You’ve Decided to go to Walt Disney World… Now What? By Meredith S. Making the decision to travel to Walt Disney World is exciting, but it also marks the beginning of a potentially long journey full of planning! There’s so much to do between making the decision to go and the actually trip, so here are some tips that will help you think through all your options and plan your magical getaway!
1. Get comfortable with your budget
Before you get to the truly fun planning, you’ll have to think about your vacation budget. This will impact all of your choices moving forward, but don’t let a tighter budget get you down. A Disney vacation is magical without the extra splurges, and you can certainly find ways to save money. The smartest and easiest way to be sure that you’re aware of every promotion is by booking your vacation through an Authorized Disney Travel Planner, like Mickey Travels. There’s no fee for using this service, and your travel planner will monitor all available discounts so you can be sure that you’re getting the best deal. They’ll even help with resort, dining, and FastPass reservations!
2. Think about the “focus” of your trip
What do you want to “accomplish” on your trip? Is your main objective to relax and enjoy time with extended family? Is your group made up of ride enthusiasts who want to experience every attraction? Do you have a desire to try every snack at the Food & Wine Festival? Are you travelling with a princess enthusiast who wants to meet every single one? Thinking about your focus does not mean you can’t have a little of everything, but it does help you prioritize what meals, attractions, and experiences will be your best bets. It may even help you decide the best time of year to visit.
3. Choose your travel dates
There’s no simple formula for deciding the “perfect” time for your family to visit Walt Disney World. Obviously, you’ll want to consider your family’s schedule first. There are certainly times that are more or less crowded, but there’s truly no “off season” at Disney anymore. Choosing a travel time that is not during a school break is likely to yield lower crowds. For instance, late August into September sees a drop in crowds when most children return to school, whereas the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is typically the resort’s most crowded time. There are also factors other than holidays that impact resort-wide crowds, such as special events like the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and RunDisney events.