WDW tips for a DLR vet?

[bethwc101]

We are thinking of doing WDW 2019. I am a DLR vet, but I understand there are some significant differences. I have heard you should plan a WDW trip close to a year out. Is that true?
Is it worth it to get the park hopper since I think the parks are more spread out?
Are there any big differences I should be aware of before I book?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TinkSassy]

Big difference in planning. I would be happy walking into DLR with no plan and a reservation at Blue Bayou a few weeks out. WDW is a whole other animal. Dining reservations at 180 days, fastpass at 60 - you will still get some after these dates but not the most popular rides or restaurants.

I always get a park hopper but that is because we take an afternoon break. It is not necessary to have one but I like it. The parks are much bigger so you walk more between rides and just to enter and leave the park.

Keep transportation in mind as you are picking hotels - the distance from hotels to each park and the transport options vary greatly. Depending on the makeup of your party this can be a big deal (say strollers, etc.) or just a minor inconvenience if you have all healthy adults. Staying on-site at WDW is a major advantage where it is less so at DLR. I'm a big fan of not having to rent a car and leaving all the driving to Disney - I use the free Magical Express service from the airport.

 

[fhtpdw20]

The monorail is not a "ride". It is the only transportation to Epcot and Magic Kingdom for some hotels. There are two lines one for Ticket/Transportation and Epcot and the other is for Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary hotels. Bring GOOD walking shoes, we average 6 to 8 miles per day. Park hopping is a great option to have so that you can mix and match parks. Please keep in mind that when you schedule fast passes you have to pick one park for the first three, you cannot mix and match different parks. It is helpful to pick a participating airline that works with Disney. I second staying on site and using Magic Express. Disney will send you bag tags you put on your luggage. Drop it at airport and next time you see it will be in your hotel room. Going home, take luggage to Bell Services before noon. They have an airport representative working there who will weigh/tag your luggage and send it on the airport for you to pick up after your flight when you reach home. It is also helpful to try to somewhat plan your parks days so that you won't waste travel time getting between the park for your ADR. I can't recall if Disneyland used magic bands. If it is something new to you, it is basically everything. It is your room key, admission on Magic Express, park admission, pay option for room charges, dining charges, photo pass photos and souveniours. It drove me nuts being a WDW vet and going to Disneyland. WDW the key to a great vacation is planning. Disneyland is more of go with the flow, don't need to plan much type of park. Ask questions, we are here to help and have fun planning.

 

[rwdavis2]

Buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. An excellent planning and reference tool. It's big and you don't need to read it cover to cover. As was mentioned, fastpass+ and dining reservations are big differences. Although, dining at WDW is nothing to get to obsessed about.