Disney Vacation Plan

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation?

These five quick steps are the foundation for creating a magical Disney Vacation Plan for your family. 

First things first …

Walt Disney World is huge! (40 square miles, approximately the size of San Francisco) and you will find a ton of information available in books, on the web, and from well-meaning friends and family … you need a way to funnel all of that information and condense it down to bite size decision points.

A trip to Disney is more enjoyable if you have a plan. Everyone’s plan can be different – one family may enjoy a more loosely planned itinerary, another’s may enjoy having all of the main details on a formal schedule.

My tried and true planning steps have helped hundreds of families navigate through all of the decision points in order to plan an out of this world Walt Disney World vacation. They are the same steps I use to teach my in-person Adult Education and Community Interest classes locally and online.

They are also the same steps I use with my personal travel agency clients. Each step builds upon another. Families, couples, and groups who follow these planning steps find their Disney vacations are more carefree once they arrive in Orlando and they are more able to enjoy the little moments of their vacations leading to lasting memories, deeper connections, and richer experiences

The Steps

  • Step One:  When to Go – Choosing your Travel Dates
  • Step Two: Where to Stay – Choosing your Accommodations
  • Step Three:  What to Do – Planning your Itinerary
  • Step Four: Reservations – Dining and FastPass+
  • Step Five: Adding to the Magic

Step One: When to go – Choosing your Travel Dates

When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?

“When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?” is easily among the top five questions I hear from families beginning to plan their family vacation to the theme parks.

“Best” is usually defined as either

  • lowest crowds
  • lowest price
  • moderate temperatures and mild weather
  • or all three.

And let’s be honest, raise you hand if you too want to visit Florida on a sunny, but not too hot day with low crowds and at the lowest price possible!

How do I select the best time for “my” family to visit.

A better question is when is the best time for your unique family to visit.

Choosing your travel dates is Step One in planning your Walt Disney World vacation.

Step Two: Where to Stay – Choosing your Accommodations

There are several considerations when selecting your vacation resort.

  • Location: On-Property versus Off-Property
  • Price: Be sure to consider all the factors, including parking fees, transportation from the airport, 
  • Perks: There are pros & cons to all resorts and area hotels

Step Three: What to Do – Planning your itinerary

  • 4 Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
  • 2 Water Parks: Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach
  • World Class Resort Pools
  • Disney Springs & the Boardwalk Area
  • Disney entertainment beyond the theme parks: Fishing, Golf, Spas, Ft. Wilderness stables & archery range, etc
  • Specialty Events: Including Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
  • Other Orlando area attractions: Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Legoland

Tickets

  • Base
  • Park Hopper
  • Water Park & More
  • Discounts & Promotions: Annual Pass, Florida Resident, Military, Discounted Ticket venues, Promotional Package offers

Step Four: Reservations – Dining and FastPass+

Dining Plans

FastPass+

Step Five: Adding to the Magic

Ways to add magic to your trip