Everything You Need to Know When Going to Walt Disney World Resort With Your Entire Family

Walt Disney World has amazing food at many popular restaurants, but they book up quickly — especially character meals. To make dining a breeze, make reservations up to 180 days in advance through the website, the MyDisneyExperience app, or by calling (407) WDW-DINE. Disney wants you to be their guest at their table-service restaurants, so if you want to dine with Belle or Mickey Mouse, make those reservations!

Walt Disney World is a big place. In case you get separated or lost, choose a designated meeting spot. Avoid the iconic locations like Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom or Spaceship Earth in Epcot because they can get crowded. Instead, try the First Aid Station or Baby Care Center. Set up a plan with children, too, and have them talk to the nearest cast member if they become lost. Cast members can be found at any attraction as well as all around the theme parks, and can be recognized by their iconic nametags.

Make your FastPass+ selections before you arrive by downloading the MyDisneyExperience app. FastPass+ allows Disney guests to make reservations for rides and attractions ahead of time to minimize wait times. Book a ride reservation for a particular time slot and then enter the ride's FastPass+ queue during your reservation window. If you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can make these reservations 60 days in advance or 30 days in advance if you're staying off property.

If you're a guest at one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, then no need to worry about driving as Disney provides a bus, boat, or monorail to get you to the theme parks. If you are driving your own car, each theme park has a parking lot where a tram will drop you off at the entrance, except Magic Kingdom Park, where you'll need to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Once in Magic Kingdom, go exploring down Main Street USA on foot or catch a ride to Cinderella Castle on a Main Street Vehicle. You can also climb aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad with convenient stops at Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Main Street USA.

The nighttime spectaculars around Walt Disney World are some of the best shows you'll see — you'll never look at your neighborhood's 4th of July fireworks the same way! Sometimes little ones (and parents) get tuckered out before the Illuminations: Reflections of Earth show starts at Epcot, so try taking a midday break at your hotel for a nap or a dip in the pool. Then you'll be relaxed, refreshed, and ready to make a wish upon that star when the fireworks begin.

There is a world like no other world. Where far lands intersect with distant galaxies. And where families can create lasting memories that unite them like never before. Here, the magic never ends. Walt Disney World Resort is the place where exciting new attractions and entertainment abound, guests can discover a delicious selection of dining options the whole family will love, and families traveling together make memories that last a lifetime. For more info on offers and planning tips visit: disneyworld.com/ourfamily.