When can I book Disney for March 2023?

Want to know all about Disney World 2023 packages and travel? Get all the best info about planning, booking, what’s opening and what’s happening here:

Going to Disney World should be a fun vacation, but sometimes it can seem, well… overwhelming. It’s like there’s almost a different language sometimes when it comes to the theme parks, and so many things need to be planned ahead of time. But the good news is that planning can be fun, too! I’m hoping this guide for a trip in 2023 will be helpful to anyone in that position. I’ve aimed to include anything and everything I can about Disney World 2023 packages and vacation planning, and I will update it as we learn more!

Planning your 2023 Disney World trip

How to plan a Disney World vacation in 2023

Since there is a lot that goes into Disney World vacation planning, I’m going to cover some of the best tools and resources that you can use here (and you’ve already found this guide which will give you a ton of info!). If you’re looking for how to plan your Disney World trip in 2023, research is key!

Answer these basic questions

Okay, so where to start? I tell people there are several things you need to figure out first before booking your Disney World 2023 packages, but once you’ve settled on those details you can figure out a lot of the other stuff later. Here’s what you’ll want to decide first:

• What dates or time of year you’re looking to travel, and if your dates are flexible
• How long you want to stay
• How many people will be in your travel party
• Which resort you want to stay at
• How many days you want to be in the theme parks (this can be changed after booking too)
• What your maximum budget is

If you get your reservation booked on the dates you want at the resort you want, almost anything else can be added, adjusted, or changed later.

Tools for planning a 2023 Disney World trip

My Disney Experience

Disney’s app and website is a great place to start for a planning tool for your Disney World vacation in 2023. I use Disney’s website for all of the basic information. Especially when it comes to things like park hours, restaurant menus, etc. you can find all that on the website. The mobile app will also give you a peek at what’s happening in real time, such as current wait times for attractions.

Once you’ve booked a reservation you can link your confirmation number to a Disney account and then Disney will create an itinerary for you based on what you’ve booked, showing all of your hotel reservations, dining reservation, park pass reservations, and more.

Vacation planning printables

If you like to stay organized like me, consider using vacation planning printables. These are typically a series of worksheets or papers that you can print out and put into a binder. They contain information about the parks and tools to help you plan things such as dining reservations, budget, and more.

Like staying organized? Consider vacation planning printables – 41 pages of trip planning, including a budget worksheet, guide to characters, trip comparison worksheet, info about the Disney Genie system, daily itineraries, packing checklist, and much more.

Travel agents

With so much that goes into planning a Disney trip and so much constantly changing, having an expert who knows all the ins and outs of Disney is a huge benefit. Plus a travel agent is no extra cost to you. A vacation planner specializing in Disney can share information about Disney World 2023 packages and help you pick out the right dates and resorts, book your trip, find the best prices, help you plan dining, itineraries, transportation, and more – but you need to actually book your trip through them so they can do all that.

I am currently open to taking new bookings with potential clients thinking about a Disney World vacation in 2023 – and if I’m not taking new clients I’d be happy to direct you to another very knowledgeable agent in my agency.

Best Disney planning websites for 2023

Disney in your Day

Of course I have to mention my own website after all the time and effort that has gone into it! I created Disney in your Day 9 years ago and there is lots of good content here. This page you’re on is great for 2023 information, but you can also head to the Disney World planning section for details on resorts, theme parks, dining, and more.

Disney World website

Of course Disney is the official source and they have lots of great info for planning. I personally like the fact that they have menus for all of the restaurants so you can figure out the best places you want to eat!

Disney Food Blog ebooks

Speaking of food, Disney Food Blog’s ebooks are my go-to resource for anything restaurant or food related. They have guides to restaurants, snacks, food festivals, holiday snacks, and more. I love having them in an ebook form because it makes everything much easier to find and learn about this way.

Disney Tourist Blog

This is my favorite Disney blog if you want some really in-depth, thoughtful looks on a number of Disney topics. Tom is very on top of things and provides the latest information with commentary, but he is very careful with rumors and only shares facts and makes it clear when he is just speculating or making a prediction.

