There is so much to think about and consider when planning a Disney Vacation. If you're traveling for a weekend getaway, or with family, or even a solo-trip, Disney Destinations have a lot to offer. It's important to have a starting point, a firm foundation to the Disney Planning process. Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to Walt Disney World® Resort with detailed answers that we hope will instill confidence in booking with Minnie's Travel Boutique. If you have a specific question not mentioned below, please reach out to your MTB Travel Professional or email hello@minniestravelboutique.com.

Where is Walt Disney World® Resort located?

Walt Disney World® Resort is located in Orlando, Florida. The gates to Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park opened on Oct. 1, 1971. It is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Does Minnie's Travel Boutique offer transportation options to-and-from Walt Disney World® Resort?

Yes. Whether you're flying to Orlando International Airport (MCO) or Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), we have two transportation suppliers that we work with closely: Mears Connect™ and Away We Go. Please inform your Minnie's Travel Boutique Travel Professional of your flight details and request a quote.

How many Theme Parks does Walt Disney World® Resort have?

There are four Theme Parks at Walt Disney World® Resort for you to enjoy: Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® Park, and EPCOT®.

How many Water Theme Parks does Walt Disney World® have?

There are two Water Theme Parks at Walt Disney World® Resort for you to enjoy: Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.

Is it better to stay on-property for a Walt Disney World® Resort vacation or stay in a nearby hotel?

All of us at Minnie’s Travel Boutique absolutely recommend staying on-property to truly experience and make the most out of your Disney Vacation. When you stay on-property at either a value, moderate, or deluxe resort hotel, you have access to the magic Walt Disney World® has to offer. Such immersive experiences include complimentary transportation to-and-from Disney Theme Parks and Disney Springs®, an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex; early access to Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes; access to purchase a Disney Dining Plan; advanced Disney Dining reservations; early entry into the Theme Parks; complimentary standard parking at your Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel and Disney Theme Parks, the Disney Water Parks and Disney Springs®; as well as, discounts for pre-arrival Disney MagicBand and Disney MagicBand+ purchases.

Are the Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels different from one another and are there activities for Guests?

Yes. Each Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel has its own unique design and storytelling theme, along with refreshing swimming pools and fun activities for every age. As a recommendation, mention your interests to your Minnie’s Travel Boutique Travel Professional during the pre-booking phase of your Disney Vacation Planning. This way, quotes may be provided for you to review that come close to or match your desired accommodation preferences.

What are the complimentary methods of transportation at Walt Disney World® Resort?

As a Guest visiting Walt Disney World® Resort, you will have access to the Disney Monorail, which connects to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park and EPCOT®, as well as Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. There is also the infamous Bus Service; as well as, the charming ferryboats and the aerial Disney Skyliner, both at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels.

How far in advance, or how soon, can a Disney Resort Hotel Package be booked?

At Minnie’s Travel Boutique, we recommend booking and confirming a Disney Resort Hotel Package at Walt Disney World® Resort at least 90 days out. 

What is My Disney Experience?

My Disney Experience (MDE) is the official platform for your Disney username and account information. It connects your Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel information, your Theme Park tickets, Disney Memory Maker (if you added the option to your Disney Resort Hotel Package), Disney Dining reservations, Disney Genie, and so much more. The best part: you can access My Disney Experience on a web browser (Google Chrome recommended) and through your mobile device (download the “Disney World” app). We recommend learning the platform and becoming familiar with its features before your Disney Vacation begins.

What is Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lanes?

Disney Genie is a complimentary service built into the Disney World app and serves as an itinerary based platform to design a magical visit for each day of your Disney Resort Hotel Package, or each day you visit a Disney Theme Park, in general. The service learns from your interests and changing activities throughout your time at a Disney Theme Park. When you first select Disney Genie at the start of your day, prior to entering a Disney Theme Park, you will be prompted to answer a few questions. Your answers build an itinerary to essentially guide you on how to maximize your time inside the park.

Disney Genie+ adds to the experience of Disney Genie for an additional cost, the price changes daily. Essentially, Disney Genie+ allows you to gain access to Lightning Lanes, one attraction or character experience at a time. Lightning Lanes are the official replacement of the previous FastPass system where you are able to reduce your wait for attractions and experiences. To choose a Lightning Lane, you simply select an attraction or experience, one at a time that is available to do so and that would best fit your time at a Disney Theme Park. You can only have one Lightning Lane active at a time, you are able to select another Lightning Lane after the previous one has been used.

