Disney is not an easy place to provide a travel guide for because it is such a complex vacation to plan and what you may be interested in doing varies greatly on your group and the time of year you are going. We have visited Disney in almost every season (except summer) and even purchased season passes one year (which makes sense if you go more than once in a year). I have found that there are those things we always go back to “our favorites”, and we sprinkle in festive activities for holidays and special events that are happening. I am by no means a Disney expert and you can easily read up on Disney from a professional Disney blogger, but I just wanted to share how we do Disney, and what I have learned after several visits with our little girl. I may decide to make a completely separate guide to Disney just for the holidays because there are so many things to do, see and eat that are extra special during Halloween and Christmas.
When to Go
I’ve been asked a lot about the right age to take your kids to Disney for the first time. If you have multiple children at different ages, choosing the ideal time to take your crew may be a little more complex, but generally speaking, I think that age three to four is an optimal age, especially for little ones that are into the princesses/characters. We took Sloane for the first time at age three and a half and she was mesmerized by all the princesses and a little scared by some of the characters. Overall, she loved it and we were hooked on how fun it was to see her enjoy the magic. We went back several times between age four and six and a half. Seeing her excitement dressing up in the dresses, meeting the princesses, and watching the parades was the best! At age four, she was old enough to really get into it (and easier to travel with), and the magic had not worn off yet! Even at age 6, Sloane was excited to meet the princesses and dress up, and her face still lights up when Elsa and Anna greet her. I don’t know how much longer that will last, but I think Disney can be magical at any age (take it from someone who didn’t go until age 35!) As she gets older, we will find more ways to enjoy Disney and discover new kinds of magic!
Best times of year to visit Disney:
- Christmas holiday season is definitely our favorite and so special! (Early December instead of Thanksgiving break is ideal)
- Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring (Avoid Spring Break and go in April for the least crowds and best weather)
- International Food and Wine Festival/Halloween in the Fall
Where to Stay
This resort is the epitome of Disney and what I think of as the quintessential Disney Christmas experience. We stayed here during the holiday season a few years ago, and I would highly recommend splurging on it at least once. It is the most expensive Disney owned property, but they sure do it up for the Holidays. It’s my favorite Disney resort decor that I’ve seen so far. The sweet scent of the gingerbread hot chocolate they are serving fills the air, and the enormous tree is decorated to coordinate with the Victorian theme of the hotel. They have a live pianist playing Christmas tunes and the sounds and smells of the holidays permeate through the lobby. They also have a life-size gingerbread house and in-house bakery! This hotel is located very close to the Magic Kingdom Park, and right next door to the Polynesian resort. They also host an afternoon tea from their tea room, which I highly recommend. Even if you don’t stay there, you can still attend a tea. The rooms are nice – nothing to go gaga over, but well done and clean and the landscaping is beautiful.
We loved staying here! I am a huge fan of the Four Seasons rooms, food and service at all of their properties and this was no exception. It’s around the same price as the other top-tier Disney owned resorts but you have nicer rooms and elevated dining options. It is a little further away from the parks than some of the Disney properties, but I considered it very convenient when we had our car. Honestly, it seemed easier than taking the train or the boat, we just had to park (which wasn’t a problem), or a pick-up in a Mickey van or Lyft can be easily arranged. This hotel now offers most (if not all) of the perks you get with staying at Disney Resort. They have the most beautiful fireworks inspired light fixture hanging when you enter the lobby. You can also watch the fireworks from a few balconies in the hotel and some rooms. We have not been in the summer, but they do have a really, really beautiful pool designed for kids (it’s like it’s own waterpark) and golf course. So if you want to rest from going into the parks for a day, there’s a lot to do on property.
