I’ve Planned Luxury Walt Disney World Vacations for Hundreds of Clients — Here are 3 Ways to Elevate Your Trip

In all of my years as a travel agent, I’ve dealt with a wide range of enthusiasm when it comes to trips to Walt Disney World — from “we’ve been waiting for this moment since our baby was born” to “I’m dreading this trip and only booking it out of parental obligation.” Even as a Disney enthusiast, the latter is perhaps my favorite type of client because there’s nothing better than a positive review from a parent who was sure they would be miserable when visiting Walt Disney World. 

Here are three ways to elevate a Walt Disney World vacation, no matter the occasion. 

Travel during off-peak times.

Let’s be honest, there’s no longer a slow season at Walt Disney World, but there are times when the parks are less crowded than others. To avoid the throngs, I recommend avoiding the park over Christmas break or other federal holidays because, chances are, if your child has a school holiday, so does most of America — and every parent is trying to capitalize on the extra day off. I would also recommend checking the runDisney calendar of events, as races in the parks tend to amass large crowds.

If you don’t have a problem with heat, consider traveling during the summer. In July and August, you’ll see some of the lowest wait times of the year. Disney also tends to offer resort discounts when occupancy is at its lowest, so traveling during off-peak times will be better for your wallet, too.

Prioritize convenience.

As a mom of two, I value convenience above most other things. There’s nothing worse than spending hours walking with no clear destination or waiting in a long line with cranky kids. Thankfully, Disney offers a wide range of “pay to play” conveniences that might actually make or break your trip. At varying price points, it’s up to you to decide which of them is worth it, but here are a few I’ve found helpful over the years.

Staying in a Walt Disney World Property

This is a no-brainer for my family and most of my clients. I would even encourage you to take it a step further and narrow down your options to the resorts that offer alternatives to bus transportation. For example, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort offer monorail transportation to Epcot and Magic Kingdom, minimizing the number of times you’ll have to wait for a bus. In addition, Disney offers perks like early park entry to guests at their resorts, and extended evening hours for Deluxe Resort guests. 

Lightning Lane Passes

Similar to what you may remember as the old FastPass+ system, Disney’s Lightning Lane is the company’s current solution to the waiting in line problem. Seven days prior to check-in (three days for off-property guests), Walt Disney World Resort guests can choose to purchase the Lighting Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass for shorter lines on your favorite rides. My family never travels without it.

Guests at Disney Deluxe Resort hotels, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and other select hotels may also purchase an upgraded Lightning Lane Premier Pass with even fewer ride restrictions.

Walt Disney World VIP Tour Services

Coming in at the most expensive of all Walt Disney World conveniences, private VIP tours range from $450 to $900 per hour depending on the season, with a seven-hour minimum. While pricey, if you’re willing to pay for it, you’ll experience the highest level of service the theme parks offer (think conveniences like private vehicle rides, back entrances to the park, reserved parade viewing, and a dedicated guide utilizing unlimited Lightning Lane entry and often, alternate ride entrances to bypass lines entirely).

Add downtime to your schedule.

One habit I see time after time is stressed-out clients who have not booked enough time for a Disney trip. With four theme parks and two water parks, Walt Disney World’s property is about the size of San Francisco, and there are few things more stressful than feeling like you’re trying to cram everything into a few days. It’s no secret the parks are overstimulating for parents and children alike, so resist the urge to do too much. 

Add resort breaks or even full pool or rest days into your schedule. If you’re traveling with children, follow their lead; if they’re shutting down, take a break. Missing a ride or Lightning Lane won’t be the end of the world, but a toddler hitting the wall might be.

With infinite options to elevate your Walt Disney World vacation, a great way to determine what additions or upgrades might be worth it for your family is consulting with a travel agent. An experienced agent will be able to walk you through the various options so you can make an informed decision. Because with proper planning, there’s no reason your theme park experience can’t be just as magical as your kids’ experience. 

Mary Helen Law is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Disney trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Law by contacting her at maryhelen@mousecounselors.com.