Hi Sandra,
Welcome to planDisney! I’m so happy to hear you are making plans for a very special trip to the
Most Magical Place on Earth. I understand the long-term goal of wanting to experience this vacation together as a family, and the perceived pressure for it to be practically perfect if a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Not to worry, I’m thrilled to help you understand some planning first steps to make the most of this experience given the range of your children’s ages and interests.
There is a
Special Offer available to save on Disney Resorts Collection Hotel stays during your planned June visit. Another offer is available beginning later this summer but adds a
Disney Dining Promotional Card to your stay, which you may consider changing dates for if it’s a great value for your family in paying for many meals during your vacation. There are
several resorts with unique options for a family of five in one room, one suite, or a cabin and often with two bathrooms.
I suggest at least a four-day
theme park ticket for your special trip so that you can experience all four parks; if you decide to stay longer you may consider a second day at Magic Kingdom Park as there is so much to see. Adding a one-day water park ticket would be fun for a summertime visit with your family’s ages too;
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is reopening soon and is always a day of thrills and laughs for my family. For your first visit, I don’t think the add-on purchase of a Park Hopper is necessary, Sandra. There’s enough to experience fully in each theme park that this is a great place to save significant money towards another aspect of your visit and reduce some stress. You can purchase park tickets and reserve a room at the same time, with only a deposit due upon booking and pay towards the balance until your trip arrives.
Once you have your resort and theme park tickets secured, be sure to make
theme park reservations for each day. This critical step is now required before arrival, and days can fill up as Guests make plans. You may also make
dining reservations 60 days in advance, and for the duration of your trip if staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel.
Once you have these primary components together, the fun part is about planning the specifics of each day. Knowing each family member’s must-do list is essential to managing everyone’s expectations for this big trip. “There’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done” but no matter what, you’re going to have an incredible time!
It would be an honor to help you continue to plan this special trip, Sandra. I’m running out of space for this answer, but you may
go to my biography and click on
“Get an answer from this panelist - start now” to send me a question directly. Let’s keep talking about specifics within each theme park, the best attractions, and great dining options for your family (no princesses required, I promise). I’d love to help you maximize the magic while keeping to your budget for this vacation.
Hope to see ya real soon!
Amy