When to start planning

soonerhunt

New Member
Our family (2 adults 3 kids) have decided to vacation at WDW around the first week of Dec 2007. This will be our first time although I went when I was a kid about 30 years ago for one day (just Magic Kingdom back then and stayed off property) I'm still counting it as my first time. I have decided on which resort and vacation package and am using booking info for this december as a guide (I realize that prices will change but I have to start somewhere) so that I can get a feel for the costs. However as I navigate the web and message boards I'm getting overwhelmed trying to plan all of this on my own (ie what shows, where to eat and, reservations). I have almost decided to use a travel agent. But when do I contact one since we are so far away from the Dec 2007.
Thanks

This won't be my first post I have a million questions.
 

ypcat

Member
First off, congratulations. To answer your question, it is never too early to start planning. I think we started planning our next trip on the bus taking us to the airport. If you want to make reservations, you can do it now. 2007 package prices won't be released until this summer, so that will adjust your final price.

Which resort did you decide on and how many days are you thinking for the parks? As for using a travel agent, Kingdom Konsultants gets rave reviews around here. I count waiting on hold with Disney as part of the fun of planning, so I don't want to have someone else having my fun. But a travel agent will certainly help, especially it being your first time.

Some helpful hints. Unless you are planning to stay over a week, don't think that you will be able to do everything...especially with kids. You didn't say how old your kids are, but consider renting/bringing a stroller, even for older children. We took my then 6 year old son, and he needed it at times. I highly recommend the plus dining plan. Depending on your eating habits, you can save a hugh amount of money, and try places that you might not try if paying menu prices. And with all the food you get on the plan, you will never be hungry. Finally find yourself a good guidebook. I recommend the Unofficial Guide, but others are good too. The 2008 editions should be coming out before you leave, so you can get one with the most up to date info.

If you have any other questions, just ask. I'm sure someone will know the answer.
 
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Carolwood

Member
It's never to early to start planning a WDW vacation! Really... You can start
by requesting your free WDW planning DVD available at Disneyworld.com Lots of good info there. Next a trip to your local bookstore, you'll find tons of books on WDW. And of course tons of info right here on WDW Magic.

Don't forget about the trip countdown here as well... lots of fun.

Now get going... start planning and have a great trip
 
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soonerhunt

New Member
Original Poster
I have decided on PO riverside since it is one of the resorts that can room 5.
My kids ages (at the time of the trip) Daughter 15 Son 12 Son 6. The kids ages are so spaced out that this might be the only chance for us to go as a single family so I want to make this a very SPECIAL trip. It will be a 7 day trip I think. As far as planning this myself I agree it can be alot of fun and part of the the whole disney experience, but with it being our first time I really feel like I might be out of my league. I don't want to be one of those "Deer in the headlight families" that stand in the middle of the park and our so overwhelmed they don't know where to go or what to do. The main reason for the travel agent is to help with dinner planning show planning and of course to try to save us dollars. Kingdom Konsultants was definitely one the travel agents I wanted to contact. I just don't know when since were about 19 months away
 
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soonerhunt

New Member
Original Poster
I 've read Disney on a Dime and Passporters guide so far and I recieved My Disney Planning kit this past tuesday

BTW Ya'll (Okie term) are awesmoe thanks for such quick responses
 
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AshAlytwins

New Member
Some good advice I can give you is to let the kids help in the planning!! Mine were 9 when we first went..next time they will be 14.(time flies)
We always have everyone going make a list of what they want to do in each park and where they want to eat!!! Then I put together a daily plan, which gets revised 100 times. Be sure to make your dinner reservations as soon as you are permitted....someone on here can tell you when to start doing that. And have a good travel plan for between parks plan...again people on here are great at that!!!
Have fun planning.....and start a countdown!!!!
 
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Speedbird

New Member
Best tip I can give you is this; Get a whiteboard, whiteboard markers, small post-it notes and a pen. divide the board up into however many days you're on vacation and label them with the date. Write what you want to see / do on the post-it, one park, attraction, restaurant, etc,to a post-it. You can then stick the post-its on the board and move them around until you find a 'programme' that suits. And you don't forget things if they're written down. We normally devide the board 'days' into 'Morning', 'Afternoon' and 'Evening' and have a post-it for each so you can plan full and half days and restaurant choices.
 
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Teenchy

Member
K.K would be a great choice to help you with your actual plans. But I also wanted to mention the site www.allearsnet.com . You can get alot of info from there as you are doing your own preplanning. And I believe priority seating is now 180 days out.

Allow a "chill out day" at the resort pools or a waterpark if its not too cold.

Remember to take advantage of fast passes, park hopping for evening Holiday shows and if its in the budget I would rent a car. Not that PO resort is so out of the way for buses but just the flexability to get up and go when you want or to change plans, a car makes it much easier.

Since its Christmas time I would recommend the CandleLight Processional and MVMCP. Also dont forget to tour the resorts to see the great decorations,there is no better time to be at WDW, IMHO its worth a day or at least a half day to resort hop, again the car would come in really handy for this.

Have a great time. :xmas:
 
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tink81

New Member
If you go the travel agent route (which would probably be a good isead since it's been awhile since you've been there) try to go as soon as possible as there are limited numbers of "packages" you can get. As for daily itnierary, you can start that now, it might even help you plan how many days you are going to need to get everything done. You can make Priority Seating arrangements 180 days in advance (which is another good idea) and show times and parades will be available when you arrive at the park. Have fun, and don't worry if you don't get everything done...there's always next time !!!
 
