The first time heading to Disney World is exciting, but it can also be frustrating, especially when it comes to planning and getting the trip set up. However, this is nothing a good cup of coffee and a deep breath can’t fix.

STEP #1: Weighing Options And Getting Started

This is the hump most first-timers dread; it’s easy to understand why. Recently, I planned a trip to Disney, which was a dream that took a little over a year to master. However, once the planning phase started, everything fell into place, especially once these considerations were thrown in:

• Where do I want to start?
• How many people are going?
• When do I want to visit?
• Where do I want to stay?

Naturally, the first place to begin is http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/ since you can price your vacation and get a general idea of how much it’s going to cost. Opening the “Price Your Vacation” tab is a great start because you can input:

• The number of people in your party

Options also include whether you want:

• Park-Hopper passes
• The Disney Dining Plan Package
• Transportation through Magical Express
• Flights added to the trip total

Speaking Of Packages…

The one bit of information I recommend is to include “packages” in the search because it would make it considerably easier. Incorporating a package, while it may tack on thousands more to your trip costs, makes it easier to have peace of mind during your trip. The packages include:

Magic Your Way: Dining is not included in this package. With this package, you get the base ticket, but you can tack on the park-hopper option (recommended) for each of the days you plan to stay. With the Magic Your Way package, you get the following:

• 15% off boat rentals at participating marinas. At the marina, you can utilize the water mice boats. Riding around Bay Lake is fun because it’s close to Magic Kingdom.
• 15% off Children’s Activity Centers inside the resorts
• Miniature golf vouchers for two people that can be used at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland
• 15% discount for a 50-minute spa session
• A commemorative luggage tag

Magic Your Way Plus Quick Dining: This package includes two quick-service meals plus one snack credit per day. In addition to this, you also get:

• Resort accommodations
• Base tickets that can be upgraded to the park-hopper option
• One refillable resort mug
• A luggage tag
• One 30-minute arcade card to be used in the resort arcade
• Free Disney Magical Express airport shuttle service
• Planet Hollywood meal voucher
• A free 30-minute Sea Raycer voucher

Magic Your Way Plus Dining: This package includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal and a snack per day, plus:

• Resort accommodations and base tickets that can be upgraded to the park-hopper or water park fun options
• Downtown Disney DisneyQuest admission for two visits per room
• Miniature golf voucher that is good for two rounds of golf at Fantasia Gardens
• 15% discount for resort Children’s Activity Centers
• 15% discount for a 50-minute spa session

Magic Your Way Plus Deluxe Dining: This package has three table-service meals and two snack credits per day and includes everything from the Magic Your Way package. However, this package has some exclusions to consider:

• Alcoholic beverages are not included with the dining plan. These have to be paid for separately. Other costs the dining plan does not cover includes non-single serve items (donuts from the Kringla in Norway, for example, would have to be paid for via cash or credit), items in souvenir containers, drinks with light-up ice cubes (available at the Sci-Fi Dine-In), or anything from rental counters.

Magic Your Way Premium: All of the amenities the Deluxe package has plus preferred seating for Cirque du Soleil, Fantasmic, and theme park tours. Additional amenities include:

• Unlimited recreational activities like golf and bike and boat rentals
• Unlimited admission for resort Children’s Activity Centers
• Preferred viewing for Illuminations at Epcot and “Wishes” at Magic Kingdom
• Two admissions to DisneyQuest
• 10% discount at Downtown Disney’s Splitsville Bowling Alley

Magic Your Way Platinum: This includes everything in the premium package along with unlimited recreation activities throughout your stay. You can also look forward to:

• Accommodations at a Disney deluxe resort or villa
• A personal itinerary planner so your activities throughout your stay are planned
• Reserved seating for Hollywood Studio’s Fantasmic!
• Disney PhotoPass CD
• Spa voucher
• A fireworks cruise for either “Wishes” or Illuminations

Prior to choosing a package, consider your family’s needs first as well as your budget. The base Magic Your Way plan comes automatically with the trip selection on the Disney planning site, so costs are lower. But as you move up the rungs to different packages, expect anywhere from a $2,000 to $4,000 increase.

