Want more details about theme park vacations? Check out our Orlando Theme Parks & Water Parks Guide for a ton of kid-friendly ideas.

How can travelers secure hard-to-get reservations to Walt Disney World? 

"We recommend submitting a reservation request as soon as possible, up to 11 months before a guest's planned travel dates. Due to high demand, resorts and room categories can book up quickly once the 11-month window opens. Submitting a reservation request form as early as possible offers the best chance at availability."

Meet Donald and friends on safari at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom.

What are the new Disney features and/or changes for 2025?

"The Disney Dining Plan has officially returned, offering guests a convenient way to prepay for meals and snacks throughout their stay. Additionally, guests with date-based, theme park tickets no longer need to make park reservations, allowing for greater flexibility when planning their visit.

My Disney Experience app also continues to offer valuable features such as mobile ordering food at select dining locations, and virtual check-in for table-service dining reservations that allows guests to check in from their mobile devices without visiting the host stand. For resort stays, online check-in enables most guests to bypass the front desk, making arrival seamless and efficient.

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New DVC resorts, such as the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and the brand-new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, have opened following the pandemic, offering guests incredible accommodations in prime Disney locations.

There are also some new attractions including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, TRON Lightcycle Run, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, and more. Even more excitement will be coming to the parks later this year with the addition of new entertainment at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, lounge spaces at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, as well as a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom!"

Purchase a Lighting Lane Premier Pass for each family member to get the most out of each day. 

Please explain the new Lighting Lane Premier Passes and how visitors obtain them?

"Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California are able to purchase the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. These passes provide one-time entry per day to each Lightning Lane attraction within a theme park, allowing guests to enjoy their favorite experiences at their convenience. Guests receive special photo perks, including digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos.

Guests who book through the DVCR service can begin planning their park experiences up to seven days before check-in. Starting at 7am EST, guests can secure their passes for the entire length of their stay, up to a maximum of 14 days. A valid theme park admission ticket is required to purchase the pass, and park reservations may also be necessary depending on the type of admission and the date of visit.

To purchase the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, guests must download the latest version of the My Disney Experience App and ensure all members of their travel party are linked to their account via the friends & family list, allowing the pass to be purchased for all eligible individuals. Additionally, guests must confirm that everyone in their group has valid theme park admission. Once these steps are completed, guests can purchase the Premier Pass by navigating to the 'Lightning Lane Premier Pass' section on the home screen and selecting 'purchase.' Prices for Lightning Lane Premier Passes vary depending on date and theme park, and availability is limited.

Many attractions experience high demand and long wait times. With the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, guests maximize their time in the parks and experience more attractions with less waiting—allowing for a stress-free and unforgettable visit."

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Escape to an oasis of swaying palms, tropical surroundings, and island ambience at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Photo courtesy of WDW

Can you explain the less known perks available at the different Disney properties?

• Disney’s Beach Club Villas and Disney’s BoardWalk Villas: Both are within walking distance to two theme parks (EPCOT and Hollywood Studios).
• Disney’s Riviera Resort: On site of the Skyliner station.
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort: Adjacent to the golf course, perfect for families who love to hit the links.
• Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Check out Fire Rock Geyser! It was inspired by the famous Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park, and erupts each day.
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows: Guests of the new Island Tower have exclusive access to four beautifully designed gardens, each inspired by a different island paradise—Bora Bora, Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji.

Create magical moments at Hollywood Studios, including those with Florida's only snowman, Olaf!

What are Disney World insider tricks for navigating high-attendance periods and maximizing park time?

• Have a clear game plan: Research your must-see attractions and dining options before your visit. Study park maps to familiarize yourself with the best routes for getting around efficiently. Knowing where to go first can help minimize time spent walking around.
• Pace yourself: High-attendance periods can be overwhelming, so make sure to take breaks throughout the day. Resting, hydrating, and recharging will keep you energized.
• Consider a resort day: A resort day is the perfect opportunity to relax from the hustle and bustle of the parks, allowing you to unwind, refresh, and recharge for the next day.
• Strategize resort stays: DVCR offers a helpful Static Points section, which allows guests to see which resorts and room types tend to have higher demand during different times of the year. This is a great tool to determine the ideal times to visit based on availability and demand. 

Magical moments await at Hollywood Studios.

Any important details families should know about Disney World's DAS Pass?

"Disney's DAS Pass is designed for guests with developmental or cognitive disabilities, such as autism. To qualify for the service, guests must pre-register via video chat up to 30-60 days prior to their visit; in-person registration at Guest Relations is not available. The DAS Pass is valid for the duration of the ticket or up to 240 days, whichever is shorter. Once the validity period has ended, guests will need to re-register for the service. DAS is only valid at the resort where it was issued. For example, a DAS pass issued at Walt Disney World Resort cannot be used at Disneyland Resort, and vice versa.

Guests can select return times for attractions via the My Disney Experience app or at Guest Relations once inside the parks. A guest may only have one return time at a time and can obtain a new return time for the same or a different attraction 10 minutes after redeeming the previous one. Additionally, up to four immediate family members may accompany the guest using DAS to skip the line."

What are some creative ways of saving money while planning a Disney trip?

• 2025 water park ticket promotion: Disney resort guests will be issued a complimentary water park ticket valid for their check-in day! This is a great way to enjoy some Disney magic while waiting to settle in for your stay!
• Use Disney gift cards: Consider purchasing Disney gift cards to pay for food and merchandise, which can help track spending.
• Bring your own snacks and meals: Pack snacks or meals to bring into the parks. Alternatively, take a mid-day break and return to your resort for a meal. Bring a refillable water bottle as Walt Disney World provides water refill stations throughout the parks.
• Save on airfare and hotels: Travel costs vary throughout the year, with airfare and hotel rates typically lower during off-peak seasons. Research the best times to visit based on your budget and flexibility.
• Plan park ticket purchases: Walt Disney World uses date-based pricing for theme park tickets, meaning prices fluctuate depending on demand. If your schedule allows, visit on lower-demand days to help save. Keep an eye on the Disney website for special promotions on park tickets, too!
• Set a merchandise budget: Create a wish list of must-have souvenirs before your trip to prioritize spending and avoid impulse purchases.
• Beyond the parks: Enjoy resort amenities, from pools to recreational activities, or visit Disney Springs for shopping, dining, and entertainment. These options offer fun experiences without having to purchase theme park tickets.
• Stay onsite for convenience: Disney resort hotels provides complimentary transportation to the parks and Disney Springs, eliminating parking fees and rideshare services.

A big thanks to David's Vacation Club Rentals (DVCR) for sharing these helpful Disney tips and tricks!

Unless noted, photos by Gina Massaro