A Dream Away

Early Entry Review

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Entry into the parks 30 minutes prior to park opening

Available to all Disney World hotel guests, and some third party hotels

Helpful if focus is on maximizing rides, not for more relaxed experience

What is Early Entry?

Early entry, also called rope dropping by diehard Disney fans, allows folks to enter any of the parks 30 minutes early every day. Only some of the rides are available, check out the list here on Disney’s website. This is available to all Disney World hotel guests, and some third party hotels. The full list is available in the link provided above.

Extended Evening Hours Review

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Extra time in the parks after the general public leaves. Only available on select nights

No cost for this perk

For guests of Deluxe and Deluxe Villa hotels, Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green only

My preference over early entry

What are Extended Evening Hours?

Extended evening hours allow you to stay in the parks for a couple hours past the general public. The timing varies, but is usually about 2-3 extra hours. It’s currently available at all four parks, and you can find a list of available rides here on Disney’s website.

My Love Letter to the Rivera Resort

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Good pick for upscale, refined atmosphere with minimal Disney theming

On the more expensive side, but lots of amenities to match the price tag

Check out Topolino’s Terrace for a nice sit down dinner. Great special occasion pick

Overview

My favorite resort on Disney property is hands down the Rivera Resort. It is themed to the French and Italian Rivieras. This hotel has a more upscale vibe to it. There is subtle Disney theming in the art work, etc., but overall feels like the hotel could be picked up and moved to somewhere else and guests wouldn’t think twice about it. The hotel is smaller and quieter than many other of the deluxe hotels and vacation club hotels, giving it a chill vibe.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party Review

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Includes prime fireworks viewing and a dessert buffet

3 different ways to experience (pre, post, seats and sweets)

One of my recommended splurges for a better experience

Happily Ever After Fireworks

Overview

Every evening, Magic Kingdom wraps up its day with a fireworks show. One of the best ways, in my opinion, to enjoy these fireworks is through a dessert party.

What To Wear To The Parks

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Wear comfortable, breathable clothes. Always wear supportive shoes and bags

Always have your rain gear/sun gear

Pack a sweater/jacket in the winter time - it can get chilly

If you forget your layers/rain and sun gear, you can buy them at the parks

Like any major trip, you want to dress the part for the activities you’ll be doing. A Disney World day includes lots of walking, movement, and being outside. It’s important to dress yourself accordingly so you can be comfortable and focus on enjoying your day.

Water Bottle Refill Station Locations

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Check out the What’s in My Park Bag post for what reusable water bottle I recommend

Take note of where to refill your water bottle across all parks and hotels

Disney has gotten really good at installing water bottle refill stations throughout the parks and hotels in recent years. As I shared in the What’s in My Park Bag post, I highly recommend bringing your own reusable water bottle on your trip. Not only does it help you save money, but also is good for the planet.

Planning Checklist

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Use the chart below for an overview of the steps to start planning your Disney World vacation.

Check out the additional information below for more details on each step.

Decision	Recommended Timeline
When to Go and Trip Length	6-8 months out
Where to Stay	6-8 months out
Transportation to/from the Airport	Day of to 1 month out
MagicBand+ vs MagicMobile vs Physical Key Card	11+ days before check-in through check-in day
Must-do Rides/Experiences	2 months out
Book Dining Reservations	2 months out
If Using Line Skipping Programs	1 month through 2 weeks prior to your trip
Must Eat Snacks	1 month out

When to Go and Trip Length

I have a separate article on this topic, When to Go and How Long to Stay.

What's in My Park Bag

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Bring a comfortable bag that won’t hurt your back - highly recommend a hiking backpack

Pack all the essentials

If you forget anything, toiletries are sold in the parks, and first aid stations offer basic medical supplies for free

Please note - any links to products shared in this post are not affiliate links so I am not earning a commission by including this here. I just really like the products and want to share them.

When to Go and How Long to Stay

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

My favorite time of year to visit Disney World is October or early November. Second favorite is early March or April

Avoid June through September as the weather is very warm and there’s a high chance of hurricanes

I recommend staying for 4 or 5 full days and building in one day to enjoy the magic outside the parks like your resort or Disney Springs

Summer

From June to September, the weather becomes extremely warm and humid. I have flashbacks of visiting Florida in the summer and being drenched with sweat within 10 minutes of being outside. So as a result I recommend avoiding visiting in the summer. It’s also one of the busier times of the year because kids are out of school. Additionally, the hurricane season is from June to November. I have been caught in several hurricanes down at Disney now, and it is never a fun experience.

About

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hi, I’m Lauren!

I grew up going to Walt Disney World with my family, and even completed both the Disney College Program and a Professional Internship. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed with Disney. The goal of my blog is to share my tips and tricks to help you have the most magical trip.