2026 EDITION · OUR FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE
What we’ve learned from years of taking our family to Disney World, from where we stay and what we eat to rope drop, Lightning Lanes, and getting the most out of every park day.
A Note from Ben
This guide is written from the perspective of a family that travels to Disney World nearly every year on a middle-class budget. Over the years, we’ve learned where we think it’s worth spending the extra money, where we can save, and how to make the most of our time so we can afford to keep coming back.
We also know some families save for years to make Disney World a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. If that’s you, that’s amazing. Enjoy every second of it! Some of the tips in this guide might feel a little too frugal for your trip, and that’s okay. If you want to spend the extra money on another table-service meal, a fancier hotel, or something special your family will love, go for it. Make the most memories you can.
One thing to know before we start: Disney World changes constantly. Rides open and close, Lightning Lane rules change, restaurants change, and prices definitely change. This guide is based on what we’ve experienced and what has worked for our family. Use it to build your strategy, but always double-check the current Disney information before your trip.
Our family’s priority is pretty simple: get to the next ride, take a break when we need one, and enjoy the magic. We don’t often do a lot of sit-down meals because we’d rather spend that time in the parks, and we stay at budget-friendly resorts because we’d rather put that money toward the next trip. But that’s what works for us. The goal of this guide isn’t to tell you the “right” way to do Disney. It’s to share what we’ve learned so you can figure out the right way for your family.
Enjoy the guide, and please reach out if you have any questions!
Ben Sondgeroth
Start planning
Start with Resorts, Lightning Lanes, Food, and Tips & Tricks. Then explore each park and decide whether a holiday party fits your trip.
Understanding Disney Lightning Lanes
Multi Pass, Single Pass, the burner strategy, and booking as we go.
How we usually build a Disney trip
- Arrival day: Settle into the resort, enjoy the pool, and head to Disney Springs for dinner.
- Park days: Get there early, use Lightning Lanes, keep meals simple, and take a break when the family needs it.
- Rest day: Sleep in, consider a character breakfast, and leave time for the pool.
- Party day: Keep the morning relaxed so everyone has energy for the evening.