Before you go
Everything that’s here, how it fits together, and what to know before we plan the details.
It’s huge, and the first trip can feel like a lot. Start here. This one keeps it high level and easy, and the detail on Lightning Lane and dining has its own guide.
Last checked . Details can change, and I’ll confirm everything for your dates.
The big mix up
They’re two different companies with two different tickets, about 15 to 20 minutes apart by car. A Disney ticket gets you nothing at Universal, and the other way around.
Four theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Who you’ll find: Mickey and friends, the princesses, Pixar, Star Wars and Avatar.
Your Disney ticket gets you in.
Three theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe.
Who you’ll find: Harry Potter, Nintendo, Minions and Jurassic Park.
Needs a separate Universal ticket.
| You’re asking about | Where it lives | With a Disney ticket? |
|---|---|---|
| At Walt Disney World Resort. Your Disney ticket works. | ||
| Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Yes |
| Toy Story Land | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Yes |
| Avatar (Pandora) | Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park | Yes |
| Guardians of the Galaxy coaster | EPCOT | Yes |
| Cinderella Castle and the princesses | Magic Kingdom Park, plus characters in every Disney park | Yes |
| At Universal. Needs a separate ticket. | ||
| Harry Potter | Universal Orlando | No |
| Spider-Man and the Hulk coaster | Universal's Islands of Adventure | No |
| Jurassic Park | Universal's Islands of Adventure | No |
| Minions | Universal Studios Florida | No |
| Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon | Universal's Epic Universe | No |
Easy rule of thumb: Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Avatar live at Walt Disney World Resort. Harry Potter, Nintendo, Minions and Jurassic Park live at Universal. Marvel is the sneaky one, since it shows up at both.
What’s inside the bubble
Walt Disney World Resort isn’t one park. It’s a whole resort destination just southwest of Orlando, about the size of San Francisco, with its own roads, buses, boats and even a gondola.
The main event
Each park has its own personality. Here’s the quick intro to all four.
The classic. Cinderella Castle, fireworks and all the nostalgia.
What’s new: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened in May 2026. A Cars area is being built where Tom Sawyer Island used to be.
Future tech meets a trip around the world, plus the best food and drinks on property.
What’s new: Soarin’ Across America took over Soarin’ in May 2026.
Movies come to life. Star Wars, Toy Story and the best thrills.
What’s new: Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster reopened in May 2026 starring the Muppets. A Monsters, Inc. land starts opening in 2027.
Real animals, lush jungle, and Pandora from Avatar.
What’s new: Bluey arrived in 2026. DinoLand U.S.A. is becoming Tropical Americas, with Indiana Jones and Encanto, expected around 2027.
You don’t have to do it all. Pick your must dos for each park and let everything else be a bonus.
Shopping, dining, shows
The outdoor shopping and dining district at Walt Disney World Resort, and it’s free to walk in. No ticket, and the parking garages are free too. It’s perfect for an arrival night, a rest day between parks, or a nice dinner outside the parks.
World of Disney, the biggest Disney store, plus LEGO and family spots.
Waterfront restaurants and bars along the lake.
Big name shopping and some of the best quick bites.
Cirque du Soleil, the movie theater, bowling and the balloon ride.
Seriously fun
Two water parks, and they’re a blast. You’ll need a water park ticket or Park Hopper Plus to visit.
A tropical island after a storm.
A ski resort that melted in the Florida sun.
In the cooler months Disney usually keeps just one open while the other gets its yearly refresh, and either can close on a chilly day. If a water park day matters to you, I’ll confirm which one is open for your dates.
Where you’ll stay
Disney resort hotels come in three price tiers plus villas. The tier mostly changes the room, the pools, the dining and how easy it is to get to the parks.
| Tier | Examples | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Pop Century, Art of Animation, All Star Movies, Music and Sports | Big, fun theming at the best price. Smaller rooms and food courts. Buses, plus the Skyliner at Pop Century and Art of Animation. |
| Moderate | Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside | A step up in rooms, pools and dining, with more of a resort feel. |
| Deluxe | Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht and Beach Club, BoardWalk, Animal Kingdom Lodge | The best locations, monorail, boat or walking access to some parks, sit down dining and extra perks. |
| Villas | Riviera, Bay Lake Tower, Saratoga Springs, and villa wings at many Deluxe resorts | Studios up to multi bedroom villas with kitchens. Great for bigger groups. |
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has campsites and cabins too. Coming soon: Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027 on Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom Park.
