Birnbaum's 2025 Walt Disney World

Planning Ahead Logistics
 
Organizing a trip properly takes time, but most travelers find the increased enjoyment well worth the effort. The fact is, planning a Disney visit can be a pleasant sort of “armchair” exercise for the whole family. Kids will enjoy their visit to Disney all the more if they, too, are involved in the process. Take it from us, the more information you can gather, the better.
 
To assist in that effort, we immodestly recommend Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World for Kids, a colorful look at the World, written for readers ages 7 through 14. For parties aiming to pair a Disney cruise with a WDW visit, the info beginning on page 337 is a good place to start.
 
Hot Tip
• So you’re using the Birnbaum Guide to plan your trip to Walt Disney World. What are you going to do next? Go to www.disneyworld.com! There you can get WDW news and park hours, purchase tickets, make dining reservations, and more. (You can also use the handy-dandy My Disney Experience app or website.)
 
INFORMATION SOURCES
 
For additional information about Walt Disney World, use the My Disney Experience app or website, visit www.disneyworld.com, or call 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639). Specifics such as park hours, ticket prices, refurbishment schedules, and directions are available through an automated system 24 hours a day. For info by mail, write to: Walt Disney World, P.O. Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000.
 
Free park guide maps are available at all four theme parks, just inside the entrance and at Guest Relations locations. Theme Park Tip Boards provide information such as attraction wait times; Disney character appearance, parade, and stage show schedules; and more.
 
Internet and smartphone users can get details about trip planning, reserve a resort room, order theme park and water park tickets, book (and modify) dining reservations, and get attraction wait times, park operating hours, and special-events descriptions by using the My Disney Experience app or website, or by visiting disneyworld.com. Disney Cruise Line vacation packages may be booked at disneycruise.com.
 
For discounts on (non-Disney) area attractions, hotels, and restaurants, contact Visit Orlando at 407-363-5872 and visit www.visitorlando.com.
 
For information about other Central Florida attractions, contact Visit Florida; 888-735-2872 (to request a free visitors guide and map); www.visitflorida.com. You can also download area guides from the website.
 
On-site Resources: Those staying at a WDW resort should consider their Lobby Concierge desk a primary resource. Resort guests may also receive information via their room’s TV. Fort Wilderness campers are advised to stop at the Pioneer Hall Information & Ticket Window, call extension 2788, or touch 11 on a phone near any public restroom. (Tablet and smartphone users can access mydisneyexperience.com or use the free app.)
 
WHAT TO PACK
 
While there’s no formal dress code at Walt Disney World, neat, casual clothing is the rule, with few exceptions. Most notably, semi-formal/formal attire is requested for Victoria & Albert’s restaurant in the Grand Floridian resort. Generally speaking, T-shirts and shorts are fine during the day. For evening, slacks, jeans, or Bermuda-length shorts are appropriate. Bathing suits are a must, along with the appropriate attire for any sport you want to pursue. (Tennis, anyone?)
 
Light sweaters are necessary even in summer—to wear indoors when the air-conditioning gets chilly. From November through March, warmer clothing is a must for evening. Pack for weather extremes so you will be comfy should it become unseasonably warm or cool. Be sure to take hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and bug repellent.
 
Adults must have government issued photo ID. (Leave selfie sticks at home—they are not permitted in Disney theme or water parks. Also forbidden: weapons of any kind, including toys.) If possible, pack rain gear (a large, light-weight poncho is best). One of the most important items of all? Comfortable walking shoes (two pairs).
 
Guests staying at the resorts on Hotel Plaza Boulevard may access a tourist-information television station of their own. Some other area hotels also show a version of the programming, usually aiming to provide an overview of all Central Florida attractions.
 
For Day Visitors: When purchasing one-day admission to a given theme park, guests receive a complimentary guide map for that park. Ticket holders may receive all four park guides upon request. Extra park guide maps are available at City Hall (in the Magic Kingdom) and at Guest Relations (in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), as well as in shops and restaurants throughout the theme parks.
 
PACKAGE POINTERS
 
The sheer number and diversity of packages offering vacations in Central Florida are enough to bewilder even the savviest traveler. Still, such plans are worth exploring. Most offer the convenience of a vacation that’s completely organized in advance, and one that will generally cost less than the sum of the same transportation, accommodations, and admission elements purchased separately. In addition, since most package providers purchase blocks of Disney resort rooms, they are an excellent source for securing a room on WDW property when the hotel of your choice is booked solid. Southwest Vacations (southwestvacations.com; 800-243-8372), American Airlines Vacations (800-321-2121; aavacations.com), expedia.com, travelocity.com, and the Walt Disney Travel Company (407-939-6244 or disneyworld.com) all offer packages that may feature WDW on-site hotels, as well as choice off-property accommodations. Some packages may sweeten the deal by including (relatively) lower-cost air transportation. Vacations and other travel packages may include particular perks and discount offers. For possibilities, check travel websites, or consult a travel agent. Packages booked via disneyworld.com are known as Walt Disney Travel Co. packages, and may include extras such as miniature golf or passes to ESPN Wide World of Sports. For details on how to book packages through disneyworld.com, see pages 19–20.
 
