AMA: Share your questions about planning a holiday to Walt Disney World Resort Florida with Mumsnet Disney experts - £200 voucher to be won

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THIS Q&A IS NOW CLOSED. SEE THE DISNEY EXPERTS' ANSWERS HERE

Have you booked your family’s first trip to Walt Disney World and are now looking for tips on how to squeeze every ounce of magic out of the experience? Perhaps you’re unsure how the park will cater for all members of your family or you’d like some advice on booking your trip?

Seasoned Disney Mums Charlotte and Jemma are on hand to answer your questions about planning a family holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below by 22 September will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
• Charlotte and Jemma will be back online in a couple of weeks to answer some of your questions

About the experts:

Charlotte
‘Hi, I’m Charlotte (33) married to DH and we have a DD (7) and DS (4). We’ve been to Disney World Florida four times and it really does hold a special place in our hearts. In June 2019 Ben surprised me with a trip to Florida for my 30th birthday. At the time DD was 4 and DS was 1. This trip was an eye opener doing Disney with kids!
It’s our 10th Wedding Anniversary next year & we’re hoping to make our 5th trip - must save harder! My favourite things about Disney are the cast members and how they constantly go above and beyond to make your trip memorable, the atmosphere of knowing everyone there shares a love of Disney, and the nostalgia it brings. I don’t think I’ve made it through a trip to Disney without some happy tears!’

Jemma
“Hi, I’m Jemma! A mum of two gorgeous little girls, aged 5 and
3, and happily married to my DH. We are a Disney obsessed family and enjoy regular trips to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris. My Disney obsession started in 1990 at the age of six, when my parents took me on my first trip to Walt Disney World and I’ve been back 14 times. I will never forget seeing Cinderella’s castle and how magical that first trip was. Every time I go back, it feels like home and my favourite thing about the parks is that there is so much to see and do! Every trip is exciting, there are always new things to experience…it really is the most magical place on earth.”

Here’s what Disney has to say:

“The magic is... a fairy tale castle, a galaxy far, far away, pixie dust. It’s that look of amazement on your loved ones’ faces. It’s that family time you’ll cherish forever and ever. And now, book your dream Disney holiday now and you’ll not only lock in today’s price, but also get plenty of time to pay for it.

Simply put down a deposit from £50 per person, then pay the rest in flexible instalments - you decide how much and when. All with no fees or interest.'

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

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How does it compare to Disneyland Paris? Obviously it is bigger but what are the other differences?

Where would you recommend staying?
And please give us tips on using the Genie. Thanks

I’ve been to Walt Disney World three times in the last ten years and each time I’ve been able to use the disability access pass (DAS) - so not jumping the queue, just joining the same queue virtually rather than physically. I had the access pass because after numerous blood clots in my leg, the circulation is impaired in it which means although I have no problem walking, I can’t stand still for longer than about 5 minutes before it’s starts to swell and cause significant pain (the mechanical action of walking aids circulation).

is it true that I will no longer be able to use the disability access pass (or whatever the new equivalent is called) and that Walt Disney World
now expect me to hire a wheelchair (which I don’t actually need) so that I can sit in the queue?

We have 2 DC and do not want to share a hotel room with them or use sofa beds. Where would be the best place to stay where the kids can have a separate room/area to sleep?

I can answer some of these questions as I have been many times to Disney World- the last time was in August. I have 2 children (15 and 17)
EPCOT is great if you have children who need quieter areas. They also have the biggest variety of food. Fastest/best ride at Epcot is Test Track
Animal Kingdom is great for watching shows (Lion King and Finding Nemo) as well as some rides
Hollywood Studios is great for Star Wars fans and Toy Story fans. Their nighttime show hasn’t returned yet but it should do next year.
magic kingdom is amazing for all ages but you need a rest day afterwards
we have been taking the children to Disney land and Disney World since they were 3 and 5 and they still enjoy it as much. They don’t need to know all the characters as the atmosphere is so amazing.
My parents came with us once and they hate rollercoasters but there were so many other attractions. The best park for them was EPCOT.
if you are a couple of families with older kids, think about sharing a villa with a pool.
Best tickets are buy 7 days for the price of 14
You can take water and snacks in. EPCOT has biggest range of food currently (food festival).

most eating places have to be booked through the Disney app.
once you have your tickets, book your days. Spread the days so that you don’t feel rushed and exhausted
We have never had genie+ - not worth it. We only ever queue for maximum 45 minutes.
We usually go Christmas, Easter and Summer so very busy times. It’s fine.
Ask me any more questions and I will do my best to answer. As you can tell, I love Disney!!

