These Insider Hacks Will Make Your Next Walt Disney World Vacation Even Better

Travel + Leisure

05-05-2025

The entrance was subtle—a wooden door flanked by Japanese lanterns, at the end of a short stone path—and by Walt Disney World Resort standards, very quiet. Just behind us, but seemingly a world away, hundreds of people were posing for selfies in Epcot's Japan pavilion. But my family of three was there for an omakase dinner at Takumi-Tei , or 'House of the Artisan,' a restaurant tucked into the Mitsukoshi Department Store.
Across five intimate, interconnected dining rooms, each themed to an element (ours was stone), Takumi-Tei provides a welcome break from the crowds. The multicourse, take-your-time dining experience allows for warm, unhurried service, something that's rare at theme parks. After trying everything from Wagyu-beef tempura to bluefin tuna sushi topped with house-made takuan, or pickled daikon, we left to watch another dazzling show: Epcot's evening fireworks. The Island Tower, a new addition to Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
Jacqueline Gifford/Travel+Leisure
Disney has always been about the pageantry. But these days, its parks and other Orlando-area resorts are enhancing their food, accommodations, and amenities in a bid to appeal to luxury travelers. At La Cava del Tequila, a low-lit bar within the pyramid at Epcot's Mexico Pavilion, there are specialty cocktails crafted by celebrities, including Lily Aldridge, and made with cult-favorite spirits like Casa Dragones tequila. Wine Bar George, part of the Disney Springs entertainment complex, serves famous labels by the ounce (Château d'Yquem at $65 a sip, anyone?) curated by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. Last year, Victoria & Albert's , at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa , became the first restaurant at a U.S. theme park to earn a Michelin star. Not to be outdone, Capa, the Spanish-inspired steak house at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort , now has a star, too—and an elevated (yet still kid-friendly) rooftop setting on the 17th floor.
Part of the Golden Oak residential community, the Four Seasons, now in its 11th year, helped usher in this shift toward premium spaces in the Orlando area. 'We love booking our clients there,' says Karen Magee, president of Valerie Wilson Travel and a member of T+L's advisory board. 'Their kids' club is top-notch, so parents can easily recover from the chaos of the parks.'
Golf is a renewed focus for the nearby Waldorf Astoria Orlando , which just completed a multiyear enhancement of its 18-hole championship course, in addition to a sleek refresh of its rooms. The new Conrad Orlando offers private moments such as s'mores around a firepit or family photo sessions by the expansive beach of the Evermore Orlando Resort complex. The new Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is inspired by "Moana"; stylish outdoor lounges on the upper floors give visitors secluded spots to unwind.
'Too often, parents feel like Disney is something they endure for their children—rather than enjoy with them,' says Caitlin Pfitzinger, a Florida-based travel advisor with Embark Beyond, who plans around 15 theme-park trips for clients each year. 'Whether it's skipping the lines with a VIP guide, securing coveted dining reservations, or crafting a seamless multi-park itinerary, my goal is for parents to actually experience the magic alongside their children.'
For me, that magic kicked in when my son Bobby's eyes lit up at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge during an exclusive make-your-own-light-saber experience at Savi's Workshop. And then we geeked out at the Haunted Mansion­—Bobby's very first Magic Kingdom ride—with our private guide. 'When an itinerary balances luxury, convenience, and quality,' Pfitzinger explains, 'Disney becomes a shared adventure for all.' A starter at Takumi-Tei, a 'hidden' restaurant inside the park.
Universal Epic Universe became the first major theme park to open in the U.S. in 25 years when it debuted last month at Universal Orlando Resort. The state-of-the-art destination has five 'worlds,' including a Super Nintendo–themed area, a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience, and Dark Universe, an eerie enclave inspired by classic monsters. Visitors can expect one-of-a-kind rides, cutting-edge entertainment, and on-theme dining, in addition to plush accommodations at the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, which has a sprawling pool, a rooftop bar overlooking the attractions, and a private entrance to the park. —Elizabeth Rhodes
The author and her family, with guide Jonathan Herd.
Jacqueline Gifford/Travel+Leisure
If you're strapped for time or traveling with a large group that has specific needs, it may be worth splurging on a guide from Disney Private VIP Tours, a service affiliated with Walt Disney World Resort.
'These guides are incredibly knowledgeable and can navigate the parks with their eyes closed,' says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, the president of Fischer Travel and a member of T+L's advisory board. Here are four benefits of this service, which costs $450–$900 an hour, not including park tickets, for up to 10 people.
PICK A PARK, ANY PARK
My family chose to focus solely on the Magic Kingdom. Our guide, Jonathan Herd, walked us through seemingly every inch, surprising us with treats such as Tiana's famous beignets and securing a prime viewing spot for the afternoon parade. If we had wanted to move on to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, we could have: we had a full day of Herd's time.
SKIP THE WAIT
Clients use the Lightning Lane, a VIP alternative to the regular line, but it's realistic to expect short waits. That said, our longest was 10 minutes—compared to what could have been an hour or more. For a couple of rides, including Pirates of the Caribbean, we got to use a behind-the-scenes entrance that's typically only available to Disney staff.
GEEK OUT ON TRIVIA
Herd shared interesting factoids throughout the day, noting that the Haunted Mansion is adorned with chess pieces (but no knights); Space Mountain blasts themed music for the holidays; and windows along Main Street, U.S.A. bear the names of influential Disney employees.
GET INSIDER MERCH
It's easy to spot VIP tour guides by their plaid-accented uniforms. Clients can purchase their own plaid at a special shop on Main Street. —J.G.
A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'Keys to the Kingdom.'