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Walt Disney World Planning

Walt Disney World, planned by people who know it by heart.

From choosing the right Disney Resort hotel to planning which park on which morning, we help your family build a Walt Disney World vacation that feels effortless.

Start Planning Your Disney World Vacation

A Gold Level EarMarked by Disney Agency

Four parks. Four different vacations.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is home to four distinct theme parks, each with its own personality, attractions, dining, and experiences. Magic Kingdom brings classic Disney storytelling to life. EPCOT blends global culture, food, and innovation. Disney's Hollywood Studios puts you inside some of the biggest stories in entertainment, while Disney's Animal Kingdom combines wildlife, adventure, and immersive worlds.

With so much to experience, how you plan your days matters. Which park should you visit first? How many park days do you need? Where should you slow down, and where should you make the most of your time?

As a Gold Level EarMarked by Disney Authorized Travel Agency, Castles and Cruises Travel Company brings firsthand Disney experience to every vacation we plan. Tell us who's traveling, and we'll help put the pieces in the right order, with a little magic sprinkled along the way.

Walt Disney World vacation planning, handled

Our Disney travel advisors can help you:

  • Choose the right Disney Resort hotel for your family and budget
  • Determine which ticket options make sense for your trip
  • Plan your park days around ages, interests, and priorities
  • Navigate dining reservations and Lightning Lane planning
  • Make the most of your time in each park
  • Coordinate special experiences, celebrations, and other vacation details
  • Monitor applicable Disney promotions
  • Answer questions from booking through your return home
Start Planning Your Disney World Vacation

The Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Cinderlla-Castle-Orlando

Magic Kingdom

Florida

The classic castle park, and the one small children have already pictured before they arrive. Its six lands hold more rides that truly work for toddlers and preschoolers than anywhere else on property. That's why it stays the family park long after a family thinks it has outgrown one. It's also the park most worth an early start. The first hour on Main Street, U.S.A. holds more than the three that follow.

Best for

First-timers, children under eight, and grandparents who came for the photo.

Epcot-Spaceship-Earth-Night

EPCOT

Florida

Two parks in one. Half is pavilions and invention, looking to the future. The other half is World Showcase, eleven country pavilions around a lagoon. It skews older than Magic Kingdom. Teens, adults, and anyone who plans a day around what they'll eat love it. Festivals run through much of the year, so the same park feels different in spring than in fall. It's worth knowing which festival is on before you set your dates.

Best for

Teens, food-loving couples, and grown-up groups traveling without toddlers.

hollywood-studios-castles-and-cruises

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Florida

The thrill and franchise park. Star Wars on one side, Toy Story on the other, both built to be walked into rather than looked at. It suits older kids and film-loving adults more than it suits a stroller. It's also the hardest park to do well without a plan. The headline rides draw some of the longest waits on property, and the order you ride them in shapes the whole day.

Best for

Star Wars households, ages eight and up, and families willing to start early.

Tree-of-life-Animal-Kingdom-Park

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Florida

A real zoological park as much as a theme park, and one of the most beautiful. Take the safari early, while the animals are still moving and before the heat settles over the savanna. Pandora – The World of Avatar turns into something else after dark. That's the case for splitting the day in two rather than leaving after lunch, the way many people do.

Best for

Animal-loving kids, photographers, and anyone who needs one gentler day.

The Water Parks

The Water Parks

Florida

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are the half-day breather in the middle of a long trip. A lazy river, a shaded chair, an afternoon with nothing on it. This is what saves a family on day four, when the youngest has stopped enjoying anything and nobody wants to say so. We build one into many week-long trips for exactly that reason.

Best for

Stays of five days or more, strong swimmers, and families who plan too much.

Disneyland-California-Incredicoaster

Disneyland Resort

California

The original, in California, and a truly different trip rather than a smaller version of this one. Two parks sit side by side, close enough to cross between in minutes, so a day is walked instead of bussed. For a short visit, a West Coast family, or a return trip that shouldn't repeat the last one, it's often the better of the two coasts.

Best for: West Coast families, long weekends, and repeat visitors who know Florida by heart.

Plan a Disneyland Resort trip →

Choosing a Disney Resort hotel

Staying at a Disney Resort hotel puts you inside the magic, with perks like early entry to the theme parks and Disney transportation. The right resort depends on your budget, your family's size, and how you like to travel.

