Welcome to Walt Disney World
Planning your first trip to Walt Disney World? You’ve come to the right place. With four theme parks, dozens of resorts, and more to see and do than you can imagine, Disney World can feel overwhelming—especially if you’ve never been. That’s where we come in. This page is your starting line. Below, you’ll find easy-to-follow guides that break down the parks, help you choose the right hotel, figure out when to visit, and show you exactly how to make the most of your trip—whether it’s your first time or your fifth. No stress, no confusion—just the magic, made simple. Let’s start planning your dream vacation.
Where to Stay
Choosing your resort is one of the biggest decisions. Disney offers a wide array of hotels, from budget-friendly options to luxurious villas. These are categorized into three main tiers, each offering unique theming, amenities, and price points.
Value Resorts
The most budget-friendly option, with larger-than-life, fun theming perfect for families.
PRICE
$
BEST FOR
- Families on a budget
- Those who plan to spend most of their time in the parks
- Fun, kid-friendly theming
Moderate Resorts
A happy medium offering more detailed theming and upgraded pools and dining.
PRICE
$$
BEST FOR
- More sophisticated theming
- Better dining options
- Feature pools with waterslides
Deluxe Resorts
The ultimate in theming, amenities, and convenience, with the best locations.
PRICE
$$$
BEST FOR
- Prime locations close to the parks
- Signature dining experiences
- The most luxurious rooms and amenities
Here are some examples of what each tier has to offer:
Disney's Pop Century Resort
Wide World of Sports Resort Area
Take a trip through American pop culture from the 1950s to the 1990s. This resort features larger-than-life icons from each decade, like giant yo-yos, Rubik's Cubes, and bowling pins. The Hippy Dippy Pool is a groovy main pool.
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Epcot Resort Area
Escape to a tropical paradise at this colorful resort inspired by the vibrant islands of the Caribbean. The resort is spread across several lushly landscaped 'islands'—Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba—all surrounding the beautiful 45-acre Barefoot Bay. The relaxed island atmosphere makes it a perfect vacation retreat. The main feature pool, Fuentes del Morro, is themed to a colonial Spanish fort and boasts two waterslides and water cannons. As the central hub of the Disney Skyliner gondola system, this resort offers unparalleled transportation convenience to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Guests can also enjoy a variety of dining options, from the table-service flavors of Sebastian's Bistro to the quick bites at Centertown Market.
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Experience the future of hospitality at this iconic A-frame hotel. Famous for its ultra-modern design and the monorail that glides silently through its Grand Canyon Concourse, the Contemporary Resort offers luxury, convenience, and breathtaking views of Magic Kingdom park.
The Four Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom
The crown jewel of Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom brings beloved Disney fairy tales to life. With its iconic Cinderella Castle at the center, this park is a mix of classic attractions, immersive lands, and enchanting entertainment.
Must-Do Attractions
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Magic Kingdom
Hold on tight for "the wildest ride in the wilderness!" This runaway mine train roller coaster twists and turns through a haunted gold-mining town. Dodge falling boulders and zoom through dark caverns in this fast-paced and fun-filled adventure.
Haunted Mansion
Magic Kingdom
Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. Inside this eerie estate, you'll find 999 happy haunts, but there's room for a thousand. Any volunteers? Board a Doom Buggy for a spirited tour through haunted chambers, a ghostly graveyard, and a swinging wake.
Top-Rated Dining
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Magic Kingdom
Step inside the Beast's enchanted castle for a fairy tale dining experience. Dine in one of three magnificent rooms: the grand Ballroom, the mysterious West Wing, or the romantic Castle Gallery. Enjoy a prix-fixe, 3-course menu of French-inspired cuisine. And be sure to try the Grey Stuff—it's delicious!
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Magic Kingdom
Dine in the headquarters of the world-famous Jungle Cruise skippers! This table-service restaurant offers an adventurous menu inspired by the flavors of Asia, South America, and Africa. Themed to a 1930s jungle expedition, the restaurant is filled with details and jokes from the skippers themselves.
