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Backstage Tours and Experiences • Walt Disney World

Want to experience a different side of the Walt Disney World Resort? A variety of unique Backstage Tours and Experiences are available. Reservations are required for most tours. Unless noted otherwise, tours can be reserved 60 days in advance with a credit card. Full payment is due at the time of booking . Cancellation must occur 48 hours in advance so you avoid forfeiting the entire price of your tour. Park admission is also required for most, but not all tours. A photo ID will usually be required when checking in. Many tours have a small number of guests touring each day, so book early to get the date you desire. Photographs are prohibited in backstage areas. Use the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app for reservations, unless otherwise noted.

Magic Kingdom Tours   Epcot Tours   Animal Kingdom Tours Disney Springs   Multi-Park Tours   Resort Tours

Magic Kingdom Backstage Tours and Experiences

Disney’s keys to the kingdom tour.

Highlights the fascinating history of Walt Disney World Resort and also provides backstage access to secret areas of Magic Kingdom theme park. Includes stops at backstage facilities and a variety of favorite attractions, plus a trip below Magic Kingdom theme park into the service tunnels known as the Utilidors. Guests will be provided with Disney-issued listening devices.

Days & Times: 4 tours daily at 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:00 am and 9:30 am

Duration: 4.5 – 5 hours

Price Range: $129-$149 per person, plus tax; includes lunch at Pecos Bill.

Park Admission: Required but not included

Restrictions: Ages 16 and up. Photo ID required. Also, cameras, video equipment and cell phones may not be used throughout the duration of this tour. Photography is prohibited during the tour–even in the park.

Starting Location: Report to Town Square Theater 15 minutes prior. Walking tour is primarily outdoors.

Discounts: Disney Visa (15%), DVC (15%), Annual Pass (15%)

To Reserve: Use the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World website. Same-day bookings are on a walk-up basis only, based on availability.

tour a disney world

EPCOT Backstage Tours and Experiences

Epcot dive quest.

Description: A unique scuba diving experience inside the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater tank at the Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion in EPCOT theme park. Scuba-certified Guests can swim with over 2,000 sea creatures, including sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, eagle rays, and sharks. All diving equipment is provided. Please bring a swimsuit and, if you wish, bring your own dive mask, particularly if you have a prescription mask.

Days & Times: Daily at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Duration: 3 hours, of which 40 minutes are underwater

Price Range: $229-$249 per person, plus tax

Park Admission: Not Required (or included)

Restrictions: All Guests must be SCUBA-certified and 10 years of age or older to participate. However, guests 10 to 16 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years of age or older). You will need to provide proof of certification, such as a C-card or verification from a certifying agency.

Starting Location: Report to EPCOT Guest Relations window outside of the park main entrance 15 minutes prior

To Reserve: Use the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World website.

Dolphins in Depth

Guests can learn about and get up close with a school of dolphins at The Seas with Nemo & Friend s Pavilion. First, talk to the expert trainers and researchers who work with dolphins every day. The tour concludes with a very special opportunity for an up-close interaction with a dolphin which is also perfect for pictures. Although not required, please bring a bathing suit if you wish to enter the water. You do not need to swim or be scuba certified to enjoy this program. This experience is limited to 8 participants a day.

Days & Times: Tuesday through Saturday at 10:30 am

Duration: 2 hours

Price Range: $209 per person, plus tax

Restrictions: Guests must be 48″ tall, however guests under the age of 18 years must have a parent or guardian along with them on the tour.

Starting Location: Report to EPCOT Guest Relations window outside of the park main entrance at 9:30 am

Behind the Seeds at EPCOT

See the future of agriculture in greenhouses and labs, release ladybugs and also learn the advanced and often experimental techniques used to grow hydroponic crops with little or no soil. You can preview this tour on the Living with the Land attraction. If you like what you see as your boat cruises through the greenhouse, you will love this tour. Due to the backstage locations visited on this tour, videotaping is allowed. Read a first-hand report about this tour on our blog . See a special souvenir you can take home from this tour!

Days & Times: Daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, departing every 60 minutes.

Duration: 1 hour

Price Range: $39-$45 per Guest (ages 3+), plus tax

Restrictions: Ages 3 and up however children must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Starting Location: Report to the tour desk on the lower level of the Land pavilion (near Soarin’) prior to your tour. Walking tour is indoors.

Animal Kingdom Park Backstage Tours and Experiences

Wild africa trek.

Wild Africa Trek is an immersive experience offering a unique opportunity to enjoy unexplored areas of the Harambe Reserve while experiencing with intriguing African wildlife. Trained guides lead expeditions in the Safi River valley, using harnesses to cross precarious rope bridges. Embark on an exclusive safari, including a stop at a private safari camp while traveling along the edge of an African savannah. Guests use a wireless headset to hear the guide at all times. Cameras and video cameras are permitted when securely fastened to the vest, but backpacks are not allowed. A portion of the Tour price is also donated to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

Days & Times: Daily at select times during the morning and early afternoon. 12 spaces are available for each tour. Approximate times are 8:45 am, 10:15 am, 11:45 am, and 12:30 pm.

Duration: 3 hours

Price Range: $219-$229 per person, plus tax; includes African-inspired snacks and photographs

Restrictions:

Ages 8 and up (however under 18 must be accompanied by an adult); Weight restrictions between 45 lbs – 300 lbs apply with harness gear on; Minimum Height 48″/122 cm. Guests will be required to step on scale prior to harness issue. Also, certain body shapes may prevent the safety harness from fitting properly. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots required due to the rugged terrain on the tour.

Everyone on the tour must wear the provided safety equipment. The Wild Africa Trek is an outdoor adventure that requires physical endurance, surefootedness, and comfort with heights. Guests must be in good health and free from conditions aggravated by this adventure, such as high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, and motion sickness. Waivers must be completed at check-in for all participants.

Guests seeking a less strenuous or wheelchair-accessible trek should contact Wild Africa Trek operations at (407) 938-1373 for alternative programs. The guide will accompany you for the first 90 minutes on the Pangani Trail, providing information, showing photos, and highlighting special events. Guests on the restricted tour then join the regular tour on the safari truck and continue with the remainder of the tour. The price is the same for either version of the tour.

Starting Location: Check in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance approximately 15 minutes prior to tour start.

Discounts: Disney Visa (15%), DVC (15%), Annual Pass (15%) (all discounts might not be available for all tours)

Caring for Giants Tour

Get a closer look at the majestic African elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom—and learn what it takes to care for them.

During this tour, you’ll meet with dedicated animal specialists who provide for the care and wellness of the African elephant herd. They’ll give you a glimpse into their day-to-day responsibilities as they provide fascinating facts about the elephants. In addition, African cultural representatives will share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations. During the tour, Guests will be able to observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away. You’ll have the opportunity to be closer to the elephants than you would during other in-park experiences.

This is primarily an outdoor tour. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Days & Times: Daily from 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm

Duration:  approximately 1 hour

Price Range: $39 per person plus tax

Park Admission:  Required but not included

Restrictions: Ages 4 and up. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

Starting Location:  Check in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance approximately 15 minutes prior to tour start.

Up Close with Rhinos Tour

Get ready for your close-up with the white rhinoceros. In this guided adventure, the rhinos’ keepers will take you backstage to meet these massive creatures as few people ever do. As your guides introduce you to the park’s white rhinos, they’ll offer fascinating insights into the species’ behavior and biology and discuss the challenges that threaten populations in the wild.

Days & Times: Daily at 11:00 a.m.

Price Range: $49 per person plus tax

Savor the Savanna

Excite all your senses with a private tour and experience, starting with a secluded overlook of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, including a sampling of African-inspired cuisine and drink.

Days & Times: Daily at 3:15 pm and 4:30 pm

Duration: approximately 2 hour

Price Range: $189-$199 per person plus tax

Restrictions: Ages 8 and up. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

Disney Springs Tours

Drawn to life page to stage signature experience.

Enjoy even more magic at Drawn to Life with the Page to Stage Signature Experience. Go behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney Animation. You’ll watch the performance from your premium seat location with a non-alcoholic beverage and a snack of your choice. Afterwards, your host will take you on a guided backstage tour for an up close and personal look at show props, stagecraft, costumes, and more. This experience includes the chance to meet a Drawn to Life performer and capture a photo, and you’ll take home a unique souvenir keepsake. Tickets are subject to taxes and fees. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Subject to availability.

Days & Times: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday – Available only on late performances

Price Range: $258 per person plus tax

Park Admission: No park admission is needed. The price includes a ticket to Drawn to Life.

Starting Location: Check in with your host upon arrival.

Discounts: None at this time.

To Reserve: Visit the Cirque du Soleil ticket page .

Multi-Park Backstage Tours and Experiences

Vip guided tour services.

VIP Tour Services offers personalized tours for up to 10 guests looking for the perfect Walt Disney World Resort vacation. During a VIP tour, from the moment you arrive your personal VIP guide is there to take care of everything—from creating your ideal itinerary to getting you the best seats in the house for live shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars. During your time with your guide, your focus is only on enjoying the experience.

Days & Times: Any time of day, 7 hours prior to park closing.

Duration: Minimum of 7 hours or more

Price Range: $450 to $900 per hour, plus tax (depending upon the time of year and whether the guest is staying at a Disney resort or non-Disney resort hotel). Private transportation is available during the tour at an additional cost. Hefty cancellation fees apply (equivalent to 2 hours at the booked rate).

Location: Available for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot

To Reserve: Call (407) 560-4033 up to 60 days in advance. Must be reserved at least 72 hours in advance.

Resort Backstage Tours and Experiences

Wilderness back trail (segway) adventure.

See the stunning surroundings of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort along backwooded trails on a Segway X2 Personal Transporter. Various terrains are encountered such as sand and wood chip paths as well as various wildlife. Training is provided before the tour and helmets are provided. Mid-tour there is also a stop at the Tri-Circle D Ranch. Also, guests should bring cameras. Class size is limited to 10 guests, so book early to ensure availability.

Days & Times: Tues – Sat at 8:30 am. No Disney transportation is provided for the 8:30 am tour.

Price Range: $90-$99 per person, plus tax; includes bottled water.

Park Admission: Not Required

Restrictions: Ages 16 and up. Photo ID required. Weight must be between 100-250 pounds. The signature of parent/guardian also required for ages 16 and 17. Expectant mothers and also those with special needs should forego this tour or check regarding additional restrictions. Helmets provided and required. Flip-flops, sandals, or rocker/exercise-type shoes (e.g., Skechers Shape-Ups) will not be permitted as these are not compatible with the Segway.

Starting Location: Report to Meadows Bike Barn in Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground 15 minutes prior. The tour is both indoors & outdoors.

Discounts: DVC (15%), Disney Visa, Annual Passholders (15%)

Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Description: During your safari, join an Animal Programs cast member on an hour-long safari of the Sunset Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas. Through the use of night vision goggles, guests will see the animals while enjoying the resort in a whole new way.

Days & Times: Daily at 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm

Price Range: $75.65-$89 per person.

Park Admission: Not applicable

Restrictions: Ages 8 and up.

Starting Location: Kidani Village

** Walt Disney World Backstage Tours and Experiences are subject to change. **

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Walt Disney World® Resort

Four theme parks, two water parks, elevated dining and shopping, imaginative resorts — and so much more. See why the magic never stops at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Explore Walt Disney World® Resort

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You will never run out of unforgettable, memory-making adventures at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Magic Kingdom® Park

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The Edison is a lavish "Industrial Gothic" themed restaurant and entertainment venue. Set in an…

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Retreat to this ultra-modern Disney Resort hotel and discover award-winning dining, spectacular…

House of Blues

From diverse musical offerings and International & American-inspired cuisine, to Gospel Brunch…

World of Disney® store

Discover the ultimate shopping destination for Disney fans of all ages—newly re-imagined from top to…

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Make your getaway a safari adventure. With views of exotic animals grazing on nearby savannas, this…

Disney Genie Service & Disney Genie+

Available in the My Disney Experience app, the complimentary Disney Genie Service helps you create your best day.

Character Dining

Something magical happens when a Disney character befriends your child. Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time since these official Walt Disney World® Resort character dining experiences book up rather quickly.

Additional Resources

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Walt Disney World® Resort FAQs

Does Walt Disney World® Resort require advance reservations?

Theme park reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required. These include student group tickets, sport and convention tickets, Florida Resident Disney Thrills tickets, Disney Military Salute Tickets, and Annual Passes. Check with Walt Disney World ahead of your visit for complete details.

How do Disney Genie Service and Lightning Lanes work?

Available for all Walt Disney World® Resort guests in the My Disney Experience app, the complimentary Disney Genie Service offers new features that let you create your best Disney day. These features include a personalized itinerary creator that effortlessly and smartly maps out an entire day inspired by the things guests tell Disney they love — helping you make the most of your park time so you can have more fun.

Similar to a navigation app on a phone, the Disney Genie Service continues to update your itinerary from morning to night as the day changes, so you can stay spontaneous and go with the flow — whether you need a nap, encounter an unexpected rain shower or want to take a detour for a Mickey ice cream bar.

Through the My Disney Experience app, you can also purchase the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance for more than 40 attractions across the four Walt Disney World theme parks, as well as Individual Lightning Lane Entrance for highly demanded attractions. As a reminder, attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue.

What is the best source for discount tickets to Walt Disney World® Resort?

Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com is your trusted source for authorized discount tickets to Walt Disney World and other Orlando experiences.

How far is Walt Disney World® Resort from International Drive and downtown Orlando?

Walt Disney World is approximately 15 minutes south of the heart of Orlando’s International Drive Entertainment District, and about 25 minutes south of downtown Orlando.

Special Events & Tours

Holiday magic, seasonal events and guided tours.

  • All Parks & Resorts
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  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
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  • The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort - A Disney Vacation Club Resort
  • The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
  • Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
  • Animal Encounters
  • Behind the Scenes
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A Mickey Mouse dome cake atop a cake plate in Amorette's Patisserie at Disney Springs

Amorette's Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience

The top of a streetlamp adorned with a fall themed wreath surrounding a pumpkin Mickey Mouse face and ears with the phrase ‘Autumn at Walt Disney World Resort’

Autumn at Walt Disney World Resort

A Cast Member shows 2 Guests a container of seeds near a topiary shaped like Mickey Mouse

Behind the Seeds

tour a disney world

Benefits of Becoming an Annual Passholder

A man on one knee presents a ring to a woman, who covers her mouth in surprise, in front of the Tree of Life

Capture Your Moment: Disney's Animal Kingdom

A young boy and girl smiling for a photo together in Toy Story Land near the Slinky Dog Dash coaster

Capture Your Moment: Disney's Hollywood Studios

A young boy holding a lightsaber near the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Capture Your Moment: Disney's Hollywood Studios - Batuu

A smiling couple embrace and look into each other’s eyes on a balcony in the Epcot World Showcase Italy Pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort

Capture Your Moment: EPCOT

A smiling couple enjoy a moment of closeness as they stand in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom park

Capture Your Moment: Magic Kingdom Park

A mom, dad and their 3 kids watching an elephant on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park

Caring for Giants

Celebrate soulfully.

A woman holds up her painting of Cinderella Castle surrounded by fireworks during a painting class

Colors of Coronado Painting Experience

A group of 6 people eating brunch together in a restaurant

Cooking with Soul at Walt Disney World Resort

Culinary Series hosted by Kroger

A group of people celebrate in front of the EPCOT ball on the lake at night

Custom Celebrations & Gatherings

Disney after hours.

The Tree of Life has the face of a lion projected on its trunk with lights shooting from the top of the branches as a crowd watches below

Disney After Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

The entrance to Toy Story Land, featuring oversized toys and a giant Woody figure

Disney After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney after hours at epcot, disney after hours at magic kingdom park.

Typhoon Lagoon lights up at night

Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

A couple takes a selfie in front of a neon sign that reads ‘Disney Jollywood Nights’

Disney Jollywood Nights

A young boy sitting on his father’s shoulders, giving a high five to a VIP Tour Guide in EPCOT

Disney Private VIP Tours

Sun peeking through the trees with Cinderella Castle in the background

Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour

A man and two women dining outdoors at The Polite Pig restaurant in Disney Springs

Disney Springs Flavors of Florida presented by CORKCICLE

Maleficent, Hades, Meg, The Queen, Jafar and Doctor Facilier pose on stage in front of Cinderella Castle

Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park

A kid uses binoculars in front of the Tree of Life

An Earth Day Celebration

A man, woman and their children watching fireworks at a fireworks dessert party

Enchanting Extras Collection

An artist holding a paintbrush while painting a portrait of Pluto

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

A serving of beef Wellington, garnished with baby carrots, onions and micro greens

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: Culinary Arts

Topiary plants resembling Luisa and Mirabel Madrigal at Epcot  International Flower & Garden Festival

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

A mom and her young daughter are all smiles as they share a bite to eat while sitting on a fountain ledge near Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE®

Man and girl in wetsuits petting a bottlenose dolphin in a pool

EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth

Scuba divers swimming underwater near a coral reef

EPCOT Seas Adventures – DiveQuest

A welcoming sign to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Events Invitational

Flavors of florida pairing.

