What to Do After Booking Your Disney Vacation

Congratulations— You just booked a trip to Disney! But you may be asking yourself… Now what?

Planning a trip to Disney World can feel overwhelming. With so many details to track, experiences to plan, and logistics to organize, it's easy to get lost in the magic before you even arrive! But by following these tips, you'll be on track to set yourself up for success at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Whether you're surprising the kids with a dream family getaway or fulfilling your own childhood fantasy, this comprehensive guide will ensure your Disney trip exceeds every expectation. We'll walk through essential pre-travel preparation, navigating the parks, dining, transportation, and those special touches that make Disney so magical.

1. Confirm Your Reservation Details

Before your adventure begins, take some time to carefully review your reservation details. Double-check the dates of your trip and confirm your resort accommodations. Make sure the room type and any special requests like high chairs or roll-away beds are properly noted.

Also, verify your ticket purchases and options. Look at how many days your tickets are valid for and whether you added any special add-ons like Park Hopper or Water Park access. For package bookings, check details like meal plans and dining reservations.

Paying close attention now will help you avoid any surprises or hiccups when you arrive at Walt Disney World. You'll have peace of mind knowing all the details are in order, allowing you to focus on the magic and excitement of your vacation! Taking a few minutes to confirm everything will ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival at the theme parks.

2. Download the My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app is an essential tool for navigating Disney World. This free app allows you to manage all your vacation plans from the convenience of your phone.

Through the app, you can view and modify your park reservations, access digital tickets, check real-time ride wait times, mobile order food, and even chat with a virtual assistant for help. It's like having a personal concierge in your pocket!

The app makes it easy to optimize your time in the parks. You can check ride wait times before heading to attractions, making it easy to determine the best time to experience popular rides. You can also make dining reservations, order food for quick pickup, and map out your routes between lands.

With ride wait times, restaurant hours, character meet-and-greet schedules, and more at your fingertips, you'll be able to plan on the go and make the most of every moment. Download the My Disney Experience app as soon as your trip is booked to start customizing your perfect Disney vacation!

3. Add FRIENDS & FAMILY to Your Disney Account

Simplifying planning and coordination for your group is a breeze when you add travel companions to your Disney account. This allows you to seamlessly share plans and important trip details, ensuring everyone stays on the same page throughout your vacation.

To get started, log into your Disney account online and navigate to "Family & Friends." Here you can send invitations via email or text, allowing family and friends to join your account.

Once connected, you'll be able to view each other's plans, reservations, and more. For example, you can make dining reservations for your entire group in just a few clicks. You'll also have visibility into FastPass selections, so you can coordinate as needed.

With everyone in one place, you'll avoid the headache of fragmented planning. Last-minute changes or updates can be communicated to the group instantly. And if any questions pop up along the way, you'll have shared access to all the trip details in one spot.

Adding companions to your Disney account takes coordination to the next level. You'll experience the convenience of centralized planning, ensuring every member of your group can share in the Disney magic with ease.

4. Explore Dining Options

Disney World offers an incredible variety of dining experiences to satisfy every palate. From quick service to fine dining, there are options for every budget and taste.

One of the most magical experiences is character dining. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with Disney characters who visit each table for photos and interactions. Popular character meals include dining with princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey's, or the Garden Grill. Make reservations up to 60 days in advance, as these book up quickly.

For a truly memorable evening, make reservations at one of the signature restaurants like California Grill with sweeping views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks or the rustic wilderness setting of Artist Point. With world-class cuisine and exceptional service, these restaurants offer a refined yet approachable fine dining experience.

With so many choices, take time to review menus and options online before your trip. Identify your must-try character meals or splurge-worthy restaurants and make your reservations early. Dining at Disney World becomes an unforgettable part of the magic.

5. Craft a Flexible Park Itinerary

When visiting Disney World, advanced planning is key but allowing room for spontaneity makes for an extra magical trip. Start by researching and making a list of must-do attractions and shows for each park based on your group's interests.

For example, if you're a Star Wars fan, be sure to prioritize Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios. If you love classic Disney rides, add Peter Pan's Flight and It's a Small World to your Magic Kingdom itinerary.

Decide if you plan to utilize Genie+ while in this parks (this can’t be purchased until the day of) for the most popular rides to avoid long standby lines and maximize your time in the parks.

Then schedule meals, parades, fireworks shows, and other entertainment, such as a first haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop. Leave gaps for spontaneous adventures as you encounter Disney magic in the moment. Wandering and discovering new sights is part of the fun!

Make sure to build in breaks each day to recharge. Hourly check-ins with your group will help identify any last-minute changes to the plans. Staying flexible will allow you to go with the Disney flow.

6. Learn the Transportation Options

Disney World offers a variety of transportation options to help you seamlessly navigate between parks. Familiarizing yourself with these options is key to efficient park-hopping.

Buses: Disney buses provide transportation to and from all resort hotels as well as within each theme park. Check the bus schedules and routes ahead of time so you know how to quickly get where you need to go.

Monorails: The monorail offers convenient transportation between the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, select resorts and the Transportation and Ticket Center. With limited stops, it's one of the quickest ways to travel between these parks.

Boats: Boat launches and water taxis can transport guests to various locations around Disney World. This includes routes from Disney Springs to resorts, between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and within the Magic Kingdom.

Skyliner: The Skyliner gondola system connects Epcot and Hollywood Studios to select resorts. With fun aerial views, it's a great way to experience the sprawling landscape of Disney World.

Knowing your transportation options for each park is vital for efficient navigation during your visit. A little research beforehand goes a long way in ensuring seamless park-hopping.

7. Watch for Special Events and Activities

Disney World is filled with incredible shows and entertainment that will add an extra layer of magic to your vacation. Be sure to take advantage of the amazing fireworks displays, lively parades, and seasonal celebrations happening during your visit.

Fireworks Shows: At the end of each night, stay for the spectacular fireworks shows that light up the sky above Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom and other parks. Shows like Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever are not to be missed, with dramatic music, dazzling fireworks, laser lights, and projections on the castle. Find a spot about 30 minutes before showtime for the best views.

Festive Parades: Catch a delightful parade winding through the parks during your visit. Magic Kingdom parades like Festival of Fantasy and Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire bring beloved characters dancing down the streets in colorful, musical celebrations. Or enjoy the creative and quirky spirit of parades like Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Animal Kingdom. Parade times are listed on park maps - arrive early for a front row view.

Seasonal Events: Throughout the year, Disney Parks celebrate the magic of the seasons with special events and entertainment. Experience holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and more with special decor, characters in costumes, holiday treats, and themed merchandise. For example, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a special hard-ticket event held at Magic Kingdom during the Christmas season, with exclusive shows and meet-and-greets. Check the park calendar for details on seasonal happenings during your stay.

Taking part in these special entertainment offerings will add an extra sprinkle of pixie dust to your Disney trip, creating amazing memories to last a lifetime. Don't miss out on the exciting fireworks, lively parades, and festive seasonal events happening during your visit!

Remember, Preparation is the key to ensuring a smooth, stress-free, and magical Disney World vacation. While it's tempting to just show up and wing it, taking the time to plan ahead will allow you to make the most of your trip, avoiding headaches and hassles along the way.

Taking full advantage of Disney's planning tools, like the My Disney Experience app and website, will simplify your planning process. You can coordinate all the details - from dining reservations to FastPass selections - right from your phone. This will give you peace of mind knowing everything is organized before you ever set foot in the parks.

With Sparkles,

Lynn