Note: Kids under 12 must order from the kids menu under any of the dining plans.

Tickets! Get Your Tickets!

When you initially choose your package, you automatically get the base tickets for the vacation. While these are nice, they’re not always convenient. With the base ticket, you are not free to go to different parks: They’re one and done. So on Tuesday, if you planned on visiting Magic Kingdom in the morning but wanted to go to Hollywood Studios in the afternoon, you couldn’t. This is why considering the Park-Hopper option is important.

The Park-Hopper ticket option will allow you to visit multiple parks in one day throughout the duration of your trip. So, you could visit Animal Kingdom in the morning and afternoon then meet your 5pm dinner reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom because the Park-Hopper pass allowed you to do so.

The other option is the Water Parks and More ticket.

• The Water Parks and More ticket is just that: Water parks. You can use this ticket at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. It is also used toward ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Restaurant located in Downtown Disney.

• Park-hopping is not allowed with the water parks unless you select the option with park-hopping included.

• Click here to Save BIG on Walt Disney World Tickets!

Considering Magical Express

From experience, Disney’s Magical Express service (bus transportation from the airport to your resort) is hit or miss. Some days, service is fast, and lines are bearable. Other days, you could be wandering aimlessly looking for the Magical Express counter, then you may have to wait an hour to get picked up, then you have to wait some more if people are getting dropped off at resorts that come before yours.

If you’re traveling with kids, Magical Express may not be so magical, but it could be more convenient if you’re traveling by yourself or as a couple. Since you can add it to your vacation package it could save you from having to get a rental car or hiring a chauffeur. Personally, I prefer hiring the chauffeur even though it is more money, but I can get to my resort faster and therefore get to my vacation sooner. This all depends on what your budget is and what is more convenient for you.

Flights Through Disney.com?

As for booking flights, the option is available through Disney.com, though this isn’t as recommended. Shopping around websites like Priceline.com, Southwest Airlines’ website, or even hotelscombined.com can yield better, and often, less-expensive results. Plus, you have more options for flights and times you want to take off and land. Also, always make sure to contact the airport to find out information regarding baggage fees.

Looking For Discounts

Discounts vary throughout each season, so it’s always good to check sites like allears.net or mousesavers.com to find out information for different discounts. But discounts always seem to the same:

• January through April is 35% resort stay through certain dates (dates vary every year).

• June-July often sees the re-emergence of 35% resort stays. Make sure to check the restrictions since this usually applies to value and moderate resorts.

• September is usually free dining plan month. This is a life-saver, but it only applies mostly to quick service dining.

• Military personnel get a discount as well as accommodations at Shades of Green, Disney’s military resort.

• If you work for a university, check to see if there are teacher discounts. If so, you may be able to save money on your resort, tickets, or even a rental car.

STEP #2: Choosing When to Go

Being aware of when to go is the key for many visitors. Knowing when crowds are the busiest, what special events are going on, and being aware of any park closures is even more important because it is rather upsetting if your heart is set on riding Splash Mountain only to find it’s closed for refurbishment the week of your stay. Here is a breakdown of Disney World month-to-month and what to expect.

January

• January is value season, so you can experience lower costs for resorts, the dining plan, and passes.

• Christmas decorations are still up until the second week of January.

• Disney World experiences its lowest crowds of the year in January. This is due mainly to it being after Christmas and the lower temperatures in Florida around this time of year.

• Low temperatures. It’s not unusual to see nights in the 30s and 40s (there are also those rare 20-something nights!) in Orlando. During the day, you could experience 50s, 60s, and 70-degree temps.

• Refurbishment season begins. If you have plans to visit the water parks or any water-related attractions, January may not be the best time for you. Many of the water parks and water-attractions start to close for repair or close due to low temperatures! Also, many resort pools are closed during this time. This is something to consider.

