ChatGPT vs Gemini — here’s the winning chatbot that helped me plan my family’s Walt Disney World vacation

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World for a family of five can feel like trying to wrangle Mickey, Minnie, and the entire cast of The Lion King onto a teacup ride—it’s chaotic, dizzying, and someone’s bound to cry. That’s why I turned to AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to see which one could magically transform my stress into a perfectly planned vacation.

Full disclosure, I’m a former Walt Disney World cast member and know the ins and outs of every park. Yes, I’ve been in the underground tunnels of the Magic Kingdom and saw fireworks every night for a year at EPCOT.

Saying that I know a lot about the parks is an understatement, but because it’s been years since I sported my costume, I decided to lean on some digital pixie dust by putting ChatGPT and Gemini to the test with 7 key prompts to help determine which one delivers the ultimate vacation. Here’s what happened next.

1. Planning basics

Prompt: Can you help me plan a Walt Disney World vacation for my family of five this spring break? We need advice on where to stay and how to save money on tickets.

ChatGPT provided a detailed response, offering insights on the best times to visit (avoiding peak seasons), suggesting on-site Disney Resorts for convenience, and listing specific ticket options. To my surprise, it suggested skipping the more expensive Park Hopper passes. While yes, it is a savings to pass on those, you ultimately get more out of the parks, especially with little ones, if you opt for Park Hopper passes. I appreciated the money-saving tips such as using discounted ticket websites and packing snacks.

Gemini offered a much more detailed response and suggested a hotel that I know will be great for our family. The budget-friendly hotel is not in the park like the Yacht & Beach Club or Contemporary Resort, it does offer a lot for families and has a transportation service to all the parks. Gemini also highlighted some of the best ways to get discounts and suggested some major Disney events like EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival. It went much more in-depth in cost-saving advice, which is exactly what I wanted.

• Winner: Gemini wins for the best money saving advice

2. Planning our first day

Prompt: What should we do on our first day if we arrive in the mid-morning or early afternoon?

ChatGPT said exactly what I was hoping it would say and advice I give everyone when they are trying to figure out what to do for half a day. Hanging out in Disney Springs is a great way to get the Disney experience going, without spending money on a full day at the park. It’s free but offers pay-to-play rides and plenty of restaurants and activity. It also suggested swimming at the hotel, which is something my kids love to do.

Gemini also suggested Disney Springs but then suggested heading over to EPCOT. Yikes! Immediately no on that one. While it is a slower and less crowded park, hitting up the parks on the first day is something that I would definitely try to avoid. While there are half-day passes that cost less, it’s better to ease into the experience and give everyone the opportunity to rest, play a little and start the next day fresh and ready to go. Gemini provided fewer suggestions on this one, which may not suit every budget. Its analysis was less comprehensive, omitting value and moderate-tier options altogether.

• Winner: ChatGPT wins for its budget-conscious and realistic approach to keeping everyone happy

3. Park itinerary

Prompt: Can you create a 5-day itinerary for Walt Disney World that includes a mix of rides, shows, and dining for a family of five with young kids?

ChatGPT crafted a day-by-day itinerary, starting with the Magic Kingdom on the first day, Animal Kingdom on the second day, EPCOT on the third, Hollywood Studios on the fourth, and then back to Magic Kingdom on the fifth and final day. That order is exactly how I would have planned it. The AI balanced must-see rides and included places to eat providing a mix of budget-friendly and experience-worthy. It also suggested dining options such as Cinderella’s Royal Table and provided realistic timing for navigating parks.

Gemini also offered a great itinerary with details about the best places to eat and rides that we wouldn’t want to miss. I was surprised that it suggested a water park, something I hadn’t even considered. This would be great, but it often rains in the afternoon, especially in the spring and Gemini didn’t offer an alternative suggestion.

• Winner: ChatGPT wins this round for considering all of our needs and making the best use of our time

4. Dining and reservations

Prompt: What are the best family-friendly dining experiences at Walt Disney World, including any character meals, and how can I book them in advance?

ChatGPT suggested fan-favorite character meals like Chef Mickey’s and Be Our Guest, with tips on booking reservations 60 days in advance through the Disney app. It even offered advice on snagging last-minute reservations. I appreciated the other suggestions for dining that didn’t include characters but were equally memorable and exciting such as Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios.

Gemini mentioned a few dining options but omitted key tips for securing reservations, which could leave families scrambling to book popular experiences. Plus, it suggested we dine with the characters at every meal. While character dining is a big part of the dining experience as Disney World and something we wouldn’t want to miss that, it’s not the only way to dine.

• Winner: ChatGPT wins this round for offering a variety of suggestions because we don’t need Mickey at every meal

5. Ride strategy

Prompt: Can you explain how Genie+ and Lightning Lane work and create a plan to help my family of five minimize wait times for the most popular rides at each park?

ChatGPT explanation was accurate but far less detailed. We had “Fastpass” when I worked at the parks, but everything has changed and I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. ChatGPT didn’t help as much as Gemini with the same level of strategic advice, which is critical for families navigating long lines.

Gemini provided a thorough explanation of Genie+ and even let me know it’s called Lightning Lane now. It included how to prioritize rides like Rise of the Resistance and Flight of Passage. It offered strategies for booking time slots and avoiding bottlenecks.

• Winner: Gemini wins for helping this former cast member learn something new

6. Packing and prep

Prompt: What should I pack for a Walt Disney World trip with three kids? Can you include tips for weather, snacks, and essentials for long park days?

ChatGPT delivered a comprehensive packing list, including items like ponchos for Florida rain, portable phone chargers, and collapsible water bottles. It also offered practical tips like packing a soft cooler, noting that this was allowed in all Disney parks. It also suggested tips for managing young kids, such as packing small toys for lines.

Gemini’s list was helpful but almost too extensive. If we brought everything this AI suggested we would be too bogged down to enjoy ourselves. I appreciate the suggestions, but they weren’t all necessary and the list just wasn’t as concise or thoughtful as ChatGPT.

• Winner: ChatGPT offered a reasonable amount of items a family of five would need for our trip

7. Special tips for families

Prompt: What are some hidden gems, tips, or must-know hacks for making a Walt Disney World trip magical and stress-free for a family of five?

ChatGPT provided thoughtful tips, like special viewing areas for watching fireworks and using Rider Switch for families with younger children. It also suggested visiting resorts for unique experiences like Wilderness Lodge’s campfire. It also suggested my all-time favorite suggestion in EPCOT of trying sodas around the world. This is a great way to cool down and all the drinks are free, which is a fun way to hydrate and take a break.

Gemini offered an equally extensive list of tips but none of them were “hidden gems.” It suggested mobile ordering, which is something I may not have thought of, but is advertised throughout the park. Definitely a solid hack, but it missed lesser-known tips that could elevate the experience.

• Winner: ChatGPT for showing up with some seriously cool tips

Overall winner: ChatGPT

While both ChatGPT and Gemini are capable AI assistants, ChatGPT consistently outperformed Gemini in this test. ChatGPT’s responses were detailed, actionable, and tailored to the unique needs of a family of five on a budget. It provided comprehensive advice for planning a magical, stress-free trip to Walt Disney World, covering everything from budget-friendly tips to hidden gems.

Gemini, while helpful in some areas, fell short in providing the same depth of information and personalization. For families planning their Disney adventure, ChatGPT proves to be the ultimate guide.

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