Planning the Magic

If your focus is on planning a Disney vacation on a budget, take a look at the website Planning the Magic. She has a lot of great resources for the theme parks and talks a lot about how to save money. Plus you can purchase her e-book, Disney on a Budget, for only $8.

Booking your 2023 Disney trip

All about Disney World 2023 packages

A Disney World vacation package is a booking that includes a resort stay and theme park tickets. If you buy the two separately that is a “room only” reservation. There are some differences between the two:

Included in Disney World 2023 packages

Your package will include your resort stay and tickets. You will also have the option to add on other components, such as the dining plan (when available) and memory maker. If you have a room only reservation you cannot add the dining. However, you can convert a room only reservation to a package with the room and dining (no tickets) if you wish to do that – in that case it will follow the same rules in terms of deposits, etc. as above.

Disney package guests also receive “magical extras.” You can check Disney’s page for the latest, but they usually include discounts and freebies for various things, including free tickets for mini golf, discounts at Disney Springs restaurants and shops, and more. Of particular note this year is 10% off adult entrees at Rainforest Cafe and T-REX in Disney Springs. You also get some cute Disney luggage tags when you book a package!

All stays at a Disney World resort, whether it is a package or room only, receive special benefits such as early theme park entry, complimentary transportation from resort to the parks and Disney Springs, the option to purchase discounted magic bands, and the ability to purchase individual lightning lanes at 7am before outside guests.

Package vs. room only

You may be wondering which one is best for you. I typically recommend Disney World 2023 packages to people for the following reasons:

• More flexibility if you need to cancel (when you purchase tickets outside of a package they are non-refundable)
• You have the option to add the dining plan (when it returns)
• You are eligible for more possible discounts (things like free dining or get 2 free ticket days)
• You want things to be easier to manage

However, a room only reservation might be better for you if:

• You have an annual pass or tickets already
• You think there is a strong possibility you might cancel the room 5-30 days before your trip

When you can book Disney World for 2023

In many cases you can start booking your Disney World 2023 packages now.

Booking has opened for 2023, and Disney allows you to plan a vacation 499 days ahead of time. That means a good portion of 2023 is available for booking now, and if you’re looking at later in the year you can contact a travel agent to discuss options so you’ll be ready to book as soon as your dates are available.

What day is 499 days from today?

As of the writing of this post, 499 days from today is October 25, 2023. So anyone looking to travel to Disney World between now and the end of October can start making their reservations.

Tip: just Google the phrase “499 days from today” to get the exact date booking is open through!

Can I book Disney World for 2024?

Not yet. Even in a few months when we are 499 days away from January 1, 2024 (which will be on August 20th, 2022), you can’t book a Disney World package yet until they open booking for 2024. Given the history of when this typically happens, it will probably be sometime in June 2023. Booking for 2023 opened on July 8, 2022.

How far in advance should I book my 2023 Disney vacation?

Out of all the advice and information I give, I think one of the most important things to know is when to book. The best time to book your Disney trip is:

Now.

As soon as possible. There are a few reasons why I recommend booking your Disney World 2023 packages far in advance and as soon as you can. The biggest one is that with packages being fully refundable and only requiring a $200 deposit, you have nothing to lose to by booking now. You can make sure you get the best price, the resort and room type you want, and your park pass reservations set by booking as early as possible.

You will not save money by waiting to book.

One thing many people don’t realize about Disney is that you can apply discounts to an existing reservation even after you book it. Discounts are typically released just a few months beforehand and you don’t want to wait for a discount because you lose a lot of planning time and availability that way. If and when a discount is released a travel agent can apply it to your existing reservation if it qualifies. If the discount isn’t at your current resort and you want to move locations, you can do that too as long as it’s available.

If anything, waiting to book your trip means the resorts or rooms you want could fill up or all park pass reservations will be filled before you get the chance to book.

