Disney’s Magical Express will no longer be operating as of January 2022. For everyone that loved the service and are now looking for alternatives to Magical Express to get from MCO to Walt Disney World Resort.
Here are the 3 best alternatives to Magical Express available for transportation. For each, I’ll share Pros, Cons, as well as potential prices. My assumption is that there are 2 adults and 2 children travelling (ages 7 & 9). I’ll also assume that once the travelers get to WDW they’ll use Disney Transportation to get around the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Ultimately your decision depends on your family needs but my goal is for this article to help think through the options.
Mears Connect
For anyone that may not have known, Magical Express was actually operated by Mears. It was just licensed to include all of the Disney experience on a coach bus. The new service from Mears will operate almost exactly like Magical Express. It will even be located out of the same location at MCO. Mears Connect boards on level 1, ground transportation level, in terminal B, at Orlando International Airport. Sound familiar? Your return service will also be sent to your room a day before departing.
Sunshine Flyer is a new bus service operating from MCO to Walt Disney World Resorts. It operates premium motor coaches wrapped to look like 1920’s era locomotives and passenger cars. It’ll also be located on Level 1 of Terminal B. The new service has committed that 65 minutes is the longest time from MCO to your WDW destination. Cost is very comparable to Mears Connect.
If you’re looking for more flexibility and potentially lower prices, ride share services like Uber and Lyft may be for you. The only potential downside may that you don’t get to pick the driver or vehicle. There is also an option to order a pick up that includes a car seat if you need one. This can be a little tricky though and I’ve found that during certain times, a driver with a car seat can be limited. But if you have TSA Pre Check or Clear it gives you the option to not get to the airport 3 hours before departure.
I checked prices on 1/3/22 @ 9:30am. Ride Share prices will vary by date and time but this should be a general estimation. I used Pop Century as the resort drop off.
Uber
Prices Below:
One Way
UberX: $35.99
UberXL: $52.98
UberX Car Seat: $45.99
Lyft
Prices Below:
One Way
Lyft: $37.77
LyftXL: $46.76
Lyft Car Seat: N/A
Car Rental as Alternative to Magical Express
Car rental at MCO may be the most expensive but it also will give you the most flexibility as an alternative to Magical Express. This is also a great option for anyone that may also be exploring Universal Studios, Sea World, or Legoland. Just keep in mind that there are additional parking fees that you will incur while staying on Walt Disney World Resort property. The resort fee does include standard theme park parking if you want to drive to the parks.
Turo is like AirBNB for car rentals. You are renting the car from an individual that can either meet you at the airport or drop the car off. I’ve used Turo in the past and it was a great experience. Due to the volume of traffic through MCO, the people that rent their cars here are very professional.
Sometimes I use affiliate links. That just means that I may earn a commission when you use one of the products or services that I write reviews for. My goal is to write blog posts about my experience and share that with you. If you end up purchasing based on a review on the site, I might get back a few dollars to plan the next Disney World Trip. I’m trying to find a good balance where I take more trips and provide more reviews!
EPCOT is a great theme park for preschoolers. A big part of having a great outing is prepping before going to the park. I’ve outlined some general tips in my article about Magic Kingdom with Preschoolers. Be sure to check that one out for general tips before arriving.
I think the perception is that EPCOT is an adults park because of all of the shopping and restaurants. But there is a lot for preschool age kids to do and a lot of the rides have very low if zero wait throughout the day.
What to do First
My recommendation with preschoolers is to work backwards and start in the World Showcase. That area of EPCOT gets really busy in the evenings with adults, couples, etc. that have dinner reservations in the many pavilions. Trying to navigate World Showcase with a stroller is really difficult at 6 or 7pm. So the key is to take in all the shops, rides, shows, restaurants in World Showcase in the morning then head towards Spaceship Earth in the evening.
So its not really about doing an attraction first but what section of the park. If you need to, I would buy both Lightning Lanes at Remy’s and Frozen so you can get those done earlier in the day.
