5 Tips for Making Holiday Travel Plans This Year
5 Tips for Making Holiday Travel Plans
More and more people are beginning to venture out in need of a little vacation fun. I’m noticing that the trend for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando is for shorter vacations, 3 or 4 nights, mid-week. There is a slight uptick in Universal Orlando travel and I suspect this is because it isn’t as complex as Disney World. 2 or 3 days in the Universal parks is just the right amount of time to see and do it all. But Disney is still a great choice, too, as it is planning on going all out with the decorations plus some special entertainment. Plus, with lighter crowds, it won’t take as long to tour the Disney parks.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
No matter where you are thinking of going, here are 5 tips that can help you make smart decisions about traveling this holiday season.
1. Look for fares or rates with built-in flexibility.
Many travel providers and destinations are changing up their policies. Make note of any deadlines to cancel for a full refund, and avoid any super restrictive airfares that prohibit changes. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are allowing guests to cancel up to the day of arrival for a full refund through December.
2. Start watching airfare prices now.
I just paid $100 roundtrip for a jetBlue flight during Christmas week. Now is the time to check for cheap holiday airfares as many airlines try to entice travelers into planning a trip. Historically speaking, fares increase as the holidays get closer, so it's worth booking a refundable/flexible ticket early if the price is right for you. Some airlines are offering refundable tickets at no extra charge. Set up fare alerts with your airline or through Google Flights so that you’re immediately notified when fares drop. Also, being flexible with your travel dates will help ensure you don't miss a great deal. Visit my airline page for more helpful tips on how to save on Orlando flights.
3. Research health and cleanliness measures.
Want to know what your hotel is doing to ensure the safety of guests? Visit the hotel website or call the destination directly if you have a specific question. Most reputable airlines, destinations, and hotels are taking COVID very seriously and have a plan in place. Walt Disney World has created a dedicated website that is constantly updated with the latest information. Universal Orlando created a Safety FAQ page on its website.
4. Factor in the popularity of your destination.
While there might be fewer holiday travelers this year, some destinations—particularly beaches and ski resorts—are expected to be in-demand as travelers opt to stay closer to home. So, if you're headed somewhere like Florida, Vermont, or Vail, now is the time to book. Remember to look for fares or rates with built-in flexibility (see Tip 1).
5. Consider alternate travel dates.
One upside to remote work and/or school is that you can do it from anywhere. Take advantage of the flexibility and avoid the typical busy travel days (like the day before Thanksgiving) or stay at your destination longer than usual to maximize your trip. Crowds are super light at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando right now thanks to reduced capacity, especially during the week. This is a very rare opportunity to enjoy the parks with fewer people and shorter lines.
Related:
View Walt Disney World Resort Holiday Offers
View Universal Orlando Resort Holiday Offers
How you Can Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World
For over 12 years Darren Wittko has been helping people save money at Walt Disney World as both, a travel writer and a travel advisor with Magical Vacations Travel. He’s featured in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren resides in Celebration, FL.
More Updates
The Walt Disney World News We've Been Waiting For is Finally Here!
Over the past few weeks, Disney has been sharing with us that a theme park reservation system would be announced to help manage attendance at the Walt Disney World Resort. Today, I have exciting information to share!
My Disney Experience & Park Pass System
On June 16th I shared that you will need a My Disney Experience account as we move forward. This is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed. You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account.
If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, be sure to link it to this My Disney Experience account beforehand, as well.
Once you’ve logged into your My Disney Experience account and linked your ticket, you’ll have access to a calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park. If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit.
Families and friends can link their tickets together and look to arrange theme park entries at the same time. Use the Family and Friends section of My Disney Experience to link to each other there.
Please note, park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability. Availability can change until the reservation is finalized. At this time, guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations.
Guests with existing tickets that include the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option have options available to them for ticket modifications and cancellations. Disney says it hopes to bring back the ability to visit more than one park per day soon and will continue to offer these add-ons for 2021 ticket purchases.
Walt Disney World Park Pass System - Key Dates
Here’s a great video that explains more:
Planning a Trip for 2021
Planning a New Trip for Next Year: By June 28, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make their park reservations for arrivals starting in 2021 as Disney’s phased reopening continues. Guests will be able to view park reservation availability on DisneyWorld.com prior to purchasing their tickets.
