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cinderella castle full day

First Things First: Making Reservations

To ensure that you get the most out of your Disney experience, we recommend becoming as familiar as possible with the reservation systems throughout the parks, using your My Disney Experience app. This system incorporates dining, Enchanting Extras, rides and attractions, and more. (ADD LINKS)

 

Reservations for dining and experiences can be made up to 60 days prior to your reservation day. Some reservations require payment up front, and some are charged at the time of your reservation, so make sure to be aware of policies when making your plans. Please note that in almost all cases, failure to show up to your reservation will result in some kind of fee, up to the entire cost of the booked event. 

 

Genie + can be purchased starting as early as midnight on the morning of your reservation day. If you choose to purchase Genie +, you can begin making your selections at two separate times, depending on where you are staying:

 

At 7am, if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel.

At park open (typically 9am, depending on the park) for non-resort hotel guests.

Our best advice is to GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME. We tend to plan our day based on hourlong blocks, with each event being given an hour to complete. If you compartmentalize your day into chunks of time, it will be easier to navigate from one activity to the next, without feeling rushed or stressed. 

Enchanting Extras

Q: When can you make reservations?

A: Up to 60 calendar days prior to your reservation date. 

 

Q: What do you need reservations for?

A: My suggestion is to make reservations for any and all sit-down dining at the Parks and Resorts, and any Enchanting Extras.

 

Q: Can I modify my reservations?

A: Yes! Most reservations can be cancelled or modified up to 2 hours prior to reservation time, however when booking, take note of an exceptions, ie Cinderella's Table. Some reservations charge you at the time of your reservation window (i.e.  most restaurant reservations), and some require payment up front (i.e. Droid Depot)

 

Q: Are there walk-up availability to events that typically require a reservation?

A: ....Yes? But only if you're lucky. I personally wouldn't leave it up to fate, it's always good to make a reservation and have the ability to modify or cancel, than try for a random open availability, especially if it's for something very popular. There's nothing worse than being told "No" when you're standing in the doorway of the experience you want to have!

 

Q: What if I can't make it to my reservation on time?

A: As will all things, even the best-laid plans will have speedbumps along the way. If you are unable to make it to your reservatin within the 15 minute window allotment, you can call 477-111-1111 to speak with a cast member about available options for you, if any. If you no-show a reservation, you may be charged either a per-person service fee or the entire cost of the reservation type. 

Reservations FAQ

Secondly... Getting Around 

Disney Transportation

Overview of Disney Transporation

Buses

Disney buses begin running bright and early, about 45 minutes before the parks open, until about 1 hour after the parks close. This includes any extended evening hours, too! They run on average about every 20 minutes from Disney Resort to the the Disney Theme Parks. 

This complimentary is available for guests staying at all resorts, but really anyone can use this transportation system.

 

You can use the buses to park hop, grab a meal at at Disney Resort, or even go to Disney Springs, all while leaving your car parked at the main  Transportation Lot.  

Bus Pros

-Free to use!

-Picks you up right from your hotel

-Runs throughout day if you need a break or little ones need a nap. Or if you, a full grown adult, just needs a nap. 

-Park hopping is a-ok

 

Bus Cons

-May not give you enough to Rope Drop

-Can be very crowded, especially at open/close

-Buses may make several stops, sometimes at multiple resorts, before arriving at Magic Kingdom. 

Monorail

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Boats

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Car or Rideshare

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Buses

Disney buses begin running bright and early, about 45 minutes before the parks open (includes Early Entry hours), until about 1 hour after the parks close. This includes any extended evening hours, too! They run on average about every 20 minutes from your Disney Resort to the the Disney Theme Parks. 

This complimentary service is available for guests staying at all resorts, but really anyone can use this transportation system, meaning guests staying at a non-Disney resort are welcome to hop on board.

Please note: to park your car at any of these resort locations, you will need to have a valid resort or dining reservation, and time limits do apply. 

 

You can use the buses to park hop, grab a meal at at Disney Resort, or even go to Disney Springs, all while leaving your car parked at the main Transportation Lot.  

Bus Pros

-Free to use!

-Picks you up right from your hotel!

-Runs throughout day if you need a break or little ones need a nap (or if you, a full grown adult, needs a nap )

-Park hopping is a-ok

-Buses take you to the main entrance of Magic Kingdom, without needing to take the ferry or boat -  major bonus!

 

Bus Cons

-Can be very crowded, especially at open/close

-Buses may make several stops, sometimes at multiple resorts, before arriving at Magic Kingdom 

Monorail

At this point, we consider riding the Monorail an attraction in itself. This iconic train in the sky transports you to several Disney World parks and resorts.