EPCOT Attractions with Height Requirements
EPCOT does not have many rides with height requirements which is great for families. There are not many rides you’ll walk by and have to break the news the kids aren’t tall enough.
Mission: SPACE – Guests must be 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller
Test Track – Guests must be 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller
Taking Photos at the Aquarium
EPCOT Restaurants for Picky Eaters
There is nothing as stressful as trying to find a restaurant in the a theme park that will cater to everyone’s tastes. It’s even more stressful when you have kids that are picky eaters, or even adults. I’ll highlight 2 restaurants that I think will accommodate even the pickiest eaters. So get your hungry preschoolers across EPCOT and over there ASAP!
Connections Eatery
This is one of the newest additions to EPCOT and will more than likely be a family favorite for years to come. It has almost everything that a kid would ask for. Let’s take a look at some of the menu items.
Menu Highlights
American Classic Burger
Hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich
Pepperoni Pizza
Five-Cheese Pizza
Mediterranean Side Salad
French Fries
Chicken Strips
Watch Molly’s Connections Cafe Review
Sunshine Seasons
Sunshine Seasons is located in The Land Pavilion that also includes Living with the Land and Soarin’ Around the World. So if you want to take a quick break inside and jump right back in line, this may be the best restaurant option for you.
Menu Highlights
Oak-grilled Rotisserie Chicken
Roast Beef Sandwich
Pepperoni Pizza Roll
Cheese Pizza Roll
Caesar Salad
Chicken Drumstick
Macaroni & Cheese
Fruit and Cheese Plate
Don’t Miss World Showcase
I think a great idea is to do World Showcase early and avoid in the evening if possible. But that doesn’t mean to skip it all together. There are great rides, shops, shows, etc. throughout the World Showcase. Our favorite is the Japan Pavilion and visiting Mitsukoshi Department Store. It’s the only place in Disney that I’ve seen Nintendo, Pokemon, and Godzilla merchandise. It’s a lot of fun to explore the different country pavilions and I’m sure you’ll find one you love to visit.
EPCOT with Preschoolers – Overall Tips
EPCOT is a great theme park for preschoolers. My kids love Journey in to Imagination with Figment, The Sea with Nemo and Friends, and just exploring the aquarium. The best thing is that those areas tend to clear out in the evenings. So it’s not unusual for those rides to all be walk on after about 6pm.
Follow Molly at EPCOT for the Best Day Ever
Affiliate Disclosure
Sometimes I use affiliate links. That just means that I may earn a commission when you use one of the products or services that I write reviews for. My goal is to write blog posts about my experience and share that with you. If you end up purchasing based on a review on the site, I might get back a few dollars to plan the next Disney World Trip. I’m trying to find a good balance where I take more trips and provide more reviews!
The key to having the best trip to Magic Kingdom with Preschoolers is having a plan. That plan has to start before you ever set foot in front of Cinderella’s Castle. And throughout the day, executing the plan and making important decisions to deviate will make or break your trip. We’ve went to Walt Disney World Resort with our 5 year old 4 times over the last 3 years. And we wanted to share all the knowledge we’ve learned so far and share how our plan works. It’s hard to believe but our next trip with him will be when he’s in Kindergarten and officially moved on from preschooler status.
Prep before the trip
The trip prep really starts a few weeks before you leave your house for Walt Disney World Resort. There are a few important questions to answer when travelling to Magic Kingdom with preschoolers. Each kid can be very different and every family has the daredevil that would ride anything at 3.
Does your child like character in costumes?
Think of previous encounters, maybe at Chuck E Cheese or Halloween, and how did your child react? If they are leery of characters, which ours is, you may want to wave at Mickey in the parade and avoid any meet & greet.
Are there types of rides to avoid?
Is your child scared of heights or prone to motion sickness? Be sure to adjust your plans based on this. No one wants to leave their child scarred from riding Astro Orbiter. As a 4 year old, in 1986, Astro Orbiter is one of the only memories I have of that trip because I’m scared of heights.
What is their normal nap time?