Walt Disney World tickets in 2023

Whether you are booking as part of the Disney World 2023 packages or buying ticket separately, you have some options when it comes to ticket types available in 2023. I’ll go over the basics below.

When can I buy Disney tickets for 2023?

Now! Tickets are available for purchase for 2023, whether you are buying them as part of a Disney World 2023 package or you’re doing a tickets only purchase.

Types of Disney World tickets

Base tickets

When it comes to just getting into the main theme parks, you can get “base tickets” for anywhere from 1-10 days. These tickets gain you admittance to one park per day. Pricing starts at $109 for a one a day ticket, though the price per day decreases the more days you buy. Pricing depends on your travel dates and tickets must be used within the time period that they were purchased for.

Park hoppers

You have the option to add on park hopping to any length of base tickets. Park hopper allows you to go to more than 1 park in a day. Currently Disney is allowing park hopping beginning at 2pm – Guests must make a theme park reservation via the Disney Park Pass reservation system for the first park they plan to visit. After entering that first park, Guests will be able to visit the next park starting at 2 PM until each park’s regularly scheduled closure. You can visit a third (and even fourth) park after that if you wish to. Park hopping is added for the length of your ticket purchase and ranges from an additional $65-85 total.

Water parks and sports option

With these tickets you can visit one theme park per day, plus enjoy an equal number of visits to a sports or water park location. For example, if you get a 3 day ticket with the water park and sports option you get entry into the theme parks for 3 days, plus entry to a water park or golf experience 3 times (you can go to a theme park one day and a water park the next day, or you can do a theme park in the morning and a water park in the afternoon).

• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
• Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course
• Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course

Park hopper plus option

The park hopper plus option is the same as the above water park and sports option but also allows for park hopping between theme parks.

Water park tickets

If you are only looking to spend a single day at one of the these extra experiences, 1 day water park tickets are available for purchase. They range from $64-69 per adult.

Annual passes

Disney has currently has halted the sale of annual passes with no word yet on when sales will resume. When they are available, if you plan to visit Disney World multiple times within a calendar year than an annual pass might be an option. Florida residents can normally buy a few different tiers of annual pass with block out dates.

Florida resident discount tickets

Florida residents are eligible to buy discounted tickets. Currently discounts are only available for 3 and 4 day tickets. You can choose to add on the park hopper as well for a discounted rate.

Disney World 2023 park pass reservations

As of right now Disney is still requiring park pass reservations to get into the theme parks. In order to enter a theme park, you must not only have a valid ticket but also a park pass entry. You can book your park passes as soon as you purchase tickets by using Disney’s online park pass reservation system. Without a reservation you will not be allowed in the theme park, even if you have a ticket. No word on when this will no longer be required – currently park pass reservations can be made for all of 2023. A park pass reservation is not needed for the water parks.

What is the 2023 Disney World cancellation policy?

Disney has a very generous cancellation policy. If you cancel your package (room and tickets) 30 days or more ahead of time you get a full refund on the deposit or any payments you’ve made. You can also make changes 30 days or more without penalty, so if you book a trip for February but then decide you want to go in April you can make that change based on availability and you’d only pay if there’s a difference in price. No change fees. The deposit for packages is only $200, and for room only reservations it’s the cost of 1 night, so you don’t even have to pay the full amount at the time of booking.

Important notes about Disney’s cancellation and change policies:

• If you have any questions about your specific situation, you can call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 566-4985 or contact your travel agent.
• Packages (including room and tickets and/or dining when available) can be cancelled without any penalty and fully refunded 30 days or more before travel.
• Room only reservations can be cancelled without any penalty and fully refunded 6 days or more before travel.
• Ticket only purchases through Disney or your travel agent can be changed or rescheduled but not refunded. Tickets purchased through a third party website cannot typically be changed or refunded.
• Dining reservations must be cancelled at least one day in advance. Any reservations or no-shows the day of the reservation are subject to a charge of $10 per person.
• Packages can be modified at any time to change travel dates, resort type, ticket type, etc.
• Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines and rental cars, as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans purchased through the Walt Disney company will be deducted from your refund amount.

