So we are planning our first Walt Disney World Trip for the kids! We wanted to wait until they were both old enough to really enjoy it and remember it, and we feel like that time has come.
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Of course, when you take a trip like this, you want it to be perfect for your family. Or at least as close as possible, right? I can just imagine the excitement when they walk into Walt Disney World! We are planning for it to be a surprise and so of course we want to plan well and have been told that really is essential.
It did not take long before I realized, however, just how involved a Disney World Trip is … wow, major overwhelm after about the first five minutes of looking around a bit online! I decided to put together a handful of tips for those who, like us, are new to Disney trip planning to help reduce that feeling of overwhelm.
Now, these are just some basic getting started tips … nothing in depth! I have seen some very detailed, comprehensive trip planners that looked great once I am further along in this process. The tips I’m sharing with you today are more of things to think about as you begin planning to perhaps help keep thoughts and the greater process organized and more manageable.
So here we go!
The first thing to do is establish what “perfect” looks like for you!!!
What are your most important priorities for this trip? For example, our trip will be a short one. Chef John recently started a new job and does not have vacation time to take yet, so we are definitely going to want to make the most of the time we have there, but also really enjoy ourselves and not allow it to be a stressful trip either.
No matter how much time you have, you will find that there are many, many attractions to choose from at Disney, not to mention places to eat. And everyone who’s been to Disney seems to have their own list of “must-do-and-see” things! For example, this list of 65 Things You Must Do and See at Disney World, by Alpha Mom. So identifying what the top priorities are for your family will go a long way in planning a trip that is “perfect” for you.
Obviously, with our family taking a shorter first trip, we would not make it through 65 must-do and see things! But I’m excited to do the things I feel like our children will most enjoy this first trip and come back with our own list of must-do-and-see things for a future trip when we have more time.
Financial – Decide on a budget
We found it helpful to look at what the typical, average costs are for a Disney trip so that we can plan accordingly and set a realistic budget for our trip. The article, How Much Does It Cost to Go to Disney World, by WDW Prep School was especially useful, as it contrasts what families with similar demographics but different Disney trip budgets each spent.
Decide how long your trip will be and plan way in advance!
And by way in advance, I mean months. I would say six months is probably a good time to start. I have just recently started planning our trip and I’ve already gathered from friends that the entire trip must be planned out … or you will likely not be having anything close to a “perfect” trip and more likely on the miserable side.
Disney is a massive place, with multiple parks, each with their own “quirks”, if you will. Some things you may want to do, such as character meals, which of course we are considering, require reservations.
Utilize planning tools and apps such as TouringPlans.com!
As soon as we started thinking about a Disney trip, I went to the place we all now go to for tips and information … social media of course! A friend from high school highly recommended TouringPlans.com to me. She said there’s a small yearly membership fee and that it was well worth paying it.
[Screenshot image used with permission from TouringPlans.com]
As soon as I logged in to the site, I could see exactly what she meant! It is full of valuable information including a crowd calendar, expected wait lines for the different attractions, a room finder feature where you can enter parameters of what you are looking for with your accommodations, such as noise levels and time it takes to walk from your room to the lobby or to transportation:
[Screenshot image used with permission from TouringPlans.com]
There is also information about which days of the week are best to visit which parks during the time of year you are going. And … there is an app that will allow you to get updates on wait lines at the attractions you’re planning to visit while you are there at Disney so that you can make adjustments if necessary if wait lines end up being a lot longer than projected.
You can create a customized “Touring Plan” for your family to have basically a detailed itinerary for your trip. For those with younger children or those who have never ridden fast rides before, I found a great article on their blog, Magic Kingdom Attractions for Ride Chickens, (Confession: This is really for me, too … as certain types of rides just aren’t for me!! Okay… YES I am a ride chicken!)
All of the information available will help you get the most out of your trip and whatever time you have so be sure to check Touring Plans out for yourself.
Make a “Wish List”
This final tip is maybe more helpful for those who have a more limited time like in our case. However, again, with all Disney has to offer, it may be wise for everyone to do this! Look at the different parks to visit between Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Studies and all the attractions each has to offer. Make a “wish list” for your family trip.
I can also see how this might be helpful for families with multiple children. Obviously, if you have just one child, then you can do whatever will be of greatest interest for him/her. With us having two children, different genders and almost four years between them, we want to do our best to give each of them “equal” opportunity to experience things that they, individually, would most enjoy. I can only imagine how challenging this could be for a family bigger than ours!
Free Printable!
I made a printable to help me keep all of this kind of information organized and in one spot. I’m making it available to you for free here:
Disney Planning PrintableHappy Planning! 
Are you familiar with TouringPlans.com or have you ever used the site? Which of these tips do you think is most helpful or do you have a different one to share that might be helpful to one of our readers?
About the Author
Adopted at age 2, grew up in the Charlotte, NC area. Obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University. Loves being a Mom of two and taste-testing Chef John's culinary creations and sharing them with readers.
I’m going to share this with my friend who is planning a Disneyland trip!
Farrah recently posted…On Nursing in Public… #normalizeit #nursewithoutfear
I haven’t heard this website, but it is a great way to plan a trip. I am longing for a trip
Veronica recently posted…I’m In A chair-ful mood!
These are such helpful tips! I have been planning a trip to Disney in October, and it has been so stressful!
