We love planning Walt Disney World vacations for our clients. And if you haven’t realized it by now, a lot goes into being a magic maker! That is certainly the role you take on when deciding to spend a week at “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Part of our consultation with clients involves answering questions, a lot like the ones below. For that reason we compiled this list of our most frequently asked questions to help you out!

LAST UPDATED: 5/5/2023

 

 

Tickets, Park Passes, and On Property Benefits

Q: How many parks does Walt Disney World have and what are they?

A: There are 4 theme parks and 2 waterparks. The theme parks are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. We recommend spending at least one day at each park! The waterparks are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. (Open Seasonally)

Q: What perks do we get for staying at an on property resort?

A: You always receive access to the on property transportation. Early morning access allows you into the 4 parks 30 minutes earlier than the posted opening time. Magic bands are discounted when purchasing through your My Disney Experience. You can make Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections earlier than off property guests. Extended hours are available on select dates for Deluxe Resort and Villas guests.

Q: What are the benefits of having a magic band?

A: Your magic band is your key to your room, your park ticket, and can charge back items to your hotel folio if a credit card is linked. When dining plans return, you can scan your band to use your credits. If you are using the Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane services your band will be scanned to access the return line.

Q: What are park pass reservations?

A: In addition to your tickets, you will need a park pass reservation in your My Disney Experience for each ticket day. You only need to make a reservation for your first park.

Q: What are park hopper and park hopper plus tickets?

A: Adding Park Hopper allows you to go to multiple parks in a day. You can park hop to all 4 parks in one day if you want! You must go to the first park you have a park pass reservation for and then you can hop to any additional parks at 2pm or after. Park Hopper Plus tickets include the waterparks and other perks.

Walt Disney World Resorts

Q: What is the difference between a standard and preferred room? Are there other room types?

A: For all the resorts, preferred rooms are closer to either the dining areas or transportation, sometimes both. After a long day in the parks it is nice to have a short walk. Some resorts have other room types like a 5th Sleeper (a standard room that sleeps 5 guests) and King Beds for sleeping 2 guests. Other room types are based on views like: garden, woods view, bay view, or theme park view depending on what the resort is near. Pricing will be different for each room type with standard being the most economical option.

Q: Can we make specific room requests?

A: Yes. You can request a specific section, building, floor, room type, or adjoining room. The resort will make every attempt to fulfill your request but it is not guaranteed. Connecting rooms are guaranteed when there are more children than adults. (example: family of 2 adults, 4 kids)

Q: Do the rooms have microwaves, fridges, pack and plays, etc?

A: All of the rooms have a mini fridge, iron or steamer, and a coffee maker. Most of the deluxe resorts have a microwave in the room. For value and moderate resorts they are available upon request or you can use the one in the cafeteria. Pack and plays or bed rails are also available upon request. No request is guaranteed although they make every attempt to accommodate.

Q: I am arriving before check in time at 3pm… will the hotel hold my bags? Can I go to the parks or use the resort amenities?

A: Yes! You can do your online check in My Disney Experience 60 days prior to arrival. On arrival day you can leave your bags with the bellhop and they will text you when your room is ready. You can head to the parks via Disney transportation or use the resort amenities like the restaurants, bars, and pools.

Booking a Walt Disney World Package

Q: How much is the initial deposit on a package? When is the final payment? And can I make payments on my vacation?

A: The deposit for a Walt Disney World package is $200 per room. Final balance is due 30 days prior to your trip and payments can be made in installments of your choosing. Your travel advisor will process all payments for you.

Q: What is the cancellation policy for a room package?

A: Cancel 31+ days before your trip to receive all of your money back. Cancel 30 days to 48 hours prior: loss of your $200 per room deposit.

Q: What if I have to move my dates?

A: Changed dates are technically subject to a $50 penalty if the new package price is less than the original package price. However, this fee is normally waived.

Q: How much is the insurance? Where can I learn more?

A. It is $95 per adult and children 17 and under are included. It includes trip cancellation and trip interruption for covered reasons. Click here for more info

Transportation and Parking Fees

Q. Can you book airfare within the package?
A. At this time you cannot bundle your airfare in with your Walt Disney World package. In our experience, it is much more cost effective for you to book directly with the airlines.

Q: How will I get to and from the airport?

A: Unfortunately the complimentary Disney’s Magical Express is no longer available. We have private transportation companies we can recommend that include booster and car seats! There is also the option to Uber or Lyft for smaller families.

Q: What is park transportation like? Is it free?

A: Once on property all Disney Transportation is free to guests! This includes buses, ferry boats, the skyliner, and the monorail. Which mode of transportation you use depends on what is available at your resort.

Q: What types of transportation are available at each resort?

