that showcases visual, performing, and culinary arts. Guests can watch live art demonstrations, attend workshops and seminars, and purchase unique art pieces from around the world. The festival also features Broadway-style performances and a variety of food and beverage options.

Finally, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is a winter celebration that showcases the diverse holiday traditions of cultures around the world. Guests can enjoy special holiday-themed food and drinks, as well as holiday storytelling and live music performances. The festival also features the Candlelight Processional, a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story featuring a celebrity narrator, choir, and live orchestra.

No matter what time of year you visit Epcot, there is always a festival to enjoy. From floral displays to culinary masterpieces, there’s something for everyone at Epcot’s festivals.

Book your holiday travel. Request a free no-obligation quote. Complete travel planning from experienced professionals.

Conclusion

Celebrating the holidays at Disney World is a great way to create new traditions and enjoy the festivities. While the jury is still out over which holidays are the best for travel, there are two things you can expect.

First, any holiday at Disney World is going to invite higher crowds, particularly if you visit the day of or the week surrounding the holiday. Plan to spend extra time in the parks to see and do all you want to experience.

Second, adding Disney to any holiday celebration will always create an extra element of fun and excitement. If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to enjoy a holiday celebration, consider booking your trip when the festivities are underway at the parks. For Christmas and Halloween, there is so much to see and do, you might not even realize that you’re enjoying the parks with other holiday travelers.

More Disney World Insights

Managing Disney World Crowds: Guide to Disney World Spring Break and Holiday Trips

Spooktacular Fun Is Back: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024

Disney World Christmas Time Secrets and More

The post Magical Holidays at Disney World: Upcoming Festivities and Events appeared first on Seconds to Go.

Disney owns and operates more than 25 resorts across the property, each elaborately-themed to extend the magic beyond the walls of the four theme parks. If budgets or tastes don’t align, however, there are numerous offsite accommodations that could easily suit your fancy.

Deciding whether to book Disney World accommodations onsite or offsite can easily make your head spin, so we’ve put together the pros and cons below, as well as a few options you may not have considered.

Staying Onsite at Disney World: Understanding Your Hotel Options

There are some very compelling reasons to book a Disney World hotel on property instead of offsite accommodations. For one thing, Disney onsite resorts come in three tiers, improving the odds that you will find one that appeals to your tastes and your budget:

Whether you book a value, moderate, deluxe or villa Disney World resort hotel, you’ll find that some very compelling perks are associated with staying onsite at a Disney World.

What Are the Benefits of Staying at a Disney Hotel?

Magic is a big part of a trip to Disney World, and when it comes to keeping the magic alive, it’s hard to beat a stay a Disney World onsite resort. If you’re wondering how this works, consider this.

When staying onsite at Disney World, you’ll travel to and from the parks via the Disney World complimentary transportation system. This network of boats, buses, monorail and Skyliner are part of the Disney World experience. Routes are carefully crafted to keep you within the “Disney Bubble” and to provide you with little extras to extend the magic outside the theme parks.

Compare that to staying at an offsite resort. While many resorts located near Disney World offer complimentary shuttles, others charge a fee. Most run only every 30 minutes, meaning you’ll need to schedule your travel carefully if you wish to arrive at the theme parks for opening or any special events. Often, this requires booking a reservation on the shuttle ahead of time.

On the other hand, Disney World’s onsite transportation runs continuously, with multiple vehicles on schedule to accommodate guests.

If you’re thinking about driving to the parks from an offsite resort, it’s important to consider the cost. Parking a car at one of Disney’s theme parks is free to guests staying at a Disney onsite resort, but those staying at offsite accommodations will be charged a daily parking fee that starts at $30, for each and every day you visit.

Most importantly, you’ll find the Disney magic follows you throughout your vacation when staying onsite at Disney World. From elaborate theming to character visits and meals, your Disney World onsite resort hotel becomes part of the Disney vacation experience.

Of course, if magical extras are your ultimate goal, there is no underestimating the impact of Early Theme Park Entry, only available to guests of Disney World resorts and some Disney Approved accommodations. Early Theme Park Entry allows guests to enter a given park a half an hour early each and every day. With an extra half an hour in the parks, guests are able to experience a few attractions with far shorter line queues, saving time and energy for the busy day ahead.

A stay at a Disney World resort hotel also offers another big perk: earlier access to Lightning Lane reservations. Purchasing Multi Pass and Single Pass allows guests to pre-book a spot in an expedited queue known as a Lightning Lane. Since access during any given time is limited, guests enjoy a short queue and spend less time waiting in line.

Multi Pass and Single Pass are available to all guests whether they are staying onsite or off, but guests of onsite hotels at Disney World (including Shades of Green and Disney Swan or Dolphin) can preselect up to 3 attractions per day 7 days prior to arrival. Guests staying offsite must wait until 3 days prior to arrival to start making reservations. When the parks are crowded, the head start provided to guests of Disney onsite resorts gives a significant advantage over guests staying offsite.

When staying onsite at Disney World, you also have the option of turning your hotel booking into a Disney World vacation package, allowing you to include your room, theme park tickets and cost of food into an all inclusive booking. By adding the Disney dining plan to your package, you’ll roll the cost of two meals and one generous snack into the cost of your resort accommodation booking. There is no denying the convenience and surety of knowing ahead of time how much you’ll pay for meals.

The Advantages of Booking a Hotel Offsite Near Disney World

When selecting your travel accommodations, it is possible that some elements associated with staying at an onsite hotel at Disney World might not fit your traveling style. For one thing, you’ll likely pay more for the food you eat, since you’ll be limited to dining at your hotel or within the parks. If you opt for offsite accommodations, you’ll find a number of less costly food options near your Orlando-area hotel. And since you’re more likely to have a car when staying at an offsite location, you’ll find it easier to stretch outside the confines of Disney World for your meals.

Once again, this is another downside that you can easily work around. Renting a car or calling for a ride share allows you to travel offsite for cheaper meals if your budget dictates.

Sometimes, guests are looking to use or earn hotel loyalty points when booking their Disney World accommodations. Unless you stay at the Disney World Dolphin hotel, the Disney World Swan hotel or the Swan Reserve, you cannot earn loyalty points from a nationally recognized hotel brand while staying at a Disney-owned onsite hotel.

On the other hand, you’ll find a large number of offsite accommodations associated with major brands. Most will allow you to either earn points or use points to book your stay. The same is true with miles or points earned through credit cards. These will also need to be used at offsite resorts.

Guests traveling with pets will find only a few choices to accommodate their furry family members when staying onsite at Disney World. While pet-friendly accommodations at Disney World include some of the best onsite hotels and a welcoming atmosphere for 4-legged travelers, the number of rooms and resorts is limited. You’ll find greater choice and availability by looking at offsite resorts. All guests, whether staying onsite at Disney World or in the surrounding area, can take advantage of the Disney World Kennel day care for their pet while they are in the parks.

Is It More Expensive to Stay at a Disney World Onsite Resort?

When considering where to stay on a Disney World vacation, many people opt for offsite accommodations to save money. Depending on the type of accommodations you select, this may not be necessary.

For example, a standard room rate at Disney’s All-Star Music resort will average around $200 a night. However, Disney often offers discounts on onsite hotel stays.

Disney World hotel deals have frequently delivered 15-30 percent, or more, off the cost of a Disney World resort reservation. That reduces the rack rate to well below $200 a night.

At times, Disney also offers a free Disney Dining Plan to guests of Disney onsite hotels as an incentive to encourage more bookings. So, when selecting your Disney World accommodations, it’s important to be informed of all available discounts. If you’re able to book a free dining promotion, that same rack rate at Disney All Stars now includes meals for four, making it a far better value than the offsite hotel.

Consider a Disney Approved Hotel for Your OFFSITE Disney World Accommodations

When thinking about Disney World accommodations, many people don’t realize that there is some middle ground between booking completely offsite and staying onsite at Disney World. While onsite resorts are owned and operated by Disney, there are a number of Disney approved hotels that put you close to or in the heart of the magic. Best of all, most are owned by common hotel brands, allowing you to use points you may have accrued from loyalty or rewards programs.

Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels, for example, are located near EPCOT, right next to the Beach Club and Yacht Club, two of the most popular Disney World onsite resort hotels. The two establishments are operated by Marriott International, allowing you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points when booking stays. As an added perk, you can take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry. You will also be able to book FastPass+ reservations 60 days before you arrive, just like guests of Disney World resort hotels.

Additional Disney approved hotels can be found in the Disney Springs area. These include popular chains such as Hilton, Holiday Inn, Best Western and Doubletree. At these Disney approved hotels, you’ll have the added benefit of being close to the nighttime action of Disney Springs, as well as the regular amenities associated with these brands.

As a Disney approved hotel, these accommodations must meet minimum standards set by Disney, including a guest services desk to support activities such as making reservations or purchasing tickets. Hotels are also periodically reviewed by Disney to ensure they maintain compliance.

To book a stay at a Disney Approved hotel, you can speak with a travel agent, visit the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels website, the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotel website, or through Disney’s website. If you choose the latter, look for the More Great Accommodations tab. Here you will find a list of hotels that are approved and recommended by Disney. Each offers many of the same benefits of a Disney World resort hotel, such as the ability to book dining reservations and Lightning Lane reservations earlier than offsite accommodations, transportation to and from the theme parks, and access to Early Theme Park Entry.

Still have questions about where to stay at Disney World?

We can help you find the perfect accommodations, whether onsite or off-site. We’ve teamed up with Mickey World Travel to offer Disney travel planning and booking services to our readers. With decades of experience in hand, we provide customized guidance, cutting through the confusion with clear explanations and actionable tips. We’ll help you create the best experience, with recommendations and travel planning advice based on the trip you want to have and the memories you want to make.

Last, Disney has partnered with a number of properties known as Good Neighbor Hotels. Good Neighbor Hotels must meet minimum Disney Standards such as a offering a guests services desk to assist with things like purchasing park tickets and a shuttle to provide transportation to and from the parks. Hotel packages with a Good neighbor hotel can be booked through a travel agent specializing in Disney World vacations.

When comparing the cost of a Disney Approved hotel against that of a Disney World resort hotel, be careful to look up any additional fees. Some charge a “resort fee” or additional charge for parking.

FAQs About Staying Onsite at Disney World

Which Disney Hotels are on the monorail?

If you’re looking to book a Disney World onsite resort with access to the monorail, you’ll find a nice variety of options:

• Disney Bay Lake Towers
• Disney Contemporary Resort
• Disney Polynesian Village and Villas
• Island Tower (coming soon)
• Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Which Disney Hotels Have Skyliner Access?

Hotels along the Disney Skyliner route cover a wide variety of theming and price points. The following Disney onsite resorts offer stations with on and off access to the Skyliner:

• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney Art of Animation Resort

Do Disney hotels include park tickets?

By turning your Disney hotel booking into a package reservation, you can easily include the cost of park tickets in your Disney World onsite hotel booking. Best of all, you can do so while still taking advantage of any available discounts on hotels and ticket pricing.

What Disney hotels allow dogs?

Disney offers several dog-friendly accommodations onsite. You’ll find that your canine friend is warmly welcomed at the following Disney World onsite resorts:

• Disney’s Art of Animation
• Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort

Do Disney hotels include breakfast?

