Our Guide to Walt Disney World for Beginners has been updated for 2020 with all the latest information from the resort. Our Guide to Walt Disney World is a great starting point to plan your vacation if you are a first-time visitor or an experienced Mouseketeer. Our guide contains all the essential Walt Disney World information you need to know including tips, hints & hacks to have a fantastic vacation.
Our Guide to Walt Disney World 2020 is a massive resource, including all the latest resort information.
At its peak, Walt Disney World for Beginners had become over 10000 words. This was far too long for a blog post, and we felt it had become unmanageable for many readers. For 2020 we have significantly shortened the guide, but now direct you to other posts with additional information.
If you are looking for specific information you can jump right to the various sections in the guide.
- Walt Disney World The Basics including the history of Walt Disney World & New Attractions Coming Soon to Walt Disney Wolrd
- Initial Research & Reserving your Walt Disney World Vacation All you need to know about your initial vacation planning
- Where to Stay When Visiting Walt Disney World
- The Walt Disney World Theme Parks All about the big 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom
- Water Parks at Walt Disney World Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon
- Entertainment Districts at Walt Disney World
- Other Attractions at Walt Disney World details of the minor attractions at Walt Disney World
- Essential Disney World Knowledge including Park Hours, Fastpass, My Disney Experience, MagicBands, Extra Magic Hours & much more.
- Visiting Walt Disney World with Disabilities
- Walt Disney World Useful Information answers to all your Walt Disney World Questions.
- Walt Disney World Tips & Tricks A selection of fantastic tips, tricks & hacks.
- Walt Disney World Transport
- Dining at Walt Disney World
- Events & Festivities at Walt Disney World details on annual festivals and parties being held throughout 2020.
- Walt Disney World News & Rumors how to keep up to date with everything happening at the resort.
Walt Disney World The Basics
Walt Disney World opened on 1st October 1971, and today it is the most visited vacation resort in the world with 52 million guests visiting each year. Most first time visitors are not aware of the size of Walt Disney World before they visit. The resort is similar in size to San Francisco!
Walt Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, several golf courses, numerous hotels and Disney Vacation Club Resorts, a camping resort and, various other entertainment venues.
- Visit our Brief History of Walt Disney World if you want to learn more about the developments at the resort.
- Did you know that Walt Disney World has more than 200 restaurants, more than any other single-site vacation destination in the world? If you want to learn, more Walt Disney World Facts visit our dedicated page.
New Attractions in 2020 at Walt Disney World
2019 was a busy year at Walt Disney World with a large number of new attractions. There will be two big new attractions opening in 2020 plus several smaller attractions:
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will take the place of The Great Movie Ride in the Chinese Theatre at Hollywood Studios. It will be the first attraction to star Mickey Mouse in any Disney Park, and guests will become part of a Mickey Mouse short. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is scheduled to open on March 4, 2020
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a new Ratatouille Attraction opening in the France Pavilion at Epcot. Guests will wear 3D glasses, and the attraction will use a trackless ride system. During the ride, you will shrink to the size of a rat and cause mayhem in Gustav’s kitchen. A summer 2020 opening has been confirmed.
Read our guide to New Attractions at Walt Disney World in 2020 for further information about these attractions and other additions coming to the resort.
Future Expansions at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has several ongoing projects to bring guests new experiences. Epcot is the latest park to get a significant upgrade and there have been some very exciting recent announcements.
2021 is going to be a fantastic year at Walt Disney World as it is the resort’s 50th birthday. Expect a host of festivities to be announced in 2020.
The following are some of the attractions confirmed to be opening at Walt Disney World in 2021 & beyond:
Magic Kingdom
A new Tron themed coaster, called Tron Lightcycle Run, is due to open in 2021.
Epcot
At the recent D23, we learned more about all the changes coming to Epcot. While we were disappointed not to hear about a new pavilion in World Showcase, we are excited by a new Mary Poppins attraction.
To learn more about the changes coming to Epcot in 2020 and beyond visit our dedicated blog.
Disney Resorts
- A new Star Wars resort, called Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, will open next to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
- Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge
Should you visit Walt Disney World in 2020?
We think 2020 is one of the best years ever to visit Walt Disney World. We have explained our reasons in this recent blog post. However, if you are not certain we have also provided some reasons why perhaps you might want to skip Walt Disney World in 2020 after all.