Can't-Miss Entertainment
Happily Ever After
Magic Kingdom
Experience the most spectacular fireworks show in Magic Kingdom history. "Happily Ever After" combines stunning pyrotechnics, immersive projections that transform Cinderella Castle, and a moving soundtrack of beloved Disney songs to tell a story of hope, dreams, and adventure.
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
Magic Kingdom
Celebrate the stories of Fantasyland with this spectacular daytime parade. See characters from "The Little Mermaid," "Tangled," "Peter Pan," and more on magnificent, larger-than-life floats. The highlight is a fire-breathing Maleficent dragon!
Epcot
A park of the future and the world, EPCOT is divided into two distinct realms: World Showcase and World Nature/Discovery. It combines cutting-edge innovation with global cultural experiences.
Must-Do Attractions
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Epcot
Join the Guardians of the Galaxy on an intergalactic chase through time and space! This family-thrill coaster is one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world and features groundbreaking technology that rotates the ride vehicles 360 degrees to keep you focused on the action. It's a high-energy, hilarious adventure with a rocking soundtrack.
Test Track
Epcot
Design your own virtual concept car and then put it through its paces on the exhilarating Test Track. This attraction combines a creative design session with a thrilling ride that tests your car's capability, responsiveness, efficiency, and power, culminating in a high-speed lap around the exterior of the building.
Top-Rated Dining
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Epcot
Enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza from massive wood-fired ovens named after Italy's three active volcanoes. Via Napoli offers a lively, open dining room and a menu famous for its incredible pizzas, which are large enough to share. Pasta dishes and other Italian classics are also available.
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Epcot
Dine in a cozy wine cellar nestled underneath the Canada pavilion. Le Cellier is a signature dining experience known for its tender steaks, delicious seafood, and Canadian specialties like the cheddar cheese soup and poutine. The intimate, low-light ambiance makes it a popular choice for a romantic meal.
Can't-Miss Entertainment
Luminous The Symphony of Us
Epcot
Gather around the World Showcase Lagoon for a spectacular show of fireworks, fountains, lasers, and light. Luminous The Symphony of Us is a dazzling nighttime spectacular that celebrates the commonalities that unite us all, set to a moving soundtrack of Disney music.
Voices of Liberty
Epcot
Listen to the breathtaking harmonies of the Voices of Liberty. This a cappella group performs patriotic and classic American songs in the rotunda of The American Adventure pavilion. The acoustics in the rotunda are incredible, making for a truly moving performance.
Hollywood Studios
This park puts you inside the worlds of your favorite movies. It’s home to some of Disney's most thrilling rides, incredible live shows, and immersive lands.
Must-Do Attractions
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Hollywood Studios
Join the Resistance in an epic battle against the First Order. This massive, multi-platform experience is one of the most ambitious and immersive attractions ever created. You'll be captured by the First Order, come face-to-face with Kylo Ren, and make a daring escape. It's more than a ride—it's an adventure.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Hollywood Studios
Step into the dusty lobby of the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel, where you will journey into the fifth dimension. Board a rickety service elevator and discover what happened on that fateful night in 1939. This thrilling drop ride features a randomized sequence, so you never know how many times you'll fall.
Top-Rated Dining
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Hollywood Studios
Dine in an authentic replica of the famous Brown Derby, a landmark of Hollywood's Golden Age. This signature restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine in a glamorous setting, and is famous for its Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Hollywood Studios
Dine under the stars at a classic drive-in movie theater. Your table is a 1950s-style convertible "automo-booth," and you'll watch a loop of hilarious and campy sci-fi movie clips on the big screen. The menu features American classics like burgers, milkshakes, and sandwiches.
Can't-Miss Entertainment
Fantasmic!
Hollywood Studios
Enter the imagination of Mickey Mouse in this spectacular nighttime show. Fantasmic! features floating barges, pyrotechnics, laser lights, and water effects as Mickey battles classic Disney villains in his dream. A breathtaking and beloved classic.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Hollywood Studios
Experience the thrills of a live movie set! This action-packed stunt show reveals the secrets behind the spectacular stunts of the "Indiana Jones" films. Watch as Indy and Marion dodge explosions, engage in thrilling fights, and escape a giant rolling boulder.