For those of you who already contacted me about booking or modifying your existing Walt Disney World reservation for 2021, I will be in touch very soon!
Magic Bands update
The technology for Magic Bands was almost obsolete the very day they were introduced as Smartphone technology really took off. We saw Disney doing a lot of testing with digital key entry into hotels rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, where guests could use their phone to unlock the door. As the use of phones and apps continues to evolve. In 2021, Disney will unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature.
With this new offering on the horizon, Disney will be retiring complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and we'll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future. Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit.
Disney will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World asks the Incredibles for Advice
Disney is looking forward to welcoming you back to the magic in just a couple of weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, their incredible kids and some other familiar faces will show us how to use our powers to help everyone be well. For example:
Guests With Walt Disney World Reservations Should Link to My Disney Experience Now!
If you have an upcoming Walt Disney World Resort reservation, it’s very important for you to link your upcoming resort reservation and/or ticket to My Disney Experience as soon as possible.
This will enable you to receive important communications and information about next steps and key planning dates, including the recently announced Theme Park reservation system.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to link your Walt Disney World reservation to your My Disney Experience account:
Prepare for your Walt Disney World Vacation
Walt Disney World Update: The Magic is Returning in Just 4 Weeks
The following is an email from Josh D'Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products:
Walt Disney World will begin reopening on July 11, 2020
With the announcement of the proposed reopening dates for the Disneyland Resort, we are one more exciting step closer to reopening all of our Disney parks and experiences around the world. Throughout the past few weeks, we have reopened Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Springs and several Disney stores, and set dates for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, with more announcements coming soon.
We are purposefully taking baby steps during this very intentional phased approach. As one of the first major theme parks to close our operations and the last to reopen, we have been deliberate about keeping the health and safety of our cast, guests and local communities top of mind. And as we look forward to bringing our cast members back to work, and welcoming you back as cherished guests – we know it will take all of us working together responsibly to recapture the magic.
We’re fortunate to be guided by a talented team of professionals who’ve helped us implement a variety of new health and safety measures reflecting the guidance of local health and government authorities. These are designed with both the cast and guests in mind for the unique environments of each of our parks, resorts and stores.
While certain aspects of your visit may change, I assure you the quality of our storytelling, magic of our experiences and the caliber of our cast members has not. We recognize the trust that you have in the Disney brand, and we will continue to earn your trust every day.
My confidence comes in part from all of the hard work our teams have been doing behind the scenes in the past few months… as well as by the early successes we have seen at Shanghai Disneyland, the first of our theme parks to reopen. Guest satisfaction has been extremely high, and we will continue to make sure that as we bring back experiences, our attention to promoting your safety, maintaining your trust and providing unique ways for you to come together with family and friends to create new memories remains high as well.
Walt Disney once said that it takes people to make the dream a reality, and as we prepare ourselves to reopen his original park, I want you to know how eternally grateful I am for all of you who have made Disney parks, stores, hotels, cruise lines, guided tours and vacation properties part of your lives, as well as for the cast members, crew members, Imagineers, and employees who have brought them to life for the past 65 years.
I know this has been a difficult year due to the impacts of COVID-19, but I can’t help but feel a great sense of hope and optimism. And like many of you, I look forward to hearing the laughter and seeing the joy of families making memories together… and I can’t wait to see you when the magic returns to all of our parks and resorts.
Be well,
Josh D'Amaro
Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products
For current offers, visit SaveAtWDW.com/resorts
Disney, Universal Orlando & SeaWorld Submit Plans to Reopen on Thursday
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld will begin presenting their reopening plans on Thursday, Orange County officials said.
FOX 35 reporter Robert Guaderrama confirmed on Wednesday afternoon with Orange County that the three major Orlando-area theme parks will begin presenting their reopening plans on Thursday.
While all three theme parks will make presentations tomorrow, only Universal Orlando will speak publically. Disney World and SeaWorld will speak at future presentations next week, according to Guaderrama.
Darren Wittko
Florida Task Force Hints at Walt Disney World Reopening Steps
According to Spectrum News 13 here in Orlando, Florida Governor Ron Desantis met with a sub-committee tasked with developing a plan for reopening Central Florida theme parks on Friday, April 24th.