Initial Research & Reserving your Walt Disney World Vacation
The first steps of arranging any Walt Disney World Vacation is doing your research, setting your budgets & making your initial reservations. In this section of our Guide to Walt Disney World, we help with those initial vacation planning steps.
The initial steps in planning a Walt Disney World Vacation
Walt Disney World Vacations are unlike any other vacation. Not only are they expensive, but they also consist of considerable planning and research. The preparation for a Disney World vacation starts long before your holiday begins. We recommend as soon as possible you consider the following:
- Set what your maximum budget is. There will be additional expenses as you come closer to your departure date, make sure you can still pay for them.
- Consider where you would like to stay. There are plenty of accommodation options at Walt Disney World, but there are other more affordable options offsite.
- Research flights. Prices of flights do vary, and the best time to book does differ from country to country. Have a look at travel forums to find out when the best time to book is.
- Are you going to book the vacation yourself or use a Disney Vacation Planner/Travel Agent?
- Research Walt Disney World via online media(including this site!), guidebooks, etc. Look into when historically offers are released for Disney World Vacations.
- Do you want to visit Universal Orlando or other Orlando parks?
- Pick your dates & get any annual leave requests arranged.
The above is only the starting point of planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Our Walt Disney World Planning Timeline contains all the key dates to help you plan a perfect vacation.
Important information Foreign Visitors to Walt Disney World
The majority of Foreign Visitors must obtain a Visa before entry to the United States. However, certain International visitors may be entitled to enter via the Visa Waiver Program, but they must obtain an ESTA first.
All guests are recommended to apply for visas and ESTAs well in advance of their travel plans. You can find out more about Visas to the United States here.
Setting your Walt Disney World budget
Unfortunately, money is likely to play a part in planning your Walt Disney World Vacation.
We have created a free Walt Disney World Budget Planner among our selection of Walt Disney World Planning tools. If you have a strict budget, print out our budget tool, and start filling it in as you start your initial planning. Remember there will be additional expenses when you arrive in Orlando, e.g. gratuities and souvenirs.
If your package does not come with meals, e.g. the Disney Dining Plan, plan your meal costs carefully. A family of 4 can easily spend over $2000 a week on food at Walt Disney World.
How long do I need at Walt Disney World?
There isn’t a simple answer to this question. Walt Disney World is changing all the time, and even on an extended trip, you are likely to find something new. The majority of first-time visitors should probably consider allocating a minimum of 2 days for all parks. However, you can have a great time at Walt Disney World even if you only visit for a weekend.
We have created a guide on how to decide the length of your Walt Disney World Vacation.
Should I use a Disney Vacation Planner or Travel Agent?
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agencies are specialist authorized Disney Travel Agents. They operate in the United States only and can plan every aspect of your vacation. There is no charge for their services, and the income they earn is a commission from sales. In other countries, there are package holiday companies and travel agents who specialize in selling Disney Holidays.
There are pros and cons of using a Disney Vacation Planner. We have created a Guide to whether you should use a Disney Vacation Planner to help you make a decision.
When should I visit Walt Disney World?
You will have a great time whenever you visit Walt Disney World. Even if you can only visit at the busiest times, you will still have a great time. However, crowds are not all you will want to think about when deciding when to visit Walt Disney World.
We have created a guide to when should you visit Walt Disney World in 2020 which will help with making your decision.
Walt Disney World Tickets
Buying a ticket for Walt Disney World is not simple. There are numerous options offering different benefits, plus they can significantly differ in price. Prices can also vary depending on what dates you intend to visit.
We have created a guide that explains everything you need to know when buying Walt Disney World Tickets.
What about the weather?
While it is highly unlikely you can visit Orlando and not encounter a fair measure of sunshine, it can undoubtedly be offset with plenty of rain and the occasional storm. Hurricanes are something that worries many first time visitors, but it would be unusual for them to ruin your vacation.
We have created a Guide to Orlando Weather which has further information.
Planning Sheets
After your initial research, you will want to start putting down your vacation plans in writing. Our Free Walt Disney World Planners are a great resource that can help create a perfect Walt Disney World Vacation Plan.
