Please help me get started!

[WDWMama40]

DH and I just recently decided to plan a WDW trip for our family of 5. I have NO idea of where to begin. Any recommendations on books, websites, etc. on where to even start? I've been searching and it is so overwhelming!! Looking for a budget friendly hotel for 5 people is not easy!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

You've already found one of the best places to start. Read, read, read...and don't be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

My other tip is usually to pay a visit to your local library and see what kind of WDW travel guides they have. They may be out of date, but you can get a better sense of which one fits your traveling style and needs before you buy yourself a current copy.

 

[siskaren]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1941500064/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1941500064&linkCode=as2&tag=ea03e-20

It was written by the guy who writes this site (which I highly recommend):

http://www.easywdw.com/

And the guy who writes this site:

http://**************.net/

 

[maryandtyson]

Stay on site. Plan park days according to the crowd predictions on www.easywdw.com. Get the dining plan. Make dining reservations 180 days out. Do. To freak out. You will not do everything in ine trip. Enjoy what you see and do. Don't wear your family out. Stop for swim and nap breaks.

Have FUN!

 

[Moseymouse]

You should certainly begin with ordering the free vacation planning DVD through the Disney website. You can watch them online as well. It will give you a great idea of everything available, break down of dining options and all of the excitement of the parks. I'm not sure what you're budget is, but I would strongly recommend staying on site (for 5, the Art of Animation and Port Orleans Riverside would be your best options). I never suggest staying off site, especially to first time guests, as some of the magic gets lost. On site guests have the ability to purchase theDisney Dining Plan (sometimes offered for free, although hit make sure it works for your family), have complimentary transportation throughout the property, and time in the parks before and after close.

What time of year are you looking to go? How many days? Disney is priced by the time of year. Christmas is one of the busiest and most expensive times to go, but is the prettiest. There are special events all year round. The Disboard have a great wealth of information but can be overwhelming. Start with your dates and resorts and it'll get easier from there! Always ask any questions! There's an abundance of people willing to help! And have fun!!

 

[boltfan]

I think AllEars.net is one of the best places for a beginning Disney planner to start. There is a lot of basic information so you can familiarize yourself with everything that Disney has to offer.

 

[msimoneaux]

Also try wdwprepschool.com
She has an easy 6 step process. If you start with one thing at a time it isn't as overwhelming

 

[shoppie]

Try mousesavers.com, kennythepirate.com and touring plans. Remember that what is good for one family may not be good for you!

Good luck in planning!!!

 

[Superchikk]

You came to the right place - just don't get overwhelmed with the amount of information here! Or, if you're like me, get sucked in and read, read, read all night long.

A couple friends and I have a site for families planning Disney trips. Check us out at realmomsdisney.com.

 

[Dano13]

DH and I just recently decided to plan a WDW trip for our family of 5. I have NO idea of where to begin. Any recommendations on books, websites, etc. on where to even start? I've been searching and it is so overwhelming!! Looking for a budget friendly hotel for 5 people is not easy!

We started going 4 years ago and it has become a bit of an obsession. Each trip is better than the last because you learn things each stay. The size of the bubble is immense so having some game plan helps but don't feel the need to do everything. It just isn't possible.

The one quote I came across, which may have been on this site, was "you can never know too much about Disney but you can certainly know too little."

I agree with the prior posts. All good sites. I also like the Disney Undercover Tourist and Disney Food Blog. Fodors and the unofficial guide to Disney helped us 4 years ago as well. Have a great time.

 

[mimomlile]

I think AllEars.net is one of the best places for a beginning Disney planner to start. There is a lot of basic information so you can familiarize yourself with everything that Disney has to offer.

This! Allears is a great site for beginners.
Once you have decided on a resort (on site if you can swing it) and time of year (try for the least busy time that fits your family's schedule) the rest will fall unto place. For a first trip, I think it is imperative that you give yourself some time to research, make decisions, more research, change your mind, etc.

 

[mimomlile]

I think AllEars.net is one of the best places for a beginning Disney planner to start. There is a lot of basic information so you can familiarize yourself with everything that Disney has to offer.

This! Allears is a great site for beginners.
Once you have decided on a resort (on site if you can swing it) and time of year (try for the least busy time that fits your family's schedule) the rest will fall unto place. For a first trip, I think it is imperative that you give yourself some time to research, make decisions, more research, change your mind, etc. BEFORE getting close to the 180 day mark for making your dining reservations.

 

[TheGimpyGoat]

DH and I just recently decided to plan a WDW trip for our family of 5. I have NO idea of where to begin. Any recommendations on books, websites, etc. on where to even start? I've been searching and it is so overwhelming!! Looking for a budget friendly hotel for 5 people is not easy!

Use a Disney Travel agent...it's free. I think this board supports Dreams Unlimited.