Florida is rapidly approaching Phase One, of the White House’s 3-phase reopening guidelines, slightly ahead of predictions.
The special committee is working to create a timeline for reopening Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando based on current health data and to determine the first potential steps.
Although there is limited information on what the special committee recommended today, reports suggest that the opening of the 2 theme parks will be gradual and will likely first open to local and Florida residents first.
The special committee is expected to have final recommendations sometime next week.
There is no current timeline that suggests when Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will reopen at this time.
Related Articles
Florida Task Force Meeting — April 24, 2020
2021 Walt Disney World Ticketless Packages Explained
Disney World Policies in Post COVID 19 Might Be a Welcome Improvement
Book With Confidence! Walt Disney World Deposit & Cancellation Policy Review
Florida Task Force Meeting — April 24, 2020
The Re-Opening Florida Task Force has been meeting multiple times this week to discuss how to go about allowing businesses to start accepting customers again and what a timeline for that could look like. Although the reopening of Walt Disney World and Universal Resort Orlando have not yet been discussed in detail, we can get a little insight as to how things might look at least from a food and beverage and hotel standpoint.
Here are some key points from the meetings however they are still vague at this point.
Restaurants
Required to thoroughly clean and sanitize all areas
Make hand sanitizer readily available to guests
Modify floor plans to allow for social distancing and not allow guests to congregate in waiting areas or bars.
Taking employee’s temperatures is optional
Hotels in Central Florida
Frequent cleaning and sanitation of guest areas and rooms must occur
Signs encouraging social distancing will be posted
Hand sanitizers and wipes must be provided in public areas
Hotels are also encouraged to utilize online check-in and check-out processes, at Walt Disney World, this can be arranged through the My Disney Experience mobile app. Hilton and Marriott also offer similar technology
Finally, there was a lot of discussion on the idea of consistency across the industries. The Task Force wants all restaurants, hotels, and theme parks to adopt uniform guidelines so that guests feel safe. If they don’t feel safe, they won’t come out.
Related:
Florida Task Force Hints at Walt Disney World Reopening Steps
Disney World Policies in Post COVID 19 Might Be a Welcome Improvement
Book With Confidence! Walt Disney World Deposit & Cancellation Policy Review
2021 Walt Disney World Ticketless Packages Explained
Walt Disney World is making it easy for guests to book 2021 reservations right now!
Book a 2021 Walt Disney World Ticketless Package now!
To book a 2021 reservation, first contact your travel advisor, because you cannot do this online. The advantage is that you can lock in your room today with the $200 package deposit. You’ll be able to add tickets and/or dining plans to your reservation later, without any additional deposit due.
Disney is now accepting reservations through the summer of 2021.
This is a big deal because, in previous years, Disney would not allow you to book a package reservation until ticket and dining prices had been determined, usually by June or July. You would also have to adjust the nightly room rate once those had been determined.
But this year, Disney has already determined room rates through the end of summer 2021 so there won’t be an adjustment after you book your room. Plus you can add tickets and dining very easily once they become available.
How it Works
Book your room reservation now as a ticketless package, availability is wide opened
Add tickets and/or a dining plan when they become available, probably in June or July of 2020. No additional deposit is due when adding tickets/dining.
Apply a future offer if/when one becomes available.
Why You Should Book Your Room Now
Most people want the best available rate at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Most often this is standard view, and garden view. These room categories are among the first to sell out because they are the cheapest. Upgraded room categories like preferred rooms, tower rooms, theme park views, and water view rooms cost significantly more.
As a travel advisor, I always recommend booking early to lock in a cheaper room category. Those who want an upgraded room like Tower, Magic Kingdom View at Disney’s Contemporary Resort should book early some are extremely popular despite the cost and they do often sell out, especially on holidays.
The World’s Most Magical Celebration -Walt Disney World 2021
2021 Walt Disney World Ticketless Package FAQ
What is a Ticketless Package?
This is a room reservation that is left open-ended so you can add tickets and/or a Disney Dining Plan later on.
What’s the benefit of a Ticketless Package?
There are a few benefits.
You can add tickets and or dining later on without having to rebook your room reservation as a package reservation.
You can book your reservation with the $200 package deposit rather than the Room-Only deposit amount.
You lock in the room category and resort you want before the masses begin booking reservations.
