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There are plenty of reasons families are hesitant to take the plunge and book a first trip to Walt Disney World, but it’s pretty safe to assume cost factors into most of them. Disney has now released a new vacation package, “My First Disney Getaway,” aimed at giving first-timers a quick taste of Walt Disney World while also taking the edge off the cost.
The package gives a family of three (two adults + one child age 3–9; two more infants under the age of 3 can also be priced in) the chance to experience a two-night on-property stay at Walt Disney World for $999. Here’s what it includes:
- Two-night stay in a standard room at a select Disney All-Star Resort (Music, Movies or Sports)
- Two-Park Magic ticket, with a one-day admission to Magic Kingdom Park and one-day admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- One stroller rental per day (subject to availability)
- One merchandise bag — this includes a Mickey Mouse plush, autograph book, pen, “My 1st Visit” Mickey ears, and a reusable bag
The package can be booked through Sept. 24, 2019 and is valid for arrivals most Sunday through Wednesday nights from Aug. 11 to Sept. 25.
Who Should Book This Package?
The “My First Disney Getaway” package can be a good option for a family that’s been anxious about the cost of a trip to Disney World and is just looking to dip a toe in the water. We priced out a few different dates for standard vacation packages and with the add-ons this package gets you, you’re looking at savings of about $100–200, depending on your dates.
It’s helpful to put a cap on your spending on the front end of a trip, and things like merchandise and stroller rentals can definitely add up. So knowing your stroller and a few special souvenirs are already included means you’ll be less likely to blow your budget while you’re there.
Guests who visit using the “My First Disney Getaway” package will also get access to all the same perks of staying on property everyone else gets, with the two most significant being free transportation to and from Orlando International Airport via the Magical Express, and access to Extra Magic Hours. Visit after August 29 and you’ll even get Extra, Extra Magic Hours!
Any Drawbacks?
The only reason to avoid this package in favor of a standard Walt Disney World vacation package to a similar resort for the same length of time would be if you want to visit Epcot or Disney Hollywood Studios. The park tickets included in “My First Disney Getaway” only get you into Magic Kingdom one day and Animal Kingdom the other day.
This isn’t all bad though—the package is geared toward families with young children going to Disney World for the first time, and with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Aug. 29, the crowds at Hollywood Studios are not something we’d recommend tackling as your first Disney experience — especially as kids may not yet have been intoduced to many of the shows and characters represented.
Epcot does have plenty of attractions for little kiddos, but we think if you’re only going to go to two parks on your first visit, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be a great way to get acquainted with the magic of Walt Disney World while taking advantage of this special offer.
Ready to book that trip? Before you go, be sure to check out our hacks to save you time and money at Disney and our guide to packing for a Disney trip with kids.
Brooke is a Chicago native and Northwestern University grad who spent a decade away from home in NYC at O Magazine and Shape and in London for grad school in Victorian British lit then a career in book publishing. Back home in Chicago, she's outnumbered by her husband and two boys, and the four of them are certifiable Disney fanatics. Other obsessions include Charles Dickens and pizza, which go together better than you'd think. More.
