Tips And Information To Plan Your Trip To The Walt Disney World Resort
A Disney Park vacation can require as much planning as a trip to Paris or London. It's easy to look at a guide book or map of the Disney area and think "4 parks, 4 days". Only if you're able to just walk onto rides or only want to hit a handful of attractions at each, folks.
The truth is, there's so much to do at a Disney park, that you could spend an entire day there without going on any rides and still not be bored. Walt Disney World needs to have a good game plan. This lense will get you started.
If you're looking for the Ultimate Packing List, scroll down to the "Great Websites for Planning" section. A link is provided.
New Toy Story Midway Mania Ride Video
Toy Story Midway Mania Onride Video
Toy Story Midway Mania Onride Video in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Florida. Hi definition available on wdwnewstoday.com's podcast! http://www.wdwnewstoday.com/blog/archives/69
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Mousekeeping decorates with towel animals
Tips On Tipping- Housekeeping
This area is really up in the air. How much do you want to tip? Even at Disney the service can vary. I generally leave $3 a day. One trip I left $2 a day and we didn't get any towel animals at all. At $3 a day we usually get towel animals every day (generally means the house-keeping is happy). If you want to leave more, feel free. I'm certain they'll appreciate it.
2. How Often?
I recommend tipping every day. The resort hotels are huge and run seven days a week. You may not have the same housekeeper 2 days in a row, let alone the full length of your stay. By tipping every day you ensure that whoever did the work for you also got the benefit.
3. How To Tip?
Clearly label the tip as housekeeping will not take money that isn't obviously meant for them. I put the cash in envelopes, seal them with a Disney sticker, and write "Mouse-keeping" on the front. It's cheesy, but there can be no mistake who it's meant for. I also do all of this before leaving on the trip so that I'm not stuck halfway through the trip with only an unbroken $20. All I have to do is pull out one of the envelopes and lay it out on the room's table every morning, or at night before going to bed.
If you think you may want to add/subtract money throughout the trip, just don't seal the envelopes, or bring paperclips. As long as the money is clearly labeled, house-keeping will know it's for them.
Guide Books for the First Time Traveler
It's important to pick the right book for your needs- especially if this is your first trip to Walt Disney World. My husband and I love the Birnbaum books so much that we buy a new one every year whether we're planning a trip or not!
Disney on a Dime: Money-Saving Secrets for Your Walt Disney World Vacation by Chris Carlson
You can afford the Disney World vacation of your d more...0 points
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World) by Birnbaum
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World, the most respected a more...0 points
Tips On Booking Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Things to Pay Attention to When Booking Your Walt Disney World Vacation
2. Make certain that you have the receipt for your reservation when you arrive. If you book online, print it out. If you book through the phone lines or through a travel agent, make sure that you have it 1-2 weeks before your trip. If you don't have a receipt, call and get one. Should anything happen to your reservation, this is your proof that it was confirmed and that it must be honored.
Specialty Guide Book
Birnbaum provides a special guidebook specifically for kids, by kids. They also have a guidebook just for dining at the World! And we all know how good the food is at WDW...
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World For Kids 2009 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids By Kids)
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 10/16/2008)
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide 2009 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide)
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 10/16/2008)
The pool at All Star Music Resort
Why You Should Stay In A Walt Disney World Resort
2. Free Transportation- other hotels may offer bus service, but only Disney offers hotels with ferry and monorail service. Plus, if you stay off property, your hotel may say "minutes from Walt Disney World", but WDW is 44 square miles. Once you enter WDW property, you've got 10-20 minutes left to the majority of parks!
3. Free Parking- at $10 a pop, you may want to take your resort's bus. But if you stay on Walt Disney World property, you get free parking at all of the parks!
4. Special deals- Disney offers a meal plan as part of their Magic Your Way package, which can save you $20-100 a day per person depending on how you eat. But it's only available if you stay at one of their resorts.
5. Practically pest free- what are the three worst things about Florida? Sun, Hurricanes, and bugs. Disney can't do much about the first, but people staying at the resorts during hurricanes report that their lights don't so much as flicker. And as for bugs? Disney has some of the best pest control in the world. It's rare to see any bugs unless you're near the water, and even then it's much less than you'll usually see elsewhere.
6. Price- rooms start at about $80 a night (and you can get special deals, and AAA members can often get approx. 10% off). The free parking and meal plan discount can make up the difference between the cost of staying on and off property- plus all the perks! Even Disney's cheapest hotels are nicer than much more expensive hotels elsewhere. Even the food courts offer excellent food!
Disney Crocs were sold from kiosks in all the parks
Where To Buy Disney Crocs
One thing you should keep in mind, however, is that the Disney Crocs are slighly narrower than the older Crocs versions. I've recently noticed that all new Crocs seem to be narrower, so if a new pair of Beach fit you, you should be fine. However, if you haven't bought a pair of Beach Crocs recently, make sure that you try them on first. In the hot Florida sun, your feet can swell up and rub against the inside of the shoe. Bring band-aids and baby powder with you if you plan to buy your Crocs at the park, just to be on the safe side. I recommend buying them before your trip and breaking them in first, but I also understand the appeal of using them as souvenirs. Just be prepared.
For more tips on wearing your Crocs at Walt Disney World, click here.
