Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation

We all hear about the horror stories about people who had terrible Disney World Vacations. This is really sad because Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World is one of the best vacation options that families on a budget have. However, there are many pitfalls, if you start with my tips you may be able to avoid the pitfalls and enjoy Planning your Walt Disney World Vacation of your dreams.

1) The longer you stay the less you pay for tickets!
2) Trying to save a few $$ by buying a cheap hotel?
3) Fly or Drive?
4) Staying inside the Walt Disney World Resort vs Staying outside the resort.
5) What is magic you way?
6) Do I have to do EVERYTHING Disney has to offer?

Going to Walt Disney World should be the best time of your life.

However, without the proper knowledge and the proper planning your Walt Disney World vacation could be a disaster.
There are ways to save time, money, Energy, and most importantly, Your Sanity.

1) The longer you stay the less you pay for tickets!

This fact is often overlooked by people who travel to the Walt Disney World Resort. If you go into Disney World and purchase tickets EVERY DAY of your stay you will spend HUNDREDS to THOUSANDS more than you would if you bought multi day tickets the first time you go to The Walt Disney World Resort

If you don't want to purchase directly from Disney there are limited options to purchase tickets outside of the park.

Word of warning- Do not buy tickets from places outside of Disney World that advertise "used" tickets. There is no such thing, Tickets can't be transferred from one person to the next. If you buy a "used" ticket you may be wasting your money. If the "used" ticket doesn't work, then you are out of luck and your family will be looking at you at the gate with those eyes of disappointment.

2) Trying to save a few $$ by buying a cheap hotel?

You can find very cheap hotels right outside of the Walt Disney World Resort. I have stayed in rooms for less than $40.00 a night.

However, I have never EVER been totally satisfied with the "cheap" hotels. My recommendation is to spend a few more dollars and either stay in a Disney Hotel, or a nicer Hotel outside of the Resort. You will appreciate a quality bed and a quality night's sleep after a hardcore day at a Disney Park.

3) Fly or Drive?

This question is subjective to everyone's individual situation. My family drives to Disney. We live about 600 miles away from Disney world and driving makes more sense to us. The reason, is because we save much more money driving than we do flying. We could fly, but by the time we drive to the airport, check in, wait, wait, wait, finally board the plane, wait some more, fly down, spend 30 minutes to an hour trying to collect the luggage, then rent a car, and drive some more, we would only save about 3 to 5 hours over driving.

However, if you do not live relatively close to Disney, Flying may be an option. Just weigh this out for you and your family's needs.

4) Staying inside the Walt Disney World Resort vs Staying outside the resort.

This question must be answered by the individual family. When you stay inside the Walt Disney World Resort you literally enter a Disney Bubble. Depending on your likes and dislikes this may or may not be for you. If you stay in the Walt Disney World Resort you will benefit from:
a) complete immersion into everything Disney
b) RELIABLE Transportation to the Disney Parks and attractions.
c) If you have a Dining plan you do not even need CASH. Everything is prepaid and your resort key card serves as your Dining ticket.
d) Quality Rooms, Service, and most of all the Disney Quality

5) What is magic your way?

Magic your way is the way that Disney packages the park ticket options. Basically you have three options for your Disney Tickets
a) Magic your way option- Basically your ticket is good for ONE park for ONE day
b) Magic Your Way plus Park Hopper- This ticket option allows you to visit more than one park per day. (very nice option on slower days)
c) Magic Your Way Water Parks and more- This ticket is good for admission to One Park and the water parks as well as some other
attractions.
d) Magic Your Way Water Parks and More Plus Park Hopper- This is a combination of points B and C above.

6) Do I have to do EVERYTHING Disney has to offer?

The basic answer is NO, You do not have to do EVERYTHING Walt Disney World has to offer. You will drive you and your family crazy and your time at Disney will be stressful if you try to do everything Disney has to offer. Choose some Disney Must Do's for you and your family and make sure that you do those things. I recommend setting a goal to do 3 must do's a day. Everything else, decide on a whim, Disney has a lot to offer.

OK, Now What?

I highly recommend The guide in the link below to help you find many more tips from a Former Cast Member. You will find out things about Planning A Walt Disney World Vacation directly from an expert.

Have a Magical Day!