Disney World, Florida Tickets and Accomodation

jm888 on 06/07/2025 - 11:12
Last edited 06/07/2025 - 11:41

Hi all,

We (2 adults) are heading to Disney in Jan, 2026 and hoping to get a few suggestions on the tickets and accommodations (limited budget) please.
We are planning to stay 3-5 nights and exploring all 4 parks (maybe?). Ideally staying within the resort so it's easy to commute to the parks and able to get there earlier than those staying outside.

I've been told that the hotel with Skyliners connected to it is the most convenient? Eying at the Art of Animation resort currently but still looking at over $300 AUD/night. The cheaper ones are only connected to the parks by buses. If you stay outside of the park, is it worth it since we probably will need to hire a car for the commute and pay for parking? Some people suggest DVC rental, apparently they are cheaper and they are onsite?

Klook/Pelago appears to have deals on the tickets? Are there any accommodation + tickets bundle out there besides the ones on Disney website?

Are there other stuff to do besides the theme parks in Orlando? It will be our last stop in US before heading back to oz, so we might do some shopping if there are outlets in the area.

Thanks heaps

Travel Disney World Florida North America United States

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  • Sterio on 06/07/2025 - 11:39

    A$300 pn seems a reasonable price. The family and I have been to Orlando Disney 3 times. First time, the 3 of us stayed in one if the Disney resorts and also had a car. The other 2 times 5 of us stayed in a house rental in Kissimmee ( gated community). Plenty of room in the homes, separate bedrooms, communal pool plus a plunge pool in our home. Kissimmee is a stones throw from all the Disney parks. We also had a car which gives you the freedom to go out locally for meals rather than pay Disney resort prices and also buy food to eat at home and take to the parks from sat Walmart . Parking was cheap back then but I assume it's about $35US a day now based on LA Disney prices where we went last year.
    As to other attractions, SeaWorld and NASA. You should definitely do NASA.
    Bear in mind there are 4 Disney parks, so you would need to plan big time if you are only doing 3-5 days.

    • 2
    • madreece on 06/07/2025 - 12:46

      +1 for the NASA centre.

      • 0
    • fullmetal on 06/07/2025 - 13:49

      Kennedy space centre KSC, Gatorland, Universal Studio

      • 0
  • jjjaar on 06/07/2025 - 11:43

    To determine whether you have enough time, I guess it depends on whether you’d like to do all the parks partially (so you can tick the box I guess and say you’ve “been” to them all), or only go to some of the parks but see those ones properly.

    If the latter, which I recommend, pick one park a day at most. Some of them you won’t get to see all the attractions/rides within the one day, so may even need a second day. Lines can be long (yes even in January, because Orlando is warmer than other places in USA so people will visit to get away from winter), which means that even though you don’t think you’ll be there long, you will.

    If you’ve never been to a Disney park, Magic Kingdom is the one you should prioritise, as it has the castle, Main Street, and most of the more known rides (eg Space Mountain). Out of the other parks, have a look at what they offer and decide that way. Also check what rides/attractions will be closed. A few things usually are in Jan because they will dress some things up for Christmas in December, so Jan they’re closed again to go back to normal (Haunted House)

    Aside from Disney, Universal also has two parks, again, one per day is best.

    Orlando also has some outlet malls, though given the currency conversion, it’s probably not as good as it once was.

    Also afterthought: when I say one per day, you can definitely get park hopper tickets where you can visit 2 parks as many times in 2 days, so you can go between them. But I wouldn’t try and fit 3 parks in 2 days.

    • 1
  • Stewardo on 06/07/2025 - 11:57

    Just hire a car and stay in Kissimmee, you can get 3 star hotels under $100 aud a night. Shopping and restaurants would be the other activities other than the parks, you could also drive to the Kennedy space centre about an hour.

    • 1
  • try2bhelpful on 06/07/2025 - 12:09

    If you are OK with driving on the other side of the road then hire a car, it with give you a lot more options. We did basically this trip quite a few years ago and we stayed at a Ramada that we got a really good rate with. I would do some Googling and see what is around. Joining hotel loyalty programs might get you a better deal too.

    We did one day per park. It comes down to a line of attack. Find out what are the rides you are most interested in before you go then get there before the park opens and make a beeline for those rides. Try to get in before the crowds hit. You can also look at skip the line options. The lines themselves usually have something to see whilst you are waiting as well. Posters, animatronics, etc.

    The rides in Disneyworld are fun but usually reasonably tame. We went to Busch Gardens which had much more thrilling rides. Take a change of clothes if you are going on the water rides. We did well until the last ride was a plume one.

    Definitely go to the Kennedy Space Center if you are interested in space travel. Just brilliant and some great tshirts.

    • 1
  • Jetstream on 07/07/2025 - 09:27

    Most people have posted some good things, to answer some questions that haven’t been answered:

    There are 2 x outlet malls there that are massive, and are like a dfo where there is actually a discount.

    Depending when you go, there are other water parks, both Disney and universal.

    SeaWorld there is really good

    There is also discovery bay, which is an all inclusive ticket where you can swim with fish, rays, and is really good (dolphins too at an extra change)

    3 x universal parks, including one brand new one.

    Orlando is home to the Magic and Tampa bay Lightning for sports

    Kennedy space center is a must do

    You are also right where the cruise ports are if you wanted to do a cruise.

    Also, don’t be scared of their bus system, it puts all states to shame.

    • 1
  • Protractor on 06/07/2025 - 13:38

    Pros:Should be shit-loads of accommodation, 10% of the country has been deported or has 'disappeared'.
    Cons: Bit a bit lean on the domestic cleaners, house maids/keepers etc. The lawns might also look a bit unkempt.
    Tips: Do not take your usual mobile phone.Take a very empty burner phone and a list on your person of important contacts. Post some Trump praises and Musk put downs, on social media before you leave.Have a well worn Bible in your luggage , and some used McDonald's wrappers and Trumps book.

    • 0
  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 06/07/2025 - 14:57

    We (2 adults) are heading to Disney in Jan, 2026 and hoping to get a few suggestions on the tickets and accommodations (limited budget) please.

    Euro Disney instead?

    • 0
  • simplystu on 06/07/2025 - 19:23

    My GF has visited Disney Orlando 3 times.

    Research beforehand +++ plan.
    www.mousesavers.com

    +++ watch some YT videos, as to how best to get the experience you desire in such a short time.

    I myself never been, so just going on some things my GF suggested.

    • 0
  • [Deactivated] on 06/07/2025 - 11:31

    Go solo as you can deflore more than parks!

    • -2
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