Mom With Kids After RunDisney; Mickey Fantasia Hat; Donald Duck Hat; Goofy Hat
  • On Nov 16, 2012
    Katie from MS 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.

    trying to plan a trip, somewhat reluctantly, very overwhelming. Travelling w/ spouse, 11, 9 & 5 yr. olds. wow. where do I begin?

    Congratulations on your first Disney vacation - and don't be reluctant! I know it can seem overwhelming at first, but if you break it into chunks it will feel much more manageable. I can honestly say that I felt the same way when I planned our first Disney vacation, but the more I dove in the more fun it became (obviously - look at me now!)

    First I suggest that you determine your budget. This will help you determine step 2, which is selecting a travel date. Prices vary by season, so you may be able to have a September trip that you couldn't afford in December, for example.

    At that point you need to determine your length of stay. I generally recommend that guests allow two days each for Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and one day each for Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. If you want to spend time at a water park, Downtown Disney, or just exploring other Disney resorts, add on another day or two (or more - my family usually visits for 10-14 days at a time and I promise you, we never run out of things to do!)

    Next, I like to visit the Parks Calendar Page and note any special shows or parades and times that we might want to see on a particular day, using that to help plan our daily schedule. And finally, once I know where we will be each day, I book our dining reservations. I recommend that you do that very early. Disney accepts dining reservations 6 months in advance and many people do take full advantage of that booking window, so book as early as possible to ensure you get the meals that you really want.

    And finally, consider using the services of a travel agent who specializes in Disney vacations. They will be able to help you find the best deals and they will continue to look for savings, even after you've moved on to planning the fun stuff!
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Meet the Panelist: Heather, Kentucky

I'm a member of the original 2008 Moms Panel and am happy to be back again to help you plan! We are DVC members who visit 2-3 times per year with our 3 young daughters, and I am only one visit away from being able to say I've stayed in every Disney resort! Learn More About Heather

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