Walt Disney World: How to Plan the Perfect Trip

People often ask me how I plan my Disney World trips. Now, here’s a disclaimer for you–I am not, nor have I ever been, a travel agent. I’m not an expert. I’m just an average person who likes to read and do research. I’ve learned through experience. And, I’ve decided to share my strategy with you. Continue reading “Walt Disney World: How to Plan the Perfect Trip”

Early Risers: Making the Most of Your Time at Walt Disney World

Most of us have heard Benjamin Franklin’s saying ” Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise;” however, many people have not applied that wisdom to the Walt Disney World Resort. However, we like to make the most of our vacation. By waking up early, we can do and see more than most people do at Disney. Continue reading “Early Risers: Making the Most of Your Time at Walt Disney World”

Dining at Walt Disney World: Seven Ways to Minimize Costs and Maximize Your Food Dollars

Seven Easy Ways to Save Money on Food During Your Disney Vacation

Food at the Walt Disney World Resort can be expensive.  Believe it or not, the average character dinner buffet costs approximately $46 per adult and $26 per child ages 3-9. These calculations don’t even include the most coveted reservation of all: dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom’s iconic castle which runs $70-$80 per adult and $38-46 per child depending on the time of year.   No doubt about it, eating out at Disney is not cheap. However, there are ways to minimize your costs if you plan correctly. Here are seven easy ways to minimize food costs while enjoying your time at the most magical place on Earth. Continue reading “Dining at Walt Disney World: Seven Ways to Minimize Costs and Maximize Your Food Dollars”

Top Three Books to Plan the Perfect Disney Trip

For many families, a trip to Walt Disney World is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For others, it’s a yearly tradition.  In the 47 years since opening day, Disney World has become an international destination with nearly 20 million visitors each year. The days when you could pop into a park and just wing it are gone (unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to live nearby and have an annual pass). Disney takes planning if you have time constraints and a limited budget, and the best way to plan includes books. Continue reading “Top Three Books to Plan the Perfect Disney Trip”

Disney Dreaming

I’m busy here planning our next trip to…Where else? The most magical place on Earth–Walt Disney World in Florida! We don’t usually go away in the summer due to Dennis’s job, and this year is no exception.  It’s actually worse because he and my brother are buying Dennis’s company. See me if you need a mover in Northeast Ohio or Northwestern Pennsylvania–I happen to know a few. Here’s a link to Dennis’s company and another to my brother-in-law Mike’s company. Continue reading “Disney Dreaming”

Staying on Walt Disney World Property with a “Large” Family

Back in June 1998 I was disappointed (and rather upset) that you couldn’t book more than four people in a Walt Disney World value hotel room.  I didn’t understand why I couldn’t put my three children (all ages eight and under at the time) in the same bed. After all, every other hotel we’d stayed in had let us have five people in a room.

Did you know that the average number of people per family in the U.S. is only 3.14? That helps explain why Disney’s least expensive hotel rooms only accommodate four people. However, as a parent, I was frustrated thinking that my children wouldn’t be able to visit the most magical place on Earth because we couldn’t afford to book two rooms or stay at one of the more expensive hotels.

Continue reading “Staying on Walt Disney World Property with a “Large” Family”