Plan Your Trip
Main Street Explorer plans Walt Disney World® vacations from the first idea to the last day of your trip: the resort, tickets, dining, Lightning Lane and a day-by-day park plan that fits your family.
Free My planning service is free to you. Planning by an independent travel advisor with BoardWalk Travel Agency, specializing in Walt Disney World® vacations.
Start planning in just 5 minutesRequest a free planning call
What’s Included
Your whole vacation, booked
- Disney Resort hotel
- Park tickets
- Packages
Reservations secured
- Dining, booked when the window opens
- Shows
- Special experiences
A custom park plan
- Personalized day-by-day itinerary
- Lightning Lane plan built around your must-dos
- Time for the pool, the parades and the unplanned magic
Discounts & promotions tracked
- Savings applied when deals become available
Support all the way
- Before, during and after your trip
How It Works
Tell us about your trip
Fill out the trip questionnaire: who’s coming, when, your budget and what matters most. It takes about 10 minutes and saves as you go.
Talk it through
Your travel advisor reaches out by your preferred method to talk through resorts, dates and ideas.
Your trip, booked
Your planner books the resort and tickets, then the dining, Lightning Lane and extras as each window opens.
Go and enjoy it
You get a park plan built for your family and support before, during and after the trip.
Common Questions
Is your Walt Disney World planning service free?
Yes. My planning service is free to you. You get an independent travel advisor with BoardWalk Travel Agency, specializing in Walt Disney World® vacations at no cost. I’m paid by commission from Disney and other travel suppliers.
What do you help plan?
Your whole Walt Disney World vacation: the Disney Resort hotel, park tickets and packages, dining reservations, Lightning Lane, special experiences and a personalized day-by-day park plan.
How do I get started?
Fill out the trip questionnaire (it takes just 5 minutes) or request a free planning call. Your travel advisor reaches out by your preferred method to talk through resorts, dates and ideas.
Do you help during the trip too?
Yes. You get support before, during and after your trip.
Trip Countdown
Saved on this device only.
Open this guide in Safari or Chrome to use the countdown.
Saved Restaurants
Share your saved restaurants with your planner in the trip questionnaire.
Getting Around
Buses, boats, monorail and Skyliner
Which ride gets you there?
Free for Disney Resort guests. The Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve run their own buses. Routes can change; the My Disney Experience app has today’s.
How It Works
Free buses, boats, monorail and Skyliner connect the resorts and parks.
- Ride Disney transportation instead of moving the car. Complimentary buses, boats, monorail, and Skyliner connect Disney Resort hotels with the parks. Buses typically start 45 minutes before park opening and run until about an hour after close; Disney Springs buses run until 11:00 PM.
- Some trips aren’t direct—use the My Disney Experience app for routes and stops.
- Pad 45 to 60 minutes door-to-door. Whether you are heading to a dining reservation or rope drop, build in wait time for buses, security, and walking. Tight connections are the most common way guests lose reservations.
Disney Skyliner
Gondola lines from the Caribbean Beach hub, with a route map.
Lines (all meet at Caribbean Beach)
- Serves Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century and Riviera; the EPCOT International Gateway station is a short walk from the BoardWalk, Yacht Club and Beach Club.
- Gondolas pause for lightning and high winds—have a bus backup.
- Closed for refurbishment Jan 24–30, 2027 (and Jan 24 – Feb 2, 2028); complimentary buses will run.
Monorail & Magic Kingdom Railroad
Three monorail loops meeting at the TTC, plus the railroad, with a route map.
Three monorail beams: the Resort loop, the Express loop to Magic Kingdom, and the EPCOT line, all meeting at the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC).
Resort loop (stops in this order; the outer beam runs the opposite direction—check signs)
Express loop
EPCOT line—Polynesian guests can walk to the TTC to catch it
Walt Disney World Railroad (inside Magic Kingdom): currently a shuttle between the Main Street, U.S.A.® and Fantasyland stations (reopened Oct 29, 2026); Frontierland station is closed during the expansion.
Boats
Boats to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs.
Magic Kingdom
Ferryboats from the TTC; resort launches from the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness (some also stop at the Contemporary confirm).EPCOT & Hollywood Studios
Friendship boats link the BoardWalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, EPCOT’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios.Disney Springs
Sassagoula River boats from Port Orleans (French Quarter & Riverside), Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.- Boats can pause for storms—check the app.
Buses & Minnie Vans
Free buses everywhere; paid Minnie Vans through the Lyft app.
- Free buses link Disney Resort hotels with all 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and Disney Springs.
- Minnie Van Service is a paid Cast Member–driven ride booked in the Lyft app. Accessible Minnie Vans seat 5, include one complimentary car seat, and have 2 mobility-device spaces (max 7 guests).
- Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve run their own buses..
Airport & Luggage
No free airport bus anymore: your options, plus luggage transfer.
- Disney no longer offers free airport bus service. Options: rental car (resort parking fees apply confirm), rideshare, Minnie Van, or third-party shuttle.
- Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney (operated by BagCheck): check bags at home, skip baggage claim at MCO, and your bags meet you at your resort. Eligible resorts and airlines apply; your planner helps you register.
Sources: Disney Resort Transportation page (read November 10, 2026); WDWMagic, Oct 29, 2026; WDWInfo. Maps provided by your planner.
Tickets & App
Tickets, Park Hopper, the app and PhotoPass
Ticket options at a glance
Tickets & Park Hopper
Date-based tickets, Park Hopper rules and when reservations still apply.