A graphic for Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month that reads  ‘Together We Are Magia’

Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month

A young girl hugging her mother near a giant Christmas tree outdoors at Disney Springs

Holidays at Disney Springs

An exquisite Christmas tree and beautifully festive wreaths welcome the holidays to Main Street U S A

Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort

Make your own mickey ears.

A little girl grins at her family as they watch artist David Buckley paint a Mickey Mouse picture

Merchandise Events

Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy pose on Main Street, U S A

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse standing on a Christmas themed parade float in front of Cinderella Castle

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

The most magical firsts on earth, rundisney events.

5 people drink wine near a gazebo and a forest

Savor the Savanna

A man gluing stones onto a Mickey Mouse shaped object to create a mosaic art piece

Spanish Mosaic Art

Sponsors of epcot international festival of the arts.

A topiary sculpture of Princess Tiana

Spring at Walt Disney World Resort

A zebra illuminated by night vision goggles during Disney’s Animal Kingdom Night Safari excusion

Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Concept art of fireworks, light projections and water effects displayed near Spaceship Earth

Summer at Walt Disney World Resort

Festive holiday projections on The Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel during the Christmas season

Sunset Seasons Greetings

A baby rhinoceros in an enclosure with a grazing adult

Up Close with Rhinos

Fireworks in the night sky over Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

We Came to Play

A woman with a harness smiles as she crosss a rope bridge

Wild Africa Trek

Forest on the banks of a river

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure

  • To find an exact or closer match, include quotation marks around a phrase or group of words. For instance, enter "Space Mountain" to locate information for that attraction.
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Disney Private VIP Tours

A young boy sitting on his father’s shoulders, giving a high five to a VIP Tour Guide in EPCOT

Walt Disney World® Resort

Set off on an adventure that includes door-to-door service and an array of personalized perks.

A tartan pattern with the words Disney V I P Tours in a badge shaped text box

Making Our Kingdom Yours

The team at Disney VIP Tour Services will plan the most efficient, enjoyable way for groups up to 10 Guests to see and do the things on your list. Just tell your personal VIP Tour Guide what you'd like to see, and they'll customize your day to your desire!

After being picked up in a private vehicle from your Walt Disney World Resort accommodations or branded partner resort accommodations, enjoy unparalleled hospitality and experience some of your favorite attractions alongside a VIP Tour Guide.

Some of the personalized services include:

  • Pre-arrival planning
  • A flexible start time, picked by you
  • Visits to multiple theme parks* in one or more days
  • The ability to enjoy some of your favorite attractions efficiently through most Lightning Lane entrances
  • Shared insight from your highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide throughout your tour

*All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour

A Tour Guide stands in front of L'Artisan des Glaces

Pricing and Reservations

  • Pricing:  Ranging from $450 to $900 per hour, depending on the season (valid park admission is required for each park visited on tour and is not included in the price of the tour).
  • Reservations: Call (407) 560-4033 to book. Guests under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. Learn when advance reservations can be made.

A young girl smiles at a cast member while enjoying a parade at Disneyland with her family

Know Before You Go

  • All VIP Tours require valid theme park admission, which is not included in the price of the tour
  • Disney VIP Tours participate in full security screenings (including bag checks) during your Disney VIP Tour. Guests should be prepared for screenings with their appropriate government issued identification.
  • Disney Private VIP Tours at the Walt Disney World Resort are very popular and may be limited in availability. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.
  • All Private VIP Tours must be booked for a minimum duration of 7 continuous hours, and your party may include up to 10 Guests, including infants.
  • Entertainment offerings are subject to availability and may be restricted by capacity constraints at the time of booking.
  • You will incur a cancellation fee equal to 2 hours at the booked rate per tour if you do not provide at least 48-hour notice when cancelling any Private VIP Tour.
  • No cameras, video equipment or cellphones may be used while in backstage areas.
  • Guests 17 years and under must be accompanied by a paying participating parent or guardian.
  • Pricing and information are subject to change without notice.

tour a disney world

Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle

Step onto a lively rooftop bar at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for a dazzling cocktail party.

tour a disney world

Specialty Cruises

Drop anchor on a nighttime cruise and settle in to watch an enchanting fireworks display.

tour a disney world

Custom-Designed Celebrations & Gatherings

Mark your next birthday, or other special occasion, with a private event at Walt Disney World Resort.

Close-up detail map for this location

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Disney Private VIP Tours

Are disney world’s vip tour services worth the cost .

Disney VIP tour sharing

Back in 1965, Walt Disney started something called the Disneyland Resort Ambassador Program. The idea was to personalize Disneyland’s in-park experience and make a trip to the park as memorable as possible.

This Disneyland program served as a forerunner to Disney VIP Tour Services, a division of Disney which offers exclusive in-park experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. Each of these Disney VIP Tours has its own dedicated tour guide to give you a personalized experience.

Yes, Disney Tours are pricey. But they do give you expedited services onto the most popular rides, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what makes Disney World so magical, and special treatment that you can get anywhere else in the park.

With that said, let’s first discuss the benefits of Disney Private VIP Tours and why they are considered the crème de la crème of Disney World experiences. Then we’ll examine the cost of Private VIP Tours cost and ways you can make VIP Tours more affordable. We include a breakdown of the 4 other VIP Tours that Disney currently offers in order to help you decide if one of these tours may be a better fit for your family vacation.

And finally, once you decide that Disney VIP Tours are something you wish to participate in, then it’s time to contact The Vacationeer ( https://vacationeer.com/private-vip-tours ) to make your arrangements.

So let’s get started!

What are Disney World’s Private VIP Tours?

As part of the VIP Tour Services  program, Disney offers Private VIP Tours as a way to fully maximize your Disney World experience.

Think of them as the ultimate Disney choose-your-own-adventure: you customize your own multi-park itinerary and then embark on your personalized dream adventure with practically no wait times at all.

You will receive an array of special perks including expedited door-to-door transportation to the parks, expedited entry onto most attractions of your choosing, and a knowledgeable Disney tour guide to accompany you at every step.

Here are some of the benefits:

  • Pre-arrival planning and customization
  • Explore the theme parks with your own personal Disney VIP Tour Guide
  • Expedited access onto your desired attractions for everyone in the group
  • Ability to visit multiple theme parks per day
  • VIP treatment including private vehicle transportation to and from your hotel
  • Special reserved viewing areas for parades, select stage shows, and nighttime spectaculars
  • Flexible start and end times (7-hour minimum)

Disney’s Private VIP Tours – Cost, Reservations, Services

Share VIP Tours

Cost of Disney Private VIP Tours

Disney VIP Tour Services offers several tours that are priced on a per-person basis. These include The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour , Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour , Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tours ), and the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour . We will discuss these tours later.

Disney’s Private VIP Tours , on the other hand, are not priced on a per-person basis. Instead, the cost of Private VIP Tours is based on an hourly rate for a group of up to 10 people.

Private VIP Tours Details

Here are some details of Disney World Private VIP Tours:

  • Depending on the season, tours will cost is between $450 and $900 per hour, per group ( not per person) — subject to change
  • A maximum allowance of 10 guests per Private VIP Tour
  • A minimum of 7 continuous hours is required per day
  • Valid admission is required for each theme park (not included as part of tour cost)
  • VIP Tour Services allows you to book up to 180 in advance (recommended)

While Disney’s Private VIP Tour s are the ultimate way to spoil yourself at Disney World, they’re also an easy way to spend cash.

Cost-Effective: Share a Private Disney VIP Tour w/ Friends and Family

As we mentioned, Disney allows your group to include up to 10 guests . This is an important detail because the 10 guest allowance opens up a lot of possibilities. By sharing Disney VIP Tours with other interested couples and families, you could effectively reduce a $3000 or $5250 overall expense down to as low as $300-$525 per person.

Sounding good! But how do you go about forming a group of up to 10 people?

For safety concerns, Disney doesn’t allow Disney travel agencies   (or any other organization) to match you up with random people to form a group of 10. In this day-in-age, these types of policies make sense because you never know who you will be matched up with!

That said, you can still form your own group – comprised of friends and family members – to reduce the cost per person.  So ask your friends, your aunt, your nephew, your favorite neighbor, or your co-workers. Who knows – they may just love the idea of taking a Private Disney VIP Tour with you…and saving money in the process!

Even if you don’t come up with a full 10 people, you will still save a significant amount of money if you just add a few more friends and family members to your Private VIP Tour.

Other Disney VIP Tours

Private VIP Tours aren’t the only Disney VIP Tour Services option. Here is a summary of the other 4 other VIP experiences that Disney World offers:

1. The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

The Ultimate Day of Trill VIP Tour is a 7-hour experience that gives you expedited access to Disney’s top attractions.

This tour has a good mix of fun, fantasy, and fast-paced thrill rides. Guests start their day at Magic Kingdom Park where they benefit from special access (ie, you don’t wait in the normal line) on select rides such as:

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Splash Mountain
  • Haunted Mansion

Then you will take a break to enjoy your lunch at a quick-service restaurant (included in the cost!) before embarking on a few exciting Epcot attractions like Soarin’.

During the afternoon, guests are whisked over to Hollywood Studios to experience some of  the best Hollywood Studios rides such as:

  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Toy Story Mania!
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

2. Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

The Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour lets guests experience the Magic Kingdom’s most beloved classic attractions. The small-group tour is lead by a Disney VIP Tour Guide to make sure your experience is hassle-free, relaxing, and fun!

During the tour, you will receive special access to Magic Kingdom’s iconic attractions, which may include:

  • “it’s a small world”
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

This tour is great for kids of all ages because there are no height restrictions for any of the attractions on this tour.

3. Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour is a wild, 4-hour guided group tour of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park at nighttime. Guests receive expedited access so that exploring the lands and riding attractions is a breeze.

The Animal Kingdom rides   on this tour include the following attractions:

  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Avatar Flight of Passage (44” height requirement)
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (44” height requirement)
  • DINOSAUR (40” height requirement)

As well as the following show:

  • Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular (select nights)

Guests will also receive signature snacks and a specialty beverage (alcoholic (21+) or non-alcoholic).

4. Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour

Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour is a brand new experience where guests have the opportunity to go inside the kitchens of several Magic Kingdom restaurants and sample several of Disney’s most iconic menu items.

During this 3-hour tour, guests will interact directly with Disney’s chefs and learn of the rich food history of the park. Guests head backstage to experience what goes into the production of Disney’s busy restaurant scene.  Guests will sample an amazing assortment of sweet and savory food items along the way as their VIP Guides make sure your experience is as enjoyable and informative as possible.

Cost of other Disney VIP Tours

VIP Tours at Disney World

Cost of other Disney VIP Tours 

Here is a breakdown of the cost of Disney’s 4 other VIP Tours:

The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

  • $349 per person (plus tax)
  • Valid admission for each theme park is required (not included as part of the tour cost)
  • The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is currently offered on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
  • Tour begins at 8:30 AM and lasts around 7 hours
  • There are blackout dates, especially during holidays and other busy periods

Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

  • $249 per person (plus tax)
  • Lunch is included in this price!
  • Valid admission ticket to Magic Kingdom is required (not included as part of the tour cost)
  • Tour begins at 10:00 AM and lasts around 4 hours

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

  • Valid admission ticket to Animal Kingdom is required (not included as part of the tour cost)
  • Tour begins 4 hours before that evening’s first Rivers of Light performance and lasts around 4 hours
  • The tour operates 7 days per week, except on blackout dates

Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour

  • $99 per person (plus tax)
  • This tour is currently offered on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, except during blackout periods
  • There are blackout dates, especially during holidays and other busy periods.

Contact The Vacationeer to Book your Disney VIP Tour

Disney VIP Tours

The Vacationeer is our preferred Disney Travel Agency and we recommend contacting them today if you are interested in Disney’s Private VIP Tours or one of the other VIP Tours currently offered at the resort. Here is what to do next:

✔️ Fill out the contact form HERE to request more information

✔️ A Disney travel planner will contact you with a price quote

✔️ Do you have any questions? Concerns? Your Vacationeer is there to assist you with your Disney World VIP tour

✔️ When you book, The Vacationeer will handle all of the leg-work of your VIP Tour and make all of your Disney World trip reservations (tickets, hotel reservations, dining reservations, Disney Genie+ , Lightning Lane Passes , and more)

✔️ As part of booking through The Vacationeer, there are absolutely no fees for this service and you get the lowest price

We hope our Disney VIP Tours page is helpful.

Are you ready to book your Disney VIP Tour? Please contact the Disney Travel Agents at The Vacationeer .  They will explain how you can participate in these unique experiences!

For more useful Disney World information, please review some additional pages on  MagicGuides  like our   Disney Dining Plan Calculator ,  Disney World Map , Disney World for Adults , Why Use a Disney Travel Agent , Disney World Payment Plan , Free Disney World Photos , and Disney World Weather articles.

Thank you for reading our page, and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!

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WDW Prep School

2024 Disney World Touring Plans & Park Itineraries (with and without Genie+)

2024 Disney World Touring Plans & Park Itineraries (with and without Genie+)

Congratulations!

If you are reading this post, that means you are spending some time thinking about how you’ll tour the parks on your Disney World Vacation. The fact is, not everybody knows to do that. But the ones who do put the time in ahead of their trips are rewarded with a much better experience when they are there.

Ready to learn how to tour the parks like an expert?

Let’s dive right into our advice on how to tour Disney World, both with AND without Genie+ and Lightning Lanes .

Update! Major changes are coming to the Genie Plus System, effective July 24, 2024.

Changes include:

  • name change of Genie+ to Lightning Lane Multi Pass
  • name change of Individual Lightning Lane to Lightning Lane Single Pass
  • the ability to pre-purchase the service
  • the ability to make selections several days in advance
  • Learn More About the *NEW* Lightning Lane Passes at Walt Disney World

In this article

What to expect in this guide

There are 2 different types of touring advice that we want to make sure to share:

  • General/best practice info that can be applied to all parks, and
  • Park-specific info that helps you know which attractions to ride when

We know it can be tempting to jump into the park specific info first, but we encourage you to also spend some time reading through the general touring advice below, too.

Putting together a touring plan for Disney World

Ready to get to planning?

Your primary goal will be to identify which attractions in each park garner the longest lines , and then try to do those whenever the lines are shortest (which will typically be at park opening or at the end of the day).

The individual park guides below will help you with all of that. Not only do they tell you the best time to ride every attraction in each park, they all also have our favorite touring plans for you to use if the thought of putting your own together from scratch feels overwhelming.

How to Tour Magic Kingdom

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

How to Tour EPCOT

world celebration - epcot - spaceship earth - monorail

How to Tour Hollywood Studios

tour a disney world

How to Tour Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life

Touring Plans, Genie+. and Lightning Lanes

You really can’t put together a touring plan for Walt Disney World without first deciding on whether or not you plan to use (and pay for) Genie+ and Individual Lighting Lane Selections.

That sentence sounds kind of scary because Disney World vacations are already expensive . But, before you get too scared, keep reading.

Touring without Genie+ or Lightning Lanes

When used correctly, Genie+ and paying to ride Individual Lightning Lane attractions will definitely make it easier to tour. What we have found is that the people who spend some time before their vacations learning how they work and how to maximize their purchases definitely find them worth the price .

But, you don’t have to purchase them if you don’t want to. You can do it old school and just use the Standby Lines only.

If that is your plan, you’ll want to follow the advice below about arriving at Rope Drop. You may also have to consider skipping breaks and, just like the early morning, the end of the day will be important too, so the later you can stay, the more things you’ll be able to accomplish.

Here’s the deal, though:

You don’t HAVE to buy Genie+ for every day of your trip – you can pick and choose. And, you don’t have to pay for every Individual Lightning Lane selection.

Instead, if working with a budget, we recommend you prioritize your selections and pay for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes only when it makes the most sense .

