Going to Disney World doesn’t need to be all popcorn and long lines. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be.
Disney World has the ability to be whatever scale of luxury you’re comfortable with.
From shorter lines to prix fixe dining and morning massages, Disney World offers guests a lot more than just rides and fried food.
This post is all about the best ways to have a luxury experience at Disney World.
I’ve had a number of different experiences at Disney World. Our first trip included eating everything and anything in the Parks.
We tried every kiosk, ate our way around the world at EPCOT, and spent every moment hopping from park to park for 8 days.
Our second trip was a lot slower and more relaxed. We slept in, took breaks, made dining reservations for every day of our trip, and booked massages and workout classes at our hotel.
It was a completely different experience and really felt like an escape. We left our trip relaxed and feeling great.
You can plan for anything in between these two trips. Go all out with top-of-the-line experiences or just take it slower and stay an extra day to see everything.
To check out the top ways to get more out of your Disney World vacation and add a bit of luxury to the wonderful world of Disney, keep reading.
RELATED POST: CORONADO SPRINGS DISNEY WORLD REVIEW
The Best Upgrades to Make On Your Disney World Vacation
Transportation
One of the best ways to upgrade your Disney World vacation is to reserve your own transportation.
Opting for a private car or using rideshare can make a huge difference in your schedule, saving time and making travel easier for the entire family.
The most popular way to get around Disney World is by taking the free shuttles that stop at every hotel.
While this is free, it takes a lot of time to stop at 5 other hotels before reaching your final stop.
The buses are also crowded and the lines for the buses can get really long in the mornings and at night after the Parks close.
To save time and for some peace of mind getting from place to place without a fuss, book a rideshare car like Lyft or Uber or try using a Minnie Van (Minnie Mouse-themed cars only available on Disney World property).
You can also schedule a private car to use for the duration of your stay to take you to and from the airport and between the parks.
Some of the top car services in Orlando are Ace Luxury Orlando and Tuxedo Ride.
By booking ahead of time you won’t have to schedule a ride each morning or late at night at the parks.
A private car service knows the area very well and can even help with suggestions for great things to do in the area.
Whichever option you choose, booking your own transportation at Disney World is an upgrade that is always worth the extra money.
The saved time is worth it and your feet will thank you when you’re back in your room 20 – 30 minutes faster than you would have been if you took the free shuttle.
Larger Room
No one likes to be in a crowded room, especially after spending 15 hours walking around and being with thousands of other people.
Everyone wants their space and privacy on a trip and Disney World is no different.
Springing for a larger room upgrade or even a suite with bedrooms makes a huge difference on your trip.
If you have kids, try booking adjoining rooms. That cuts down on the cost of a suite but also provides more space for everyone and gives you a bit more privacy.
If you have a really large group, try looking outside of Disney World property. You lose out on the early 30-minute entry BUT you will get a ton of more space for less money.
Moving off Disney property is one of the best ways to get more upgrades for the same or less money.
Booking larger rooms often comes with concierge-level experiences that include complimentary breakfast, shuttle service, and private fireworks viewing areas.
Check with your hotel for luxury upgrades that are included with your upgraded room.
When you book these nicer, larger rooms, you’re more than often booking at a higher-end hotel or resort.
At these nicer locations, you also have access to nicer amenities like spa access, fitness classes, and adult-only pools.
Taking extra time to relax at the hotel can make a huge difference in your trip. Slowing down and taking time to enjoy all of the amenities in and out of the Parks makes a world of difference.
Genie Plus & Lightning Lane
Spending a bit more can save you a lot of time. Upgrading your daily Park tickets to include Genie Plus and Lightning Lane passes can save you hours.
For about $30 per person, per day, you can get access to shorter lines and schedule your rides in advance.
This is one of the best and easiest upgrades to make on your Disney World vacation.
With shorter lines, you have more time to take in the shows, meet characters, and enjoy longer meal times.
You can do a lot more in the day with Genie Plus and by purchasing the a la carte Lightning Lane options.
RELATED POST: 12 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME AT DISNEYLAND
The last time we booked Genie Plus, we were able to ride 15 different rides, ride two rides twice, and take a 2-hour lunch break at a hotel. It was the best decision we made!
