Ready to plan a Disney vacation in 2023 but not sure where to start? It can be quite overwhelming these days with so many different offerings to choose from. How many parks will I visit in one day? Should we save time for the resort pool? What are the can’t miss restaurants? There’s a lot to think about but all good trips start with the basics. Below are some simple things to consider to get you started on your planning journey. We hope you find this quick guide with starter tips to plan a Disney vacation in 2023 helpful.
Tips to Plan a Disney Vacation in 2023
First Choose Walt Disney World or Disneyland
If it’s your very first time going to a Disney Park, or even if it’s just been a long time, we’ll want to clear this part up first. Depending on where you’re traveling from, or where you’re interested in traveling to, you’ll want to decide if Walt Disney World or Disneyland is best for you. Walt Disney World Resort is located in Orlando, Florida. Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim, California. Both are fantastic and beloved destinations. We’ll be focusing on those two destinations here but there are also Disney Cruise Line cruises and Adventures by Disney guided tours. Both of these aim to provide Disney’s famous attention to detail and world class service. Disney cruises and group travel experiences take place many different places around the world.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, more than thirty resorts and a large shopping and dining district called Disney Springs. Disney World is known for catering to visiting guests versus Disneyland which tends to have more local visitors. It’s common for travelers to spend a week at Walt Disney World alone because there’s so much to do. The resort property is around forty square miles. Once you arrive, it feels like you’re in a different world. The secluded vacation destination has so many fun themes throughout, complimentary transportation is provided and the number of restaurants to be excited about is endless. Aside from the parks, there are many things you can add on like the Cirque du Soleil show Drawn to Life or an amphicar ride at Disney Springs. Disney World changes throughout the seasons and offers special events for Halloween and Christmas. For continued updates about what’s new and what’s happening seasonally, see our Walt Disney World news and updates posts each month.
Disneyland
Disneyland has two excellent theme parks, three official hotels and a dining and shopping district called Downtown Disney. It’s smaller but has just as much magic and is way easier to get around. Since there are only two parks at Disneyland Resort, most people spend just a few days at the destination. You can absolutely make a weeklong trip out of Disneyland if you just love Disney and would like to take your time exploring the parks. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are loaded with attractions so there is a lot to do. There is certainly enough to choose from when it comes to dining options as well. There are lots of delicious things to eat in the parks but also at Downtown Disney and the few resorts at Disneyland. There is a lot to see in the southern California area and it’s easy to add on a Los Angeles day for fun.
Consider Your Disney Vacation Budget
Identifying what you would like to spend is a great place to start with Disney vacation planning and it will help you make some other decisions. How much does a Disney vacation cost? It might be best to do some research first so you can get a general idea for how much tickets, hotel stays and dining costs are. Once you consider your budget, that can help steer you toward the right hotel which can be a big part of the trip’s expenses. Aside from these basic costs there are quite a few up-charges you may need to consider. For example Disney Genie+, the FastPass replacement that allows you to wait in a shorter line, now starts at $15 per person, per day. There are also a couple of attractions in each park that will start around $10 individually to wait in a shorter line for. Also consider other travel basics like getting from and to the airport if you’re flying. This kind of transport was once included with a Disney stay but as of 2022, is not. Once you have an idea of your budget, you can start to consider how many days you’d like to stay overall and how many days you’d like to be in the park. Your budget can also help inform the type of hotel that’s the best fit and the mix of restaurants to enjoy. Some meals are quite pricey and themed while other quick service restaurants are priced around $20 per person. There may also be paid extras your travel party might want to take part in like tours or special events.
Find the Time of Year That Works Best For You
If your schedule is flexible, it’s possible to plan a more cost effective trip. Park ticket and hotel prices operate on surge pricing. This means the cost is dynamic, or changes, based on demand. During slower times, like September, tickets and hotel stays should be the lowest. During peak times like Christmas and spring break, prices will undoubtedly be at their highest. Aside from pricing, the time of year you visit can really change your trip overall based on seasonal decor and offerings. Disney is big into making the holidays extra magical. There are separately ticketed events for Halloween and Christmas at the parks. Then there are just seasonal park and resort overlays all guests can enjoy like the flower or food festivals at Epcot and the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Note that any holiday weekend will probably be pretty busy. An extra day off gives families additional travel time and Disney is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world.
Consider Disney Vacation Club
If you’re in the beginning of a new season of life that potentially calls for a Disney vacation every year, perhaps parenthood or grandparenthood, maybe it’s time to join Disney Vacation Club. Couples and individuals love DVC too! Disney Vacation Club is the flexible and point-based Disney timeshare. Each year, Members are allotted the amount of points they choose to buy. For example, if someone buys a 150 point contract, they will get that amount of points to book a resort stay with each year for the remainder of their contract. When you do the math, DVC can help you save money on Deluxe Disney Resort hotel stays and enjoy the magic for decades to come. With resale DVC, it’s possible to save thousands more as you buy a contract from a Member that’s choosing to sell theirs instead of buying directly from Disney.
Each Disney Vacation Club Member chooses a home resort to purchase a contract at. All DVC resorts are in the Deluxe tier of Disney resort hotels and have fantastic theming and exciting dining options. Home resorts include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Each resort is a treasure to explore. Members who purchase DVC resale, with the exception of Disney’s Riviera Resort, can use their points to book at other DVC resorts.
DVC Resale Experts Helps Vacation Dreams Come True
DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team of professionals that specialize in selling Disney Vacation Club contracts. Our licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides with decades of experience. While working for the mouse, the Experts made magical vacation dreams come true. Now they operate independently but continue to provide the same level of pixie dusted service you know and love. Our blog here has so much information about Disney Vacation Club for casual perusing. The Experts are also happy to answer any questions you may have personally.! You can relax knowing you have an experienced pro to guide you through the process and provide helpful insight. Take a look at our current resale DVC listings and get in touch in the way that’s most convenient to you for more information.