  • Learn more about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections

Do I need Genie+ for every park?

In our opinion, you should definitely consider buying Genie+ for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. We think Genie+ is worth it at those parks.

If you decide to also purchase Genie+ for Animal Kingdom and Epcot, your days touring there will be easier, but those 2 parks are a bit less tricky to tour without it.

Do I need to purchase every Individual Lightning Lane?

Ideally, it would be nice to buy *all* the things.

But that isn’t realistic advice.

If you don’t want to pay-to-ride the attractions that offer Individual Lightning Lane spots, you’ll typically have the shortest standby waits if you ride them early in the morning or right at the end of the day.

Probably the trickiest of the pay-to-ride attractions to get on without long waits are TRON Lightcycle / Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Rise of the Resistance, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Out of those 4, both TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind offers a Virtual Queue. To ride those 2 attractions without paying for an Individual Lightning Lane, you *must* join the Virtual Queue. You can’t just walk up as there is no “regular” Standby Line.

As you can imagine, since these are new attractions, spots for both the Virtual Queue and the Lightning Lane passes are very, very competitive. Make sure you check out our guide on how it works so that you can maximize your chances of snagging one:

  • How the Virtual Queue for Cosmic Rewind Works
  • How the Virtual Queue for TRON: Lightcycle / Run works

What about Park Hopping?

Park Hopping at Walt Disney World allows you to move between the 4 theme parks. For dates before January 9, 2024, park hopping is allowed starting at 2 p.m. However, starting on January 9, 2024, you can park hop at any time with a valid park hopper ticket.

Even though park hopping is handy, it isn’t always necessary.

Unless you are absolutely certain that you are going to park hop, we recommend holding off adding that feature until you need it.

You can always upgrade a ticket when you arrive at Walt Disney World, but you can’t get a refund on entitlements like Park Hopping if you never use them.

How many rides can we plan on doing per hour?

When touring, we find that we can typically complete about 2-3 attractions per hour . This allows for plenty of time for restroom and drink breaks.

You could do more, but we don’t think it is much fun to race from attraction to attraction.

What about characters?

The parks are full of characters, which means you’ll have lots of opportunities to see them.

A few character opportunities even offer Genie+ now.

anna epcot meet and greet

We recommend you set aside some time during the afternoon (before you take a break) when the lines are the longest at the attractions to character hunt.

  • Where to find characters in the parks

What about fireworks and parades?

Nighttime entertainment is a highlight for many trips – including ours!

fireworks over cinderella castle

We think the shows are definitely worth watching at least once.

But, if you prefer to skip them, you’ll also find that the lines for attractions will get shorter while they take place (which makes it a good time to jump in one).

And, if the parks remain open after the fireworks – which they typically do during busy times of the year – the overall crowds will dissipate as families make their exit after watching a nighttime show.

As for parades, right now, there is only 1 parade (Festival of Fantasy) at Magic Kingdom.

It is a great parade, but oftentimes happens only during the hottest times of the day.

Festival of Fantasy parade

If you really want to catch it, we recommend trying to find a place in the shade under the train station on Main Street, that way you can easily slip out for a break after it is over.

Best touring advice for Disney World

When our friends or family ask us for advice on how to tour, these are the things we tell them.

tip board epcot

It’s the advice we’ve been using ourselves for years and years, and even though a lot has changed since our first trips, these core pieces are still the backbone of putting together a great day in the parks.

Rope drop, break, return

For the absolute best touring at Walt Disney World, we highly recommend you plan to rope drop (which simply means arriving to the park before it opens), then take a break in the middle of the day when the crowds are the thickest and the temps are the highest, and finally that you return in the evening for more rides and/or nighttime entertainment.

Magic Kingdom rope drop

If you do nothing else, just following that pattern will help ensure you’ll have a great day.

Do I really have to wake up early on vacation?

We get it. It isn’t always fun to wake up early on vacation – especially if you have little ones.

But…

If you can get up and out the door before all the people who choose to sleep in make it to the parks, you’ll be ahead of them in all ways.

You’ll be ahead of them in the line for transportation to the park. Ahead of them in line at the park entrance and tapstyles. And, most importantly, ahead of them in lines at the attractions.

bus stop

When you are at the front of the pack, it is much easier to accomplish everything that is on your “must do” list.

Conversely, when you start your day behind, you’ll have to deal with long lines before you even get started having fun.

And all that waiting leads to frustrations and unhappy families, and we bet that is something you’ll want to avoid.

Early Theme Park Entry

Keep in mind that all onsite guests and guests at select offsite resorts will have access to Early Theme Park Entry, which allows you to enter every park, every day, 30 minutes before the official opening time.

Early Theme Park entry

Do not skip these!

30 minutes may not seem like much, but if you can knock out even 1 of the most popular attractions in that 30 minutes, you’ll be way ahead of the game.

  • Complete Guide to Early Theme Park Entry

Do I really have to take a break?

No. Of course not.

You don’t “have” to do anything, but we think you should, and here’s why:

For most months out of the year, central Florida where Disney World is located is h-o-t . And not just REGULAR hot.

It is oppressively hot, with humidity so high it feels like you are walking through air-sludge. So humid that your eyeglasses fog up when you leave an air-conditioned room. So swampy that you’ll immediately want to shower and change your clothes. ALL your clothes.

Now, imagine that level of humidity during the heat of the day.

crowded magic kingdom

And, don’t forget, heat + humidity often means rain, and the most common time for pop up rain showers is the afternoon.

Now, pair the heat and humidity and potential rain with people. Lots, and lots of people. Because the parks are at their busiest during the middle of the day, which also means the lines are typically longest during the middle of the day.

Are you picturing that scenario in your head? The lines and the swampy heat and the crowds and the possible rain?

That’s why we say you should take a break in the early afternoon.

Unless you are on a super-short trip, and you want to pack in the absolute MOST that you can, head back to your resort to cool off during the middle of the day so that you’ll be able to go strong later in the evening and into the night .

If your goal is to take a break AND you want to use Genie+ or purchase Individual Lightning Lane selections, this is something you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re planning your selections. More on that below.

What if I have little ones or teenagers?

We don’t like stereotypes, but speaking from personal experience, there are certain ages when getting up early or staying up late just don’t mix that well.

So, if you’ll be traveling with someone who fits that description, you may have to bribe adjust.

In those instances, it probably isn’t the best idea to wake up early or stay up extra late every day. You know your traveling partners the best.

spaceship earth at night

Just keep in mind that the first and last hours of the day are usually the best for riding attractions with the shortest waits, and the middle of the day is typically the worst.

  • Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

If you are staying at one of Disney’s Deluxe or Deluxe Villa (DVC) resorts or one of the other eligible offsite resorts , you will have access to Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.

This is a nice perk, but it is typically only available 1 day a week each at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and very rarely at Hollywood Studios.

If you are eligible, we highly recommend you take advantage of it as the lines during this time will be some of the shortest of the entire day, plus, since these happen at the end of the night, the temps for most of the year will be lovely, too.

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Everything You NEED to Know About VIP Tours in Disney World

By Lydia Storks 2 Comments

Are you hoping to have the best day ever in Disney World during your visit? Well, of course, you are!

tour a disney world

We can’t blame you for wanting the best vacation ever!

You’ve saved and planned for months to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth, and you’ll definitely want to experience as much as you possibly can. One of the ways to get a LOT accomplished in a little amount of time is a VIP tour , and if you’ve ever been interested in this offering, we’re breaking down what all the experience entails!

What is a VIP Tour?

A Disney World VIP tour is a paid, add-on experience where guests will be guided through the park(s) by a knowledgeable Cast Member. During your visit, you’ll get the ultimate VIP treatment — including a customizable itinerary, backstage transportation, and front-of-the-line privileges at attractions.  

tour a disney world

Magic Kingdom

Throughout the day, you’ll also be able to learn fun facts about Disney World from the guides, seeing and hearing about details that only Disney insiders know. If you’re a Disney history buff or you’re looking for the most luxurious way to spend the day — this could be just right for you!

What Happens Before You Go

When planning a VIP tour, there are a few things to note. First, you’ll need valid theme park admission, and that’s not included in the cost of the tour. If you want to visit multiple theme parks during your tour, you’ll need to purchase Park Hopper tickets.

tour a disney world

Also, Disney Park Pass reservations are still required for entry on a VIP tour day. You’ll have to make a reservation for every member of your party at the first park you plan to visit.

tour a disney world

Animal Kingdom

As far as the tour itself goes, you must book for at least 7 hours, and your party can have up to 10 people. The cost ranges from $425 to $850 per hour , depending on the season. (Remember that you can split that cost with the people in your party, so gathering a bigger group may be a good thing!) You’ll also want to budget for the optional gratuity — it’s just nice to tip your guide.

What Happens On the Day of Your Tour

Even though you’re a “VIP” for the day, you’ll still have to follow certain rules when in the parks! You won’t be able to use cameras, phones, or recording equipment in any backstage areas of the park that you visit.

tour a disney world

You’ll only be able to take pictures in regular guest areas.

Also, children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult , so don’t plan for your kiddos to go on this tour alone!

Pickup and Travel

At the beginning of your day, you can schedule a pickup from your Walt Disney World accommodations . (Keep in mind that your hotel price is not included in the cost of the tour, either.) The clock starts on your day at your scheduled pickup time, so you’ll want to be on time for this meet-up.

tour a disney world

Hotel stay not included!

If you’d prefer to save a little time and meet your guide at the parks, you can do that as well, starting your tour later in the day. Either way, you’ll be chauffeured around to your chosen locations throughout the day in your own private transportation vehicle. You’ll park in backstage areas instead of the regular parking lots and enter through private park entrances. How fancy!

tour a disney world

You’ll get to skip the public parking lots!

One of the best parts about a VIP tour is being able to skip the long wait for your favorite attractions. When you arrive at your selected ride, you’ll be directed through the Lightning Lane queue to skip the standby line and get to the front much faster.

tour a disney world

Ready to skip the line?!

If the attraction doesn’t have a specified Lightning Lane, then you’ll be able to skip the entire line — what a treat! 

Keep in mind that if you’re touring for 7 hours, you’re likely going to need to stop and eat. Meals are not included in the cost of your tour, so you’ll want to budget accordingly.

tour a disney world

Don’t forget to stop and eat!

To save time, it’s probably best to dine quick service on your VIP tour day . Your guide may also give you complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the day, like water bottles, popcorn, and Mickey Ice Cream Bars. 

The Cast Members/Tour Guides

The Cast Member guides themselves are (in our opinion) the best part about the tour! They’ll be able to share insider knowledge and facts about the parks throughout the day, and you can ask them questions about how things work in Disney World.

tour a disney world

Disney Cast Members are extra special!

Walking around the parks and into attraction queues with s omeone who can point out all the little details and backstory can really enhance your time at Disney World!

Is a VIP Tour Worth the Cost?

That’s entirely up to you! It’s a LOT of money, but you’re really paying for the ultimate Walt Disney World experience. You’ll get expert knowledge, fast transportation, and you’ll be able to avoid waiting in long lines.

tour a disney world

No need to wait in long lines!

If you’re visiting Disney World for a short amount of time, you could easily knock out quite a few attractions in one day with a VIP tour and get more done than you would be able to otherwise. You may be able to work it into your budget if you split the cost between a party of 10, rather than take the tour with a small group. The service you receive throughout the day will be unparalleled, and it’s hard to put a price on that!

tour a disney world

You could have a really “magical” day!

However, you definitely don’t NEED to do a VIP tour to have the “perfect” day at Disney! Here at DFB, we specialize in helping guests with all the tips and information they need to know before their trips, and if you walk into your vacation well-informed and prepared , you’ll be able to accomplish much more. If you’re heading to the parks soon, make sure to check out our planning guides and our YouTube channel in addition to following the blog — we’ve got tons of advice to share!

Click Here to Learn More About the 50th Anniversary VIP Tour!

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We know disney. you can, too..

tour a disney world

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Have you ever been on a VIP tour in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

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April 28, 2023 at 10:35 am

Kind of makes me sad. Everyone in line gives these customers the side eye as they advance past everyone to the front of the line. Disney ought to be more egalitarian and not allow these kinds of services to celebrities or other customers regardless of their wealth.

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July 13, 2023 at 5:18 pm

Quite honestly, if I had the money I would do this for my daughter. We took her to the magic Kingdom for her 6th birthday. It was so crowded she only went on 1 ride. She should have had a magical day. Sadly it was frustrating and boring for her.

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  • Crowd Calendar
  • Disney Springs
  • Transportation

tour a disney world

  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Early Theme Park Entry
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Extended Evening Hours
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Front-of-Line Service: Lightning Lane
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Character Greetings
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Rider Switch for Small Children
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Special Needs Guests (DAS)
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Live Entertainment & Show Schedules
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Refurbishment Schedule
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Lines Mobile App
  • Attractions, Parades, & Fireworks
  • Height Requirements
  • Touring Plans
  • Attractions & Fireworks
  • Neighborhoods
  • Attractions
  • Cheapest Disney Tickets
  • Park Reservations

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  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Basics
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Build-Your-Own Plans
  • Magic Kingdom
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Ratings for All WDW Restaurants
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Overview
  • Magic Kingdom Restaurants
  • EPCOT Restaurants
  • Hollywood Studios Restaurants
  • Animal Kingdom Restaurants
  • Disney Springs Restaurants
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Hotel Restaurants
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Reservations
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Tipping (Gratuities)
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  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Benefits
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  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House)
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort
  • The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney's Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
  • Disney's Beach Club Villas
  • Disney's BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney's Riviera Resort
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
  • The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

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  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Early Park Admission
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Tickets
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Front-of-Line Service: Universal Express Pass
  • Halloween Horror Nights
  • Rock the Universe
  • Gradventure
  • Special Needs
  • Kids and Babies

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  • Universal Studios Florida
  • Universal's Islands of Adventure
  • Universal Epic Universe
  • Universal Studios Florida Restaurants
  • Islands of Adventure Restaurants
  • Volcano Bay Restaurants
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> CityWalk Restaurants
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Hotel Basics
  • Hard Rock Hotel
  • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  • Universal Helios Grand Hotel
  • Universal Stella Nova Resort
  • Universal Terra Luna Resort
  • Universal's Aventura Hotel
  • Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
  • Universal's Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
  • Downtown Disney

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  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Early Entry
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="block text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Rider Switch
  • Lunar New Year
  • Food & Wine Festival
  • Disneyland Park
  • Disney California Adventure Park
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Ratings for All DLR Restaurants
  • Disneyland Restaurants
  • California Adventure Restaurants
  • Downtown Disney Restaurants
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Disneyland Hotel
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> Pixar Place Hotel
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
  • sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo mouseover->sidemenu#activeChildLayerTwo" class="text-black text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-start gap-2 pt-[20px] leading-18"> The Villas at Disneyland Hotel
  • sidemenu#activeChild" class="text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-between pt-3 md:pt-14 leading-30"> Planning Your Cruise
  • sidemenu#activeChild" class="text-base font-eucliarSemiBold flex items-center justify-between pt-3 md:pt-14 leading-30"> Tips for During Your Cruise

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Walt Disney World Touring Plans

Our touring plans save you up to 4 hours in line. Every plan is customizable, so you can add more rides, meals, naps, and more. You can also use our free Disney World app to create your own customized touring plans.

See More - Wait Less

We have step-by-step touring plans for Magic Kingdom , EPCOT , Hollywood Studios , Animal Kingdom , Typhoon Lagoon , and Blizzard Beach . Every plan is customizable, so you can add more rides, meals, naps, and breaks. Our free app, Lines , will update your plan when you're in the park, so you'll always be a step ahead of the crowds.

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT
  • Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios
  • Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom
  • TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom

If this is your first trip to Disney World, reviewing our touring plans is the fastest way to understand how to tour the parks efficiently. You'll see which areas of Magic Kingdom get busiest early in the day, and which EPCOT headliner attractions can be saved for later.

Parents with Small Children

Magic Kingdom

The #2 most popular Magic Kingdom plan. Start here if you have small kids.

A two-day plan specifically designed to avoid extra walking and backtracking.

EPCOT

Our #1 EPCOT plan. Includes Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After.

A relaxed plan. Allows families to sleep in and still see the best of EPCOT.

Hollywood Studios

Lets families sleep late and still see the Studios' best attractions in one day.

Our standard one-day plan adapted for holiday crowds and holiday shows.

Animal Kingdom

Our #1 Animal Kingdom plan! Has up-close live animals and favorite characters.