• Skyliner Transportation runs to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Resorts with access to this include Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, and Yacht and Beach Club.
• Monorail Transportation runs to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Ticket and Transportation Center. Resorts with access to this include Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian Resort, and the Grand Floridian.
• Ferry Transportation is unique in its nature. Yacht and Beach Club have ferry access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs have ferry access to Disney Springs. Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian have ferry access to Magic Kingdom.
• Walking to certain parks from some of the Disney Resort Hotels is possible. Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian have trails to the Magic Kingdom. Yacht and Beach Club you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
• Bus Transportation is available to the parks and Disney Springs from the rest of the Resorts. You can see the estimated time of the bus arrival in your MDE app under the “Resort Hotel” tab. It will only work once you’re on property.

Q: We are driving. Is there a fee to park at the resorts?

A: No. All park fees have been removed from on property resorts.

Q: What are the fees to park at the parks?

A: On property resort guests receive complimentary parking at the theme parks. Standard parking at the theme parks is currently $25 per day or $40-$50 preferred.

Package Add Ons and Additional Services

Q. What is Memory Maker? How much does it cost?
A. Memory Maker is a way to download all of your PhotoPass photos from your entire trip. This includes photos taken on rides and with PhotoPass attendants. Plus your magic shots! The cost is $169 if purchased at least 3 days prior to arrival. This can be added onto your package.

Q: Are dining plans still offered?

A: The dining plan is not currently being offered at this time. Packages can be modified to add this service if it comes back before your vacation.

Q: Is Fastpass returning? What is Disney Genie and Lightning Lane?

A: Fastpass has now been retired. Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane will take its place.

• Disney Genie is a complimentary service that will work within My Disney Experience to help plan the flow of your day.
• Disney Genie+ will be an add-on service with a varying price of $15 to $35 per ticket, per day to make included Lightning Lane selections one at a time starting at 7am each park day. Although you can only have one at a time there is no cap to how many you can have throughout a day!
• Lightning Lane – Individual Attraction Selection is an additional fee for select rides not included in Disney Genie+ ($7-$22 per attraction, per person) You will be able to purchase starting at 7am on your park day and will be limited to 2 ride selections per person, per day.
• These services can be added on ahead of time for the full length of your ticket days or you can add them on day by day during your trip.

Q. Someone in our party is physically or cognitively unable to wait in standby lines for long periods of time due to a disability. Are there any accommodations offered?

A: Yes! For guests requiring an accommodation for a disability there is a Disability Access Service card, better known to most as DAS. In simple terms, the DAS allows you to request a return time for an attraction so you can wait outside of the line until it is your time to come back. In most cases, you would then use the Lightning Lane access when it is your time to return. For more information click this link.

Services Inspire More Travel Assists With

Q. When our dining window opens will you get all the reservations I need?
A: Yes! When your dining window opens 60 days prior to your trip at 6am we can assist in getting your reservations. We will make a plan ahead of time and prioritize what is important to your family. We are usually able to secure the majority of the reservations requested but please note that some are harder to get then others. The 60 day mark is also when we can add magical extras like Savi’s Workshop (lightsaber building) and Droid Depot. Note: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is still closed.

Q: Do you do ticket only transactions?

A: Yes. Ticket purchases of 3 park days or more I provide complimentary services. Please keep in mind, ticket only transactions are paid in full at the time of purchase and non-refundable. (For 1 or 2 day tickets please contact us for our additional planning services!)

Q: Do you help with military tickets and discounts?

A: The best option for military tickets is to purchase them on base or at Shades of Green. We can assist with military rates for Walt Disney World Resorts. These vary based on the time of year and availability for your dates. Please keep in mind you must be active military or fully retired to receive the discount.

Q: I am considering adding a day or two at Universal Orlando, can you help with that? How will I get there?

A: Yes. We can assist with tickets or packages at UOR. For one day tickets, I suggest using Uber. For a “split-stay” with a UOR hotel and ticket package we can add on a transfer that will pick you up at your Disney resort.

Q: Do you charge a fee for your services upfront? Any fees?

A: Our services are currently complimentary to clients booking a package with hotel, tickets, and extras or tickets of 3 days or more. You pay the same amount booking through Inspire More Travel that you would direct with Disney as they have already built in the commission. When you book with us you are supporting a small business and receiving concierge level service.

Q: Do you assist with magical extras such as After Hour Events, special ticketed Holiday events, and VIP Tours?

A: Yes! We are happy to assist with all of your magical extras! Private VIP Tours can be booked 60 days in advance for up to 10 guests per guide. Pricing ranges from $425 to $850 per hour depending on the season with a minimum of 7 hours booked.

Q: Do you assist with travel to other Disney Destinations?

A: Yes! I can help with Disneyland in California, Disneyland Paris, sailings on the Disney Cruise Line, Aulani in Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney.

Q: Do you assist with travel to other places?

A: Yes! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for your vacation needs!

Whew! That was certainly a lot to cover and some of you may feel overwhelmed reading it all. If you don’t know where to start, or have additional questions, please get in touch with Inspire More Travel. We are here to help you plan the most magical vacation on earth!