• Refurbishments are pretty random, so there’s no set schedule for what attractions may be closed. Checking a site like touringplans.com can keep you up to date on the latest closures.

• History shows that January is the worst month for attraction due to closures.

• The second weekend in January is the Disney World Marathon, which takes place in all four parks. The marathon starts at 5:30am Eastern Standard Time, so guests should not expect to be impacted greatly. However, this weekend usually experiences larger crowds and hotels booking quickly.

• You may experience “pockets” of large crowds in January. Tour groups from South America often come during January since U.S. crowds are lower due to American schools being in session.

February

• Like January, crowds are generally lower in February, especially the first, third, and fourth weeks.

• Valentine’s Day week is usually crowded. Disney World is a popular vacation destination for couples around this time.

• Valentine’s Day week is also known as a “peak season.” You can experience higher costs at this time for resorts.

• The third weekend is usually busy due to the Disney Princess Half-Marathon and the Princess 10K.

• Since it’s a three-day weekend, President’s Day weekend is also a “peak season.” Expect higher resort prices and larger crowds.

• Temperatures start to rise a little bit in February, so you can expect to experience less 30 and 40-degree nights, though they are still possible (average nighttime temps are in the 50s). Daytime temperatures are usually in the 70s and low 80s.

• The Atlanta Braves start spring training in late February. During your stay at Disney World, you may also be able to catch a ballgame in late January through March.

March

• March is one of the busiest months in the Disney travel calendar, so expect large crowds, especially in Epcot.

• March is “peak season.” Expect to pay more for stays at any of the Disney resorts.

• Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival begins.

• Easter weekend draws large crowds.

• Spring break trip and school trips begin. You may experience large crowds of K-12 students or college spring-breakers.

• Resort pool closures are heavy in March.

• Temperatures in Disney World are usually around the 70s and 80s during the day, and low 50s to low 60s at night.

April

• Easter crowds are still expected. When it’s Easter weekend, you can expect higher costs for hotel stays.

• The first week of April is usually busy due to school trips and the holiday. Once these crowds pass, April experiences fewer crowds.

• Moderate temperatures are typical in April. Low temperatures are generally in the 60s with daytime temps in the 70s and 80s.

• Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival is still ongoing in April.

• Crowds in Epcot will be higher than Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Downtown Disney.

May

• May is the last month for Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival.

• Early May is less crowded. The third and fourth weeks in May experience larger crowds due to Memorial Day and the start of the summer season.

• The Exhibition Everest Challenge is the first week in May. The race takes place in Animal Kingdom after the park closes. Tickets can be added to your trip plan if you choose to attend.

• Weekends in May are terrible, especially at Disney Hollywood Studios.

• The third week in May begins Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios. Star Wars events are throughout the park including parades, shows, and demonstrations. Unless you are a Star Wars fan, Hollywood Studios should be avoided.

• Star Wars Weekends are ongoing until the third week in June.

• May temperatures begin to get a little toasty. Daytime temperatures can range from the mid-to-upper 80s and lower 90s; low temperatures are the mid-to-upper 60s.

• “Pride Days” begin the last weekend in May. These are unofficial Disney events for the Gay community.

• Animal Kingdom Pride events occur the last weekend in May.

• Hollywood Studios Pride events occur the last weekend in May.

Note: Animal Kingdom should be avoided these days. Since Animal Kingdom has narrow walkways and fewer attractions, crowds will be a bit more unbearable, especially if you have young people in your party who may not like crowds or heat.

June

• June is hit-or-miss given many of the events that occur. June is also Summer Season, so you can expect higher resort prices.

• Star Wars Weekend is still ongoing until the third week.

• “Pride Days” continue through the first week of June with Magic Kingdom and Epcot being impacted most.

• The “Sounds Like Summer” event begins in Epcot’s World Showcase the second week in June and is ongoing until the end of July.

• The event usually occurs in the evening after 5pm, so evening crowds in the World Showcase may be much higher than during the day.