Designed for very large holiday crowds. Has the park's most popular attractions.

Parents with Tweens

Our #1 most popular Magic Kingdom plan. Includes the park's best rides and shows.

Our #2-most popular EPCOT plan. Has all the highest-rated attractions in the park.

Our #1 Studios plan. Has all of the park's thrill rides and shows in one day.

Has the park's most popular attractions: Flight of Passage, Safaris, and Lion King

Super popular one-day Magic Kingdom itinerary. Use as a template for your own day.

Takes advantage of low early-morning crowds on two days to see the whole park.

Our standard one-day EPCOT plan. Makes a great starting point for your own plan.

A leisurely plan for EPCOT that starts late and focuses on World Showcase.

Standard one-day itinerary for the Studios. A good start for your own plans.

Our standard one-day adults plan adapted for holiday crowds and holiday shows.

A complete, efficient tour of the park's best animals, thrill rides, and shows.

Has all of the Magic Kingdom's highest-rated attractions, as judged by seniors.

A relaxed, two-day tour of the attractions rated best by seniors in the Magic Kingdom.

This plan includes all the EPCOT attractions rated highly by seniors.

The Whole Family

Has all the Magic Kingdom's best attractions for both older and younger kids.

Two-day version of our popular Happy Family plan, with less walking and more rest.

Families stay together most of the day, with older kids able to see thrill rides.

Try this plan if you're heading to the Studios the afternoon of your arrival day.

Keeps the family mostly together. Teens get thrill rides, smaller ones get animals.

Miscellaneous

Enjoy the Christmas Party atmosphere and your must-see Magic Kingdom attractions

Focuses on meeting characters, trick-or-treating, and Halloween Party activities.

The hardest, most difficult touring plan we have. Every attraction in the park.

A long, challenging day with every ride, show, and attraction in EPCOT.

Fast, challenging day of every ride, show, and attraction in Hollywood Studios.

Every ride, show, and attraction in the park, in one long, challenging day.

Customize your own touring plan

Select everything you’d like to do, and we’ll optimize your plan throughout the day using real-time data. So if something unexpected happens, you'll be back on schedule in an instant.

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Our Lines app lets you follow your touring plan in the park. We’ll even update your plan on the fly, to account for things like ride breakdowns and other unpredictable events. Plus you can add new rides and change your plan on the go!

tour a disney world

Bonus Touring Plans

We’ve also got touring plans for Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks, showing you which slides and rides to see first to avoid long waits in line.

And we have Ultimate touring plans . Not intended for families, these plans are for Disney veterans looking for a unique challenge. Ultimate plans cover every attraction, show and ride in a park in a single day.

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Disney Dish with Jim Hill Podcast

Learn more about the latest doings at Disney with Len Testa of TouringPlans & Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com

Learn more about the latest doings at Disney with TouringPlan's Len Testa & Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com

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Walt Disney World Tours: How to Pick the Best Tour for Your Group

Walt Disney World Tours: How to Pick the Best Tour for Your Group

Planning a tour can be a great addition to your Disney World vacation. There are tours offered in every park: Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, as well as at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney Springs. There are Walt Disney World tours that feature history, food, gardens, trains, animals, sea life, park history, and thrill rides. Disney World offers over 25 tour options, so there is really something for everyone! Here are some tips on how to pick the best tour for your group.

For all the tours included in this article, with the exception of those in Disney Springs , guests can call for reservations at (407) 939-8687 or (407) WDW-TOUR.

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Discount Walt Disney World Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller,  Get Away Today, offers the best Walt Disney World discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

And at no additional charge, you get FREE concierge Walt Disney World services! These services include having Get Away Today's Walt Disney World expert Brooklyn take care of all your dining reservations, FastPass+ reservations, and more! This really takes all the stress out of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Rather than waking up at odd hours of the night to book all your reservations, why not let their travel agents take care of it for you- for free!

Find discount Walt Disney World tickets here!

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

You can read my review on my personal experiences booking through Get Away Today and how much you can save here!

Magic Kingdom

Disney's family magic tour.

Bronze archway next to the Cinderella Castle

Kids of all ages will enjoy Disney's Family Magic Tour . Disney fans will embark on a guided scavenger hunt and collect clues on this memorable quest. Be sure to bring your camera! This tour is best suited for guests ages 4 to 10 and their families.

The tour costs $39 per adult , and valid park admission is required. This tour is not open on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Guests 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years of age or older). This scavenger hunt does involve a lot of outdoor walking for approximately 2 hours, so please dress accordingly. Click HERE for more information on Disney's Family Magic Tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour

Two cocktails with food sitting next to them

Guests will want to bring their appetite on the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour . This tour allows guests to step behind the counter of the food and beverage experience at Magic Kingdom park.  Food lovers will enjoy this 3-hour experience that includes VIP tastings of iconic Disney menu items. Disney fans will hear stories from Disney chefs, enjoy access to backstage kitchens, and watch what goes into the production of serving Disney World’s guests.

The cost is $99 per person , plus tax. Valid admission is required for each park and not included in the price of this experience. This experience is currently offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Click HERE for more information on the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

Image result for roller coaster

Thrill seekers will love this 7-hour tour! The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour starts in Magic Kingdom at 8:30 AM, includes lunch and expedited access to attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad , Splash Mountain , Space Mountain , Haunted Mansion , and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train . The tour also visits Epcot where tour participants will ride Soarin’ Around the World. The tour then heads to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where adventure lovers will ride Slinky Dog Dash , Toy Story Mania! , Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith , The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , and Star Tours – The Adventures Continues .

The cost of the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is $349 per person plus tax. Valid admission is required for each park and not included in the price of this tour. This tour is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Guests with small children should note that due to the group dynamic, attractions will not be able to accommodate rider switch services during this tour. Click HERE for more information on the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

VIP Cast Member helps guests into Teacups

Love the nostalgic attractions? Then the Ultimate Disney Classics VIP is for you! This small-group tour takes guests to the beloved classic attractions, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant , Haunted Mansion , “it’s a small world” , Jungle Cruise , Mad Tea Party , Peter Pan’s Flight , The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh , and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid . There are no height restrictions, so this tour is great for kids of all ages.

The cost is $249 per person plus tax. Valid admission to Magic Kingdom park is also required and is not included in the price of this tour. This tour is offered on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, lasts four hours, and begins at 10 AM. Click HERE for more information on the Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour

Cinderella Castle with Partners Statue

Disney fans can discover how key events in Walt Disney's life inspired the creation of Magic Kingdom in this 3-hour walking tour. The Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour allow guests to step back in time as a knowledgeable tour guide shares little-known facts about Walt’s upbringing in Marceline, Missouri.  The tour begins at the Town Square Theater within Main Street U.S.A. Guests will also learn insider information about several classic attractions.

The Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour costs $49 per adult , and valid park admission is required. Guests as young as 12 years of age may attend, however, this tour is probably more suited for adults. The tour involves walking and standing, so comfortable shoes are recommended. This tour is not open on Monday and Tuesday. Click HERE to learn more information about the Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour and other Walt Disney World tours..

Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour

Sun peeking through the trees with Cinderella Castle in the background

Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour offers a more in-depth look at the Magic Kingdom. This 5-hour walking tour allows Disney fans to explore secret locations, such as the famed underground “Utilidor” tunnels, that allow people and supplies to travel beneath the park unseen.  Guests will also learn the inside scoop on the park and several beloved attractions. The tour begins at Town Square Theater on Main Street U.S.A. and includes a delicious lunch and exclusive keepsake.  This is an outdoor walking tour, so guests should dress accordingly.

The cost is $99 per adult , and valid park admission is required. Reservations are recommended. Same-day bookings are on a walk-up basis only, based on availability. Click HERE to learn more information on the Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour and other Walt Disney World tours..

Backstage Magic Tour

Backstage Magic Tour at Walt Disney World

The Backstage Magic Tour offers Disney fans an even more in-depth tour of the park. This 7-hour tour is called a One-of-a-Kind VIP Experience as it tours both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Disney fans will navigate the “utilidor” tunnels, go behind-the-scenes of the American Adventure Audio-Animatronics stage show, and observe costuming professionals. Guests will also learn about the artisan shops and textile services. The tour includes a delicious family-style barbecue lunch at Whispering Canyon Café as well as a special commemorative gift! Starting June 1, 2019, the Backstage Magic tour will include activities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park in place of lunch at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and the visit to Textile Services.

The Backstage Magic tour costs $275 per adult , and valid park admission is required. Guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour. Bottled water and transportation will also be provided during the tour. For safety reasons, closed-toe and closed-heel shoes (such as sneakers) are required for this experience. No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage but are permitted in other areas. Click HERE to learn more information on the Backstage Magic tour and other Walt Disney World tours..

Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour

Close up of a green steam engine train

Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy the Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour . Guests will learn about steam trains and their role at Magic Kingdom park in this 3-hour tour. This behind-the-scenes look includes access to the roundhouse, where the steam engines are stored and serviced.  Disney fans will observe Disney engineers in their daily routine and learn about Walt Disney’s passion for steam trains.

The price is $54 per adult and tours begin promptly at 7:30 AM. Valid park admission is required. Guests must be 10 years of age or older. This tour is not open on Friday and Saturday. This is an outdoor tour that does involve walking and standing.

Guests should note that since the tour begins prior to regular park hours, standard Walt Disney World transportation may not be available. Tour guests may have to arrange alternate transportation to arrive at the location on time. Please check with your Resort Concierge for transportation options. For more information about the Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour and other Walt Disney World tours, please click HERE .

Private VIP Tours

VIP Plaid tour guide and family

For those that have a bigger budget and want to customize their tour, Disney World offers Private VIP Tours. Groups with up to 10 guests can explore the parks with your own VIP Guide who designs the tour around the group’s wishes. The tours include pick up in a private vehicle, a flexible start time, visits to multiple theme parks, and VIP viewing areas for parades, select stage shows and nighttime spectaculars. Pricing ranges between $425 and $625 per hour, depending on the season. Valid admission is required for each park and not included in the price of this tour. Guests should note that all Private VIP Tours have a minimum duration of 7 continuous hours. Please call (407) 560-4033 to book or click HERE for more information on Private VIP Tours and other Walt Disney World tours. .

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Star wars guided tour.

Captain Phasma with stormtroopers behind her

Star Wars fans will feel the power of the force with the Star Wars Guided Tour . This all-access tour includes VIP access to Star Wars: Path of the Jedi , Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away , and March of the First Order .  Youngsters ages 4 through 12 can participate in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple . Tour participants will also ride Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and have the opportunity to meet characters, such as Chewbacca.  The tour also includes reserved viewing of the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular nighttime fireworks event as well as a commemorative souvenir.

The price for this tour is $99 per person —tax included. Please note though that admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required and is not included in the price of the tour. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Click HERE for more information on the Star Wars Guided Tour and other Walt Disney World tours..

World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered

Disney Parks Plaid Cast Member giving a tour at Epcot

The World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered is a fascinating 4.5-hour walking tour where guests can experience the architecture, culture and people of 11 countries. Guests will be immersed in 4,000 years of history, culture and food from Mexico, Norway, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and other countries. The tour includes a snack.

Guests must be 16 years of age or older and have a valid photo I.D. The tour costs $79 per person . Closed-toed shoes must be worn. For more information on the World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered tour and other Walt Disney World tours, please click HERE .

Gardens of the World – Spring Edition

Epcot with flowers in front of it on a spring day

Garden enthusiasts will enjoy this seasonal look at Epcot’s elaborate landscaping operation. The Gardens of the World tour features Disney Horticulture experts providing fascinating information on Epcot’s landscaping as well as gardening tips and tricks!

This tour costs $85 per person and is 3 hours. Epcot admission is required and is not included in the price of the tour. Guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour. The tour begins at 9 AM and bottled water will be provided. Click HERE for more information on the Gardens of the World tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Royal Tea Garden Tour

Three guests talking in the Epcot gardens

The Royal Tea Garden Tour is a seasonal event offered during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The tour begins at 9:30 AM in the United Kingdom Pavilion before the pavilion opens to the public. Guests will spend approximately 45 minutes exploring the garden and learn about the artistry of growing and blending tea. The ends with a stop at the the Tea Caddy , where guests are served scones and tea!

The price of this tour is $20.00 per person , plus tax. Valid admission to Epcot is also required and is not included in the price of this tour. Advance reservations are recommended. Click HERE for more information on the Royal Tea Garden Tour.

English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London

This tour is another seasonal offering that is part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival . Tea lovers will learn about the artistry behind the growing and blending of herbs. The English Tea Garden tour lasts approximately 20 minutes. Advance registration is recommended, as each tour is limited to only 20 Guests.

Tours are held Monday through Thursday at 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM. Be sure to bring your camera! For more information about the English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London, please click HERE .

Behind the Seeds

Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot

Guests of all ages can enjoy Behind the Seeds tour in the Land Pavilion. Tour participants will walk through four greenhouses and a fish farm. This one-hour tour allows Disney fans see amazing plants, insects and fish. The cost is $25 per person. Valid park admission is required. Click HERE for more information on the Behind the Seeds tour.

The unDISCOVERed Future World

Epcot on a sunny day

The unDISCOVERed Future World features a fascinating, 4-hour walking tour of Epcot. Guests will learn about Walt Disney’s vision of Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT). Disney fans will stroll through the pavilions of Future World and learn how Epcot was brought to life. Guess will visit VIP lounges at locations, such as The Seas with Nemo & Friends , Spaceship Earth , or Mission: SPACE , and walk beneath the outdoor portion of Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet . All tour participants will also receive a complimentary commemorative pin!

The cost is $69 per adult , and valid park admission is required. Guests must be at least 16 years of age with a valid photo ID.  This is an outdoor walking tour, so guests should dress accordingly. This tour is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Click HERE for more information on the unDISCOVERed Future World.

Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour

Four diver in the water at Epcot

Water lovers will enjoy the Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour . Guests can visit the Caribbean Coral Reef , which is a 5.7-million-gallon, man-made saltwater ocean. This 2.5-hour experience includes approximately 30 minutes of actual snorkeling time at The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion. Guests can swim with sea turtles, angelfish, eagle rays and sharks in the massive aquarium and tour the amazing facility. Guests will also bring home a special Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour souvenir!

The cost is $145 per adult . Guests must be 8 years of age or older. Guests under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years of age or older). Snorkeling equipment is provided. No jewelry of any kind other than a watch is allowed in the aquarium. Guests should note that no cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage. Be sure to bring a swimsuit! Click HERE for more information on the Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour.

Epcot Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth

Man and child swim with a dolphin at Epcot

The Epcot Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth tour is a 3-hour dolphin encounter limited to a group of no more than 8 guests per day. Guests will meet the dolphins of The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion and learn about these fascinating creatures from their expert trainers and researchers. Tour participants will tour backstage areas and learn how the dolphins are trained, observe a training and research session, and interact with the dolphins in waist-deep water for approximately 30 minutes. This amazing tour wraps up with a once-in-a-lifetime photo op and a souvenir. Be sure to bring a swim suit! Shorty wetsuits are provided.

This tour costs $199 per adult . Guests must be 13 years of age or older. All participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years of age or older). For safety reasons, guests must be able to fully understand English. No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage.  Please note that no jewelry of any kind is permitted in the aquarium. Click HERE for more information on the Epcot Seas Adventures – Dolphins in the Depth.

Epcot Seas Adventures – DiveQuest

Four deep sea divers at Epcot

This tour offers a scuba experience with guaranteed calm seas and unlimited visibility. Guests must be SCUBA-certified to participate. Guests swim with over 6,000 sea creatures in the Caribbean Coral Reef , a 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium. Epcot Seas Adventures – DiveQuest lasts 3 hours, and you’ll spend approximately 40 minutes on your actual dive.  Family and friends with Epcot admission can watch through the pavilion’s 56 giant windows.  Tour participants will also tour the enormous backstage infrastructure that filters and maintains this incredible man-made ocean.

The Epcot Seas Adventures – DiveQuest costs $179 per adult . All Guests must be SCUBA-certified and 10 years of age or older to participate. All diving equipment is provided. No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage. Please note that no jewelry of any kind other than a watch is allowed in the aquarium. Click HERE for more information on this tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Ultimate nights of adventure vip tour.

Family during a trip to Pandora

Adventure seekers will love this 4-hour guided group adventure. The Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour starts at the Tree of Life on the Discovery Island Trail and includes expedited FastPass+ access to several attractions.  Tour participants will ride Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (44” height requirement), Kilimanjaro Safaris , Avatar Flight of Passage (44” height requirement), Na’vi River Journey , DINOSAUR (40” height requirement), and Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular.

