If you are thinking about a trip to Disney World, planning in advance will help ensure that you get the most out of your vacation. With so much to see at the different Disney parks, careful and realistic planning will help you see as much as possible and keep it fun.
5 Tips for Planning a Trip to Disney World
1. Time of year
The time of year that you visit Disney World is can make a huge difference in the entire vacation. If possible, pick a time to go off-season. Not only will you spend less time in long lines but the weather may be nicer and you will get a much better deal, sometimes as much as 60-70% off-peak times.
Generally, off-season is during the normal school year, as most families will go during their summer holidays or spring break. Fall to spring can be great times to plan a trip to Disney World, but try to avoid going during holidays like Easter or Thanksgiving. The last two weeks of August, the month of September and most of January and February are usually less busy times at the parks. Early December can be a fun time to go since the parks are decorated for the holidays, but definitely try to avoid going right around Christmas or New Years.
To get more information about expected crowds throughout the year, check out WDW Prep School’s 2018-2019 Crowd Calendar and Undercover Tourist’s Orlando Crowd Calendar.
2. Research where you will stay in advance
It is possible to save some money by staying off site, however, you should also consider the convenience of staying at a Disney property. What you save on non-Disney accommodations you will probably make up in driving and extra time. Since there is so much to see and do at Disney World, managing your time and making the most of it will allow you to take in much more of what is offered.
Disney offers a wide range of accommodations ranging in price from Value to Deluxe, with prices quite a bit lower during non-peak seasons. You can usually get a great discount on park passes when you book a stay at a Disney property, and transportation to the Disney parks and other Disney properties is included. Another bonus is that some parks open early only for those guests that are staying on site. This can save hours of time waiting in lines and allow more opportunities to enjoy the park in a relaxed, leisurely way.
Disney offers a wide range of accommodations ranging in price from Value to Deluxe, with prices quite a bit lower during non-peak seasons. You can usually get a great discount on park passes when you book a stay at a Disney property, and transportation to the Disney parks and other Disney properties is included. Another bonus is that some parks open early only for those guests that are staying on site. This can save hours of time waiting in lines and allow more opportunities to enjoy the park in a relaxed, leisurely way.
3. Plan your schedule in advance
With so many parks and so much to do and see, it is quite important to schedule your time to get the most out of your trip. Do some research before your trip, to see what each park is about and what attractions they offer. Have a planned agenda of which parks you will visit on specific dates, but be flexible. If you are staying at a Disney resort, take advantage of any perks for a specific park like the early arrivals or even where they may be giving passes to bypass lines.
If you’re going to purchase a Disney meal plan, be sure to pre-book any restaurants or character dining experiences well in advance, to avoid disappointment.
Plan some downtime as well. You will be exhausted if every second is scheduled with park time and this can ruin your experience. A good idea is to head out early for park visits, take a break in the middle of the day and go back to the parks at night. This really only works if you are staying on site.
4. Pick and choose what is important
Most trips to Disney will not give you enough time to see it all. Instead of trying to cram everything in during one trip, pick the parks and attractions that are most important to your family. You will enjoy those much more than trying to do everything in a short period of time. Remember, Disney isn’t going anywhere, so there is always next time to catch what you missed.
5. Take advantage of the shows
The shows at the parks in Disney are high quality performances and provide a nice break from the ride lineups and the heat. Try to mix in some of the shows while you are at each of the parks. They will add to the whole experience, and may end up being some of your family’s favourite memories.
Disney is a magical place to visit, for the young and old. With the right mix of scheduled activities and relaxation, everyone will come home with great memories of their Disney World trip.
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