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

[CeriMumsnet]

Created for Disney

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

Mumsnet Insight T&Cs apply

Hi @Eccle80 ! This is a good question and I think it all comes down to personal preference and what time of year you are visiting the parks. If you are visiting in school or seasonal holidays when the parks are busy, then in my opinion, Genie + is worth it if you want to get round more rides and attractions. If you are visiting during a quieter period and you can plan your day well, then maybe you don't need it. I also think it comes down to budget, whether you mind queuing and what you would prefer to spend your money on? I think if you do your research, work out your budget and what is important to you, then you will make the right decision for your party.

Jemma

Hi @AdmiralButterfly ! I totally understand your fear of long queues but please don't worry! The Disney My Experience App is a great tool that can help you plan out your day, helping you to avoid the long queues and get the most out of your day! There is so much to see and do in the parks and Disney Imagineers have cleverly designed the queue lines to be part of the attraction, so it's all part of the experience. Genie Plus can be a great purchase if you are visiting during busy periods and the free complimentary Genie Planning service is great for all times of year to help you navigate the parks. If you are only visiting a particular park once, focus on the rides that you are most excited about, eat the snacks you want, watch the parades, soak up the atmosphere and you will have the best day ever!

Jemma

Hi @Onthegrid ! I have been to Walt Disney World many times over the years with large groups of family and friends and always had the best time! The great thing about the Disney Parks are that most of the rides appeal to all age groups and it's great fun sharing the experience together! There will be some rides that aren't for everyone, but whilst some of your party enjoy the attraction, the other members of your party may want to enjoy watching a parade, a show or just enjoy a rest and a yummy Disney snack! I have always enjoyed planning our Disney Holidays together with friends and family, so throw a planning party and share your ideas and requests. Also don't be frightened to have the odd day where you break out in groups or individual families to get some space and this gives everyone the opportunity to do something they want to do.

Jemma

Hi @kateandme and @MumC2141 ! This is a question I can relate to and please rest assured that Disney are great at catering for disabilities. All standard queues are designed to allow easy access for wheelchair users and cast members are always at hand to help you. Walt Disney World also offer a Disability Assess Service for individuals who are unable to queue due to a particular disability but this is assessed and only offered under certain circumstances. The Disability Access Service allows the individual and up to 5 family members to book an attraction via the App and will be given a return time in line with the current wait time to access the lightening lane. This is a service I have used myself and is always beneficial. The Disability Assess Service can be assessed and linked by visiting guest services on your first day visiting one of the parks, so please allow time for this if you think you are eligible. The parks can be busy, so plan for regular breaks in quieter areas of the park and take things at your own pace.

Jemma

Hi @seperatedmum ! Every travel company will have their own terms and conditions so always read the T&C's before booking anything. Some people prefer to book everything separately, but I always advise friends and family to book an ABTA and ATOL protected package through a reputable supplier, in case there is a problem with flights being cancelled or other issues which can be protected under the travel package regulations. Always set a budget you can afford and plan a monthly saving strategy that can help you spread the payments. Prices can change due to supply and demand if you have to cancel or move your trip so always bear this in mind and have a really good holiday insurance in place. Park tickets also usually increase year on year so consider buying tickets as soon a possible

Jemma

Hi @DaisyDando ! My personal favourite will always be the Walt Disney World resort hotels as the theming is magical and after a long day in the parks it's super convenient. It all depends on your budget, as not everyone can afford to stay on-site. There are so many options and I have stayed on-site in a Disney Resort and offsite in various resort apartments and Villas. For a family of three, I would advise staying in a resort hotel or two bedroom apartment, close to the Parks you are visiting. Most hotel rooms offer two large double beds or bigger which is great for families of 4 and under. TripAdvisor is a really useful tool for planning, so read the latest reviews and if staying off-site, go for a popular hotel or apartment that offers a free shuttle service to save money on parking. Just be aware that most resorts charge a resort fee (usually around $25 a night) so this is something to factor into your budget.

