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Disney World is a bucket list trip for most families. Disney World Orlando consists of 4 theme parks, plus 2 water parks. There is a ton to see, and planning a trip can be super overwhelming (and pricey!)
I’ve visited Disney World with my family, parents, sister, brother-in-law and their 3 kids, a few times recently and got put in charge of planning (travel bloggers problems haha.) Disney is really a trip you need to plan in advance to have a good experience, and it can be a lot to figure out; is it worth staying at a Disney hotel? How do fast passes work? Do I need to book rides in advance? Should I rent a car?
So many questions! And I felt like I had to do a ton of research to find answers to them all, so I’ve compiled all the results of my research here in my ultimate Disney Travel Guide! Hope this helps 🙂
Table of Contents:
- Disney World Orlando Park & Hotel Map
- Disney App
- Where to Stay at Disney World Orlando
- Disney World Hotel Benefits
- Disney World Tickets & Fast Passes
- Disney World Orlando Parks
- How Many Days to Spend in Disney
- How to get between parks at Disney World
- Night Life – Disney Springs & The Boardwalk
- Disney World vs. Universal
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Disney World Orlando Park & Hotel Map
Getting around Disney can be a bit confusing as you’re getting your bearings on where each park is, how they’re connected, and where they are in relation to your hotel. This map notes all the major attractions to help orient yourself!
Disney App
For any Disney trip you’ll need the app. Everything is managed via the app; tickets, booking rides, checking line times, park maps, etc. I highly recommend downloading this right when you start planning your trip! It’s called the My Disney Experience App.
Where to Stay at Disney World Orlando
Looking at Disney hotels and feeling immediately overwhelmed? Well, same! There are more than 25 hotels included in the “Disney Resorts Collection.” The good news is this gives you lots of options to find a hotel that meets your needs & budget, but still includes all the benefits of staying at a Disney Hotel!
There are so many options, my recommendation is to choose your category/tier – Deluxe resorts, Moderate resort or Value resort & then the area you’d like to be closest to – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs. This allows you to narrow it down a bit.
All Disney hotels offer the same benefits, regardless of tier, but some are more conveniently located to certain parks.
- Entry into all 4 theme parks 30 minutes before opening
- Free entry to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon on your check-in day (seasonal benefit — available for summer 2026 arrivals May 26–Sept 8; check Disney’s site for current availability)
- Complimentary transport between resort and all Disney Parks (all resorts have buses – some are connected to the Magic Kingdom monorail or Hollywood Studios/EPCOT Skyliner, and a few are within walking distance to a park)
- Complimentary standard parking at all Disney Parks
My top recommendations based on past stays:
- Deluxe – Animal Kingdom Lodge — This was my very laid back brother-in-law’s only request on our last trip. It’s in the deluxe resort category (about $750/night), but has views over Animal Kingdom savannah with giraffes, zebras and more. It was SO cool, and we loved the pool.
- Value – All Star Resorts — We stayed here growing up and it was SO fun as kids. All the life-size replicas. We absolutely adored this place, it’s a great budget option to still be at a Disney Resort.
Animal Kingdom Hotels
Note: none of these hotels are walkable to Animal Kingdom, so while close, you’ll still need to use the resort-provided shuttle or drive.
- Deluxe – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Moderate – Disney’s Coronado Springs
- Value – All-Star Resort (Sports, Music & Movies)
Magic Kingdom Hotels
Some of the most popular (and expensive) options are the hotels near Magic Kingdom. There are a few Magic Kingdom hotels attached to the Monorail that connects to the park, and a few that are within a 15–20 minute walk to Magic Kingdom (walking can be a real value-add early morning and end of night to avoid the chaos of the transportation as the parks open or close).
Magic Kingdom Hotels
- Deluxe – Polynesian Village Resort
- Monorail access
- 20–25 min walk to Magic Kingdom
- Deluxe – Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Monorail access, water taxi
- 15–20 min walk to Magic Kingdom
- Deluxe – Contemporary Resort
- Monorail access
- 10–15 min walk to Magic Kingdom
- Deluxe – Wilderness Lodge
- Water taxi
EPCOT/Hollywood Studios Hotels
The EPCOT & Hollywood Studios parks are the closest to one another, and connected via the Skyliner. This is also where Disney’s Boardwalk is located for those looking for restaurants and a bit of nightlife. This general area is a good area to stay in to be near/connected to the most things within Disney. This area also has a mix of Deluxe, Moderate and Value hotels.
