Real Mom. Real Talk. Real Hustle

It’s no surprise that Cam & I LOVE everything Disney. If we could somehow figure out how we could be in Walt Disney World every day while also living our regular everyday lives, we’d do it in a heartbeat.

Like clockwork, every time I post about a trip there, my DM’s are flooded with requests for tips, recommendations, the works. It’s also full of Moms stressed out as their planning their “One & Done” trip to Walt Disney World. Afraid that they are missing something, that it won’t be magical, that they’ll miss the “best” parts of Disney. I thought to myself, why can’t there be just some Disney planning guidance without the fluff? Some tips and recommendations without the attachment of a brand deal or someone showing off in a Facebook group.

I bring you this: 10 easy to follow, stress free tips & breakdowns of what you need to know when planning your trip.

1: Hotel Breakdown
There isn’t a hotel that I don’t enjoy at Walt Disney World. When you’re planning your trip, you’ll see options from “Value” to “to “Deluxe” and they are all incredible. Know your crew when selecting a hotel option.

Perhaps you are looking to keep your expenses down on your hotel and you have a child who loves Cars or The Little Mermaid, then I’d suggest: Art of Animation. Even better, this hotel, along with Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century and Riviera Resort, are all on the Disney Skyliner. This takes you directly to these resorts, Epcot & Hollywood Studios. I also love the quick service meal options at Art of Animation and the sit down meals at Caribbean Beach & Riviera Resort.

Budget not a concern? The Polynesian Resort is where I’d stay every single time. The location is prime, located directly across the water from Magic Kingdom and directly on the monorail (this has access to The Grand Floridian, Contemporary Resort, Magic Kingdom & Epcot). Between quick service, sit down meals and even bar side restaurant service, this one is a must. Oh, and did I mention there is DOLE Whip® on site? You’re welcome.

But wait, there’s more. You can enjoy the nightly fireworks from Magic Kingdom right from the Polynesian Resort. Our last stay here was pure magic from the moment we stepped foot in there and cannot wait for our next stay here!

My last recommendation is for those who love animals. Although I haven’t personally stayed at this hotel yet, I know many who have and they rave about it. Staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is an experience in itself looking over the savannas and seeing some of the beautiful animals right in Disney.

2: Dining Plan and Character Meals and Snacks, OH MY!
One of the questions I get asked a lot is if it’s worth it to get the Dining Plan. Honestly, it truly depends on how you use it but I personally don’t typically go this route. That said, IF there is a special going on with a Dining Plan where you get a FREE Kid’s Plan with an Adult Plan, then do it, no questions asked.

My daughter loves meeting characters so that is what we prioritize most when we go to Walt Disney World. We plan a character meal each day and then it’s quick service and snacks the rest of the day. Unless there is a special event going on (ie: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival), I plan my quick service and snacks around Cameron’s requests. The Mickey pretzel, Mickey ice cream sandwich and a popcorn bucket are always at the top of our list.

One thing to note for those who want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. When you are at Magic Kingdom and you want one, you’ll need to enjoy a meal at a sit down restaurant. Those restaurants are the only ones you can order adult beverages at. The other parks you have more options but at Magic, it’s only sit downs.

While we are here, let me share with you our favorite character meal spots:

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall : Located in Epcot , this is a Princess character meal! Although any meal here is great, I highly recommend this one for Breakfast. This is my favorite breakfast in all of Disney. The Norwegian waffles are incredible and a big win for Cameron too. This is an absolute must for us on each visit and a super convenient way to meet a lot of princesses in one visit.

Cinderella’s Royal Table: This is my favorite experience and another must for us on each trip and honestly, I think everyone should experience this one at least once. If you can’t tell, our trip revolves around princesses and this is another one where we can see many of them while being inside Cinderella’s castle. While you are waiting to be seated, you get a meet and greet with the Cinderella! Then you’ll walk up the spiral staircase (or take the elevator) to the dining area with window views behind the castle. This overlooks the carousel area. We are booking this one for a late night dinner around 8:30 which keeps us indoors for fireworks. Although Cameron loves fireworks, she isn’t the biggest fan of the noise. When enjoying your meal during fireworks, the littles can enjoy watching them from the window and if you’re lucky, while sitting next to a princess. The food is delicious and each guest receives a wishing star, a wand or sword. I can’t love this one more!

