Booking a Disney family holiday: How to plan your destination, flights, costs and stay

Planning a holiday that is memorable for the whole family isn’t always easy. Enter: Disney. 

While a theme park holiday is largely geared towards kids, Disney is considered a travel destination, offering experiences for all ages — from shows, shopping, dining and parades. 

Disney is big on magic, fun and ticks the bucket list of an unforgettable family experience. 

Planning a Disney family holiday? From theme parks to accommodation (and all the costs in between), here’s everything you need to know.

Choosing your Disney destination

There are several Disney destinations to choose from, which allows you to customise the trip to the needs and wants of your family. From Disneyland to Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, let’s explore all of the options. 

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is located in Florida and is the largest Disney destination, spanning 25,000 acres and featuring a resort and four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

​​Magic Kingdom is the most popular Disney park and has held the title of the most-visited theme park in the world (not just Disney) on numerous occasions. 

Walt Disney World is also home to two water parks, several hotels and shopping districts. The size and scale of the theme park mean there is always something to do, catering to all family members, not just the little ones. A family trip to Disney World will please all. 

Disneyland

Disneyland is located in California and is significantly smaller than Disney World, comprising two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. 

With its smaller size, Disneyland is easier to navigate on foot, which can be a big plus for families with young children.

Disney Cruise Line

For an even more intimate and contained experience, Disney Cruise Line offers families the opportunity to enjoy the magic of Disney at sea. 

With options starting from 3-night stays, Disney Cruise Line operates all over the world, taking off from places like Sydney, Fort Lauderdale, Singapore, Auckland and Vancouver. 

Disney international 

For a more cultural Disney experience, you might like to consider the international parks, from Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney Resort to Hong Kong and Shanghai Disney Resorts.

Where to stay

On-site resorts

There are several Disney hotels to choose from when planning a family trip to Disney World or Disneyland. In fact, there are over 25 Disney hotels in Walt Disney World, while Disneyland has a more modest 3. 

Staying at a Disney resort allows you to experience themed accommodations as well as a 30-minute early entry to theme parks and free transport across the resorts. 

Off-site hotels and accommodations

If you’d like a little breathing room away from Disney, nearby hotels or vacation rentals often offer more space and usually more affordable than Disney-branded stays. It’s worth having a look at platforms like Airbnb to compare prices. 

When is the best time to visit Disney?

The busiest (and most expensive) times to visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland are summer and school holidays. Events like Halloween and Christmas also tend to draw large crowds. 

For fewer people and better value, shoulder seasons like spring and fall (especially April-May or September-November) are ideal. 

That said, school holidays are often the only time families can travel, so if that’s the case, you might like to start looking at flights sooner rather than later. 

How much does Disney cost?

The cost of a Disney family trip depends on a range of factors, but there are a few key things to consider when planning your budget

Season and timing

Prices vary significantly depending on when you go to a Disney theme park. As we mentioned earlier, school breaks, summer and holiday periods like Christmas are generally the most expensive. 

Tickets

Ticket prices vary between theme parks. At Disneyland, a standard one-day ticket price ranges from USD $104 to $206 based on the date selected. At Walt Disney World, a standard one-day ticket starts at $119, depending on the date. 

When purchasing tickets for the whole family, costs can add up quickly. On top of standard entry, there are also optional add-ons to consider, such as line-skipping services and seasonal extras, which come at an additional price.

Accommodation

Staying at a Disney hotel offers the convenience of being close to the parks, but it often comes at a higher cost, especially at Disneyland, where Disney hotel options are more limited.

Flights

Flight costs will vary depending on your departure point and destination; flying to California versus Florida, for instance, can impact your budget. Don’t forget to factor in extras like airport transfers, too.

For better chances at affordable fares, book domestic flights 1–3 months in advance and international flights at least 3 months ahead.

If forking out for flights isn’t in your budget right now, you might like to consider Paylater Travel, which gives you the freedom to book when you need and want to.

Our innovative layaway model allows you to lock in great travel deals today, with a small deposit, and pay the remainder off in weekly instalments. Secure the best flight deals before they’re gone and enjoy flexible payment plans. 

By locking in your fare now, you spread the cost of your ticket over weeks, making each payment lighter on your wallet. And instead of worrying about when to buy your tickets, you can use this time to plan your upcoming trip.  

Food

Disney offers everything from quick bites to fine dining at a range of price points, but costs can add up quickly. To save here, consider packing snacks for the parks and having some main meals off-site.

Planning your Disney family trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By nailing down your accommodation, narrowing in on the best time to go and planning a budget, you can create a memorable trip for the whole family.