By adding the Disney dining plan to your resort hotel booking, your reservation includes 2 meals and a generous snack each day, as well as a resort refillable mug, allowing you to enjoy breakfast included in the cost of your stay.

Do Disney hotels charge for parking?

At present, onsite Disney World resort hotels do not charge guests to park a vehicle.

More Information on Planning a Trip to Disney World

Walt Disney Saratoga Springs, the Hidden Delight in Disney’s Hotel Lineup

What’s So Special About Disney World Deluxe Resorts?

Trip to Disney World: All Inclusive Adventure Awaits

The post Where’s the Real Fairy Tale? Staying Onsite at Disney World or at an Offsite Hotel? appeared first on Seconds to Go.

Disneyland vacation planning can be a daunting task. From deciding when to visit, to finding the best accommodations, and understanding what to do when you get there, you have a lot of choices. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide. Here, you’ll find helpful tips for planning your itinerary and getting the most out of your time at the park. We’ll also provide an in-depth look at what makes Disneyland such a special place to visit, complete with our own personal trip report. So, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning after many years away, this guide will help ensure that you have an unforgettable experience at The Happiest Place on Earth!

Should I Visit Disneyland or Disney California Adventure? What’s the Difference?

Disneyland has been around since 1955. Walt Disney, its founder and creator, wanted to build a place where families could come together and enjoy the magic of fantasy. His vision succeeded with 28,000 guests flooding park gates on opening day and overwhelming attractions and staff.

Since then, Disneyland has grown and expanded, adding new themed lands and experiences. One of the more controversial additions was the Disney California Adventure (DCA) park. Following a less than stellar reception of Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris), CEO Michael Eisner didn’t have the stomach for a costly expansion of Disneyland. The result was the lackluster original Disney California Adventure park.

While designed to take guests around California in a day, visitors were disappointed by the lack of quality Disney theming, big ticket rides and quite frankly, originality. New CEO Bob Iger set out to change all of that in 2007, with a $1 million plus expansion. This included the addition of the fabulous Cars Land and a redesigning of the park entrance area to reflect the old Hollywood style theming reminiscent of Disney’s Hollywood Studios park in Orlando.

The reimagining was a success, allowing DCA to hold its own in the Disney park lineup and offer guests some truly unique experiences.

Based on our recent Disneyland trip review, answering the question as to which park to visit is simple. You really need to do both.

Disneyland features the original Fantasyland, complete with classic attractions such as It’s a Small World, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Unlike its sister attraction in Florida, Cinderella’s Castle, California’s original fantasy creation is more than a mere backdrop and stage show area. The original Disney castle includes a walk through exhibit that brings the story of Sleeping Beauty to life in vivid color.

However, Disneyland park in California also steps outside the bounds of fairytale fantasy, transporting guests to New Orleans, the old frontier, and even the boundaries of space through several uniquely themed lands. During a Disneyland vacation, guests can hurtle through the galaxy, cut loose through an abandoned mine (the wildest ride in the wilderness), join pirates on a cruise or team up with the First Order Resistance on a mind-blowing mission. And that’s all within the confines of a single park.

Guests wishing to race with Mater and friends through the California desert and visit the very convincing town of Radiator Springs will need to hop on over to Disney California Adventure Park. While there, visit the Avenger Campus and help Spiderman save the region from rapidly replicating spider bots, or join the heroes from the popular Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise on a drop in adventure sure to get your heart pumping.

Other super heroes visit throughout the day in the Avenger Campus, while Mater and friends seem to consistently cruise through the streets of Radiator Springs. One of the most adrenaline pumping rides in our Disneyland trip review was Pixar Pal Around-swinging version. Don’t let its modest ferris wheel appearance fool you. This 160’ wheel in the sky combines incredible heights with wildly swinging cars for an unusual adventure. If your afraid of heights, take note. This might not be for you.

Both Disneyland Park and California Adventure could be seen in a single day if you arrive early and purchase a park hopper ticket. However, you’ll be missing a lot. One of the best parts of a Disney vacation is taking the time to slow down and enjoy the rich details. Rushing from ride to ride won’t give you much of an opportunity to appreciate aspects of theming or even take time to enjoy other diversions, such as character meetings, parades and shows.

How Many Days Do You Need at Disneyland?

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are located across a connecting avenue from one another, making it easy to hop from park to park. As a result, many guests try to visit both parks in a single day. You can do this, but you’ll miss many of the attractions by limiting your vacation to a single day.

We recommend a minimum 3-day trip for a Disneyland vacation and even four or five days if you want time to bask in the amenities of your resort or will be traveling long distances to visit the parks. We usually visit one park on arrival day, spending a half day there. Since lines are usually long when we arrive, we use the Disneyland app to find rides with the shortest wait times and spend our time on those attractions.

On day two, we get an early start using early theme park entry. This perk for guests of Disneyland resorts allows you to enter a half an hour before official park opening. We highly recommend using this time to hit rides that typically have long lines or those not covered by Lightning Lane Multi Pass. At Disneyland, that means hitting up most of the Fantasyland rides. We covered 3 to 4 of these popular attractions before most people entered the parks.

At California Adventure, we’d use Early Entry to visit Spiderman and Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout on one day and Radiator Springs Racers on our second day to visit this park. Using Early Entry made it possible for us to take afternoon breaks at our hotel or to take extra time dining at table service restaurants.

If you aren’t using Early Entry and/or MultiPass, you’ll find that a 3- or 4-day visit is really necessary to see all attractions in both parks. With more than 70 rides, attractions and things to do, you’ll find it impossible to experience even most of what you want to do with only a 1- or 2-day trip.

Top Rides at Disneyland Park

Disneyland features rides and attractions for all ages, including original attractions placed in 1955, as well as experiences you will find at other Disney parks. Guest favorites include:

• Matterhorn Bobsleds: Race your way through a snowcapped mountain with the resident Yeti in hot pursuit. Be assured, this coaster-type ride features more than a few surprises.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Dubbed “the wildest ride in the wilderness” the Thunder Mountain Railroad enters an abandoned mind, only to lose control, taking guests around curves and over hills rich with old west and mining theming.
• Space Mountain: Space Mountain lifts off into the blackness of space, shooting riders through stars and galaxies, before landing safely on earth again. If you’ve ridden this ride in Florida, you’re in for a treat. The track at Disneyland California is liquid smooth in comparison, offering all of the thrills without the neck cracking jerking motion.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: While we were told repeatedly that Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland was “much better” than its Disney World Florida version, we weren’t in full agreement. The ride does feature 2 drops, compared to the one small drop in Florida, but it is also long, drifting aimlessly through dark scenes that offer little diversion before finally entering the pirate scenes. All the same, this remains a guest favorite, as was attested by the incredibly long line we witnessed as nighttime fell.
• Star Wars Rise of the Resistance: This must be the most popular attraction at Disneyland park. We watch hordes of visitors rush the gates at early entrance and sprint across the park just to stand in a line and wait for the Star Wars Land to open. To be fair, this attraction does stack up some lone queues throughout the day, and it’s easy to see why. As one of Disney’s most immersive experiences, you’ll join the Star Wars resistance and fight the First Order. Not a Star Wars fan? No worries, you’ll catch onto the plot. Just be sure to follow the instructions of the First Order “Lieutenants” to avoid brig time.
• Mickey’s Runaway Railway: Located in the newly reimagined Toon Town, this ride is identical to the Disney World attraction as far as we can tell. In this adventure, guests are invited to step into cartoon land, with Goofy at the helm of your ride train. That should tell you about all you need to know about the type of experience you’re in for, but it’s also worth metioning that this ride uses trackless vehicles, so your experience could vary slightly from ride to ride.

Top Rides at Disney California Adventure During Your Disneyland Vacation

Thanks to consistent overhauls, this park now offers more themed areas and consistency across its attraction line up. Here are some of the hottest rides at Disney California Adventure:

• Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout: If you’ve ever ridden Disney World’s Tower of Terror, you may be fooled into thinking this is the same experience, but it won’t last for long. Mission Breakout pumps up the Tower of Terror adventure with added unpredictability and the addition of Guardian of the Galaxy hero humor.
• Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure: We’re the first to admit that Disney could use some lessons on naming conventions. Something short and to the point, such as Spiderman Webslingers would be far more memorable and easy to come up with when you’re searching a map, but we digress. Lengthy name aside, Web Slingers is a treat, empowering guests with spiderman abilities. You’ll sling webs at out-of-control bots and hopefully save the universe, all with the help of your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
• Radiator Springs Racers: Built on a similar premise to Test Track at EPCOT park in Florida, Radiator Springs Racers brings the stars of the Cars movie franchise to life, taking guests on an impressively realistic tour of the dessert, ending with a high-speed automotive race against fellow park goers.
• Incredicoaster: This ride will feature some of the longest lines of any in the park, probably because it is the only coaster type ride in DCA. A 2018 retheming brought characters from The Incredibles to the experience, but it’s the high speed launch and drops that rev up the excitement.
• Soarin’ Around the World/Over California: Originally designed to take guests on a glider ride over California, this experience was later expanded to provide a world view of some of Earth’s greatest wonders. We still prefer Soarin’ Over California, so we were delighted to find the original ride had returned during our trip for a limited engagement. You’ll lift off in this ride to soar over different scenes, depending on the movie presented, but this is no sit back and relax film. Instead, you’ll be treated to the sights and sounds of each location—no 3-D glasses required.

Shows and Other Experiences at Disneyland Park

A Disneyland vacation offers far more than richly themed rides and thrilling experiences. You’ll find the same level of detail carried over into some of the most popular shows and attractions:

• Festival of the Lion King: This drama retells the story of Simba through song and dance, and offers a nice respite for your feet while enjoying the upbeat adventure.
• Magic Happens Parade: If you only take one break from riding rides during your Disneyland vacation, make it for Magic Happens. Richly themed floats and original music arrangements bring the world of Disney animation to life and feature some of Disney’s biggest stars. Look for showtimes in the Disneyland app.
• Wondrous Journeys: This nighttime spectacle features projections of over 100 years of Disney animation, followed by fireworks on select nights. This show may be pre-empted for special ticketed events, so be sure to check the Disneyland app to see if it is running during your visit.

Shows and Other Experiences at Disney California Adventure Park

While multiple small shows take place each day across the Avengers Campus, DCA isn’t recognized for lavish parades and shows. You will find Mater and other Cars characters cruising through Carsland, but the biggest showing of Disney might takes place after dark in this park.

World of Color is a vibrant spectacular filled with shooting fountains and wondrous light set against the backdrop of Pixar Pier. To really see this show, you’ll need access to the special seating area, available only through a virtual queue. You can join the virtual queue through the Disneyland app each day starting around noon. Again, check the app upon entering the park to verify timing for that day.

Many of your favorite Marvel Superheroes make appearances throughout the day at the Avengers Campus, including Spiderman. Is this flying, flipping web slinger real or not? It’s a consistent controversy with guests, but we won’t spoil the surprise.

Where to Stay When Vacationing at Disneyland

When Walt Disney built the original Disneyland park, his pockets weren’t quite deep enough to buy all of the land he wanted. As a result, other tourism ventures sprung up all around the property boundaries to take advantage of the inflow of guests. This includes multiple hotels all in walking distance of park gates.