Disney Crocs on eBay
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For the Seasoned Walt Disney World Traveler
Hidden Mickeys, 3rd Edition: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best-Kept Secrets (Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secre)
I have the first edition of this book, and it's terrific! I can only imagine that the 3rd edition is even better.
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 10/16/2008)
The Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic
I have this book and I love it. It entertained me for hours, and I was amazed that a Disney buff like me could get so many answers wrong. The author is really nice too, so you can be sure that your money is going to a good guy.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/16/2008)
The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 2: More Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/16/2008)
The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook
Amazon Price: $19.55 (as of 10/16/2008)
101 Things You Never Knew About Walt Disney World: An Unauthorized Look at Tributes, Little Touches, And Inside Jokes
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/16/2008)
Great Websites for Planning
- All Ears
- The greatest website for planning a trip to Walt Disney World- ever! You can see photos of every hotel (inside many rooms as well), actual menues that are updated often, ticket price comparison charts, tips, real-time blogs from staff on vacation, even pictures of ride vehicles with a list of attractions that are especially good or bad for heavier people. There is also a section that will tell you what attractions are being re-habbed at any given time.
- Mouse Savers
- A website dedicated to getting you the best deals on all things Disney.
- Mouse Planet
- Another top planning website.
- Official Walt Disney World Site
- Oddly- this has the least amount of information, but has some cool features such as actually being able to book your trip online. They have calendars with park hours, and you can create a personalized map with all of the attractions that you want to hit.
- The Mouse For Less
- Like MouseSavers, this is a website devoted to helping you get the most out of your trip, while spending the least.
- Ultimate Packing List
- The ultimate packing list for your Disney Vacation. It's actually part of The Mouse For Less, but is so helpful that it deserves its own link.
- WDW Magic
- This is a Walt Disney World fansite. I haven't had a chance to fully explore it, but there are lots of nifty things availab.e This might not be for a first time planner, but if you've been to the World at least once, their update photos and more could be helpful. At the least it's entertaining.
Do You Have Special Needs When Traveling?
PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs: The Take-Along Travel Guide and Planner! (Passporter Walt Disney World)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/16/2008)
Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma have been researching and answering questions on their popular Disney trip planning website for years. So many people have needed assistance finding the best vegetarian options, advice on renting wheelchairs and ECVs, dining tips for allergies, and coping with children (or other travel members) with ADHD and other ailments, that they've compiled an absolute treasure of a book for anyone traveling to Walt Disney World. After all, who doesn't have a special need when it comes to travel?
Disney Travel Agencies
Several companies have sprung up that not only specialize in Disney vacations- but actually offer nothing but Disney! With 5 park locations across the globe and the new Adventures by Disney there's a lot to work with. These people can help you sort out the details.
- Mouse Fan Travel
- An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner- special offers, free gifts with travel, and more.
- The Magic For Less
- They're even running specials right now!
Planning Poll
Attraction Wait Times Tip Board
Travel Tips
Wear comfortable shoes
This can not be stressed enough. It doesn't matt more...0 points
Use fast passes
Disney actually recommends having one member of y more...0 points
Drink plenty of water
No matter how expensive that water seems, your bo more...0 points
Bring Powder
If you are prone to rashes or blisters at all, you more...0 points
My Disney Blog
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Disney thinks even your stuffed animals should be entertained
My Disney Articles
- Guide To Walt Disney World Transportation: Part 1
- An article about WDW transport between the hotels and parks, and the ticket and transportation center and parks.
- Guide To Walt Disney World Transportation: Part 2
- The second half of the transportation guide. This article covers all the other transportation options at WDW including inside the parks, and from hotel to Downtown Disney.
- Tips For Wearing Crocs At Walt Disney World
- Crocs are the most comfortable shoes around, and quite popular at WDW- but there are times when even Crocs don't cut it on their own.
Tips On Touring Epcot
>For the best view of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, try to get as close to the lagoon as you can, as early as you can. Benches surrounding the lagoon fill up to 3 hours early depending on the season, and viewers converge on the barrier surrounding the lagoon from seeming nowhere and with no notice. Get there early and save your seat.
My Other Disney Blog
Can I help myself? No, I can't. I have the personal Disney blog, and a professional Disney blog. The first being my personal faves and experiences, the other being more of a How I Can Help You sort of blog. This is the pro blog.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMy Disney Lenses
My obsession with Disney, and my obsession with Squidoo combined to make me build many, many lenses on Disney. So, I put them all together into a sort of index.-
My Disney Lenses
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I already have a lensography, though it needs to be updated with my recent busy bee status. However, I've been developing more and more lenses on Disney, and recipes. In order to cut down on the work of actually linking to each lens on each lens, I'...
Questions or Tips to share?
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WordVixen
Thanks nature! WDW is my favorite place ever (and that's saying something since I'm in love with Scotland and France as well!). Posted September 16, 2008 |
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naturegirl7
Good lens. We love Disney World, too. It's where we honeymooned - lots of good memories. Posted September 16, 2008 |
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WordVixen
Thanks SC! I thought your lens was very well put together as well, so I rated you a 5. :) Posted April 02, 2008 |
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squidcrafters
WV, Posted March 31, 2008 |