Travel agents may design packages around a specific type of vacation: say, a golf getaway, honeymoon, or family reunion. They may include extra elements such as unlimited tee times or a carriage ride. Still others are tied to an annual event, such as the Walt Disney World Marathon (see Holidays & Special Events on page 10). Air transportation, rental car, travel insurance, or airport transfers can be added to most packages.
 
Hot Tips
• When purchasing a Walt Disney World vacation package, pay attention to the type of WDW park ticket that’s included—and make sure you are able to customize the ticket to meet your needs. See page 21 for more information.
• New multi-day theme park tickets expire 2 to 14 days after the first day they are used. The “No Expiration” option was discontinued in 2015. Tickets purchased prior to then will be honored at the parks. Email inquiries to ticket.usage@disneyworld.com. If you have questions about any ticket purchased in 2016 or later, call Ticket Services: 407-566-4985, Option 4.
 
The value of a package depends on your party’s needs. Before considering options, use this book to help determine which of the accommodations, activities, and attractions most appeal to you. There’s genuine value in certain package elements, such as airport transfers. Several packages also include meals with the Disney characters, tennis lessons, golf greens fees, spa treatments, boat rentals, and the like.
 
Never choose a package that includes elements you don’t want or won’t have time to enjoy. While extras such as welcoming snacks may sound appealing, their cash value is negligible. Also beware of any packages that tout certain services as selling points that are actually available to every Disney guest.
 
Finally, we highly recommend insuring your trip when purchasing a package, as cancellation fees can be steep and emergencies do happen. Insurance ensures peace of mind (and wallet).
 
How to Book a WDW Resort Stay
 
Have you decided that you would like to stay at one of the Disney–owned-and-operated Walt Disney World resort hotels? Fantastic! We’re happy to walk you through the step-by-step process of booking your vacation. First, you’ll need to decide if you would like a “room-only” reservation or a vacation package. A package includes theme park tickets, and can include other components, all depending on how much you’d like to customize your Disney vacation.
 
Both types of booking come with the following perks:
• Theme Park Early Entry Benefit: Walt Disney World resort guests may enjoy a half hour of early access to any of the four theme parks on most mornings. (For further details, see page 22.)
• Free Water Park Admission: In 2025, guests of select WDW resorts receive free admission to a Disney water park on the day they check-in ( pending availability).
• Complimentary use of the Walt Disney World Transportation System: WDW’s vast transportation system includes buses (aka motor coaches), boats, the WDW monorail system, and the Disney Skyliner.
 
Note that each reservation type (room-only or package) comes with its own unique deposit requirements and cancellation policies. Finally, keep in mind that packages for the Swan, Dolphin, and Four Seasons Orlando, plus Disney Springs area resorts, hotels at Flamingo Crossings, and Bonnet Creek area resorts (hotels that are on WDW property, but are not owned or operated by Disney) can be booked via disneyworld.com, but room-only reservations must be booked via each resort’s web site or by contacting the hotel directly.
 
Are you ready to book a WDW resort? You can call 407-949-5277, or follow these steps:
• Step 1: Create an account on disneyworld.com. Start by clicking the link at the very top of the page that says “Sign in or create account.” It is best to log in to your account before perusing any room rates or packages.
• Step 2: Click the tab labeled “Places to Stay” and enter the dates of your vacation and the number of guests. Click “Find Resorts.”
• Step 3: Choose a resort that fits your needs and check for availability. If your heart’s set on a particular resort and it’s not available for your dates, try adjusting your arrival and departure by a day or two in either direction.
• Step 4: Choose “Room” or “Package.” Know that WDW package prices may automatically pop up with a seven-day park ticket for each member of your party. Don’t worry! You can customize park tickets on the next page. But first you must select the type of resort room that best fits your needs. (Rates may differ based on date, view, and amenities.) Annual Passholders should make sure park reservations are available before booking a resort. (Without a reservation, Annual Passholders may enter a theme park starting at 2 p.m. with the exception of Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests with Date- Based park tickets don’t need to make park reservations. Details are subject to change.)
• Step 5: If you’ve chosen a package, you can customize park tickets by choosing the number of days, type of tickets (base tickets or park hoppers), etc. If you’ve chosen a “room-only” resort reservation, you may need to select “no ticket” to proceed to the checkout page.
• Step 6: Review your order details very carefully. If you have selected a package, you may now add other extras such as the Memory Maker photo package, the Disney Dining Plan, and a Travel Protection plan. Once you are finished, proceed to checkout.
• Step 7: Pay your deposit. For a room-only reservation, the deposit is equal to one-night’s stay and the balance is due on your day of arrival. For a package, the deposit is $200 and the balance must be paid 30 days prior to arrival. Packages may include bonus items such as a free round of mini golf (4 vouchers per package), passes to ESPN Wide World of Sports (4 vouchers per package), and discounts at a number of shopping and dining spots. What if you need to cancel? Packages must be canceled 30 days or more prior to arrival in order to receive a refund of the deposit. Room-only reservations must be canceled at least five days prior to arrival date in order to receive a refund of the deposit.
•Step 8: Let the countdown begin—you’re going to Walt Disney World!
 
