Planning a Disney Dream Vacation is a lot like doing homework. There are many components and it takes time to put all the pieces together. I have been traveling to Disney for 27 years and one thing has always been ingrained in me, schedule, schedule, schedule. Ok, those of you that are cringing at me right now, please stop, I will explain. The right planning will give you a 'schedule' that will flow from one exciting adventure to the next. And yes, relaxation is built in to a good plan, if you want it.

The first things you should consider are when are you going to go, how you are going to get there and determine your budget for the trip. Disney does not have to be expensive (although it can be) but if you plan correctly, your vacation dollars will go a long way.

When are you traveling?
Choosing a time to travel to Disney is very important. It will determine pricing on resorts and airfare in addition to determining approximate crowd levels. These all vary from month to month. The levels during the summer months, around the holidays and during school vacations are definitely in the higher numbers.

Cost of accommodations - Cost of accommodations is determined by 'seasons'. These seasons include: value, regular, summer, peak and holiday.

How are you going to travel?
Airfare - traveling near the holidays and in the summer is generally more costly. School breaks also can increase the price dramatically.

Car - Depending on where you live in the country, your passengers and general preferences, you may be able to drive and save a substantial amount of money on transportation. Most Disney Resorts charge a daily fee for vehicles on site. Check out the fuel cost calculator in my tools. However, this calculator does not take in to account wear on vehicle.

The other option is Auto Train. It is a full-service train with accommodations and room for your vehicle. The majority of vehicles on the Auto Train going south are from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Vehicles from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Maine, and all the New England States and several Canadian Provinces also use this mode of transportation. It is a nice option if you are living in these states to give yourself a break.

What is your budget?
Determining the above factors (time of year, transportation, accommodations) will help you come up with a budget. If the cost is too high you can go back and change your time of travel to a less expensive season or change your accommodations for your party (maybe moving from a deluxe resort to a moderate or value). There are many ways to work your budget so you get the most for your money.

Disney recently (within the last 5 years) instituted the Magical Express system from Orlando International Airport (MCO). This system takes care of your transportation to/from your hotel on Disney coaches, luggage delivery and in most cases Airline Check-in when it is time to leave.

About two weeks before you leave home, you will receive special Magical Express tags to put on your luggage (2 per person). These tags will tell airport personnel that your luggage goes to a Disney resort (it has the name of the resort on the tag as well). You will also receive your bus vouchers for everyone in your party.

When you arrive off your plane you go to the Disney Check-in center and get into your first 'gasp' line to register yourself and family (they ask for one adult only from each party) to get on the bus. It looks long but goes fairly quick. They will check you in and give you your return vouchers for when you leave.

Note: If you want to transport your luggage yourself, you can pick it up at the airlines designated area and then head over to the Disney desk. If you choose to do this, do not put the special Disney tags on your luggage.

You then grab your family and get into another line to get on the bus. Lines are broken up by resorts/ resort areas. Some only transport for one resort, others for 2 or 3. The busses are equipped with a bathroom if you need it. They also have a video that is played featuring, you guessed it, Disney World. Very nice.

Depending on your arrival time you may be able to check-in. Check with the front desk because if your room is not ready they will give you a phone number to call and check at a later time.

When you get to your room your luggage may be there. If it is not call the bell-hop and they will check on it for you.

Although we have had great experiences with Magical Express in the past there are a couple of things you should be aware of:

Some travellers have said that did not get their luggage till very late or the next day (pack a small bag with necessities).

Using the Magical Express System will take approximately 60-90 minutes (a rental car or service will be about 45-60 minutes).

There may be multiple stops for other guests.

On a good note:
We loved the convenience of using Magical Express. Our luggage was in our rooms when we arrived. We could not have had a better experience.

Disney has the 'advanced dining reservation' for it's sit-down establishments including character meals. At peak times it may be difficult to find a table at a restaurant if you do not have an ADR. So plan accordingly. In addition, peak travel times to Disney are the Christmas/New Years Week, Easter or April spring break, Thanksgiving and summertime.

Advanced Dining Reservations do not have to be paid for in advance. You will find that at certain establishments (Cinderella's Castle, Hoop-tee-doo, etc.) advanced payment is required as well. The travel specialists at Disney will let you know if this is the case.