We wanted to try something new on our most recent visit to Disney over the holidays and we stayed here based on a recommendation from a friend who really enjoyed her experience at this hotel. It’s located on the boardwalk, and we like the convenience of being walking distance to Epcot. We like Epcot because of it’s wide selection of dining options and the different princesses that are only found there. The Beach Club itself is decorated pretty cute for Christmas, including a miniature life-sized carousel and beach inspired wreaths and trees throughout the hotel. They also have a wonderful pool and beautiful grounds. The rooms were nice and clean. They weren’t the most updated, but none of the Disney resorts can be compared to the Four Seasons rooms. I liked Cafe May, the on-property character dining experience for breakfast.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a great location next to Epcot, it’s hard to beat the Dolphin/Swan. It’s not officially a Disney Hotel, but it may as well be. Lots of great dining and even some character breakfasts on select days. We stayed here on our very first trip and we brought my mom and her husband along with us. We booked a two bedroom suite with a huge shared living/dining space with conjoining rooms. It was more well priced than a suite at other comparable Disney resorts would have been. So, if you are looking for a room like that, this might be a good place to look and it’s close proximity to Epcot makes it easy to travel from.
Our Itinerary
I am a fan of spending 3-4 nights in Disney at a time. I feel that if planned correctly, our family can see and do most everything our hearts desire in about 4 days. We have always done a park hopper pass because it allows for more flexibility and breaking up our days at multiple parks. However, if you are planning a longer stay and/or only plan to see one park per day, you don’t need a park hopper and that will save you money. Here is our itinerary for our most recent trip over the holidays. This includes some of our favorite places to dine, attractions and must do’s.
Day 1 – Arrive and Visit Epcot
Highlights: The holiday kitchens, breakfast at Akershus, The Candlelit Processional, Meet Elsa and Anna and the Frozen Ride, Walking through all the countries, the Firework Show at park closing. In the Spring there is also the Flower and Garden Festival and in the Fall is the International Food and Wine Festival. You can make a meal out of eating at the little pop-up kitchens in each of the countries.
Day 2 – Spend the entire day at Magic Kingdom & stay for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Highlights: Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Dining in Cinderella’s Castle w/princesses, Lunch at the Crystal Palace, The Main Street Parade, The Hourly Stage Shows in front of the castle, Dumbo and Small World Rides, The Christmas Store, The Smith Family Robinson Treehouse, Dole Whip at Aloha Isle, Meeting Moana, The Firework Show and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
Day 3 – Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios
Highlights: Animal Kingdom – The Safari, The Navi River Ride in Pandora, The Dino Land Carnival, the Festival of the Lion King show, Dining at Tiffins. Hollywood Studios – Disney Junior Dance Party and Character Meetings (Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins, Vampirina) Frozen Ever After Show, Toy Story Land, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast Shows
Day 4 – Resort Tours and the Grand Floridian Tea, Depart (No Park Ticket Needed)
Highlights: Seeing all the different resorts decorated for Christmas (look up holiday resort tours), Breakfast at O’hana and the Dinner Luau at the Polynesian, the Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian, Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort
Where to Eat
I highly suggest doing a meal plan. The first time we went to Disney, we did not have a meal plan and we spent way too much on food. Every time since then, we have done the meal plan and boy is it ever easy. You also know ahead of time that all of your meals are taken care of for the entire trip and there are no surprises. On the meal plan, you can go anywhere and order anything for the most part, you just don’t have to pull out your wallet. We get the highest level plan for our family and it covered 3 meals a day plus all the snacks you could ever dream of. I think it’s the best value and most carefree way to dine at Disney.
Favorite Dining Spots:
Magic Kingdom: The Crystal Palace, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Quick service in America, and of course the Dole Whip in Aloha Isle
Epcot: If you are there during the holidays or the food and wine festival, try the various food stands/holiday kitchens placed throughout the different countries. The “street food” at Epcot is the best! For a sit down meal we like Chef’s de France and Le Cellier steakhouse and Akershus for breakfast.
Animal Studios: Tiffins is a unique and delicious dining experience. There are also several quick service places that have African inspired food.
Hollywood Studios: Hollywood Brown and Derby. This park has the least amount of good dining options.
