The Best Way to Plan a Disney Vacation – Start with Deciding When You’re Visiting!

I am in the midst of planning our next visit to “the World” in October, and boy am I having FUN! I am especially excited about our first-ever visit during the Food and Wine Festival…and after looking at the list of food kiosks…well it looks like there is much dieting to be done before then. Thank heavens a Disney vacation includes LOTS of walking so I can work off some of that great food!

Planning this trip reminded me of another article I wrote recently, regarding how to decide when to visit…probably the most important decision you will make for your vacation:

Thinking about a trip to Walt Disney World, but wondering what is the best way to plan a Disney vacation? Want some basic information but don’t know where to start? For most people planning their first visit to Disney World, it can be an overwhelming and confusing process, with so much information available that it can be hard to even know where to begin. As a Disney “veteran”, I believe that the first, and most important, place to start is: “When do we want to go?”

Deciding on the time of year for your visit affects everything else about your Disney vacation, including cost. Certain seasons are just more expensive than others. And if you have school-age children, like the majority of families that visit Walt Disney World, then traveling during school vacations is often a necessity. Not surprisingly, summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and spring/Easter breaks are the busiest times to visit, and accordingly the most expensive. If you simply must travel during those peak times, then you must be prepared for resort accommodations to be more expensive than they would during other non-peak times of the year. And while there are always lots of options for affordable lodging in the Orlando area, you may find that your choices may be limited if you do not plan ahead.

Crowd levels are important to consider as well, as they can dramatically affect the enjoyment of a Disney World vacation. If you hate crowds, and don’t like standing in line, do not plan a visit during peak times! It is a surefire recipe for a miserable, rather than magical vacation!

Don’t overlook the weather factor. Most people are well aware of how hot and humid Florida can be in the summer: if you are visiting Disney World during this time of year, be prepared to go early, take mid-day breaks, and relax in the pool in the afternoon. And if you just can’t handle heat and humidity at all, choose another season to go. Winter months, on the other hand, can be very unpredictable: a glorious and sunny day in the 70s one day, and 30s at night the next. Visiting during the winter requires a different kind of pre-planning, with special attention paid to packing wisely before you leave home!

The very best way to plan a Disney vacation starts with a realistic appraisal of your family’s schedule, considering what everyone likes, doesn’t like, and can handle, and then scheduling your vacation accordingly.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to sign up for my FREE Guide: 10 Affordable MouseTips for a Magical Vacation. When you enroll, you will also receive monthly tips, ideas, and suggestions to help plan an affordable Disney family vacation. Looking forward to welcoming you to the Affordable Mouse family =)

Enjoy and have a magical day!