What Happens if Disney releases a discount for 2021, will I be eligible?
Generally yes, Disney will allow you to apply offers and discounts to existing reservations, subject to offer type and availability. Your travel advisor will let you know if you need to make some changes in order to get the discount.
What is the cancellation policy on a Ticketless Package?
You can cancel or modify your reservation up to 30-days prior to arrival.
Can I add a dining plan without tickets?
Yes! Tickets are not required.
Can I add tickets but no dining plan?
Yes! Dining plans are not required.
How do I book a 2021 Ticketless Package?
You should contact your travel advisor who will walk you through the steps and the policies. Ticketless Packages cannot be booked online.
When will Disney publish ticket and dining prices?
This can happen at any time, but historically they publish rates for the following year in June or July.
2021 promises to be a big year at Walt Disney World, specifically October 1, 2021, the official anniversary date. But many new attractions are coming online like Tron, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, and numerous new attractions coming to Epcot. Disney is planning on record attendance levels, especially now that so many people are rebooking their 2020 trips. So don’t wait, get your 2021 Walt Disney World quote today!
Why You Will Always Wait in Line at Walt Disney World
Pirates of the Caribbean at inside Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World
I’m often asked about the best time to visit Walt Disney World to experience shorter lines. In recent years, Disney has been great at keeping the place busy all year long so there are fewer slow periods. The days of walking onto attractions without any wait, are gone. Here’s why:
Switching to Date-Based Ticket Pricing
Date-based ticket pricing not only generates additional revenue during peak times but it also allows Disney to boost attendance during off-peak times by offering cheaper tickets. And many people do take advantage of that.
“We sometimes have this notion that Disney has all the Cast Members working all the time but that’s not so.”
Special Events and Conventions
Special events like the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the runDisney marathons also boost attendance during off-peak travel periods.
Reduction in Staff
With the help of technology and date-based tickets, Disney has become extremely efficient at staffing based on the number of people visiting the parks on a given day. For example, if crowds are light, it may staff at 60% or 80%. We sometimes have this notion that Disney has all the Cast Members working all the time but that’s not so.
I like to use Pirates of the Caribbean as an example. By mid-afternoon, the typical wait for this classic attraction is 30-40 minutes. This is true in July when the parks have high attendance, and it’s true in September, one of the least crowded times. How can this be? Wouldn’t fewer people in the park mean shorter wait times? When there are fewer people in the parks, Disney reduces Cast Members, it runs fewer ride vehicles and they may even shut down some load areas. The end result is a consistent 30-40-minute wait.
On days with lighter crowds at Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe operates only one bay.
Lines to order food are still about the same with one bay opened as compared to a busy day when all 3 bays are operating.
Another example I like to use is the quick-service restaurant, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe located inside the Magic Kingdom. This quick-service restaurant has 3 bays where guests order food. There is almost always a line to order food, even when all three bays are operating. But on less crowded days, Disney operates only one bay, leaving the other two unmanned.
In a perfect world, Disney would operate all three bays at Cosmic Rays all the time, no matter what the crowd level. There would be no such thing as a line. But then we can imagine numerous Cast Members standing around with nothing to do on less-busy days.
How to Avoid the Crowds
The days of walking onto rides without any wait maybe a thing of the past but the good news is that there are still ways to avoid long lines.
Arriving at the parks as soon as they open will give you an opportunity to enjoy some headliner attractions before the crowds arrive for the day. I recommend being at the parks about 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time as they sometimes open 10-15 minutes early.
Take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, a benefit to all Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests. Each day, a select park or parks will open early or remain open past general closing, just for Disney Resort hotel guests. You probably won’t notice shorter waits during evening Extra Magic Hours, but most morning Extra Magic Hours can be a great benefit.
I wholeheartedly believe in the great work being done at TouringPlans.com. The actual wait times they provide though their Lines app are more accurate than Disney’s posted times. This is a must-have for anyone who wants to avoid standing in line at Walt Disney World.
If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass selections 60-days in advance. That’s 30-days ahead of the general public! You’ll have a head start on the most popular attractions and get the best times.
Even though attraction wait times might be consistent through most of the year, there is still something to be said for going during less crowded times: late August, most of September, October, and early November. April and May are also great months to visit, just avoid Easter and holiday weekends.