Disney has embraced this eventuality as best they can, even offering ticket and hotel packages that include non-Disney owned properties and chains. While these Good Neighbor Packages set strict quality standards and sometimes lower pricing, they fail to offer the suite of amenities afforded guests who book a Disneyland Resort Package.

Disney owns and operates 3 onsite hotels. Each includes its own elements of theming and amenities:

• Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel: Featuring a rooftop pool and Pixar inspired décor, this resort is a family favorite, thanks to more budget-friendly rates. Another advantage is the close proximity to both Downtown Disney and Disney Grand California Resort. Having both venues nearby significantly increases the number of dining options at your disposal.
• Disneyland Hotel: The original on property hotel now features multiple tower buildings featuring modernly appointed rooms and magical touches. We stayed here on our most recent trip and truly appreciated the Disney appointments, including magically lighted and singing headboard. You’ll find a large pool onsite, complete with monorail themed waterslide and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki bar, a popular evening hangout. The Disneyland Hotel is located directly outside the west gate to Downtown Disney, providing quick access to the parks via this route and expanded dining options.
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa: Operating as Disneyland’s flagship resort, this hotel delivers on the theming, with Craftsman-style details that bring old world appeal and serenity to the bustle of Disney. We visited here on our last trip and enjoyed the large lobby area while waiting for a dining reservation at Storytellers Café, a highly recommended dining experience. If you have the extra funds to enjoy Disneyland’s premier resort, you won’t regret the extra spend.

Advantages of Staying at a Disneyland Resort

While the 3 hotels owned by Disney offer some nice touches and peaceful accommodations, they aren’t necessarily the closest to park gates. The real advantage comes through related benefits, such as Early Entry.

Early Theme Park Entry allows guests to enter one park up to half an hour early each day of your ticket. If you’re wondering just how much you can accomplish in such a short time, we’re happy to report our experience in this Disneyland trip review.

At Disney California Adventure, we were able to ride both Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout with no wait during Early Entry. We then headed over to Radiator Springs to hit the queue before outside guests were even allowed inside the park. Knocking out three of the attractions with the longest wait times put us well ahead of the masses, and significantly reduced the amount of time spent in line, even without Lightning Lane Multi Pass (more on this later).

We had a similar experience at Disneyland Park. Immediately upon entry, we rode the most popular Fantasyland rides before heading to Space Mountain or Matterhorn Bobsleds. Again, we were able to reach these rides slightly before the ropes dropped to the general public, putting us in the queue well ahead of everyone else.

Guests of Disney hotels are also offered some other small benefits, such as package delivery from the parks to your hotel room, earlier access to dining reservations, and the ability to check into the resort online. This particular perk makes it possible to skip lines at the front desk and go directly to your room. You’ll receive a text when your room is ready and be able to open your door with the Disneyland app.

All Disneyland hotels can be booked as a package, including park tickets and available ground transportation to and from the airport.

Disneyland Vacation Early Entry

No Disneyland trip report would be complete without a more in-depth look into Early Entry. Since we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, we were able to take advantage of this benefit and enter one park a half an hour early each day.

At either Disneyland or Disney World, we are big proponents of Early Entry, and though we miss the earlier iteration called Extra Magic Hours, and the extended park time offered, we accomplished a lot in the half an hour we had to use.

Disneyland Rides Available During Early Entry

There is one thing to keep in mind if you plan to take advantage of Early Entry: only a limited selection of rides are available during this half hour time frame. Fortunately, the list does include some of the bigger headliner attactions.

Early Entry Rides Available at Disneyland Park:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Orbitor
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Disneyland Monorail
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
• Space Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Early Entry Rides aAvailable at Disney California Adventure

• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Soarin’ Around the World
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Disneyland Vacation Planning Early Entry Strategy

Thanks to multiple visits to Disney World, we knew that arriving early was the key to making the most of Early Entry, so we carried this strategy over to our Disneyland vacation planning. We arrived at the entrance to Downtown Disney an hour ahead of Early Entry, and yes, that meant standing outside on the sidewalk for 30 minutes starting at 6:30 am.

The Downtown Disney gates are the easiest way to get to the parks for resort guests, and arriving an hour before Early Entry puts you at the beginning of the line. You can usually make it to the park gates within 10 minutes at a good walk. We saw many people sprinting to be the first in line at the parks but didn’t find this necessary. There are multiple gates at each park, and we were never more than fourth or fifth in line.

The park gates usually open ahead of the stated Early Entry opening time. For instance, Early Entry began at 7:30 during our Disneyland vacation. Cast Members began scanning guests through around 7:15 and allowing entry to the park. At this point, Disney resort guests headed to the Early Entry checkpoint to show their room key. After verifying your identity as a resort guests, there was another short wait before the park opened for Early Entry.

By following this strategy, you should be fairly close to the rope that keeps guests from entering the parks. When the rope drops, you’ll see people again sprinting toward Fantasyland, despite stern cast member warnings not to run.

If your intent is to experience the rides in Fantasyland, don’t be dismayed by these wildly running masses. Most of them have no interest in experiencing Fantasyland rides. Their destination is another roped off area that leads to Star Wars Land. They’ll wait here for another half an hour before that land opens with the park.

While we saw a number of people take this approach, it didn’t seem to yield much of an advantage. We had ridden 4 rides in Fantasyland and taken multiple pictures by the time the park openend. The line waiting to enter Star Wars Land was negligible. We recommend enjoying some of the Fantasyland rides during Early Entry, or even Space Mountain or Matterhorn, before joining the mad rush to Rise of the Resistance.

At California Adventure, you’ll find a similar situation. Many guests who are not eligible for Early Entry will arrive early and stack up at the rope. A separate checkpoint allows Disney Resort Guests to queue up for rope drop.

When cast members drop the Early Entry rope, most guests will dash toward Radiator Springs Racers or one of the Avengers attractions. We chose Avengers on our Disneyland vacation because of the close proximity of the rides, and were able to complete both headliners before the park officially opened—all with no wait.

Disneyland Lightning Lane Multi Pass Rides

One of the mouse’s newest inventions is the Lightning Lane Muti Pass service, though if you’re a long time Disney guest, it might not sound so new to you. Multi Pass at both Disney World and Disneyland parks is patterned after FastPass+, allowing guests to skip the regular queue on select attractions in favor of a shorter Lightning Lane.

Guests book a one-hour window to enter the Lightning Lane via the Disneyland app. Since the number guests allowed to reserve each time period is restricted, you’ll be able to access the ride with little to no wait.

While Multi Pass sounds great in theory, we found it far more useful at Disney World than Disneyland. The main reason was the lack of ride availability. At Disneyland, we found several attractions missing from the Multi Pass service, including Fantasyland rides that can sport some typically long lines.

Before deciding whether to utilize Multi Pass, take a look at the list of attractions and determine how many you plan to experience. If it’s only a handful, you may be able to skip the Lightning Lane and still experience low wait times by riding earlier in the day.

Disneyland Multi Pass Enabled Attractions

• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones^TM Adventure
• “it’s a small world”
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure Multi Pass Enabled Attractions

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Soarin’ Over California
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

There is a fee for Lightning Lane Multi Pass which can be purchased with your Disneyland tickets. A few additional rides are not included with Multi Pass, but do provide a Lightning Lane. You’ll be required to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass to visit the most popular attractions in the park. You’ll do this on the day of your visit, after entering the park.

Rides available with a Single Pass purchase include:

Disney California Adventure Park

• Radiator Springs Racers

Disneyland Park

• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Rise of the Resistance

Eating on a Disneyland Vacation

If you enjoy burgers and dogs, you’ll love eating at either Disneyland or California Adventure. We were amazed at the number of places you could get a hot dog across the parks.

If you want quick service dining, you might feel hard pressed to find something different. We were impressed with the options at Bengal Barbecue at Disneyland. Who could resist meat and veggie skewers cooked over an open fire and spruced up with teriyaki sauce? Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante also serves Mexican-inspired plates that were tasty and fairly reasonabley priced.

For table service dining, we enjoyed Café Orleans. The food was good and the mint julep drinks (non-alcoholic) were so tasty we each had 3.

Variety was a little more plentiful at Disney California Adventure. We enjoyed our burgers at Flo’s V8 café as well as the fun ambiance. This venue features both indoor and outdoor seating in a roadside drive in atmosphere overlooking the scenic Radiator Spring Racers.

For something more unique, you can try the Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill or the Lucky Fortune Cookery. Disney California Adventure also has 4 table service restaurants that accept advanced dining reservations.

Allergy Dining at Disneyland

Dining with allergies is a breeze at Disney World, so we expected a similar experience at Disneyland. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.

Many restaurants do not offer an allergy menu, even for common allergies, such as tree nuts or eggs. When it comes to gluten free dining, even restaurants where food options could have easily and tastily been changed to a gluten free recipe, they were not.

If you suffer from food allergies, be sure to visit Disneyland.com and check out the restaurants where allergy menus are available. Unless you’re really certain about the ingredients in an item, its advisable to stick to those restaurants with an allergy menu. By ordering this way, your food is more likely to be cooked in a separate kitchen away from other food items that may act as contaminates.

Need Help With Disney Dining or Vacation Planning? We’re vacation planners as well as travel bloggers.

We’ve teamed up with Mickey World travel to provide Disney travel planning services to readers of our blog. You’ll pay exactly the same price as you would booking through Disney, but you’ll have experts on hand to answer question and handle some of the heavy lifting. All you have to do is sit back and prepare fo the vacation of a lifetime.

Disneyland Vacation Planning Tips

During our recent Disneyland trip, we gathered a number of vacation planning tips and tricks to help future travelers better navigate the two parks. Following these suggestions may help you spend less time in line and experience more of what each park has to offer.

Can a Disneyland Vacation Be Done in One Day?

When planning a Disneyland vacation, people often allocate a day to visit each park or worse, try to visit both in a single day. Given the vast number of rides, shows and dining establishments, you may only scratch the surface on a 1- or  2-day trip. A three-day trip is doable with a park hopper ticket, as long as you’re in the area and don’t have to travel too far. However, a 4- or 5-day trip should give you plenty of time to absorb travel mishaps and still experience the 2 parks, Downtown Disney and the amenities of your resort.

Disneyland and California Adventure Table Service Restaurants Book up Quickly

With only a handful of sit-down eateries across the parks, advanced dining reservations are more important than ever. This is one advantage of booking your vacation at a Disney-owned hotel. You’ll be able to make ADRs 60 days before your trip, long before guests of other resorts.

If you don’t manage to score an ADR for the restaurant you want, keep trying. Availability often opens in the week leading up to your trip, as people finalize and change plans. You may also find availability the day of by going to the Disneyland app and selecting the wait list option. If there is availability, the app will provide an estimate of the wait time and add you to the queue. Just be sure to opt for the text alert.

Push notifications through the app are vague and don’t actually tell you that your table is ready. I believe the alert said our reservation had changed. We waited 30 minutes for an alert before approaching the podium. Apparently, we were supposed to understand that a message alerting us to a change in our wait list reservation meant that the table was ready. Cast members say it’s a frequent issue and always advise people to request a text message notification.

Disneyland Vacation Parades and Shows

For the best view of Disneyland parades or nightly fireworks and projection shows, plan to stake out your place early. For parades, this means grabbing a seat on the sidewalk about an hour before the start time. And be sure you’re situated on the curb itself or people will fill in before you.

To see the castle projection show and fireworks, find a spot anywhere you can easily see the castle. Just remember, if you’re too far back, people will fill the space between you and the castle. However, if you’re too far toward the castle, you will miss the projections along Main Street.

Last, World of Color at Disney California Adventure uses a virtual queue. Be prepared to enter this on the Disneyland app.

For more information on utilizing the virtual queue system, you can read our article about the Disney World virtual queue. It works in roughly the same manner.

More Disneyland Vacation Planning Tips

Say Goodbye to Long Lines – Our Disneyland Multi Pass Tips Will Keep You Ahead of the Crowd!

Planning a Trip to Disneyland? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Go

What’s the Difference Between Disneyland and Disney World: Comparing the World’s 2 Greatest Theme Parks

The post Perfect Disneyland Vacation Planning with our Ultimate Guide appeared first on Seconds to Go.

When to Go to Yellowstone if You Only Have a Short Time to Visit

Our most recent trip took place on what turned out to be a snowy weekend in September. Several roads within the park were closed on the second day of our visit, cutting our journey short . As a result, we discovered one crucial point: when deciding what to see at Yellowstone in 3 days, timing is probably the most important thing to consider as you plan your trip.

According to the National Parks Service, over 4 million people visit Yellowstone annually, and the vast majority make their appearance between the months of June and August. Despite the many things to do in Yellowstone, crowded roadways mean you’ll fit less into a 3-day Yellowstone itinerary if you travel with the masses.

While summer vacation schedules play a large role in the spike in attendance during the warmer months, you can’t rule out the impact of weather, and the fact that most of the major roadways through the park are closed to automobile traffic November through late April. In fact, early snows in 2019 prompted temporary road closures throughout late September and into October.

All the same, our weekend trips usually take place in September, when the park sees approximately 16 percent of its yearly attendance. The National Park Service usually holds one of its free National Parks weekends during this time, and we have hit this on both of our last two trips.

Free National Parks weekend is a great time to visit Yellowstone if you’re looking to keep your costs down, as it allows you tour Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone while only paying the one-park admission fee.

Fall is overall a good time to visit Yellowstone. High temperatures are usually in the 60s, and in our experience, the skies are mostly sunny.

Of course, for every rule, there is an exception, and our 2019 weekend in Yellowstone broke them all.

Three-Day Trip to Yellowstone, Day One

Note: Whether you’re setting out to visit the top things to see at Yellowstone on a 3-day trip or spending just a weekend in the park, your day one itinerary will be the same.

When approaching Yellowstone, many people use Jackson Hole as their home base. If you enjoy the night life and high-end shops of this destination area, it’s a nice way to experience the park. The drive into Yellowstone is a bit longer, making it less attractive to visitors looking to see the Yellowstone sites in 3 days, but it comes with the added benefit of close proximity to Teton National Park.

We, however, prefer the quieter and more mellow atmosphere of West Yellowstone, Montana. It’s about a four-hour drive from Salt Lake City, and the northbound drive provides an interesting tour of the varied western landscape, including the lava fields of Idaho.

Since we arrived at our hotel in West Yellowstone late on Friday night during our last trip, our first glimpse of Yellowstone National Park didn’t occur until Saturday morning. It was free National Parks Day, so we arrived early in the hopes of beating the tourist buses that claim the roads during these annual events.

Unfortunately, a fine drizzly mist had set in during the night, delaying daylight’s groggy presence as we rolled through the park gates in near darkness. It was the first time I had driven the road from the West Gate without encountering any of the park’s wildlife. This is a long stretch of winding roadway and a popular place for animals, particularly bison, to congregate, especially as you reach the flatter river plains.

There are only a handful of roadways in Yellowstone National Park, and together, they form a southern loop and a northern loop. Our intent was to tour the southern section, including Old Faithful and the Yellowstone Lake area on day one, so we turned south at Madison Junction as the last rays of gray morning light fully illuminated the landscape.

First Stop, The Lower Geyser Basin

From here, we followed the river south into the lower geyser basin. During previous trips, we’d made several stops for bison by this time, but our first encounter with the large bovines on this rainy day didn’t occur until we reached the steaming valley of the Lower Geyser Basin. Since watching wildlife is one of the most popular things to do in Yellowstone, we weren’t surprised to see vehicles pulled over, enjoying the wildlife sightings.

We made a quick drive through this area, looking more at the bison herds than the many thermal vents. Admittedly, the drizzle was keeping us in the car, and since we’d spent extensive time here on previous trips, we headed out rather quickly. However, you’ll want to take a tour of this area.

Lower Geyser Basin is the largest geyser basin in the park and features an array of thermal features. This is a great spot for getting a feel for the variety and diversity of terrain as you wander around paint pots and geysers on a half mile trail.

Next Stop, Midway Geyser Basin

Up next, was the Midway Geyser Basin. Home to one of Yellowstone’s most photographed features, Grand Prismatic Springs, this area is a must-do when considering how you’ll visit Yellowstone, and one you’ll definitely want to make time for on a Yellowstone 3-day itinerary.

On both of our last few trips, this renowned feature was obscured by heavy mist rising from the water’s surface, a potential drawback to visiting when the air temperatures are cooler. While this meant missing out on the magnificent colors of Grand Prismatic, we were compensated with a hauntingly beautiful sight, particularly when backlit by sunlight.

At Midway Geyser Basin, as in many areas of the park, a narrow boardwalk winds precipitously inches above the caustic hot water of thermal springs and geysers. In addition to Grand Prismatic Springs, you’ll see a few paint pots and deep thermal vents, filled with cerulean water, a color you don’t find many places.

Old Faithful, the Can’t-Miss Thing to Do in Yellowstone

By this time, you’ve seen a good representation of Yellowstone’s thermal landscape, including paint pots and springs. With only a few days to explore, it’s worth continuing south, past the smaller Biscuit Geyser Basin, toward Old Faithful (as of September 2024, Biscuit Basin remains closed). Even if Yellowstone’s most dependable geyser isn’t erupting on schedule, the inn is worth a visit to see the site of one of the world’s most popular geysers.

Built in 1904 at a cost of $140,000, Old Faithful Inn remains one of the largest log-style structures in the world.  You can mingle with many of the original fixtures and furnishings by taking a quick tour of the lobby. If the weather is fine, try rocking on the large porch overlooking Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin or take in a meal at one of the inn’s restaurants.

If Old Faithful doesn’t put on a show, take a stroll around part of the Upper Geyser Basin. The Upper Geyser Basin Trail leads off from Old Faithful through a series of smaller geysers. Some are nearly silent, erupting only every few years while others show off with greater regularity. If you see a uniformed park attendant standing near one of the active vents, it’s is a good clue that one may be about to blow.

Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb

Leaving Old Faithful, head east following signs toward Grant Village or West Thumb.

Back on the road, you’ll wrap your way around  Yellowstone lake, but before starting your shoreline drive, stop at West Thumb. This simple boardwalk stroll takes you to the water’s edge where fumaroles dot the shore, bubbling into the turquoise depths of Yellowstone Lake.

At an elevation of over 7,000 feet, the 132 square mile natural water body is the largest high elevation lake in North America. Despite Yellowstone’s highly active thermal landscape, water temperatures in the lake remain cold, averaging in the 40s. Even a summertime dip cold result in hypothermia with survival rates of only 20 to 30 minutes.

This is one of my favorite areas for viewing the thermal landscape. It’s not quite otherworld, but unique, watching steam rise as the harsh boiling depths of the earth rush into the frigid lake water temps. Taking time to appreciate the irony is something you must do when in Yellowstone.

From West Thumb, unless you plan to head over to the Tetons, it’s worth taking a few moments to stop at Lake Village. Here, you can drive part of the shoreline and visit the Lake Hotel for a peek at old-world elegance National Parks style.

This yellow clapboard manse serves for lakeside stays as well as some tasty eats. We tried the deli and were surprised to find the food was good. Or we were very hungry.

If you are heading for a quick afternoon drive through the Tetons and into Jackson Hole, you’ll head east from here toward fishing bridge. You can pick up the 3-day Yellowstone itinerary at the next step on your way back through and explore as much as you can before daylight fails you.

Otherwise, get back on the main road and head north toward Canyon Village. There are still a lot of things to do in Yellowstone before your first day comes to a close.

How to Visit Yellowstone; Embracing the Afternoon Hours

By this point, you’re pushing into afternoon and probably noticing that the sun is slowly sliding toward the horizon. Still, before you reach Canyon Village, make a quick stop at Mud Volcano.

Leading directly from the parking lot is a loop trail that winds past some of the park’s most unique sights and sounds, including the boiling muddy crater that gives the trail its name. You also won’t want to miss Dragon Mouth Spring. It doesn’t take much imagination to envision the smoky breath emanating from reptilian jaws.

Since these two sites form the bottom edge of the loop and are only a few steps from the parking lot, you might be tempted to loop back down to the car and leave. This is how many people visit Yellowstone, but if you’re up for a bit more adventure and seeking greater solitude, double back past Mud Volcano and take a right onto the extended loop that leads uphill. It’s a steep climb to start but reveals some turbulent sites such as Churning Caldron. It’s also quieter here, with moments of solitude hard to find when sticking to the highlights of Yellowstone on a weekend. You’ll also be sure to catch some of the top things to see at Yellowstone in 3 days.

Canyon Village and Beyond

Leaving Mud Volcano, continue north on the main road until you reach Canyon Village for the next stop on your 3-day Yellowstone itinerary-the road to Upper Falls Viewing area. A visit here, and a quick stroll, takes you to another of Yellowstone’s highlights—Artist Point. Stopping here is one of the most popular things to do in Yellowstone as it provides a prime view of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

However, it’s advisable that you first start at the Uncle Tom’s viewpoint. From here, you will get a view of the Upper Falls and the opening depths of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. It’s a stunning site but seems anticlimactic if you start first at Artist Point.

Once you’ve soaked in the sites from this vantage point, you can travel along the Uncle Tom’s trail to Artist Point, but since time is of the essence, it’s a safer bet to drive the South Rim Drive to the parking area at the end of the road. From here, Artist Point is a short walk.

Artist Point provides sweeping views of the breakneck drops into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone several hundred feet below as well as the best view of the Lower Falls. This is one of the most photographed views in all of Yellowstone and for good reason.

Ochre cliffsides carved from volcanic rock set a contrast to the purity of the water rushing hundreds of feet below your feet, while the 308-foot falls in the distance plunges dramatically into the canyon below. It’s art by nature’s paintbrush, and the view, even for Yellowstone, is hard to beat.

Next, get back on the road and head toward the North Rim Drive. If you are short on time or losing daylight, skip the first few overlooks and head right to inspiration point. A new beautifully constructed stonewalled walkway leads you over a series of overlooks providing a different vantage point on the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. If you have the time, stop at the lookouts on the way to see where you’ve been. The view of the falls is obstructed here however unless you take the Brink of lower falls trail. Just remember the trail back up is going to be steep.

Ending Day One: Closing out the Southern Loop

Tackling Yellowstone in 3 days means sectioning off the southern and northern portion of the parks and taking them in on separate days. After leaving the upper and lower falls, we picked up the Norris Canyon Road, heading west. There are few well-known sites on this cut-through road, but we found one pretty short and adventurous pursuit.

Reaching Virginia Cascade requires travel on a narrow treacherous road that traverses a shallow ledge along the Gibbon River. There are two highlights to this excursion, the first being the heart-stopping sight of several roadside washouts. The second is the cascade itself, a small series of descending rapids that’s actually quite unimpressive when compared to the wonders of the upper and lower falls. It does, however, afford quiet in the late afternoon and a quick chance for some solitary introspection.

Back on the Norris Canyon Road, you’ll find few other highlights until you start south again on Route 89. Stop first at Gibbon Falls. Again, it’s shorter and less dramatic than the lower and upper, but a short and pleasant stroll. We had the area to ourselves on a late fall afternoon, but whether it was the time of day or the continuous drizzle that kept others at bay, I couldn’t say.

Heading south again, take a few moments to pull over to get a better view of the roadside Beryl Spring. Watch it bubble and churn for a bit, because it’s probably going to be the last of the thermal activity for the day as the road leads you south and the sunlight fades from the sky.

Day Two: Yellowstone in a Weekend or 3-Day Itinerary

Whether you’re heading out to find the top things to see in Yellowstone in 3 days or 2, you’ll need a very early start to make the most of day 2. Amazing wildlife, waterfalls and unbelievable terrain lies ahead.

An Early Trek to the Lamar Valley

Watching the amazing wildlife is another of the most popular things to see at Yellowstone, and one of the best viewing areas is the Lamar Valley. Since this lone and isolated patch of the park is in the far northeast corner, it requires a very early rise and quite a drive from our base of West Yellowstone. It isn’t how many people visit the park, but we found it well worth the effort.

We left before the sun was even hinting at light on the horizon and caught the Norris Canyon Road cut through to head north on Grand Loop Road. Taking this route, you’ll travel the 8,859-foot-high Dunraven pass and cross over the 10,243-foot Mount Washburn.

Unfortunately, we hit the Lamar Valley a little late, well after sunrise, so may have missed our shot at glimpsing some of the park’s wolf residents. We did, however, see bison and antelope, and had the chance to take in the amazing vistas that this area of the park affords.

Heading this way also provides you with the opportunity to view Tower Fall. The 132-foot cascade is accessible via a viewing overlook. Just take the short trail from the Tower General Store. Impressive pinnacles make this waterfall a unique spot in the park. Formed by volcanic activity in the region eons ago, the site is somewhat reminiscent of the Pinnacles, hiding off the beaten path in Crater Lake National Park.

After your short visit at Tower Fall, you’ll have plenty of time during your 3 days at Yellowstone to take a little detour to explore the road toward the northeast entrance. The mountains rise tall here and surround you in sheer rock faces, another amazing sight to behold as the sun streams over the peaks. Traveling out the northeast gate, you’ll venture into Silver Gate, a true one-road town, but they do have a few dining options if you’re ready for breakfast before heading back into Yellowstone park.

Stopping for Petrified History, an Unusual Thing to Do in Yellowstone

Back to our 3-day yellowstone itinerary, the next stop after breakfast was the Petrified Tree. What may appear at first glance as nothing more than a tall rotting stump
is actually much more.

This giant redwood succumbed to a violent volcanic eruption 50 million years ago. Encased in molten lava, what was left of the tree was debrided by the elements, forced to endure endless freeze thaw cycles. As water entered the cracks in the lava, silica became embedded in the wood fibers. Over the eons that followed, the tree decayed and the stone remained, creating a complete fossil.

While geologists have studied the tree enough to count growth rings, you won’t be able to get that close. After travelling a quarter mile down a dirt road, you’ll find the hearty redwood surrounded by a stout fence. This is for protection. If you’re in doubt that it’ might need it’s necessary, read some of the signs throughout the park, and you’ll witness a tale of early desecration as uninformed visitors took pieces of things, threw rocks into springs, and committed other acts that unknowingly (at the time) changed the Yellowstone landscape for future generations.

Tower Roosevelt to Mammoth Hot Springs.

What follows next is one of my favorite parts of a 3-day Yellowstone itinerary. The long drive from Tower Roosevelt to Mammoth Hot Springs is one of winding high vistas and mountainous landscapes.

The first signs of civilization reappear as you enter the Mammoth Hot Springs area. Take time for at least a short drive through the old Fort Yellowstone, left over from the Park’s early history when the land was watched over by the U.S. Army. Today, 35 structures from the late 1800s remain, just another glimpse into the past. You can also make a quick stop at the Albright Visitor Center to learn more about this part of Yellowstone.

In the fall, you can expect to see elk surrounding the parade grounds of the old fort, bugling to the herd or sparring for mating rights. It can get dicey at times, so always keep your distance from the wildlife and watch your back.

For some guests, a trip to Yellowstone isn’t complete without heading out the dirt road toward Gardiner and taking a dip in the boiling river. It’s another popular thing to do in Yellowstone as nearby springs trickling into the river give native water temperatures a natural boost.

Since it takes time away from the marvels within the park, we haven’t included it on our 3-day Yellowstone Itinerary, at least not for a weekend trip, but if it’s high on your list, now is the time to make the journey. However, you might consider making reservations at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, before picking up the rest of this itinerary on day 3.

If you’re sticking to the top things to see at Yellowstone in 3 days, it’s time to loop south again on the Grand Loop Road and cross the drive up to Mammoth hot springs. Here, you have two uniquely different but entirely related experiences before you. A quick drive through the travertine terraces reveals an active thermal landscape, bubbling rich and steamy with a wealth of mineralized deposits that have created a bumpy honeycombed terrain.

Leaving the car at one of the parking areas, you can traverse a different set of terraces through the Mammoth Hot Springs, where water boils from the depths of the earth on a flat precipice that also provides a stunning view of the fort and valley below. If you didn’t fill up on food in Silver City, Montana, you may also want to grab something at either the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room or the Terrace Grill before leaving this area. It’s a long lonely drive to the next stop, with no other options for dining in sight.

If you’re looking at a 3-day itinerary, this is also a great place to end your second day. Just be sure to reserve your spot at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins well in advance. You may also choose to carry on with the itinerary below.

It’s Time to Head South, Wrapping up a Trip to Yellowstone

If you’re setting out to hit the top things to see at Yellowstone in 3 days, you’re now on the third day. You’ve woken refreshed from an early night’s sleep at Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge or Cabin, and after a nice breakfast, are ready to hit the road.

If you’re intent to wrap up your trip to Yellowstone in a single weekend, you’re continuing on from the wild and crazy hot springs in the norther section of the park to en entirely different terrain. Either way, it’s time to head south and wrap up your trip to this ecologically diverse national park.

Visiting Norris Geyser Basin

Leaving Mammoth Hot Springs, you’ll travel south to complete the northern loop at Norris Geyser Basin. Norris Geyser Basin is one of the oldest thermal areas of the park, dating back over 115,000 years. It’s also home to one of the park’s few acidic geysers. You’ll see signs in the parking lot warning you of the potential damage to vehicles should one of the geysers erupt unexpectedly.

The Norris Geyser Basin is home to many acidic geothermal features, including Porcelain Basin, Emerald Pool and Steamboat Springs. The spectacular series of boardwalks covers a lot of ground and a wide variety of thermal vents and pools, many at ground level, providing an up-close viewpoint to the terrain.

Given the vast area covered, it can be quieter here, with long stretches of time between encounters with other guests, unless you are traveling in the peak summer months. You’ll find two main areas with slightly different terrain. The Back Basin is fairly wooded offering a different thermal landscape, while Porcelain Basin is void of most vegetation and is rich in the sulfurous thermal smell.

We last encountered Norris Geyser Basin in the snow. Steamy vents blew high into the sky above the chilly winter landscape, while the contrast between winter precipitation and the evergreens of Back Basin made for Instagram worthy shots at every turn.

Norris Geyser Basin, however, is equally as stunning in dry weather, when you can really see the varying colors of the mineralized landscape. Plan at least a couple of hours here to meander through the network of boardwalks.

Wrapping up Yellowstone in a Weekend

Leaving the Norris Geyser Basin parking area, continue south for three miles until you reach Artist Paint Pots. A flat and wooded trail leads to a series of boardwalks in an extension of the Norris Geyser Basin.

Rumor has it that more than 50 thermal features, such as springs and geysers, cover this area of the park, but the star attraction is the Noble Paint Pot. Providing a sensory experience in color and sound, thick clay in various hues of pink, blue, gray and brown bubbles and pops across a series of pools interlaced by terraced boardwalks.

While mostly flat, the half-mile walk does ascend to a low cliffside walk providing a view of the thermal features below as well as a few unusual springs that dot the edge of the high ground.

You may want to linger here for a bit. It’s the last major stop on your Yellowstone weekend trip before heading back to the ordinary landscapes of city and town. On your way out, watch for animals in the fields and plains as evening can be an active time for wildlife to emerge from hiding. It wasn’t long ago that we were stopped for nearly twenty minutes by a herd of bison who commandeered the roadway. It’s just one of the experiences that make a weekend trip to Yellowstone one to remember.

Continuing Day 3 of a Yellowstone 3-Day Itinerary

While you can hit most of the highlights in a weekend trip to Yellowstone, if you have a full third day not consumed by travel, you can extend your park experience by exploring missed highlights or by adventuring out on some of the hiking trails that cover the park. One popular and worthwhile trek is the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail.

By covering this 1.5 mile hike, you’ll ascend a 200 foot elevation to an overlook and a dramatic view of Grand Prismatic Springs. It’s probably the best way to witness the raucus colors, something you can’t fully appreciate while visiting at ground level. Best of all, most visitors can cover the trail in about 45 minutes. You can pick up the trail at the Fairy Falls trailhead.

If you have a few hours, consider heading out to the the Lone Star Geyser trail. This hike comes in at just over 5 miles, requiring an approximate 2 and a half hour trek, but it’s worth it to commune in solo solitude with one of the park’s more secretive geysers.

The trail picks up at the Lone Star Trailhead. You’ll find it south of Kepler Cascade on the Grand Loop Road. For an added treat, stick around to watch the Lone Star erupt. This occurs about every 3 hours.

Before heading out on any hike, however, it’s a good idea to stop at a ranger station. Here, you’ll learn about any trail hazards and receive safety tips for avoiding other hazards, including wildlife encounters.

When others consider how to visit yellowstone on a third day, they take time for animal viewing. Slowly driving the park roads in the early morning or evenings often reveals many of the park’s denizens as they come into river valleys to spend the night or to eat. We’ve been treated to elk, bison, and antelope sightings as well as other creatures.

You may also opt to head out on horseback. Many animals can’t distinguish between a horse and rider and horse wandering the park on its own, so you’ll often have better wildlife viewing when touring the park by equine. Yellowstone permits several private outfitters to offer guided rides. You may also make arrangements at one of the Yellowstone Lodges.

How to Hit the Top Things to See at Yellowstone in 3 Days, Final Words

The sights and sounds of Yellowstone National Park are a stunning wonder, making it one of the biggest bucket list attractions for U.S. travel. You could easily fill a week by expanding your trip to include the Grand Teton National Park and other surrounding areas, but you’ll hit the most scenic Yellowstone attractions by following this 3-day itinerary. However, if you only have a weekend, you cans still hit all of the high points included in this amazingly diverse geological location.