Value Resorts

Colorful, playful, and budget-friendly, with big themes and family suites at select resorts.

Examples: Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's All-Star Resorts

Moderate Resorts

More amenities, themed pools, and charming settings, at a mid-range price.

Examples: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resorts

Deluxe Resorts

The most amenities, the best locations, and walking, monorail, or boat access to the parks.

Examples: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Browse resort brochures ↓

Walt Disney World FAQ

With four theme parks, we recommend at least one full day per park. Many families plan five to seven days so they can add a water park or rest day and enjoy the parks at a more relaxed pace. We'll recommend a plan based on your family's ages, interests, and pace.

Walt Disney World has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. It also has two water parks, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach.

Magic Kingdom is usually the favorite for young children, with more rides suited to toddlers and preschoolers than any other park. Disney's Animal Kingdom is also wonderful for little ones who love animals. We'll help you plan around naps, height requirements, and attention spans.

For many families, yes. Disney Resort hotel guests enjoy perks like early entry to the theme parks and Disney transportation, plus the convenience of staying inside the magic. We'll compare resorts for your budget and help you decide whether staying on-site is right for your trip.

Value resorts offer playful theming at the most budget-friendly prices. Moderate resorts add more amenities, themed pools, and charming settings. Deluxe resorts offer the most amenities and the best locations, with walking, monorail, or boat access to select parks. We'll help you find the right fit for your family.

Lightning Lane is Disney's paid option for shorter waits at select attractions. Options include Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, and Lightning Lane Premier Pass, and prices vary by date and park. Disney Resort hotel guests can book Lightning Lane earlier than other guests. We'll help you decide which options fit your trip and plan your selections.

It depends on your travel dates, your must-do attractions, and your budget. During busy seasons, Lightning Lane can save hours of waiting. We'll help you decide whether it's worth it for your family and which parks and days to use it on.

Not always. Park Hopper tickets let you visit more than one park on the same day, which can be great for longer trips or flexible families, while one-park-per-day tickets work well for many first-timers. We'll recommend the ticket that fits your plans.

Walt Disney World dining reservations open up to 60 days in advance, and popular restaurants and character meals can fill quickly. We'll help you plan your dining wish list and make the most of your reservation window.

Crowds follow school schedules and holidays, so weeks when most children are in school tend to be less busy. Summer is hot and busy, while EPCOT festivals and seasonal celebrations make spring, fall, and the holidays especially popular. We'll help you choose dates that balance crowds, cost, and weather.

It depends on your family's eating style and the restaurants you'd like to visit. When the Disney Dining Plan is available for your dates, we'll help you compare it to paying as you go, so you can choose what makes sense.

Absolutely. Many families pair Walt Disney World with a Disney Cruise Line sailing from Port Canaveral or add a few days at Universal Orlando Resort. We'll help you plan the timing, hotels, and transportation.

Planning is complimentary for most Walt Disney World vacation packages. For a few smaller bookings, such as tickets only or very short hotel-only stays, a modest planning fee may apply, and we'll always tell you before we book.

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Why plan your Disney World vacation with us?

  • Planning from a Gold Level EarMarked by Disney Authorized Travel Agency
  • Advisors with firsthand Walt Disney World experience
  • Personalized park-day strategy, dining, and Lightning Lane planning
  • Monitoring of applicable Disney promotions, so you don't have to
  • Support from booking through your return home
  • Planning is complimentary for most vacations
Start Planning Your Disney World Vacation
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Walt Disney World resort brochures

Compare Disney Resort hotel themes, locations, and amenities. Each brochure opens in a new tab.

Value

  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

    A budget-friendly Disney resort where larger-than-life icons from Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians and other Disney films set the scene. Rooms sleep up to four, with the Fantasia Pool, Movies Under the Stars and bus service to every park.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort

    A value resort celebrating country, jazz, rock 'n' roll, calypso and Broadway. Family Suites sleep up to six, which makes this a smart pick for bigger families watching their budget.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

    A value resort themed to baseball, basketball, football, surfing and tennis, with Disney Characters joining the fun. Rooms with two double beds sleep up to four, with two pools and bus service to the parks.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Art of Animation Resort

    Step into Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid at this value resort. Family Suites sleep up to six, and the Disney Skyliner gets you to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios without waiting on a bus.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Pop Century Resort

    A fun, budget-friendly salute to the fads of the 1950s through the 1990s. Rooms sleep up to four, and the Disney Skyliner gets you to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios without waiting on a bus.