“ENCHANTING EXTRAS”
 
Disney offers an ever-changing slate of adventures, tours, and seasonal events, collectively known as the “Enchanting Extras Collection.” Options include animal encounters, fishing excursions, art classes, dessert parties, and more. The most widely offered experiences are detailed on the pages of this book. Seasonal offerings, aka “Limited Time Events,” and new adventures join the lineup throughout the year. For updates, pricing, or to make reservations for Disney’s Enchanting Extras Collection, visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ enchanting-extras-collection/, or call 407-939-7529.
 
VIP TOURS
 
You may have noticed them in the theme parks—those cheery folks in the plaid vests. They are VIP guides, leading guests on customized WDW trips. The point is to minimize the hassle factor, while maximizing the overall magic component. Though participating in a VIP tour won’t necessarily let you cut the line, it may yield some special seating for stage shows and parades. One tour guide can host up to 10 guests at a cost of about $425–$750 per hour, depending on the season. There is a 6-hour minimum per trip. Parties larger than 10 will require a second tour guide. Make your needs known when you book the tour. Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a fee. Call 407-560-4033 for additional VIP tour information or to make a reservation.
 
DISNEY DINING PLAN
 
The Disney Dining Plan lets guests of select WDW resorts pre-pay for meals before they arrive at Walt Disney World. While convenient for many, the fan-favorite is not necessarily a money-saver. For details about Dining Plan options (Standard or Quick-Service), use the My Disney Experience app or website, or visit disneyworld.com.
 
Consider just how much your travel party can consume before selecting a plan, as some include more sustenance than others. Here’s a summary of the standard table-service plan (note that specifics are subject to change at any time):
 
Each day of the standard Disney Dining Plan—which costs about $95 a day for adults and $30 for kids (ages 3 to 9), plus tip—is apt to include:
• One table-service meal, including an entrée, dessert (at lunch or dinner), and one beverage.
• One quick-service meal, including an entrée and a beverage.
• One snack, such as ice cream, popcorn, or a medium soft drink at select quick-service spots or snack cart.
• One refillable resort mug per guest age 3 and older.
• The option of exchanging two table-service meals for one meal at a high-end “Signature” restaurant or a WDW dinner show, such as the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
 
To sum up: Say your family of four purchases a 5-night package. Together you’re entitled to 20 quick-service meals, 20 table-service meals, and 20 snacks. And you are free to use them in any way you want. That is, if you want to skip a meal one day or have 5 meals in a single day, by all means go for it. (Remember there is a finite number of meals allotted.) Usage can be tracked via My Disney Experience, at Guest Relations in the parks and WDW resorts, and by keeping your meal receipts. To redeem a meal, present a MagicBand or room key card. Tax is included; gratuities are not. Be sure to tip your servers! Note that guests age 21 and older (with valid government-issued photo ID) have the option of ordering an alcoholic beverage (when available).
 
In addition to traditional table service meals, certain “character dining” experiences are available to Dining Plan participants, as are some Disney Springs locations. Note that children ages 3 through 9 must order from the kids’ menu.
 
To find out which restaurants are participating during your planned visit to Walt Disney World, use the My Disney Experience app or website, visit disneyworld.com, or call 407-939-3463. It’s best to purchase a Disney Dining Plan at the same time a Walt Disney World resort stay is booked, though it may be possible to upgrade or add a Dining Plan to an existing reservation. If you purchase a Disney Dining Plan that includes table-service meals, you must make reservations for restaurants. Do so as far ahead as possible! Please check disneyworld.com for Dining Plan updates and additional information.