• Crowds are higher beginning the second week in June.

• U.S. schools are out for the summer, so this is a popular time to visit the park to “kick off” summer vacation for many travelers.

• College graduation trips begin the second week in June.

• Temperatures begin to soar in June. 90-degree days are common, so pack plenty of sunscreen! Nighttime temps are in the 70s.

• June is also the start of hurricane season. Hurricane season runs through December 1.

• Mid-afternoon storms are more frequent in June, July, and August due to high temperatures and unstable atmosphere. Between 2:30pm-6:00pm, you may experience some rain showers and frequent, dangerous lightning, so keep your eye to the sky at all times!

July

• “Sounds Like Summer” is still ongoing through the last week in June in Epcot’s World Showcase.

• Fourth of July weekend is crowded, crowded, CROWDED! Disney fireworks are pretty spectacular, though, and potentially worth the crowds which are more crushing in Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

• These crowds also mean longer lines for attractions, packed restaurants, and longer waits for admission to parks.

• After July 4, crowds lessen, but not much! Along with Thanksgiving and Christmas, July is the worst time to go, especially for first-timers and travelers with young people. Expect a lot of cranky, impatient people in your party.

• Temperatures are HOT and steamy! 90-degree days are normal, as are 70-80 degree nights.

August

• August is a “peak” season for deluxe resorts, so expect higher costs.

• The third week of August experiences a slight drop in crowds due to U.S. schools and universities being back in session.

• August also experiences a drop in special events, so these will not impact your stay.

• August is one of the hottest months of the year. Again, mid-to-upper 90s are not unlikely, neither are 70-to-80-degree nights.

September

• September is a value season, so resort prices are generally lower.

• Crowds in September are similar to crowds in January, so it’s a pleasant time to visit.

• September is usually “free dining plan” month, which is useful for many families.

• Labor Day Weekend is a three-day weekend, so crowds will be higher.

• “Nights of Joy” occur in Magic Kingdom the first week of September. This is a Christian concert event that runs from 7pm to 1am.

• Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins the second week of September.

• Crowds for this party are lower in September than October, so if you have kids, it’s best to try to get tickets for this event earlier rather than later.

• Epcot’s Food and Wine festival begins the last week in September and runs through November 11. Epcot will experience higher crowds than other parks during this time.

• Temperatures in September start to drop, but not much. Average highs are in the upper 80s with lows in the uppers 60s.

October

• Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is ongoing throughout the month. This event is in the evenings.

• Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival continues through November.

• October begins fall season, so you may experience higher costs at the resorts.

• The first or second week in October may impact stays at the Swan and Dolphin resorts due to conferences and symposiums. Check with your Disney representative or travel agent to see what is going on during this time since events do change.

• The first weekend in October is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

• Temperatures in October are in the lower 80s during the day. Average temperatures at night are in the 60s.

November

• November is heading into “peak season” again, so experience higher resort costs.

• November starts Thanksgiving activities in Disney World.

• The first and second week of November has two events: Veteran’s Day (three-day weekend) and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon that wraps up Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.

• On average, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon brings in about an additional 10,000 to 15,000 people to Epcot.

• Thanksgiving week brings large crowds. The American Adventure in Epcot brings some Thanksgiving celebrations including turkey and all the fixin’s!

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins the second week of November in Magic Kingdom. The evenings the event takes place experiences large crowds, so visiting other parks may be advisable.

• Downtown Disney has the Festival of the Masters on the second weekend of November. This is an art festival that brings artists from around the world to Downtown Disney to showcase their crafts.

• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights begins at Hollywood Studios the first week of November through the first week of January. The light show is set to music and shouldn’t be missed.

• Holidays around the World begins in Epcot’s World Showcase the last week of November.

• The Candlelight Processional also begins at this time and has three showings after 6pm in the World Showcase.

• Celebrities tell the story of Christmas while an orchestra plays.

• Epcot’s World Showcase will be extremely crowded in the evenings during Christmas.