The cost of this tour is $249 per person . In addition, valid admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is required and is not included the price of the tour. The tour operates 7 days a week, except on certain block out dates. The starting time is 4 hours before that evening’s first Rivers of Light performance. Click HERE for more information on this tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Caring for Giants

Family enjoys elephants at the Animal Kingdom

The Caring for Giants tour allows animal lovers to get closer look at the majestic African elephants and learn what it takes to care for them. In this this 60-minute experience guests will meet with dedicated animal specialists and observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away.

The tour costs $30 per person and is great for ages four an up. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older). For more information on the Caring for Giants and other Walt Disney World tours please click HERE .

Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience

Couple enjoys a glass of wine at the Animal Kingdom

This enchanted evening tour includes a private safari into Harambe Wildlife Reserve, African-inspired tapas, beverages and more. Guest will also receive a commemorative keepsake to can take home. Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience is available for $169 per Guest (tax not included).

Please note that this tour includes a rugged ride in a safari vehicle over an open savanna with wildlife. Guests should be good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, and motion sickness. Expectant mothers should not participate. Also, guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate in this experience. Click HERE for more information on this tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Up Close with Rhinos

Rhinos at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The white rhinoceros is Earth’s second-largest land animal. Guests can get a close-up view of these gentle giants in the Up Close with Rhinos tour. Guests will talk with the rhinos’ keepers in this 60-minute guided adventure. Guests must be 4 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

The tour costs $40 per person and begins at 11 AM. Park admission is required for participation and is not included in the tour price. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.  Click HERE for more information on the Up Close with Rhinos tour and other Walt Disney World tours.

Wild Africa Trek

The Wild Africa Trek is a privately guided VIP expedition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. This 3-hour tour takes guests through the Safi River Valley where they will view giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos and crocodiles. Tour participants will walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge, and ride in a safari vehicle over an open savanna.  Guests should bring their appetite as they will sample first-class, African-inspired snacks.

The tour costs $189 to $249 per person . This tour requires a separate admission ticket to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. Participants must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older). Guests should note that participants must be between 45 and 300 lbs. with the harness gear on. Disney World also requires that guests have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. Guests will also receive a photo code to use to access and download images taken during their Wild Africa Trek experience. For more information on the Wild Africa Trek and other Walt Disney World tours, please click HERE .

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Sense of africa at disney's animal kingdom lodge.

Small girl with wild animal at the Animal Kingdom

The Sense of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. This 3-and-a-half-hour backstage tour features animal encounters, breakfast and more. The tour begins with breakfast at 7 AM at Boma – Flavors of Africa , after which guests board a private safari vehicle where informative Cast Members of the Animal Care staff lead them to up-close encounters with some of the savanna’s amazing animals.

Sense of Africa takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This tour costs $249 per person . Guests must be at least 10 years of age to experience Sense of Africa. In addition, all Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult 18 years of age or older. Please note that guests should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, and motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate. Click HERE for more information on the Sense of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and other Walt Disney World tours.

Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Zebra in green grass

This tour offers animal enthusiasts a nighttime drive through an African game reserve where they can view over 30 species of African wildlife. Tour participants are provided with a night vision device to site zebras, giraffes, gazelles, wildebeest and antelopes, among others!

This tour costs $74 per person and lasts approximately one hour. This tour is limited to guests 8 years of age or older. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult who is 18 years of age or older. Please note that guests should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, and motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate. Click HERE for more information on the Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and other Walt Disney World tours.

Disney Springs

Vintage amphicar & italian water taxi tours.

Guests on a boat on a bright blue river

Boar and water lovers will enjoy the Vintage Amphicar & Italian Water Taxi Tours . Guests will board a vintage amphibious car or an Italian water taxi and cruise the beautiful Lake Buena Vista. There are three different tours offered: Amphicar Tours, Venezia Champagne Cruises, and Venezia Wine-Tasting Cruises. These Walt Disney World tours are nice because they don't require park admission and are conveniently located in Disney Springs.

The scenic Vintage Amphicar is a 20-minute tour in a stylish 1960s Amphicar that accommodates fans of any height and age. When your tour is over, your Amphicar will drive right out of the water! The cost for the Amphicar Tour is $125 per car . Each car can accommodate up to 3 to 4 people. Amphicar Tours reservations can only be made in-person at the dock podium or inside The BOATHOUSE® BOATIQUE.

Boat going through the water in Disney Springs

Guests who take the Venezia Champagne Cruise will board a beautiful, 40-foot Italian water taxi. Guests will enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne toast on this romantic cruise. The cost for the 30-minute Venezia Champagne Cruise is $75 per adult and $50 for guests 13 years of age and under (tax not included). The 1-hour Cruise costs $115 per adult and $75 for guests 13 years of age and under (tax not included).

The Venezia Wine-Tasting Cruises transports guests on a scenic cruise across Lake Buena Vista and down a river way near Disney Springs. This cruise is also on a 40-foot Italian water taxi and includes award-winning wines and delicious appetizers. Guests will also take home a souvenir wine glass, courtesy of The BOATHOUSE . Each Venezia Wine-Tasting Cruise is available on weekends for $125 per individual Guest and $225 per couple (tax not included). Reservations are required and can be made by calling (407) 939-2628. Click HERE for more information on the Vintage Amphicar & Italian Water Taxi Tours.

Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation!

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About Monique Smalling

Monique and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento, California with their two daughters, Sydney (14) and Reagan (13). Sydney's first trip to Disneyland was at one year old, and the family has been hooked ever since. The family has been annual pass holders for several years and visit the Happiest Place on Earth every couple of months. Each visit includes 3 to 4 days in the parks before heading to the beach. Monique and her daughters consider themselves huge Disney fans, and love sharing their knowledge and tips on the parks.

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Wild Africa Trek Bridge Crossing

Then perhaps you want to take one of the special tours or other special experiences offered at Walt Disney World.

For a price, you can spend hours learning about the art and architecture of World Showcase in Epcot, take a full-day tour of the theme parks and backstage areas, learn about the Magic Kingdom and more.

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION:

RESERVATIONS are required for most tours. They can be made by calling 1-407-WDW-TOUR (1-407-939-8687) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. You will need to reserve your tour with a credit card. Most of the tours DO NOT include park admission — you’ll have to provide your own. Be sure to ask about this when you call.

NOTE: There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for a full refund.

DISCOUNTS of 10 percent to 20 percent MAY be available. See individual tours for details and always inquire when you make your reservation, especially if you belong to the Disney Vacation Club , have an Annual Pass or a Disney Visa, or are a Cast Member.

NOTE: Some WDW packages may include a tour.

AGE REQUIREMENTS: Unless noted in the description below, tour participants must be 16 years of age or older.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

— Unless noted, these tours and many of these experiences are outdoors and require a good deal of walking . Most tours and experiences are accessible for those with special needs; inquire when you call for reservations.

— Bring Photo ID with you for checking in to the tour.

— Some programs MIGHT NOT be offered at certain times of the year, or may require itineraries and prices to change without notice.

— Photographs are NOT allowed while in backstage areas.

All tour and price information is subject to change without notice. Call Disney directly to confirm.

Brief descriptions of the tours currently offered follow. Our MOST CURRENT Reader Reviews of these tours can be found in our Rate and Review section HERE.

If you have taken one of these tours and would like to have your TOUR REPORT included on the site, please share with us . Thanks!

ANIMAL KINGDOM TOURS

Caring for giants.

tour a disney world

The 60-minute experience Caring for Giants gives participants a chance to meet with dedicated animal specialists who provide for the care and wellness of Walt Disney World’s African elephant herd. They’ll give you a glimpse into their day-to-day responsibilities as they provide fascinating facts about the elephants. African cultural representatives will also be on hand to share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations throughout their homeland. Throughout the experience, you’ll be able to observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away.

Tour is offered daily, between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and costs $39 per person . Participants must be at least 4 years old; guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older). Book by calling (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529

You can find a review by AllEars.Net’s Deb Wills HERE.

Savor the Savanna

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The Savor the Savanna Evening Safari Experience offers you the opportunity to hop aboard a private safari vehicle and enjoy an expedition through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. It includes a stop at an exclusive viewing area where those 21 and over get to sample a selection of regional beers and wines and savor African-inspired tapas while taking in the impressive savanna. A special keepsake commemorating your unforgettable evening trek is yours to take home as well.

Cost: $160.65-$199 per guest. Valid Theme Park admission is required.

Age: At least 8 years old. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

Each experience is limited to a maximum of 12 guests. This experience requires guests in ECVs to transfer into an available wheelchair to participate in the tour. Inclement weather conditions and other factors may affect schedules, and offerings are subject to change without notice.

Wild Africa Trek

tour a disney world

Wild Africa Trek , is a three-hour, expert-led wildlife experience. Participants can explore the most remote reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Highlights:

* Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren’t explored during regular Animal Kingdom experiences.

* Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk.

* Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.

* Experiencing the thrill of “over-landing” in customized open-air vehicles.

* Unwinding at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, savor sample tastes of Africa as the adventure draws to close.

Wild Africa Trek is offered several times daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Groups will be kept to no more than 12 trekkers per safari. Reservations for Wild Africa Trek can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687).

Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally, ranging from $219/per person.

There are a number of restrictions associated with this tour. Participants must: — Wear closed-toe shoes with a backstrap, or hiking boots. Skirts/dresses are not recommended. — Weigh at least 45 pounds and no more than 300 pounds. — Be at least 48 inches tall. — Be at least 8 years old. — Be in general good health, and ambulatory, with sufficient stamina. Pregnant women should not attempt the Trek.

Park admission is required for participants.

Senior Editor Deb Koma took this tour in May 2011. Read her review HERE.

Up Close with Rhinos

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During this 60-minute guided adventure, you’ll get up close with the planet’s second-largest land animal– the white rhinoceros. Keppers will take you backstage for a rare encounter with the giants. The guides will provide insights into the rhino’s behavior and biology, and any threats the species faces. No camera, video equipment, or cell phones are allowed.

You must be at least 4 years old, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. It costs $49 per person. Experiences can be booked by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687).

EPCOT TOURS

Behind the seeds.

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Take a one-hour walking tour of the LAND greenhouses and labs. Tour greenhouses to discover over 60 crops from around the world, and see some of the latest techniques used to grow and improve plants. Watch as beneficial insects used at The Land battle pests that can destroy our food supply. Venture through the fish farm to see thousands of fish and alligators, too! Bring your cameras , and have fun!

Tours are led by a member of the Epcot Science Team. Flash photography and videotaping are allowed. Children are welcome, but must be supervised; strollers are provided for small children. Wheelchair accessible (guests in electrical wheelchairs need to transfer to push type). Safety and sanitation rules are strictly enforced in the greenhouses and labs. Covered, non-alcoholic drinks are allowed during the tour.

$39-$45 per person. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

Same day tour sign-up downstairs at The Land pavilion, near the entrance to Soarin’.

tour a disney world

DiveQuest will allow certified scuba divers to live the ultimate diving dream. Imagine a salt water dive with 203 feet of visibility and over 4000 animals native to the Caribbean swimming with you in every direction. Tropical fish, sharks,stingrays, giant sea turtles, and plenty of coral for you to enjoy is just part of the fun. The other part, is you become part of the show! Your family members and friends can view your dive through any of the 56 giant acrylic windows at the Living Seas!

Experience a 30-minute dive adventure in The Living Seas aquarium. You will also receive a backpack that includes the logos for Aqua Tour and Divequest and Dolphins in Depth sponsored by NAUI Worldwide You can pick the color of the backpack, currently: royal blue, lime green, bright orange or purple.

You can also purchase a DVD of your dive for $35.

Groups of up to 12 persons are accepted.

Minimum age is 10 years.

Length of Program: 2 1/2 hours. Program is offered Tuesdays – Saturdays at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Proof of current SCUBA certification is required.

Cost: $229-$249 per person (plus tax). Theme Park admission is not required.

Diving Certifications: All are accepted including the Handicapped Scuba Association.

NOTE: You can bring your own dive mask. (It is the only piece of equipment you are allowed to bring, if you choose to.)

Dolphins in Depth

tour a disney world

A behind-the-scenes experience for Guests interested in learning more about the dolphins and research at The Living Seas, as well as those wanting to increase their awareness and appreciation for dolphin counterparts in the wild.

Expectant mothers may not take the tour.

You must be at least 13 years old to attend and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Wetsuits are provided but your must bring your own swimsuit. You will be in water up to your waist for about 30 minutes.

Offered Tuesday through Saturday at 9:45am and lasts approximately 3 hours.

The cost is $209 per person, which includes a photograph with the dolphin, refreshments, and a T-shirt. Theme park admission is not required or included. Tour begins near the outside Guest Relations window.

Disney provides showers, shampoo, towels, soap and the wetsuits and booties. No swimming required. No cameras or video taping is allowed. Dolphin interaction is NOT guaranteed. It is the dolphin’s choice to participate in the research sessions as well as the interactions.

MAGIC KINGDOM TOURS

Keys to the kingdom.

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Offered daily, this four-and-a-half hour to five-hour tour celebrates Disney Magic! Learn about the Magic Kingdom’s history and backstage secrets. Hear stories of Walt Disney, his visions, his philosophies, and his accomplishments. In addition to Disney history, guests finally get the opportunity to find answers to all of those “neat” Disney trivia questions and get an inside look at how the MAGIC KINGDOM operates by venturing downstairs to the main Utilidor entrance, see display cases of MAGIC KINGDOM Wardrobe, and Cosmetology Guides. Guests also visit the MAGIC KINGDOM Production Center, where they see storage facilities for the floats.

At the 2-1/2 hour mark, the group breaks at the Columbia Harbour House for a delicious meal which is prepared and waiting for all the Tour Guests. Orders are taken in the Tour Garden, next to City Hall, upon check-in before the Tour begins. Menu choices include a Fried Chicken Strips Basket, Fried Fish and Chicken Combo, Garden Galley Salad (mixed greens with feta cheese, pecans, grilled chicken, and pineapple in a zinfandel vinaigrette), Starboard Deck Sandwich (Toasted bread topped with ham, cheese, tomato, and broccoli slaw), and New England Clam Chowder or Vegetarian Chili.

Offered daily at 8, 8:30, 9 & 9:30am. Tour starts at City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance.

Cost is $109.65-$149 per person. NOTE: Magic Kingdom Admission is NOT included in the price of the tour.

OTHER TOURS

The sense of africa experience animal kingdom lodge.

tour a disney world

The Sense of Africa Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a 3.5-hour breakfast and tour designed to immerse guests in the culture and history of the resort while giving a backstage peek at the care and feeding of the resident animals. The tour begins with breakfast at Boma-Flavors of Africa, followed by encounters with animals such as okapi, giraffe, ostriches and red river hogs. Sense of Africa is offered on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. The cost is $249. Reservations may be made by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). NOTE: Staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is NOT required. Experiences may vary.

Starlight Safari Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village

tour a disney world

Climb aboard a sturdy, open-sided safari vehicle, and rumble through lush scenery, scanning the horizon for more than 30 species of African wildlife. To make the most of your animal-viewing extravaganza, you will be provided with a night-vision device. You’ll see the zebras, giraffes, gazelles, wildebeest and antelopes, plus flamingos, ostriches and more that freely roam across the savannas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This nighttime tour lasts approximately one hour.

Check in for this tour at the podium of Sanaa at Kidani Village, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Valid photo ID will be required to check in.

AGE: 8 years of age or older. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult who is 18 years of age or older.

RESERVATIONS: Call (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Disney conservation efforts.

You will forfeit the entire price of your tour if you no-show or cancel within two days of your reservation.

COST: $75.65-$89 per person.

NOTE: Guests using a wheelchair/ECV must leave their mobility devices at Sanaa, where they will retrieve them upon the conclusion of the tour. Due to limited capacity, those who are unable to change wheelchairs must call (407) 938-4755 and press option #1 in advance to ensure that there is sufficient room to accommodate them.

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure Segway Tour Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

tour a disney world

In summer 2007, a new Segway tour was introduced at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground called Wilderness Back Trail Adventures. Tour participants can take a Segway X2 Personal Transporter to view the scenery of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Wilderness Lodge.

The Adventures tours may be booked for 8:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday through Saturday (not available Sunday or Monday) and last two hours. Tours can consist of up to 10 people and meet at Fort Wilderness Meadows Bike Barn in Fort Wilderness.