Walt Disney World is not the place to start skipping naps as a preschoolers. It’s much better to take that 2pm nap and hit the parks refreshed in the evenings.
You know your child better than anyone. If there are things you would be concerned about on normal trips whether that be shopping or out to the park, be prepared in the same way while at Magic Kingdom. It’s better to prep for any potential issues and have items on hand. Our 5 year old is prone to heartburn and upset stomachs so his pink candy is not far away.
Pack Snacks for the Park
Be sure to plan for snacks throughout the day. I would recommend getting a delivery of snacks from Walmart+ or Amazon. It is a lot cheaper to do this and take in to Magic Kingdom than buying mickey pretzels, churros, and dole whip. Yes, you can bring outside food in to the park! Just throw it in a backpack with a few bottle of water before heading out. We always get deliveries of snacks that they also eat at home such as cuties, gummies, peanut butter crackers, etc. Our preschoolers could be calmed down in line just with snacks and water. It gave him something to focus on besides being in the line.
Getting to the Park
We choose not to rope drop with our preschooler. Rope Dropping is when you are there early and one of the first entrants in to the park. The downside to this is, a lot of people really like to rope drop. So there can be a wait at the TTC, a wait to get on the monorail or ferry, another wait at the check in kiosk, and then wade through a crowd on Main Street USA.
We choose to come to the parks about an hour or two after open. It clears up a lot of the traffic getting in and down Main Street. It also gives a great opportunity to get on the Monorail or Ferry for a once in a lifetime experience without the crowd. All my kids loved the Monorail when they were younger. At that age, they really view it as the first attraction of the day.
Another great tip is to try to stay on schedule while you’re at Walt Disney World Resort. If your 4 year old normally gets up at 8am and eats breakfast, I would try to stick to that. That may mean you aren’t there right at opening but my bet is your preschooler will be in a better mood rested and fed.
What to do First
Stepping through the tunnel and on to Main Street USA is an exciting experience for everyone. The temptation will be to get down to Cinderella’s Castle as quickly as possible. Fight the urge and check out the wait times to meet Mickey at Town Square Theater. A lot of people rush by and don’t realize this is directly to the right after you walk out of the tunnels under the train station. You may be able to catch it with a low wait time and get a photo with Mickey to start the day!
Magic Kingdom Attractions with Height Requirements
Another must do for anyone travelling to Magic Kingdom with preschoolers is to measure their child’s height. There are a lot of rides that will require children to be a certain height so we’ll list those here. Everything else at Magic Kingdom does not have a height requirement which ends up being a vast majority of the rides. My favorite is Its a Small World so everyone be sure to jump on board and hum along!
ATTRACTION
HEIGHT REQUIREMENT
Tomorrowland Speedway
32″
The Barnstormer
35″
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
38″
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
40″
Splash Mountain
40″
Space Mountain
44″
Magic Kingdom Attractions with Height Requirements
Magic Kingdom Restaurants for Picky Eaters
Who else has kids that only rotate a few menu items? I was hoping I wasn’t the only one! We go through a lot of chicken nuggets, fries, pizza, mac & cheese at our house. So one of the keys to knowing how to manage your day at Magic Kingdom, is where to find food they’ll eat. I’ll list two of our favorites that are on each side of the park. So hopefully when you ( or the kids) are hungry, you’ll be within a short walk to one of these.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Who doesn’t love being serenaded by Sonny Eclipse while eating a burger and fries! This is a great spot for kids especially when considering the added entertainment. There are also plant based burger options for those that need it. My wife is vegetarian and it can be difficult to find plant based patties. Cosmic Ray’s is located in Tomorrowland close to Tomorrowland Speedway. This is also a mobile ordering location so be sure to order ahead!
Menu Highlights
1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger
All-Beef Foot-long Hot Dog
Chicken Strips (4 Strips)
Greek Salad
French Fries
Macaroni & Cheese
Barbecued Chicken Sandwich
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
This is probably our favorite place to eat at Magic Kingdom. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe has a great mix of food and desserts. No one goes hungry when we make a stop over here by Splash Mountain. Also as a an added bonus, if you sit on the patio facing Splash Mountain, you can see the start of parades.
