What should I do a full year ahead?

[JJ2017]

Got back Sunday from our second WDW trip. Hotel is already booked for November 2018. Going with Dolphin which will be a departure from our last two trips where we rented DVC at AKL and BLT. We have only been to AK and MK and plan to visit EP and HS next time (have to decide what other parks to visit as well). I don't know EP and HS yet. Kids will be 7 and 5. We will have full days Wednesday through Saturday.

I don't know...post trip blues right now but excited for next year. But so far away (not a bad thing!). I like to plan. What could I focus on?

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Think about what restaurants you'd like to try in each of the parks you haven't visited? Get excited for Toy Story Land?

 

[JJ2017]

Food is big for me and DH, so that's a good idea! I am curious what will happen with Tiering for Toy Story Land.

Something I am very curious about is how Food and Wine is during that last week of it, also Jersey Week. I would definitely love to utilize the babysitting at Dolphin and have an adult night there. But if the crowds are insane, we'd stay far away. We could do it Wednesday that week, def stay away from it Friday or Saturday.

 

[sharonabe]

Got back Sunday from our second WDW trip. Hotel is already booked for November 2018. Going with Dolphin which will be a departure from our last two trips where we rented DVC at AKL and BLT. We have only been to AK and MK and plan to visit EP and HS next time (have to decide what other parks to visit as well). I don't know EP and HS yet. Kids will be 7 and 5. We will have full days Wednesday through Saturday.

I don't know...post trip blues right now but excited for next year. But so far away (not a bad thing!). I like to plan. What could I focus on?

Read trip reports from the week you've chosen from this year (and maybe even last year) to get an idea of crowds and such. Peruse Robo's park maps for EP and HS, so you're familiar with the layout. Research all the little things at those two parks (street performers, etc). Research the rides and attractions that are currently there as well. You guys are going to love Toy Story Mania!! If characters are important, subscribe to Kenny the Pirate's website and start planning your character meet and greets.

 

[JJ2017]

Read trip reports from the week you've chosen from this year (and maybe even last year) to get an idea of crowds and such. Peruse Robo's park maps for EP and HS, so you're familiar with the layout. Research all the little things at those two parks (street performers, etc). Research the rides and attractions that are currently there as well. You guys are going to love Toy Story Mania!! If characters are important, subscribe to Kenny the Pirate's website and start planning your character meet and greets.

Really good idea to read Trip Reports of this week in particular! Is that a section on Disboards?

 

[DisneyFive]

How in the world could you have had two trips to WDW and only visited two parks?!? Insanity!

Dan

 

[JJ2017]

How in the world could you have had two trips to WDW and only visited two parks?!? Insanity!

Dan

Slow and steady!!!! WDW is still so much of a mystery to us!!!

 

[sharonabe]

Really good idea to read Trip Reports of this week in particular! Is that a section on Disboards?

When you're on the main forums page, scroll down through the various ones and you'll see "Disney Trip Reports."

 

[Surgie2]

Really study up on Epcot as it relates to kids. I think it gets a bad rap as being non-kid-friendly. I love Epcot! This article helped me plan it for young kids:

http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/epcot-with-young-children/

 

[kniquy]

Sounds like you might be going during food and wine if it is the earlier part of November, if so you could look at some youtube for this years food offerings. Definitely look at the restaurants at Epcot and reviews on them -- there are so many to choose from that it can be overwhelming. At HS - the new toy story land should be open so that is sometime to stay up on. HS doesn't really have much for good restaurants --but brown derby is one to consider. You will be right by the boardwalk area which might be nice to visit one evening.

 

[JennyDrake]

Food is big for me and DH, so that's a good idea! I am curious what will happen with Tiering for Toy Story Land.

Something I am very curious about is how Food and Wine is during that last week of it, also Jersey Week. I would definitely love to utilize the babysitting at Dolphin and have an adult night there. But if the crowds are insane, we'd stay far away. We could do it Wednesday that week, def stay away from it Friday or Saturday.

Crowds are THICK, especially on weekends.

 

[DisneyFive]

What should you do one year ahead? Well, book a trip 6 months ahead!

Dan

 

[rwdavis2]

Just read this site every day. It will keep you up to date with latest news.

 

[PSUGuy]

This Sat marks the 11 month window for reserving Board Walk on rented DVC points so our owner is reserving then. I started looking at Dollar and Alamo for rentals but they don't go that far out, it will be 2 or 3 weeks before they come out. I made a sleep n fly reservation through a 3rd party for Sheraton 4 Points at PHL but it's too early for that so I'll keep looking. It probably won't be until May that Southwest will open our fare window so that has to wait.

Those things above, in pretty much that order, is what we do starting shortly after we end the current trip. I made a calendar in Word with our dates and I'll fill in details as they are resolved. Oh, I forgot, we upgraded our UT 9 day hoppers this month to APs so our tickets are covered already. Fortunately we have other vacations between now and next Oct but I still visit here almost every day to check on new developments and just to retain the Disney mood. We've been averaging a trip a year since 1999, most of them for 7 to 11 park days, 9 this Nov so we get our fill and don't feel let down as the trip ends. Planning may not be half the fun, but it's at least a third of it.

Bill From PA