The cost is $90-$99 per person. Some discounts are occasionally offered to Passholders, DVC Members and Disney Visa Cardholders — be sure to ask when booking the tour.

Guests wishing to participate in the tour must be at least 16 years of age and be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 18. You must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds to ride the Segways. Expectant mothers and guests with special needs may not participate due to safety reasons. Payment in full by credit card is required at time of booking. If you need to cancel your tour, you must do so at least 48 hours prior to the start of the tour to receive a full refund. Tours can be booked by calling 407-WDW-TOUR.

Disney’s VIP Tour Services

tour a disney world

The VIP Tour Guide can host up to 10 Guests. If your party size is larger than 10, they will provide an additional VIP Tour Guide at an additional cost. VIP Tour requests may be taken up to 90 days in advance. Please note that reservations may not be accepted during certain holiday periods. To ensure availability, call at least 72 hours in advance. Existing WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort transportation will be used. Private transportation is available at an additional cost.

The cost of Disney’s VIP Tour Services is $450-$900 per hour with a minimum charge of seven hours.  Should your plans change, we require advance notice of 48 hours to avoid a cancellation fee.

Priority entrance to attractions is neither offered nor available. However, tour guests may be offered a special viewing area for some parades or shows.

Customizing your VIP Tour is easy. Call Disney Special Activities at (407) 560-4033 and speak with a Disney Special Activities Coordinator; also available via e-mail at [email protected] .

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more info visit:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

NOTE: All information subject to change without notice.

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A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World this year

Tarah Chieffi

Editor's Note

If you want to know how to plan a trip to Disney World, you've come to the right place. This guide includes tips for choosing the right Disney World hotel for your budget, deciding which ticket type is right for you, determining which extras are worth splurging on and how to plan a trip that's fun and memorable without too much stress along the way.

With four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 on-site hotels, over 200 dining locations and more attractions, experiences, shows and shops than we can list here, the best way to build a magical Disney World vacation is with planning, preparation and realistic expectations.

Planning a trip to Disney World should be fun and build excitement for your upcoming trip, and this guide can help.

How to start planning your trip to Disney World

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There are a few questions you will want to answer early in the process of planning your Disney World vacation.

  • What is your budget? Your budget will determine most other factors of your vacation, including where you stay and how many days you visit. How much it will cost you to go to Disney World really can vary widely based on the choices you make.
  • When will you go? You may be at the mercy of work or school schedules, but if you have the flexibility, you can plan your trip when crowds are smaller or the weather is better. The summer can be very hot and rainy, the week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest and weekdays when most kids are in school are often the least busy days.
  • Where will you stay? You will typically pay more to stay in one of Disney's on-site hotels, especially at the moderate and deluxe tiers, but you'll also get perks like early theme park entry. Before you choose, you'll want to consider your budget, whether you want a themed room like the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and if you want to be located near a certain Disney park. Pro tip: Renting Disney Vacation Club points can help you stay at a deluxe hotel for a moderate price.
  • Which parks will you visit on which days? Depending on the length of your vacation, you may need to prioritize which parks you plan to visit. This will also influence whether you purchase one-park-per-day or Park Hopper tickets that allow you to visit multiple parks daily. If you have little kids, be sure your family will have the stamina for multiple parks per day before shelling out the extra cash to hop.
  • Where will you dine? Popular Disney dining reservations are snatched up almost as soon as they become available. You'll want to plan ahead for any character dining or other table service restaurants, so you don't miss out.

It is important to book your hotel, dining and theme park tickets as early as possible for the best rates and availability. Disney also periodically releases special offers on hotels and vacation packages that you can often apply even if you have already made your reservations.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

We will dig deeper into each of these topics in this guide. Once you have a rough outline of your vacation based on the questions above, here are important dates to keep in mind so you can make your Disney dream a reality.

How soon can you book a Disney World hotel?

tour a disney world

Disney releases hotel availability periodically, so there is no exact date that Disney hotel reservations become available. You can currently book Disney World hotel stays through Dec. 31, 2024.

Disney typically opens reservations for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2025 availability around that time. If your plans change, you can cancel your room-only reservation up to five days in advance of arrival for a full refund. Ticket and hotel vacation packages must be canceled 30 days in advance to receive a full refund.

When can you purchase Disney World tickets?

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Disney World tickets follow the same availability calendar as Disney hotel reservations. You can purchase tickets (or vacation packages including a hotel and tickets) through Dec. 31, 2024. Disney typically releases tickets for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2025 availability around that time.

All tickets are date-based, and the price of one-day tickets also varies by park. You can purchase your tickets any time before you visit; the price won't change regardless of how long you wait. Theme park tickets are nonrefundable, but you may be able to change your ticket date if your plans change.

Until Jan. 9, 2024, you must have a Disney ticket and make a theme park reservation to enter a Disney park.

When do Disney World dining reservations become available?

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You can begin making dining reservations 60 days prior to your visit. If you are staying in a Disney World hotel, you can make dining reservations 60 days before your check-in day for your entire stay (up to 10 days).

Reservations open on Disney's website or the My Disney Experience app between 5:45 a.m. and 6 a.m. EST or you can call 407-939-DINE beginning at 7 a.m. EST, but coveted reservations may already be snatched up by that time. You can cancel most Disney World dining reservations up to two hours before your reservation. Exceptions will be noted in the confirmation email you receive at the time of booking.

If you're not yet sure where to eat, here are our favorite restaurants at Disney World .

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

What are the 4 parks at Disney World?

Each of Disney World's four theme parks is uniquely themed and packed with fun. You can learn more about each park, including attractions, shows, parade times and interactive maps to help you find your way around in the My Disney Experience app.

Here's a bit more information about each and some tips for choosing the right ticket type to visit them all.

Magic Kingdom

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Open since 1971, Magic Kingdom is Disney World's original theme park. This park is a world of fairy tales and fantasy, where you'll find five themed lands — Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland and Liberty Square.

Magic Kingdom is home to some of Disney's most iconic attractions, including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan's Flight and the Haunted Mansion, but also exciting new rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and the soon-to-open Tiana's Bayou Adventure .

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Epcot opened in 1982 and has changed drastically in the four decades since. Epcot's core message, however, hasn't changed: sparking visitors' imaginations through science, technology, nature and the human experience. The park is sectioned into "neighborhoods" — World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery and World Showcase, where you can visit pavilions that celebrate the arts, culture and customs of 11 countries around the world.

There are a lot of new things to see at Epcot, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and the all-new fireworks spectacular Luminous – The Symphony of Us .

Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Disney's Hollywood Studios is a movie-themed park that has lands and attractions inspired by blockbuster films and beloved Disney characters. In Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , you can pilot the Millennium Falcon and meet familiar (and furry) faces like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca and Rey.

In Toy Story Land, visitors shrink to the size of Woody, Buzz, Jessie (who you can meet here, by the way) and Andy's other toys. The land's Slinky Dog Dash coaster is a family-friendly ride that's perfect for a kid's first roller coaster.

Outside of the lands themed to specific films, much of the park evokes an old-Hollywood glamour that makes you feel like a bona fide movie star. In these areas, you'll find some of the park's most iconic shows and attractions are also some of its longest-running, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular .

Disney's Animal Kingdom

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More than 2,000 animals — from about 300 species — call Disney's Animal Kingdom "home," but this is not a zoo. However, you can visit many of these animals via walking trails, the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride and even a petting zoo.

In addition to the creatures and landscapes found on Earth, you can visit another planet at Pandora — The World of Avatar or go back in time at DinoLand U.S.A. The animals aren't the only things that are "wild" at Animal Kingdom — Expedition Everest is a thrilling coaster; Avatar Flight of Passage puts you on the back of a banshee as you fly over Pandora; and Dinosaur sends you careening through the Cretaceous Period in an off-road vehicle.

What type of Disney tickets should I buy?

Disney world base tickets.

You can purchase one-day or multi-day Disney World tickets. All tickets are date-based, and the price varies depending on the date of your visit. If you purchase a one-day ticket, the price will also vary based on which park you plan to visit, with Magic Kingdom being the most expensive.

Disney World Park Hopper tickets

A base ticket only gets you into one park per day. If you want to visit multiple parks on the same day, you will need to purchase the Park Hopper option with your ticket (you can also add it on in person after you arrive). You can save money by only visiting one park per day, but it does limit how much you can see and do during your vacation.

A Park Hopper Plus ticket includes two visits to either Disney's golf courses, miniature golf courses or water parks, but this is only worth it if you know you will use it all.

Disney World special event tickets

Some of Disney's after-hours events , like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party , require a separate ticket. The park is only open to guests with special event tickets during these events. If you plan on visiting for one of these parties, you may be able to forgo a general admission ticket that day and utilize your special event ticket, as you can usually get into the park a few hours before the party starts.

Disney World ticket add-ons

There are two major ticket add-ons that you should consider. Both can be worth it but will add to the cost of your vacation.

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The first add-on you might want to strongly consider is Disney Genie+ . This skip-the-line service allows you to skip the standby line and enjoy shorter wait times for rides by utilizing Disney's Lightning Lanes.

Currently, you can only purchase it on the day of your visit beginning at 7 a.m. and the price ranges between $15 and $35 per person, per day. A handful of attractions at each park require a separate individual Lightning Lane purchase to skip the line, often for the newest rides, but many rides are available with Genie+. You don't need to purchase Genie+ to buy individual Lightning Lane selections and vice versa. The individual Lightning Lane attraction pricing varies by attraction but typically ranges between $7 and $25 per person per attraction for rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

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Another popular add-on is Disney's Memory Maker . Memory Maker gives you unlimited downloads of pictures taken by PhotoPass photographers during your vacation and on-ride photos. You can purchase a one-day Memory Maker for short visits or a multi-day Memory Maker which covers your entire vacation. You can save $25 on a multi-day Memory Maker when you purchase at least three days prior to your visit, so it's best to purchase it when you buy your tickets.

How to get discounted Disney World tickets

Aside from Disney's own discounts, you can sometimes save money on Disney tickets by purchasing them from an authorized third-party reseller. There are a few reputable sources out there for Disney World tickets, but our go-to is Undercover Tourist . Depending on your ticket type, you can usually save between $5 and $100. One of the best ways to save money with Undercover Tourist is when Disney World raises ticket prices , which usually happens at least once per year. Undercover Tourist typically has a limited number of existing ticket stock available at the old prices while supplies last.

Related: We saved every receipt — here's how much it actually costs to go to Disney World

If you are a Florida resident or are an active or retired U.S. military member , there are generous discounted Disney World tickets available directly through Disney's website.

You can also use points to pay for your Disney tickets , and that's a strategy we strongly recommend to keep costs down. For example, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of having the card. You can use those 75k points as the same as $750 towards travel . And while ticket-only packages from Disney World typically don't code as a travel charge, buying them from Undercover Tourist — or as part of a larger hotel and ticket package directly from Disney — typically does code as a travel charge, so you could save $750 just like that.

Is booking a Disney vacation package a good idea?

If you are staying in one of Disney World's on-site hotels or a certified " Disney World Good Neighbor " hotel, you have the option to bundle your hotel stay and theme park tickets into a Disney vacation package. Normally, these packages are not discounted, but they can be a great value if Disney runs any special vacation package promotions .

Aside from discounts (and the fact that it all likely codes as a travel charge for point-redemption purposes), there's one major reason to book a vacation package: When you purchase your tickets and hotel together, you only have to pay a $200 deposit at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 30 days prior to arrival. If you purchase your tickets separately from your hotel stay, you will have to pay the full amount at the time of purchase.

This is another great example of why you should book through an authorized Disney travel planner who can compare prices for you and keep an eye out for discounts.

When is the best time to visit Disney World?

Do you want the lowest crowds or the best weather? Do you want to attend a Halloween party or see Magic Kingdom's 65-foot-tall Christmas tree ?

The best time to visit Disney World depends on your reason for visiting.

tour a disney world

If you want moderate temperatures and less chance of rain, you may want to plan your visit between October and December. If you want shorter waits, your best bets are late January, early May or just after Thanksgiving before the crowds descend upon the parks for winter break. Of course, weekdays typically see lower crowds than weekends and school breaks.

Or, if you are planning a Disney World vacation on a budget, opt for midweek dates in August and September 2024, when prices start at $109 for a one-day ticket.

Read our full guide on the best times to visit Walt Disney World .

What's the best way to get to Disney World?

Getting to Orlando and getting to Disney World after arriving are two different topics, so let's look at each.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport to Walt Disney World is Orlando International Airport (MCO). Most major airlines fly into MCO, and you can reach Disney World in about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. If you are flying Allegiant or Sun Country Airlines, you'll fly into Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). SFB is smaller than MCO and farther from Disney World. From SFB, it is about a 45-minute drive to Disney World.

What is the best way to get to Disney World from the airport?

Because of its size and proximity to Disney World, MCO has more and better options to help you get between the airport and Disney World.

From Orlando International Airport or Orlando Sanford International Airport, you can rent a car or use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. If you do rent a car from MCO, you can forgo paying tolls through the car rental company (which often comes with an additional fee) and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass to save on tolls during your trip.

tour a disney world

Disney no longer charges a parking fee for overnight hotel guests, so if you rent a car, you can park at your hotel and drive to Disney's theme parks without additional fees. Keep in mind that you may not need a car if you don't plan on leaving Disney property after you arrive. Disney has a robust internal transportation system that operates between its on-site hotels and theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.

You can also use Disney's official airport shuttle, Mears Connect , from MCO.

Mears Connect is a shuttle service that picks you up from MCO and will drop you off at official Disney World hotels and a handful of nearby hotels. Pricing starts at $16 one-way for adults and $13 one-way for children. Mears Connect offers shared shuttles, where you will stop at multiple Disney hotels on the way to your own. You can pay an additional fee for an "express shuttle" that takes you direct to your resort. The easiest way to reserve your ride is online through the Mears Connect website.

What is the best way to get around Disney World?

If you are staying on Walt Disney World property, you can utilize Disney's complimentary transportation for travel between your resort and Disney's theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. Disney offers transportation by bus, boat, Monorail and Disney Skyliner gondola system. Which transportation options you have access to will depend on which hotel you are staying in.

All Disney hotels offer regularly scheduled bus transportation around the resort. Transportation begins 45 minutes prior to the theme park opening and up to one hour after the theme park closing.

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Guests of Disney's Magic Kingdom area resorts — Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — can use boat or Monorail transportation to travel to the Magic Kingdom. There is also a monorail line that will take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can transfer to a separate Monorail line that goes to Epcot. These hotels also offer a walking path to Magic Kingdom.

Guests of Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Disney's Pop Century Resort can use the Disney Skyliner gondolas to travel to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. All Disney World visitors can also use Disney Skyliner to travel between these two parks, regardless of where you are staying. It's a fun and scenic way to get around the resort.

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Many Disney World hotels also offer ferry boat transportation to nearby parks. The BoardWalk area hotels, for example, offer boat transportation to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fort Wilderness, Disney's Wilderness Lodge and others offer boat service to the Magic Kingdom. You can view a full list on Disney's website . You can also walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from any BoardWalk area hotel.

Whichever transportation option you choose, you can view the schedule, routes and stop locations in the My Disney Experience app or on video monitors at each stop location.

You can also utilize Disney's Minnie Van service for door-to-door (or door-to-front gate, as it were) service between your hotel and Disney's theme parks. You can book these private rides in red-and-white polka-dot vans directly through the Lyft app. Accessible rides and child safety seats are available.

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Though not "official" Disney World hotels, Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotel guests have access to Disney's complimentary ferry boat service to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. A walking path is also available. These resorts also operate their own shuttles to Disney's theme parks, which pick up approximately every 20 to 25 minutes throughout the day.

Disney Springs hotels operate their own shuttle services, independent of Disney's transportation. If you are staying at one of these hotels, you can inquire about scheduling and pick-up times at the front desk.

What's the best place to stay on a Disney vacation?

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There are more than two dozen Disney World hotels to choose from, so your main considerations will be your budget and what type of hotel experience you are after. Whether you want over-the-top Disney theming, an upscale cabin in the woods or a luxury villa with access to a club lounge, you can find it at Disney World.

Disney offers three hotel tiers: Value, Moderate and Deluxe.

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable, with prices ranging between $125 and $300 per night. Value resorts offer quick-service, cafeteria-style dining outlets and large pools but don't have full-service restaurants or pool amenities like waterslides and hot tubs.

