Walt Disney World, Florida
Four theme parks, two water parks, best for week long family vacations.
Where to Go
Choosing Your Disney Destination
Disneyland Resort, California
Two theme parks, walkable district, best for weekend trips and nostalgic charm.
Disney Cruise Line and Aulani (Hawaii)
Tropical itineraries with onboard magic, or a relaxing beach resort with Disney touches.
Timing
Best Times to Visit
- Peak seasons are the winter holidays, spring break (mid-March through April), and summer (June through August).
- Value seasons are late winter (January and February) and early fall (September, popular for food festivals).
Entry
Theme Park Tickets and Reservations
- Base tickets allow one park per day, Park Hopper allows visiting multiple parks daily.
- Park reservations require checking availability calendars and confirming date-specific reservations are active before you buy.
Where to Stay
Lodging, On-Site vs Off-Site
- Disney Resort guests get thirty minutes of early park entry, free transportation, and an earlier advance dining reservation window.
- Off-site lodging offers lower nightly rates and larger suites for big families.
Meals
Dining and Reservations
- Advanced dining reservations open sixty days in advance, and the recommended tip is to log in at 6:00 AM EST.
- Dining styles include character dining, quick service, and table service.
Park Strategy
Maximizing Your Day, Lightning Lanes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass lets you pre-book select ride times.
- Lightning Lane Single Pass is an a la carte purchase for top rides, limited to two unique rides daily.
Expert Help
Working with a Travel Agent Who Specializes in Disney
- Planning a Disney vacation takes hours of research.
- Using a specialized travel agent costs nothing extra, and gets you deep knowledge of booking windows and automatic monitoring for new discounts.
From the CCTA Journal
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Start Planning
Talk with an agent who specializes in Disney.
Schedule a complimentary consultation and plan your Disney vacation with an advisor who knows the parks, ships, and resorts.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Does CCTA charge to plan a Disney vacation?
- Planning fees depend on trip complexity and are disclosed before work begins. Most Disney Cruise Line and package bookings carry no separate planning fee.
- Which Disney products do you book?
- Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Universal Orlando, including combined park-and-cruise itineraries.
- Can you plan a Disney trip for a large family group?
- Yes. We regularly plan multigenerational family and celebration trips, including birthdays, reunions, and group cruise departures with linked reservations and dining.
- How far in advance should we book?
- For peak seasons and Disney Cruise Line sailings, eleven to eighteen months ahead secures the best staterooms and rates; shorter timelines are still workable.