A Walt Disney World® trip has been on my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember. However, as someone who lives in Australia, it felt out of reach. There’s a lot of the world to see between Melbourne, Australia, and Orlando, Florida. And it isn’t cheap to trek halfway around the world to see a mouse, even if it is the Mouse.

   

When we purchased timeshare with Hilton Grand Vacations, we had Hawaii in mind. We vacationed in Hawaii often and were spending a fortune on accommodations.

Vacation ownership with Hilton Grand Vacations felt like the perfect solution, and as a bonus, we could use our ClubPoints to travel throughout the United States, including Florida.

Suddenly that bucket list trip seemed a little closer to reality.

We were so excited to make our Disney dreams come true that we chose our dates and began planning our Walt Disney World trip almost a year and a half ahead of time. I know that sounds like a bit much, but you need some planning for a trip that big. 

The Best Time To Visit Orlando

   

For us, one of the biggest decisions was when to visit. We didn't have a lot of criteria, but a few factors were important to us. 

We wanted:

• Good weather
• Fewer crowds (if that was even possible)
• The opportunity to maximize points

I used resources like Disney Tourist Blog and Touring Plans, which offer an in-depth look at the best times to travel, including each season's pros and cons. 

Historically, the month of September has the lowest volume of visitors. The weather is often not too hot or too cold, and most importantly, all of the Hilton Grand Vacations Orlando resorts were well within my points range. 

With all our criteria met, we decided on a September trip. 

What To Do in Orlando

   

To get the most out of our Orlando vacation, I planned a must-do list. There's an endless list of things to see, do and eat in Orlando.

We don’t like to schedule every minute of the day when we travel, so researching ahead of time is helpful. 

This way, we get to know the area and have an idea of what's available nearby, so when we have free time, we can explore without feeling lost or aimless.  

Resources like The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World helped us understand the lay of the land and how things might work when we get there.

From the Disney To the Beach

Vacation ownership with Hilton Grand Vacations has opened up the entire state of Florida for us. There are so many travel destinations from Miami to the Gulf, where we can stay and vacation. Before becoming Owners, we would've done Disney and gone home. But now we're considering which beachside locale to decompress at before the long journey home.

Hilton Grand Vacations’ Orlando Resorts

   

One benefit of Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare is the ideal property locations, and the Orlando resorts didn't disappoint.

There are so many things to do nearby, including plenty to do on the properties themselves.

The resort-like amenities allow you an opportunity for downtime or on-site entertainment during your breaks from the parks. We love that we can swim and relax as much as we want. We don’t want to go home feeling like we need a vacation from our vacation.

Most importantly, Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare has truly allowed us to plan our Disney trip and perfectly customize our Orlando vacation. 

Read Parc Soleil® by Hilton Grand Vacations, an Owner Review, for an insider look at this newly renovated Orlando resort.