Planning

Planning your Trip

No, you do not need to go to a travel agent. Planning your Disney vacation on a budget is easy and it is a lot more fun and rewarding to do it yourself! Here is a step-by-step guide on how I plan my family Disney World vacations:

• I always try to start planning a year in advance (this will allow you more time to save and pay for it!). I used to wait until they announced their Free Dining. Now that my son is in school and that Free Dining is usually offered when he is in school, I have to book our vacations during his school vacations.
• Choose your vacation dates. Sure, this should be an easy one. But, once your kids are in school, it gets a little tricky. Do you really want them, or will their school even allow them to miss 5 or 6 days? This means looking at their school calendars to work with their school vacations.  If your kids are in Kindergarten or younger, you can go anytime of the year.  If you are going to try to visit Disney while they are offering their Free Disney Dining, choose which dates within the available window.
• Decide if you want to stay at a Value, Moderate, or Deluxe Hotel. See my Hotels page for more information, it will help you decide which is right for your family.
• Go to the Disney World  site and input your travel dates. Next select your hotel. You will also be able to choose your tickets and dining plans. Visit my Dining page, this will explain the different dining plans. If you choose a Magic your Way Base ticket, this will allow you to visit on park per day. This is the best choice if you have little ones. There is no need to over do it with them. If you choose the Park Hopper option, you can visit more than one of the parks per day. This is a great option if you are staying at a resort within walking distance to a park. You can spend the day at one park, head back to the hotel in early evening and then walk to another park for dinner or fireworks/parades.
• I ALWAYS book on the Disney website (unless you are renting DVC points). You will only have to put down a $200 deposit and you will have until 30 days before your trip to pay it off.  This is great. You can pay $10 here, $50 there, when you have it. If you book through an external site, you have to pay in full, upfront.
• Now, you have your reservation number. You now have access to My Disney Experience. This is a great tool. This is where you can book your dining reservations, book FastPass, link up with other family or friends that you may meet up with during your vacation, and so much more.
• Make a general budget for when you get down there. Set a budget for your kids toys/souvenirs ( I set aside $25 per child per day), for restaurant tips(for a family of 5, about $25/night), beer/alcohol ( I get out easy for this one! We do not drink!), food at the airports, and any other little things you can think of.  
• Now, get out some paper. Make a list of the days and dates which you will be at Disney. Choose which parks you will visit on which days. If you are purchasing a Base ticket, choose one park per day. If you have the Park Hopper option, choose which park you will visit in the 1st half of the day, and which park you will visit the 2nd half of the day. If you are choosing the Water Fun and More option, make sure you schedule those days in also. Always save a day or evening for Disney Springs. This is where you can shop, dine, and find lots of other fun activities.
• Do some research, visit my restaurant page. Choose which table service/buffets you want to reserve. Then, 180 days before your trip, you can reserve them. I know this sounds silly, that far in advance. It has gotten a little out of control. But, if you really want to sit and eat, you need to do this! I also have lists of the best quick (counter) service restaurants, so you can plan on where you will grab those meals as well. It is much better to know where you are headed, so when you and your kids are hungry, you are not wondering around trying to find a place that will be suitable.
• If you want to book your FastPass attractions before your vacation, visit your My Disney Experience page to do so. You should take advantage of this feature. Since you have booked your dining, you know which parks you will visit on which days. Look at the rides that take FastPass and choose up to three per day.
• Disney will send you something to let you know when it is time to customize your Magic Bands. You can link up all of your tickets and dining reservations to this band. These will serve as your room key, theme park tickets, you can link your credit card for shopping, your FastPass, your Memory Maker.
• Approximately 2 months before your trip, book your airfare. Sorry, I do not give info on driving. I am about frugal and FABUOLOUS Disney World vacations. Driving down to Florida with my three small children is no vacation to me! When we go on vacation, I do not want to drive, do laundry, clean up, or cook! I always choose a super early flight on the way down and a late flight on the way home. This will give you extra time to enjoy Florida! I recommend flying Southwest airlines. Due to the free checked bags. Remember, Southwest offers two free checked bags (best for families with little children still in diapers, you end up packing way more!). You have to pay for your airfare all up front, remember the weekly savings I told you about? Use that money you have been saving up!
• I always start about one month before my trip to make my packing list. I do this to give myself plenty of time. This amount of time will allow you to buy your toiletries, things to keep the kids occupied on the plane, and other little things that will pop into your mind.
• Then, all that is left is to have fun! Take it easy, do not sweat the small stuff. If your room is not ready when you get there, hit the pool or a park. Bell Services will hold your bags/extras until your room is ready! Soak in the magic and watch the sparkle in your children's eyes!