Our Walt Disney World Vacation Planners include:
- A vacation overview
- A Disney World budgeting planning sheet
- A weekly Walt Disney World planning sheet
- A Dining & Fastpass+ planner
- Daily planners
Make sure you download this free resource.
Where to Stay When Visiting Walt Disney World
One of the first things you must consider when booking a Walt Disney World Vacation is where to stay. There are numerous accommodation options throughout Orlando. Accommodation options include luxurious villas, budget motels & 5-star hotels. Many hotels include free transport to Walt Disney World.
However, do you want to stay near the action? Nothing beats being in the heart of the action by staying in a Walt Disney World Resort.
However, staying off-site has one big advantage over Walt Disney World Resorts. You will get more “Bang for Your Buck” staying off-site!
Whether to stay on-site or off-site when visiting Walt Disney World is not an easy decision. We have created a guide to help you decide whether you should stay off-site or on-site when visiting Disney World.
Walt Disney World Resorts
Walt Disney World Resorts provide unique theming, accommodation to suit a range of budgets, several perks & the opportunity to stay in the middle of the action. No matter who you are traveling with there will be an accommodation option that will suit you.
Our Guide to Walt Disney World Resorts has information on all the resorts at Walt Disney World and the perks you will receive. The guide also includes information on the Disney Vacation Club and On-site non-Disney owned Resort Hotels. On-site non-Disney Resort Hotels offer many of the benefits of Disney owned resorts, but often at a lower price.
All Star Sports Resort Guide to Walt Disney World 
Little Mermaid area Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The Walt Disney World Theme Parks
There are 4 theme parks in Walt Disney World each with their own unique ambiance. All 4 theme parks are large and usually take a minimum of 2 days to complete. Guide maps & showtimes are available at the entrance to all parks or via the My Disney Experience App.
The Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom was the very first theme park to open in Walt Disney World on the 1st of October 1971. Today it is the most popular theme park in the World. It often attracts large crowds and has a maximum capacity of 100,000 which is often reached on the National Holidays.
Visit our Guide to the Magic Kingdom for further information, and to learn all the latest news, tips & tricks.
Epcot
Epcot opened on October 1st, 1982. It covers 300 acres and is more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom. It was the 2nd Theme Park to open in Walt Disney World.
Epcot is currently undergoing a multi-year enhancement project. The project will include many new attractions but also the closure of some historic attractions. Unfortunately, you are likely to encounter some building work when you visit. Visit our Epcot News Section to learn more.
You can learn more about Epcot in our Beginners Guide.
Hollywood Studios
Dedicated to Show Business the park opened on the 1 May 1989. The theme park was launched by Disney in response to Universal Studios opening in Orlando.
Hollywood Studios has been undergoing massive renovations including the introduction of several new lands and attractions. Toy Story Land, the first of these changes, opened in Summer 2018. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in stages over 2019.
Read more about the park including tips and tricks in our Guide to Hollywood Studios.
Animal Kingdom
Disney’s
Read more about the park including tips and tricks in our Guide to the Animal Kingdom.
Water Parks at Walt Disney World
There are two water parks in Walt Disney World. Both parks include wave pools, lazy rivers, a selection of slides, family raft rides & kid pools. Quick Service dining locations are available in each park. During winter months one park will be closed to undergo annual maintenance.
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach, which is themed around a ski resort, opened on April 1st, 1995. Legend has it that a freak snowstorm in the area led to Florida’s first ski resort. When the snow eventually melted, it was converted into a water park. The majority of the major attractions at the park are hosted atop Mount
Gushmore , an artificial hill with an elevation of 90 feet. Only the bravest guests will ride the park’s flagship attraction Summit Plummet. The attraction stands at 120 feet tall, and the near-vertical drops create speeds up to 60 miles per hour.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, which is themed around a storm-damaged tropical bay, opened on June 1st, 1989. It is the 2nd most-visited water park in the world. The park includes one of the World’s largest wave pools. The park used to include two shark reefs where guests could snorkel but this attraction closed in 2016.
Entertainment Districts at Walt Disney World
There are 2 main entertainment districts to discover at Walt Disney World: Disney Springs & Disney’s Boardwalk.
Disney Springs
Previously known as Downtown Disney the conversion to Disney Springs was completed in Spring 2016. Originally opening in 1975 Disney Springs now consists of over 150 stores, restaurants, and entertainment locations.