You can make your ADR's 180 days (180 + 10 for Disney Resort Guests) before the date of your meal. If you do not get the restaurant on the day you want ask the reservations specialist to find any lunch or dinner for 'x amount of people' at your choice of restaurant during your length of stay. For example, I need a dinner reservation for 3 at O'Hana during the week of June 15th-22nd. I did this when making reservations for Cinderella's castle and came out with a great reservationa at a perfect time. Note: Breakfast or Lunch at Cinderella's Castle is one of the hardest reservations to get.

The busiest times to eat for lunch is 12-2pm; dinner 6-8pm. Other dining times is easier. Check if you can get lunch if dinner is not available or vice versa.

If you need a table for 2 and there is no reservation to be had, ask for a table of 3 and you might be in for a nice surprise. Disney's reservations system does not book a table for 2 unless there is an actual table for 2 available. Any restaurant will seat you at a table for 4 if necessary.

Many times you can call 45 days ahead of your scheduled trip and make reservations. Anyone travelling to Disney has to cancel their trip at that time in order to receive a full refund. Those ADR's then get cancelled as well, opening up some seats for everyone else.

Consider splitting up large parties in order to reserve seats. Once you arrive let the matre d' know and they will generally try to seat you together or near one another.

If you are not going to use an ADR, please cancel it and double booking is frowned upon as it is not fair to others. Think of the other families, singles or couples like you that want to eat at their choice restaurants.

Good luck and good eats!

This is a sample Disney itinerary for a multi-generational family. Itineraries can be as detailed (or not) as you wish. This is a middle of the road itinerary leaving choices for eating establishments and time to spend near the pool, relaxing or participating in other activities. Restaurant reviews and specific menu item recommendations are available as well as in-park touring plans.

Party of 6:

Grandparents - Both aged 55
Mom - 32
Dad - 35
Daughter -4
Daughter - 3

NOTES:
This family elected to use the Disney transportation system. Disney collects your baggage (you mark it with special tags before you leave home) and delivers it to your room at your hotel. Taking a bag with necessities is important because you may not get into your room until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. In addition, vouchers for the bus from the airport to the hotel will be sent prior to leaving home (about 2 weeks before).

This family also placed a grocery order and the food was delivered when they arrived to their room.

CS = Counter Service Restaurant

Saturday
Arrive at Polynesian around 1pm - room is not ready until 4pm and they will hold your belongings.

Freshen up

Eat at The Kona Cafe (Upstairs in the main building) -

Head over to Magic Kingdom - Ride suggestions are available depending on the makeup of your party.

Head back to the Poly after dinner, get into room, get groceries put away, unpack and watch the MK fireworks from the beach

Sunday
Animal Kingdom Open 9-7; leave hotel by 8 (eat breakfast in room) - take bus to the Animal Kingdom

Eat at CS

Go back to hotel around 2 - rest/swim
Dinner at Contemporary - Chef Mickeys at 5:30 (take the monorail over)
Res # --------
Nana / Papa - Night Out

Monday
Cinderella's Royal Table reservations for 8:30; Need ID; Res #------------
Stay in MK for as many rides as possible, leave in the afternoon for rest/swim
Mom / Dad - Off at night

Tuesday
Epcot 9-11 - leave by 8 take the monorail to the
Ticket and Transportation Center and then transfer to an Epcot monorail
Need to be at Epcot Divequest by 3:45 res #----------- ID and Scuba Cards
Dinner Reservations at Garden Grill - Chip and Dale's Harvest Feast
Head over to the World Showcase
Watch Illuminations (fireworks) at Epcot

Wednesday
MGM park opens at 9 leave by 8 - Catch a Bus
Lunch at Hollywood and Vine with Einsteins 1pm Res#------------
Head back to hotel to rest / swim
Pirate and Princess Party 7:30pm start at the MK

Thursday
Waterpark - Typhoon Lagoon (more kid friendly) - Take Bus either first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon
Nana / Papa - Off at night

Friday
Ohana 8am breakfast reservations #----------- Return to room to pack
Downtown Disney
Mom / Dad - Off at night

Saturday
Early morning trip to MK to ride any miss rides
Catch bus to airport - disney again will pick up the luggage from room with appropriate tags and transport to the correct airline.

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