Disney World
with Kids
The complete family planning guide — parks, hotels, tickets & strategy
Planning Disney World
A trip to Disney World might be the most overwhelming vacation to plan — but it doesn’t have to be. From park strategies to hotel hacks to ticket tips, this guide covers everything we’ve learned across multiple family visits.
Christmas decor up, crowds manageable
Sept / Early Oct
Park by Park
Our go-to resource: Mousehacking.com has the best one-day itineraries for each park — tailored strategies, dining tips, and Genie+ guidance. Essential reading before you go.
The overall best park — especially for younger kids. Cinderella Castle, classic rides, incredible atmosphere. Go here first on your trip when energy is highest.
Home to our favorite ride in all of Disney World. Galaxy’s Edge is stunning — book Rise of the Resistance via the virtual queue the moment the park opens.
Pandora is jaw-dropping. Avatar: Flight of Passage is the single best ride at all of Disney World. Book a Lightning Lane for it — the standby wait is brutal. Eat at Satuli Canteen (our favorite Disney restaurant).
Best park for adults. World Showcase is perfect for an evening stroll with food and drinks from around the globe. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is excellent. During festival seasons (Food & Wine, Flower & Garden) it’s even better.
Where to Stay
Important: Non-Disney hotels near the parks often look cheaper but hide resort fees, parking fees, and limited shuttle access. Factor in the full cost before booking.
💚 Value Resorts (Budget-Friendly)
All-Star Resorts (Movies / Music / Sports)
Best budget option. No hidden fees, free park parking, free bus shuttles. We stayed at All-Star Movies during spring break for ~$170/night — great value.
✓ Our Pick: ~$170/nightPop Century Resort
Slightly pricier but on the Disney Skyliner gondola route — incredibly convenient transportation between parks and resorts. Worth the small upgrade.
✓ Skyliner Access🏆 Best Hotels with Points
Swan & Dolphin (Marriott)
Our favorite Disney-area hotel — walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. We upgraded to a tower room with fireworks views using Amex Platinum. Book 4 nights with points, get the 5th free!
★ 40K–80K Marriott/nightHoliday Inn Disney Springs (IHG)
Excellent value for IHG points. Clean, comfortable, convenient. Book 3 nights with points, get the 4th free — great redemption.
✓ 16K–30K IHG/nightHilton Bonnet Creek / Waldorf Astoria
Premium Hilton options near the parks. Eligible for early park entry benefits. Check Disney’s official guide for the full list of qualifying hotels.
✓ Hilton PointsHyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Not an official Disney resort, but a fantastic Hyatt points redemption near the parks. Great option for World of Hyatt cardholders.
✓ Hyatt Points🏰 Secret Weapon: DVC Villa Rentals
Want to stay at premium Disney resorts (Animal Kingdom Villas, Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs) at 30–70% off? Rent DVC points through DVC Request or DVC Rental Store — both reputable platforms. This is one of the best-kept secrets for Disney families.
Amex Platinum tip: At the Swan & Dolphin, book with cash through Amex Hotel Collection for $200 cashback, food & beverage credits, and potential room upgrades. We caught the EPCOT fireworks nightly from our tower room. 🎆
Getting There
Orlando International (MCO)
Main gateway. Widest array of flights and the best connection to Disney transportation.
✓ Best OptionSanford Airport (SFB)
Smaller, quieter airport — short drive to Disney. Often cheaper fares worth checking.
✓ Budget OptionTampa (TPA)
About 1 hour drive from Disney. Often has competitive fares — especially on Southwest. Worth checking for savings.
✓ 1hr DriveOur points hack: We transferred 15,000 Amex points per person to Virgin Atlantic and snagged round-trip Delta flights. Check our Flight Booking Guide → for the full strategy.
Book flights with points See the cards we use
Our Cards →Tickets & Strategy
Tickets are one area where discounts are hard to come by. Buying as part of a Costco package saves a little. Undercover Tourist occasionally offers $10–20 off multi-park tickets. But for simplicity and to avoid complications, buying directly from Disney is often the best route.
Costco Travel
Our top pick for package booking — convenience + solid prices with no hidden fees. We’ve booked multiple trips through them.
✓ Best Package DealDisney Travel Agents
Free to use, Disney-certified experts. Great for first-timers who want someone to handle the complexity. They know every insider tip.
✓ Easiest Option📋 One-Day Park Strategies
Mousehacking.com has the best free park itineraries we’ve found — updated regularly with current Genie+ tips:
Best Disney YouTube channel: Ear Scouts — upbeat, visits frequently, always has the latest updates. His Genie+ tips alone are worth hours of watching before your trip.