Disney World experiences in 2023

Once you figure out more of the logistics of planning, like the tickets, resort, and transportation, you may be wondering about more of the “fun” stuff! What experiences will be happening during your Disney World vacation in 2023? What will the theme parks be like?

Disney World: new attractions for 2023

There are several major attractions that have opened at Disney recently, as well as some scheduled to open later in 2022 or sometime in 2023. Here’s a quick look at what has opened within the past year or is scheduled to open sometime this year:

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (opened fall 2021)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (opened spring 2022)
• Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue… and Beyond (opened summer 2022)
• Fantasmic (opening in 2022)
• Tron Lightcycle Power Run (opening in 2022)

These are some of the attractions or projects that are currently announced and being worked on, but they don’t have a specific completion date:

• Epcot Play Pavilion
• Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
• Princess and the Frog reimagining of Splash Mountain

Will Splash Mountain be open in 2023?

As of right now, we do not know when the Princess and the Frog reimagining of Splash Mountain will begin. Though Disney announced it would be coming, there have not been specific dates other than a rumor from Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Princess Tiana) who mentioned in an interview that it would open in 2024. This has not yet been confirmed by Disney. If they are targeting a 2024 opening date, it would mean that it would be likely Splash Mountain will close for an extended period of time most likely in the second half of 2023.

Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration

One exciting thing happening in the beginning of 2023 is the continuation of Disney’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Officially the end date for the celebration is April 1st, 2023.

While after that point they may not have the 50th anniversary decorations, character costumes, or specialty food items, a big part of the event was introducing new attractions, shows, and experiences which will stick around!

What are the dates for the 50th anniversary of Disney World?

Officially the 50th celebration runs from October 1st, 2021, through April 1st, 2023.

Walt Disney World 2023 events

Curious about what special events might be happening in 2023? There are lots of festivals, holiday celebrations, and more that happen throughout the year. While it’s still early for things to be officially announced with dates, we know that some things are definitely happening or very likely to happen.

RunDisney events in 2023

Race weekends are very popular at Disney, and there are a few that typically happen throughout the year. If you’re a runner and you’re interested in participating it’s a fun experience – whether you want to try your first 5k or you plan to run a half marathon, full marathon, or go for a challenge. Just make sure you register early!

Walt Disney World marathon 2023

Dates: January 4-8, 2023

Events: 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, + challenges

Registration: currently all races are sold out

Princess half marathon weekend 2023

Dates: February 23-26, 2023

Events: 5k, 10k, half marathon, yoga, + challenge

Registration: opens June 21, 2022

Springtime Surprise 2023

Dates: Not yet announced (typically a weekend in March or April)

Events: TBD

Registration: TBD

Wine and Dine half marathon weekend

Dates: Not officially announced (most likely will be November 2-5, 2023)

Events: 5k, 10k, half marathon, + challenge

Registration: TBD

Epcot Festivals in 2023

While we don’t have official dates for any of the Epcot Festivals yet, there are a number of them which happen every year. Here’s what you can expect:

• Epcot International Festival of the Arts (January/February)
• Epcot Flower and Garden Festival (March-early June)
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival (July-November)
• Epcot Festival of the Holidays (late November/December)

Disney World Holidays in 2023

It’s still too early for details or exact dates yet, but Disney usually does some special things for the holidays throughout the year. Most likely you’ll see:

• Easter (March/April): easter egg hunt in Epcot, parade/Easter bunny week of Easter in Magic Kingdom
• Halloween: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, specialty food items and merchandise
• Thanksgiving: Special Thanksgiving menu on that day
• Christmas: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot Festival of the Holidays, other specialty events, specialty food items and merchandise

When to visit Disney World in 2023

When it comes to picking the best time to visit, there are a few factors in play: are you limited to certain dates due to work or school? Do you care more about crowd levels or the weather? Are there any other reasons you’re planning a trip?