    Brochure (PDF)

Moderate

  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

    A colorful moderate resort themed to five Caribbean islands, with Disney Skyliner service to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's a large, spread-out resort, so ask us which section puts you closest to the Skyliner and dining.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

    A lakeside resort inspired by Spanish, Mexican and Southwest cultures, home to the Gran Destino Tower and Toledo's rooftop dining. The Lost City of Cibola pool, several restaurants and lounges, and a fitness center make it a favorite with couples and adult groups.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

    As a Louisiana-based agency, we have a soft spot for this one: cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, jazz and beignets at Disney's version of New Orleans. It's one of the smallest and coziest moderate resorts, with a boat ride along the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

    Stately mansions and bayou cottages that capture the romance of rural Louisiana, with gumbo and jambalaya on the menu and a boat ride to Disney Springs. Some rooms add a child's pull-down bed, and the Royal Rooms are a favorite with little princesses.

    Brochure (PDF)

Deluxe

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

    Wake up to giraffes and zebras outside your balcony. More than 200 animals roam the savannas surrounding Jambo House and Kidani Village, with rooms, studios and villas that sleep up to 12, Club Level service and some of the best restaurants on property.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Beach Club Resort

    A breezy New England-style resort within walking distance of EPCOT and a boat ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios. It shares Stormalong Bay, one of Disney's best pools, with the Yacht Club, and the Beach Club Villas offer kitchens and space for up to eight.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas

    Turn-of-the-century Atlantic City charm on Crescent Lake, within walking distance of both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The boardwalk comes alive at night with dining and entertainment, and the BoardWalk Villas offer kitchens and space for up to 12.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Contemporary Resort

    Walk to Magic Kingdom or catch the Monorail right through the iconic A-frame tower. Rooms sleep up to five, and the Bay Lake Tower villas offer kitchens, space for up to nine and views that can include Cinderella Castle.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

    Disney's flagship Victorian-style resort, one Monorail stop from Magic Kingdom, with fireworks views over Cinderella Castle. Home to Victoria & Albert's, Narcoossee's and Cítricos, plus villas that sleep up to 12.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

    A South Pacific favorite since 1971, on the Monorail with views of Magic Kingdom fireworks across the lagoon. Home to 'Ohana, Trader Sam's and the over-water Bungalows with private plunge pools, plus Island Tower studios and villas.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge

    A grand Pacific Northwest lodge with a soaring lobby, a geyser and a boat ride to Magic Kingdom. Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek Villas offer kitchens, and the waterfront Copper Creek Cabins come with a private hot tub on a screened porch.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort

    The more formal sister to the Beach Club, within walking distance of EPCOT and a boat or Skyliner ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Rooms sleep up to five, with Stormalong Bay, Yachtsman Steakhouse and Ale & Compass right at your door.

    Brochure (PDF)

Deluxe Villas

  • Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

    750 acres of pine and cypress forest with boat service to Magic Kingdom. Cabins sleep up to six, and the resort is home to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Chip 'n Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long, horseback and wagon rides.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Lakeshore Lodge

    Disney's newest resort on Bay Lake, inspired by the nature of Bambi and Pocahontas, a boat ride from Magic Kingdom. It offers a winding lazy river, fireworks views, and rooms, villas and Lake Houses that sleep up to 12. Ask us about opening dates and availability.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Old Key West Resort

    A relaxed Florida Keys-style villa resort with palm trees, waterways and golf-course views. Its studios and villas are among the most spacious at Walt Disney World, with full kitchens in the villas, room for up to 12, and a boat ride to Disney Springs.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Riviera Resort

    A European-inspired resort on the Disney Skyliner, with quick access to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Choose from cozy Tower Studios for two up to Grand Villas for 12, and don't miss the character breakfast at Topolino's Terrace.

    Brochure (PDF)

  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

    Disney Vacation Club villas inspired by a historic upstate New York retreat famous for horse racing, just a boat ride or walk from Disney Springs. Studios sleep up to four, and one-, two- and three-bedroom villas sleep up to 12, with full kitchens and washers and dryers, which makes this a favorite for multi-generational families and longer stays. Ask us which villa type fits your group best.

    Brochure (PDF)

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