Disney Vacation Planning
Disney Destinations
You’re not just planning a trip — you’re planning a core memory. Disney vacation planning is more than just a hotel room and theme park tickets, it’s in the moments you don’t want to miss. I book and plan Disney Desination vacations for families across Canada and the United States.
Disney Vacation Planning Process
How It Works
Reach Out
Let me know where you want to go and a few details about your trip. Get in touch →
Consultation Call
We book a call to chat about your family and what would make this vacation memorable.
Vacation Proposal
I’ll work on real options for your family, not a generic package or a price list. If the excitement doesn’t start here, we aren’t doing it right.
Deposit
We book the best room and ticket package, Disney Cruise Line sailing, or resort vacation for your family.
Key Dates and Extras
Every key date for your vacation is outlined and I can help book everything else you need along the way, including: flights, ground transfers, additional hotels, dining, and more.
Planning Call
We cover itinerary suggestions, walk through the tools that make your trip easier, and cover the insider tips that matter.
I’m not going to send you a minute-by-minute itinerary. You’re supposed to be on vacation, after all. But that doesn’t mean you’ll miss the magic. I want you to easily understand how things work so you can make flexible plans and make memories with your family.
Walt Disney World · Orlando, Florida
Walt Disney World Vacations
Four theme parks, two water parks, over 30 resort hotels, and more dining options than most families know what to do with. Disney vacation planning gets complicated fast if you don’t know where to start, but Walt Disney World rewards the families who plan well. I’ve been there, I know what’s worth your time, and I’ll make sure you come home feeling like you didn’t miss a thing.
Disney Cruise Line
Sailing With Disney Cruise Line
There’s a reason families come back to Disney Cruise Line again and again. Disney vacation planning doesn’t stop at the parks — the dining, the entertainment and the service at sea are unlike anything else. I sail with Disney Cruise Line multiple times a year and know how to get the most out of every sailing, from choosing the right itinerary to booking the experiences that sell out fast.
Disneyland Resort · Anaheim, California
Disneyland Resort: The Original Disney Park
Smaller, more intimate, and with its own kind of magic. Disneyland has exclusive attractions you won’t find at Walt Disney World, and a charm that’s hard to describe until you’ve been there. It’s proof that Disney vacation planning doesn’t always mean Orlando — a great first trip for Canadian families and an underrated choice for those who want something more manageable than the expansive world you find at Walt Disney World.
Aulani · Ko Olina, Hawaii
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii
Hawaiian hospitality meets Disney magic, with Ko Olina’s lagoon right outside your door. Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa takes you beyond the parks entirely and focuses on resort-style relaxation. It’s a different kind of Disney trip, one built around slowing down instead of running between rides.
Disneyland Paris · Marne-la-Vallée, France
Disneyland Paris
Increasingly on the radar for Canadian families who want a Disney experience with a European adventure built around it. Two parks, Disney hotels steps from the gates, and Paris a short train ride away. A different experience than Walt Disney World — and that’s exactly what makes it worth it.
Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney: Guided Family Travel Around the World
For families who want something beyond the parks. Adventures by Disney takes the storytelling and attention to detail Disney is known for and applies it to fully escorted travel experiences across the globe. Thoughtfully designed and genuinely unlike anything else out there for families who love to travel.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Disney Vacation Planning Questions
These are the questions I hear most often. If yours isn’t here, reach out and I’m happy to talk it through.
Do I need a travel agent to book a Disney vacation?
No, but Disney trips are more complex than they look, and the difference between a good trip and a great one usually comes down to knowing which choices actually matter for your family. I’ve been to these destinations. I know which resort puts a family with young kids closest to the things they’ll use most, which dining experiences are worth the reservation battle, and which ones aren’t. That knowledge is what I bring.
The logistics of tracking special offers, booking dining, that’s just part of the job. And you’re getting all this experience at no added cost.
How far in advance should I book my Disney vacation?
For Walt Disney World and Disneyland it’s not a must to plan a year in advance unless you’re after a specific room category or want more time to spread out the cost. Most families book around the 6 – 9 month mark.
Disney Cruise Line is a different story, pricing typically only goes up as the sailing fills, so earlier is better.
How much does a Walt Disney World vacation cost for a family of four?
Disney vacation costs vary widely depending on time of year, length of stay, resort category, number of park days, and add-ons. As a general starting point, here’s what a 7-night trip for a family of four with a 4-day base ticket looks like before special offers are applied:
- Value Resort: $4,000 to $5,500 USD
- Moderate Resort: $5,500 to $7,000 USD
- Deluxe Resort: $7,000 to $12,000 USD
These are estimates only. Actual pricing will vary based on your specific travel dates, room type, and any applicable promotions. I’ll put together a personalized quote so you know exactly what your trip looks like before you commit to anything.
Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?
Sometimes. For families doing multiple table service meals it can offer real value. For families who prefer flexibility, paying out of pocket sometimes works out better. I’ll run the numbers for your specific trip so you’re not guessing.
What is the best age to take a child to Walt Disney World?
There’s no wrong answer. Pro tip: Children three and under are Guests of Mickey and don’t need a park ticket. Some of my happiest clients go at this age, keep expectations relaxed, and come back a few years later knowing exactly what they want to prioritize. My most common age range is 6 to 9. Teens love Walt Disney World too because it offers some contained independence that parents actually feel good about.
What are the biggest mistakes families make when planning a Disney vacation?