• Average temperatures in November are in the mid-70s during the day, upper 50s at night, making November a comfortable time to visit.

December

• The Osborne Family Lights in Hollywood Studios, Holidays around the World in Epcot, and Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party continue throughout the month.

• December is also a peak season, so expect higher resort prices and large crowds.

• The first weekend of December is the taping of the Disney parade that is televised every year on Christmas Day. This weekend, Magic Kingdom crowds are unbearable at best, so visiting other parks this weekend is advised.

• Main Street is closed from park opening to 5pm for the parade.

• Access to Cinderella’s Castle will be limited.

• December always brings “Extra Magic” hours when parks stay open later.

• During the first week of December, ESPN holds the College Football Awards at Downtown Disney Boardwalk. Fans wanting to see their favorite college stars could have a chance to see them during these days, otherwise, avoiding Downtown Disney at this time is recommended.

• The second week of December is when Disney plays hosts to the National Cheer and Dance competition. Pop Warner Youth League Days also occur then.

• Many of the value resorts (All-Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Culture) house the competitors and children, so staying here would be difficult… and noisy!

• December 31 is the New Year’s Eve celebration at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. Throughout the day, the parks will be crowded.

• Temperatures in Orlando are definitely the most comfortable with low 70s during the day and 50s at night.

STEP #3: Choosing A Resort

Choosing your home away from home really depends on one thing: BUDGET! The resorts are broken down into budget levels, so always keep this in mind when choosing a resort. For example, a deluxe resort may set you back at least $265-$1000 per night depending on the season and resort, whereas a value resort may cost $85-$200 per night per season. Each resort rung provides a different experience, though, so this is something to consider.

Value Resorts

• All-Star Movies
• Pop Century Resort
• All-Star Music Resort
• All-Star Sports Resort
• Art of Disney Animation

The value resorts can fit four-to-six people in a room. One thing to consider is that there is a $10 fee if more than two adults are staying in one room at the value resorts. Staying at these resorts does help make a Disney vacation more affordable, but there also some cons to consider.

Pros:

Affordability: Many of the value resorts can be booked for under $250 per night, easily fitting into any vacation budget.

Kid-Friendly: The value resorts are some of the most kid-friendly resorts in the World. The décor is pretty amazing, especially at the Art of Animation and All-Star Movies where favorite Disney characters are the main theme. The pools and landscaping are attractive.

Quick-Service Dining: If you are in a hurry, value resorts do not have sit-down, family-style dining. They are great if you want to get a mini-pizza or a sandwich to go while locating your bus to head to the park.

The Pools: The value resorts have some of the best pools on Disney property. If you have swimmers, the pools may be worth checking out, especially at Pop Century.

Theming: The value resorts are colorful and welcoming, creating a storybook world where art springs alive. For example, at Pop Century, different decades are represented in each resort section with a different pop culture event. The 1950s is represented by turquoises and pinks with “doo-wop” scrolled across the top, while the 1980s has a giant Rubric’s Cube outside the building. The theming alone is worth checking out these resorts!

Cons:

Location: Many of the value resorts are quite a ways from the parks, so ferry transportation or walking is not an option. The resorts require bus transportation to get to the parks.

Kid-Friendly: Yes, the pro is a con, too. If you are adults traveling without kids, these resorts may not be for you. The hallways and courtyard do tend to get loud because families stay at these resorts, so if you’re looking for quiet, these resorts may not be for you.

Rooms are Noisy: For some reason, the rooms at the value resorts tend to have thinner walls, so you may hear activities going on in rooms next to yours. The Art of Animation does not have this issue as much, but Pop Century, All-Star Sports and Movies, and All-Star Music tend to be on the noisier side.

Travel Time: Since most of the travel to and from the value resorts is done via bus, it may take longer to get to the parks, especially since buses stop at other resorts and locations along the way.

Layout: The resorts tend to be a bit confusing since they are laid out all over. If you are considering staying at these resorts, make sure to ask for a map from the front desk.

