A Disney vacation is the sort of adventure most adults and kids look forward to with an expectation of wonder and excitement. To get the most out of your trip, start planning several months in advance by consulting websites and tour books to tailor a plan to meet the needs of your family.
A Disney vacation can be as expensive or as cheap as you are willing to make it. If you want to stay at a deluxe Disney resort, eat in high-end restaurants, spend multiple days at the parks and add tours to your package, you can easily spend thousands; however, if you stay in a modest motel off-property, commit to leaving the park for meals, carry small snacks with you and avoid gift shops, you can plan a family trip for under $1,000. Plan out a realistic budget, set your priorities and create a plan that works within your means.
If you plan to drive, map out the best route and plan to arrive in Orlando one day before you head to the parks since you do not want to waste admission on a half-day. If you plan to fly, book the earliest flight available in the day. Not only will you be able to enjoy relaxing for an afternoon before hitting the parks, you will be more likely to miss weather delays that can occur with common afternoon rainstorms.
Renting a car is expensive in Orlando, so plan to stay somewhere with a shuttle system. Disney has some incredible accommodations, and you cannot beat the fantastic experience of never having to leave the magic. All transportation is included at Disney resorts, and you can find really good deals at various times of year.
If you do not want to stay at Disney, there are more than 100,000 rooms available in the Orlando area. Choose one that fits your needs and budget after reading on-line reviews.
Planning a day at Disney is not unlike planning a military operation. With precision and forethought, you can breeze through the parks, avoiding lines and fatigue, and skip off to lunch and a nap while others are just beginning to arrive at the hotel. There are many strategy guides online that discuss the best way to assault the parks. Tourguides.com and Ridemax.com offer plans customized to your party type, for a small fee. If you do not want to pay for touring plans, the best advice is to arrive at the parks before they open and take advantage of Disney's Fast Pass system.
If you opt to dine at certain Disney restaurants, some of the best in the area, you need to make reservations 90 days in advance. If you do not get the reservations you wanted, keep trying since plans change and people cancel. If you do not want to dine in the parks, you will find a huge choice of restaurants with little wait outside the resorts on International Drive.