Bryce Canyon One Day Itinerary: Epic Views and Stellar Hikes

What to Do at Crater Lake National Park-Best Bets

Backroads and Beyond: Arizona Unique Things to Do

The post Epic Things to See at Yellowstone in 3 days or a Weekend – Complete Guide appeared first on Seconds to Go.

However, given breadth of dining options available across all of Disney World, it’s easy to overlook some of what EPCOT has to offer. So, we’ve uncoverd Chef Remy’s list of top places to eat at EPCOT, including some some best-kept secrets, and why we (and others) find them worth your time.

Best Table Service Restaurants

Disney World’s table service restaurants feature sit-down dining and attentive waitstaff, often combined with incredible theming, and EPCOT is no exception. Some of the best restaurants in EPCOT really deliver on the experience factor, transporting guests out of this world, or at least to a different culture.

Biergarten Restaurant, Bringing the Sites and Sounds of Octoberfest to EPCOT

After years of ignoring this eatery, thinking we wouldn’t enjoy German food, we decided to give Biergarten a try. It’s now one of our all-time favorite restaurants in all of Disney World.

If that sounds overstated, then consider the bounty of options available through buffet style dining. You can sample many types of German sausages, with or without sauerkraut, and a number of cold and hot appetizers, as well as other traditional native dishes. While we each had our favorites, everyone in our party of 6 enjoyed the overall presentation of dishes at this restaurant.

Stepping inside Biergarten is like walking into Octoberfest. The lights are dim, imitating an evening in Germany, and the festive family style tables give guests the chance to mingle, just as if they were touring the streets of Germany. A live performance is also included, featuring traditional music and instruments as well as a lively performance.

Of course, no Oktoberfest is ever complete without beer, so you’ll find an ample selection of German favorites.

Biergarten is open for lunch and dinner, and receives an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Space 220, Best Restaurant in EPCOT for an Out of This World Experience

Blast off into Space for some of the best food in or out of EPCOT. Upon arriving at EPCOT’s Space 220 restaurant, guests are given their ticket to visit the Centauri Space Station. Soon, the excitement begins as you board the lift that will rocket you into space.

Watch as the hatch opens, and your craft begins the rapid ascent. EPCOT quietly disappears beneath you as the state of Florida gradually fades into a tiny speck on the vast scope of the Earth. Soon, the planet becomes a beautiful blue orb beneath your feet, as your lift locks into the station.

As the doors open, a uniformed attendant is happy to show you around. Highlights include an aeroponics bay and space wine wall, featuring cosmic vintages.

Making your way deeper into the station, you’ll soon start to see the scope of the earth beyond, framed dramatically through large windows. Once you are seated, you’ll have a grand view of space as space craft float in and out of orbit, joined by the occasional astronaut and even an Astro dog.

While the experience is definitely the highlight of a meal at Space 220, the food does not disappoint. The menu features gourmet fare popular at the more earthbound ground control, with items including Steak and Frites and Rocket Flame Seared Tuna.

All meals at Space 220 are served Prix Fixe, and each order includes your choice of Lift Off (appetizer), Star Course (entrée) and non-alcoholic beverage for a fixed price. The slightly higher cost of a dinner at Space 220 also includes your selection of super nova sweets (dessert).

While Space 220 is one of the few restaurants we’ve encountered at Disney World that does not offer an allergy free menu, the staff is very accommodating about helping you to devise a safe and diet-friendly meal. However, we did not get an assurance that food is prepared in an a separate kitchen, so cross-contamination may occur.

Space 220 serves lunch and dinner, and receives an average 3.75 stars out of 5. To see what it’s like to visit space, view our Instagram reel below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Seconds to Go at Disney (@seconds2go_at_disney)

Spice Road Table, Best Restaurant in EPCOT for Relaxed Outdoor Dining

The World Showcase remains one the of the most popular spots for finding places to eat in EPCOT. While you’ll certanly find a number of more exotic options throughout this entire section of the park, one top favorite remains: Spice Road Table.

We haven’t tried this eatery ourselves yet, but the internet is alive with chatter about this tapas style eatery, and reviewers appreciate the opportunity to sample various options. Food here takes on the flavors of Moroccan cooking, and favorites include the fried calamari, pomegranate chilli cauliflower, and spicy shrimp. 

With its lakeside location, guests also enjoy the opportunity to sit by the water and feel the cooling breezes as they dine. Spice Road Table is also a top place to eat in EPCOT for those looking to enjoy some adult beverages.

Spice Road Table serves lunch and dinner. The average review is 4 out of 5 stars, making it truly one of the best restaurants in EPCOT.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Disney Vacation

As a Connecticut-based travel agent with Mickey World Travel, Kathleen Hesketh can help you plan and book your Disney World vacation no matter where you live within the U.S.

Plan your vacation your way and receive as much or as little help as you want.

• Booking dining reservations, saving you the 6:00 am wake up call
• Custom itinerary suggestions
• Convenient payment plans
• Help with Lightning Lane
• and more

Fill out the form to the right (below on mobile) for a no-obligation quote.

Canada’s Le Cellier, EPCOT’s Best Kept Secret

It’s easy to walk right by the Canada pavilion and not even realize it’s there. Tucked back beneath the trees and “mountains” this stone fortress is home to one of EPCOT’s most famed steakhouses, so it’s worth scouting it out on your next trip.

A flower lined path leads through the scenes of Canada’s wilderness, including a stone waterfall, before you reach the door of this fortress-like abode. Inside, the chiseled cellar walls and ceilings continue the ambiance and provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for enjoying some of the best food in EPCOT.

Reviewers rave about the poutine topped with cheddar cheese curds, complimentary bread selection and the cheddar cheese soup, featuring Moosehead Pale Ale. However, this cellar restaurant is all about the steaks, and guests agree the menu and dishes don’t disappoint.

Le Cellier averages 4 out of 5 stars and regularly receives rave revies from previous diners. Le Cellier offers a dinner and lunch menu.

Best Quick Service Restaurants

Disney World’s quick service restaurants offer dining on the go, with pickup ready convenience and mobile ordering. When it comes to dining fast at Disney World, some of the best restaurants are at EPCOT.

Connections Eatery-Best Dining in EPCOT for Connecting

Opened as part of the reimagined EPCOT, Connections Eatery is located inside the World Celebration area of the park. The highlight of this restaurant décor is the 160-foot-long mural that celebrates foods and beverages from around the world. While it’s an important statement and helps the establishment fit the feel of this land, most people come to Connections for the food.

The menu is a bit diverse and features some typical American dishes decked out with worldly flare, as well as culturally inspired eats. From our perspective, you can’t go wrong with any of the burgers. One guest even said the French Burger was better than gourmet.

However, if French cuisine doesn’t fit your idea of what’s typically considered classic American fare, try the Southwestern Burger, topped with roasted corn-chipotles, salsa, Oaxaca cheese and guacamole spread. While inspired by the tastes of Mexico, it’s a pure native treat.

From our party, the flatbread pizzas were far less popular, but others disagree, saying the crust is perfectly thin and the toppings perfect in proportion. One reason this remains one of the best restaurants at EPCOT seems to be General Tso’s Chicken Salad. When we visited last, there was at least one on each of the 20 closest tables.

The salad features chicken tenders in sauce over a bed of lettuce, edamame, mandarin orange and wonton strips. It was truly one of the best-looking things on the menu.

One area where this restaurant seems to come up short is the service. Many people complain of long waits to receive their food. We recommend mobile ordering at this establishment.

Connections Eatery is currently serving lunch and dinner, but the integrated Connections Café makes it easy to grab your morning Starbucks, and even offers some limited seating to rest your feet before trekking around this expansive park.

Connections Eatery receives an average 3.75 out of 5 stars, with most negative reviews focused on the slowness of the food service rather than the quality or taste of the food.

Sunshine Seasons Café – Best Restaurant in EPCOT for Families with Children

With a diverse menu and even a grab and go area, Sunshine Seasons has remained one of our top quick service places to eat in EPCOT. When the kids were young and a little pickier about what they liked, we were always able to find something that appealed to each of the 4 palettes. Even better, Mom and Dad weren’t going hungry either.

This entry on the list of best restaurants in EPCOT offers choice, including cold and hot sandwiches, Asian noodle bowls, hearty soups and salads, grilled items and even a bakery. Items are ordered at separate stations, and you can watch the food being prepared.

A grab and go cooler makes it easy to feed even the pickiest eaters with prepackaged favorites, including gelatin snacks, yogurt and applesauce. For those of us seeking real food, the Oak-grilled rotisserie chicken remains a favorite with our group as does the stir-fried chicken.

One thing guests seem to dislike about Sunshine Season is the hectic atmosphere and the noise. While we haven’t found many quick service restaurants in EPCOT that fit the bill for serene and quiet, this establishment does invite chaos as people move from station to station ordering food. The high ceilings and ambient noise from guests as they move to nearby attractions within the land pavilion are also factors.

Overall, Sunshine Seasons maintains a solid 4 out of 5 stars (or the equivalent) across most review sites.

EPCOT Where to Eat Tip #3: Food on the go doesn’t have to be ordinary or bland. Look to the World Showcase for more unusual counter service menu items.

Yorkshire County Fish Shop, a Little-Known Favorite for Fish and Chips

While Yorkshire County Fish Shop won’t be a favorite with everyone, we stand by this recommendation for some of the best fish and chips around. The batter is light and airy, and the thick and hearty chips make the perfect side.

This is used to be our first stop upon arriving in Florida. Several members of our family love to eat fish, but even those of us who aren’t as inclined to enjoy the bounty of the sea really liked the food here.

One drawback is the seating. The only area to sit down and eat is a small patio section off to the side. It’s a pleasant place right on the World Showcase Lagoon, but it’s small and seating fills up very quickly during prime lunch and dinner times. Once, we even had to sit on the sidewalk in England to eat our meal.

However, if you’re a lover of fish and chips, or a member of a party that is, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop is a great way to break from the traditional quick service fare available at many restaurants across Disney World.

Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe serves lunch and dinner. This restaurant in EPCOT receives an average 4.5 out of 5 stars.

La Cantina de San Angel, Top Pick for One of the Best Restaurants in EPCOT

When thinking about EPCOT and where to eat, it’s hard not to mention La Cantina de San Angel. Located on the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon, both the indoor and outdoor seating areas offer a pleasant place to rest your tired feet, but the food is the real reason you’ll find a bottleneck in this area of the park come lunch and dinner time.

Mexican fare takes on Disney flair at this quick service eatery. La Cantina de San Angel serves up traditional Mexican-American dishes, such as Arroz con Pollo and Guacamole with Totopos (tortilla chips), but you’ll also find some offerings here that provide more of a challenge to wanting palates.

Guests rave about the Tacos de Barbacoa, shredded beef on homemade corn tortillas topped with red salsa and cilantro. Our favorite has always been the taco trio. Unlike other Disney portions, which can be overly large, we find these to be quite manageable for a single person. And another thing, this EPCOT eatery gets kudos for gluten-friendly dining as well as from parents of pickey eaters. You’ll find less Mexican-inspired fare on the kid’s menu.