Bunnycat101
You can walk between the 2 parks at Disney Land but at Disney World you can’t as there are 4 parks + 2 water parks. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are linked by boat, skyliner and buses. EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are linked by monorail. Animal Kingdom and the water parks are linked by buses

Welshdavee
yes, as long as you all have phones and the Disney app. Very safe.

What age would you say is best for a child to go? My DD is 7 now and I am not sure she would cope with lots of queuing.

Also we are a vegan family, what are the food options like?

Sorry if these have been asked before but when is the cheapest and quietest time to go to Disney world?
Also do you do queue passes for disabled people?

This is hard, I want to be entered into the prize draw but I am essentially a Disney expert too! Haha!

However, I'm less au fait with the resorts so I shall ask, if I have a refillable resort mug can I only use it for my resort or can I take it to use at all the resorts?

So say I'm at one of the All Stars can I use my refillable mug at the Poly?

Are there any playground areas in the parks where young children can run around a bit in-between the queues?

There is a great area in Animal Kingdom, in the dinosaur area. In Epcot there are a few areas. There’s a water area to run around in Magic Kingdom. There used to be an amazing area at Hollywood Studios but that’s gone.

Are there any plans to replace the genie+ with something that allows people to be more in the moment and less on their phones? It’s a lot of money to spend to need to be on your phone a lot to get the fast lane and I like more spontaneity.

Ah yes, like PP I also like spontaneity. I find it stressful to have to be at a particular place at a set time and don't want this on holiday. I don't want to plan everything I do in advance, I want to wander and be surprised and look around and discover things. Not be marching from one ride to the next on a schedule. Is this possible?

Can you hire car seats for transfers?
is there plenty of vegetable options with the food? We are a vegetarian family that generally eat very healthily

Hi Charlotte and Jemma,

I think I'm always overwhelmed by the size of Disneyworld Florida. There are so many parks and shops and shows to see!! To be honest, I find it all overwhelming and it puts me off going. How can someone realistically plan a 5-7 day trip without being sidetracked by so many different attractions.

Thanks,
madmumatuk

Where is the best place to stay on resort for early teens please?

Being very honest what would you say is the best way to structure days and time in the parks - to stop everyone getting overwhelmed and over tired and potentially ruining what should be a fantastic holiday. Should we factor in days off or should we do part days at the parks?

Not that I know of. But, I’d recommend staying on site, that way you can go to the park first thing (and you currently get early entry from 8.30), then leave for a rest when things get busy/hot and return later on.

the quietest times are Feb - but the weather isn’t always great. Last 2 weeks in august and September. Weekdays in October and early September.
you want to avoid American public holidays and spring break.

I’d do one in each, a water park, 2 universal days and a day off in the middle. Unless everyone is very young in which case do 2 at magic kingdom.

epcot works well for a morning visit and then a later visit after a nap to watch fireworks and have dinner. Teppan Edo is the best restaurant we’ve found in world showcase.

out of the parks, I’d recommend O’hana it should be one of your first picks as reservations go very quickly. At the moment you can reserve from 60 days beforehand, the reservations open at about 10.45 our time. if you stay on site, you get to reserve for your entire length of stay.

Different parks tend to be busier on certain days. If you use a crowd calendar like this one

www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/crowd-calendar/ you can select which parks are going to be quietest and when, this will help you decide which restaurants you want to visit.

Always get there early and have a complete day off mid way and a water park day or two.
I love the mini golf at Disney - but there are a few on international drive which are good too.
mid you’re not hiring a car it’s very easy to get around using Uber.

PS I’ve been to Disneyworld 11 times. First at 13 and 15, then a couple of times in my 20’s with a boyfriend. Kids and I have been 5 times - they’re now 16,14 and 11. We’re going again in October so first time with genie +!

We’re looking at booking Disney for spring 2024 when DC will be 10 and 7.

What are your key tips for first timers? Common mistake to avoid, that sort of thing.

Can you take your own snacks / drinks into the park? The price seems eye-watering once you're there.

Is it better to just stick with the Disney parks or would there be time for Universal too? We’ve booked for 2 weeks but don’t want to be rushing to fit everything in so not sure whether to leave Universal for (hopefully) a next time.

Thanks