Walt Disney World Holidays

With so many fantastic theme parks and attractions to choose from, it can be difficult fitting everything into one trip!

• It’s a good idea to create your own ‘top 10 things to do at Walt Disney World’ list before you go, so you can prioritise your favourite parks and attractions.
• Disney World is incredibly varied and there truly is something for everyone. From theme parks and water parks to golf courses and animal encounters, both kids and adults will be smiling from morning to night.
• The theme parks at Disney World include Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
• Magic Kingdom has an exciting selection of rides, including a runaway mine train, plenty of thrilling rollercoasters and a fantastic choice of child-friendly attractions, based on some of your favourite Disney stories.
• The Disney water parks include Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach; ideal venues for cooling down in the hot Florida sunshine.
• You’ll also find a shopping village for all your souvenirs and merchandise, plus wedding and sports-themed attractions to enjoy.
• Don’t forget to make time for some of Orlando’s other local attractions too. There’s a huge variety of things to do in Orlando for all ages.

Walt Disney World, Florida is made up of multiple parks, all based on a different theme. As you walk into each destination, you’ll instantly feel like you’ve been transported into a new, exciting atmosphere, and it’s tough not to get drawn into Disney’s irresistible charm. But just what are the Walt Disney World Parks?

• Start your journey at the Magic Kingdom, where the wonders of Disney really come to life. Here, you’ll find the iconic castle, classic rides and attractions, character meet and greets, and famous Disney parades.
• Epcot is a futuristic theme park, featuring round-the-world (and even out-of-this-world) fun, plus plenty of seasonal attractions you won’t want to miss.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios combines the magic of Disney with the excitement of showbiz. Step behind the scenes and experience live-action extravaganzas, more Disney-themed lands to explore, and lots of fantastic rides and attractions.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the perfect place for wildlife lovers. See some of the world’s most incredible animals, plus the unmissable themed rides and shows.
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach is a winter-themed waterpark, featuring ‘snow-capped mountain’ waterslides, lazy rivers and even an area for little ones.
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is the complete opposite to Blizzard Beach in terms of theming. In place of wintery mountains, you’ll find a tropical-based waterpark with wild rapids, shark reefs and the biggest inland surfing lagoon in Florida!

Walt Disney World dining is second to none. With a huge selection of restaurants, refreshment stalls and snack carts to keep you energised throughout the day, finding something delicious to eat is never a tough task.

• You can find food from a wide range of international cuisines at Disney World. From Italian to Chinese and beyond, your taste buds will come alive here.
• Discover the 1950’s-themed Prime Time Café, serving up American diner classics like milkshakes and burgers.
• The 1900 Park Fare restaurant is home to a grand buffet of classic eats. It’s the perfect place for fussy eaters or those who love to sample a bit of everything!
• The ABC Commissary is an art-deco style restaurant, which is great for grabbing a quick bite while exploring the parks.
• Visit the Garden View Tea Room for delicious dishes, including fresh fruit tarts with cream, ice-cream sandwiches and sundaes, moreish Mexican churros and delectable fresh doughnuts. The quaint, British feel of this beautiful tearoom will remind you of home.
• Look out for lots of Mickey Mouse-shaped snacks around the parks. From lollies to doughnuts and more, sweet Mickeys are everywhere!

As a family-friendly amusement resort, Walt Disney World’s nightlife is more limited than other holiday destinations. You won’t find big nightclubs, but you will experience a great selection of after-dark activities that are unique to each individual park.

• It’s important to note that each park has its own independent opening hours, so some will be open later than others. The closing times may also change depending on the season.
• Parks that offer longer opening hours give guests the chance to experience the magic after dark, which is the ideal time to see the extraordinary Walt Disney World fireworks displays.
• After-dark events, like IllumiNations at Epcot, use incredible effects like music, pyrotechnics, water fountains, lasers and fireworks as part of a dazzling show, perfect for guests of all ages.
• Adults can grab a drink at one of many bars within the resort. Jellyrolls, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Crew’s Cup Lounge, to name a few, feature great entertainment, such as live performances, dancing and karaoke.