Moderate Resorts

• Caribbean Beach
• Ft. Wilderness Cabins
• Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter
• Coronado Springs

Moderate resorts are really nice. The set-up is nicer and more convenient than the value resorts (although the theming at the value resorts is fun and funky!), and they are located closer to the parks. For example, Ft. Wilderness is a short ferry ride away from Magic Kingdom, whereas Caribbean Beach is walking distance from Epcot. Location is what makes these resorts attractive. In addition to prime locations, moderate resorts include:

• Full-service restaurants
• Pools with slides which are definitely more fun for the kids
• Hot tubs for the adults
• Room-service
• Luggage service

Unlike the value resorts which are mostly blocky building with cool-looking props, moderate resorts carry themes all throughout the resort include thing landscaping.

• Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are distinctly New Orleans with well-manicured lawns, mill details, sprawling walkways, and horse-drawn carriages that make visitors feel as they are visiting New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods.

• Coronado Springs has Spanish flair with an Aztec-themed pool, adobe façade, and cheerful shades of pink and green throughout the buildings.

• Ft. Wilderness is in a nice wooded area and has trails that connect to Wilderness Lodge. You stay at cabins on property. Ft. Wilderness also has horse stalls, a petting zoo, and the famous Hoop-de-Doo-Revue.

• Caribbean Beach is tropical-themed with different building representing different tropical islands. The one downfall of Caribbean Beach, though, is that there isn’t elevator access, so those with special needs either need to avoid this resort or stay on the first-floor.

Rooms are less noisy, though the sounds of toilets flushing in the rooms above yours can still be heard, but this can also be said for the deluxe resorts.

Moderate resorts are still affordable, but they can be pinchy for travelers on a budget. Per night, depending on the season, resort room-rates can set you back anywhere from $150-to-$350. These rooms can comfortably house two-to-four people.

Deluxe Resorts

• Wilderness Lodge
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• The Contemporary
• Polynesian
• Grand Floridian
• Swan and Dolphin
• Yacht and Beach Club
• Boardwalk Inn

Deluxe resorts include the following amenities:

• Pool, hot tub, and beach access
• Boat, monorail, or bus access to parks
• Valet parking and luggage services
• On-site exercise facilities
• On-site recreation such as bike and boat rentals
• On-site childcare services
• Full-dining and counter service restaurants
• Room service

Rooms at deluxe resorts can easily set you back $250 (standard rooms) to $1000 (club suites that can house six-eight people), so these are resorts to think seriously about while planning your vacation. While these resorts have the best theming and amenities on Disney property, you have to consider if they’re worth going in debt over. The views are breathtaking from any of the resorts (seeing Bay Lake from Wilderness Lodge or seeing the savannah from Animal Kingdom Lodge cannot be beat!), and the dining options and recreational activities make down-time even more enjoyable. However, what are you willing to give up in your vacation if you want to stay at any of these resorts if you’re on a budget?

Here is a breakdown of each resort and theme:

Wilderness Lodge: Wilderness Lodge captures the spirit of the Northwest with its rustic theming. The entire resort resembles a log cabin. Native American and cowboy motifs are throughout, and animals from bears to deer to wolves can be spotted in the stately totem poles that adorn the lobby. Kids will enjoy Whispering Canyon Café, the penny arcade, and the hidden Mickey and resort tours.

• Wilderness Lodge also holds weddings. Contact a Disney Wedding Planner for more information.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Africa is truly the theme of this resort. Like Wilderness Lodge, much of the resort has a cabin feel, with the Kilimanjaro Club suites resembling bungalows. Animals that can found in Africa such as giraffes, zebras, and antelope are seen walking the savannah, and guests have the chance to view them from a safe distance.

• Animal Kingdom may not be the best for picky-eaters. While there are American-friendly foods, much of the cuisine is African-themed, so this is something to consider prior to booking.

The Contemporary: Sterile. The Contemporary is sterile. The décor doesn’t have much to it; so at times, it feels more like visiting a fancy hospital than a nice resort. However, what it lacks in personality, it makes up for it with:

• Amazing views from the California Grill and Bay Lake Tower.