Animal Kingdom
Where nature meets adventure, Animal Kingdom blends exotic lands, real animals, and fantastical creatures. The Tree of Life towers over a park teeming with exploration and discovery.
Must-Do Attractions
Avatar Flight of Passage
Animal Kingdom
Climb atop a winged mountain banshee for a breathtaking 3D flight over Pandora’s otherworldly landscape. This stunning simulator is one of Disney's most popular and technologically advanced attractions, offering an incredibly immersive and emotional journey.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Animal Kingdom
Embark on a guided tour of a sprawling African savanna in an open-air vehicle. On this 18-minute expedition, you can see a stunning variety of live animals, including lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and more, roaming freely through naturalistic habitats.
Top-Rated Dining
Tiffins Restaurant
Animal Kingdom
Celebrate the art of travel and exploration at this signature dining restaurant. Tiffins offers a menu of adventurous, globally-inspired dishes in a setting that doubles as an art gallery. Each room is filled with artwork and artifacts that inspired the creation of Animal Kingdom park.
Satu’li Canteen
Animal Kingdom
Dine on the flavors of Pandora in this former RDA mess hall. Satu'li Canteen offers fresh and flavorful customizable bowls with a choice of protein, base, and sauce. It's also known for its unique and beautiful desserts. A top-tier quick-service experience.
Can't-Miss Entertainment
A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King
Animal Kingdom
Experience the music and pageantry of "The Lion King" in this spectacular Broadway-style stage show. Featuring massive puppets, acrobatic tumblers, singers, and dancers, this 30-minute show is a vibrant and moving celebration of the classic film.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
Animal Kingdom
Dive into the story of "Finding Nemo" in this spectacular live musical stage show. Featuring stunning puppets, vibrant sets, and beloved songs, this 40-minute show reimagines the popular movie in a Broadway-caliber performance.
When to Visit
Year-at-a-Glance Crowds
Best Times to Visit
- Mid-January through mid-February
- Early May (before Memorial Day)
- Late August through September
- Early November (before Thanksgiving)
Busiest Times to Visit
- Spring Break (Mid-March to Mid-April)
- Summer (June through mid-August)
- Thanksgiving Week
- Christmas through New Year’s Week
Things to Note
- Weather: Summer is very hot and humid with daily thunderstorms. Winter can be cool, especially at night.
- Special Events: Epcot festivals run nearly year-round and can increase crowds, especially on weekends.
- Park Hours: Hours vary by season. Check the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date information for your travel dates.
- Hurricanes: Hurricane season runs from June to November. While direct hits are rare, it's wise to have travel insurance.
Getting Around Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World offers a vast network of complimentary transportation, including buses, the iconic Monorail, the Disney Skyliner gondolas, and various watercraft, making it easy to travel between parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Parking is available at all parks, resorts, and Disney Springs (free at Springs and included for resort guests at parks).
Beyond the Parks
Water Parks
When you need a break from the theme park hustle, Disney's water parks offer a perfect blend of thrills and relaxation.
Summit Plummet
Blizzard Beach
Plunge down a staggering 120-foot, near-vertical drop on one of the tallest and fastest freefall body slides in the world. This ultimate thrill ride will send you hurtling down the face of Mount Gushmore at speeds up to 60 mph. Not for the faint of heart!
Crush 'n' Gusher
Typhoon Lagoon
Defy gravity on this thrilling water coaster! Choose from one of three different fruit-themed slides—Pineapple Plunger, Coconut Crusher, or Banana Blaster—and get propelled by powerful water jets through uphill climbs and sudden drops.
Essential Planning Guides
Tickets Guide
Navigate tickets, park reservations, and ticket pricing strategies.
Walt Disney World Events
Explore Epcot's festivals, holiday parties, and runDisney race weekends.
Lightning Lane Guide
Master Disney's line-skipping service to maximize your park time.
My Disney Experience App
Learn how to use Disney's essential app for wait times, mobile ordering, and more.
MagicBand Guide
Understand the technology behind Disney's magical wristbands.
Disney Dining Plan
Understand how to prepay for meals and snacks with Disney's convenient dining packages.