Individual Lightning Lanes are available without the use of Disney Genie+ but selected through the Disney Genie service. On visits to Disney Theme Parks, there are attractions and experiences that are in high demand and of great interest to Guests. Individual Lightning Lanes allow you to select a popular attraction or experience by purchasing a Lightning Lane to avoid the standby que and reduce your wait time. The pricing for Individual Lightning Lanes change daily and you are limited to only two Individual Lightning Lane purchases per park visit each day. TIP: purchase the Disney Genie+ service in combination with Individual Lightning Lanes and you can maximize your time and day visiting Disney Parks. It’s possible that your whole day could be filled with stacked Lighting Lanes. SECOND TIP: after each Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane selection and each Individual Lightning Lane purchase using the “Disney World” app, you will see an animated prompt and receipt that shows your selected time and attraction/experience. Use your mobile device to screen capture the displayed information. Think of it as a little pixie dust to show a Disney Cast Member upon entry of the attraction/experience should it stop working or briefly closed that affects your selected time and you have to return to it later in the day. Disney Cast Members will honor the selection/purchase.

Learn more through this YouTube video provided by Disney Parks highlighting Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lanes. 

What is a Disney MagicBand, and do I need it?

A Disney MagicBand is a wearable collectible wristband that provides you access to your Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel room acting as a key to your door, connects to your Disney Theme Park ticket(s), connects to Disney PhotoPass, and so much more, all through your My Disney Experience account. It can even serve as a digital wallet that connects to a debit/credit card you have on file through your My Disney Experience account making it easier to purchase food and memorabilia.

A Disney MagicBand+ takes your Walt Disney World® Resort experience to an even more interactive level with customizable light-up themes and haptic vibrations. A Disney MagicBand+ has the same capability as a Disney MagicBand but with a few more features.

A Disney MagicBand or a Disney MagicBand+ is not required for any Disney Theme Park visit; however, we do encourage them to help make your experience even more magical.

What is Disney Memory Maker, and should I add to it to my Disney Resort Hotel Package?

All of us at Minnie’s Travel Boutique absolutely recommend this investment to any Walt Disney World® Resort stay. Disney Memory Maker connects to your My Disney Experience account and stores any picture and video captured of you through an attraction and Disney PhotoPass® Photographers throughout Disney Theme Parks. Purchasing Disney Memory Maker is not required for any Disney Resort Hotel Package; however, we consider the add-on a “bare necessity” to relive special memories over and over again.

What is the Disability Access Service (DAS)?

The Disability Access Service (DAS) is designed to assist and help Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability. If this service would help you experience the most magical Disney Vacation, you can pre-register as soon as 30 days prior to your Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel arrival using live video chat with a Disney Cast Member. Important: you cannot register for the service virtually less than two days before arrival. During the registration chat, you will be able to work with a Disney Cast Member to book up to two one-hour return windows for select Disney Theme Park experiences using the DAS Advance planning option. You may also make additional DAS selections on the day of your visit.

• IMPORTANT: the Disability Access Service doesn’t provide immediate access to experiences, but rather allows Guests to request a return time for a specific experience that is comparable to the current standby wait. Essentially, DAS helps a Guest using DAS to enjoy other experiences in a Disney Theme Park instead of physically waiting in the standby line.

What about VIP Tours?

Great news: you can book incredible, magical, and memorable Walt Disney World® Resort VIP Tours through Minnie’s Travel Boutique. If your goal is to experience and see more than other Guests when you visit a Disney Theme Park, the VIP Tour option is highly recommended. VIP Tours connect you with a Disney Cast Member with customizable benefits and unparalleled hospitality. IMPORTANT: a valid Disney Theme Park admission ticket is required, and VIP Tours are an additional cost not included with the ticket. Learn more about VIP Tours.

I already booked a Disney Resort Hotel Package for Walt Disney World® Resort. Is it possible to work with Minnie’s Travel Boutique and receive guidance and travel assistance?

Good news. If you booked a Disney Resort Hotel Package within 30 days and it is not yet paid for, Minnie’s Travel Boutique is able to request a reservation transfer to the agency on your behalf. If approved, you will then become a client of Minnie’s Travel Boutique and one of our travel professionals can serve you. If your Disney Resort Hotel Package for Walt Disney World® Resort was booked more than 30 days ago, we can recommend other options.

Does Minnie’s Travel Boutique help with securing Disney Dining Reservations?

Yes, absolutely. It’s part of the complimentary service Minnie’s Travel Boutique offers. It’s all part of the Disney Vacation planning process that we’re excited to help you with. IMPORTANT: we strive to make every dining reservation you request; however, reservations are never guaranteed.

If a Walt Disney World® discount or promotion is released after my Disney Resort Hotel Package is booked, can Minnie’s Travel Boutique help?

Minnie’s Travel Boutique travel professionals monitor Disney discounts and promotions consistently. Much like securing your Disney Dining reservations, our goal is to help you save on your vacation investment. If an offered discount or promotion is applicable to your already booked Disney Resort Hotel Package for Walt Disney World® Resort, we will work on your behalf at no additional cost to apply the savings (pending availability of the discount or promotion inventory).

• IMPORTANT: your Disney Resort Hotel Package must be booked and under Minnie’s Travel Boutique before we can assist with applying a discount or promotion.

Do you have recommendations of items to pack?

Yes. We have a packing guide (PDF) with recommendations that may come in handy during your Walt Disney World® Resort visit. Not every item on our list is needed—it's simply a guide to help. Download our packing guide.