Visiting Walt Disney World: What to know
Lucy Albano, 5, recently visited Walt Disney World with her family. Credit: Jacqueline Cole
Despite temperatures that reached over 90 degrees, Lucy Albano refused to take off her pink and gold Princess Aurora costume during a recent trip to Walt Disney World.
The 5-year-old visited the Orlando, Florida, resort this past May with her parents, Kevin and Lisa Albano, who live in Connecticut, and grandparents, Joe and Janet Albano of Garden City. Her one goal? To meet the “real” Elsa and Anna from her favorite movie, “Frozen.”
“I think everyone should take their kids at least once to Disney. It’s like seeing a kid at Christmas who truly believes in Santa Claus,” said Janet Albano, 65, who has herself visited more than five times.
Walt Disney World is made up of four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The resort also features a daily parade and rides like Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster that simulates a journey through space. Actors walk around as Disney icons in costume, never breaking character.
At night, the resort’s structures light up and Disney World is full of colors. Fireworks blast in front of Cinderella Castle, Mickey Mouse puts on a musical at Hollywood Studios and there is a light show on the lagoon.
The experience is not just for kids, said Danielle Livingston, a travel agent with MickeyTravels.
Livingston said she goes to Disney World at least five times a year to check for updates.
“Disney is a great destination for all ages,” said Livingston.
And it can be for all budgets, she contended.
Albano estimated they spent about $20,000 on the trip, including a $400 trip to Bippidi Boppidi Boutique, where her granddaughter got the full Princess Aurora look.
But, she said, “If you’re more budget-conscious, there are other ways to do it.”
Disney-owned hotels, which offer perks like transportation to the parks and movie nights, range from about $100 a night to many thousands, according to Livingston. She said the unaffiliated hotels are comparable to the cheaper Disney options, but without the added benefits.
On their last day there, after Lucy had met her favorite princesses, Janet Albano said the family went to the Festival of Fantasy Parade, where “Anna” waved at Lucy as she danced by.
“Grandma,” Albano recalled Lucy saying. “She remembers me!”
COST
The average cost of a seven-day Walt Disney World vacation for a family of four ranges from $6,463 to more than $15,000, according to NerdWallet. This includes three meals per day on Disney property, daily theme park tickets and overnight stays at a Disney-owned hotel.
WHEN TO GO
- Avoid school holidays like spring break to steer clear of crowds, said MickeyTravels agent Danielle Livingston.
- Janet Albano said 5 is the “perfect age” — her granddaughter was old enough to understand and remember the trip, but still young enough to believe in the magic.
WHAT TO BRING
- A reusable water bottle
- A stroller if there are young kids, even if they don’t still use one at home. The parks require a lot of walking.
- Spray fans if it’s hot.
TECH TIP
Download the My Disney Experience mobile app. It has park maps, updated wait times and access to lightning passes for shorter lines. It even serves as a room key at Disney resorts.
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