Transportation is available from all Walt Disney World resorts by either bus or water-taxi, and free parking is available.
You can learn more in our Guide to Disney Springs.
Disney’s Boardwalk
The Boardwalk is a quarter-mile promenade containing dining, shopping, and nightlife options. It is also the home of the Boardwalk Inn & Villas. It is designed to look like a Mid-Atlantic seaside village from the early 1900s.
The Boardwalk, although smaller, attract much lower crowds than Disney Springs and can offer a more relaxing nighttime experience.
There is a walkway between Disney’s Boardwalk and both Epcot & Hollywood Studios. Water transportation is also available to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Yacht & Beach Club resorts, and Swan & Dolphin Resorts.
Getting to Disney’s Boardwalk from other resorts is not as easy as Disney Springs as there is no direct transport. Guests will need to catch a bus from either a theme park or Disney Springs to get to the Boardwalk.
Other Venues at Walt Disney World
Golf at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is the home to 3 Championship Golf Courses and a smaller nine-hole walking course. Arnold Palmer Golf Management manages the Disney golf courses. To learn more about Disney World golf click here.
There are also two themed miniature golf complexes called Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland. Each compound has two separate courses.
ESPN Wide World of Sports
The ESPN Wide World of Sports opened in 1997 and is a 220-acre athletic complex. This state of the art facility houses over 60 sports and holds thousands of events every year. The 2022 Special Olympics USA will be held at the Wide World of Sports.
Most events at Wide World of Sports carry an additional admission charge, but you can gain admission for some events with Park Hopper Plus tickets.
Disney’s Wedding Pavilion
Disney’s Wedding Pavilion opened in 1995 and is located at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
The site can hold up to six weddings a day, but there are also additional wedding venues at Walt Disney World. To learn more about weddings at Walt Disney World click this link.
Essential Walt Disney World Knowledge
Once you have planned where you are going to stay, you need to you quickly learn the basics of how to plan your Walt Disney World Vacation.
There are key booking windows at Walt Disney World to secure dining reservations and make ride reservations, plus a collection of other Essential Walt Disney World Knowledge to Learn.
We will guide you through all the Essential Disney World Knowledge you need to plan & enjoy your vacation. Plus download our Free Walt Disney World Planners so you can record all your vacation plans.
Walt Disney World Park Hours & Closures
Park hours usually get released around 6 months in advance. However, they often change as you come closer to the actual date!
Walt Disney World is constantly changing, and it is almost inevitable there will be some attraction refurbishments & closures whenever you visit. This handy guide has all the current renovations and closures at Walt Disney World.
FastPass+
FastPass+ is Disney’s attraction reservation system. FastPass+ allows you to book attractions in advance of your arrival at Walt Disney World.
Your reservation allows you to join a much shorter line so you can experience the ride quicker. If you don’t use FastPass+ you will spend a more extended period in standby lines. In busy periods this will mean you will experience fewer attractions.
There are various reservation windows and rules on how you can use FastPass+, which you should learn as soon as possible. Our Guide to Fastpass+ will give you all the essential information.
My Disney Experience
My Disney Experience is a free online guide to Walt Disney World that allows guests to plan their vacation.
Through this free service you can:
- Keep track of your plans & reservations including those of your family & friends.
- Make FastPass+, Dining & Ticket Reservations
- Order in advance your food at select Quick Service Locations
- Access maps, wait times, showtimes, park hours and a lot more essential information via the app.
Our Guide to My Disney Experience provides more information including how to get the App.
Single Rider Line
Happy to ride on your own? Can’t get a Fastpass? Then the Single Rider Line at a limited number of attractions could save you considerable time.
To learn more read our Guide to The Single Rider Line.
Extra Magic Hours
Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and select other resorts can enjoy extra time in the parks each day. Extra Magic Hours occur either before parks open or after they close to regular guests.
Our Guide to Extra Magic Hours provides further information, and advice on whether you should take advantage of this perk.
Rider Switch & Height Restrictions
While Disney World appeals to families of all ages, some attractions are not suitable for young children. Many of the attractions have height restrictions for safety purposes, and they are enforced strictly.
However, if the kids are too small to ride, it does not mean adults and older siblings can’t. Rider Switch, also sometimes known as child swap, allows guests with small children to take turns riding while another adult stays with the child.
