Planning Your First Disney World Vacation?

Dreaming of taking your family to Walt Disney World but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin?

You're not alone! Between choosing travel dates, understanding Disney resorts, figuring out theme park tickets, and planning your budget, there's a lot to consider.

The good news? You don't have to become a Disney expert to plan an incredible vacation. That's what I'm here for!

I'm Jen, a Disney travel advisor who has helped over 1,000 families plan their vacations since 2021. I visit Walt Disney World almost monthly and have personally stayed at every Disney World Resort hotel.

Before we start planning your personalized vacation, there are just a few things I recommend figuring out first:

1. Choose When You'd Like to Travel

One of the most common questions I hear is, "When is the best time to go to Disney World?"

The answer depends on your family's priorities!

There isn't one magical week with perfect weather, low crowds, and the lowest prices. Every season comes with trade-offs.

A few things to consider:

• School schedules: Can you travel during the school year, or are you limited to school vacations?

• Weather: Florida summers are hot and humid, while winter temperatures can be unpredictable.

• Crowds: Holiday periods and school breaks can be particularly busy, but even traditionally slower seasons can have high-demand dates.

• Special events: Disney offers seasonal celebrations throughout the year, including Halloween and Christmas festivities.

Start by narrowing your options to one or two possible travel windows that work for your family, rather than searching for a guaranteed perfect week.

2. Research Your Airfare Before Finalizing Your Dates

If you're planning to fly to Orlando, this is one of the most important steps!

Airfare can vary significantly depending on your departure airport, travel dates, and how far in advance you're booking.

You might discover that shifting your vacation by just a couple of days makes a significant difference in your overall travel costs.

Before deciding on your check-in and check-out dates:

• Compare airfare for a few potential travel dates.

• Check nearby airports if you have more than one option.

• Consider the cost of baggage and other airline fees.

• Think about your arrival and departure times when deciding how many nights to stay.

Disney resort pricing can also fluctuate based on travel dates and availability, so both parts of your vacation budget matter.

Research airfare before settling on your vacation dates, but don't feel you need to purchase your flights before requesting your Disney vacation package quote.

3. Establish Your Vacation Budget

Disney World offers accommodations at several price points, from budget-friendly Value Resorts to luxurious Deluxe Resorts.

But before choosing a hotel, it's helpful to establish how much you're comfortable spending.

Start by thinking about your total vacation budget, including:

• Your Disney resort accommodations

• Theme park tickets

• Airfare or driving expenses

• Meals, snacks, and drinks

• Transportation and any additional experiences

Remember that your Disney vacation package won't necessarily include every expense associated with your trip.

When completing my quote request form, you'll be asked for your budget for the Disney vacation package itself, excluding airfare and other expenses not included in the package. Make sure you've accounted for those separately.

You don't need to know which Disney resort fits your budget yet. That's where my experience can help!

How Booking, Deposits & Payments Work

Did you know you can secure most Walt Disney World vacation packages with just a $200 deposit per reservation — and that deposit is generally refundable if you cancel at least 30 days before arrival

One of the biggest advantages of booking a Disney vacation package is the flexibility it offers!

Here's how it works:

• $200 Deposit: Disney resort and ticket packages can be secured with a $200 deposit per reservation, not per person.

• Flexible Payments: Make additional payments whenever you'd like, as long as your remaining balance is paid by the final payment deadline however nothing additional is required after your $200 deposit until your final payment

• Final Payment: Your balance is due 30 days before check-in.

• Refundable Deposits: For standard eligible packages, cancellations made at least 30 days before arrival generally qualify for a refund of amounts paid.

• Flexible Changes: Need to adjust your dates, resort, room category, or other package details? Changes are generally permitted without Disney change fees more than 3 days before arrival, subject to availability and current pricing.

Why Is Booking Early Such an Advantage?

Disney resort pricing and availability can change, and popular room categories and resorts may sell out.

Booking early allows you to secure your preferred accommodations while spreading payments over time. You'll also have the flexibility to make eligible changes if your plans evolve.

And when you book through Trips by Jen, I'll monitor eligible Disney promotions to see if a newly released discount could save you money on your existing reservation!

Don't feel like every detail of your vacation needs to be finalized before booking. Once you have dates and a budget you're comfortable with, securing your reservation early can give you more options and flexibility.

4. Decide How Long You'd Like to Stay

Walt Disney World is much bigger than many first-time visitors realize!

There are four theme parks:

• Magic Kingdom

• EPCOT

• Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Disney's Animal Kingdom

And that's before considering Disney water parks, Disney Springs, resort pools, and other recreational activities.

Think about what kind of vacation you're envisioning.

Would your family prefer to spend as much time as possible exploring the theme parks? Or would you enjoy a slower-paced vacation with afternoons at the pool and time to enjoy your resort?

Also consider how many full days you'll have after accounting for travel.

You don't have to figure out your entire park itinerary before booking. Start with how many nights you're comfortable staying and the experiences that matter most to your family

5. Where you Book Matters

Not all Disney vacation bookings come with the same terms, flexibility, or planning support.

Some third-party travel websites offer discounted hotel rates or packages with different payment requirements, cancellation or modification restrictions, or nonrefundable components. Not all vacation reservations offer the same flexibility.

Before booking any vacation, it's important to understand the deposit requirements, payment deadlines, and what happens if your plans need to change.

When you book through Trips by Jen, I'll help you understand the Walt Disney Travel Company’s applicable terms since I book your reservation directly with them before securing your reservation, so you know what you're committing to prior to submitting payment.

You're Ready to Request Your Personalized Disney Vacation Quote!

Once you've narrowed down your travel dates, established a comfortable budget, and have a general idea of how long you'd like to stay, you're ready for the exciting part!

Here's what you should have ready before submitting your quote request:

• Your desired check-in and check-out dates

• The number of adults and children traveling, including children's ages at check-in including a break out of whose in each room if you will need more than 1 room

• Your budget for resort accommodations and theme park tickets

• A general idea of how many theme park days you'd like

• Your family's priorities and what you hope to experience

What you don't need is an encyclopedic knowledge of Disney World!

You don't have to research every resort or know the differences between all the room categories. I'll use your preferences, priorities, and budget to help you find the right fit based on my extensive personal experience and several years of client feedback. My proposals even include room tour videos and pictures to give you a better idea of what your accommodations will really be like.

What Happens When You Book With Trips by Jen?

My complimentary planning services go beyond simply making your reservation.

When you book your Walt Disney World vacation package through me, you'll receive personalized resort and package recommendations, discount monitoring, dining and experience reservation assistance, exclusive planning resources, access to my custom vacation planning app, complimentary access to Wish Upon a Planner’s The Park Advantage® Guide and ongoing guidance as your vacation approaches.

I regularly visit Disney World and have stayed at every Walt Disney World Resort hotel so my recommendations come from firsthand experience.

Ready to Start Planning?

My complimentary personalized quote and planning services are intended for families who are ready to move forward with booking once we find a vacation package that fits their needs and budget.

Please understand that pricing and availability can change until your reservation is secured, and you should be prepared to place the required deposit when requesting a quote

If you're still exploring possible travel dates or figuring out what you can comfortably spend, that's okay! Use the steps above as your starting point, and come back when you're ready.

Ready to make those Disney vacation dreams a reality? I'd love to help!