Picking your dates

I have a full blog post on the best months to visit in the year, but in general you need to prioritize one thing over others for your Disney World vacation in 2023. It might be that you have certain dates you want to travel (you’re a teacher, you want to go for a special event, you want to take a birthday or anniversary trip). You want to lowest prices and the lowest crowds. You want the best weather. These things aren’t always compatible so decide what is most important to you.

Disney World 2023 crowd calendar

When will Disney World be the least crowded? Sometimes it’s unpredictable, but we can make guesses based on what’s happened in past years, when major events are happening, etc. In my opinion crowd calendars are still not as accurate as they used to be because the pandemic affected how people take vacations in a lot of ways, and we’ll have to wait and see what is permanent and what is not. However if you want a general idea, I’ve found that the best crowd calendars are over at Touring Plans.

How long to stay

The other big question when picking your dates is how long you want to stay for. Is a 4 night trip enough? Are you looking for a full week? Even longer? I would recommend a minimum of 4 days in the parks, and ideally 5 full days plus your arrival and departure day. If you also prefer to take it easier, relax by the pool for awhile, and have nice sit down meals, you may want to factor in extra time for that.

Disney World resorts in 2023

Once you’ve decided when you want to go, your next big decision is where to stay. You can get a detailed look at the Disney resort options and planning advice in general over on my Disney World resorts page, and if you’re thinking about staying off site I have a guide to staying off property at Disney as well.

Benefits of a Disney World resort

There are definitely some perks to staying at a Disney World resort rather than off Disney property when you’re looking to book your Disney World 2023 packages. If you’re debating, here are a few of the benefits of being on property:

• Location and convenience. Of course the Disney resorts on Disney property are going to be the best locations. Depending on where you stay, you can get to a theme park quickly by monorail, boat, bus, skyliner, or even walking. If you’re off property you have to factor in a lot more travel time every day. It also makes it much easier to take a midday break.
• Transportation to and from the parks. Disney’s resorts all have continuous transportation options that are free and easy to use.
• Free parking at the theme parks. If you have a car you still have to pay for parking at the resort (like many area hotels), but you can park for free at the theme parks. If you stay off site you have to pay $25 a day for parking.
• Early theme park entry. Disney resort guests will be allowed into any of the 4 theme parks 30 minutes before opening time each morning. This is a huge advantage – if you show up off-site and enter the parks 30 minutes after all the resort guests, the popular attractions will already have long lines before you even get in.
• Evening hours at deluxe resorts. If you stay at a Disney deluxe resort, there are select nights each week that have evening hours just for those guests in certain parks.
• Individual Lightning Lane purchases. If you’re looking to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for some of the most popular attractions (things like Rise of the Resistance and Cosmic Rewind), Disney resort guests can do so starting at 7am. Off-site guests have to wait until park opening, and the most popular attractions are often sold out by then.
• Family accommodations. Disney has a number of places to sleep families of 5 or more, including family suites, villas, cabins, and connecting rooms.
• Ability to purchase a dining plan (hopefully). Disney has not yet brought back the dining plan, but they did confirm it is returning at some point – when they do it is an option that only resort guests can add on.
• The themeing and magic. The Disney resorts are truly magical and you feel like you’re somewhere special there. The service is top notch and whether you’d like to be surrounded by larger than life Disney characters or relaxing on the French Riviera there are so many great resort options.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Another major item that opened at Disney in 2021 was the Galactic Starcruiser. Some people may have heard of the “Star Wars hotel,” but it’s important to note that this isn’t really a hotel in the traditional sense. It is a 2 day “immersive experience.” Don’t think of this as a place you can stay while you go to the theme parks, think of it as an additional 2 day adventure you could add on to trip.

