Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Arrange your travel and accommodation
• Part 2 of 3: Organize your days well
• Part 3 of 3: Completing your program
• Tips

For many people, taking a "Disney vacation" means going to Walt Disney World in Florida. While it could be the vacation of a lifetime, there are so many things to do there that it turns planning your getaway into a stressful ordeal. In order to worry less, you should start planning at least six months in advance. Make a list of things you absolutely want and need to do that is prioritized and logically organized. Don't forget to include time for relaxation, spontaneity and unforeseen events - especially if the kids come along. It is important that whether you are going to Orlando or another Disney destination, make sure that you are not ready for a vacation after your vacation!

To step

Part 1 of 3: Arrange your travel and accommodation

1. Go out of season but at a time when there is something going on. Disney World experiences and the times they start vary from season to season and day to day. Planning the outing around special events and times when attractions are longer open will give you an even more magical experience. View one of the unofficial "Disney Crowd Level Charts" online to find out how many people attend the various special events and how many people on average visit the theme park around the holidays.
   • Avoid the crowds and save some money by taking an off-season vacation to Disney World: mid-January to mid-March, excluding Presidents Day Weekend; from mid-April to mid-May, excluding Spring Break and from mid-September to mid-November, excluding Halloween. The theme parks are also less busy from Tuesday to Thursday.
2. Make things a little easier by booking a Disney vacation package. Tour operators and the Disney company offer packages that include theme park (s), hotel stay and flight tickets. By purchasing a vacation package you reduce the stress of planning a vacation. Compare the costs and benefits of a number of different packages in your chosen price range.
   • Disney employs travel agencies that can assist you in word and deed. The telephone number for this service is 407-939-5277 (USA).
   • It doesn't necessarily have to be that you save money by booking an all-in-one vacation package, but you will certainly save time.
3. Arrange to stay at a Disney resort for convenience and proximity. Do you want to experience the magic of Disney 24/7? There are Disney resort packages in multiple price ranges. You can stay at the campsite or book a luxury villa. When you stay at a Disney Resort you also have certain privileges:
   • Disney resort guests receive complimentary round-trip transfers from the airport.
   • If you come by car you can park for free.
   • You can also enter the amusement park earlier and stay longer.
4. Book a flight as soon as you know when your vacation starts and ends. To get cheap airline tickets, start looking for flights early and be persistent. Start looking for flights six months in advance. Especially if you want to visit Disney during a school holiday or public holiday, it is important to book your flights early.
   • Search for flights every day.
   • Use online services to find cheap flights.
   • Consider flying out or back on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.
5. Make preparations yourself to have even more options. Disney prefers that you land at Orlando Airport, take their shuttle service to your Disney resort, and stay at the Disney World complex for your entire vacation. However, if you wish, you can escape Mickey's grip from time to time.
   • For vacationers who don't want to overdo their Disney vacation budget, driving there yourself is usually the least expensive option. Besides saving money, you also see a bit more of America when you drive to Disney by car.
   • If you are coming by plane and will not be staying at the Disney resort, you will need to rent a car.
   • Nearby hotels are cheaper alternatives to the Disney resorts. They are ideal for couples and families on a vacation budget.
   • If you're vacationing with a large group at Disney, consider booking a home that is registered with a timeshare company or a vacation home nearby.
6. Search for offers. Many different organizations and associations offer Disney promotions to their members. For example, if you are a member of AAA, you may be able to get a discount on a stay at a Disney Resort.
   • Members of the United States Military can receive a discount through the Shades of Green Foundation.
   • Disney has special group prices.

