Happily Ever After: 5 Essential Disney Planning Tips
Why Disney?
With so many places to see in the world, it’s hard (for me) to justify the expense when we could take the kids to someplace like Italy instead.
Even so, our kids are still young. So I put on my Minnie ears, opened up my heart, and rediscovered why Disney is such a magical place and our kids favorite place on earth.
But what is it about Disney that makes it like dopamine so we keep going back?
First, it makes us ALL feel like kids again. While there, we’re unencumbered, carefree, and more lighthearted. Even my 12-yr-old consented to matching shirts and sang-along to Frozen.
We’re also endlessly entertained. Usually when we travel someone has to compromise on an adventure, or I inevitably disappoint someone. But at Disney, all five of us are equally entertained experiencing something, like Tron, together.
Most importantly, we’re connecting. Free from devices (except for me feverishly scrolling through lighting lane options), we’re present, engaging and seeing each other, and making core memories, together!
If Disney planning is daunting, follow these essential tips to help you save time and money so you, too, can enjoy the magic.
Use a free Disney Travel Consultant.
Yes, free! Official consultants will help you with everything from resorts and dining reservations, to itineraries and more. Since our consultant visits every year with his own family, he has in-depth knowledge of the parks, resorts, and experiences. He’s also up to date on all the latest offerings, like the ever-changing Lightening Lane options. What’s more, he’s willing to handle all the hard stuff, like booking dining reservations and optimizing schedules. As a result, we had a customized Disney experience that was tailored to our family style. Feel free to contact me for a direct link to our Disney travel consultant!
2. Save money by booking Club Level.
Sounds counterintuitive, right?! But by staying Club Level at a Disney resort, you have access to a private lounge with free meals (and alcohol!) throughout the day. Our kids fueled up on a full breakfast before hitting the park, and we even stocked up on fruit, granola bars, and Smuckers sandwiches to snack on throughout the day. After a long day at the park, we could watch the fireworks right from the lounge with a drink while the kids indulged in a Venetian hour dessert buffet
On average, club level service is roughly $300 more per night. But as a family of five, every meal costs us at least $100 - $300 depending on the meal and location. So, we typically book one dining reservation a day and use club service for other meals and cocktails. As a result, we netted at least $100 savings/day, totaling more than a $600 savings!
3. Build in rest time.
Rest time is crucial to avoid meltdowns, espcially for the little ones. The parks can be overwhelming for kids and adults alike, so taking a breather helps you recharge and fully appreciate the magic.
What’s the best practice? Some prefer full pool days, whereas others like to park hop in one day with little rest. We’re in the middle. Park hopping isn’t for us, nor is spending an entire day at the pool. Instead, we might linger in the morning or return to the resort early for dinner and adult drinks at the resort (free at club level!), a night swim, and fireworks. Bottom line, do what’s best for YOUR family, just ensure there’s some downtime.
4. Limit lightening lanes.
Depending on the park and your preferred rides, it might not be worth the expense every day. Consider which parks have extended hours and maximize that time to hit the top tier rides. For exmple, Epcot only has four top tier rides that we wanted to go on (Guardians of the Galaxy, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and Soarin’ Around the World). Lightening Lane passes for all five of us would have cost $120 and that doesn’t include Guardians, which is another $90 for a single lightening lane passes. Since we stayed at a Disney Resort we had access to extended hours from 9-11pm, so we opted to just buy single pass lightening lanes for Guardians and save the $120 on the other rides.
5. Manage expectations.
You might have to wait in line or endure a tropical storm. We’ve waited in line for an hour, only to evacuate the ride for ponchons as a monsoon-like rain poured down on us. It helps to set realistic expectations before we go by discussing the possibility of long wait times and the fact that we might not get to experience everything. Having an engaging distraction for the lines, like the charades app, also helps. So prepare your kids for the unpredictable, put on your ponchos and a happy face, and go enjoy the magic!