Menu Highlights
EARidescence Nugget Churros
Powdered Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Holes – Personal Favorite!
Fajita Platter
1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger
Taco Trio
Veggie Rice Bowl
Macaroni & Cheese
Phot Shoot at Disney Springs
Magic Kingdom Souvenir Strategy
This can be very tricky and I would adjust based on your budget. It can be very easy to walk in to a Walt Disney World Gift Shop and walk out with hundreds of dollars in merchandise. If you can afford that, Awesome! But if you’re like me and want to keep the amount of souvenirs traveling back in a checked bag, here are a few tips. Tip number one is to try to avoid the gift shops as much as possible. Magic Kingdom actually doesn’t have a ton of attractions that empty in to gift stores. Disney definitely learned that trick by the time that Hollywood Studios was built. But you can navigate your way around gift shops with Main Street USA being the biggest gift shop destination.
Tip number 2 is to set aside gift cards per child with money loaded. Once they are out of money, no more souvenirs to buy. Its also a great way to get kids to think about options and what is more important to them.
No matter how you approach it, having a strategy for souvenirs can reduce the amount of money that gets spent while on vacation. It’ll also decrease the number of times you get asked for toys, if the strategy is clearly laid out to everyone. I always tell my kids, we didn’t travel to Florida to buy souvenirs. I think it helps redirect their attention to all the things going on around them.
Magic Kingdom with Preschoolers – Overall Tips
The key to the best visit to Magic Kingdom with Preschoolers is preparation and managing expectations. Hopefully we have shared a few tips that can help the trip go smoothly. It really is a great experience to travel to Magic Kingdom with preschoolers and see it through their eyes. Also if you are there during Fall, be sure to check out the Halloween Party! It is our favorite time of the year to go. c
Now, will you be able to go on every ride and attraction in one day? Probably not! In my experience with our toddlers, they are ready for the resort and bed by about 8:30. So you have a limited amount of time to get things done in the park. But can you go to Magic Kingdom for a few days and get everything done? Absolutely! So remember to slow down, take breaks, pose for lots of pictures, and enjoy the Magic Kingdom!
Affiliate Disclosure
Sometimes I use affiliate links. That just means that I may earn a commission when you use one of the products or services that I write reviews for. My goal is to write blog posts about my experience and share that with you. If you end up purchasing based on a review on the site, I might get back a few dollars to plan the next Disney World Trip. I’m trying to find a good balance where I take more trips and provide more reviews!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is one of the many located at Walt Disney World Resort. Although Pop Century may be one of Disney’s moderate resorts, there are still plenty of benefits to staying here. There are numerous ways to get to any park. Also, there are a wide variety of activities that guests of all ages can enjoy.
Pop Century’s Location and Transportation
Pop Century Resort is in the Wide World of Sports area, in between Epcot and ESPN Wide World of Sports. The resort is also across from the Feature Animation Resort and just a Skyliner away from Caribbean Beach Resort. The Skyliner makes the resort an ideal place to stay.
The Skyliner connects guests to Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach Resort, the Riviera Resort, and Epcot. This makes resort hopping and park hopping more convenient for guests. It also has a bus system guests can use to visit the 4 parks, Disney Springs, and other Disney-owned resorts.
What Pop Century Resort Has to Offer
Pop Century Resort also has a lot to offer for guests that choose to stay there. With the resort’s unique theme, it will take guests back in time by displaying major historical moments during each decade starting from the 1950s. From important pop moments to technological advancements, the guests can immerse themselves in the past.
Guests can enjoy the mile-long trail along Hourglass Lake at Pop Century Resort. Here they can read about major events, technological advancements, and pop-related news starting from 1950 to 1999.