Staying near Disney World: other hotels

If you are strongly considering staying off property, I would highly recommend reading my guide to off-property and Disney. It goes over some things you may not realize if you’re not staying at a Disney resort hotel. There are a ton of options out there, but keep in mind that many places advertise being near Disney or “just 5 miles away!” but Disney World itself is actually 40 square miles, so 5 miles away from Disney doesn’t necessarily mean you’re only 5 miles from the theme parks. If you book an off property hotel you may miss out on certain perks that come as part of the Disney World 2023 packages.

Disney dining in 2023

Almost all of the Disney World restaurants have reopened by this point (with just a few notable exceptions, which makes me think they may be considering doing something else with these places).

Making reservations

Currently Disney is allowing guests to make dining reservations 60 days before their trip. Disney resort guests have the opportunity to book reservations for their whole trip when they reach 60 days before their check-in day. Off site guests can make their reservations 60 days before each date they wish to dine on property (so if you were going for a week starting May 1st and staying off site you could make your reservation for May 1st on March 2nd, and then make a reservation for May 2nd on March 3rd, etc. Disney resort guests can do them all at once up to 10 days).

Disney World 2023 dining plan

As of right now, Disney has stated that the Disney dining plan will be returning, but they haven’t given a specific timeframe as of yet. Once that occurs I will update this post with all relevant information!

Will the dining plan be offered in 2023?

We can’t say for certain whether or not it will be, and when Disney World 2023 packages just opened for booking the dining plan was still not an option to add on to your reservation. That being said, Disney stated in late 2021 that it definitely will be returning, so I would hope that would happen soon.

Should you get the dining plan?

I strongly believe that when they do reintroduce the dining plan, they will restructure it in some way – and it will almost certainly cost (potentially a significant amount) more than it did before. Without those details there’s no way of making a recommendation yet, but I will say that I’ve often found the dining plan worth it to save both some money and to make planning and budgeting easier.

Will free dining be offered?

This is one of the most popular discounts and promotions that Disney has offered in the past. As of right now the parks have been very popular and they haven’t need to offer any huge discounts. I wouldn’t expect to see a “free dining” offer for at least another year or two.

New restaurants coming to Disney World in 2023

There are several new restaurants that have opened at Disney recently, as well as some scheduled to open later in 2022 or sometime in 2023. Here’s a quick look at what has opened within the past year or is scheduled to open sometime this year:

• Space 220 in Epcot (opened fall 2021)
• Le Creperie de Paris in Epcot (opened fall 2021)
• Steakhouse 71 (opened fall 2021)
• Connections Cafe and Eatery in Epcot (opened April 2022)
• Salt and Straw in Disney Springs (opened April 2022)
• Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Hollywood Studios (opening in 2022)
• Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs (opening in 2023)
• The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s Boardwalk (opening 2023)

The theme parks in 2023

Of course at the heart and soul of Disney is the 4 theme parks. Here’s some information about what you can expect visiting the parks in 2023.

How many park days should I plan?

Disney has 4 theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom). They all have plenty to do, so at minimum I would recommend at least 4 full days. I believe that if you have the time, 5-6 days is really ideal.

Disney Genie+ in 2023

Disney Genie+ is the (paid) system that has replaced fastpass. It’s basically a priority access service that allows you to enter a shorter line for certain attractions at specific times throughout the day. You can learn more about how Genie+ works here.

The one major difference for Genie+ (so far) in 2023 is that you will not be able to purchase it ahead of time. Previously you could opt to add it on to your ticket or package in advance, but now you will have to purchase Genie+ from the app each day that you’d like to use it.

Virtual queues

Typically you will find one attraction in Disney World operating with a “virtual queue.” This means that there is no standby line to wait in – you have to enter the queue from the app in the morning. Rise of the Resistance was the first attraction to use it, and you can read all about how that worked here. Currently Cosmic Rewind is using the virtual queue, and it works the same way as it did for Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

MagicBands and the mobile app

A MagicBand is a wristband created by Disney that has an RFID chip in it, so you can access everything you might need easily just by tapping your band. Your MagicBand is able to work as your park ticket to scan you into the parks, your room key at your resort, a way to charge purchases to your room if you have a credit card linked, and Genie+.