On average, Moderate Disney resorts run between $250 and $400 and offer amenities you won't find at Value Disney resorts. Some have full-service restaurants, and the pools are better-themed and equipped with waterslides. Many of them are more centrally located near Disney's theme parks, as well.

Deluxe Disney resorts are the most expensive, ranging between $400 to $700 per night and up for a standard room, but they also have the best locations, amenities and dining. You can expect large, well-furnished guest rooms, pool complexes with hot tubs, waterslides and beach areas, multiple full-service restaurants, spas and more.

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Regardless of which hotel you choose, Disney's on-site hotels offer perks to enhance your stay:

  • A 30-minute jumpstart on your day with Disney's Early Theme Park Entry benefit
  • The ability to purchase individual Lightning Lanes for eligible rides begins at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit (non-resort guests can't do this until the park opens)
  • Complimentary hotel and theme park parking
  • Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels on select nights (this benefit is also available to guests of Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels, as well as Shades of Green)

Best hotels at Disney World

The best Disney World hotel for you depends on what you are looking for in a hotel stay. If you don't plan on spending much time in your room, you can save a lot of money by staying in a Value resort. If you plan on spending part of your vacation enjoying hotel amenities like the pool and restaurants, you may want to choose a Moderate or Deluxe resort. Or, if you have a large family that won't be comfortable in a standard room, one of Disney's family suites might be your best bet.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Best Disney World resort if you are on a budget: Disney's Pop Century Resort may not be the most glamorous hotel at Disney, but the kitschy 1950s through 1990s theming and the starting price of around $200 per night will surely put a smile on your face. This resort has three pools, a playground and an arcade. Guest rooms are furnished with either one king bed or a queen bed and a space-saving table that folds out into a bed. It is also one of two Value resorts with Skyliner gondola access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

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Best Disney World resort for large families : Disney's Art of Animation Resort is in Disney's more affordable Value category and has family suites themed to popular Disney films like "Cars," "The Lion King" and "Finding Nemo" that sleep up to six guests. The pool here is the largest at any Disney World resort, and you can take the Disney Skyliner gondolas to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Standard rooms are also available.

Best Disney World resort for swimming : Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are sister properties near Epcot. The two resorts have rooms that average around $600 per night and share access to Stormalong Bay, the best pool at Disney World . Stormalong Bay is really more than a pool, it is a water park with sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, an activities pool with a volleyball net and daily pool games and a shipwreck-themed waterslide.

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Best Disney World resort for a luxury stay : If the sky is the limit for your Walt Disney World vacation budget, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are some of the finest accommodations you can choose. With two bedrooms, a fireplace, a screened-in porch, a hot tub and lakeside views, these cabins are anything but rustic. The privacy offers you a chance to wind down after a long Disney day, but you are still close enough to take a boat ride to Magic Kingdom and enjoy the amenities and dining in the resort's main lobby.

If you are leaning toward a luxury Disney stay, you may be able to save money by renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare program. DVC members can rent out their points to non-members through sites like David's Vacation Club Rentals , helping you to save hundreds of dollars versus booking directly through Disney. The trade-off is that availability is limited and that the cancellation policies are much less flexible than if you make the reservation direct through Disney.

Read our full guide on the best hotels at Walt Disney World .

Best hotels near Disney World

Disney World also partners with a handful of off-site hotels where you can still take advantage of certain benefits like Early Theme Park Entry and complimentary transportation while also paying less than you would for an official Disney World hotel. These hotels also participate in major hotel points programs, so you can earn or redeem points for your stay.

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The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels all participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. While not technically Disney hotels, they are located on Disney property between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member , these hotels offer benefits like complimentary upgrades, a welcome amenity and more.

Related: This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and 6 nightly drinks

Disney Springs has seven hotels from brands like Wyndham, Hilton, Holiday Inn and others. All of these are adjacent to the Disney Springs shopping and dining district, and some have room rates that start at close to $100 per night. These can be a great option if you want to save money and don't mind leaving the "Disney bubble" at the end of the day.

Read our full guide to Disney Springs hotels here .

What are the best restaurants at Disney World?

With more than 200 restaurants to choose from, you are going to have to decide which Disney World restaurants you most want to visit. Dining options run the gamut from the predictable burger and fries to an out-of-this-world restaurant in space.

Read our full guide to the best restaurants at Disney World .

Hardest Disney reservations to get (and how to get them)

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Many of these restaurants are quick-service or snack stands that don't require advance reservations, but there are a few popular restaurants that book up almost as quickly as reservations become available. If you want to dine with Disney royalty at Cinderella's Royal Table, for example, you'll want to make your reservation as soon as you can. Remember, that is 60 days prior to your visit — if you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make reservations for your entire vacation 60 days prior to your check-in day.

Related: 'Be our guest' at these 5 best character dining meals at Walt Disney World

Other reservations that book up quickly include Storybook Dining at Artist Point , Space 220 at Epcot, California Grill, 'Ohana, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios and Topolino's Terrace, especially for the character breakfast. All of these have great food and atmosphere, making them popular for new and returning guests.

Best quick-service restaurants at Disney that don't require a reservation

Luckily, there are plenty of Disney restaurants with delicious food you can get your hands on without a reservation. Satuli Canteen in Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom is consistently ranked as one of the best quick-service restaurants anywhere at Disney. The food is fresh, flavorful and surprisingly inexpensive. You can get a build-your-own bowl with beef, chicken or fish for less than $20.

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Other must-try quick-service restaurants include Ronto Roasters at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (the Ronto Breakfast Wrap is the best handheld meal at Disney!), Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom for New England-inspired fare and Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot for all things barbecue.

Using the Disney app to improve your dining experience

The My Disney Experience app is a must for your Disney World vacation for checking wait times, finding your way around and more. When it comes to dining, you can use it to find walk-up dining availability, score last-minute reservations, see what restaurants are nearby, and place mobile orders at select quick-service restaurants.

When you place a mobile order via the app, you choose what time you would like to pick up your order (with the option to modify if plans change). When you arrive at the restaurant, you can click "I'm here. Prepare my order," and you'll receive a notification on your phone when your food is ready.

Should you buy a Disney Dining Plan?

The cost of dining at Disney can add up quickly, and Disney offers two dining plan options that may help you save money. The Disney Dining Plan lets you prepay for a specified number of meals and snacks for your Disney World vacation. You receive a certain number of meal and snack credits for each night of your stay.

The Disney Dining Plan is both convenient and flexible. By prepaying for your meals and snacks, you won't have to pull out your wallet for every meal and snack, and you aren't required to use a set number of credits each day. You can redeem them anytime during your stay in the way that best works for you.

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There are two options — the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. The first is a bit less expensive and allows for more flexibility. The second is best if you plan on more sit-down dining and character meals during your vacation.

Whether or not you can save money with a Disney Dining Plan depends on how you utilize the credits. It is possible to break even or come out ahead if you maximize the value of your credits and actually eat all of the food available on the plan. If you don't use all of your credits, you are essentially leaving money on the table, but our guide can help you out with the math.

Read our full guide to the Disney Dining Plan .

How to save time in line at Disney World

Most Walt Disney World attractions offer a standby line. The only exceptions are new attractions, which will often offer a virtual queue for a limited time after opening. When Disney World is busy, though, standby lines for popular attractions can climb as high as two hours. Luckily, Disney has a service called Disney Genie+ that helps you skip the standby line and get on more attractions with shorter waits.

With Disney Genie+, you can skip the standby line and utilize a much shorter "Lightning Lane" for most attractions. You can only purchase this add-on service on the day of your visit, beginning at midnight (though you will likely be safe waiting until you wake up in the morning except on Disney's busiest days).

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The cost of Disney Genie+ varies per park and per day. The service starts at $15 per person per day and occasionally reaches a per-person price of $35 per day during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season or in April during spring break. You can purchase Genie+ for one of Disney World's four theme parks or a "multiple park" option valid at all four parks when you purchase through the My Disney Experience app.

Most attractions are included in the Disney Genie+ service, but one or two attractions at each park require a separate Lightning Lane purchase to skip the line. It's not necessary to purchase Genie+ to buy individual Lightning Lane selections and vice versa. The individual Lightning Lane attraction pricing varies by attraction but typically ranges between $7 and $25 per person, per attraction.

Read our full guide to Disney Genie+ .

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If you are staying in one of Disney's on-site hotels or in select "Good Neighbor" hotels, as mentioned in the section above, you can also save time in line by utilizing Early Theme Park Entry and/or Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. You can get into the parks 30 minutes early with the Early Entry benefit, but you actually want to arrive at the front gates 30-45 minutes before that time. This will give you time to get through security and to the roped-off area where they hold guests, making you one of the first in line to rush to your favorite ride when early entry starts.

Related: Your guide to visiting Disney World with a child on the autism spectrum

If you or someone in your party has a disability that makes it difficult for you to wait in a traditional standby queue, you can also save time by registering for Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS). You need to start the registration process before your visit, and full instructions are available on Disney's website .

How to plan a Disney World trip on a budget

While sensational stories about $2,500 meals at Disney make for good headlines, it is totally possible to visit Disney World on a budget .

Related: Yes, you can visit Disney World on a budget: Here's how I did it

Here are some of the most important things you can do to make your Disney vacation budget manageable:

  • Stay at a Disney Value resort like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort or use Marriott points to stay at the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. Here are the best cards to get those points.
  • Utilize Disney's complimentary parking and transportation for on-site guests instead of renting a car.
  • Purchase groceries for some meals and snacks, and only buy one or two meals in the parks each day.
  • Don't visit the parks every day you are at Disney and stick to one park per day, avoiding park hopping. You can save on tickets by spending a day swimming or visiting Disney Springs.
  • Don't forget to periodically check Disney's website for discounts. Even after you book, you may be able to apply a hotel or vacation package discount that can save you even more money.
  • Be on the lookout for discounted Disney gift cards to help cover the cost of your trip and/or use points for the tickets.
  • Visit during less busy times of the year. Ticket prices are cheapest in August and September, with one-day tickets starting at $109.

Disney World pretrip checklist

tour a disney world

Now that you've determined your budget, purchased your tickets, booked your hotel and made a few dining reservations, your trip is nearly planned. There are some other details you'll need to consider to make your trip as magical as it should be. Here's our ultimate Disney World pre-trip checklist:

  • Pack accordingly : Depending on when you visit, you could be dealing with heat, humidity, afternoon showers, chilly temperatures or a mix of all of the above. It's important to pack comfortable shoes and clothing no matter when you visit, but you may also want rain gear, sun protection or a warm jacket, depending on the weather. You can read our full Disney World packing guide here .
  • Download the My Disney Experience app : This app is an invaluable tool that you will use daily during your visit. You can use it to check everything from wait times to walk-up dining availability. You can also use it to navigate the parks with turn-by-turn walking directions, purchase Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes and even open your hotel room door.
  • Check the park hours before your visit : You can view the park hours on the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. Each park has separate opening and closing times, and parks occasionally close early for special events like Halloween and Christmas parties. When you view the park hours, you'll also be able to see times for any parades or fireworks shows happening each day of your visit and plan for early entry or extended theme park hours for eligible on-site hotel guests.
  • Check the height requirements for attractions: If you are traveling to Disney World with young children, you can check the height requirements for attractions on Disney World's website or in the My Disney Experience app. There are also measuring stations at all attractions that have a minimum height requirement, but it's better to know ahead of time to avoid tears if your child isn't quite tall enough.
  • Know where to find your favorite characters : Most Disney characters have designated meeting times and locations, which you can find in the My Disney Experience app. Booking a character meal can be a great way to meet multiple characters at once, but you can also meet many characters in the parks. Popular meet-and-greets also offer Genie+ Lightning Lane access, which can cut down on the time you spend waiting to meet Mickey, Moana or Cinderella.
  • Decide if you want to purchase PhotoPass photos : You can save money on Disney Memory Maker by purchasing in advance before you visit. It's the easiest way to capture your vacation memories and an add-on we highly recommend. You can view and download your photos in the My Disney Experience app.
  • Study up on Genie+: As helpful as Genie+ can be, there is a bit of a learning curve. Study up using our Genie+ guide and Disney's own overview before your visit. It's good to know which attractions participate in Genie+, how to reserve Lightning Lane access and how to make the most of the service.
  • Plan for downtime: One of the biggest mistakes people make at Disney World is overscheduling their trip and leaving no time for rest and relaxation. If you are visiting for more than a few days, try and schedule a day away from the parks where you swim, explore the other resorts or just lounge around the hotel. It'll help rejuvenate you for the rest of your trip. For shorter trips, you may want to schedule a slow morning or return to your hotel early one day instead of being at the parks from opening to closing every day of your trip.

Read all of our best Disney World tips here .

Bottom line

There you have it — the ultimate guide to visiting Walt Disney World.

In addition to the planning and preparation you've now mastered, there are two very important things you must do during your Disney World vacation — don't overplan and have fun. It's much better to have a short list of "must-do" rides, restaurants and activities than to have a minute-by-minute itinerary that most certainly will not play out exactly how you planned.

Keeping a loose itinerary leaves room for magic moments like stumbling upon a favorite character, noticing a super-short line for a ride or deciding last-minute to watch a parade you happened upon. You can't do everything in one trip anyway, so do the things you can and save the rest for next time when you are a certified Disney pro.

FOR NO-COST-TO-YOU ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Related reading:

  • The best Disney World hotels for your stay
  • The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss
  • Forgetting to do this 1 thing could ruin your Disney trip
  • Disney's take on timeshares: Guide to Disney Vacation Club
  • 8 Walt Disney World experiences that don't require a park ticket
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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

This New Disney World Tour Takes You To All 12 Theme Parks In Less Than A Month

tour a disney world

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Disney has put together the ultimate travel package for fans of the company’s parks and attractions, but it comes at a hefty price.

Adventures by Disney will take 75 people on a 24-day adventure around the world, stopping at 12 Disney attractions and some of the most iconic landmarks on the globe. 

Hotels, 68 meals, private air travel, and admission to all the attractions are included in the cost, which begins at an eye-popping $109,995 for double-occupancy accommodations. Single rooms can be added for an additional $11,000.

Adventures by Disney has put together an extensive list of trip tips and FAQs , covering everything from health and safety protocols to documentation and travel information.

The trip begins in Southern California on July 9, 2022, and works its way around the globe to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe before finishing in Florida on August 1.

The trip includes adventure guides and local experts at every stop, exclusive access to the parks and exhibits, and a promise of adventure for everybody on the trip.

“On this ultimate Disney experience, all activities will be fun, engaging and specially tailored to appeal to all sorts of adventurers, whether you’re exploring a new destination, on the jet or, of course, amid the magic of a Disney theme park,” Disney promises.

Highlights of the itinerary include:

Southern California

The first 3 days begin in Anaheim, with a welcome dinner in Disneyland and a check-in to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Day two includes a Walt Disney Studios tour and World of Color viewing, with day three spent at Disneyland and California Adventure.

San Francisco

Days four and five are spent in the Bay Area, with visits to the Walt Disney Family Museum, LucasFilm Campus, and Summit Skywalker Ranch. There will also be wine tasting, a gala dinner, and a Star Wars and Disney trivia night.

After a full day of travel to Japan, guests will have 3 days in Tokyo to visit Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, or experience Walt Disney Imagineering. Guests can also have the option of taking half-day or full-day Kamakura Zen tours.

Next, it’s on to 2 days in China , with guests visiting Shanghai Disneyland and any of a number of other activities in the city, including tours, cooking classes, painting classes, and acrobat shows.

Two days in Hong Kong include visits to Hong Kong Disneyland, tours of the city and region, junk boat cruises, private cooking classes, and more.

Two days are then spent in India , with Agra Fort tours and nature walks available on the first day. The highlight of the second day is sunrise at the Taj Mahal, followed by tours or visits to various tombs or shopping.

Just one day is spent in Egypt , but it is spent visiting the Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx of Giza.

It’s on to France for 3 days, with VIP tours at Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Paris. Guests can also peel off for visits to Paris and the Eiffel Tower, an escape to the Champagne countryside, or tours of the city or region.

The trip finishes in Orlando , with 4 days at Walt Disney World Resort. Visits include the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, the Tri-Circle D Ranch, and more.

