| Avalon's Disney Tips & Tricks |
| Planning |
Ah, planning - the most important part of your Walt Disney World vacation. AND, the planning can be a lot of
fun & get you even more excited for your trip. That's not to say we don't like spontaneity. WDW is a wonderful
place to go with the flow. We highly recommend stopping frequently to smell the roses, watch street
performers, sit on a bench with a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar & people watch, or just soak it all in. You're at
Walt Disney World!!!
All we're saying is that doing some research & planning the big stuff can make your WDW vacation flow
smoothly & allow you to take advantage of everything "the World" has to offer. Don't do your research & you
can find yourself staying at a resort that doesn't fit your needs, waiting in endless lines, experiencing attractions
that aren't your style, eating at restaurants that don't appeal to you, or not being able to get into any of the table
service restaurants on property. Those things will make your trip a whole lot less magical.
SO - do your research, plan your trip, than when you;re there, be flexible. Remember, this is the most magical
place on Earth!
fun & get you even more excited for your trip. That's not to say we don't like spontaneity. WDW is a wonderful
place to go with the flow. We highly recommend stopping frequently to smell the roses, watch street
performers, sit on a bench with a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar & people watch, or just soak it all in. You're at
Walt Disney World!!!
All we're saying is that doing some research & planning the big stuff can make your WDW vacation flow
smoothly & allow you to take advantage of everything "the World" has to offer. Don't do your research & you
can find yourself staying at a resort that doesn't fit your needs, waiting in endless lines, experiencing attractions
that aren't your style, eating at restaurants that don't appeal to you, or not being able to get into any of the table
service restaurants on property. Those things will make your trip a whole lot less magical.
SO - do your research, plan your trip, than when you;re there, be flexible. Remember, this is the most magical
place on Earth!
• Guidebooks
The best tip I can possibly give anyone considering a trip to Walt Disney World is to purchase 2 books:
1- The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger with Len Testa is the best, most
comprehensive guidebook you’ll find, hands down. This guide has everything you ever wanted to know (and
more!) about planning your trip. I have been purchasing an Unofficial Guide every year for longer than I can
remember. It makes a great reference, or you can devour every single word like I do. J Their companion website,
www.touringplans.com has even more great information, a crowd level calendar to help you decide which day to
go to which park & additional (as well as custom) touring plans & updates to the book. You can also use their
ticket calculator to help you choose the right park pass.
2- PassPorter Walt Disney World by Jennifer Marx & Dave Marx & Allison C. Marx is also an excellent guide
with tons of information. This guide is unique because and at the back, there are “PassPockets” – excellent for
recording each day’s plans & confirmation numbers as well as holding your travel documents, receipts, maps, etc.
I highly recommend buying the Deluxe 3 ring binder edition, as you can remove pockets, pages or add updates
from the website or pages of your own. You can get refill kits (including the updated guidebook pages,
worksheets & PassPockets) for your binder each year so you only have to buy the binder once. PassPorter also
has a nice website with updates, worksheets, e-books, a fan community & lots of great information. Sign up for
their free newsletter too!
The best tip I can possibly give anyone considering a trip to Walt Disney World is to purchase 2 books:
1- The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger with Len Testa is the best, most
comprehensive guidebook you’ll find, hands down. This guide has everything you ever wanted to know (and
more!) about planning your trip. I have been purchasing an Unofficial Guide every year for longer than I can
remember. It makes a great reference, or you can devour every single word like I do. J Their companion website,
www.touringplans.com has even more great information, a crowd level calendar to help you decide which day to
go to which park & additional (as well as custom) touring plans & updates to the book. You can also use their
ticket calculator to help you choose the right park pass.
2- PassPorter Walt Disney World by Jennifer Marx & Dave Marx & Allison C. Marx is also an excellent guide
with tons of information. This guide is unique because and at the back, there are “PassPockets” – excellent for
recording each day’s plans & confirmation numbers as well as holding your travel documents, receipts, maps, etc.
I highly recommend buying the Deluxe 3 ring binder edition, as you can remove pockets, pages or add updates
from the website or pages of your own. You can get refill kits (including the updated guidebook pages,
worksheets & PassPockets) for your binder each year so you only have to buy the binder once. PassPorter also
has a nice website with updates, worksheets, e-books, a fan community & lots of great information. Sign up for
their free newsletter too!