Guests will also be able to take in the unique structures and layout of the resort that is based on each decade. These unique structures are iconic toys or activities that were popular in that decade, from bowling pins to Rubik’s cubes. Guests will even see popular Disney characters based on movies that were released in that decade.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort Area
Resort Activities
There are plenty of activities for families to enjoy at Pop Century Resort. The first activity that guests can enjoy is the three pools throughout the resort where they can play in the pool or just relax and tan poolside. Guests of all ages relaxing by the Hippy Dippy Pool will also be able to take advantage of the Petals Pool Bar where they can enjoy food and drinks by the pool.
There are also other activities that kids will especially enjoy with the biggest one being the Fast Forward Arcade. Pop Century is one of the few resorts on Disney property that has an arcade in their resort. Here the guests can have some fun and even beat the heat by playing fan-favorite arcade games from air hockey to different racing games.
Guests can also enjoy the different resort activities that are held by Cast Members throughout the day. One popular activity is the daily movie nights that play a different popular Disney movie every night. Cast Members also host different arts and crafts activities so that the guests can make their own souvenirs.
Merchandise and Dining
Pop Century Resort has Everything Pop which is a merchandise store and a quick-service food court. Guests shopping at the Everything Pop store will be able to find some of the popular products, like the 50th-anniversary merchandise, that can be found at the parks or Disney Springs.
The quick-service food court offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of American food choices. Everything Pop food court also has a grab n’ go section for the guests that are rushing out to head to the parks.
Overall Views of Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Pop Century Resort is worth the stay. The location that the resort is in makes it convenient for guests to go from one park to another or to go resort hopping. Also, with the unique structure of iconic things from past decades and the wide variety of activities, guests will surely have a memorable and magical time at this resort.
Sometimes I use affiliate links. That just means that I may earn a commission when you use one of the products or services that I write reviews for. My goal is to write blog posts about my experience and share that with you. If you end up purchasing based on a review on the site, I might get back a few dollars to plan the next Disney World Trip. I’m trying to find a good balance where I take more trips and provide more reviews!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a New-England coastal inspired resort located on EPCOT’s resort property. This resort offers dinning, pools, spas, and is conveniently located for easy access to the parks. In this post, we will be discussing the basics of Disney’s Beach Club to make sure you get the best of your Disney experience.
Where is the Beach Club Resort Located?
Disney’s Beach Club stands out with its coastal blue color on its buildings. Its a sister resort to Disney’s Yacht Club and allows guests access to both easily. This is the closest deluxe resort to EPCOT, so its a 5 minute walk to the international gateway. This makes it a perfect location to stay if you plan on ending your day at EPCOT. You can also take a short boat ride from the resort to Hollywood Studios. Bonus, you can even head for a ride on the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios!
Map of Disney’s Beach Club
Benefits of staying at the resort
Overall, the location of Disney’s Beach Club is a great one. You can easily access EPCOT and Hollywood Studios as well as dinning, entertainment, and shopping right across the street at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are short bus rides away. The short distance to 2 of the parks, make this a great option if you plan on park hopping to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios in the evening. It can’t be overstated how nice it is to leave EPCOT and be able to get to your resort in 5 minutes.
Disney’s Beach Club is also a Deluxe Resort which comes with added benefits. Guests staying here are able to gain entry to the Walt Disney World theme parks 30 minutes before opening. This is a big benefit and you can knock out some big rides in that 30 minute window. Another perk available to Deluxe Resort guests is the 2 extra evening hours at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Currently this is offered on Monday and Wednesday so be sure to check the calendar!
Disney’s Beach Club includes Stormalong Bay, which many consider the best pool at Walt Disney World. It has a sand bottom pool, lazy river, and a huge slide. So be sure to build in some park days to enjoy!
Stormalong Bay
Downsides of Staying at the Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort has a ton of amenities, so be prepared to pay. Don’t be surprised to find nightly rates over $500! So if you plan a few resort days, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. But if you plan to be at the parks open to close, tis may not be the resort for you. If you do plan on being in the park 10 plus hours a day, we may have better Disney World Area hotel picks.
Getting to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom can be more challenging, especially in comparison to the options for DSH and EPCOT. Your wait at the bus stop will vary but the actual ride to MK or AK is only 25 – 30 minutes.
