Disney Vacation Planning: Live and Learn
Readers,
as you likely know from my previous posts, my
husband and I have made 10 trips to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
since 2006. You also know that I plan events as part of my job and greatly
enjoy spreadsheets and PowerPoint.
I’ve
also learned a lot from Disney trip planning and visiting that I thought you
might benefit from. Different from past articles, these aren’t recommendations
so much as they are the thinking behind why we now do things differently at
Disney (pregnancy, etc., aside).
What has
changed about your Disney experience over the years? Would love to hear from
you!
Past
|
Present
|
Rationale
|
Purchased
the deluxe meal plan (3 table service meals per person, per night plus 2
snacks per person, per night)
|
Purchase
the regular meal plan (1 table service, 1 counter service and 1 snack per
person, per night)
|
With
the deluxe meal plan, we spent a lot of time waiting around in restaurants
for ADRs, food, etc., and not as much time enjoying the parks. The regular
meal plan more than suits our needs, frees up times in the parks and is more
cost-effective.
|
Purchased
a Park Hopper ticket for every day of our trip (except departure day)
|
Purchase
a Park Hopper or a base ticket for 6-7 days of a 9-day trip
|
Having
fewer days tied to the parks is a cost and a sanity saver; it frees you up to
explore the water parks and Downtown Disney, too, or just resort hop.
|
Went
commando to all of the parks without taking a break in the middle of the day
|
Try
to hit rope drop at Magic Kingdom once, as schedules permit
|
When
it’s just the two of us, it’s kind of nice to sleep in a little and then
meander to a resort restaurant for breakfast before heading to the parks.
Also, taking a break in the middle of the day for a swim and a nap is very
refreshing for the soul and the soles (of your feet).
|
Lugging
a huge bag or purse to the park each day, loaded down with every imaginable
item one could ever want or need in the event of a zombie apocalypse
|
I put
a few credit cards, ID and cash in a plastic baggie and zip that along with
my lip balm and glasses into a case that hangs from a belt loop on a hook.
NOTE: This is NOT a fanny pack.
|
The
lines at bag check can be a real pain, especially if they’re long and you’re
running late for an ADR. I love cruising right up to the entrance gate!
|
Not
dressing up for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
|
Finding
fun costumes that won’t make you melt in the Florida heat
|
It’s even
MORE fun to be dressed up at the party and to have your picture taken with
Mickey and Minnie in costume
|
Taking
pictures of every single animal at Animal Kingdom
|
Taking
about half as many pictures at Animal Kingdom (and overall)
|
I’ve
seen it and done it; now I look forward to being in the moment and taking it
all in!
|
Things that have never changed (and probably
never will):
1.
The
creation of a comprehensive spreadsheet with a tentative plan the MOMENT that
Disney releases dates for our travel
2.
The
revision of said spreadsheet with a concrete plan the MOMENT that Disney releases
park hours for the dates of our travel and TouringPlans.com updates their site
with crowd level information
3.
Waking
up at 6 a.m. ET on day 180 to book advanced dining reservations (ADRs) 
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