Disney Nerds Planning Tips
When it comes to planning your Disney Vacation, you want to make sure you get the most of your money. However, everyone is different when it comes to planning. In this series you will read how some of the Disney Nerds plan out their trips! Do’s and Don’ts, must do and must avoids!
What is the best way to plan my trip?
The ultimate question… What is the best way to plan my Disney vacation? The answer… there is no “best way.” When it comes to planning, it depends on if this is your first trip or you are a veteran. If you love riding rides or only seeing shows. I go on an average of once a year to Walt Disney World in Florida. Each trip I try my best to do an attraction I’ve never done, or see part of the property I’ve never explored. Disney World has so much to offer including hidden treasures not everyone experiences.
How to start planning?
The very first thing I look at is if I want to get the park hopper option or not. I look at the dates I am wanting to go, and look at the extra magic hour options. If I am going for 4 or more days to the parks, I do not purchase a park hopper. If I go less than four, I add that park hopper option. I start with planning which parks I want to go to on certain days. For example, I love ending my trip with Magic Kingdom. Seeing Happily Ever After is a pretty good closing event to my vacation.
Plan your dinning and Fast Passes
This is my absolute next step. I choose which 3 rides I must do from each park. I like to spread my fast pass times out so I do not feel rushed. Rushing your time at Disney is a big no-no to me. I am all about skipping certain things like mid-day parades (awesome time to walk onto rides). I make my fast pass options first, then I try and reserve dinning reservations. Normally I do not do sit down meals… if you have a short trip these take a lot of time that you could be spending in the park.
Ok, I think that is everything right?
Wrong!! Well, not wrong but there’s more you can do to ease the flow of your trip. Now, some might think this is overkill… I like to plan by the hour. Doing this, I feel like I get the most for my buck. Since I only go once a year, I do not want to feel as though I did not do half the things I would have liked. Now, it will not always go as planned. Maybe I missed riding Thunder Mountain because I did not have a fast pass and there is a 60 minute wait, but I walk past Pirates and it only has a 10 minute wait. While you can plan out every second, be prepared to “wing” some things too.
Any other tips?
Use the My Disney Experience App!! I love being able to see wait times for rides and check dinning reservations. Do not be upset if the weather ruins your plans or there was a long line at your quick service location. DO NOT STRESS!! There is so many things to do at Disney you will never be bored. I do recommend looking at a crowd calendar. Going in the high volume times will absolutely have an affect on your vacation. If you have children this is a hard thing to avoid. Take advantage of Extra Magic Hours!! Also, if you have an adult only trip, I love going to the Polynesian and Contemporary Resorts just to shop and have some drinks. Not everything you do has to be in the parks. Look into what actives your resort is offering. Sometimes I make a day solely for Disney Springs and exploring resorts.
I hope these tips help you plan your next Disney World Vacation! Make sure to reach out to Jimmy, he is the official Disney Nerds Podcast vacation planner. Having a planner who is as experienced as Jimmy makes it that much easier!!
