Disney world advice

Mumlife2019 · 2025-10-17T17:07:22+00:00

Hi all. I’ve always dreamed of going to Disney world Orlando. Daughter is 6 now but thinking of booking in advance for 2027 when I can, she would be 8 then. I’m thinking 2 weeks in April time. Any advice as I don’t know where to start! Would like it to be as budget friendly as possible but I know that I will need plenty for food, spending etc. Just wondering what is the best way to book - separately, package? Also recommendations for staying in resort as I wouldn’t want to drive. Basically advice on everything and anything! We live in Northumberland, would ideally like to book direct flights from Edinburgh

karmakameleon · 17/10/2025 18:11

How tall is your DD? We went when DS3 was 8 and he was only just tall enough to go on all the rides. I think he would have been disappointed not to go on the scarier rides but his older brothers wouldn’t have cared at the same age.

Original poster

Mumlife2019 · 17/10/2025 18:14

karmakameleon · 17/10/2025 18:11

How tall is your DD? We went when DS3 was 8 and he was only just tall enough to go on all the rides. I think he would have been disappointed not to go on the scarier rides but his older brothers wouldn’t have cared at the same age.

Something I hadn’t thought of! She is 125cm now at 6, obviously not a clue what that will be in 2 years time though🤦🏽‍♀️😂

OP posts:

ForgetTheTomatoes · 17/10/2025 18:25

Just to let you know there is a specific Disney World board on here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/walt-disney-world-in-florida

I had a Ds who literally turned 8 as we were in Disney World, he could go on a lot of the rides but then he is now an adult and almost 6ft so I can't remember how tall he was back then. April might be a little chilly for the waterparks, we have been in April, May and August. There are historic weather charts you can look at online for temperatures.

We always stay onsite in the Disney bubble and had the free dining too. Never hungry as the portions are massive.

For other advice there is also The Dibb which is a UK forum for all things Disney with lots of very helpful people on there too. There are food blogs of what people ate as well as logistics. Plus YouTube has lots of UK people posting about their tips. It requires a lot of planning to be an incredible experience.

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2lsinllama · 17/10/2025 18:31

There are a lot of helpful groups on Facebook. We always go with Virgin - can be more expensive but we like having everything in one place. Shop around a bit.
As for planning, there are lots of good videos on YouTube to help pick a resort etc.
I’ve been 15+ times, with groups of between 3 and 9 and ages between 5 and 75. We also have a whole range of ASD so ask me anything!

Original poster

Mumlife2019 · 17/10/2025 18:36

2lsinllama · 17/10/2025 18:31

There are a lot of helpful groups on Facebook. We always go with Virgin - can be more expensive but we like having everything in one place. Shop around a bit.
As for planning, there are lots of good videos on YouTube to help pick a resort etc.
I’ve been 15+ times, with groups of between 3 and 9 and ages between 5 and 75. We also have a whole range of ASD so ask me anything!

Im not actually on Facebook anymore but will look around at other forums too! Interesting- do Disney do any carers discounts etc? My daughter has high medial needs and receives HRC DLA. Thank you!

OP posts:

Original poster

Mumlife2019 · 17/10/2025 18:37

ForgetTheTomatoes · 17/10/2025 18:25

Just to let you know there is a specific Disney World board on here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/walt-disney-world-in-florida

I had a Ds who literally turned 8 as we were in Disney World, he could go on a lot of the rides but then he is now an adult and almost 6ft so I can't remember how tall he was back then. April might be a little chilly for the waterparks, we have been in April, May and August. There are historic weather charts you can look at online for temperatures.

We always stay onsite in the Disney bubble and had the free dining too. Never hungry as the portions are massive.

For other advice there is also The Dibb which is a UK forum for all things Disney with lots of very helpful people on there too. There are food blogs of what people ate as well as logistics. Plus YouTube has lots of UK people posting about their tips. It requires a lot of planning to be an incredible experience.

Oh great thank you hadn’t realised! I was looking at the options with dining, what does this include?

OP posts:

2lsinllama · 17/10/2025 18:42

Mumlife2019 · 17/10/2025 18:36

Im not actually on Facebook anymore but will look around at other forums too! Interesting- do Disney do any carers discounts etc? My daughter has high medial needs and receives HRC DLA. Thank you!

Show quote history

Disney do not do discounts like that unfortunately. They have a DAS pass, which is mainly for people with ASD, who can not deal with the queues. They don’t give it for physical disabilities, as they will suggest other modifications, such as wheelchairs. It used to be offered more broadly but people took advantage so they have tightened it up. Having said that, we have never used it anyway.

Curiousrobin · 17/10/2025 18:48

8 is a great age to go! I think I was 8, turning 9 soon after we went. I went on most rides and was just about young enough to care about the characters (although coming out of my princess stage!). I loved it so much that I chose to go back as an adult (without kids). Now next time will be with our son (toddler).
There is a huge choice of resorts. I personally like the look of Pop Century and Art of Animation, as they do the Skyliner to get to the parks, aswell as the shuttle buses.

ForgetTheTomatoes · 17/10/2025 18:51

Dining details on the main page here https://www.disneyholidays.co.uk/walt-disney-world/

But it depends where you want to eat. Personally we like to eat when we are hungry and not be tied down to a specific time in a specific restaurant in a specific park. We are happy with what is called QSDP or Quick Service Dining Plan so any place that is queueing at a counter, ordering food rather than waiter service.

There are a wide variety of restaurants in Disney. As I said this is something that requires planning. I was fortunate enough to know someone in real life who went every year, yes, completely minted.

Twilightstarbright · 17/10/2025 19:54

We went this April and DS was just shy of 8 and tall enough for everything at WDW. We had a fab time! Given what you’ve said I’d suggest staying onsite and looking at the dining plans.

It’s Orlando Time is an excellent group on FB.

leakycauldron · 17/10/2025 20:34

Are you thinking Easter break?

That and Xmas are the busiest times to go to Disney.
Obviously if that's the only time you can do it then it will be fine but if you can move it to half term in May and take her out of school for a few days before/after that would probably be quieter. Or the last two weeks in August are even quieter!

I wouldn't boo anything now... some companies would give you a package price now for 2027 but you'll get it cheaper if you can wait.

Disney tends to release their dining deals in April for the following year.

Check out the dibb forum. So much info on there!