Also because it is a deluxe resort, be prepared for a busy lobby and resort grounds. It’s a great place to take an EPCOT park break so lots of people who aren’t staying will visit the resort.
4K WDW Walkthrough of Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Amenities
This resort offers many different styles of rooms to choose from and it also has great amenities. When choosing your room, you have the option to choose the view you would like. There many different beautiful options to choose from including Crescent Lake, the pool (Stormalong Bay), the gardens, etc.
There is even a club level service option! This gives guests access to Stone Harbor Club on the 5th floor. This area has great food options through the day and concierge staff ready for your every need.
Stormalong Bay is the Beach Club’s pool area and is considered one of the best pools on Disney Property. It boasts waterfalls, hot tubs, a pirate ship, a lazy river and a water slide. There is something for anyone in the family here to enjoy!
What type of Rooms are available?
There are many different options for rooms at the Beach Club Resort depending on your party size and preferences. Rooms with better views will cost a bit more than other rooms. Here are the different options available for rooms:
Standard Room
Pool View
Club Levels
Garden View
Deluxe Room
1-2 Bedroom Suites
Newport Presidential Suite
We stayed at one of the standard rooms and found it to be a great size for a family of 4. It’s a quick walk from anywhere on property to the dining and pool areas.
Many people believe that the rooms at the Beach Club fall short in the theme. The rooms are a bit bland compared to the rest of the resort and need a serious update. Compared to the price, some say they don’t like the room. Others say the room doesn’t matter as much because of all the amazing amenities. It’s important to think about your party’s needs!
Overall Thoughts on Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Overall, Disney’s Beach Club is a great resort to stay in. We highly suggest it for Stormalong Bay, its location to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, and the dinning and shopping experience across the street. We ended up wishing we would have built in more resort days. There is so much to do at the Beach Club and surrounding area, you need at least two days to take it all in. So if you are planning to make a deluxe resort part of your Disney World Vacation, make all the resort amenities a bigger part of the stay.
Affiliate Disclosure
Sometimes I use affiliate links. That just means that I may earn a commission when you use one of the products or services that I write reviews for. My goal is to write blog posts about my experience and share that with you. If you end up purchasing based on a review on the site, I might get back a few dollars to plan the next Disney World Trip. I’m trying to find a good balance where I take more trips and provide more reviews! 🙂
Boo to You! Everyone favorite tick or treat event is back in Magic Kingdom for 2022. Let’s look at all the details for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!
Why go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?
This is a great after hours party at Magic Kingdom full of special treats, ride overlays, and character meet and greets. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party really is a family friendly event that includes lots for kids of all ages.
Everyone with an event ticket will get a special bag to trick or treat around the park. Which, on its own is a really special experience but there is a lot more included. But there is a lot more going on each night. There is a Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular which includes the Sanderson Sisters. It’ll be a lot of fun for all the Hocus Pocus fans and its the only time you’ll see them in parks. One of our favorite things to see is the Mickey’s Boo to You Parade. Once you hear the theme music, it may have the same effect as Its a Small World. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
What are the dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for 2022?
Oct 2, Oct 4, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 10, Oct 11, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 16, Oct 18, Oct 20, Oct 21, Oct 23, Oct 25, Oct 27, Oct 28, Oct 30, Oct 31
If you see some dates that work for your travel, don’t wait! The party dates book quickly and the event is limited capacity.
What time does the party take place?
The official event time is from 7pm to Midnight. However, if you have a ticket to the party you can get in to Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm. The event doesn’t require a park reservation, all you need is an event ticket linked to your My Disney Experience App. So, it may be a good idea to rest up at the resort during the day and prepare for the late night at Magic Kingdom. The Party is so much fun and that 5 hours will fly by!
Can I wear a costume to the Party?
Yes! Its actually one of the best parts of the night. Even if you don’t dress up its fun to see all the creative costumes of the other guests. Just be sure to check the costume guidelines from Disney. If you’re looking for some ideas, a google search of the party from 2019 will give you a lot to consider.
How much is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?