Jemma

Hi @Cotswoldmama - If it's your first time to Disney World or you've been multiple times and want to visit all the parks, then I would recommend 10-14 days. I have been many times over the years and every visit there is always lots of new things to see and do! Your daily budget is going to depend on how many are in your party, how much you are going to eat, where you like dine and how much Disney merchandise you like to buy? A great way of planning your spend is to look at the menus on the Disney My Experience App which shows you the price of each meal/snack item and from this you can get a rough idea of what you are going to spend each day. There are also some great YouTube Vlogs which give you dining tips, ideas on how to get the best out of your budget and a rough guide on average spend. There are some great quick service restaurants and the Disney snacks are big enough to share, so you don't need to book a sit down meal every day if you're on a budget.

Jemma

Hi @CoffeeInTheClouds! I totally get you on this one, as I too felt the same before booking our recent trip. I decided to stay on Disney property and this was before they brought in the dining credit, and I am so glad we did. Yes, it cost us more than originally planned but the Disney hotels are still magical and we had the best time! The Disney hotels are so convenient after a long day in the parks, just to be able to get back to the resort easily, meant less travel time and more rest. Also staying in a Skyliner resort was a game changer for us! We loved being able to jump on the Skyliner to get to Epcot and Hollywood studios and it was also super easy to visit nearby resorts for Dinner and exploring. It is also really easy to get an Uber Taxi from the resort to go to off-site restaurants and shops if you fancy a change. I have stayed off-site and on-site over the years and my favourite will always be the Disney Resort Hotels.

Jemma

Hi @aloeleaf! Christmas is a wonderful time of year to go to Disney World but the Christmas holiday period is busy in the parks! If you still want to enjoy the Christmas decorations and seasonal treats, November (before Thanksgiving) is a great time of year to go as the parks are quieter and you still get to enjoy the Christmas season at Walt Disney World!

Jemma

Hi @Elpheba ! There are so many great rides in all of the parks that are loved by younger children. My two children are three and five years old and they loved so many of the rides in all four Parks on our recent trip in May 2022. If they had to choose their top two favourite parks, they would choose Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom which are certainly geared up for all ages groups and especially Magical for younger children. MK and AK offer a wonderful range of attractions, shows, parades and character meet and greets which the little ones love! My eldest daughter had her first trip at the ages of 2 and she was a little thrill seeker - anything she could get on she would try and she loved every minute!

Jemma

Hi @MiniDinosaur ! Eating in Disney doesn't have to be expensive! There are so many great quick service restaurants that are less expensive than a sit down restaurant, with lots of choice. Meals and snacks are also a good size and easy to share with family members. If you check out the restaurants on the Disney My Experience App, you will be able to view menus and pricing which can really help you plan and budget for your trip.

Jemma

Hi @sashh ! This is a question I get asked a lot and I can understand why people may ask. Walt Disney World is an experience like no other! Disney immerses you into a world of imagination, creativity, science and nature and the attractions really are out of this world! There is so much to see and do and you will make the most wonderful memories together with family and friends. Disney takes you away from the stresses of every day life and appeals to ages, it really is magical!

Jemma

Hi @Turtles4543 ! The Disney leg rash is often caused when you overheat and your skin is unable to breathe. Try to avoid oily based sun tan lotions which trap the pores of your skin and wear loose cotton clothing that will keep you cool. On my last trip, I used a Banana Boat Dry spray sun lotion which I found really helped and keep hydrated!

Jemma

Hi @fishnships ! Yes, Walt Disney World does offer Gluten Free options and caters for a range of dietary needs. You can check out the allergy friendly section on the restaurants menus via the My Experience App and cast members in the parks are always happy to help too.

Jemma

That's it from us! Thanks so much for your questions! We loved talking all things Disney and hopefully you've found our answers beneficial. Have a wonderful time planning and visiting Walt Disney World!!

Charlotte & Jemma

@WDWexperts you don't seem to have answered my question about the disability access pass?

Just a lot of PR puff from them and not a lot of actual advice, sadly.

Thanks to everyone who shared questions about planning a trip to Walt Disney World Florida, and to our experts Charlotte and Jemma for answering them!

The winner of the prize draw is @ladyluck13 - congratulations!

Thank you 😊

test

Hi am i pregnant? Faint lines on clear blue and took apart clear blue electronic which said not pregnant and theres 2 lines

How do people feel about specifically choosing the Florida location for Disney, given that it indirectly supports such a vile, bigoted, unprincipled governor?