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Disney Vacation Planning

NEW! Disney Planning Tips by Lyn Young, Disney Travel Planner as featured in our May 2008 newsletter

Disney World planner by Amy McFadden

Reprinted with permission of the State Journal Register as published May 2007.

Do your research before visiting that magical place in Florida by Amy McFadden

The Disney vacation is a rite of passage for the modern family. And when it comes to making that trek to fantasyland, it pays to do your homework.

As a first-timer at 33 years old, I think I was more excited for our springtime adventure than our preschool-age children. A girlfriend warned me: "Don't you dare go to Disney World without a plan." So on the advice of her Disney-phile husband, it was off to the bookstore and the Internet to prepare. And by the time our airplane lifted off, I felt I'd earned the equivalent of at least a bachelor's degree in Disney.

There is no shortage of travel guides available to help Disney travelers navigate the nine parks that comprise the Walt Disney World empire.  One excellent source for any prospective mouser is the "PassPorter" by Jennifer Marx, Dave Marx and Allison C. Marx.  (Order online at www.passporter.com/default.asp  This planner is full of helpful tips and reviews of the attractions for all ages and interests. It even includes special pockets to hold tickets and receipts as well as ample space to jot down reservation times, confirmation numbers and other important information. The book is frequently revised and republished, so pick up the most current version available to get up-to-the-minute information.

Sometimes, experience is the best teacher. I had visions of a seat at Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom for one of the famed "character breakfasts," but alas, it was not to be. Suffice it to say that two weeks' notice won't leave you with many sit-down dining experience options.   Dining reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) 939-3463.   Special Disney dining plans (including limited restaurant and menu choices as well as a specified number of meals and snacks each day) are available for Disney resort guests, who also can make reservations at the same number.

Be forewarned: a dining reservation at a Disney restaurant is not a reservation as you know it at a local eatery. It's more aptly described as an expedited spot in a ridiculously long line.  Theories abound on when is the best time of year to make the trip, what are the must-see rides and the best places to eat. The "right" answers are as varied as the types and ages of Disney-goers. Be sure to talk to those who've been there and learn from their mistakes.  Below is some universally useful inside information that will make the trip go more smoothly and ensure a better experience for anyone.

Before you go

• Check out www.mousesavers.com  for helpful hints and money-saving deals.

• Visit www.disney.com  and create free customized, full-color maps that highlight preferred stops at each of the parks. Disney mails these free of charge to your home before your trip.

• Order the free Disney Vacation-Planning DVD from the Web site. It is basically a glorified commercial, but does offer a view of what you're heading for and is a good way to get everyone geared up in advance.

• Consider extending your stay. Park passes are designed to save you money on the entrance fee as the number of days you visit increases. The "park hopper" option allows guests to bounce from a theme park (the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom, or the lesser-known Pleasure Island, Wide World of Sports and DisneyQuest) to one of the water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) for a nominal add-on fee.

• Pack a small, manageable bag to carry sunscreen, Band-Aids, bottled water (it's pricey in the parks) and snacks. Your pack will be searched (purses, too) before you enter each park, but as long as you aren't carrying a weapon or smuggling drugs, security will let most items slide by. Bringing along your own gear can be big time and money savers, considering the long lines and cost of drinks, snacks and personal supplies inside the gates.

• If your children crave souvenirs, consider visiting the Dollar Store before leaving to stock up on Disney-themed items that you can squirrel away and surprise them with during your trip. They'll be more receptive to your limits on how much kitsch they take home from the gift shops located on every corner.

 Touring the parks

• If you drive, be sure to write down where you parked, as memories tend to be fried at the end of a day in the parks. Also, there are tens of thousands of cars in the parking lots, so the likelihood of parking close to the entrance is unlikely.

• Once you get to the parks, pick up one of the free daily schedules available at the entrances and at all gift shops. These handy guides list parade times, character appearances and all special events for the day.

• Don't lug your own stroller to the parks. The rental service is conveniently located at the entrance of each park, and prices are reasonable ($15 a day for a single, $18 for a double stroller); you can get a deal if you rent for several days up front. Stroller rental passes, as well as parking passes, are interchangeable for the day at each of the parks. Tie a brightly colored bandanna for easy spotting in the sea of strollers; park employees constantly shift them around, so they won't always be where you left them.

• If you see a short line, hop on, even if the ride or event it is for wasn't part of the plan. The waiting is the hardest part, so take advantage of opportunity when it presents itself.

• Parents with children too young to ride certain attractions can take turns without losing their place in line by doing a "child swap." This allows one parent to ride alone or with an older child, while the other parent stays in line with the youngster. Then the parent who waited gets a turn immediately after the partner exits the ride, and the same child can even ride again with the second parent.