Image of Greg Robertson

Greg Robertson has worked as an editor and writer for some of the top newspapers and websites in the country, leading him to live all across the country. He now calls Las Vegas home, but has journeyed from the sunshine of California and the rain in Seattle, to the humidity of Arkansas and the snow of Minnesota. His travels have taken him to Puerto Vallarta, Costa Rica, Spain, and the Dominican Republic, but he's happiest at home with his wife, two daughters, and dog.

tour a disney world

Disney's Fort Wilderness Cabins: Full Tour of the New DVC Cabins

The new DVC Fort Wilderness Cabins have officially opened! We’re sharing a full tour of what you can expect from the new accommodations.

The newest Disney Vacation Club property has officially opened! Disney Vacation Club celebrated the opening of the first phase of the new cabins at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. These beautiful cabins are nestled in the woodlands of Walt Disney World, offering one-bedroom cabins that can sleep up to six. We were among the first to see the stunning new property, and we’ll be sharing a full tour of what you can expect inside.

Fort Wilderness Cabins Tours

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are the 17th Disney Vacation Club property, and will continue to open in phases throughout the year. Once completed, there will be 350 new cabins in total. When designing the cabins, Walt Disney Imagineers drew inspiration from the surroundings, intending to infuse Disney magic with the rustic environment. Each cabin can comfortably sleep up to six guests, including a main bedroom, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, living area, dining area, and outdoor patio. There are even dog-friendly cabins available to bring your pet along with you.

The cabins are also unique for their sustainability. They were developed in collaboration with two Florida businesses, and each cabin was produced with less than one percent metal waste. They were also constructed to help preserve the beauty of the resort’s wilderness, and are each equipped with an on-site electric vehicle charging station.

Outdoor Porch

Heading up to the cabin, you’ll immediately find an outdoor porch with a table and chairs where you and your group can enjoy some time outdoors. In typical Disney fashion, there are plenty of little details to look out for, such as the Mickeys carved into each of the chairs!

Photo by CJ Ayd

The area sits right up against the full floor-to-ceiling windows of the cabin, making the entire space feel particularly wide and part of its natural surroundings. This would be the perfect spot to enjoy some snacks and refreshments after a long day in the park, or for a midday break from the hustle and bustle.

Living Room and Kitchen

Heading inside, you’ll find the fully equipped kitchen as well as the living area. The kitchen comes with a dishwasher, full-size oven and stove, full-size refrigerator, and all of the amenities you could possibly need. As a Disney Vacation Club property, you’ll find plates, utensils, and cookware inside for you to use. Additionally, there’s a dining area with chairs for everyone to enjoy a meal together (or simply a quick breakfast before heading to the parks).

The living area has a television, couch, and seating area attached to the kitchen, so you can all be out in the room at the same time. Additionally, there’s a murphy bed that pulls down over the couch, so you can sleep up to two more people.

If you go to your right upon entering the cabin, you’ll head towards the bathroom. Outside the closed bathroom is a vanity, with a sink and mirror so that multiple parties can get ready at the same time. Inside the bathroom is a larger vanity, along with a toilet, stand-in show, and cabinets that come equipped with an ironing board, drawers, and more space.

Just like everything else in the cabin, the bathroom makes really great use of the space that it has. It feels particularly spacious, and makes great use of space for storage.

Fort Wilderness Cabins Bedroom

The bedroom comes with a queen-sized bed along with bunk beds, meaning you can sleep up to four in the room. There’s a television, small open closet space, and dresser drawers for all of your storage needs. Additionally, there are more drawers located at the bottom of the bunk beds. One of my favorite parts of the bedroom was the small Disney details located throughout. For example, above the bed you’ll find artwork of Chip ‘n’ Dale, characters that are heavily present throughout the entire design.

On the wall, there’s artwork with postcards including one for River Country, the original Disney World water park that had been located at Fort Wilderness. And in the artwork of the bunk bed, you’ll see Chip ‘n’ Dale depicted, including alongside a calendar reading November 19, the original opening day for Fort Wilderness. The cabins are a beautiful new additional with modern details, all while still paying homage to honor the history behind this beloved Disney World Resort.

Thank you to Disney for hosting us during the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness media event including a preview of the new cabins, a tour of Tri-Circle D Ranch Stable, a Fishing Excursion on Bay Lake, and a Golf Cart rental.

The new DVC Fort Wilderness Cabins have officially opened! We’re sharing a full tour of what you can expect from the new accommodations. The newest Disney Vacation Club property has officially opened! Disney Vacation Club celebrated the opening of the first phase of the new cabins at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. These beautiful cabins are nestled in the woodlands of Walt Disney World, offering one-bedroom cabins that can sleep up to six. We were among the first to see the stunning new property, and we’ll be sharing a full tour of what you can expect inside. Fort […]

This Is How Much It Costs to Go to Disney World in 2024

Disney World might be the "happiest place on earth,” but it's certainly not the most affordable.

Disney World Costs in 2024

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 31: Lasers light up the sky above Cinderella's Castle during the daily Happily Ever After light and fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on May 31, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Gary Hershorn | Getty Images

As you plan your trip to Disney World, look out for discounted pricing on tickets or hotels for specific periods.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Disney World tickets currently cost $109 per person, per day.
  • 3- and 4-day Magic Tickets to multiple parks are on sale through mid-September.
  • The estimated cost of a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four is $6,865 in 2024.
  • Budget trips cost about $4,735 in 2024, while higher-end versions will run about $10,696.

Even if you consider Walt Disney World Resort the “happiest place on earth,” it’s probably not on your list of the most affordable places to visit.

One-day tickets to Disney World in 2024 currently start at $109 per person. Of course, most people vacationing at Disney World stay for more than one day and many visit more than one park – and multiday, multipark tickets typically include discounted pricing. In addition to park admission, keep in mind you might need to pay for airfare, a hotel and food.

While the total cost of a trip can vary significantly, a Mouse Hacking blog analysis pegged a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four at $6,865 in 2024. The blog estimated a budget trip would cost about $4,735, while a higher-end version would run about $10,696.

No matter your budget, here are a few ways to stretch your vacation dollars and make the most of your trip:

Be Flexible on Timing

Disney World started using “dynamic pricing” in 2018, meaning it charges higher prices during holidays and popular weeks and lower prices for off-peak visits. In general, you’ll find the lowest pricing in late August and early September, and for weekday visits to the parks.

“In Florida, the kids are back in school by August, so the parks are less crowded and the prices are lower,” says Dayle Bland, a personal vacation planner who specializes in Disney trips.

"Weather-wise, it’s a hotter time of year, but if you can get past that and plan your days accordingly, you can have a great visit at a better price point," she adds.  

Choose Your Hotel Carefully

Disney offers three levels of hotels – value, moderate and deluxe – with three levels of pricing.

“The great thing about Disney is that there are resorts for every budget,” says Allison DePesa, a travel advisor with Marvelous Mouse Travels.

Those looking to keep costs as low as possible will likely want to stay at the “value” hotels. You can also stay in a non-Disney hotel, but it’s important to factor in the cost of transportation. Those staying at Disney resorts have access to free parking at the parks as well as free shuttles that run about every 20 minutes.

Plan For Food Expenses

After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's dining plans are back.

"If you are staying at a Disney resort on a package, you can opt for Disney Dining Plan but these might not always be the best value. Save money by bringing your own sandwiches and snacks. Small cooler bags are allowed but remember no loose ice," Carrie Bradley, a frequent Disney World visitor and founder of VisitingOrlandoWithKids.com, said in an email.

She added that you can expect to spend around $6 for a Mickey ice cream bar and should budget around $50 per person, per day for food if you eat at the parks and don’t dine at character table service restaurants.

Some guests also opt to get groceries delivered to their hotels (Disney hotels will accept and store your deliveries while you’re out) so they can make their own breakfast and bring snacks to the parks.

Set a Limit on Souvenirs

Impulse purchases at souvenir shops are an easy way to quickly bust your budget. Try to avoid spending too much time in the gift shops, where the temptation can be hard to resist – or, set a limit for how much each person can spend on souvenirs per day or throughout the vacation.

If your family really wants to get into the spirit and don Disney apparel for the trip, stock up ahead of time at stores like Target or Kohl’s, which carry licensed apparel. “They have awesome selections,” DePesa says. “Kohl’s does a whole line of family-matching Disney apparel.”

Keep an Eye Out for New Discounts

Disney does occasionally host promotions that offer discounted pricing on tickets or hotels for specific periods. For example, 4-day, 4-park Magic Tickets are currently $396 per ticket through September 22, 2024.

If you’ve already booked your visit, you or your travel agent can call Disney to have the promotion retroactively applied to your purchase, if it qualifies.

12 Best Discount Shopping Apps

Maryalene LaPonsie May 15, 2024

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Dates for christmas events at walt disney world released, mickey’s christmas party, jollywood nights among returning events.

Christie Zizo , Digital Editor

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney fans can begin planning their holiday travels as Walt Disney World releases the dates of its Christmas park events throughout the park.

The parks confirmed Monday that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom returns Nov. 8 and Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns Nov. 9.

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The two separately ticketed events run on select nights in November and December and transform the two parks into holiday wonderlands with special character meet-and-greets, parades, shows and tasty treats.

Tickets for both events go on sale July 2 for resort guests and July 10 for the general public.

Here are the details.

Magic Kingdom — Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns for another year with all the holiday traditions guests have come to expect. Complimentary cookies and cocoa will be available throughout the park, along with other exclusive treats for sale.

Guests can check out Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Guests will also find festively dressed characters, dance parties and more.

Dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are:

  • Nov. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
  • Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20

Tickets run from $169 to $219 per person, plus tax, depending on the date. Discounts for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are available.

More details can be found on the Walt Disney World website.

Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Jollywood Nights returns for its second year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The separately ticketed event is takes place at night throughout the park and features shows like “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” Sing-along, Disney Holidays in Hollywood, and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

The event also features over 20 character experiences with new and returning Disney characters. Among the new characters out and about this year are Bo Peep and Lotso from “Toy Story” and Baloo and King Louie from “TaleSpin.”

Dates for Jollywood Nights are:

  • Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
  • Dec. 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21

Tickets run from $159 to $179 per person, plus tax, depending on the date. Discounts for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are available.

International Festival of the Holidays at Epcot

Epcot guests will once again experience a taste of the holidays around the world this year, starting Nov. 29 and running through Dec. 30.

Epcot will feature Holiday Kitchens around its World Showcase, along with storytellers, entertainment and more. The nightly Candlelight Processional, which features a celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story and a full orchestra and choir will also be back. Disney has not announced who the celebrity narrators will be yet.

Guests can also take part in the Holiday Cookie Stroll and Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. The Living With the Land attraction is also getting into the holiday spirit as its greenhouses are lit up for the season.

The International Festival of the Holidays is included with Epcot admission.

Other events throughout Walt Disney World

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, winter animal puppets will prowl the park as part of Merry Menagerie.

At Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Stroll will be back, as will Santa Claus and “snow” in Town Center.

At select Disney resorts, amid the holiday decor guests can also find gingerbread houses and displays.

More details are available at the Disney Parks Blog.

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Christie zizo.

Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021.

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Disney’s ESPN Rolls Out Its First Travel Experiences

Jesse Chase-Lubitz , Skift

July 2nd, 2024 at 11:59 AM EDT

ESPN dives into the experiences market with a high-end MLB tour, blending sports and travel for die-hard fans.

Jesse Chase-Lubitz

Sports network ESPN has launched a new experiences brand and tickets for its first sports tour are selling for $6,999 per person.

The network, which is majority-owned by the Walt Disney Company, had noticed a rising demand in the experiences space and wanted to capitalize on the significant spending, an ESPN spokesperson told Skift. 

Additional studies into its fan base showed that ESPN would be a favorable brand to offer tours and activities, the spokesperson said. 

The network plans to use this initial tour as a test. The success of this first offering will determine the if ESPN maintains the ESPN Experiences offering. Some tickets were purchased but the experience is not yet sold out, the spokesperson said.

The tour includes a five-day, four-night Major League Baseball over the U.S. Labor Day weekend between August 29 and September 2. It is powered by Adventures by Disney.

The tour will include stops at Fenway Park in Boston, Yankee Stadium in New York City, and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It will also include a private tour of the Jackie Robinson Museum and exclusive access to the ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

The rise of sports tourism

Sporting events often significantly boost tourism and bring revenue to host cities. For example, online travel companies saw a surge in sports tourism in India this year related to its hosting of major events.

While these findings largely refer to individuals traveling to attend specific events, the growth will likely be seen industry-wide.

Sports tourism already generates 10% of the world’s expenditure on tourism, according to UN Tourism. It is expected to grow by 17.5% between 2023 and 2030. This can range from mega events like the Olympics or the World Cup to less popular attractions that feature sports as part of the trip.

CORRECTION : Due to an editor’s error, this article originally said Walt Disney Company also runs tours on behalf of Lindblad Expeditions under Disney’s National Geographic brand, but it’s actually Lindblad operating tours on behalf of Disney and National Geographic .

Walt Disney World Unveils 2024 Experiences: Expect Droids

Walt Disney World Unveils 2024 Experiences: Expect Droids

Disney has released a new lineup of experiences at its flagship resort that could give anxious visitors, and rival competitors, a taste of its priorities as it plans to double its parks investment over the next decade.

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Tags: disney , experiences , sports , sports tourism , Travel Experiences , united states , walt disney company

Disney World will let you book a ride a week in advance — if you stay at one of its hotels

  • Disney World is replacing its Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane entry pass.
  • Guests can use the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass starting July 24.
  • Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can plan Lightning Lane passes seven days in advance.

Insider Today

Walt Disney World will allow guests to make ride reservations a week in advance — but there's a catch.

The official Disney Parks Blog said the Genie+ service and Lightning Lane entry would be discontinued at the Florida theme parks. Instead, guests can register for two new reservation programs that go into effect on July 24.

"Walt Disney World will introduce new, simpler names to provide more clarity for everyone," a press release published Tuesday read. "Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass."

The new passes let guests make Lightning Lane reservations ahead of their trip, but the biggest perk is for those who book at Disney Resorts and affiliated hotels.

"Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance for their entire stay (up to 14 days)," the company said. "All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance."

The new incentive could encourage some Disney guests to pour even more money into its Florida properties, which could expand under a $17 billion development deal between Disney and the local tourism district.

Related stories

Some guests have criticized Disney's theme parks for being too expensive. Even CEO Bob Iger was shocked by ticket prices when he returned to the company in November 2022.

The price for Lightning Lane Multi Passes will vary by day and theme park, while the Lightning Lane Single Passes will vary by date and attraction.

Despite the cost, some parents with children under 18 are going into debt to finance their family's Disney vacation . Parents who completed Lending Tree's survey indicated that food, transportation, and accommodation wreaked the most havoc on their budgets.

Representatives for Disney referred to the press release and FAQ when contacted for comment.

Unlike the new Lightning Lane passes, Genie+ didn't permit advanced reservations.

Under Genie+, guests could register for Lightning Lane entrances at select rides and experiences, but they needed to wake up at 7 a.m. each day of their trip to secure their spot. This drew criticism from some Disney guests, who suggested that the Genie+ program is complicated and overwhelming.

The company said guests voiced their desire for a more comprehensive reservation program, which led them to create the Lightning Lane passes.

"We enjoy hearing from guests about all the things they love, as well as how we can make their experience even better the next time," the press release read. "At Walt Disney World, guests have told us they would prefer to have the option to do more of their planning before their theme park day."

Watch: Marriott International's Tina Edmundson tells Insider that the travel mindset has changed since the pandemic

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Disney World changing popular ticket reservation service

  • Published: Jun. 26, 2024, 3:45 p.m.

Disney World Genie+ tickets

Walt Disney World is getting rid of Genie+ starting July 24 and instead implementing Lightning Lane entry service. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)/Orlando Sentinel via AP) AP

ORLANDO, Florida – Walt Disney World is overhauling its popular fast-pass service at the famous amusement park in Florida.

The theme park is getting rid of Genie+ starting July 24 and instead implementing Lightning Lane entry service.

Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.

The changes will allow guests to plan before arriving at the park; choose experiences and time slots before purchasing; and allow guests to book passes for multiple days.

Disney announced the change in response to guest feedback about wanting to plan their park experiences well in advance instead of the morning of their visit, the company said in a press release.

Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay, up to 14 days. All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.

These advance purchase windows will let guests secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they’ve had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider.

The prices of a Lightning Multi or Single Pass varies on the day you visit the park, what theme park you choose to visit and what attraction you choose to visit.

Prices will be available starting July 24 in the My Disney Experience App .

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  28. Disney World Will Let You Book a Ride a Week Ahead. Here's the Catch

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  30. Disney World changing popular ticket reservation service

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