Part 2 of 3: Organize your days well

1. See each Disney World theme park in isolation. Before you put your Disney vacation on the agenda, check out what can be seen in the different theme parks. Disney World consists of six theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
   • Start by compiling a list of Disney attractions that you will absolutely want to visit. Write down which shows and exhibits you want to see at each theme park.
2. Compile your list of attractions that you simply must see and experience. Check the Disney World calendar for dates of special events such as parades and fireworks displays. Write down all the experiences that are essential to you and the rest of your group. Mark the days when a theme park closes earlier due to a special event.
   • If you are staying at a Disney Resort you should make the most of the Extra Magic Hours (EMH) option. Every day, a different Disney theme park offers EMH to the guests of their resorts. The amusement park opens 1 hour earlier or closes 2 hours later than normal. Visiting an amusement park on an EMH day ensures you have more time to discover and enjoy the magic of Disney.
3. Plan your route through the amusement park. Once you've created your must-see and experience list of attractions, organize them by date, time, and location so you don't have to run criss-cross through a Disney theme park (or worse, take a shuttle from the one theme park to another) to get from a dinner with Disney characters to a fireworks show.
   • For example, if the Magic Kingdom has a parade at 5:00 p.m. and a fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. (and both are on your list), see if you have an absolutely necessary dinner with Disney characters in between and cram a few high-priority rides nearby.
   • Even if you end up buying Park Hopper tickets so you can visit multiple theme parks in one day, you can make your day less hectic and tiring by minimizing the amount of travel between the theme parks.
4. Schedule at least one "free" day in your vacation. If you plan to the minute every day, you will no doubt be up in three to four days - and probably sooner if you have small children with you! Every two (or maybe three) fully planned days you should schedule an amusement park-free day on which you don't have to worry about times or plans. It should be a vacation for you!
   • There will be more than enough to do at the resort you are staying at, especially if it is from Disney. You can go to the pool (s), play games, shop or even just sleep!
   • If you don't like hanging around the pool all day, you should visit Disney Springs on your 'day off' - it's great for shopping, dining options everywhere and plenty of activities to participate in .
5. When making your plan, consider your fitness, comfort, and children. If you're in your twenties, in shape, and on your honeymoon at Disney World, you might be able to work through the theme parks at a brisk pace for several days in a row. But most people who travel together as a group need to think realistically about how fast they can go and how long they can keep going. In a Disney theme park, you can easily walk several kilometers in a day and, if you stand still, stand for several hours.
   • If your kids can still fit in a buggy, you should bring (or rent) buggies, even if the kids won't be in them at home anymore. Exhausted five-year-olds mean irritated preschoolers means a not-so-"magical" day.
   • For the same reason, if you are traveling with someone who cannot walk well, you should see if you can rent a wheelchair or scooter - even if he / she does not normally use it at home. In any case, schedule breaks more often and make sure the days are not so hectic.
6. Don't just try to do everything. There are so many great things to do at Disney World it is easy to over-plan. That's why you should also list things that you absolutely must do, prioritize them, and be realistic about how much your group can handle in one day. It will be difficult, but inevitably some of the things you would really like to see or do will end up on the list of things you are not going to do.
   • Be optimistic - see the list of things you won't be doing that you made for this getaway as a start for the list of things you will absolutely be doing on your next Disney World vacation!

Part 3 of 3: Completing your program

1. Make reservations for special meals 6 months in advance. To experience the magic of Disney in its themed dining rooms and exclusive restaurants, you need to plan well. You will always be able to find a place to eat, but to eat at prestigious / popular restaurants and along with Disney characters, you must make a reservation 180 days in advance. So, if you want to dine with Cinderella you have to book early.
2. Buy park tickets. Disney allows guests to customize their ticket packages to their liking. Once you have decided which theme parks you want to visit, you can create your own ticket package.
   • Guests can choose a ticket that is valid for one day or that is valid for several days. Tickets become considerably cheaper the longer you want to stay.
   • For a small extra fee, you can add a "Park Hopper Option" to every ticket. This allows you to visit multiple Disney theme parks in one day.
   • Water park fans can choose the "Water Park Fun & More Option". Save money by combining the "Park Hopper Option" and the "Water Park Fun & More Option".
3. Complete planning your daily route. Once you have made all the preparations for your trip, bought your theme park tickets, and made reservations for the restaurants where you want to eat, you need to create a detailed layout of your Disney vacation. Clearly indicate when and where the things you want to do will happen. Give copies of this to the other members of your travel party. Use your directions to stay on track or just to remind you what you have planned on which day.
   • Plan your route with the "My Disney Experience Planner" on the Disney website.

Tips

• If you'd like some more information about planning a Disney vacation, you can request a free DVD with information about it from Disney.
• Pack comfortable shoes for walking in the theme parks. You should also bring sunscreen to protect your skin from the Florida sun, even in the winter. If you travel in the winter months you should pack sweaters and jackets for cold days and nights.
• Make sure your family agrees with your plans before booking.