If you can, avoid summer and holidays. The Fall is a GREAT time.

Stay on property. I'd recommend Pop Century, unless you're planning on spending lots of time at your resort.

That's my quick 2 cents. Oh, and have fun planning. That's part of the pleasure.

 

[NMontma]

We went in late October a few years ago and are going again this October. The weather was perfect and it wasn't super busy! I definitely also recommend staying on site for your first time! Have fun!

 

[NMontma]

We went in late October a few years ago and are going again this October. The weather was perfect and it wasn't super busy! I definitely also recommend staying on site for your first time! Have fun!

 

[ChanaC]

My advice is to stay on property. While there are cheaper hotels around, they can often be very iffy if you know what I mean. Disney is known for having clean and safe hotels. Some other hotels do offer buses to the parks but they can come and go inconsistently and sometimes only drop off in one location (I know one place by the SeaWorld area which only drops people at Epcot, which mean you have to get on another bus and transfer). Also staying on prop means not having to rent a car or pay for parking (which is now $15 a day!) and free transportation plus extra magic hours and picking fastpasses in advance. Also, magic bands!

Also, plan your days, but not to a tee. Pick which park/s you want to do each day and a general timeline about which rides and shows you want to do. Look at closing and opening times of the parks in advance because occasionally ones closes early for special events. However, if you over plan you will be disappointed. It's hard to estimate wait times so if you plan your day hour to hour things will get messed up and then you will get stressed. If you are staying for a long time try to take one day "off." Instead of going into the parks plan a pool day. Check out other free things to do around like Downtown Disney or the free movies and activities all the resorts do during the day and not. Maybe spend a day "monorail hopping" and walk around some of the other resorts. They can be pretty around the holidays. Also, Ft. Wilderness has a lot of low cost outdoor activities like horse back riding.

Also, don't be afraid to check out the other Orlando parks like SeaWorld and Universal. They are both fun and have rides/attractions for all ages. I know people who will stay for a week or more at Disney which can get repetitive.

Hope that helps!

 

[lauradis]

Heres how we plan

1. Pick time we can go.

2. pick place we can afford to stay, first time I always recommend on site.

3. how long can I stay

4. how are we getting to disney driving vs flying.

5. what are everyones must do's for attactions, rides, places to eat.

6. 200 day mark I have the lowest crowd park list 180 days I try to fit in what places we want to eat for best park and make the ADR advance dinning reservations

7. 90 mark plans are pretty set after adjusting the dinning times.and what park has magic hours, parade times etc. plan any other reservations for extras like bbb- princess make over,, order magic bands.

8. 60 day mark pick my fastpass plus rides

9. 45 day mark pay off any balance on disney package plan.

10. 30 days out im pre packing and shopping for anything needed for trip

11. 3 days before I pack and clean house.

12 arrive and enjoy..

I normally just book thru disney website with $200 deposit. I must warn you booking directly thru disney isnt the cheapest way to go, but I like it that way.

 

[lauradis]

haha I posted this and re read it, just realized I have a 12 step program for Disney planning. I'm sick I need help

 

[Monykalyn]

Heres how we plan 1. Pick time we can go. 2. pick place we can afford to stay, first time I always recommend on site. 3. how long can I stay 4. how are we getting to disney driving vs flying. 5. what are everyones must do's for attactions, rides, places to eat. 6. 200 day mark I have the lowest crowd park list 180 days I try to fit in what places we want to eat for best park and make the ADR advance dinning reservations 7. 90 mark plans are pretty set after adjusting the dinning times.and what park has magic hours, parade times etc. plan any other reservations for extras like bbb- princess make over,, order magic bands. 8. 60 day mark pick my fastpass plus rides 9. 45 day mark pay off any balance on disney package plan. 10. 30 days out im pre packing and shopping for anything needed for trip 11. 3 days before I pack and clean house. 12 arrive and enjoy.. I normally just book thru disney website with $200 deposit. I must warn you booking directly thru disney isnt the cheapest way to go, but I like it that way.

This is AWESOME!! Love the 12 step....

 

[Hootch]

five is an infant you can stay in most of the resorts. If a little older, look into Port Orleans Riverside. It has some rooms that are designed to hold five adults.

There are a lot of resources. I think I relied heavily on The Unofficial Guide for our first planned trip. (There were a couple of unplanned trips.) The people that frequent these various boards can be very helpful. There can be some sniping back and forth but don't let that bother you.

I like easywdw. Josh has just published a book with Dave Shute who has **************.com. It is designed for first visits. I bought it even though I have been a number of times.

I also follow AllEars and subscribe to its newsletter. Their site, like this one, has descriptions and rating for most things at WDW.

Keep your eye on the darker blue band at the top. On the right hand side you can find existing discounts. Disney often has general public discounts available. You can look here http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends for historical discount releases.