Welcome, Lauren!
You have come to the right place for advice on planning your fabulous trip for the first time in forever!
When I am planning a trip, the very first thing that I decide is when to go and where to stay!
You will not find a bad time to visit, but if you can visit in the early winter, fall, or spring you will generally have milder weather and lower crowds than in the summer. That being said, nothing kicks off the start of the summer season for my kids like a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth!
Depending on your budget, I would recommend you stay at:
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Disney's Pop Century Resort,
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Disney's Art of Animation Resort,
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Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort,
- or for a luxury trip to the south pacific,
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
Each of these resorts offers access to the theme parks via the
Disney Skyliner or the Monorail, which makes getting to the parks super fun and convenient.
When you book a
vacation package you can do so with as little as $200 down, with the remainder due 30 days before you check in.
The next thing that you will need to decide on is what parks you would like to visit and for how many days. For a first-timer, I always recommend at least one day in each theme park with an extra day just to explore the resort and enjoy the fabulous pools. If you are going to add an extra day, I always find that my family needs more time in the Magic Kingdom.
Now, Lauren, as a relatively new Disney guest, I think that you could probably save a little, and skip the
Park Hopper Option on your theme park tickets.
Once you book your vacation package, you will then need to make your
Disney Park Pass system reservations. You can do these now, so I recommend booking as soon as you purchase your tickets. You can always change your dates later if you need to.
If you plan on eating any table service meals, you can make your reservations up to 60-days in advance. A few of my absolute favorites are Breakfast with Mickey and friends at
Topolino's Terrace and dinner at
50's Prime Time Cafe.
Lauren, my number one tip for planning the perfect vacation is to come back here. No question is too big or too small and the planDisney team is here to help you every step of the way.
See you real soon!
Sarah B.