You can purchase a MagicBand ahead of time or when you arrive at the parks if you’d like to use one. You can also do all of this from the app, so a MagicBand is not required. They start at around $10 for Disney resort guests if you order in advance or $15 in the parks or on ShopDisney, and have fun Disney designs and are a good option for kids or those who prefer the wristband.

MagicBand+

Disney recently announced that MagicBand+ would be making its debut in the summer of 2022. In addition to what the current magicbands do, MagicBand+ will be able to interact with elements in the park, play games, light up with nighttime spectaculars, and more.

Memory Maker and Photopass

Memory Maker is available in 2023 for a one day purchase, advance purchase, and purchase during or after your trip. You can easily add it on to Disney World 2023 packages at the time of booking or after booking. Disney’s photographers will take your photo at various locations around the theme parks and then you scan your magic band and all of those photos go into your account. You also get all of your on-ride attraction photos. And be on the lookout for “magic shots” – fun photos taken by Photopass photographers with a little bit of extra Disney Magic!

Transportation

Whether you’re thinking about how to get to Orlando, how to get to your resort, or how to get around to the theme parks, I’ve got some information for you.

Booking your flight

If you’ve heard advice and tips on the best time to book a flight (7 months in advance, do it on a Tuesday) forget all of that because it’s outdated. Especially for booking in 2022 and early 2023, the approach will be different. And unfortunately, you’ll probably have to get used to seeing higher prices than you might have in 2021 or earlier. Between the cost of gas and the demand for travel returning, it’s probably better to book your flights sooner rather than waiting.

If you’re looking to find better prices, flexibility is key. The day you arrive or leave is more likely to affect price – typically arriving on a Tuesday or Wednesday is going to be the most affordable option, for example. You’ll pay a lot more to fly home on a Sunday evening than you would on Monday.

Renting a car

You certainly don’t need to rent a car if you’re staying at a Disney resort, but if you prefer to do it you have options. The Orlando airport (MCO) has many car rental companies, but the ones that are actually in terminal and don’t require a shuttle ride just to get to the car rental location are:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• Hertz
• National
• Payless
• Sixt
• Thrifty

Car rental prices can vary a lot depending on when you’re traveling and for how long. 2021 and 2022 has seen a big increase in pricing for car rentals – this trend may continue for a little while. For now here are some of my quick suggestions when looking at car rentals.

• “Pay later” instead of pay now. Yes, you will save money if you pay now, but unless your trip is really soon you can make changes and find cheaper prices if you pay later.
• Book early and keep checking prices. Book using pay later and then keep check back to see if prices have changed. If they do you can always adjust your reservation or cancel and book at a different rental company.
• Stick with an in terminal company. The ones listed above are typically more reputable as well as easier to get to.
• Join the company’s loyalty program. Almost all of the car rental companies have loyalty or rewards programs that are free to join and will get you some perks – typically things like 5% off or the ability to bypass the regular line when you arrive at the airport.

Parking fees

If you are renting a car or will have a vehicle with you, parking fees are something else you need to factor in. You may have to pay at the resort, the theme parks, or both. If you’re at a Disney resort you have to pay for the resort parking but theme park parking is free. If you’re off site your hotel may or may not have a parking fee and you will also have to pay for theme park parking. These are the current prices for 2022 but are subject to change. Prices are per day. Prices may also vary based on vehicle type.

Transportation from the airport in 2023

If you’re planning to fly in to Orlando and you won’t be renting a car, you’ll need to get from the airport to your resort.

Disney’s Magical Express is no longer be available in 2023.

Unfortunately, the free option Disney used to offer to get from the airport to your Disney resort will be discontinued starting in 2022. That means that airport transportation is no longer part of Disney World 2023 packages. If you’re not a renting a car you could use a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, a shuttle company like Mears, or hire a private car service. The best option for you will depend on your budget, the size of your family, if you need a car seat accommodated, etc.

