Planning a WDW Vacation - What Information/Considerations are Important to You?

[dmurch1]

I would greatly appreciate your input on this.

Coming up in the next few months, I have an fun opportunity to present a series of classes on planning for a WDW vacation. These sessions would be done in a classroom setting of approximately 10-15 people, and the “students” would be those looking to plan a WDW vacation either in the near future or even 5 years down the road. The classes are intended for “newbies” or for those who have already been (recently or years ago) and are looking to get more out of their next WDW vacation. Each class is intended to “stand on its own”, so that that session # 1 is not a prerequisite for session # 2, and session # 2 is not a prerequisite for session # 3.

I want to make these classes helpful for those who are taking them. However, the way I plan for a Disney vacation is skewed towards the way my wife and I like to tour WDW. So, I was hoping my fellow Disney fans here might be able to offer some insight on what would be encouraging and helpful to you if you were to consider taking a class on planning for a WDW vacation.

Here are some initial thoughts, but I would LOVE TO HEAR YOURS! Thank you.

Session # 1 – The Basics:

• A brief history of how the Walt Disney World entertainment resort came into being.
• An overview of each of WDW’s 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
• An overview of each of WDW’s 2 water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
• An overview of Downtown Disney (WDW’s outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex).
• An overview of WDW’s guest transportation options.
• An overview of WDW’s resort options.
• An overview of WDW’s admission ticket options.
• An overview of the Disney Dining Plan.
• Information on planning resources (books, websites, phones apps, etc.)

Session # 2 - Beyond the Basics

• A brief review of what the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer it guests in terms of:

o Its 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and Downtown Disney
o Ticket, transportation, resort, and dining options​

• Thoughts on how to make memories while at WDW.
• An overview of some of the additional activities that Disney has to offer including:

o Dinner shows and dining experiences
o Tours and special yearly events
o Downtown Disney (Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, Splitsville, AMC 24)
o Boardwalk​

• An overview of a typical stay at a Disney resort from arrival to departure.
• An overview of touring a Disney theme park for a day and some of the services that Disney offers it guests while in the park.
• Some additional, miscellaneous planning topics and thoughts.
• Information on planning resources (books, websites, phones apps, etc.)

Session # 3 – Getting down to the details

• Pros & Cons

o Fly vs. Drive
o On-site vs. Off-site
o Rental car vs. Disney Transportation
o Dining plan vs. pay as you go​

• Things to consider

o Vacationing with kids
o Vacationing with older adults
o Vacationing as a couple​

• Crowd levels throughout the year
• Temperatures throughout the year
• Budgeting and how to determine your potential expenses
• How to save money in certain areas
• Information on planning resources (books, websites, phones apps, etc.)

 

[MEK]

Wow - you have put a lot of thought into this. Nice job. You probably want to add a section on Seasonal Events - Food & Wine, Flower & Garden, Christmas Holiday Season and give your participants typical dates for these events. You could also cover the hard ticket events like MNSSHP, MVMCP, and Night of Joy. I would also give a shout-out to the free dining promotion and bounce back promotions.

Good luck with this presentation.

 

[sjc011]

I think this is a great idea! For the first time you're presenting this, I think you have a good balance, and it's a good length for those who want to attend all the sessions.

Perhaps you could ask the "experts" around the forum for their input.

For example, there is a guy in the camping forum that knows everything about everything regarding Fort Wilderness. Since I would only camp in WDW, the hotels/resorts are only of mild interest. I would want to know the benefits of staying there, and why I should stay there.

The only drawback is if you were to go into exorbitant detail about EACH resort on property, you'd probably confuse your intended audience. Just a thought. But good luck!

 

[Itinkso]

Great syllabus!

I know you have the Dining Plan covered in The Basics and I just wanted to add that some newbies don't realize ADRs are available to all guests whether or not they are staying on Property or just stopping by for a meal.

FastPass is another thing that is misunderstood. Some guests don't realize it is available to all guests.

Christmas decorations at the resorts is also a highlight if they travel at that time of year.

 

[dmurch1]

Thank you all for the input. Some good points by all!

My wife and I typically tour Disney as Airport -> Magical Express -> Disney Value Resort -> Disney Transportation -> Theme Parks -> Dining Plan.

I'm concerned I'll be a little too biased in those areas, and I'm hoping to be able to provide a more balanced approach to the planning. sjc011 - your comments were helpful in pointing out where I could be deficient in my presentation.

More comments / observations / thoughts from the DIS community would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[karly05]

Do you generally book your own reservations, or go through a TA? That would be a good "Pros/Cons" topic, do it yourself or use a TA. I would love a class on "Dealing With Disney 101" - how to book with WDW, what to expect when you call, making room requests, etc.

 

[dmurch1]

Excellent suggestion karly05. Thank you!

 

[Itinkso]

Explanation of how to leave comments whether positive or negative is always good to know. Most guests don't know that positive comments of great things a CM has done is well regarded and goes into the CM's file.

The following was posted by Chesire Figment on another thread...

It is best done in writing.

WDW Guest Communications
PO Box 10,040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

or

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Make sure you include the date, time, park or resort (and location) and cast member name from the name tag. The office that gets these can research to see exactly who the Cast Member was, and will send the correspondence, through managerial channels, to the direct supervisor of the CM. Usually a copy will also go in the personnel records.

Often, favorable comments will be read at a pre-opening team meeting.

 

[dmurch1]

Thank you Itinkso. I was not aware of that. Good thing to know and to add to the presentation!