Oh, good … I’m so glad they were helpful!! And yes, I can totally relate to that feeling because it really is soooo involved but once you can get past that initial overwhelm and get things a little organized it becomes FUN! 😀
Great tips! I hope to be planning this trip soon!
Marina @ Mommy Snippets recently posted…Do you pay your child to do chores?
You will love planning this one, Marina … so much fun!
I love resources like this, and I love Disney World! Thank you for the planning info. here.
Rosey recently posted…Coach’s - Six Words- Theme is Up & Running
Oh, yay … hope it is helpful!!
Disney can be way more fun if you have an idea of what you want to do ahead of time. It was so helpful to have our days figured out in advance so we weren’t overwhelmed!
krystalskitsch recently posted…Seafood Recipes | Creamy Shrimp Dip
Great tips! I would love to go to Disney soon. It is such a fun family trip.
Awesome! I will be needing this- by BFF is moving to Orlando and I plan on visiting her and Mickey often!
Carly from The Puzzled Palate recently posted…(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Soup’s on!
That will be lots of fun to go with her … I’m glad it will be helpful for you!
Wow a lot of planning and prep has to go into going to Disney. My son went a few years back and his grandmother took him so I didn’t have to do any of the work or pay for it which was nice.
Danielle recently posted…My Own Private Paradise- Patio Redesign
I remember when we first went to Disney, we actually went through Walt Disney World and planned everything through them. It can work out to be pretty expensive but it’s a lot of fun. I’m also waiting a little longer for my toddler this time before we go back but we went regularly and love it!
Amanda @ Growing Up Madison recently posted…Teaching Your Child to Take Care of a New Pet
Great tips! I think I’m the only person I know that doesn’t plan her Disney trips way in advanced! I normally plan 2-3 months out and it all works most of the time!
Cara recently posted…Gluten Free Black Bottom Pie with Namaste Biscuits and Pie Crust
LOL, Cara … I am glad to hear that it does! And glad to hear I’m not the only “obsessive” planner. 😉
We plan on going to disney sometime in the near future. This will definitely help us with our planning.
Amber NElson recently posted…10 Birthday Party Ideas For Girls
Oh good, Amber … so glad!!
Great post and printable! I know you’re getting excited about your trip
I’ve never heard of TouringPlans.com, but I will check it out! I normally don’t use any travel site in particular, just whatever I come across!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…A Patio Reveal!
Thanks, Kristen … yes, we are so excited, can hardly wait! And definitely check them out for sure!
I have planned & perfect my perfect day at Disneyland last year. Now I pass on the suggestions to family & friends
Annie recently posted…Erin Condren Life Planner Giveaway Winning
I used this site to see which building was closest to everything at our resort and it was super helpful.
Heather recently posted…Amazon Studios’ new kids series, Annedroids
Glad to hear it was helpful for you too, Heather! I loved that feature … especially for those like me who like to plan out every detail imaginable. 😉
For us, the price of taking a Disney vacation gets me! I figured out a 5k price tag if we drove. That would be a VERY long drive too!
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Look What I Found Inside my Prize Candle! #PrizeDigger
There are so many ways to enjoy Disney in your home now … and Disney has an initiative for families to “show their Disney side” THROUGH celebrations at home and share on social media if you want to check it out: Disney Side Celebrations
I hear you about the price and especially if you have a long drive! Maybe you can have some Disney fun at home until you are able to get to Disney!! I found this super cute “Cindarella’s carriage dip” I think through the Disney Side Celebrations site that I’m planning on making for my little princess, maybe for her birthday party coming soon. So tons of resources and ideas to “bring Disney to you” while you save and plan for a “dream trip”!
That sounds like a lot of fun. Disney us such a fun place to visit.
Lady Lilith recently posted…Test Shots: Upside Down and Dead
Great tips, the place can be very overwhelming indeed, you need to go to Disney World with a plan or you will get swallowed up there.
Lesley Stevens recently posted…Maisto R/C Rock Crawler
we always get the dining plan when we go to Disney it totally rocks and the food is AMAZING!! this past weekend we did the quick serve plan and had way more food then we could eat.
becca recently posted…Change is Coming #Family #Travel
Thank you, Becca …. great tip to add!! I’ll have to check out the quick serve plan for sure.
Always good to be prepared for any trip. Thank you for the tips.
Great tips, it’s always good to be prepared when going to Disney World.
I am not familiar with TouringPlans.com . I do need to check it out though. We are headed to Montana for a month in October.
Terry recently posted…The Pillow By SmartSilk Review ~ Choose The Comfort Level That Is Right For You
Great tips,We have been wanting to go to Disney for a while,I am not sure when we will go but we will one day.
Kay Adeola recently posted…ITCHING AND SCRATCHING? BANISH THE URGE THIS SUMMER WITH ECO ZAP-IT!
I can’t wait to go back. Now that my youngest is old enough to actually enjoy Disney. I can’t wait to surprise them next year.
N phoenix recently posted…Accessorize in Gold #Style #3cgblog
Great tips! It definitely makes it easier if you have a plan when you visit Disney!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…my bucket list reimagined
We go to Disney every year and we are actually heading down for our trip this year a week from Saturday. We can’t wait to get back.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…The Glacial Caves at Loon Mountain