- Date-based tickets no longer need theme park reservations (Disney). Annual Passes and some other ticket types may still require them.
- Park Hopper works any time of day. After you enter your first park, you may hop to another during park hours, subject to capacity. Hopping does not guarantee entry for a dining reservation or a pre-booked experience in the second park.
- Ticket prices vary by date and number of days—your planner will quote current options.
- Need to change tickets? Your travel advisor handles that for you.
My Disney Experience Tips
Mobile Order, wait times and your plans.
- Download My Disney Experience before you travel. You will use it for Mobile Order, wait times, walk-up lists, and plans. Sign in at home, update the app, and test that every ticket and reservation appears.
- Mobile Order at quick-service spots marked “Mobile Order” in the Dining tab—order before you’re hungry and tap “I’m here.”
- Walk-up lists for some table-service restaurants appear in the app on the day.
- DAS return times are booked in the app (menu ≡ → DAS).
- Check wait times, show times and refurbishments each morning.
- Pack a portable charger—you’ll use the app all day.
PhotoPass & Memory Maker
Disney PhotoPass® and Memory Maker.
- Memory Maker includes all your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos for 30 days from activation; Memory Maker One Day covers one day (6:00 AM to 5:59 AM ET).
- There’s an advance-purchase price; your planner adds Memory Maker at the right time.
- Ride photos need a MagicBand, MagicMobile pass or a phone with Bluetooth enabled for the app.
- Multi Pass and Premier Pass include downloads of select attraction photos and videos from that day (not other PhotoPass photographers).
MagicBands & Park Entry
MagicBand, MagicBand+, MagicMobile or a card: what each one does.
- Enter parks, tap Lightning Lanes, open your room (where available) and charge purchases with a MagicBand / MagicBand+, a Disney MagicMobile pass on your phone or watch, or a card.
- Your planner’s timeline: customize and order MagicBands about 11 days before arrival confirm.
- Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours require valid admission and a MagicBand, MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card.
Packing
What to bring and smart day habits
Park bag
10 items
- Portable phone charger + cable
- Refillable water bottle (free ice water at quick-service spots)
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
- Hat or visor
- Ponchos (Florida pop-up storms)
- Zip-top bags for phones in rain/water rides
- Hand sanitizer & wipes
- Band-aids & blister care
- Small snacks for kids
- Cooling towel or handheld fan
Clothes
5 items
- Broken-in walking shoes (two pairs to rotate)
- Breathable layers; a light jacket for evenings (Nov–Feb)
- Swimsuits & cover-ups
- Rain-friendly sandals
- Matching shirts or ears for photos (optional!)
Documents & tech
5 items
- Photo ID & credit card
- Resort & dining confirmation numbers (your planner sends these)
- MagicBands or MagicMobile set up
- Airline boarding passes / luggage-transfer confirmation
- Medications in carry-on
Little ones
5 items
- Stroller (Disney allows up to 31″ wide × 52″ long; no wagons) confirm
- Stroller name tag and rain cover
- Autograph book & fat pen
- Glow sticks/light-ups for fireworks
- Ear protection for loud shows
Smart Day Tips
Rest breaks, meal timing and other habits for long park days.
- Plan one rest day or a midday pool break on longer trips—your planner’s favorite: a monorail or Skyliner “resort hop” for dining and views.
Eat lunch early (around 11:00) or late (around 2:00).
You will skip the peak restaurant crush and often find shorter Mobile Order pickup waits. A late lunch can also bridge you to a lighter dinner before fireworks.Pack ponchos for Florida’s pop-up storms.
Afternoon storms are common, especially in summer, and they often pass in about an hour. Ride indoor attractions, wait it out, and keep phones in a zip-top bag. Park-priced ponchos are convenient; bringing your own is cheaper.Photograph your parking row and your kids’ outfits each morning.
The app’s car locator helps at select lots, but a photo of the row sign is still the fastest backup. A morning outfit photo makes it much easier for Cast Members to help if someone gets separated.Pick up free celebration buttons.
Tell the front desk or Guest Relations if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, first visit, or honeymoon. The buttons are free, and they invite Cast Members to add a little extra warmth throughout the day.
- Carry a refillable bottle—ice water is free at quick service. Ask for cups of ice water at quick-service counters and refill bottles at fountains and beverage stations. It is the easiest way to stay hydrated without buying drinks all day.
- Check stroller rules before you pack or rent. Disney’s published guidelines have limited strollers to 31 inches wide by 52 inches long and do not allow wagons. Confirm the current rule before you travel, and bring a name tag and rain cover.
- Use Baby Care Centers, and pack ear protection. Every theme park has a Baby Care Center for feeding, changing, and a quiet reset. Bring ear protection for little ones at fireworks, parades, and loud attractions, plus a fat pen if an autograph book is coming along.
- Build real rest into a trip with little ones. A midday return to the resort, a shorter park day, or an arrival-day pool afternoon often does more for the whole family than squeezing in one more attraction. Leave space in the itinerary on purpose.
- Sunscreen, a hat, and a cooling towel are not optional in the heat. Florida sun is intense even in spring and fall. Reapply sunscreen, seek shade at midday, and consider a handheld fan. Heat exhaustion sneaks up faster than wait times do.
Ready when you are.
Start planning in just 5 minutes, or request a free planning call.
Free My planning service is free to you.