the disney trip

You've called your travel agent, bought and read the guide books, and now you believe that you are ready to experience a family vacation to Disney World with your family. However, for many travelers, this vacation can lead to an immense sensory overload, not to mention too many dehydrating days in the sun, leading one to believe that they missed a lot of what this wonderful area had to offer. So here are some great survival tips that you and your family might be interested in.

First, decide as a family what are the most important things to see. The age and height of your children should weigh heavily in this process and will vary with your different interests. However, when a consensus can be reached, it's time to map out your day. For example, if a trip to the Magic Kingdom is agreed upon, decide which rides you MUST go on. You probably have obtained maps of the theme parks from your travel agent or online, so you know which rides are at what park and where they are. Another great source for information is Disney's website, it is a very valuable source of inside inside information.

So, if your family decides that they must go on Space Mountain first, make that the first ride and bypass everything else. There will be plenty of time to backtrack. Also, if you are a morning person arrive at least half an hour before the park opens. This will give you time to be at the front gates, ready to make a run towards Space Mountain when the park opens(sometimes the randomly select a family from the gate in the morning to be in the parade). Make sure you know which rides have fast pass tickets available. This will also help your ride planning . Since there are so many rides in the Magic Kingdom, it may not be possible to go on all of them in a day so pick and choose the rides you and your family have dreamed about and make it a priority to go on only them.

If your Disney World vacation is planned during the summer months, please remember to keep yourself hydrated. During midday, when the sun beats down and reflects on the concrete, it can really feel like an oven. Contrary to popular belief, you are allowed to your own water bottles and snacks with you into the park ( and if you ask at most counter service the will give you a glass of ice water free). Just bring a backpack and, though your bags will be checked, Disney World officials don't mind if you have a couple of drinks and a few snacks of your own. Just don't go crazy you can always go back to your room to restock. Food prices are high at Disney( unless you purchase the dining plan, I will never go back without it ). Water usually costs around 2.00 (we wear camel backs) . Don't overstress yourself during the heat of the day. Instead, find some shade and take a break from the day or go on a ride that you hopefully have a fast pass for. Since the lines are also extraordinary long during these times, if you don't have a fast pass, go on one of the more unpopular rides where the lines are the shortest. In the Magic Kingdom these rides are The Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents. At Epcot, the pavilion at Mexico is the best place to go and the little boat ride there is very enjoyable.

Another planning tip that I cannot stress enough meal planning. Please make reservations ( sometimes months in advance ) for the fancier sit-down restaurants or the character meals because if you do not make them, you will be disappointed. Also, the theme parks only have so many fast food restaurants and around 11:30, these places are packed! Believe me, it is no fun having to wait in line for thirty minutes only to have the only place to sit and eat be directly in the hot sun. So if you can, try to eat lunch around 11:00 or at about 1:30. This way you can eat in air conditioning and not have to wait so long. The same is said about dinner. Eat around 4:30 or after 7:00 to have a relaxing meal.

Above all, have fun! This is why so many families experience the Disney vacation year after year and now you can do it right and have a memorable, great time!