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Korita

New Member
It is never to early to plan a trip to Disney. AAA would be a good place to find information on Disney, they have booked and made all our meal, fishing and golf reservations for our trip in 2004 and for our trip coming in June 2006.:wave:
 
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SpenceMan01

Well-Known Member
I think the most important thing you can do is resign yourself to the fact that you won't be able to see and do absolutely everything. If you try, you will run yourself ragged and will probably end up cranky by the end. I can't give you advice on travel agents, as I've never used one until now (planning for a Jan 07 honeymoon trip, using Kingdom Konsultants for booking the room only).

I wholeheartedly recommend the "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World". I call it my "Disney Bible". They have just about anything you want or need to know when planning a WDW vacation. They even have touring guides to follow in order to minimize your time waiting in line.
 
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shmmrname

Active Member
Good luck, you're going to LOVE WDW on-site. As for planning, I can only say it gets easier each time you RETURN.
No matter what, you won't be able to do everything you want, so I find it's best you understand that now. We have now gone 3 times in the past 4-5 years, and each time we learn new things.

My advice, only plan one permanent meal per day. By that I mean that you should avoid more than on PS per day you spend in the parks, or it becomes too much of a race against time.
Also, constantly talk with your group to gauge the consensus on restaurants and shows. You won't be able to do them all, but at least when your in WDW and you see an opportunity, you'll know exactly what you should fit into that hole.
Be flexible.
We usually plan a week vacation to WDW. Each park gets it's own day the first four days, and the others we use to parkhop, with a huge majority of the time spent in the MK and EPCOT.
We never wait in lines posted over 30 minutes, and we always try to use our FP's as efficiently as possible.

Hope I helped... If you ever are on AOL IM, my SN is SHMMRNAME. I LOVE planning our trips, don't worry, it will grow on you too.
 
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shmmrname

Active Member
Spence is also VERY right. The Unofficial Guide should be just about everything you need to get most of your planning done. With that, and both WDWMagic.com and AllEarsNet.com, you should be 1,000 times more prepared than most.
It kills me to see others making their vacation a chore. I personally love planning, so maybe it's in my nature, but while we are there we really think we are getting the MOST out of our time, with the LEAST amount of hassle.
 
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soonerhunt

New Member
Original Poster
WOW I just got home from work, and am stunned by all the responses this thread has got. Thank you for everyone ideas I liked the white board idea and I do plan to get the whole family involved in the planning. Me and the middle son where looking at the attractions just the other day on the web and he is ready to go tommorrow. My wife is worried that since we are 22 months away ( I said 19 months in an earlier post I guess I can't add) the kids will get disappointed having to wait so long if we talk about this early. I have figured out this from all the posts I've read that today is the day to start planning. This I what I have planned so far

POR 7-8 days w/dining plan

We will fly preferably Southwest to MCO ( have not decided to use DME since we have a family friend that is moving to Orlando this spring)

Will rent car

and will buy small amount of groceries to snack on in room
 
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ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy
I will echo two suggestions already made:

Get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to gradually introduce the many opportunities available to you.

Second, if you are not fully comfortable in all the planning variables, please give Pam or Marie at Kingdom Konsultants a call. They are a sponsor here and there is contact information on the main page. Pam and her staff KNOW Disney, and they can do as much or as little as you want in planning a trip. It doesn't cost anything to talk to them, so do yourself the favor, so you can stop worrying now!

I think you are heading in the right direction starting to plan your trip now. This way, you will have full options as to where you want to stay, what events will be happening and access to meal and entertainment options. As this is your "first" time, understand up front, that you won't be able to do everything. If you try to pack too much in, it often makes for a less than ideal trip. Pace yourselves and have a great time.

Oh, one more thing....you will be going at a great time. The parks aren't too crowded and you will get to experience all the extra special events of the Christmas holidays at WDW. For a preview to that, see:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/holiday.htm

(also check out the rest of allearsnet for restaurant menu listings and event summaries, it's a really good source)
 
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Nemo14

Well-Known Member
You're definitely wise to start planning now, even that far ahead. I'll echo what others have said - don't think that you have to do everything! It can make for a very cranky family! Plan, but be prepared for changes in those plans, even at the last minute. And definitely get the kids involved in the planning - the more they're involved, the more they'll appreciate the trip. Your daughter at 15 might be going through some of those teen-age moments we've all experienced, so give her a little more responsibility and flexibility and it will save you a lot of headaches. You might want to have each of the children start some kind of savings plan to have their own spending money for the trip (set aside a portion of Christmas or birthday $$, offer opportunities to earn extra cash for special chores, etc.)
And above all else - relax and enjoy the magic! Those kids are going to grow up so fast! ;)
 
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New2WDW

New Member
Good info from the boards as usual! I agree with Nemo14 about getting your kids involved with fundraising. We save Aluminum cans and turn those in. It is not much but it gives the kids something to work with.

I think now you need to look at ways to keep your kids excited about going (not being depressed about how long til it gets here). Ideas like: watching a Disney movie every Friday night, playing Dinsey games like Scene-It, etc. and when it gets a few months away let the kids make a calendar.

Also, what big kickoff event do you have planned when you arrive? We always go to Chef Mickey's the first night to get us going!

Have fun!
 
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Speedbird

New Member
One more thing, if you're making a plan. Remember to look what you are doing the night before if that makes any sense. You can easily plan a late night followed by a very early start the next day so beware when you are planning.
 
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Craig & Lisa

Active Member
Talking to Pam or Marie at KK is a great place to start, second, and this is in the UG, no matter what, halfway thru the day, leave whatever park your at, go back to your resort and take a nap or do a big time relax, if you don't you'll not only be dragging you butts around, ( and it's really hard to recover from that ) you'll start to NOT be having a good time and start snapping at everyone in the group. WDW is alot bigger than some think and they sit back and say no problem, then in day or two, they are eating their words.
 
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