Planning a Disney trip on a budget in 2023

There is so much that goes into planning a Disney trip on a budget and I could honestly write a whole book about it (and maybe someday I will). But I’ll just give a couple of quick tips and general guidelines here if you’re hoping to book Disney World 2023 packages but you need to stay within a lower budget.

How much to budget

There are SO MANY factors that play into this, including how many people are traveling, when you’re going, and how long you want to stay. You can definitely plan a vacation at Disney for under $3500 for a family of 4 if you’re flexible and doing a shorter trip. You can also easily spend twice that and budget $7000 or more if you want a longer trip, a hotel in a prime location, traveling during spring break or Christmas, etc. The best way to figure out your ballpark pricing is to contact a travel agent and start working with them. You can also check out my Disney World trip planning printables, which includes a budget worksheet.

5 tips for saving money

1. Book as soon as you can. Disney packages only require a deposit of $200 and can be changed or cancelled, so book early to lock in the lowest rates – if a discount comes up later to you can apply that discount to an existing reservation.
2. Go during an “off season.” And the off season may not be when you think. October has become one of the most popular months to travel to Disney and is priced accordingly. Typically the lowest price times for 2022 seem to be the first half of January, the first half of February, and September.
3. Rely on Disney transportation. Some people get frustrated with waiting for buses, but even waiting 30 minutes for a bus will save you a lot more money than bringing a car or paying for a rideshare everywhere. Disney includes free transportation to all 4 of the theme parks and Disney Springs from their resorts.
4. Don’t rent a car. By the time you factor in the rental price and the resort parking fees you have a pretty big extra expense. Your best bet is to take a shuttle to your resort and then rely on Disney transportation as described above.
5. Stay at a Disney value resort. My favorite is Pop Century but the All-Star resorts are also fun. Disney value resorts typically have good pricing and are worth paying just a little bit more for rather than choosing an off site hotel.

Disney World 2023 deals

Are there any deals or discounts available for Disney World 2023 packages right now? Disney typically only releases discounts a few months ahead of time, so right now we don’t have any deals available for 2023. But they will often pop up, so keep checking back!

Disney World tips and tricks for 2023

I have lots of good tips about traveling to Disney and trip planning elsewhere on this website (start at my Disney World Planning page for more) but I’ll quickly highlight my top 5 tips for planning and booking Disney World 2023 packages specifically:

1. Plan ahead and plan early. People have been home long enough, many of them have stimulus checks, and they are ready to travel. Revenge travel is real so stay ahead of things by booking early.
2. Use a GOOD travel agent who specializes in Disney. It doesn’t have to be me, but book through someone who really knows their stuff. Things are constantly changing at Disney World right now and even stuff I wrote 2 months ago can be outdated. I do my best to keep the website updated but if you want to be sure to have all the firsthand info booking your trip through me or another agent so I’m only an email away is the best way to stay up on it all.
3. Consider visiting during the summer. I know, it’s hot. But if lower crowds are a priority the summer is actually going to be a decent time to go. The past few years it’s been getting less crowded in favor of better weather months like October and March. Combine that with the fact that this past year many people (and companies) realize their jobs are more flexible and they can work remotely and even some kids have switched the homeschooling or virtual school. Also in the past few years we’ve seen the year round school calendar become a more popular option. There are fewer people who are locked into visiting during July and August now.
4. Keep up to date with changes. Disney typically requires a lot of planning, though in the past you could get away with not doing too much. Now you need to know that you can’t get into the parks without a park pass reservation. If you’re thinking about Genie+, that’s being tweaked as well. I created the Disney World vacation planning printables to help keep track of everything.
5. If you’re thinking about a value resort, check the moderates too. Lots of people love the value resorts to save money, but due to their popularity the prices have gone up. The moderates are also larger, so you’ll find more rooms available at Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach. Even though at first glance they may look much more expensive, they often get much better discounts too. It may not be that much more for a moderate.

Are you looking at Disney World 2023 packages or thinking about a trip next year? Let me know your plans in the comments!