To see all the Disney World Height Restrictions and learn more about Rider Switch read our guides.
MagicBands
MagicBands are now a key part of many guest’s Disney World Vacation. These rubber bracelets act as your park tickets, room key, room charge card, your Fastpasses are linked with them, they store your photographs, manage your dining reservations and your Disney Dining Plan.
While you can still use a traditional ticket for your park entry and Fastpass+ reservations you will miss out on the extra interactions if you don’t have a MagicBand.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you get a MagicBand free with your reservation, and guests can now upgrade their band to a special themed band. Other guests can buy a band in advance or at the parks. Our Guide to MagicBands has further information.
Photopass & Memory Maker
Photopass allows you to keep the highlights from your Walt Disney World Vacation. There is no charge to have pictures taken at Walt Disney World or to see them online, but there is if you want to download them.
Memory Maker is a package that allows you to download and keep all the pictures you have taken in a 30-day window including ride photographs.
You can learn more about Photopass & Memory Maker in our guide.
Play Disney Parks App
Available through both the App Store and Google Play is the new Play Disney Parks App. The App makes waiting in line fun, with a list of challenges the whole family can play.
There are interactive experiences and games you can play at select attractions while you wait. Plus there are digital collectibles you can earn for touring and riding the parks.
The Play Disney Parks App can be a major part of your exploration at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. On arrival in Galaxy’s Edge, the Play Disney Parks app will transform into the Star Wars: Datapad. This Datapad will allow you to live your own Star Wars Adventure.
Hidden Mickeys
Want to play a game when visiting Walt Disney World? See who can spot the most Hidden Mickeys.
There are thousands of Hidden Mickeys throughout the resort and more are added with each change. A Hidden Mickey is a representation of Mickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly into the design of a ride, attraction or another site.
Finding Hidden Mickeys is not easy, but they are everywhere throughout Walt Disney World.
Character Hunting at Walt Disney World
Love them or hate them, if you have young children & perhaps if you don’t, you are going to spend a lot of your time at Disney World seeking the Famous Walt Disney World Characters.
However, there are several methods to optimize your chances of meeting your favorite character. Our Guide on How to Find Characters at Walt Disney World has further information.
Disabilities at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World provides extensive facilities for all forms of disability. You are able to contact Walt Disney World at (407) 560-2547 or [email protected] prior to your visit to discuss your requirements.
Electric Conveyance Vehicles & wheelchairs are available for daily rental at all parks and Disney Springs. If you are going to need a scooter for several days, we recommend looking at a long term rental.
We have created a Guide to Disabilities at Walt Disney World which has further information on the adaptions & services available in every park. Our guide also includes details on the Disability Access Service which assists guests who are unable to tolerate longs waits in lines.
Walt Disney World Useful Information
Sometimes it is difficult to find the answers to all your questions prior to your Walt Disney World Vacation. You will find many of the answers in our Walt Disney World Information section.
You can navigate straight to the advice you are looking for by clicking the links below:
- Tipping at Walt Disney World
- Guest Relations at Walt Disney World
- Theme Park Rules & Prohibited Items at Walt Disney World
- Dress Code at Walt Disney World
- Strollers at Walt Disney World
- Locker Hire at Walt Disney World
- What you should pack in your Walt Disney World Park Bag
- Walt Disney World Tours
- Disney’s VIP Tour Services
- Walt Disney World Firework Cruises
- Specialty Cruises at Walt Disney World
- Payment for Goods at Walt Disney World
- Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World
- Lost Children at Walt Disney World
- First Aid at Walt Disney World
- Accessing the Internet when visiting Walt Disney World
- Lost & Found at Walt Disney World
- Smoking at Walt Disney World
- Charging your Mobile Phone at Disney World
- Walt Disney World’s Celebration Buttons
- Gifts, Flowers & Cakes at Walt Disney World
- Ears to the World, Disney Show Translator
- Additional Information for guests who are not fluent in English
- Ricoh Business Centers
- Pregnant at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Tips & Tricks
Planning your visit to Walt Disney World is an essential activity although it can initially feel overwhelming for the first-time visitor.
We have created numerous guides here on Modern Life is Good, which provides tips on how to plan the perfect Walt Disney World Vacation. You can access the majority of articles containing planning tips in our resource The Ultimate Collection of Walt Disney World Planning Tips & Tricks.
