Major city · United States
Walt Disney WorldWalt Disney World Resort
Plan 4–5 park days minimum: one day each at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, plus a rest or Disney Springs day.
Walt Disney World is a 25,000-acre resort in Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, Florida, about 20 miles southwest of Orlando. It holds four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs and more than 25 on-site hotels. Most first trips run 4–7 nights; four park days is the practical minimum to see each park once. Stay on-site for early entry and free resort transport, or off-site on I-192 or in Kissimmee for lower room rates. Book park tickets and any Lightning Lane in advance; peak weeks sell out.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jan–Feb, late Apr–May, Sep, early Dec
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat and storms), Thanksgiving week, Christmas–New Year, spring break (mid-Mar–mid-Apr)
- Airports
- MCO · SFB
- Nights
- 4–7
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Walt Disney World911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Walt Disney World, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyThe resort is well patrolled and generally safe; the main risks are summer heat and storms, long days on your feet, and traffic on I-4 and US-192.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCO Orlando International (About 20 miles east of the resort; rideshare or shuttle, 25–40 min depending on traffic.).
- Getting aroundOn-site: free Disney buses, the monorail (Magic Kingdom resorts and Epcot), the Skyliner gondola (Epcot…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealTable-service dinner, per person$30–70
- BeerBeer or wine in a park$9–15
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedStandard double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedStandard double room, a night, per roomUS$450
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$150 · Mid US$275 · High US$450
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCO Orlando International (About 20 miles east of the resort; rideshare or shuttle, 25–40 min depending on traffic.) · SFB Orlando Sanford International (About 50 miles north; fewer airlines, longer transfer.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
71°C (160°F)160°F (71°C)
Feb
Best
74°C (165°F)165°F (74°C)
Mar
not flagged
78°C (172°F)172°F (78°C)
Apr
Best*
83°C (181°F)181°F (83°C)
May
Best
88°C (190°F)190°F (88°C)
Jun
Avoid
91°C (196°F)196°F (91°C)
Jul
Avoid
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
Aug
Avoid
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
Sep
Best
90°C (194°F)194°F (90°C)
Oct
not flagged
85°C (185°F)185°F (85°C)
Nov
not flagged
78°C (172°F)172°F (78°C)
Dec
Best*
73°C (163°F)163°F (73°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)), coolest Jan (49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Nov (6). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Walt Disney World: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
71°C (160°F)160°F (71°C)
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
7 rd
Feb
74°C (165°F)165°F (74°C)
51°C (124°F)124°F (51°C)
7 rd
Mar
78°C (172°F)172°F (78°C)
55°C (131°F)131°F (55°C)
8 rd
Apr
83°C (181°F)181°F (83°C)
60°C (140°F)140°F (60°C)
7 rd
May
88°C (190°F)190°F (88°C)
66°C (151°F)151°F (66°C)
9 rd
Jun
91°C (196°F)196°F (91°C)
72°C (162°F)162°F (72°C)
14 rd
Jul
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
74°C (165°F)165°F (74°C)
16 rd
Aug
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
74°C (165°F)165°F (74°C)
16 rd
Sep
90°C (194°F)194°F (90°C)
73°C (163°F)163°F (73°C)
13 rd
Oct
85°C (185°F)185°F (85°C)
66°C (151°F)151°F (66°C)
8 rd
Nov
78°C (172°F)172°F (78°C)
58°C (136°F)136°F (58°C)
6 rd
Dec
73°C (163°F)163°F (73°C)
51°C (124°F)124°F (51°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On-site: free Disney buses, the monorail (Magic Kingdom resorts and Epcot), the Skyliner gondola (Epcot, Hollywood Studios and some resorts) and boats. Off-site: you need a car or rideshare; parking at the parks is charged per day. Allow 30–60 min door-to-door between a hotel and a park gate.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Universal Orlando
goDoor to door: About 45 min
I-4 or shuttle from International Drive, about 20–30 min by car
Needs its own day or two; buy separate tickets.
Kennedy Space Center
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
SR-528 east to Titusville, about 1 h by car
A full day; check launch dates before booking.
Winter Park
goDoor to door: About 45 min
I-4 to Orlando, then local roads, about 30 min by car
Museums, lake boat tour and a walkable main street.
Celebration
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-192 east, about 10 min by car
Short stroll and dinner; not a full day.
Sanford
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-4 and SR-417 north, about 45 min by car
Historic downtown and lakefront; pair with a Sanford flight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
On-site Disney resort hotels
Value, moderate and deluxe tiers; free buses, monorail or boats to the parks and early park entry for on-site guests.
Lake Buena Vista / Disney Springs area
Off-site hotels and vacation rentals next to Disney Springs; walk or short shuttle to the shopping district.
Kissimmee and US-192
Cheapest rooms and self-catering; 15–30 min drive to the parks, car or rideshare needed.
International Drive, Orlando
Restaurants and other attractions; 20–30 min drive to Disney, better if you also plan Universal.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- $200–350 excl. bed
- High
- $350+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Standard double room1 × 5 nights × US$200 | US$1,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 5 days × US$275 | US$2,750 |
| One-day, one-park ticket (date-based)2 × US$130 · check | US$260 |
| Parking at a theme park, per day1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Rideshare MCO to resort, one way1 × US$45 · check | US$45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$412 |
| Trip total≈ US$453 per person per day, bed included | US$4,527 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Prices shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Quick-service meal | $12–20 |
| Table-service dinner, per person | $30–70 |
| Bottled water or soda in a park | $4–6 |
| Beer or wine in a park | $9–15 |
| Rideshare, resort to International Drive | $15–30 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Park tickets are dated and park-specific; you must reserve which park you enter each day in advance.
- Lightning Lane and individual attraction passes cost extra and sell out; buy before your trip.
- Summer afternoons bring heavy thunderstorms; plan indoor rides then.
- Food and drink inside the parks are expensive; a refillable resort mug and packed snacks cut the bill.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Walt Disney WorldWalt Disney World Resort
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies on site; consulates are in Orlando and Miami. Check your country's nearest consulate before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MCO to resort, rideshare: $35–60, 25–40 min (check)
- Theme-park parking, per day: about $30 (check)
- Disney bus, monorail or Skyliner: free for on-site guests and park ticket holders
Say or show
- Where is the entrance? — Where is the entrance?
- How long is the wait? — How long is the wait?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Is this the line for the ride? — Is this the line for the ride?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Walt Disney World. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Feb, late Apr–May, Sep, early Dec · avoid Jun–Aug (heat and storms), Thanksgiving week, Christmas–New Year, spring break (mid-Mar–mid-Apr) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Park-by-park pages with ride lists, height rules and best arrival times.
- Resort-tier comparison: value, moderate and deluxe with real walk and bus times.
- Ticket and Lightning Lane cost tables by date band.
- Eat pages for Disney Springs and each park with last-order times.