Planning a Disney vacation is a magical experience. Nothing warms your heart more than getting to pick out all the different details of a Disney trip for the family. You can picture all the laughs and smiles as you select your booking dates and decide on what type of tickets to purchase.
Once you start getting into the planning process, you’ll learn how extensive it can be. There’s so much to do while at Disney, and you want to make the most of your trip. To ensure everyone has a vacation to cherish, you’ll need to know how to plan the best Disney vacation possible.
When visiting Disney World or Disneyland, your vacation planning must be very strategic. Here’s everything you need to know about planning your family vacation to Disney!
Plan in Advance
The sooner you start planning your Disney vacation, the less stressful it’ll be. Because there are so many aspects of your vacation to plan for and little details to decide on, it’s best to start the planning as soon as possible.
You might find yourself changing your mind about something as time goes by, which you might not be able to do last minute. You should also keep in mind that depending on the time of the year you want to travel, rooms can book up fast.
Select Your Stay Dates
Once you begin the planning process, the first thing you want to do is select your travel and stay dates. If you plan to travel during the holidays, you must expect higher accommodation prices. To save some money, you should consider staying during the non-peak seasons.
The best time to visit is the week or weekend after labor day. This is normally the slowest time of the year for most theme parks and accommodations. Children are all back in school during this time and fewer people are visiting Disney.
Choose Your Accommodation
You’ll then need to choose your accommodation. If you’re a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) member, then you have a few more options to choose from than only the Disney hotels. For example, a Copper Creek DVC member can book villas to stay in.
Those without a DVC membership are only allowed to book rooms in the cabins at the Wilderness Lodge, which is the same property where the Copper Creel Villas are located. You also have the option to stay at Disney’s value resorts.
Their value resorts are the best option for a budget trip. Staying inside Disney in one of their properties is beneficial, however, because you can take the shuttle everywhere around Disney for free, and they also offer room packages.
Room packages might include the hotel, the tickets, dining, and more!
Purchase Tickets Based on Days
You won’t want to miss out on all the Disney fun while staying in Disney. Be sure to look at all the different ticket options before making a final selection. You’ll save when buying a 3-day or 5-day ticket if you plan on visiting the parks on multiple days.
There’s also a park-hopper option, which allows you to visit multiple parks in one day and go back and forth as you please. Don’t overlook the Disney water parks either. Disney water park tickets are cheaper than the regular park tickets and are a great way to cool down during the hotter months.
Do consider fast passes as well. Disney ride lines can get long. You don’t want to spend your entire day waiting in lines.
Ask About Discounts
Always ask about discounts before buying tickets or booking your room. Disney offers plenty of discounts, and they should be taken advantage of. If you have AAA, are an active member of the military, or are an in-state resident, then you have some great deals awaiting you.
These are just a few discounts that Disney offers. Be sure to call and ask about all discounts or deals.
Make Dining Reservations
If you want to have a dining experience at one of Disney’s popular restaurants, such as a character dining experience, then you must make reservations in advance. Choose which restaurants you want to visit, on what days, and on what times.
You can’t simply walk into these restaurants and be seated. Reserve your table when you book your stay to avoid possible let downs.
You can also consider a dining pass or a meal plan. If you plan on eating at the theme parks and at various Disney locations, then a meal plan could save you money.
Enjoy All of What Disney Offers
There’s more to enjoy at Disney than the resorts and the parks. You can plan an entire day spent at Disney Springs in Disney World or Downtown Disney District in Disneyland and not even pay to get in. These areas are boardwalks that don’t require an entry fee.
Your resort’s shuttle will even take you right to them, free of charge. In these locations, you’ll find lots to do such as shopping dining, and plenty of fun things for the kiddos. Train rides, Lego-building stations, and dance performances are just a few of the things you can expect to enjoy while there.
Pack Accordingly
Our last word of advice is to pack accordingly. Make sure everyone has comfortable shoes that they can wear without trouble for an entire day of walking. Bring your light-weight strollers as well for small children.
Disney does have stroller rentals if needed at the parks. Sunscreen, sun hats, water and fan sprayers, and snacks for the room are all a plus as well.
Know How to Plan a Disney Trip Today
When it’s time to go on a family vacation, you need to know how to plan a Disney trip with ease! Use this guide above to help you navigate through the entire process ensuring you don’t miss a thing.
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