Resorts: The Afternoon Tea in Grand Floridian, Citricos for dinner in the Grand Floridian, the O’hana Breakfast and the Dinner Luau at the Polynesian Hotel, Cafe May for Breakfast at the Beach Club, Chef Mickey’s for Breakfast
How to Plan
Planning is paramount for a Disney vacation, and you should do it at least 6 months in advance. There are lots of vacations you can “wing it” on but Disney is not one of them. Without a detailed plan, your vacation can easily turn into a frustrating experience, as you will waste time standing in lines, wandering around, and in most cases won’t be able to dine at the better places or enjoy the best parts of being at Disney. Reservations are required for just about everything, and most popular places book up pretty quick. The secret to getting the reservations you want is to plan out your itinerary, and then the very day that you are allowed to start booking (180 days in advance of your visit), go online or call in to book all the things! You can only book fast passes 60 days out, so you will do that later, but make sure you get your dining and special reservations before that! I have friends that have used the VIP services at Disney or hired travel agents to help them plan their trip. After lots of research and visiting Disney several times, I have found that if you book way in advance, use the “My Disney Experience” app and/or work with a helpful cast member over the phone, I have not felt the need to incur the extra expense of hiring a VIP guide. I am able to book all of the places we want to go as long as I do it early. If you have booked a vacation that is less than 6 months away and have a large group, or don’t have time to do the research/planning, then the Disney VIP guide may be a good option for you to explore (but get ready to pull out the checkbook!) Reading the Disney blogs is a great way to find out tips and tricks and what the must see/do things for each season are.
What to Pack
Orlando is warm and even hot most of the year, but during the winter, the weather fluctuates and can get chilly. During our last stay in December, we had some days that were 80 degrees and some nights that were in the 40’s. That made planning our outfits for each day a challenge. When we visit the parks, we usually have breakfast and don’t return to our room until after the park closes and our child is asleep in the stroller! The fact that we still have a stroller helps us bring along extra layers that we don’t have to carry. We can start out in short sleeves and easily slip on a jacket in the evening. Think about wearing something that you can tie around your waist or keep in a backpack, such a flannel or a fleece. When I am at Magic Kingdom, I like to wear lots of red, black and white to go with the traditional Disney colors. I also love the rose gold colors, neutrals and matching t-shirts. I plan our looks as a family ahead and pack accordingly. We have done everything from custom matching shirts to just coordinating. It’s pretty common to see entire families in matching T-Shirts for their vacation, and it does make it easier to find your people in the crowds! Etsy has so many vendors that do specialized Disney outfits. Just do an Etsy search for Disney clothes and be amazed. Gap Kids, Old Navy and H&M also carry lots of Disney Clothes for kids. Mouse ears are also a must! I’ve seen lots of mouse ears sold on Etsy that look more comfortable that are better priced than those sold in the parks. I don’t bring a purse because my husband carries a backpack and we have the stroller. Also, most importantly..bring multiple pairs of super comfortable shoes!
Obsessed Disney Person Tip: If your child is of “princess loving” age, bring those princess dresses from home with you! We brought the dresses with us to the parks and kept them in the bottom of the stroller. I’ll admit it’s a little overboard, but we put Sloane in a basic outfit that worked underneath the dresses and would slip the dress on that matched the princess we were meeting. It made for great pics and a super fun experience for Sloane. Coordinate with your itinerary. We knew who we would be meeting each day and brought the proper dresses along.
Disney Insider Tip: We learned that there are a few places where multiple princess dine with you. The first time we went to Disney we made the rounds around every park that had princesses and waited in long lines to meet them. The next time we went to Disney, we booked meals at Akershus for Breakfast and Cinderella’s Castle for dinner. We basically met all the princesses in one sitting and got to eat while doing it! We still went to see a few princesses in the parks, but we didn’t need to spend as much time waiting and rushing around to squeeze everyone in.
Also, if you plan to do the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, try to book the one in Magic Kingdom (instead of Disney of Springs) and book your appointment earlier in the day so that your little one can enjoy the whole day in the park dressed up! Also, I like to book our reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table for after our appointment so that Sloane can be all dolled up when she meets the princesses at lunch or dinner. Don’t forget boys can enjoy the boutique as well with tons of prince and knight options. And if your daughter isn’t into princesses there are cute Disney outfits that they can dress up in, too.
If you have any questions or tips you’d like to share, please comment below!!
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