Understanding how to use Genie Plus and Lightning Lane can be a bit confusing. You will need to download the Disney World App to use it and from there you can upload your tickets, purchase upgrades, and schedule out your day.
I recommend watching a few tutorials online about how to best use Genie Plus for each Disney World Park you’re visiting because each one is very different.
Overall, upgrading to Genie Plus is one of the most accessible and worthwhile upgrades to make on your Disney World vacation.
Book a Tour
Disney World tours are known for being pricey but they have a number of different experiences and different price levels.
The most famous tour would be the VIP Tour you see at the Parks where you get to skip the line and get front-row seating for the parades and fireworks. This tour varies in price from day of week and time of year.
They have a breakdown of what’s included and you can call for a price breakdown for your group.
We booked this tour at Disneyland during Halloween time and it was 100% worth it! First things first, it was fun! Our guide was amazing and you feel like a celebrity walking around with a Plaid Person. The experience of it is worth it!
We booked our tour guide for 8 hours. We did a number of rides, had access to the best seating for the Frozen Show at Hyperion Theater and we got free snacks too, like popcorn and soda.
We were also all gifted with an exclusive VIP Disney pin.
After our tour, we had front-row seating for the Halloween parade and fireworks show.
We had a total of 8 people in our group, six adults and two children.
It was one of the most memorable Disney experiences and I will never forget it.
If you’re looking to do everything at the Parks on a crowded weekend, this is the ultimate upgrade to book.
Reservations for these private VIP tours open up about 60 days before your trip and they do book up, so call early to reserve your VIP tour.
In addition to the VIP Tour Disney also offers smaller tour upgrades, like the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and EPCOT DiveQuest.
These additional tours are a lot more accessible and a perfect way to add a bit more magic to your vacation.
The extra photo opportunities and private experiences give you time to get away from the busy park, ask questions about the property and overall give your family a new experience that is more than rides.
Whatever level of tour you choose to book at Disney World, they are all worth it and a great way to create new memories on your vacation.
Full-Service Dining
As I mentioned earlier in the post, slowing down and enjoying your meals makes a huge difference.
Book a few of your dining reservations and full-service restaurants at the Disney World Hotels or even at the Parks.
Upgrading your dining takes your Disney World trip from a theme park vacation to a Resort vacation.
RELATED POST: DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS WITH TASTING MENUS
Disney World has a number of higher-end dining and cocktail locations perfect for celebrations or romantic getaways.
Our personal favorites are Citricos and Capa.
Citricos is located at the Grand Floridian. One of the most iconic hotels on Disney World property. The bar here has top-shelf liquor and the food is amazing. Capa is located on the rooftop of the Four Seasons Orlando resort. The restaurant has stunning views of the fireworks and the best service and food you could ask for. It was truly a memorable experience.
For each of these restaurants, we went back to our hotel room and rested, showered, and got dressed up.
Adding these nicer experiences to your Disney World vacation makes all the difference in upgrading from a rushed trip to a relaxing moment between you and your significant other.
Changing up our dining made a world of difference for us between trips. There are so many options from Micheline-approved dining to tasting menus and wine tasting.
When we slowed down and booked these dining reservations we really enjoyed the entire trip from beginning to end. It wasn’t only about rides and merch, it was about all of the moments between that.
RELATED POST: 6 DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS ON THE MICHELINE GUIDE
Final Thoughts
The biggest takeaway from this should be to slow down. Slowing down and taking the extra time to book a nicer meal, schedule a car to travel on your own time or explore what amenities your hotel has to offer increases the overall experience of your trip.
A luxury vacation is whatever you value the most. So if you value time, then Genie Plus and booking your own transportation are your best options. If you value new experiences and hotel amenities, then springing for a nicer hotel and upgraded VIP tour is the way to go.
Whatever you book for your Disney World vacation is going to be perfect. I understand it can be difficult to fit everything in during one trip but pick your top items and go from there.
If you have any questions about any of the above upgrades, let me know in the comments below. And please let me know what your favorite luxury upgrades you love to make at Disney World.
See you at the Parks!
Julia
Posts You May Like:
