How to Plan a Disney Vacation

There seems to be no end to outdoor activities available in Disney World and Disneyland. The parks offer everything from safari tours to motorcycles shows, horseback riding to bike trails to scuba diving. While it seems easy enough to make a reservation, a Disney property is akin to an entire city. Plan your Disney vacation well ahead of time to ensure a great experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Disney travel guide
Disney travel guide

Step 1

Pick the best time of year and length of stay for your traveling group. Preferably select a time that is at least six months away to have adequate time for making reservations. The parks tend to be busier when children are out of school, so avoid those peak times or grin and bear them. No matter which location you choose, you will find crowds year round, but because Disney World is larger than Disneyland, the same number of people will look less crowded at Disney World.

Step 2

Schedule your travel arrangements in advance to get the best deals. You may save money by driving, but remember to factor in the travel time. Break up a long drive with a night of camping. If you are traveling with a large group or with children, flying may be the best option.

Step 3

Decide whether you want to stay at an on-site resort or off-property hotel. Book your arrangements as early as possible. The resorts may offer more outdoor features, such as pools, bike rentals or jogging trails, but consider the amount of time you'll be spending at the hotel to decide if these extras are worth the cost.

Step 4

Purchase tickets for entry into the parks. Standard tickets allow you access to only one park per day, so consider a "park hopper" option if you would like to move about the properties freely. Disneyland has only two parks, but Disney World has four separate parks, not including the water parks available for wet outdoor fun.

Step 5

Decide on your dining strategy. Disney offers dining plans, or you can opt to pay as you go. Think about your dining style and budget as you evaluate the plans, and remember to factor in the costs of taxes, tips and alcoholic drinks. Pack protein bars or other snacks to cut your dining costs.

Step 6

Make restaurant reservations as soon as possible. Even six months out you may be declined for some dining times or table accommodations. Check the online menus before you make reservations.

Step 7

Plan your full itinerary for each day. Include indoor adventures as well as outdoor rides and shows. Typically, selecting which parks you want to visit on which days can ensure you make it to dinner reservations on time.

Tips & Warnings

Come prepared for outdoor fun by packing sunscreen, comfortable shoes, bug spray, hats, rain gear and water bottles.

Research travel guides to fully understand how Disney properties work and where things are located.

Resources

Article Written By Margaret Telsch-Williams

Writing from Virginia, Margaret Telsch-Williams specializes in personal finance, money management, gardening, crafts and sewing, cooking, DIY projects and travel. When not writing instructional articles online, she works for the website Widescreen Warrior as a contributor and podcast co-host discussing all things film and entertainment. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and a master's degree in writing.

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