EPCOT/Hollywood Studios Hotels:
- Deluxe – Boardwalk Inn
- 10 min walk to EPCOT & Skyliner; boat to both parks
- Deluxe – Beach Club Resort
- 10 min walk to EPCOT & Skyliner; boat to both parks
- Deluxe – Yacht Club Resort
- 10 min walk to EPCOT & Skyliner; boat to both parks
- Moderate – Caribbean Beach Resort
- Skyliner access
- Value – Pop Century Resort
- Skyliner access
- Value – Art of Animation Resort
- Skyliner access
Disney World Tickets & Fast Passes
Next up, figuring out tickets & fast passes if you’re looking to splurge. There are several different ticket types; your first decision is whether you want to visit one park per day or pay a bit more for a park-hopper pass. Multi-day passes start to save you money if you’re adding 4+ days.
Ticket info can be found here. Disney uses date-based pricing, so costs vary depending on when you visit. General 2026 price ranges:
1 Day Tickets (per adult, vary by date)
- Magic Kingdom – $139–$199
- Hollywood Studios – $139–$194
- EPCOT – $129–$194
- Animal Kingdom – $119–$174
- Park Hopper (visit all parks in one day) – adds approximately $198–$264 to the base ticket price
Multi-Day Tickets
Multi-day passes offer meaningful savings — a 5-day ticket can drop to around $107/day vs. $119+ for a single day. The more days you add, the more you save. Check Disney’s site for current multi-day pricing as it changes frequently.
Lightning Lane Fast Passes
Lightning Lane passes were exceptionally confusing to figure out! And honestly are more complicated than they need to be, in my opinion. There are single and multi Lightning Lane passes that can be purchased. This article from Disney gives all the details, although I still personally find it generally confusing.
Multi Lane Pass
A multi-Lightning Lane pass lets you choose 3 Lightning Lane experiences, although they can only be booked one at a time, so you have to book one, do it and then see what’s available for your second choice, same for the third. This is frustrating because your second and third choices may already be booked for the day.
You also book for a specific time, so plan accordingly, because if you miss your window you’re out of luck.
Single Lane Pass
A single Lightning Lane pass lets you pre-book one attraction. You can buy 2 per day. You also book for a specific time, so plan accordingly, because if you miss your window you’re out of luck.
Timing
- Disney Resorts – purchase up to 7 days before your first park ticket day (tickets must already be purchased)
- Non Disney Resort – purchase up to 3 days before your first park ticket day (tickets must already be purchased)
These can only be purchased in the My Disney Experience app, and you need to have your tickets already in the app and everyone in your group already connected in the app.
Prices
Prices vary by date and theme park or specific attraction you’re trying to book, so it’s hard to know exact pricing until the option to buy becomes available.
Disney World Orlando Parks
Disney has 6 different parks, 4 theme parks and 2 water parks. Read below for details on what’s included in each park, my personal favorites, food/bars & more!
Magic Kingdom
The perennial classic, Magic Kingdom is a can’t-miss on most Disney itineraries. Magic Kingdom is home to the infamous Disney Castle, and features parades and fireworks daily.
Park Areas
- Main Street USA
- Adventureland
- Frontierland
- Liberty Square
- Fantasyland
- Tomorrowland
Best Rides
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Space Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- It’s a Small World
- Dumbo
Best Restaurants
- Be Our Guest (reservations needed)
- Cinderella’s Royal Table (reservations needed)
- Crystal Palace Buffet
- Gaston’s Tavern – fast casual
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has gotten a much-needed revamp recently and now offers a mix of classics, in addition to exciting new areas like Star Wars World and Toy Story Land!
