Planning a Disney World Vacation

Whether it's your first time visiting Walt Disney World or your fifteenth, a little planning for a Disney vacation will ensure a hassle-free experience filled with fun and memorable moments. To get the most out of your Disney vacation it is best to talk to someone with Disney experience: a travel agent, a Disney Reservation Specialist, or a trusted friend or family member.

Another option is to go to www.disney.com and click on the top Travel button to open the web page where you can order a free vacation planning DVD, compare resort prices, and even take virtual tours of the parks and resorts. Use this site to explore links to Walt Disney World Parks, Resorts, the Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Vacation Club. This same page has links to information regarding Disney Vacation Discounts and other featured offers.

It is also important to sit down with the rest of your party and decide the following:

Will this be solely a Disney vacation or will you include other Orlando area attractions in your visit to Central Florida?

Is a Disney Land/Sea vacation your pleasure? A vacation of this type would have you booked at the Disney Resorts followed by a journey on the Disney Cruise Lines (or vice versa.)

Do you crave the full Disney experience by staying at a Disney Resort or are you satisfied to stay at an Orlando hotel and commute into the parks?

After you choose the style of Disney vacation, determine when you will be visiting. The best time to visit is when the weather is most comfortable and the crowds are the smallest. These times can be found during the Value Season and generally fall between August 10-September 27 and October 19-November 1. These dates may vary from year to year and can be confirmed by speaking with a representative at Guest Information at (407) 939-7664. It is important to note that the Christmas holidays are the busiest time of the year at Walt Disney World with the highest traffic in the Magic Kingdom occurring on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

To maximize your vacation fun, try the following:

*Book a Magic Your Way package with Park Hopper tickets to customize your vacation. This also gives you access to the Extra Magic Hours benefit allowing you even more time to spend in each park.

*Book the Disney Dining Plan for an easy and economical way to enjoy the multitude of great Disney restaurants. Make advance reservations for specialty or character dining and for popular Disney restaurants like Le Cellier Steakhouse, Cinderella's Royal Table, and Chef Mickey's.

*At the parks, use the Fast Pass option to make sure you get into the most popular rides and attractions. Fast Passes are great for Epcot's Soarin', Magic Kingdom's Buzz Lightyear ride, Animal Kingdom's Expedition Everest, and Disney Studio's Tower of Terror.

From spectacular resorts to fine dining to magical attractions, a Disney vacation, with some planning, can be filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments.