Walt Disney World

As an independent consultant with Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Adventures by Disney®, Aulani and other delightful destinations.

My job is to handle all of the details so you can enjoy the anticipation of your trip without the stress and time commitment of all the planning. I use my personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke Disney trips for the most discerning clients.  On top of that, family vacations are expensive and I know how to get the best value for your time and money.  

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To get ideas for your trip, keep reading for tips, tricks and links to reviews on everything from theme parks to dining to special events!

WALT DISNEY WORLD REOPENING

Disney World reopened on July 11 and we have spent nineteen days back in the parks in July, September and October. We continue to be absolutely blown away by the thoughtful, practical and comprehensive precautions Disney has in place to safely welcome guests and cast members. I don’t have all of the words to convey how special it feels to be back. We laughed, we played, we ate too much, and we felt a level of happiness we hadn’t had in too long. I can assure you, magic is here!

If you’d like to see videos, photos and my explanations of both safety and magic at Walt Disney World, head over to the Dixie Travels Instagram. Once on my profile page, look for the circles called “highlights”. Safety protocols are primarily captured under “wdw reopens” and then you can click on the circle for each park to see the magic! I have also chronicled our experiences in these blog posts:

Walt Disney World Reopens
Returning to the Magic | Magic Kingdom | Epcot
Hollywood Studios | Animal Kingdom
Taste of Epcot Food & Wine Festival
Halloween Festivities | Holiday Celebrations

Most aspects of planning a Disney vacation look different and now, more than ever, it is crucial to have the most current, up to date information based on personal experience to plan your vacation!  When the time is right for your family to travel, I’d be honored to be YOUR advisor. Magic is here!

THEME PARKS

There are four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Listed below are links to dining reviews, experiences, special events and other park favorites. As a general rule, I recommend two full days in Magic Kingdom and one full day in each of the other parks, regardless of age! If you don’t have this amount of time or are planning a last minute visit (within two months), consider a Private VIP Tour.

Magic Kingdom

see all of our visits

Dining

  • Cinderella’s Royal Table – the quintessential Disney meal; a must do if you can get a reservation
  • Skipper Canteen – our #1 table serve choice in Magic Kingdom
  • Liberty Tree Tavern – a fan favorite
  • Plaza Restaurant – we love the burgers and they bring in ice cream from next door
  • Be Our Guest – dinner is our favorite as the castle has wonderful ambiance and Beast greets his guests
  • Quick Serve – Peco’s Bills and Pinocchio Village Haus
  • Treats – Dole Whip, Waffle Sandwich from Sleepy Hollow, Le Fou’s Brew & cinnamon roll from Gaston’s Tavern

Attractions

  • Adventureland – Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise
  • Frontierland – Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain
  • Liberty Square – Haunted Mansion
  • Fantasyland – 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Small World
  • Tomorrowland – Space Mountain, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Peoplemover, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear

Experiences

Events

Epcot

see all of our visits

Dining

Attractions

  • Future World – Test Track, Soarin, Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, The Land, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Character Spot
  • World Showcase – Frozen Ever After, Canada, American Adventure, Mexico

Experiences

Events

Animal Kingdom

see all of our visits | the beauty of Animal Kingdom in a photo tour

Dining

  • Tusker House – characters in safari gear + Rivers of Light dining package
    Tiffins Restaurant – signature dining with exceptional food and service
  • Quick Serve – Harambe Market & Satu’li Canteen
  • Treats – Dole Whip at Tamu Tamu Refreshments, Bloody Mary at Dawa Bar (get there early!), any cocktail and snack at Nomad Lounge

Attractions

  • Pandora – Flight of Passage
  • Africa – Kilimanjaro Safaris, Festival of the Lion King
  • Asia – Kali River Rapids, Expedition Everest
  • DinoLand USA – Dinosaur
  • Discovery Island – Meet Minnie & Mickey
  • Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Experiences

Hollywood Studios

see all of our visits

Attractions

  • Sunset Boulevard – Tower of Terror, Rock n Rollercoaster, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic!
  • Animation Courtyard – Star Wars Launch Bay, Little Mermaid
  • Toy Story Land – Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania
  • Echo Lake – Star Tours, Frozen Sing Along
  • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run & Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Dining

Experiences

OUTSIDE OF THE THEME PARKS

If your schedule permits, allow a day to visit one or both of Disney’s Water Parks and spend an evening at Disney Springs!

Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach

see all of our visits with tips & tricks: Typhoon Lagoon |Blizzard Beach

Winter Summerland Mini Golf

see all of our visits

Disney Springs

see all of our visits

Dining

Experiences

PRIVATE PREMIUM VIP TOUR

With the help of your own VIP Tour Guide, you can maximize your fun with minimal fuss for the Disney vacation of a lifetime!  Your guide and I will plan the most efficient, enjoyable way for groups up to 10 guests to see and do all that’s on your list. With door-to-door private transportation from your resort, expedited entry to attractions, and being the ONLY way to visit multiple parks in one day, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time soaking up the magic of Walt Disney World. You will experience unparalleled hospitality at one or more theme parks, ride your favorite attractions, and learn so much about the magic and often unnoticed details in the Disney parks with your very own guide. Rates run $400-450 per hour (7 hour minimum; $500-600 during peak seasons) for up to 10 guests.

Private VIP Tour
Luxury Disney World Vacation Itinerary
Contact me to learn more

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORTS

There are so many beautiful and memorable places to stay on the Disney property. The service is always top notch and you will want to be sure to allow extra time in your trip to soak up all of the fun things there are to do at your resort. Keep in mind that when you stay on property you will get to use Extra Magic Hours, make your dining reservations and FastPasses early, and have transportation around the property included. I feel so passionately about Disney Resorts being part of the overall vacation experience that I only work with clients booked on site. 

Resorts are divided into three categories:

  • Deluxe – Deluxe resorts are the best of the best. They are in the best locations, most convenient to the parks.  These resorts offer a variety of dining including everything from quick serve and pool side to character dining and signature experiences. All will have multiple pools, including waterslides and splash areas, as well as many other recreation opportunities and amenities. Resort rooms are the most spacious and all have a balcony or patio.   Most rooms can sleep a family of 5, and villas offer accommodations for up to 13. Most resorts offer concierge level accommodations.
  • Moderate – Moderate resorts are at a more favorable price point. They are located a bit further from the parks, generally speaking.   These resorts are motel style, with rooms opening to exterior hallways. Resort rooms are medium in size, but none will offer a balcony or patio.  Moderate resorts do have great pools with watersides, as well as both quick serve and sit down dining options. Some rooms can sleep a family of 5.
  • Value – Value resorts are the most cost effective way to stay on property in the middle of the magic! Like moderates, they are also motel style and are located the furthest from the parks. Resort rooms are the smallest in size, and none will offer a balcony or patio. While they do have pools, there are no watersides. All moderates will have quick serve dining, but they do not offer sit down dining. Most rooms have a maximum capacity of 4.
not my image; no source

Our Top Choices:

  • Deluxe: Grand Floridian, Riviera
  • Moderate: Coronado Springs
  • Value: Pop Century

Resort Reviews

Resort reviews include room pictures, property information, dining, amenities and activities:

 

Resort Dining & Experiences

Some of our favorite places to eat in Disney aren’t even in the parks, but at the resorts!  That means you don’t need a park ticket OR a room to enjoy them.  One of the things I always encourage people to do is to try all the different dining options at your resort.  Every one offers unique and fun experiences!  Here are our reviews:  

Many of the deluxe resorts offer Water Mice / Boat Rentals and many of the moderate and deluxe resorts offer Surrey Bike Rentals. A few deluxe resorts offer cabana rentals.

A VIP Disney Dream Vacation

In working with so many blog readers and fantastic clients over the last two years, I’ve had a number of consults that start with…

It’s time to take my kids to Disney. I’ll be honest, my husband and I are not thrilled with the idea. Oh, and he hates waiting in lines…

There is a way to do Disney like this, and give the kids the most magical, memorable trip while staying in luxury accommodations and not worrying about a single detail! I know how…

LEARN MORE

DISNEY DINING PLAN & TIPS

I’ve talked a lot about favorite spots for dining inside the parks and at the Disney Resorts. I do recommend purchasing the Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Disney Dining Plan. Dining at Disney is expensive and this is the very best way to budget appropriately, enjoy your trip and be able to say “YES!” when your kids ask for ice cream and your husband wants the filet. :-)

It is important to be smart about using the dining credits for very expensive places like Cinderella’s Royal Table and not on more affordable sit down dining, and to ensure you have a plan for how to use all of the credits. And, be sure to make your dining reservations at the 180 day mark unless you have a travel agent to do that for you (that’s me!).

Favorite Drinks Around Disney World

FAMILY PHOTO SESSION

Consider taking family photos in the most magical place on earth!!  We have done this twice and they are all treasured photos of very memorable trips.  We use our friend at Portrayable Photography but Disney also offers their own service!