Park Areas
- Hollywood Boulevard
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Toy Story Land
- Commissary Lane
- Echo Lake
- Grand Avenue
- Animation Courtyard
- Sunset Boulevard
Best Rides
- Star Wars: Rise of Resistance
- Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Tower of Terror
Best Restaurants
- Star Wars – Oga’s Cantina (reservations needed)
- Woody’s Lunch Box – fast casual
- Toy Story Land – Roundup Rodeo – all you can eat BBQ
- Baseline Tap House – casual pub food
EPCOT
I love EPCOT, but for kids it may not be Disney’s most exciting park. It can easily be combined with a day at nearby Hollywood Studios if you want to just wander (or eat & drink your way) through EPCOT’s countries and experience the park.
World Showcase Countries
- Mexico
- Norway
- China
- Italy
- Germany
- Japan
- Morocco
- France
- UK
- Canada
Best Rides
- Journey of Water – Moana
- Soarin’
- Frozen Ever After
Best Restaurants
- Via Napoli – fast casual sit down
- Yorkshire County Fish Shop – counter service
- Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie – counter service
- Chefs de France – sit down
- Garden Grill – character dining
Animal Kingdom
I think Animal Kingdom is Disney’s most underrated park! It’s one of my favorite spots in Disney, and the Avatar world is incredibly cool, even if you’re not an Avatar fan!
Park Areas
- Pandora – Avatar
- Africa
- Asia
- Dinoland USA
- Discovery Island
Best Rides
- Kilimanjaro Safari
- Expedition Everest
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Kali River Rapids
Best Restaurants
- Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery
- Tiffins – fine dining
- Pizzafari – fast casual
- Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes – to go counter
- Rainforest Cafe – sit down
Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon
Disney’s two water parks alternate being open on different days. They are both similar in terms of offering, but I prefer the winter-themed Blizzard Beach to the tropical-themed Typhoon Lagoon!
How Many Days to Spend in Disney
1–5 Days
This depends on how much you’re trying to see in your trip and how many parks you want to visit (plus your budget). Generally, to do everything (especially without Lightning Lane passes) I’d say 1 day per park you want to visit. That said, if you’re trying to consolidate parks, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are closest to one another and can be seen in one day, although you may have to skip some rides!
Here are some sample itineraries below!
1 Day in Disney
- Option 1: Head straight to the iconic Magic Kingdom and spend the full day here; catch the parade and the fireworks show to end the night!
- Option 2: With a park-hopper pass spend your morning exploring Hollywood Studios – don’t miss Star Wars World and Toy Story Land, then spend a leisurely afternoon/evening at EPCOT.
2 Days in Disney
- Option 1: 1 park per day – pick your two must-sees and spend a day at each!
- Option 2: With a 2-day park hopper pass hit all 4 in jam-packed 2 days; Day 1: Hollywood Studios & EPCOT, Day 2: Animal Kingdom & Magic Kingdom.
3 Days in Disney
- Option 1: 1 park per day – pick your three must-sees and spend a day at each!
- Option 2: Day 1: Hollywood Studios & EPCOT, Day 2: Animal Kingdom, Day 3: Magic Kingdom.
- Option 3: If you’re trying to hit them all & see a water park try: Day 1: Hollywood Studios & EPCOT, Day 2: Blizzard Beach/Typhoon Lagoon & Animal Kingdom, Day 3: Magic Kingdom.
4 or 5 Days
This allows you to be much more flexible — try a park a day or take a break in the middle and enjoy the pool! If you have kids and you’re visiting Disney for more than 2–3 days I highly recommend leaving days where you don’t go to the parks – it can be exhausting! Plus, all the hotels have amazing amenities.
How to get between parks at Disney World
Disney offers tons of transportation between parks and the Disney Hotels. It’s all included with a stay at a Disney Resort! Here is their full transportation guide. The My Disney Experience App also provides specific directions on getting from A –> B.
Jump to:
Buses
Every Disney Resort has bus transportation all day to & from all Disney Parks and Disney Springs. Bus stops and buses are clearly marked.
Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon
To get to Blizzard Beach take the bus to Animal Kingdom first and then transfer. To get the bus to Typhoon Lagoon, take the bus to Disney Springs first and then transfer. All other parks have direct routes.
Monorail
Disney’s famous monorail line runs between Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and a handful of Disney resorts. If you’re driving to Magic Kingdom this is how you’ll enter the park; you cannot walk from the parking area. From the Transportation and Ticket Center (Magic Kingdom parking) the Monorail goes to either Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.
