Feature Story

By Abbi Glines

Contributing writer

Mom sits at the computer glowing while she tells a smiling Dad what an affordable Disney vacation they can get. Upstairs the kids magically leave their beds to watch out their window as Cinderella’s coach drives up. It is a commercial that sends most parents reaching for their nifty plastic card to purchase a Dream Come True.

After days spent in long lines under the relentless Florida sun, their once perfectly normal kids have transformed into small demons who whine, scream and cry constantly. Those same parents swear they’ll never return to the place where dreams come true. Why spend thousands on a nightmare?

But, if you know how to take your family to Disney World, it truly can be a magical trip. An unplanned Disney vacation is a waste of money, A LOT of money.

The first mistake most people make is assuming they can pick anytime of the year and just go to whatever parks they choose that day. HALT! Red Light! Large Flashing Warning Sign! This crucial step will make or break your trip. The fact is if you’re going to do Disney World while school is out then you must follow some strategy guidelines. The insane crowds would send June Cleaver running to the liquor cabinet.

Brilliant people have watched the pattern of tourist over the years and it is a fact that certain parks are busier on certain days. First rule of thumb is to leave on a Monday. Why you ask? Well, historically Monday is the absolute busiest day of the week at Disney World. Amazingly Saturday isn’t that busy and is one of the best days to visit Magic Kingdom. Tuesday go to Hollywood Studios, Wednesday head over to Magic Kingdom, Thursday see the Lion King at Animal Kingdom, Friday taste the world at Epcot and Saturday is great for Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Sunday is another good day for Animal Kingdom and if you must go to a park on Monday then head over to Epcot.

The official Disney World calendar can be found at www.Disneyworld.com. Research events that may be happening while you’re there. If you aren’t interested in the events then steer clear of the park hosting it. The crowds can be smothering.

You’ve nailed down your dates and days at the park, now it’s time to book them. Travel agents are great for those who don’t feel comfortable doing it themselves. For those who like controlling everything, like myself, then go to www.Disneyworld.com and book your trip online. I need to stress here that staying at a Disney resort is a must, especially if you are going during “school’s out” seasons. Your bus will be closer to the park entrance, which is really a blessing when you’re hot, tired and don’t think you can take another step. Your trip back to the hotel is much shorter and when you buy items at the park they will send them to your room for you. These are just a few of my favorite reasons for staying at Disney Resorts.

Be prepared to leave behind Mama’s sweet tea because apparently central Florida is run by a bunch of northerners who don’t realize iced tea is meant to have sugar. Once you realize it will be something you’re going to have to survive the Florida heat without, then you’re ready to make your ADRs (Advanced Dinning Reservations). If you don’t have these then you can forget eating on Disney property at a full service restaurant. Go to www.allearsnet.com to view any and all menus on Disney World property. Once you have nailed down where you want to eat, call 1-407-wdw-dine and make your ADRs. Be prepared to have a credit or debit card ready to hold reservations at all Princess meals and signature restaurants.

You wouldn’t drive somewhere unknown without a map, so don’t attempt Disney World without studying the park maps. You need a general idea of how each park is laid out before you step foot into the gates. Little Johnny wants to ride Test Track and you waste 15 minutes figuring out where to go once you enter the park and in return you have gained one hour of waiting in line to ride. If you know where to B-line when the park opens you’ll miss the long lines and little Johnny will be happy.

Know the park’s hottest rides and hit those the moment the park opens. Grab a fast pass for one while you go jump on another. Once that’s over you can practically walk on the next ride without waiting. This idea works great for rides like Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. Grab your fast pass for Tower of Terror and then go ride Rock ‘n Roller coaster. Then go walk on and ride Tower of Terror next. This is a way to ride the two most popular rides at Hollywood Studios within one hour.

Those with small kids can use something called the “baby swap” combined with the fast pass to save even more time and give little Johnny the chance to ride popular rides two times in a row. Mom goes on Splash Mountain with little Johnny while Dad and baby go over and get fast passes for Thunder Mountain. Mom and Little Johnny get off, Dad and Mom swap, Mom stays with Baby and Dad and Little Johnny walk on with no wait and ride Splash Mountain. When they are done they then go walk right on Thunder Mountain with their fast passes and baby swap once again. It saves time and helps keep Little Johnny from transforming into a parent’s worst nightmare.

When to stay and when to go? I have found it is best to let your kids decide when it’s time to pull back and call in the troops. If your kids are all smiles after lunch and begging to go ride Mt. Everest, then by all means go ride it. However, if they whined through lunch and they look exhausted then find the quickest path to the bus and head back to your hotel for a nap. The evenings at Disney World are cooler, slower and filled with fireworks.

Failing to let your kids’ actions determine how much they can take will send your trip spiraling downhill. Yes, you paid a small fortune for this trip but seeing everything is not worth it if your kids are so exhausted they are making everyone miserable.

Extras:

“Where are the Characters?” Good question. There are two ways you can handle this. You can depend on pure luck and good timing. Or you can book some Character Meals and sit in the air conditioning while you eat and your kid’s favorite characters come to the table to autograph books and get their pictures taken. After you have stood in one long, hot line for way too long and the character has to leave (To take a break) before you get up there, you will see the wisdom behind this. Yes there will be times when you run up on a character just coming out and get a great meet and greet, but to insure you see your favorites reserve a meal with them!

You’re going to need a break if staying for more than three days. Three straight days in a park will exhaust anyone. There isn’t enough Magic at Disney to keep you smiling after three really long, full, hot days surrounded by mass amounts of strangers and their kids. Plan a day to sleep as late as you want. Swim in the pool at your hotel. Visit Downtown Disney to shop and enjoy some really good adult meals at places like Wolfgang Puck Café and Raglan Road. Do not attempt to step foot into a park on this day. Recuperate, because you’re going to need it to make it through the rest of this magical vacation.

The moment you step onto Disney property your children will develop a great case of the “I wants.” This specific diagnosis can cost you a lot of money and a severe headache. We are lucky to have a Disney outlet store at the Tanger Outlet malls in Foley. Go there and buy up some Disney stuff before you leave and hide it in your luggage. When you get to Disney World and they come down with the “I Wants,” you immediately cure it by saying “Mickey Mouse will leave you a surprise in your room today if you’re very good.”

For those of you who don’t want to take that route or your kids are too old for it then simply tell them you have them a surprise when you return to the room but they have to be good and overcome the “I wants.”

This has worked wonders and saved hundreds of dollars for many families I know that have used it. A Hannah Montana shirt that cost $6 at Wal-Mart will cost $30 once you get on Disney property. Go armed and prepared!

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