La Cantina de San Angel serves lunch and dinner, as well as some rave-worthy margaritas. This EPCOT restaurant receives an average 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Looking for more information on EPCOT or Disney World Dining?

Why Disney World Advanced Dining Reservations Are More Important than Ever (and How to Make Them)

How Does the Disney Dining Plan Work? Eat, Drink, and Save Big!

9 Best Disney World Quick Service Restaurants You Have to Try

The post Explore Some of EPCOT’s Best-Kept Dining Secrets: Best Restaurants in EPCOT Ranked and Reviewed! appeared first on Seconds to Go.

Boma Reviews: What it’s Like Eating at Boma

Boma is a unique dining experience unlike anything else inside of Disney World. Rather than the typical selections of burgers, steaks, and fries, Boma delivers African inspired dishes with options for everyone in the family.

Disney World’s Boma offers a relaxing ambiance inside of Animal Kingdom Lodge. The restaurant is as beautiful as the Lodge is, with the opportunity to step outside and see animals grazing about the safari.

What Type of Food is Served at Disney World’s Boma Restaurant?

The Disney World Boma restaurant is served buffet style, with Disney’s motto of “all you care to eat,” rather than “all you can eat.”

This means, you can return to the buffet and sample all your favorite dishes over and over again. With so many food options though, you may not have room for seconds once you’ve tried everything.

Boma’s food consists of African flavors and traditional African dishes, as well as a few classics we all know. Boma serves two meals per day: breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast

Disney World’s Boma breakfast menu does offer some traditional offerings such as pancakes, muffins, fruit salads, and of course, Mickey waffles. Additionally, there are African inspired muffins, sticky buns, and other bakery items.

The Boma breakfast buffet also serves unusual oatmeal options, omelets with traditional and African flavors, various meat carving stations, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausages, eggs, and more.

Dinner

Disney World’s Boma dinner menu has even more diverse offerings than breakfast. Meat carving stations serve up chicken, striploin, ribs, and lamb. All the meat options are made with traditional seasonings and transport your taste buds straight to Africa.

Additionally, the dinner menu at Boma serves up different rice, couscous, and tabbouleh sides made with African flair. Various traditional salads, and breads accompany the dinner menu as well.

For a complete breakfast and dinner menu, click here.

As travel agents with Mickey World Travel, we at Seconds to Go can take the fuss out of a Disney World vacation. Request your free Disney World vacation quote today or email ka******@mi***************.com !

With decades of experience in hand, we provide customized guidance, cutting through the confusion with clear explanations and actionable tips. We’ll help you create the best experience, with recommendations and travel planning advice based on the trip you want to have and the memories you want to make.

Click here to be taken to our quote request form.

Disney World Boma Review: Restaurant Ambiance

The entire Disney World Boma restaurant is themed to an African marketplace. Brightly covered cloths hang from the ceiling with stained glass lights above each table.

The rest of the restaurant is decorated in rustic wood, with the buffet situated in the front left and the tables stretching out to the large windows.

Boma is airy, well lit, and colorful, which provides a pleasant atmosphere for all ages.

The buffet is well lit and well labeled, making it easy to see what you are putting on your plate, even if you have not heard of the dish before.

The staff are welcoming, accommodating, and prompt in bringing drinks and clearing plates to give you plenty of room.

We have also found servers to be knowledgable about food allergies. Most know and understand which dishes on the buffet are not accommodating to certain allergies and promptly deliver allergy menus when asked. Guests also have the option to speak directly to the chef if there are any questions about food options or a particular allergen.

How Much are Meals at Disney World’s Boma Restaurant

Disney World’s Boma restaurant may be a bit on the pricier side, but you will find it worth every penny. As mentioned above, Boma is served buffet style. While the price may be high, you get a seemingly endless amount of food.

It is important to understand that adults and children do have different pricing structures for breakfast and dinner.

Children under 3 can eat for free at Disney buffets. And children 3-9 are charged the children’s price, while anyone above that age is considered an adult.

How Much is Boma Breakfast?

Adults: $37 per adult, plus tax and tip.

Children: $22 per child, plus and tip.

This price includes soft drinks, juices, and milks. Cocktails and signature nonalcoholic drinks are extra.

How Much is Boma Dinner?

Adults: $56 per adult, plus tax and tip.

Children: $33 per child, plus tax and tip.

This price includes soft drinks, juices, and milks. Cocktails and signature nonalcoholic drinks are extra.

Where is the Boma Restaurant in Orlando?

Disney World’s Boma Restaurant is located inside the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World. The actual address is 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32830.

Once you reach the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma will be on the ground floor. When you enter the lodge, you are on the second floor. To find Boma, head to the right, and either take the stairs, or the elevator to the ground floor.

From the elevator, take a sharp left and walk through a short hallway to Boma. If you take the stairs, they lead directly to the restaurant.  

Do I Need Reservations at Boma?

Because Disney World’s Boma is so popular, we would recommend advanced dining reservations. While they are not a necessity, it can be difficult to get in without an extreme wait during peak times.

Reservations at Boma can be difficult to come by, so we also recommend booking early.

To check availability, and to make reservations click here.

More Disney Tips and Information

Eating at Disney World: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know

Walt Disney World Character Dining – Complete Guide

How Does the Disney Dining Plan Work? Eat, Drink, and Save Big!

The post Disney World Boma Review: Why This Might Be Orlando’s Top Restaurant appeared first on Seconds to Go.

When researching Disney Springs hotels for a recent trip to Orlando, it was hard to find reviews on Hilton resorts. Aside from sites like Trip Advisor, Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace reviews were in short order. To help other travelers like ourselves, we photo-documented our stay and created this roundup of the pros and cons of staying at this Disney World hotel operated by Hilton.

Why Stay Somewhere Other than a Disney Owned Hotel?

While we highly recommend an onsite Disney World resort stay for vacationers heading to the land of Mouse, we also realize there are times when you might want to book your Disney vacation at a nearby Orlando area resort.

Perhaps you’re a frequent traveler and you’ve accrued a number of points from a popular hotel chain. Since the majority of onsite hotels are owned and operated by Disney, you won’t find a Hilton or a Hyatt where you can use those points.  

Disney realizes this too. That’s why they’ve set out to ensure a quality guest experience with offsite stays through a number of programs.

The Good Neighbor Hotel designation, for example, establishes a set of standards that properties must meet. In return, Disney helps to ensure vacationers receive some of the magic of an onsite stay.

Disney Springs area hotels are another option for travelers seeking Disney World approval at an offsite resort. For those seeking Disney World hotels by Hilton, the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando is the perfect opportunity to mix comfort, top amenities and a bit of Disney magic all within walking distance of Disney Springs.

What to Expect at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando

Like most hotels operated by Hilton, the Lake Buena Vista Palace offers a feature rich set of amenities, including digital key, onsite restaurant, meeting room and outside pools. In fact, it was the pool that really lured us toward this offsite Disney World resort.

Swimming at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace

The pool area at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando is expansive, complete with a lively pooside bar, aptly named Shades. You’ll find ample seating here as well as lounge chairs on the adjacent pool deck.

For a more relaxing or exciting experience, depending upon your viewpoint, venture over to the lazy river section of the pool. Here a zero-entry deck leads toward a floatable oasis that meanders through tropical trees and plants.

If you can find a tube for floating, this is a relaxing way to spend a few afternoon hours, drifting in a circuitous flow as palms sway above your head. For the younger set, or those craving a little more excitement, you can dive beneath a series of water jets located along the waterway.

During our trip to Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace, the lazy river was enjoyed by young and old alike. We could easily pinpoint the repeat visitors or those who had been staying at the hotel for awhile. They were the guests who thought to bring their own flotation devices, as tubes for the lazy river were in short supply.

Adults seemed to enjoy the nearby pool bar. We saw a number of tempting concoctions being delivered to guests as they cooled off in the shallower depths of the zero-entry area or relaxed in the shade beneath plentiful umbrellas.

Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Review: Restaurants

You don’t have to go too far to find food at Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando. In addition to the Shades pool bar, this Hilton hotel offers full service dining as well as grab and go items, lounge access and quick service dining.

Citrus 28 offers Starbucks Coffee, breakfast pastries and grab and go items. It is open from the early morning through late at night, so you should be able to grab a treat on your way to the parks or when you return home from late night entertainment.

Letterpress offers full-service sit down dining, allowing you to soak up the unique atmosphere of this modern hotel. Letterpress ovelooks the lake, allowing you dine while soaking in the beauty of Florida.

Sunnies offers quick bites as well as beer, wine and cocktails in a lounge setting. Here again, the location takes the prize, with convenient access from the lobby, overlooking the float lagoon.

Last, Blue is a “modernized sports bar” where guests go to catch a game on one of the television screens over handrafted cocketails.

In room dining is also available for breakfast and dinner.

Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Review: The Rooms

When it comes to staying at Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando, you have multiple room types, all designed to meet the varying needs of Disney World vacationers. All rooms are spacious and comfortable, but for the most space, you’ll want to select a suite.

• Island One Bedroom Suite King: 1 King bed sofa bed, separate living areas, 1.5 baths, sleeps 4
• Island One Bedroom Suite 2 Queen: 2 queen beds, sleeper sofa, separate living area, sleeps 6
• Tower One Bedroom Junior Suite: 2 queen beds, sofa bed, separate living area, sleeps 6
• Tower 1 Bedroom Suite: either 1 king bed or 2 queen beds and a parlor

Suites offer a great accommodation if the adults in the party like to unwind for a bit after putting the kids to bed. Two-bedroom suites are also available.

During our stay, we opted for a standard tower room with pool view. Here is what we saw from our seventh-floor balcony. I wouldn’t say it was directly overlooking the pool, but it wasn’t a bad view.

Inside, we were treated to a roomy space, with two queen beds, a chair for sitting, desk space with office chair and even a mini fridge. With three of us in the room, it did begin to feel a little crowded if we tried to spend any time inside. Fortunately, most vacationers to Disney will be heading to the parks, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

The main drawback to rooms at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace is the noise. Upon originally settling in for sleep around 10:00 pm after very early morning flights that day, we found out that our once quiet oasis was surrounded by very thin walls.

When the family in the room next door arrived back to the hotel around midnight, we could clearly hear their conversations, kids crying and every thump or bump as they moved around. At one point we knocked on the adjoining door to request a little quiet, which did tone the noise down a bit.

Unfortunately, even as the group spoke at normal levels we could still hear them fairly clearly for the next hour. If you’re the type who retires early or is awakened easily, you might want to request a room that is more secluded or at the end of a hallway.

As for our overall perception of the rooms, when it comes to Disney World hotels, Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace offers comfortable and spacious room accommodations.  Rooms are on par with Disney World deluxe resorts when it comes to size and amenities, at a lower price point.

Lake Buena Vista Palace Review: Bringing Disney to Hilton

If you’re worried about missing the amenities of a Disney World resort stay by booking offsite, the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando can ease some of those fears. While you won’t be tucked away inside the Disney bubble, Lake Buena Vista Palace does bring some of Disney’s services to the resort.