However, if you want our very best Walt Disney World Tips & Tricks the following guides might be worth an early visit:
- 201 Walt Disney World Tips & Tricks to have a great vacation.
- 20 Walt Disney World Mistakes to Avoid. This is one of our most popular articles on Modern Life is Good.
- Our Top 10 Walt Disney World Tips for 2020.
- What You Really Need in your Park Bag.
- Our Top Secret Walt Disney World Hack
Walt Disney World Transport
Getting around Disney World is easy. Walt Disney World has its own fantastic internal travel network. Complimentary transportation is available from all resorts to the parks and Disney Springs. All forms of transport are regular comfortable and accessible for guests with disabilities.
Previously there were three primary forms of complimentary transportation at Walt Disney World: buses, monorail & ferries. The new Disney Skyliner added a 4th transportation option in the resort.
It is worth remembering that direct routes are not available to all locations, and it can take longer than driving. To travel to another resort, you will usually have to change at either a Theme Park or Disney Springs.
To learn more transportation options when visiting Walt Disney World visit our Guide to Walt Disney World Transport. Our guide also includes the options available to get to Walt Disney World from Orlando’s airports, including Disney’s Magical Express and Disney’s Minnie van Service.
Driving at Walt Disney World
Many guests choose to hire a car when in Orlando, and if you are staying in a villa, this is your only realistic option. Orlando roads are good and well signposted. The quality of roads extends when you are in Walt Disney World which has an extensive well-maintained network.
If you are driving, you will have to pay to park unless you have a select annual pass. Complimentary parking is no longer free for Disney Resort Guests, who now have to pay a daily rate at their resort, but this does include theme park parking. Disney Vacation Club members are excluded from parking charges.
Guests who are not staying in a Disney Resort pay one fee for a parking pass good all day at all four theme parks. Parking rates are now seasonal and can be as high as $50 a day for preferred parking.
Visiting Walt Disney World Without a Car
In my opinion, you don’t need a car when visiting Walt Disney World. On our last few trips to Orlando, we have managed without a car just fine.
We have created a guide to navigating Walt Disney World Without a Car which shows just how easy it is!
Dining at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World serves a lot of food, an awful lot of food. There are over 6,000 food items available at more than 475 different locations.
We have created a Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, which is full of helpful information. Our guide includes information on the type of restaurants available, how to get those essential dining reservations & plenty of hints & tips.
In addition, we have created the following guides which you might find useful:
- Advanced Dining Reservations at Walt Disney World. How to snag those must-do dining reservations.
- Mobile Ordering at Walt Disney World. Perhaps the greatest time-saver at Walt Disney World, order your food in advance at quick-service restaurants.
- All about the Disney Dining Plan. Disney’s prepaid meal plan often offered free as part of a vacation package.
- Food Allergies and Intolerances when visiting Walt Disney World.
- Guide to Character Meals at Walt Disney World
Special Events & Festivities at Walt Disney World
Throughout 2020 there will be regular Special Events & Festivities at Walt Disney World. These special events help make every Disney Vacation extra special.
Some of these events are annual events, but there are also one-off events for 2020. This helpful calendar has information on all the festivities announced for 2020 and beyond.
Annual Festivals & Parties
4 festivals return annually to Epcot:
- International Festival of the Arts.
- International Flower and Garden Festival.
- International Food and Wine Festival.
- Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
All these festivals have great entertainment, special events, music, and unique food kitchens. Festivals at Epcot are included in your regular admission. You can learn more about these festivals in our Guide to Epcot.
Over in the Magic Kingdom, there are 2 annual parties:
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Both these parties have an extra admission cost but are a great opportunity to experiences rides with little wait, meet rare characters, and see unique entertainment. You can learn more about these
Disney After Hours
Another special event that runs throughout the year is Disney After Hours. These special ticketed events have run at the Magic Kingdom for a while but have been offered at the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios in 2019. Currently, they are not offered at Hollywood Studios.
These hard-ticket events allow you to experience the park for 3 hours after regular closure. You are promised little-to-no wait for attractions, unique experiences, and character greetings. Ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages are also included in your admission. However, the events are not cheap.