The cost varies depending on the night but as you can imagine, the price goes up the closer you get to Halloween. There is also still the difference between ages 10+ and 3-9 ticket prices.
Ages 10+: $109 – $199
Ages 3 – 9: $99 – $189
So, it’s not cheap to go to the party but there is a ton of added value throughout the night. Our experience at the last party was great. Capacity is limited, so you can really get around the park quickly and see all the party highlights.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party kicks off in less than a month and we woudl love to hear how your trip went! Be sure to comment below on tips you would have for other travellers.
Get your ticket today! Hope to see you there this Fall!
Holiday Inn Disney Springs is a great option when looking for off site hotels. What exactly is an offsite hotel? It’s anything that isn’t on Disney Property and there are some very nice resorts and hotels that would meet this criteria. It’s also a Walt Disney World partner hotel so that comes with a few different amenities. The reservation will even link to My Disney Experience when you are looking at future plans. However, you can’t link your Magic Band to pay for food and souvenirs while in the park.
Comparison to Disney Resorts
We stayed at the hotel in October and found it to be a really nice alternative when compared to Disney World Resort hotels. Holiday Inn Disney Springs is more comparable to a moderate resort but with value pricing. There is an onsite restaurant, meeting rooms, fitness center, and arcade so it hits a lot of the high points for a Disney resort. The rooms are actually bigger than anything we’ve stayed at in Walt Disney World, even the Deluxe Studios at Beach Club. And it can’t be matched in price when comparing to a moderate resort.
Added Benefits for IHG Reward Members
I personally would stay here before any of the All Star resorts. I know for some that would be sacrilegious, but I would say give this hotel a chance and it’ll change your mind. It’s also a great option if you are already an IHG Rewards member. I have quite a few points through work and this is a great way to spend those points. The hotel normally has nights open for Rewards too which is rare for some vacation destinations. Just be sure to book as early as possible if using IHG points, Holiday Inn Disney Springs books up 1 to 2 months out.
Another View of the Holiday Inn Pool
Walt Disney World Partner Benefits
Early Theme Park Entry: hotel guests will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. Please note that guests need valid admission and a park reservation made via the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.
Shuttle Service – Scheduled shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks, reservations are required. Please inquire with the front desk for details.
Prime Walt Disney World® Location – Holiday Inn Disney Springs within walking distance to Disney Springs®.
Disney Springs® Deals Booklet – distributed at check-in, featuring exclusive discounts and specials, valued at over $300 dollars with discounts on dining, entertainment and shopping.
Transportation Tip – Use the Disney World Buses from Disney Springs
This really works if you aren’t rope dropping. We would make the walk from Holiday Inn to Disney Springs in the morning for breakfast and shopping. Then take the Disney Bus to the closest resort to your Theme Park destination. Ex. Catch a bus to the Contemporary and skip the TTC. The security line is so much shorter when walking in from the Contemporary. I know everyone hates the rush you feel when going through security at the TTC.
It’s also a great option at night when you may want to head back to Disney Springs for dinner. Ex. take the bus from Boardwalk after visiting EPCOT.
Meet Chewie at the Elevator
Holiday Inn Disney Springs Overall Opinion
The Holiday Inn Disney Springs really is a great hotel and can be a very reasonable option to stay offsite with almost all of the amenities. If you are planning to spend all day at the parks and Disney Springs, is it really worth paying a lot more for a room? I would rather spend the extra money on Disney Souvenirs and cinnamon rolls from Gaston’s Tavern.
FAQs
We stayed at the resort so thought we would answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the resort.
How long is the walk from Holiday Inn to Disney Springs?
Its a short walk, only takes about 10 minutes to get to Disney Springs. There are sidewalks the entire way and there are also walking bridges to help cross over once you get close to the Disney Springs Entrance.
What transportation options are available from the Holiday Inn to the Theme Parks?
Transportation gets a little more complicated once you stay off property, especially if you don’t rent a car. The hotel does offer a shuttle to the parks but I don’t normally use those. Most hotel shuttles have rules around when and where they will drop you off.
