Since I have been to Disney four times recently, I have lots of friends and family that come to me first thing when they are planning a trip to Walt Disney World. I get friends from Facebook contacting me a few times a month about my tips to Disney and how to go about their planning process.
With that said, I thought I'd begin with my Top Ten Trip Tips to begin your Disney World experience.
1. You will not be able to do it all. The Disney Parks are huge and there are magical things everywhere. You won't be able to do everything during a trip. It is best to come to terms with that BEFORE you even get there. Having realistic expectations during planning will make your trip more enjoyable. Even with our four most recent trips, we still haven't been able to do "everything".
2. Start planning early--over six months, if you can! Think about your trip planning as a part of your trip too. You are supposed to enjoy this process. Sometimes I get so excited during the planning process, that I I hop up and down about finding out some great "nugget" of information.
3. Make your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) as soon as possible. As of today, you can make your ADRs 180 days from the first day of your trip. Which is about 6 months, give or take. (Thus the reason for Trip Tip #2). Popular restaurants and character meals can fill up fast! You can dine in the castle, but you need to be on the ball. My DH and I will stay up all night watching for the switch to flip to allow us to either call or, the newest way, make our ADRs online. Once you get your ADRs, you are golden!
4. Don't plan every minute of the day. When we go, we usually plan one ADR each day for the park that we chose. Then, we plan ONE, maybe two, other things that we consider a MUST and the rest of the day. Then we let the magic sweep us up and let us go where we (and the kids) want and NEED. Especially with kids, you need potty breaks, snacks, time to cool down, and naps.
5. Wear comfortable shoes. A Disney trip is a walking trip. You will see all sorts of magical and fun things along the way, but you will be walking, walking, and walking some more. Be sure to break in your shoes before the trip and bring an extra pair. Please remember to break in shoes before you go to the parks too!
6. Go online and sign up at the Disney Website for their fantastic Trip Planning DVD and information. Also, sign up for their email newsletters. (Right now it is on the bottom right of the main page.) Signing up for their newsletters will also add you to Disney's "Address Book" and you will receive information and discounts.
7. Call Disney Vacation Planning at (407) 939-7675 to see if there are any discount codes linked to your mailing address. Often times, you could have discount codes for free dining, pay for 4 days, get 3 free, or up to 40% off of resort pricing. If they do not have record of you, please ask to be added to their list. Give them a few weeks and call again. Often times they will have a discount code attached to your address, just for being a potential guest.
8. Help your magic get even more magical! With toddlers and young school-aged kids, you can have them dress up like their favorite characters or wear their favorite Mickey, Minnie, or Buzz Lightyear shirts. Our kids got so much character attention when they were dressed up like Cinderella and Prince Charming one year. The next year, the dined as Snow White and her Prince. We wore "Disney" colors (Red, White, Black, and Yellow) one day at the Magical Kingdom. All of our pictures were really cute and we look coordinated. If you're not matchy-matchy, that's ok...you will still look fab and have a great time at the Parks. Adults need to let go and have fun! Find your inner child and let lose!
9. Take advantage of Disney's Magical Express Transportation system and airline services! Disney will send you a set of Disney Resort Luggage Tags. These tags will allow you to drop your luggage at your departing airport and the next time you see them, they will be in your Disney Resort Room! It is so nice not to worry about luggage when you land. Disney will do it for you! Once you arrive at the Orlando Airport (MCO), you can leave the "real world" behind you and hop aboard the Disney Magical Express (DME). Disney has nice, air-conditioned motor coach busses that will take you to your resort and you can check in. It's fabulous. No need for directions or stressing out about which exits to take. You just sit back, relax, and let the vacation begin! You can also use these same services returning home.
10. Sign up and follow Disney-related blogs, newsletters, and forums. It is great to hear about the absolute latest news during your trip. Disney has a great blog too. There may be a last-minute change to the park schedules, celebrity appearances, ride refurbishments, etc.
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