The following resorts have monorail stops and can be used to go to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Skyliner
Disney’s Aerial Gondola is a fun and scenic way to travel between areas of Disney. These gondolas can be used to get between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They’re also accessible from the following Disney resorts, so you can take them directly from the resort to either park.
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Boats
Some Disney resorts and parks are also accessible via boat transport. More details on water transport can be found here. This is a scenic, but slower way to travel, so we generally opted for the buses or monorail on jam-packed days.
Magic Kingdom
Boats are another option to get from the Magic Kingdom parking area to the park, although the monorail tends to be faster. The boat also has stops at these resorts:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Do I need to rent a car at Disney World?
This really depends on the type of trip you’re planning. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, only visiting Disney parks and willing to stay in areas like Disney Springs and the Boardwalk for dinner and night activities, you can take advantage of Disney’s free transportation between all of these areas, and save yourself the money on a car.
If you are planning to:
- visit areas outside of Disney
- combine a trip with Disney and Universal
- are not staying at a Disney hotel
- are overwhelmed by crowded public transport and not being on your own schedule
You’ll likely need a car. Parking is paid, unless you’re staying at a Disney resort. And most parking lots still require some transport from the parking lot to the park, given Disney’s relative size, so you won’t be able to completely avoid Disney transport.
Night Life – Disney Springs & The Boardwalk
You might be too exhausted to think about dinner and drinks after long days of exploring the parks, but Disney has two areas that are worth exploring if you still have energy at the end of the day, or if you have a little more time to explore in general!
Disney Springs
Nightlife fun for kids & adults. You’ll find live music every evening scattered throughout Disney Springs as you walk around. There’s a mix of family-friendly, upscale dining & a few bars/nightlife options.
Restaurants
- Family friendly – T Rex Cafe
- Upscale – The Boathouse
- Tapas – Jaleo
- Southern Comfort – Homecomin’
Bars / Activities
- The Edison
- Raglan Road
- Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes
- House of Blues
Disney’s Boardwalk
A bit smaller, and less crowded than Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk offers some great restaurants and hidden gems for nightlife. The restaurants here (besides the quick service ones) are a bit less kid-friendly than the options you’ll find in Disney Springs.
Restaurants
- Italian – Trattoria al Forno
- Seafood – Flying Fish
- Counter Service – Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs
- Counter Service – Boardwalk Pizza
Bars
- AbracaBAR
- Jellyrolls Piano Bar
- Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
- Atlantic Dance Hall
- Belle Vue Lounge
Disney World vs. Universal
For me (and my family) we’d choose Universal pretty much any day over Disney. While I understand the draw of Disney, and it does feel like visiting Magic Kingdom at least once is a bucket list family trip, we preferred Universal in almost every way.
- Tickets are less expensive, same with fast passes
- The parks and lines (while still long at Universal) were not as crowded or as long as Disney. There were times it felt literally hard to move in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Also, a 3.5-hour wait for a kids’ roller coaster in Toy Story Land is insane. The only area of Universal that felt as crowded as Disney was Harry Potter World at times.
- The Universal Deluxe hotels come at a similar price tag as Disney, but the unlimited express lane passes make them a way better deal, and all of them are basically walkable to the parks.
- Universal’s perks, ticketing and express passes felt generally easier to understand and use.
- The Disney Lightning Lane passes feel a bit scammy with the time restrictions, only being able to book one at a time and not knowing what will be available later in the day. The Universal unlimited express passes just allow you to use the express lane all day, period. It feels much clearer what you’re getting for your money.
- If you’re visiting for rides – Universal has better thrill rides and roller coasters.
Just stumbled across this and loved it—such a helpful guide! Totally agree that staying on property makes a huge difference, and the Disney app really is a lifesaver for planning and snagging last-minute reservations. Your park breakdown was spot-on too—each one has such a different vibe, and I love bouncing between them depending on my mood.
Also appreciate the Disney vs. Universal bit—both deserve a spot in the itinerary! Thanks for putting this together! ✨
Agree both are worth visiting! Happy this was helpful for you!