Walt Disney World News & Rumors
Walt Disney World is constantly changing, and every month there are announcements of new developments or rumors of changes to the resort. We aim to keep you up to date with all the latest information.
Visit our Walt Disney World News Section for all the latest news & rumors.
Read More about Walt Disney World
We will be further updating our Guide to Walt Disney World for Beginners in the coming months. Please keep checking back and let us know of anything you would like to see included in future editions of this guide. If you have spotted any errors please let us know.
Are you planning to visit Universal Orlando? Our Guide to Universal Orlando Resort is a great resource to help your planning
Happy vacation planning!
David
Really useful guide. Look forward to seeing it expand further…keep up the good work.
Thanks Dan
Further updates will be coming soon
Some things to note:
1. We did the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party last year. Total waste of money. You can’t FastPass the rides after 7pm because (so they say) the rides will be shorter. They aren’t. We found the park to be as crowded after the non-party goers left as it was before they did. Many of the party goers arrive at or after 7 pm when the party officially begins. We didn’t ride a lot of the rides because of the hour wait to get onto them.
2. If you have children and want to be sure to visit Epcot, do NOT (and I can’t stress this enough) go during their Food & Wine Festival. Seems everyone goes for the Drink Around the World Game that Disney promotes, making this a not-very-kid-friendly park. Kids don’t want to (and shouldn’t have to) see their favorite Disney characters turned into drinkers via the many T-shirts that are worn to this event. Some examples of ones we saw: Fairy Godmother waving her magic wand saying “Bibbity Bobbity Booze” Belle and a cocktail glass saying “Beauty and the Booze” The Seven Dwarfs singing “Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s off to drink we go!”
Then there are the drunks. We had to leave Via Napoli because it was so loud with all the yelling. The final straw was when my child saw a man stumbling along, spilling his drink everywhere and asked me, “Why are they still serving him alcohol? He’s drunk.” Our stay at Epcot was cut short after that.
3. Staying at an off-resort hotel may be cheaper, but often it’s only cheaper on paper when you add in all the extras you’ll pay for if you do. If you’re flying in, Depending on which airline you fly in on, Disney will pick up your luggage and deliver it to your resort room. All you have to do is climb onto the Disney’s Magical Express bus for free. When it’s time to leave, check your bag with the TSA agent at the resort. Disney will take your bags to the airport for you. All you have to do is hop on the ME bus for another free ride back to the airport. Then you can ride the buses, monorail, or ferries throughout Disney for free. The cost you’ll save doing that instead of renting a car can be close to $400, depending on length of stay. You’ll also save the $10 per day, per park parking fee. $20 if you want a closer parking spot.
4. Staying on property also lets you participate in the Disney Dining Plan, which may or may not be a good idea for you. We’ve gone with it and without it. It depends on what your plans are. If you’re planning on a lot of character meals, the dining plan definitely saves money as buffets are often around $45 and up per adult. If you plan on eating a lot of steak and/or salmon, it’s a good deal, too. Now with the addition of alcohol for each meal, if you like a glass of wine or cocktail with your meal, the dining plan is a deal (kids can get specialty drinks like smoothies and milk shakes that you couldn’t get before on the plan). Add in the free refillable resort mug (for each guest) and the two snacks a day (which adds up to around $10 per person a day) and it might make sense to get that. But don’t forget you’ll still need to budget for tips. That’s not included unless you’re going to a special event like the luau at the Polynesian or Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.
Thanks for your list of tips…very useful.
For some reason, your comment had gone into the spam bin hence why not approved until now.
I do agree with your comments about MNSHP I think they are selling more tickets. I did not enjoy it much on our last visit.
Personally I like Food and Wine Festival but you do need to avoid weekends for the partying locals
This is turning into a really useful guide to Walt Disney World. It has extended a lot from when I first visited.
For future updates how about adding a section on tickets?
I also feel your initial Basics section could do with a bit of expansion. How about an abbreviated history/timeline of Walt Disney World?
Hi Siva
All good points. I will try and work into next update
Thanks for your comment
David
We have built all your suggestions into the latest version of this guide.
Thanks for the advice & I hope you enjoy the updated Guide to Walt Disney World for Beginners.
So much has changed since I visited as a teenager two decades ago. I would love to make a return in the future.
I hope you manage to visit in the future 🙂