An Idiot's Guide to WALT DISNEY WORLD

This is my updated introduction to Walt Disney World aimed mainly for first timers or those in need of a refresh. I’ll be covering a tour of the parks (including the water parks), as well as other things such as tickets, Genie+, Lightning Lanes, Park Pass Reservations, Disney Springs, Transportation, dining, resorts (value, moderate and deluxe) and many other things.

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UPDATES & CORRECTIONS:

- 😀 parking now free for resort guests.

- 😀 Disney has announced plans to eliminate the need for park pass reservations for guests with date based tickets starting 9 January 2024. Woohoo!

- 😡 As of June 27th, guests will be forced to buy Genie+ based on what (and how many) parks they want to visit. I.e. Genie+ pricing will be park specific and your purchase will either be for a single park or multiple parks. You'll be able to pick between a single park option, or a multiple-parks option. The multiple parks option works the same as the current genie+ service with a valid park hopper. Furthermore, prices for Genie+ will depend on what park you select. The genie+ price might be lower at some parks compared to others. So, going forward genie+ pricing will be influenced by whether you want to use it for multiple parks, which park you pick (assuming you choose just one), and the you plan to visit.

Last updated on 11 July 2023

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - INTRO
0:48 - WHAT IS DISNEY WORLD?
1:31 - PART 1 - THE PARKS
22:57 - PART 2 - WHERE TO STAY
24:26 - EARLY THEME PARK ENTRY
28:23 - PART 3 - BOOKING WDW
31:56 - PART 4 - PARK TICKETS
34:24 - PART 5 - MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE & RESERVATIONS
38:46 - PART 6 - GENIE+ & LIGHTNING LANES
48:27 - VIRTUAL QUEUE
50:37 - PART 7 - TRANSPORTATION
56:10 - PART 8 - CHARACTERS
58:09 - PART 9 - DINING
1:02:39 - PART 10 - DISNEY SPRINGS

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VIDEO LINKS:

Crowd Calendar:

Guide to hotel grocery delivery:

Mears Connect alternative:

Florida Child Restraint Laws:

List of Character Meet & Greets:

Disney Dining Plan Guide:

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CONTACT:

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MUSIC LICENCING:

Music: Vlad Gluschenko — Golden Hour
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Track: Ikson - Walk [Official]
Music provided by Ikson®

Track: Ikson - Pumpkin Field [Official]
Music provided by Ikson®

[TheFrugalBrit]

UPDATES (last updated on 11 July 2023):

- 😀 parking now free for resort guests.

- 😀 Disney has announced plans to eliminate the need for park pass reservations for guests with date based tickets starting 9 January 2024. Woohoo!

- 😡 As of June 27th, guests will be forced to buy Genie+ based on what (and how many) parks they want to visit. I.e. Genie+ pricing will be park specific and your purchase will either be for a single park or multiple parks. You'll be able to pick between a single park option, or a multiple-parks option. The multiple parks option works the same as the current genie+ service with a valid park hopper. Furthermore, prices for Genie+ will depend on what park you select. The genie+ price might be lower at some parks compared to others. So, going forward genie+ pricing will be influenced by whether you want to use it for multiple parks, which park you pick (assuming you choose just one), and the you plan to visit.

[darealflow]

When I decided to research Disney your videos were the first I came across. After a long spiral through so many videos over the last few months. I can say without hesitation that you have the best and more relevant content. You explain things well and helped me feel like a had a grasp of my plans

[craigpugsley]

I can’t express just how good your videos are. This all seems so complicated, but the time and effort you’ve clearly put in to research this makes it all so clear. Thank you so much! Really appreciated!

[ZaneTrain]

This was the best video I've seen for first timers. Every other video I've watched left me with more questions than answers. Your video was the most in-depth and straight forward I've seen. Thank you so much for walking us through even the basics! Very grateful for this.

[johnwatson]

Such a great overview, and the maps you've used are high-quality. Brilliant video!

[d.r.mcmanus]

Being a largely visual learner, this is wonderful!! The map views are super helpful and broken down so well!! Just doing research for a future bucket list cross off on a rainy day, but this is just what I needed to start with having not been to the parks since my parents took me in the 80s.

[jg]

Amazing video. Your explanations are so clear. Can't thank you enough 😊

[BBaker-sfvc]

I've been going to WDW on and off for the last 34 years. This was by far the best, most comprehensive, and complete vlog I've ever seen on the subject. Wonderful, awesome job!!!

[normanvickers]

An absolutely brilliant video, in fact all of your videos are great but this one which covers everything can’t be beaten. I last visited Disney 7 years ago and a lot has changed especially the use of technology by way of the App and this video has clarified everything that looked very daunting on first glance. The walk through using screen shots is especially helpful, the unbiased advice and clearly very knowledgeable guides are making my upcoming visit more eagerly anticipated. Thank you for your efforts.

[KatyiaGC]

Thank you so much for these videos! Honestly I was almost losing sleep over planning my Disney trips, but you’ve made it so easy! Definitely the best video I’ve seen!

[DuchessFatima]

Love your videos so so much! I really appreciate all the hard work and research you put in.

[SuHaVifamily]

This video bookmarked in Disney world website to everyone to see before coming as new guest as me! Thanks for creating!

[alisonlee]

By far, the best video I’ve seen about all things WDW. I loved your editing transitions from map to attractions.
Loved it. Thank you for sharing!

[TTYT]

Absolutely fantastic video yet again so helpful and I’m grateful for how you can make complicated things so uncomplicated, it really helps my head haha x

[wrc]

Excellent work as ever - great level of detail and superbly well produced! I knew very little about the actual workings of lightening land and Genie plus via the app, so great to see the walk through. It does strike me as increasingly amazing that Disney manages to charge hundreds and thousands of dollars to battle for reservations and experience such an incredibly high level of hassle and inconvenience under the guise of a holiday, but I guess the demand is clearly still there!

[ctrlnewt]

Gracias man, so much has changed since the last time I went! We’re going for an orchestra trip, so hopefully, everything will go to plan!

[CraigOConnor]

Awesome video pal! Really informative & well thought through! Big frugal brit fan. Keep it going 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[lauraschmidt]

This is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much!!

[WaterBug]

Thanks for this! AK is my favorite park as well. Whole different and relaxed vibe.

[jeninaslicer]

Happy New Year to my fav Frugal Brit! Many blessings to you and your family! Can’t wait for your new content!😊