1900 Park Faire: Located at The Grand Floridian, I’m booking this one for breakfast and enjoying the array of characters we can meet here. Although these can change, we love getting to meet Aladdin in this setting. He’s Cameron’s favorite prince! Another breakfast spot we love and takes 2nd place only to Akershus. Buffet style here with the best Strawberry soup you’ll ever have!

Hollywood & Vine: Located in Hollywood Studios, this is the sweetest character meet for lunch or dinner with our favorite Disney staples like Minnie Mouse! My favorite part here is Minnie dressed her best in seasonal themed outfits. Buffet style meal with something for everybody, it’s a great sit down option with your favorite character meets!

Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White: I’m booking this one for dinner on a non-park day, typically on arrival day for us. If I’m choosing a spot for the best food at dinner, this is it. Bonus is the character meets we get here! From Dopey & Grumpy to Snow White and even the Evil Queen, I love this one so much!

3: Lightning Lanes: Single Pass, Multi Pass, Premier Pass or dare I say, VIP?
I’m a big proponent of spending your dollars on things that will allow you to maximize your time. I HIGHLY recommend going a route here that will help you free up time and ride all the rides. Now, obviously if you and your family are not ride fans, pass on this one all day.

The Lightning Lane Single Pass option is for a Single ride. Not all rides have this option but it’s perfect for those who just want to ride one ride (ie: Guardians). The Multi Pass allows you to select up to 3 rides at a time.

If this is your one and done kind of trip, I’d look into Premier Pass or VIP. Yes, these are going to be expensive options but if it’s in your budget, go for it. Premier Pass allows you to enter the Lightning Lane line once per ride on any lightning lane ride. No booking stress, easy peasy.

VIP will be your biggest investment but damn, is it the best. You get your own VIP guide to help you and your crew feel like royalty. Will a VIP customizable experience make you want to come back to Disney? Yes, likely.

Honestly, a simple Disney trip in general may change your mind quickly from “One & Done” to planning your next trip while you are still in the parks. I said what I said.

4: Extra Extras!!
So, you’ve booked the hotel and you have your park tickets but now you are reaching the 60 day countdown mark where you select your dining options (above) and any Enchanting Extras and you don’t know where to start. I’m going to give you my perspective from a Princess loving girl Mom. Book Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and make your little one feel like a real Princess or a Knight. Yes, you can bring your own outfit but part of the experience is picking out everything from the hair style, the outfit, accessories and shoes. Letting Cameron just explore and be fully immersed in this experience was not only magical for her, it definitely became a core memory for me.

If you have a Star Wars fan, I’ve had many friends make their own droids and it’s wicked cool. I’m not even that into Star Wars (I know, don’t come at me) but I definitely wish Cameron was, just so that we can make one.

When you click through the Enchanting Extras section on the Walt Disney World website, you’ll see a lot of selections for “Capture the Moment.” This is an additional fee for a private selected time with a Disney photographer to capture your moment. We did this with Cameron for her 3rd birthday and thought it was totally worth it! I’ve seen others do it for graduation, celebrating engagements, baby announcements or just simple family photos. There are many you can choose from and my best suggestion would be anywhere that you like the most. We chose various locations within Magic Kingdom and they were so good! I’ll post some of those pictures below.

5: Facebook Group Overwhelm
You’ve booked the trip and then you joined a lot of tips and tricks Disney Facebook groups and now you are even more overwhelmed, wondering how you are going to do it all during your once in a lifetime trip. I’m going to give you this advice: Walk away from those groups.