The main pickup area is the Transportation and Ticket Center at the Magic Kingdom entrance. At this location, you can board The Express Monorail to be taken directly to Magic Kingdom, or board the Resort Monorail to go to the three Monorail Resorts - The Polynesian Village Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and The Contemporary.

Here, you can also board the Monorail that takes you to Epcot, which is about a 20 minute direct ride. If you're starting at Magic Kingdom and park hopping during the day, this is also a great way to zip over to Epcot!

 

The Monorail begins operating 30 minutes before Magic Kingdom opens (including Early Entry hours), and the Epcot Monorail will aslo start operating 30 minutes before Epcot opens. 

The Monorail typically runs every 5-15 minutes, and will continue running for an hour after the parks close. 

Monorail Pros

-Runs frequently

-Very fast and efficient

-AIR CONDITIONING

-Park hopping to Epcot and the Resorts for meals/snacks/drinks/exclusive Resort merchandise

 

Monorail Cons

-Holds limited crowds (about 360 people)

-can be VERY crowded 

-Mechanical issues, breakdowns, and weather events can interrupt service, and it's very difficult (if not impossible) to deboard

Ferry/Resort Launches

There are two boat systems at Walt Disney World, the Ferry Boat and the Resort Boat Launches. 

The Ferry Boats are for all guests entering Magic Kingdom. They pick up at the Ticketing and Transportation Center, and carry you directly to the entrance of Magic Kingdom. There are three ferries running on average every 15-30 minutes throughout the day: the Richard F. Irvine, the Admiral Joe Fowler, and the General Joe Potter. They are two-level ferries that can hold up to 600 guests. 

The Resort Boat Launches are available for guests staying at the following resorts: Polynesian Village & Bungalows, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wilderness Lodge, and Ft. Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds. They are accessible to all guests during the day, much like the Monorail is, if you are looking to go on a mini-adventure to any of the resorts for a bite or just a new experience. Please note: to park your car at any of these resort locations, you will need to have a valid resort or dining reservation, and time limits do apply. 

Ferry Boat Pros

-Hold more people

-Open air travel

-Beautiful castle views upon arrival

-May be faster during park open/close due to higher passenger volume (about double compared to the Monorail)

Ferry Boat Cons

-May be waiting awhile during slower parts of the day to depart (waiting for more people to board)

-May not be a great experience during inclimental weather (heavy rain or wind, for example)

Car and Rideshare

If you drove to Walt Disney World and are planning to use your car to get around, here are som tips:

Pay to Park

To park at Magic Kingdom, it costs about $30 for standard parking, and about $50 for preferred parking (closer to the entrance) per day. Which is steep. It is a one-time fee, so if you are planning to park hop or take a break from the magic for a bit during the day, you're free to return or to go to any of the other parks without having to pay again. Just make sure you have your parking pass AND the receipt!

Please note that parking is based on availability, if you choose to purchase preferred parking, there is no guarantee preferred parking will still be available upon your return or if you visit a different park. 

Annual Passholder Discount

If you are an Annual Passholder, standard parking is free, and preferred parking is 50% off. 

Rideshare

All parks now have a dedicated area for Uber, Lyft, and other taxis and ride share services. Typcially near the bus depot or front entrances (excluding Magic Kingdom, you will still need to take either the Ferry or Monorail to reach the entrance), this is an excellent option if you are planning to imbibe during your trip or just don't want to ride the buses. 

Magic Kingdom Itinerary: A Realistic Example

Planning Your Day at Magic Kingdom

You've got your Park Pass, Reservation, or Day Ticket. Flight has been booked. Hotel Reservations have been made. You've even planned your outfits for your Disney days. 

Now what? 

Let's walk through planning your perfect day at Magic Kingdom!

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  • Bypass standby lines

  • Select a return time to attraction that works best for your schedule and plans

  • One-hour return time window for plan flexibility

  • If you are staying at a WDW Resort hotel, you can select Lightening Lanes selections as early as 7am (2 hours before non-resort guests)

  • "2 hour rule"

  • Great for popular or new rides that book up quickly or typically have long standby lines

  • If you have any absolute can't miss attractions on your list, Genie + will be a great tool to guarantee you can book

  • Works with Park Hopping!

Genie + Pros

Should I Purchase Genie+?

  • Paid feature, per person add-on

  • Limited to one selection at a time (unless the "2 hour rule" applies)

  • Non-refundable, regardless of inclimental weather or ride failure/breakdown

  • Sometimes the Lightning Lanes can be longer than the standby

  • Some rides are not included in Genie + and still require individual purchase (ie, 7 Dwarves Mine Train)

  • For non-resort guests, popular rides may be unavailable or very limited by 9am selection time

  • Prices are based on demand and can spike very high during peak and holiday times

Genie + Cons

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