• Take advantage of the Disney Photopass. These cards are available for free from any "official Disney photographer," all of whom are more than happy to snap pictures of you and yours with Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh and the like. The pros' shots are digitally linked to your card with a unique ID number, so you can use the same card for your entire trip. When you get home, you can log onto the Web site and view all the photographs and choose which ones to purchase at (an outrageous) $12 per 5-by-7-inch print.

• If you do take your own pictures, the Photopass is a great backup. I was so caught up in the moment when our 2-year-old met her idol, the Little Mermaid, that I didn't realize my digital camera was in "movie mode;" there wasn't one useable shot of the encounter. Fortunately, the Disney photog had my back. I paid dearly, but the photos we have are priceless.

Take some time to people-watch during those hectic forays into the parks while you ride the tram or wait in lines. We overheard a mix of foreign languages being spoken. Disney World attracts a surprising number of international visitors, so it's possible to live "It's a Small World," even after you get out of the boat from the ride.

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Disney on a Dime … Not! by Tara McClellan McAndrew

 What an oxymoron! The words "Disney" and "budget" go together about as well as "nice" and "winter."  Disney is famous for sucking the dollars right out of the wallet.  But there's hope.
My family went to Disney last fall, and I plied friends and perused Web sites and books for money-saving advice. Here are some of my favorite tips:
 

• Go off-season. Prices are better when crowds are smaller. Avoid the summer, any holiday and spring break. A travel agent or the Disney Web site (www.disney.com ) can help you determine when rates are lower. (We went at the beginning of November; rates were lower and crowds were, too. Plus, the temperatures were pleasant.)

• Drive, don't fly. Some families like to avoid airplane fares and drive. Some make this option even less expensive by driving straight through the night and avoiding a hotel stay. If you do this, just realize that while you're driving, your kids are sleeping. When you arrive in Orlando a certified zombie, you'll need to crash, but your refreshed kids will be dying to see Mickey Mouse. "Let's go NOW, Mom!!"

• Eat cheap. Take small, self-serve cereal boxes, cereal bars, muffins and juice boxes for breakfast. Disney food can be expensive. Others recommended loading up on all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets at outside restaurants, which can hold you through lunch. Keep apples and other healthy snacks in your purse or diaper bag for snacks. Take your own water bottles and refill them from drinking fountains in Disney's parks. If you want to eat at a Disney restaurant, eat your dinner about 4:00 p.m. when you still can get lunch prices, then have a good snack later. You can also stay at a Disney hotel, or off-site hotel, that has a kitchen so you can do your own cooking.

• Be prepared. Every single ride or attraction ends in, what else, a gift shop. And your little angels are going to want everything in them. Save money by buying souvenirs at stores outside of Disney.  If this isn't possible, set a limit on how much money each child can spend for the whole trip or per day.  One clever mom bought Disney souvenirs for great prices at garage sales and from eBay BEFORE the trip and surprised her kids with them during their vacation!

• Get a Disney VISA. I know this sounds like a commercial, but it was one of the smartest things we did – honest. If you use a credit card anyhow, why not use one that will earn you money to spend at Disney? About two or three years before we went to Disney, I applied for a Disney VISA, which pays you back by racking up Disney Dollars. These can be spent at Disney parks, Disney stores, and the like. By the time we went, I had $375 Disney Dollars. Plus, we received special deals on some tours. And, we got to pay our trip off over several months for no interest. It was basically an interest-free vacation loan.

• Bring essentials. Buy all essentials here, on sale if possible, and take them with you to avoid high prices down there. Essentials include: film, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.

 Have a great time!  Yes, Disney can be expensive.  But frankly, we thought it was well worth it. My son still talks about it. He can't wait to return. Neither can I.  Guess I better start saving!
Tara McClellan McAndrew, Springfield mother of one, works as a freelance writer and editor when she isn’t planning her family’s next trip to Disney.

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Travel Tips from our Readers

Travel Tips by Amy McFadden

Whether it’s by train, plane or automobile, traveling with young children can leave parents weary long before reaching their final destination. A little preparedness can go a long way, however; and we have some tips to smooth your family journeys this summer.

Traveling by car with little ones is by far the most flexible option that puts parents in the most control over schedules and stops.

Try the following hints to pass the time in the car: 

• Try to plan day trips around napping schedules and maximize that sleep time to cover some significant mileage.

• Take along a survival kit for the car including mess-free snacks, favorite books and music. Consider bringing a child’s story on tape or cd. Many are available through your library.

• Build in some stops if the trip is longer than an hour. You can bring along a ball, parachute and/or bubbles and burn off some extra energy at a rest stop. In inclement weather, kids can run around a fast food restaurant indoor playground like the ones at McDonald’s.