• It’s the prime location to view “Wishes” if you can manage a reservation at the California Grill.

• With a good camera, if you can get into bay Lake Tower, if you look at toward Wilderness Lodge, you can also see Epcot’s Spaceship Earth, the Swan and Dolphin Resort, and Hollywood Studios’ Mickey Hat.

• It is walking distance to Magic Kingdom and has monorail service to Epcot.

Polynesian: Like the Caribbean Beach Resort, The Polynesian is island-themed with each section representing a different island chain in Polynesia. Each building is filled with plants and waterfalls, creating a truly tropical paradise.

• Magic Kingdom is accessible by ferry. Epcot is accessible via monorail.

• Many consider the Polynesian’s layout to be confusing, and at times it is giving how winding the paths are and how similar many of the buildings look. It is recommended you obtain a map from your resort’s check-in desk.

• The Polynesian has family luaus (Spirit of Aloha) on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Prices (per person) to attend range from $59 for adults and $32 for kids for stage right; $62 and $33 for adults and children, respectively for stage left; and $69 and $40 for adults and children, respectively, for center stage.

Grand Floridian: The Floridian has a beautiful white exterior and sits along the edge of Bay Lake. Theming is early 1900s, so Victorian themes run throughout the resort.

• Award-winning Victoria and Albert’s is located here, and if you choose to eat here, making reservations 180 days in advance is recommended, especially if you plan on dining here during Valentine’s Day since it fills up quickly.

• 1900 Park Fare hosts a Princess Tea in the afternoons for those willing to pay for it. If you cannot afford the tea, a buffet-style dinner with Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the Fairy Godmother are enough to make little girls happy.

• The Floridian also has a spa that accommodates couples. It is a great place to head if you’re on your honeymoon.

• The Floridian also has a wedding pavilion, so there are times where you may see a bride riding to the pavilion in her carriage.

• The monorail will take you to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Swan and Dolphin: These are two separate resorts that are often paired together since they are in close proximity of each other on Epcot’s property.

• The Swan and Dolphin both look like traditional, high-end hotels, but the exteriors of them at night are gorgeous with the lightning.

• Both share a walkway to Epcot and Downtown Disney marketplace, making visiting both parks convenient.

• The Swan and Dolphin may not be kid-friendly due to the fancy restaurants and “business” personality it has.

• MLB’s winter meetings used to be held at the Swan and Dolphin.

• Many business symposiums utilize these resorts due to conference space.

• The Swan and Dolphin are both on the upper rung of the deluxe resorts.

Yacht and Beach Club: Resorts carry an East Coast vibe with lighthouse and sea décor.

• Both resorts are located on Epcot property, so access is available via walking or by using the friendship boats through World Showcase Lagoon.

• Beach Club is home to Beaches and Cream, where ice cream can be ordered in a miniature kitchen sink.

• Both resorts offer spectacular views of Epcot. Request rooms on the East side of the building so you can see views of France, Morocco, and World Showcase Lagoon so you can see Illuminations fireworks.

Boardwalk Inn: The resort has a turn-of-the-century feel and an Atlantic City vibe.

• Out of all of the resorts, Boardwalk is located on a less busy stretch of land since Boardwalk is barely active during the day, but at night, patrons facing the lake may have to deal with noise because of the nightlife.

• Boardwalk is walking distance from Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and is located on Downtown Disney property.

• People who stay here have access to Boardwalk/Downtown Disney all day. This make it easy for early morning joggers to come out and seize the early morning sun and calm.

What To Consider

As with tickets and packages, determining your family’s needs and what parks you plan to visit is a must. Budget wisely and consider the experiences you want wisely while choosing a resort.

STEP #4: Booking The Trip

Once all of these deciding factors are incorporated, you can now plan your trip through Disney.com or even through your travel agent. Once you submit all of your choices, it is now time to start paying off the trip and prepping for the next steps: Packing!