Buses, boats and beyond
Stay at a Disney resort and you can skip the rental car. Disney transportation is free and covers the parks, water parks, resorts and Disney Springs.
| Option | Where it goes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Buses | Every resort to every park, water park and Disney Springs | The backbone of it all. Plan 45 to 60 minutes door to door. |
| Monorail | Three lines. The Resort line loops Magic Kingdom Park, the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). The Express line runs straight between the TTC and Magic Kingdom Park. A separate line runs from the TTC to EPCOT. | The iconic one, and super convenient if you’re staying on the Resort line. Driving in? Plan extra time, since parking, the TTC and the ride over can feel like a trek. |
| Skyliner | EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, plus Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and Riviera | A gondola with a view, and quick. It pauses for storms and lightning. |
| Boats | Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios from nearby resorts | Relaxing. The EPCOT area resorts can also walk to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. |
| Minnie Vans | Point to point anywhere on property, plus airport rides for Deluxe, villa and Club Level guests | The premium option. A Disney Cast Member drives you door to door in a polka dot Minnie Van. Paid, booked in the Lyft app, fits up to 6, car seats on request. |
| Rideshare or car | Anywhere | Uber and Lyft work well. Theme park parking is free for Disney resort guests. |
Disney’s Magical Express, the free airport shuttle, ended in 2022. Most guests now use a rideshare, a private car, a shared shuttle or a rental car.
Staying Deluxe, villa or Club Level? The Minnie Van Airport Service was about $249 each way plus tax and tip when I last checked in October 2026. Disney sets that price and it can change. A Cast Member meets you after baggage claim and the vacation starts right there.
Tell me your group size and how you’re arriving and I’ll point you to the best fit.
Your way in
Your theme park ticket is the one thing everyone needs. Prices change by date, and longer tickets cost less per day. No park reservations needed for regular date based tickets.
With a non hopper ticket under 4 days, you’re automatically skipping at least one park. Hopping lets you switch parks anytime, like a morning at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and dinner around the world at EPCOT. For families, that flexibility is so worth it.
| Ticket | What it does |
|---|---|
| Park Hopper | Visit as many of the four parks as you want each day, anytime. My recommendation for pretty much everyone. |
| Park Hopper Plus | Everything in Park Hopper, plus Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park and a few extras like mini golf. For anyone excited about the water park side of things. |
| Base ticket | One park per day, no switching. Only makes sense on longer trips where every park already gets a full day. |
Skip the line
Lightning Lane is the paid way to skip the regular line. It’s optional, and every ride still has a free standby line. The full version, with every park’s tier list, is in my planning guide.
Book up to 3 rides in one park ahead of time, then keep booking more as you use them.
3 rides to start, more as you goSkip the line once on the very top rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or TRON Lightcycle / Run, which aren’t in Multi Pass.
Up to 2 rides a day, bought one at a timeOne skip on every Lightning Lane ride in one park, with no return times to pick. Limited and pricey.
Every Lightning Lane ride, once eachBooked in the My Disney Experience app. Prices change by date and park, and you only see the real number in the app. Last checked October 10, 2026.
Eat like a local
Dining reservations open 60 days out, and Disney resort guests can book their whole stay, up to 10 days, on that day. Popular spots fill fast, so this is one of the first things I’ll lock in for you.
Download it first
Think of it as your trip’s remote control. Make sure everyone in your group is linked under one account so you can book for the whole party at once.
When things happen
The two dates that matter most are 60 days out for dining and 7 days out for Lightning Lane. I’ll remind you of both.
Pick dates, then book your resort and tickets.
Character meals and favorite restaurants get booked.
Set up My Disney Experience and link everyone.
Booking opens for Disney resort guests.
Lightning Lane opens if you’re staying outside Disney.
Use Early Theme Park Entry and keep booking Multi Pass rides as you go.
Comfy and broken in. You’ll walk 8 to 12 miles a day.
Summer means afternoon storms, so pack a poncho.
Plan a pool or rest break midday, especially with kids.
You’ve got help
Disney pays me when I book your trip, so my help doesn’t add to your price. Here’s what I take off your plate.
Rob’s notes
Disney changes things often, from ride refreshes to Lightning Lane rules, so I keep an eye on all of it for you. There’s no such thing as a silly Disney question.
The full Lightning Lane and dining playbook is in my planning guide.
Last checked . Details can change, and I’ll confirm everything for your dates.