• Remember good old "I Spy?" Teach your kids some of those car games you played as a child. There are some great "I Spy" books on the market now, too. Have mom or dad sit in back for a while, bring along a microscope and have a race to see who can find each item the fastest.

If your worst nightmare is being confined in a small space with your unhappy kids, try these tips to make the time "fly" by:

• While most children under the age of two can fly free on your lap, consider purchasing a separate seat for your baby or toddler. Most airlines offer a discounted fare for the little ones (we got a half-price ticket for our 21-month-old daughter). Your comfort and sanity are worth the extra expense. Just ask anyone who has tried to keep a squirming child busy on their lap for a four-hour flight.

• Pack a small child’s "busy backpack" to keep your seated child occupied through the flight. Here’s what went in ours: dollar store toys (wooden lacing beads for toddlers, small cars for preschoolers, Color Wonder by Crayola mess-free fingerpaints and markers; a few new books; a small puzzle. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but every penny will be well spent when you can sit back for a few minutes while your child works on their new stuff.

• Prepare for the worst: bring along a complete spare change of clothing for all ages of children; and if you’re still in diapers, don’t forget plastic bags for disposal. Pack suckers and bubble gum (for older kids) to help reduce pressure in the ears and alleviate popping.

If you decide to take the train, check out these suggestions for turning the trip into an adventure for your children:

• Before the trip, read some train books with your child. Bring them along and compare your experience to the story. This same idea works well for first-time fliers, as well.
• Ask the conductor if your family can have a tour of the train, or just explore on your own the different cars.
• Pack a snack including sandwiches and/or cheese slices cut into train shapes with cookie cutters.
• Play some of the car "travel" games highlighted above.

With a little advance planning, getting there with your young ones can indeed be half the fun! Happy trails to you and your family from Springfield Moms.

Flying with Baby by Kristen Schmid-Schurter

I called my husband, baby in tow, from the plane in Las Vegas when we landed. “I thought I’d better call you now, because it’s loud in the airport with all the slot machines.”

He thought I was joking. “Slot machines in the airport? Really?”

Yes, and old ladies wearing protective gloves pulling slots in grocery stores. It was for the best that my husband didn’t realize what he’d agreed to when I took our firstborn, then three months old, to see my ailing 93-year-old grandmother in Las Vegas. Armed with the conviction that I was doing the right thing, I booked the flight. Then I lie awake wondering how I could pull it off.  I knew my trip was nothing compared to heading West in a covered wagon, but what if Sam rolled off the hotel bed? How could he ride in a rental car? And not to be selfish, but what was I going to do with him when I had to go to the bathroom?

The first two concerns were easily addressed. My mom booked a hotel room with a crib and reserved a rental car with a car seat. I also could have brought my own car seat, either checking it as luggage or purchasing another plane ticket and having Sam ride in the car seat during the flight.  The authors of “What to Expect the First Year” recommend the latter option for safety reasons, rather than the freebie “lap child” route I took. An umbrella stroller solved the bathroom issue, and I was able to check the stroller just before boarding and pick it up again as soon as I got off the plane.

When I checked in, I asked for a seat with as much space around me as possible. No one wants to sit next to a woman with a baby, so we had a whole row to ourselves. This allowed me to lay Sam down on the seats when he got tired of being held, and we played with the favorite toys and books I brought in his diaper bag. A combination of pacifier, bottle, and breast kept him happy when the cabin pressure changed during takeoff and landing.  Frankly the breast was our best travel ally, calming Sam when overhead lights blazed, flight attendants led gambling games over the loudspeaker, and inebriated vacationers wanted to hold him.

When I finally got Sam in Gram’s arms, I expected him to scream, cry and complain about his overturned schedule and ten hours of traveling. But he didn’t. He smiled at Gram, and she lit up, happier than we’d seen her in years. Miracles can’t be planned or organized, they are just given.

Individual airlines’ websites have guidelines and tips for traveling with infants and children. The Transportation Security Administration’s current list of what you can/can’t bring on a plane can be found at:  http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Additional Travel Tips from our Readers

• "The fold-up lightweight strollers make for easy on the go travel.  Use a large zippered bag from your large outdoor collapsible chairs to make it easier to carry on your trip!"

"When we went to Florida, I bought two little key chains (purchased at the key counter at Wal-Mart)  the kind that are small and you can insert paper in them or you may also use small luggage tags.  I put my kids' names and important information on them.  I attached them to their tennis shoes and then knew that if we got separated, they (at least the 4 year old) could point to her shoe information and the person who found them could contact us on our cell phones.  It worked for me!'   Amy Sherwood, Springfield

Luggage Regulations

Need to know the latest rules and regulations for carry-on and checked luggage?  Check out the Transporation Secturity Administration website. http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/index.shtm