STEP #5: Prepping And Packing For Your Vacation

When considering what to take on your Disney vacation, consider adding the following to your list:

• Make sure to buy hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and lightweight clothing. Since it does get extremely hot in Disney World, especially in parks like Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios where there are large areas of sun, skin will burn easily.

• With clothes, take extra shirts and underwear. Sweat happens, and it’s terrible to be stinky, especially when eating out or standing next to people in line.

• Pack some moleskin, pool shoes, children’s Tylenol, adult-aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, extra diapers (babies and toddlers), and any snacks your children may like, and bug repellent. These items usually cost more in the parks, so by bringing these along, you are saving more money for souvenirs.

• Moleskin can be bought in the bandage aisle in most drug stores. It can be cut to fit on the back of heels so shoes will not rub as much. There’s nothing worse than walking with a blister!

• Pool shoes are not only great for around the resort pools and water parks, but if regular shoes start to hurt your feet, these can be substituted in order to provide some comfort while walking around the parks.

• Since it gets so hot in the parks, children and adults may experience headaches or sick tummies, so keeping children’s Tylenol, aspirin, or Pepto-Bismol can help alleviate these issues.

• Another recommendation is to keep some cool wraps (available on Amazon) on hand. They fit nicely around the neck to help regulate body temperatures.

• If you’re traveling with toddlers, make sure to bring some extra diapers! These are pricey in the parks (a $5 pack of ten in a non-park store may cost $12 on-property).

• Packing some snacks for your kids will help you not spend money on these items. Plus, if you want your kids to eat healthy or if you’re practicing portion control, this is the best option. Additionally, some snacking can help keep energy levels up if you plan a lot of walking throughout the day.

• Mosquitoes and other bugs can be terrible at times. Keeping some repellent on hand may prevent bites.

• Make sure everyone has good, comfortable shoes since there will be a lot of walking. Shoes with arch supports are best. I highly recommend Dr. Scholl’s massaging gel inserts too, since they make shoes feel more cushy so walking isn’t hurtful. Plus, they can be trimmed to fit any size shoes. Unfortunately, they are not available for toddlers.

• Having an umbrella stroller so young children can rest periodically throughout the day will be a great help for them and for you. You can rent strollers at the park, but there is no guarantee they are sanitized, so this is an option you can take at your own risk.

• Bottled water. All the water fountains on Disney property are chlorinated, so water smells this way, and who wants these chemicals in your body?

• Saran wrap and plastic bags should be a must. The plastic bags can be used to store shampoo, body wash, and lotions. The Saran wrap is an added safety measure since you can place this underneath lids to prevent spillage. Just cut a piece to fit the bottle, unscrew the lids to your bottles, place Saran wrap on the bottle opening and replace the cap.

• Space Saver bags are useful, too, but make sure to bring the non-vacuum variety. With Space Saver bags, you store dirty laundry in one, clean laundry in the other when you are leaving Disney to head back home. Plus, with everything condensed, you have more room to store souvenirs.

Once these items are considered, you are ready to go!

Arrival

• When you arrive at Disney World and get to your resort, make sure to check-in at the check-in counter so you can get your room key. The room key will also serve as your park-hopper pass and dining card if you chose the park-hopper option and one of the dining plans. Keep these in a safe place.

• Grab some lunch or dinner (depending on when you arrive) at your resort in order to charge your batteries and get ready for a busy afternoon and evening.

• Visit the Magic Kingdom first and go to Town Hall. Let personnel know you are a first-time visitor. You may get a special prize for mentioning this such as a certificate or a button.

• Enjoy the parks!

Now, many choose to have itineraries and a set plan for when to visit parks and what attractions to visit as well as specific times. This may work for many people; others find this stressful because they’re missing out on all the fun they could be having. The best advice is to follow your own path and do what you want; if you have kids, do what they want. There’s no point in stressing yourself out!

For those planning a Disney World vacation on a budget, click here for additional tips and savings from a former Disney cast member.