8 Do’s and Don’ts for Planning Your Disney Vacation

Planning is essential to any vacation, but particularly for a Disney World vacation. Making good choices and planning ahead can make a world of difference. A Disney vacation isn’t necessarily an inexpensive vacation, so you want to ensure that you get the most enjoyment and the best value you can out of your trip, and also do your best to ensure that you and your family create magical memories. Here are some do’s and don’ts when planning your Disney vacation.

8 – Don’t Rush

Give yourself plenty of time when planning your Disney vacation. Not only does this give you time to budget and save for the vacation you want, but it also allows you to learn about Disney. There are so many little details to learn about a Disney vacation that it can seem overwhelming, but Disney will walk you through the process, and with a little extra time on your hands, you can piece your vacation together bit by bit. It’s not uncommon for people to plan a year in advance. It also adds to the fun and anticipation of your vacation.

7 – Do Ask for Help

If you are planning your first Disney vacation, or even your second or third, get some help! Disney’s website offers a live chat, they have friendly people who can help over the phone, and there are plenty of travel agents who can help get you the best deals and talk you through the whole process. There are also a ton of Disney enthusiasts out there who enjoy sharing their Disney knowledge. Ask around and see who you know that has helpful tips to share. And, of course, read blogs and websites dedicated to Disney just like this one. They’re full of helpful hints and tips from Disney fans and pros.

6 – Don’t Wing It

It’s important to plan which parks you will visit on each day of your vacation. This will determine where you make your dining reservations. The parks have different hours depending on the park and time of year, so do a little research and see which parks you want to visit and when, and make a basic plan for your vacation days. Read here for tips on scheduling your vacation.

5 – Do Book Dining Reservations

Booking your dining reservations in advance is crucial if you are planning some seated table service meals. Disney has spectacular restaurants, ranging from family-friendly character dining experiences to VIP and fine dining table service restaurants. Guests can make dining reservations 60 days in advance, and we highly recommend you do so. The reservation window for dining opens up at 6:00 am. For the popular restaurants, you’ll need to be online or on the phone at 6:00 am the day your window opens. This will increase your chances of booking the restaurant you want, at the time you want.

4 – Do Check the Weather

Florida is very hot in the summer but can be quite cool in winter. Traveling without proper apparel could make or break your vacation. Check out what the weather is typically like during the time that you plan to vacation at Disney and pack accordingly.

3 – Don’t Stay off Property

This really is a matter of personal preference, but if this is your first Disney vacation, I recommend staying at a Disney resort. It’s convenient, Disney has transportation that will shuttle you to and from the parks and your resort, and you will feel surrounded by the magic, even when you leave the parks. There are perks to staying on property, and you can have your park purchases sent to your resort, so you don’t have to carry them around with you all day. If you think it’s outside your budget to stay on property, have a travel agent look for a deal, or stay at a Value resort. They are the most inexpensive tier of resorts but are still a great option.

2 – Don’t Over-Plan

This may sound like a contradiction but don’t do too much planning. It’s important to have a basic plan, such as reservations and where you will be each day, but it’s also important not to plan every single minute of your time at Disney. Being flexible and going with the flow will help give your vacation a sense of spontaneity. It’s also easier to deal with disappointing weather or broken rides if you can be flexible and deviate from your plan a bit.

1 – Do Go Beyond the Parks

Disney World is so much more than just the theme parks. When planning your vacation, make a point of leaving time to visit Disney Springs or consider visiting the water parks. There are also a lot of great recreation options, and the resorts have some incredible restaurants. And if you can’t fit everything you want to do into one trip, just start planning your next trip!