Trying to do too much in a day. Skipping pre-planning for dining, Lightning Lane and crowds. Booking the wrong resort for their family’s needs. Going during a busy week when they didn’t have to. These are all fixable and exactly the kind of things I help you avoid before you ever set foot in the park.
What are the best Disney Cruise Line itineraries for first-time cruisers?
I personally recommend a 5-night sailing for first-time Disney Cruise Line guests. It gives you enough time to genuinely experience everything Disney Cruise Line has to offer without feeling rushed. If you’re sailing to the Bahamas, itineraries that visit Disney’s Castaway Cay or Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point are standouts and worth prioritizing.
Is Disney Cruise Line worth the extra cost?
If you’re comparing it to a budget cruise line, it’s a different product entirely. The service, entertainment, kids’ programming, and dining are something you won’t find anywhere else. More importantly, Disney Cruise Line includes a lot more in their stateroom fare than meets the eye. I’m happy to price out another cruise line to compare apples to apples.
Disney World vs Disney Cruise Line: Which is better to do first?
Traditionally the answer has been Walt Disney World first. That said, I’m increasingly booking families on Disney Cruise Line first, particularly families who are Disney-curious but want a more relaxed vacation with beach time built in. Many come home ready to tackle Walt Disney World next time knowing exactly what they love about Disney.
Is Disneyland Paris worth it for Canadian families?
Yes. For Canadian families already considering a European trip, adding Disneyland Paris is a natural fit. Two parks, Disney hotels within walking distance of the gates, and Paris a short train ride away. I’m booking more Canadian families to Disneyland Paris than ever and most come home saying it exceeded every expectation.
Is Aulani worth the money?
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa is not a theme park vacation, it’s a resort experience with Disney woven throughout. If your family wants beaches, pools, and a relaxed pace with Disney magic built in, it’s hard to beat and works great as a part of a larger Hawaiian vacation.
Gluten-free and celiac Disney travel
Is Disney Good for Gluten-Free Families?
Disney Destinations are some of the best in the world for gluten-free and celiac travellers, but they’re not all created equal. The way dietary needs are handled varies significantly depending on whether you’re at a theme park, or on a ship, and not every Disney destination approaches it the same way.
I travel gluten-free myself. I know which destinations and dining experiences handle celiac with real care, and which ones require more planning and advocacy on your part.
If eating gluten-free travel is a priority in your trip planning due to celiac or a gluten allergy, let’s talk. There is so much good food waiting for your family at Disney. I know exactly where to find it.
How I Can Help
✓
Pre-arrival communication
Letting the destination know your dietary needs ahead of your arrival, where applicable.
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Restaurant recommendations I trust
From quick service to fine dining, I'll share my favourite spots and where to avoid.
✓
Off-menu recommendations
Often the best stuff isn't even on the menu.
✓
Door-to-door support
Celiac travel tips to help you enjoy the trip from start to finish.
Gluten-free and celiac Disney travel
Is Disney Good for Gluten-Free Families?
Disney Destinations are some of the best in the world for gluten-free and celiac travellers, but they’re not all created equal. The way dietary needs are handled varies significantly depending on whether you’re at a theme park, or on a ship, and not every Disney destination approaches it the same way.
I travel gluten-free myself. I know which destinations and dining experiences handle celiac with real care, and which ones require more planning and advocacy on your part.
If eating gluten-free travel is a priority in your trip planning due to celiac or a gluten allergy, let’s talk. There is so much good food waiting for your family at Disney. I know exactly where to find it.
How I Can Help
✓
Pre-arrival communication
Letting the destination know your dietary needs ahead of your arrival, where applicable.
✓
Restaurant recommendations I trust
From quick service to fine dining, I'll share my favourite spots and where to avoid.
✓
Off-menu recommendations
Often the best stuff isn't even on the menu.
✓
Door-to-door support
Celiac travel tips to help you enjoy the trip from start to finish.
Disney Vacation Reviews: Working With Kat
★★★★★
“The best decision we made was booking with Kat. Having three young kids, she really took the stress out of planning. She was always available and made the entire process smooth. Even during our trip she checked in to make sure everything was going well.”
AO, Toronto, ON · Walt Disney World
★★★★★
“Her recommendations on gluten-free food in the parks was so helpful as we have a family member with celiac. She also fixed a glitch that happened during our Lightning Lane reservations. She’s the best!”
DH, Ohio · Walt Disney World
★★★★★
“Kat played an integral part in selecting a Disney cruise itinerary that fit our budget and dates. It had a special theme that wasn’t on our radar initially but proved to be an amazing aspect of the experience.”
CB, Oakville ON · Disney Cruise Line
★★★★★
“Kat helped us book a week-long stay at Aulani for my family including an 18-month-old. She was extremely responsive, ensuring we wouldn’t miss any key booking dates. We were able to get a hard-to-get character breakfast thanks to Kat staying on top.”
SL, Mississauga ON · Aulani, Hawaii
★★★★★
“Kat’s knowledge, enthusiasm and calm approach quickly put us at ease. She laid out comparable resort options clearly — not too many, not too few. She helped us meet every deadline for the Canadian citizen discount, dining reservations and Lightning Lane bookings.”
DF, Toronto ON · Walt Disney World
★★★★★
“Kat took the initiative to reach out with offers I might be interested in. During our pre-trip meeting she made suggestions that saved us time in line and recommended great eats throughout the parks. She also helped us navigate some medical needs at our resort.”
VT, Toronto ON · Walt Disney World