5 Tips to Help You Plan a Perfect Disney Vacation (Guest Post)

Do you dream of taking an epic family vacation to Disney World?

Some of my favorite vacation memories are of the trip our family took to Disney World just after my brother returned from serving in Iraq. I wish every family could make the same kind of priceless Disney special memories.

Whether you are planning a spring break trip, looking forward to summer vacation, or just contemplating taking your clan to the most magical place on earth, my friend Pam of Our Adventure is Everywhere has the tips you need to know.

Pam makes multiple trips to Disney World each year and has tons of insider information. She knows how to make the most use of your travel time and budget.

Pam is the first person I would go to for Disney advice, and I’m excited to share her Disney expertise with you!

Guest Post by Pam Howard

Visiting Walt Disney World can be a fantastic family memory. There is no other place like it anywhere.

However, for many families, it’s a once in a while (or a once in a lifetime) trip. Although it’s an exciting and fun place to visit, it’s also very expensive. So even for families who normally don’t plan their vacations, when you are spending that much money, it makes sense to give this one a bit of forethought.

Even, if you do nothing else before you visit Disney, follow these 5 tips and you’ll find yourself enjoying your vacation a little more with a lot less stress.

1. Think about when you are going to visit.

If you have any flexibility in your schedule, don’t visit during the very busy times of the year.

Although Disney always has lots of visitors, there is a definite traffic increase during Christmas and Spring Break. That means bigger crowds and longer wait times.

So, if you can visit in the early fall (September after Labor Day), winter (January – February) or early June you’ll find the parks to be a bit less crowded.

There are also often special deals on lodging or even free dining during the non-peak timeframes.

2. Consider staying on-site.

It can be less expensive to stay offsite, but there are some definite benefits to staying on Disney property.

If you can afford it, there is something special about being in that Disney bubble for the entire trip – especially if it’s a shorter trip. Plus, when you stay on-site you can book FastPasses 30 days earlier, you can use Disney transportation (so you save on parking), and you get to enjoy the beautifully themed properties.

3. Decide upon the best length of time for your family.

If you want to visit all four parks (and I recommend this to everyone), you’ll want at least 5 full days at Disney. This gives you a day for each park plus one non-park day. And if you are staying at a Disney property, you’ll definitely want to enjoy the pool and the resort for at least one non-park day.

If you can stay longer, go for it – there are so many enjoyable things to do around Walt Disney World that you really can’t get bored.

If you can’t swing a full week, then don’t plan on doing all the parks – you’ll just wear yourself out. Pick one or two and enjoy those to the fullest.

4. Make park plans ahead of time.

One of the big benefits of staying on-site is being able to book your FastPasses 60 days before your check-in date. If you stay offsite you can only book 30 days out.

Getting FastPasses early means you’ll have a better chance of getting the rides you want, and if you are savvy about which ones you book, you can save yourself HOURS of time.

If there are certain restaurants you know you want to check out, be sure to book those reservations early too. It’s such a relief to not have to worry about trying to get into that cool place at the last minute.

5. Take it easy.

This is the most important tip. Having a relaxed attitude is the BEST way to enjoy your Disney vacation.

I see so many families worn out and cranky from trying to pack too much into the day. That’s not fun for anyone.

Even though it’s an expensive trip, if you go in with a positive attitude and decide ahead of time to stop each day while you are still having fun (instead of pushing everyone) your memories will be so much better.

If a Disney vacation is in your future, I have a few great resources to help you save money and plan that perfect trip:

Join my FREE monthly Disney Fun newsletter. Each month, I send out the best deals for Disney – so you’ll know when free dining is offered when the hotels have deals and if there are any ticket specials.
Check out these Disney posts for additional info on planning your Disney trip: Onsite vs. Offsite; The Perfect Non-Park Day; and The Best Table Service Restaurants at Each Park.

Hopefully, these tips will help you create the perfect Disney vacation AND help you feel like a Disney vacation pro!