There is a reason beyond the magic and whimsy of Disney that brings people back again and again without them getting bored. There is always something new, there is always something to look for, there’s always hidden mickeys, etc. etc. Trust me, each time you go to Disney will be a new experience and each time will be just as magical whether you “miss” something or not.

When seeking tips, ask yourself what is most important to you? For us, it’s princesses. I wing a lot of what we have done and the best things happen when you least expect them, when you are simply in the moment. Story time: My daughter wanted to change into a Jasmine outfit before meeting Jasmine and then surprise, Jasmine asked Cameron to take a stroll and Cameron’s Disney magic was forever solidified. Was this planned? Not one bit. I had always wondered how those things happened and y’all, it’s pure magic.

At the end of the day, you could simply book your hotel, get your park tickets and arrive to the parks and have the best day even without dining reservations, no enchanted extras, etc. Your day is what you make it and if you walk into Disney ready for a magical day, you’ll have it.

6: Memory Maker
Buy it. That’s my tip. You’ll get tons of photos and you will want each of them. Some of them are perfect, some are hilarious and all are worth it – even if you have your phone camera. This is an inexpensive way to make sure your day is captured.

7: Seasonal & Special Events
I bring this one up to be cognizant of when you are booking and planning your park days. You’ll want to check out the park calendar that will let you know park hours and any extras happening that day like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Disney After Hours, etc.

If you are attending the parks during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, I would plan your park day at Magic Kingdom those days as they will be the quietest Magic Kingdom days. However, if you are planning to attend one of those parties, I would suggest not planning on being at any park beforehand, especially not at Magic Kingdom. Those parties run late and you’ll want to enjoy it all the way to the end.

Also, if you are visiting Walt Disney World during either one of those parties, GET THE TICKETS and go to the party. It’s the best way to experience Disney.

8: When are we Going?
Whenever you can go. Yes, there will be more crowds during school breaks, holidays, summer vacations, run weekends, cheer & dance competitions, etc. The truth is, there will always be crowds. You can research crowd watchers from the previous years but know that others are doing the same and likely booking during those quiet times. Just prep yourself that wherever you go, it will be crowded. Pack your patience and your positivity.

How do we survive a crowded park? We alleviate our stress wherever else we can. Up until now, we always have a stroller with us to help Cameron get off her feet and to take in park naps. We take our time and don’t rush through the parks. We bribe Cam with toys or snacks. Yes, we are 5 star parents and love to negotiate with things we would get her anyway. It works for us and thousands of other families too. We aren’t better than you, I promise.

We don’t go Thanksgiving week and especially the week of Christmas or New Years. I know it’s a pretty cool place to be, but for me the crowd sizes then are just simply too much.

If I’m looking for the least crowds, I’m going in August when it’s really hot and it’s Cameron’s birthday. The crowds are extremely low but it’s damn hot and humid. Tips here: Bring extra clothes to the parks to change, have fans, cooling towel and break up your park days with a morning and evening session or just an afternoon session. Other times are spent back at hotel and enjoying the pool. (*Psst: This is the time of year I splurge on the nicer hotels because we definitely spend more time at the hotel pool.)

How long should you plan your trip for? I love a good solid week that let’s you stretch out your park days, enjoy the hotel you are staying at and explore other things in Orlando. Ideal stay would be Monday – Monday

