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Planning, that is the #1 thing that will make your Disney trip GREAT. Over time I will continue to add more tips, personal experiences, and reviews to help you in your planning. I have also included links to help you research and book your vacation with reputable travel sites (I am not a travel agent). So start planning today!

Book your dream Disney vacation at Expedia.com!

What you will need to do:

1. Decide On Your Dates
2. Book Air Travel
3. Book Hotel Rooms
4. Gather Free Stuff
5. Pack
6. Enjoy!!

Deciding On Your Dates: 6-9 Months

Depending on how your vacation time is decided, you may have very little flexibility in choosing your dates. School vacation weeks and Holidays are always more crowded than say the middle of October or beginning of November.

I think weather is the second major factor in deciding on your dates. Winter months, while milder than most of the country, can still get chilly, especially at night. Summer, is almost always hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.

However you decide you dates, make sure you give yourself a good 6-9 months planning time, especially if you will be vacationing during a school vacation or holiday.

Book Air Travel: 4-6 Months

Get signed up for as many fare watching programs as you can. The Ding! program by Southwest is pretty good, so is the FareWatcher by Travelocity. If you are on a budget and looking for the lowest prices, start a daily routine of checking sites like Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz and the discount carriers like Southwest, Jetblue, etc.

Keep in mind that discount carriers may hold off on publishing their schedule for your travel dates, which can be tricky. If you see a good deal, book it. You may do slightly better if you wait, but if you don't there is a really good chance you will pay significantly more, possibly even double.

Book Hotel Rooms: 4-6 Months

If you are planning to stay in the park, it's not a bad idea to get your rooms booked early. This will better your chances of getting rooms at a hotel that fits your budget. I like to book my hotel first to make sure I get into the hotel of my choice. I have had to adjust my dates, which Disney allows, because I couldn't get flights to match.

Gather Free Stuff and Plan, Plan, Plan: Anytime

I think this is the most important step. For most people, you will probably have 4-5 days to be in the parks. I truly believe that you can get through all of the parks and see the parades and/or fireworks in 4 days with a good plan. In order to get the most out of your trip, be sure you have a plan.  

One of my favorite things to do is Design A Custom Map . Disney offers this free service where you can choose the attractions you see and they make a park map based on that list. It takes a few weeks for it to arrive, but it is something fun to do while waiting for the day to arrive.

Order A Disney Vacation DVD. Another great FREE way to get everyone excited for your trip. The DVDs change from time to time so don't be afraid to order a new one if you haven't been in awhile. 

Be sure to search for more Disney sites (Press Control-D to  Bookmark This Page), that offer free information. Read up on each ride and begin planning out your walk through the parks. It is VERY important that you plan out your day so you can maximize your time.

Pack: 1 Week (Although my Mom would say 1-2 months in advance)

Check the weather. The Weather Channel does offer 30 day outlooks based more on trends than on actual meteorology. That will give you a basis for the types of clothing you will want to bring.

There are 4 "must have" items that I don't want  you to leave without:

1. Comfortable Shoes- If you buy new, be sure to wear them at least a week before going. If you don't have the time, bring your old pair (I had to do this once and I'm GLAD I did!). Don't be worried about fashion when it comes to comfortable shoes.
2. Sunscreen- Please, wear the sunscreen. At the least, PLEASE make sure your children are wearing adequate sunscreen. It's heartbreaking to see little toddlers who are redder than a lobster walking around just baking in the sun. While the temperature is mild in the winter, the Florida sun is certainly strong enough to burn you. Sunscreen is expensive on the Disney property.
3. Sunglasses- Protect your eyes. The sun is bright and you will be in it all day. Probably more than you are used to.
4. Hat- (are you catching the theme here) The hat will shade your face from...you guessed it, then sun. I like to buy a new one each time I go.
5. Optional- Rain Poncho. Found at most Dollar Stores. You will pay about $10 for a Mickey Mouse Poncho in the park.

Aside from that, make sure you have your bathing suit (towels are provided), enough clothes for your stay, a light jacket or sweatshirt, and a pair of long pants (during the milder seasons). I would also consider a fanny pack to carry money and park passes.

I also bring a video camera and a digital still camera with a lot of extra tapes, batteries, and memory cards.

TIP: If you need to charge your battery in the park, go to guest relations with the charger and they will (if it's not too busy) find a plug for your charger. 

TIP: Is your memory card full?  There are several places that will copy your pictures to CD, for a fee of course.

ENJOY!!

Once you get there, put your plan into motion and have a great time!!