Hi Landri,
Welcome to planDisney! We know that planning your magical Walt Disney World vacation is exciting, but it can also be a bit intimidating. So I'm happy to offer some advice on finding people who can help you identify and book the right combination of resorts, tickets, dining and activities for your family.
Doing a little homework on the Walt Disney World website is a good place to start, even before you talk with a travel professional. Surfing through the site can help you with ideas about what you might want to do and where you might want to stay on your vacation.
I would begin by perusing the list of hotels in the
Disney Resort Collection. Then I like to make a list of the top 3 or 4 "must-dos" in each theme park. That gives you a blueprint on which to build an itinerary.
If you already have some ideas about budget, resort, length of stay and priorities, and you just need assistance getting everything reserved, then contacting a cast member at Walt Disney World's
phone line for Tickets and Hotel Reservations may be just what you need. They are knowledgeable about packages and special offers and can help finalize your reservations and answer your questions.
But if you are looking for more intensive assistance -- someone to take the reins and book flights, dining reservations, Lightning Lanes and handle almost all of the details -- then you likely want to turn to a full-service travel agent. To find one, I recommend searching online for "Authorized Disney Travel Planner" or "Earmarked by Disney" to identify a travel agent who is specially trained and certified in planning Disney vacations.
You also can ask your friends and family for travel agent recommendations. Services of a travel agent are free and can take away a lot of the planning anxiety. But it's your vacation, so you want to find someone you feel comfortable with and who will understand your family's wants and needs.
Good luck, Landri, and please come back to planDisney any time with your questions about resorts, dining, attractions and itineraries. We're all here to assist.
Happy planning,
Wilma