Monday: Travel in morning with late morning, early afternoon arrival. Check into hotel and explore. Dinner plans at Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White.
Tuesday: Park Day at Hollywood Studios with Lunch plans at Hollywood & Vine. I’m not racing to this park, likely arriving around 10 or 11am and staying for Fantasmic!
Wednesday: Rest Day. Will spend time at hotel pool and Disney Springs.
Thursday: Park Day at Magic Kingdom with Dinner plans at Cinderella’s Royal Table where we will watch the Fireworks. Another one I am not racing to and will arrive by 10am & stay all day.
Friday: Park Day at Animal Kingdom with Lunch plans at Tusker House. I am making sure we see The Lion King and ride Expedition Everest. This is a shorter day for us and we would enjoy the pool at the hotel at night and movie.
Saturday: Park Day at Epcot. Late breakfast plans at Akershus Royal Banquet. Major focus on meeting characters all day, going on scavenger hunts and exploring for Cameron. I’ll be enjoying snacks in each country and we are definitely doing some shopping here.
Sunday: I always like to leave Disney by saying good bye to the castle. We will likely take a little visit to Magic Kingdom for the second half of the day. No real plans, very relaxed.
Monday: Hotel Pool in morning after check-out and leave when we are ready! We always drive to Disney, which gives us flexibility on when we leave.

9: Travel Agent = Less Stress
One thing I didn’t know when we first started going to Walt Disney World is that you can use a travel agent at no cost to you. It’s the absolute best thing you can do for your sanity when booking. You have any sort of question and they’ll have answers for you, tips when planning and more.

Y’all, I even went so far as becoming a travel advisor only to learn that although I do love planning a good trip, I’d rather put it in someone else’s hand, someone that I trust to get the job done.

I’ve got the best of the best, Dana Munoz with Wishes Family Travel who helps me plan all of my trips. I’m fairly certain her most favorite trip so far to plan for me is the one we are going on in August for Cameron’s birthday and our besties will be joining us! Coming in at a close second would be Cameron’s Surprise 3rd Birthday trip!

How it all works: You contact Dana and tell her a bit about what you are looking for and she will quote you various prices at a few hotels so you can start comparing options. The prices she gives you are the exact same that you would find doing this on your own. You select the best option for you and place a small deposit to secure your trip.

This is my favorite part: At the 60 day mark to your trip date, dining and enchanting extras open up to you for booking. Dining reservations open at 12am and enchanting extras at 6am. Personally, I do not want to be awake at midnight to book dining and then get up again at 6am to book extras. No, thank you. But, you know who will? Dana.

Leading up to the 60 day mark, Dana will review dining options with you and get your plans together for your booking window at midnight. You’ll wake up the next day with your dining selections. On occasion, some of the options may not be available or you’ll need some flexibility on time / day to get a specific one. She’ll prep you on this ahead of time. Then she’ll do your Enchanting Extras like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at 6am!

Last, your final payment is due 30 days prior to your trip and you’re good to go. *If you want to hear more on this, I’m happy to share my experiences with Dana!

10: What’s in the Bag?
If you have a stroller, bring & use it. You’ll want it to carry all the things and to give your little ones a spot to sit down when their feet are tired and for them to take a nap. I’m a big fan of in park naps.

Back packs for everyone! Pack changes of clothes. Cameron loves to have 2 options for dress-up on each park day so I pack an extra princess dress and a regular outfit for her. Cooling towel, 2 extra changes of clothes, mini fans, phone chargers, hand sanitizer, wipes, small cooler lunch box with a bag of ice and ice water bottles and snacks that won’t melt (ie: goldfish, chips, etc.), ponchos for everyone and stroller cover (for rain). This is for most of the year. If it’s going to be cooler at night, I may pack a sweatshirt or I may just buy myself a new one because the likelihood of me wanting a new one is very high!

I’m also purchasing all of us MagicBands ahead of time. It’s the easiest way to check into parks, rooms, etc. Cameron loves having her own and makes her feel even more magical. Yes, it’s an added expense and yes you can just use your phone but I like having this on like a watch and then I don’t need to worry about my phone losing power or anything. It’s also wicked fun ordering this when you book and receiving them in the mail. It’s an extra little personalized thing that makes your trip feel even more exciting!

You’ve made it this far…

To be honest, I have a lot more to share and could easily go into more specific tips at each park, where to sit for parades, how to nail a last minute reservation to Cinderella’s Royal Table, etc. but that’s for another day or you could always send me a comment here or email! Let me know your tips in the comments below – perhaps it’ll help someone else in their trip planning. Happy travels!