The quickest method would be to use an Uber or Lyft and be dropped off at Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or the TTC.
We actually just used Disney Springs as our hub. We’re not rope droppers so this method works better if you aren’t trying to get to the parks early. We would walk to the Disney Springs Bus area and get on the resort bus that’s closest to the park we were going to.
Magic Kingdom – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
EPCOT – The Boardwalk
Hollyood Studios – The Boardwalk and jump on the Skyliner at International Gateway
Animal Kingdom – Pick any Resort you want to visit then take the bus there to Animal Kingdom
So, you can see it takes a little more time but its the low cost option to get around Disney World. Its also a good excuse to go visit other resorts.
Stack any booking with a cash back offer from Rakuten and save even more money. It quickly adds up. Holiday Inn is currently giving 3% cash back.
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My son (16) and I spent Spring Break at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista. Overall it was a great place to stay when visiting Walt Disney World Resort. It’s also very close to Disney Springs and all the parks, so it feels very close to Walt Disney World Property. It is a WDW Good Neighbor Hotel so it is held to a higher quality standard based on this. You can read more details on WDW Good Neighbor Hotels at my other post.
Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Pros
Outside of being lower priced compared to Disney resorts, one of the best qualities of the hotel is the proximity to Disney Springs. It was only a few minute Uber ride over and you could utilize Disney Buses to get to other properties. One morning we took advantage of this and rode the Disney bus over to the Contemporary. From there it was just a short walk to Magic Kingdom and we never had to go through the TTC.
Also, even though this was during Spring Break with record crowds, the hotel never felt really busy. Most mornings we would take advantage of the pool and hot tub and just relax before heading to the park.
For anyone looking for places to eat close, there is an Applebee’s connected to the hotel. And there is a Chick Fil A just across the street. So several good options for families within a short walk.
The hotel also has a gift shop / convenience store that has most basic needs covered. We forgot to buy ponchos and were able to pick up a few here that were cheaper than in park.
Hollywood Studios Decorations at the hotel
Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Cons
If you love to stay on Walt Disney World Property, I don’t think this option would work for you. There is a little Disney theming throughout the hotel but definitely does not compare to any of the Disney All Star Resorts. Another downside is the travel to the parks if you like to rope drop. It’s still doable from here to be at the park early enough for rope drop but it will be a little more work especially if you have to go to the Ticket and Transportation Center.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I would definitely recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista if off property is an option for your trip. It’s a great place to stay and its a short Uber / Lyft ride to Disney Springs.
Have you ever stayed at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista? We would love to hear from you.
PS: Clicking on the links in the article may result in an affiliate commission.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the hottest ride at Walt Disney World at the moment. The initial reactions is that it may even dethrone Rise of the Resistance as the best ride on property.
So, the real question is how do you guarantee you get to ride it on your next trip to Walt Disney World.
There are currently 2 options; Virtual Queue or Individual Lightning Lane. Hint: You could actually ride twice if you use both options in one day!
See below for Virtual Queue details straight from Disney:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue
A virtual queue is in place at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter the attraction. A standby queue will not be available. Each Guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day during regular park hours.
Guests must have valid admission and a theme park reservation to join the virtual queue. There will be 2 daily opportunities to request to join the virtual queue for the ride:
7:00 AM (Guests do not need to be in the park when they join, but must have a theme park reservation for EPCOT)
1:00 PM (Guests must be in EPCOT to join the virtual queue at this time)
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours An additional opportunity to request to join the virtual queue will be available at 6:00 PM on select dates during extended evening theme park hours, a benefit for registered Guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels. Guests with this benefit do not need to be in EPCOT to request to join at that time.
Individual Lighting Lane Option – Pay to Ride
The other option is to buy an individual Lightning Lane pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. These also go on sale at 7am and allow you to select and pay for a time throughout the day. It looks like this will cost around $15 per rider and only one can be purchased per day.
No matter which way you go with getting to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, just be sure to be online early for either the virtual queue or lightning lane because these will go fast!
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