For special offers on Walt Disney World Resort hotels, visit the Offers Page
VIDEO: Disney Skyliner Will Not Offer Air Conditioning
Disney Skyliner
Disney released additional information about the Disney Skyliner transportation system coming to Walt Disney World Resort this fall. Today we learned that the cabins will not be air conditioned but they they will have ventilation windows. Here’s more details:
Loose Ice No Longer Permitted at Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Beginning today, loose or dry ice are no longer permitted at Walt Disney World Theme Parks.
TIP: I recommend your use re-useable ice packs instead. Complimentary cups of ice are available at Food & Beverage locations inside the parks if needed.
New Stroller Policy for Walt Disney World
Beginning May 1, Disney is adjusting its guidelines on stroller sizes, which will require them to be no larger than 31" (79cm) wide and 52" (132cm) long or smaller. many of the strollers on the market, including many double jogging strollers, fit within these size guidelines.
Also, just a reminder that wagons are not permitted in our parks. Beginning May 1, stroller wagons will also no longer be permitted.
These updates are designed to help guest flow and ease congestion, making the parks more enjoyable for everyone.
TIP: The smaller your stroller, the easier it is to navigate and maneuver the parks. Jogging strollers are sometimes too big for some areas and for Disney transportation. Go small if possible!
Check my partner, Buena Vista Rentals for Stroller rental discounts
Disney Increases Price for Travel Protection
Starting Aug. 29, 2018, Walt Disney Travel Company will be charging for every traveler, regardless of age, who would like to purchase the Travel Protection Plan. Plan costs are as follows:
- $5.50 per child (17 and under)
- $5.00 per child (17 and under)
- $6.00 per child (17 and under)
- $77.50 per adult
- $70.50 per adult
- $88.50 per adult
Pricing above will be assessed for new and existing reservations that add travel protection on the basis of person’s age at check-in. Existing reservations that have travel protection can be modified with no impact to the travel protection pricing unless a child is added to the existing reservation as of Aug. 29, 2018.
Get Started on 2019 Walt Disney World Reservations Now
Earlier I shared with you that 2019 Walt Disney Travel Company Packages for Walt Disney World Resort will become available on June 19, 2018. I anticipate this to be a very busy day here. If you'd like to begin the process early, you can send me your information in advance by using my Online Quote Request Form. This will allow me to prepare a quote for you faster on June 19.
Also, special offers may be available for select dates in January and February 2019. Be sure to check the Offers Page for updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Walt Disney Travel Co. Packages Available June 19, 2018
Today the Walt Disney Travel Co. announced that 2019 pricing will be available for packages and room-only reservations for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on June 19, 2018. Magical Vacations Travel customers can expect that Agency-Exclusive offers should be available by fall 2018.
You can view all current offers on the Resort Offers Page
New Disney World App Coming This Summer
All-New Play Disney Parks App Coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort This Summer
This summer you can soon explore Walt Disney World Resort in a whole new way using the all-new Play Disney Parks app! This soon-to-launch mobile app to access exclusive experiences at Walt Disney World through activities that interact with the surrounding environment. The app will be free to download.
Disney World Imposes Nightly Parking Fee at Resorts
Disney World guests will now pay for overnight parking at Disney-owned hotels.
UPDATE: Parking Rates Can be found here
Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels will now have to pay a nightly parking fee. Effective for reservations made March 21, 2018, and thereafter, standard overnight self-parking will no longer be free. The parking fee will be applied to the guest's hotel folio upon check-out.
Disney has not yet released the nightly parking rates. Stay tuned for more information.
Now available – Minnie Van service at Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Minnie Van Service Begins
Walt Disney World Resort just launched a new transportation pilot called Minnie Van service. Announced earlier this month at D23 Expo 2017, this new transportation service is now available for guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
Through a collaboration with Lyft, guests at these resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then whisk you away to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort. This service accommodates up to six guests and provides two versatile car seats so even the tiniest of passengers can travel in style!
Minnie Van service will be available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (subject to change). Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts can learn more by visiting their Bell Services desk.
By Darren Wittko, Specializing in Disney Destinations
Starting Friday, November 22, 2024, Lightning Lane Premier Pass is now available to guests at ALL Disney Resort hotels.