For instance, the concierge desk makes it easy to purchase park tickets or obtain information about the parks. Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace also runs a complimentary shuttle to and from the parks which runs on a continuous circuit. Guests are even able to take advantage of Early Theme Park entry, a perk reserved just for guests of Disney World resorts.

Similar to Disney World onsite resorts, guests are able to drop their bags with bell services if they arrive before their room is ready or are leaving after check-out on the day of departure. We transferred to Disney’s Saratoga Springs after our stay at Buena Vista Palace Orlando, and found this a convenient option, allowing us to spend the day in the parks, since check in at our new hotel did not begin until after 4:00 pm.

Are you ready to book Hilton Buena Vista Palace? We Can Help.

We can help you book your trip to Disney World, and for every vacation package you book, receive free concierge service, including help with dining reservations, My Disney Experience and Disney Multi Pass.

Our Thoughts on Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando

When looking for a Disney World resort, Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace makes a good showing. Rooms were adequately sized, and for the most part, the atmosphere remained respectfully lively. We enjoyed our one-night stay there, but did miss the inclusiveness of being in the Disney bubble.

While Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace initially came in cheaper than Disney’s moderate resorts, by the time we paid for parking and the resort fee, we found we could have stayed at a Disney World value resort and been in the heart of the magic for close to the same price.

We also felt the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace resort fee was overstretching a bit. According to Hilton’s website, the $39 resort charge covers access to the internet, Disney parks shuttle and the float lagoon. These are all amenities that would be covered in the cost of a Disney World resort stay.

Hilton also states that a daily sun care product is included in the resort charge. We never received any kind of sunscreen, though we were handed the signature Hilton water bottles at check in.

Overall, if we had to make the same choice again and were looking for a place for a one-night stay, we’d opt for a Disney World moderate resort. When discounts are available through Disney, moderate resorts come in a bit above the Lake Buena Vista Palace.

However, if we planned to stay longer, we would give the Hilton another try. Having a balcony overlooking a pleasing view is a must with our group, and moderate resorts at Disney World are lacking this amenity.

If you’re looking to use some Hilton loyalty points to cover your stay when visiting Disney World, you really can’t go wrong with Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando.

Answering Some Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Located and What Is the Address?

As a Disney World hotel, Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace is located within walking distance to Disney Springs at 1900 E Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.

Be aware that Hilton operates another resort in the Disney Springs area with a similar name: Hilton Lake Buena Vista. When seeking this Hilton accommodation, be sure to look for Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace.

Does Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace offer shuttle service to Disney World parks?

Yes. Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace does offer shuttle service to all Disney parks and water parks. However, guests will need to take a short walk to Disney Springs.

What time can I check into Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace?

Check in time is 4:00 pm, and guests are asked to check out by 11:00 am. However, Hilton has been known to offer late check out when booking a room at their chain of hotels.

Can Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Orlando be booked as a vacation package with tickets?

Yes, you can book Hilton’s Lake Buena Vista Palace as a vacation package that includes tickets. You’ll have most of the amenities of an onsite Disney Resort package at a lower price point. Just contact a travel agent for pricing and to book.

More Disney World Tips and Tricks

Why We Love Walt Disney World Vacation Packages (and You Should Too)

Walt Disney Saratoga Springs, the Hidden Delight in Disney’s Hotel Lineup

Port Orleans Resort Review: Exploring Disney’s Riverside Bayou-Themed Hotel

The post Disney World Hotels: Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace Review appeared first on Seconds to Go.

At the time, there weren’t that many options. It was a matter of saving money over months and hoping the resort we wanted still had availability when we had our finances in order to travel.

Today, things are different, since you can easily set up a Disney World package payment plan.

In this article, we will walk you through all the essential details associated with a Disney World vacation payment plan, highlighting its benefits and providing you with the information you need to decide if it’s the right option for financing your vacation.

What is a Disney World Vacation Payment Plan?

A Disney World Vacation Payment Plan is a hassle-free and budget-friendly way to finance your trip to Disney World. With a payment plan, you can secure your Disney World package by making small, monthly payments, with no interest or additional costs. It’s a simple way to make your trip easier on your budget.

How Does a Disney World Vacation Payment Plan Work?

It’s easy to get started with a Disney World vacation payment plan, as long as you do so from the start of your trip planning. While you can book a trip through the Disney World website and make payments on your vacation as you see fit, to create a true automatic payment plan, you’ll need to work with a travel agent.

Here are the top level steps you would take.

1. Choose your Disney World package: The first step to creating a payment plan is to get your vacation booked. Start by speaking with a Disney Travel Planner who can help you make the best package choice for your situation. Also, prepare to book well ahead of your travel dates, so you have time to make payments on your trip. Your final balance must be paid in full 30 days before you travel, so it’s important to book well before this date.

If you aren’t interested in booking a vacation package-an arrangement that bundles the cost of your resort hotel and park tickets—you can set up a payment plan to cover the cost of your resort hotel booking. However, you will need to purchase theme park tickets separately, and payment will be due in full at the time of purchase.

The good news is that whether you’re planning a short getaway or an extended stay, there are a variety of options to accommodate your preferences.

2. Make a deposit: Once you have chosen your package, you will be required to make an initial deposit. Disney requires this deposit to secure your reservation. Your deposit must be made up front and cannot be financed. The good news is a $200 deposit is all it takes to hold your Disney World vacation package, and once it is made, your travel agent can move to the next step of setting up your payment plan.

3. Set up your Disney World package payment plan: While other agents may do things differently, we work closely with our clients to design a personalized payment plan that fits each individual financial situation. We take into consideration factors such as the total cost of your package, when your vacation package must be paid in full, and the frequency of payments that works best for you. Some clients like to pay monthly, while others like to pay weekly or each time they receive a paycheck from their employer.
4. Set up automatic monthly payments: Once your Disney World package payment plan is set up, we will automatically make the agreed-upon payment, using your chosen payment method, according to the established schedule. This ensures a seamless and stress-free experience for you, since you don’t have to worry about remembering payment due dates.
5. Get Ready for Your Disney World vacation: As you continue making your monthly payments, you can begin planning for the magical experience that awaits you at Disney World. Using a payment plan allows you to focus on creating memories with your loved ones, knowing that your finances are being taken care of.

If you’re planning to book your trip to Disney using a payment plan, you’ll be glad to know that Disney World travel can be booked 365 to 400 days in advance, providing a lengthy repayment timetable if you book far enough out.

Benefits of the Disney World Vacation Payment Plan

1. Flexibility and Convenience

A Disney World vacation payment plan offers convenient flexibility with a payment schedule that works best for you. Whether you prefer a shorter payment term with higher monthly payments or a longer term with lower monthly payments, we can tailor the plan to suit your needs, provided your final payment is made by the due date established by Disney. This is usually 30 days before your arrival. This flexibility ensures that financing your Disney World vacation fits comfortably within your budget.

2. Interest-Free Financing

Unlike traditional credit cards or loans, there is no interest or extra fees associated with a Disney World package payment plan. This means you’ll pay exactly the same cost as you would booking directly with Disney, without incurring additional financing costs. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the magic of Disney, and by offering a payment plan, we hope to make a Disney vacation more accessible to more families and individuals.

3. Low Up-Front Costs

All it takes to hold your Disney World vacation package is a $200 deposit. If you decide to book your resort and tickets separately, you’ll be asked to pay a deposit equal to one night’s stay. Your tickets will have to be paid in full at time of purchase. Purchasing a vacation package and setting up a payment plan is a simplified way of saving you the cost of high up-front payments.

4. Stress-Free Budgeting

By setting up a payment plan for your Disney World trip, you can say goodbye to the financial stress that often accompanies planning a vacation. By spreading out the cost of your Disney World trip into affordable monthly payments, you can better manage your budget and avoid any unexpected financial strain. Our goal is to make the payment process as smooth and worry-free as possible, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure.

5. Early Booking Benefits

By opting for a payment plan, you have the advantage of securing your Disney World package well in advance. This means that you can secure the resort of your choice, without fear that rooms will sell out.

Seconds to Go – Mother Daughter Travel Bloggers AND Disney World Vacation Planners

We are now travel agents with Mickey World Travel, Platinum Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We can help you set up a Disney World Vacation Payment plan AND plan your trip. All services are free of charge, and you’ll never pay more than you would by booking directly with Disney. Contact us for a quote today.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Disney Vacation

As a Connecticut-based travel agent with Mickey World Travel, Kathleen Hesketh can help you plan and book your Disney World vacation no matter where you live within the U.S.

Plan your vacation your way and receive as much or as little help as you want.

• Booking dining reservations, saving you the 6:00 am wake up call
• Custom itinerary suggestions
• Convenient payment plans
• Help with Lightning Lane
• and more

Fill out the form to the right (below on mobile) for a no-obligation quote.

The Easiest Way to Book a Disney Vacation

Booking your Disney World vacation several months before you plan to travel and then setting up a payment plan provides a budget-friendly option for travelers who want more financial security when it comes to vacation planning. With vacation packages available through late 2025 (at time of writing), you could book for next year, providing yourself with several months—possibly even a year or more—to pay for your vacation.

If you have questions or would like a quote, contact us today. Or keep reading for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disney World Vacation Payment Plans

What happens if I don’t pay my Disney World package balance on time?

The total balance of your vacation package will be due 30 days before your scheduled arrival. If you book on your own, don’t set up a payment plan, and miss paying the balance by this due date, Disney does reserve the right to cancel your vacation and hold your $200 deposit. However, if you work with a travel agent, he or she can help you move your vacation if you find you don’t have the funds to make your full payment by the due date, as long as you alert us at least 31 days before you are due to arrive.

Is there a payment plan if I want to purchase theme park tickets only?

Payment plans are reserved for the purchase of a Disney World vacation package or Disney World hotel reservation, and the reason is pretty simple. If you purchase tickets outside of a package, you are required to pay the full cost at the time of purchase. They only way to pay for tickets over time is to include them in a Disney World vacation package booking.

Can I make payments on my hotel room if I don’t book a package?

Booking a Disney World hotel requires a deposit equivalent to one night’s stay. The balance is due upon arrival. However, if you prefer to pay over time, we can certainly set up a payment plan for your room-only reservation. Just keep in mind that you will have to pay the full cost of your park tickets at the time of purchase.

Am I required to make a minimum monthly payment?

We will work with you to establish the best payment option for your budget. However, it’s important to remember that the total cost of your vacation package must be paid in full by 30 days before your scheduled arrival. That means you will need to make payments that total the final cost of your package by this date, but you are free to pay less on some months and more in others if that better fits your financial situation.

What is a Disney vacation payment plan deposit?

Since payment plans are only available on package bookings, you will be required to put down the initial deposit required by Disney of $200. You are always free to pay more as a deposit if you wish to reduce the amount of later payments.

Final Thoughts on Disney World Vacation Payment Plans

Setting up a payment plan puts you in the drivers seat. You decide when and how much you pay, making it easier to plan your vacation as well as the budet for your trip.

Saving Money on a Disney Vacation: Is It Cheaper to Book with a Travel Agent?

Onsite Hotels at Disney World, Why Stay Anywhere Else?

How to Afford Disney World in 2023: Insider Secrets for Doing Disney Cheap

The post Financing Your Disney Dream: Plan Now, Pay Later Disney World Vacation Payment Plan appeared first on Seconds to Go.