As the entire resort is not only family-friendly but designed with your children’s happiness and your convenience as parents in mind, there are few holiday destinations that are as much fun for the family as Walt Disney World.

• The facilities here have been carefully designed to ensure that you have everything you need close at hand, leaving you free to have fun.
• There are plenty of child-friendly facilities, including baby-changing areas and child-friendly toilets, plus an incredible number of restaurants and refreshment stands to ensure that none of you go hungry.
• You’ll all love the family-favourite rides, such as the iconic Space Mountain rollercoaster, where you’ll soar through space at top speeds; Pirates of the Caribbean, where you’ll sail past swashbuckling, singing pirates; Expedition Everest, where you’ll escape the clutches of a Yeti, and, of course, It’s a Small World, where you’ll set sail on an adorable around-the-world cruise.
• Had enough of dry land? Head over to one of two wild waterparks, where kids can splash, play and ride the flumes, while adults relax on a sun lounger and soak up some of the famous Florida sunshine.
• Parents with small children don't have to miss out on the bigger rides. Walt Disney World offers a ride-switch service, allowing one parent to queue for a ride and the second to queue-jump as soon as they've returned, so the little ones are always looked after.

Walt Disney World is hugely popular with couples from all over the world. The beautiful Floridian weather, combined with the magic of Disney, and the huge variety of things to see and do makes this destination the perfect romantic vacation.

• Couples of all ages can enjoy a holiday at Disney World Resort, Florida. Lots of rides are built for parties of two, which makes travelling as a couple much easier.
• One of the most romantic hotels includes Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which combines Victorian elegance with modern sophistication. Expect live orchestras playing jazz, ragtime and Disney classics!
• Looking to combine the serenity of a beach escape with the fun of a Disney holiday? You can, of course, visit the amazing Florida beaches, but you can also plan a stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, featuring its own stunning pools complete with swaying palm trees.
• After a busy day of exploring the parks and enjoying the rides, visit one of many bars within the Disney World Resort and raise a toast to the perfect couples' holiday.

Walt Disney World holidays hold a unique place in popular culture. We’ve all seen classic Disney movies like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, animated masterpieces like Toy Story and modern hits like Maleficent and Frozen.

• Over the years, Disney has pushed the boundaries of animation and reached new heights with movie magic. Their loveable and unforgettable stories have taken generations of people from childhood to adulthood, cementing a love for the classic Disney characters and making way for plenty of new ones.
• For many fans, Disney is more than just a film company; it has become a part of their identity, which is why we see so many bloggers, artists and cosplayers dedicated to the House of Mouse.
• There are several live-action Disney remakes currently in the works, and many have been made already.
• With the company’s takeover of the Star Wars franchise, many Disney parks around the world are now looking to open their own Star Wars attractions.
• Parents are often happy to treat their children to a holiday at Walt Disney World, as Disney films are grounded in wholesome values and provide children with good role models. These include strong female characters like Mulan and Pocahontas, who break gender and cultural barriers, and modern icons like Moana and Princess Elsa of Frozen.

What are the least busy times at Disney World?

If you're staying in a Disney hotel, you'll benefit from 'extra magic hours', which allows guests early access to the parks before public opening times. This is when the parks will be least busy, so if getting in before the crowds is important to you, booking a room in a Disney hotel is recommended.

Where do you fly into for Disney World?

Most Disney World visitors will fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO) as it's the closest to the resort.

How far is Walt Disney World from the airport?

It takes approximately 20 minutes to drive from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resort. You can also take a train, which will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

How can you get from the airport to Disney World?

Guests of Disney hotels can opt to take the Magical Express, a coach that will take you from Orlando International Airport to Disney World. Guests staying in other accommodation can book seats on a shared shuttle van, rent a car for self-drive, or hire a taxi directly to the resort.