Congratulations! You’ve booked your dream vacation to Walt Disney World, and you’re well on your way to creating magical memories. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Disney expert, there are a few important steps to take after booking your trip to ensure everything runs smoothly.
This guide will walk you through what to do after booking your Walt Disney World vacation, from setting up your My Disney Experience account to reserving park passes, dining, and more.
Set Up Your My Disney Experience Account
After booking your trip, the first step is to create a My Disney Experience account. This platform will be your central hub for all your trip details, from managing reservations to tracking your itinerary.
It’s the key to personalizing your experience and staying organized. Here’s how to get started:
- Create your account on the My Disney Experience website or app.
- Add your travel party: Link everyone in your group to easily make plans together.
- Link your reservation: Once you’ve created your account, connect your Walt Disney World hotel and ticket information to ensure everything is in sync.
- Personalize your trip: You can start planning by reserving dining, selecting Lightning Lane options, and more.
Consider Unlocking More Fun: Enhance Your Stay with Special Add-Ons
Disney offers a variety of packages designed to help you save money while making the most of your time at the parks. Consider these options:
- Memory maker: Save money by purchasing the photo package days before your arrival and ensure professional photographers capture your memories through the parks.
- Lightning Lane Multipass: This revamped system replaces Genie+ and significantly reduces wait times for top attractions. You can purchase the Multipass up to 7 days in advance when you stay at a Disney resort or up to 3 days before arrival if you’re staying off-property.
- Add a Dining Plan: Disney Resort guests can enhance their stay with a dining package that covers meals at various park restaurants. Be on the lookout for special promotions! At times, this perk is included with select vacation packages, offering added value and convenience!
Make Your Dining Reservations
Table-Service Dining
Table service dining can offer a unique experience such as character dining and a view to the firework show. that’s why securing Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) should be at the top of your planning list. Popular table-service restaurants—such as ’Ohana, Chef Mickey’s, Steakhouse 71, and Cinderella’s Royal Table—tend to book up quickly. Here are some essential tips to help you snag a reservation at these highly sought-after dining spots:
- Set an alarm for 60 days before your check-in: Ensure you’re ready to make your reservations the moment they open—6 AM Eastern Time. This gives you the best chance to secure a spot at those popular dining locations!
- Keep checking for Cancellations: If you don’t secure your reservation immediately, don’t give up! Keep refreshing the My Disney Experience app daily. Cancellations can happen anytime, and new availability may open up, giving you a second chance to book your spot!
- Check for walk-ins: On the day of your visit, it’s always worth checking the My Disney Experience app or stopping by your desired restaurant to inquire at the podium about walk-in availability. To increase your chances, avoid peak dining hours—arriving earlier in the day gives you a better shot at securing a table!
Quick-Service Dining
Quick-service restaurants are a great choice for a quicker and more flexible dining experience. These eateries don’t require reservations, allowing you to dine at your convenience. Plus, many locations offer mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app, making mealtime even easier!
Book Extra Magical Experiences
About 60 days before your arrival, you can start booking magical experiences that can add some extra pixie dust to your vacation. These include exclusive experiences like:
- Behind-the-scenes tours: Explore the magic behind Disney’s attractions, including tours focused on animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Capture Your Moment sessions: A 30-minute private photo shoot with a Disney photographer to capture your family’s special moments.
- Fireworks Dessert Parties: Enjoy an exclusive dessert experience while watching the fireworks over Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.
Book these experiences early, as they tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons.
Plan Your Transportation
If it’s been a while since your last visit to Disney, you may remember Disney’s Magical Express, the complimentary transportation service from Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort hotel. However, as of January 2022, this service has been discontinued. Be sure to explore these alternative transportation options for your arrival!
- Mears Connect: A shuttle service that offers transportation to and from the airport.
- Car Rental: For added flexibility, consider renting a car to travel at your own pace and explore the area beyond the parks.
- Ride-share or Taxi: Alternatively, you can use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft or take a taxi for convenient, on-demand transportation to and from your resort.
Be sure to book your transportation in advance to ensure a smooth arrival and departure.
Learn About Disney
Walt Disney World is vast, featuring four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, and various resorts. To maximize your experience, it is helpful to learn about Disney before you go. This will not only help you navigate the parks but also allow you to plan your days more efficiently.
Familiarizing yourself with key Disney terminology will enhance your park planning and overall experience. Here are some essential terms to know:
- Lightning Lane: Allows you to skip regular lines at select attractions. It’s available through the purchase
- Park-hopper: A ticket option that allows you to visit multiple Disney parks in one day rather than being limited to just one park.
- Rider switch: A service for families with young children who cannot ride certain attractions. One adult can wait with the child while the other rides, then switch without waiting in line again.
- After-hours events: Special after-park hours events offer lower crowds and exclusive access to select attractions, food, and entertainment for an additional fee.
- Cast member: Any Disney employee, from park workers to hotel staff, who makes the Disney experience magical for visitors.
Be sure to prioritize the most popular and iconic attractions to make the most of your visit. Some must-see rides include:
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: A fun, immersive ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios where guests are transported into a cartoon world with Mickey and Minnie.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: A reimagined ride at Magic Kingdom based on The Princess and the Frog, where guests journey through the bayou with Tiana and friends on a magical, music-filled adventure.
- Flight of Passage: A breathtaking, fully immersive attraction that lets you soar through the skies of Pandora, riding a Banshee from the movie Avatar. This thrilling adventure makes you feel like you’re truly flying, experiencing the sights, sounds, and sensations of the magical world of Pandora, available at Animal Kingdom.
Check out our list of must-see attractions to ensure you don’t miss out on anything essential during your trip.
Final Steps for a Magical Vacation
Once you’ve completed these essential steps, you’re well on your way to a magical Walt Disney World vacation. Here’s a quick summary of what to do after booking:
- Set up My Disney Experience and link your reservation.
- Consider buying packages to improve your experience.
- Secure Dining Reservations for table-service restaurants.
- Book Magical Extras like photo shoots and tours.
- Arrange transportation to and from the airport.
- Learn about Disney terminology and plan your must-do attractions.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy everything Walt Disney World offers. Stay tuned for more tips to help you make the most of your magical vacation!
Happy planning, and see you in the parks!
