Mom and daughter on Expedition Everest; Animal Kingdom
  • On Aug 22, 2013
    Megan Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi! We are trying to plan a disney world trip to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and our first time going to Disney and Christmas! LOL So far we have nothing planned and really, really need help and advice and you have similar aged children as myself!

    Hi Megan, I'm so glad you stopped by with your question for me. First of all, congratulations on your upcoming anniversary and first Disney vacation. Wow, two big milestones! So, let's get started. 

    First and foremost is setting your budget. This will be the key to choosing a resort, whether or not to choose a dining plan, length of stay, etc. I would recommend coming for at least 5-6 days if that is possible for your family schedule and budget. Walt Disney World is rather large and encompasses so much that even I haven't seen or done everything in my numerous times visiting. So, even though I know you won't be able to get in everything, you do want to have enough time to visit each theme park and maybe go back to your favorite one a second day or work in a day to hang out at the pool and relax in the middle of your trip.

    Next would be to determine what price range of resort hotel is in your budget. Deluxe resorts will have the most amenities, are often closest to the theme parks, and offer the largest rooms. Moderate is the next level with fewer amenities and slightly smaller rooms. The value resorts can be a great option for the budget conscious. They still have great theming but with smaller rooms the fewest bells and whistles.

    My family rarely does the dining plan since I have two younger ones that are more picky eaters and rarely finish a meal, so it often seems wasteful (to us) to spend money on a plan that includes appetizers and desserts that will not get eaten. However, the Disney Dining Plans can be a great value to some families and they can definitely be hassle-free. Character dining is a must-do, in my opinion, but there are also lots of other fun dining experiences.

    Unfortunately, I am out of room, but I'd love to continue helping you. Please feel free to ask more specific questions so I can offer my suggestions on favorite resorts, dining locations, and attractions for your children.

    ~Allison L  
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Meet the Panelist: Allison, Texas

I am a mother of three that loves all things Disney...the never grow up mentality, the fairy tale endings and the ever changing Disney Parks. With so much to explore, I would love to help you discover all the magic and wonder your heart desires. Learn More About Allison

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