Tag: Planning

A is for Attitude

abc-block

Today begins a series on the ABCs of Walt Disney World. Truthfully, I am not sure where this will go! And, we may not take this in alphabetical order, but we shall try! There are a few letters I haven’t filled in yet but there is time! And, we may repeat a few along the way, also.

Attitude when visiting Walt Disney World is very important! Remember, you are on vacation! Now, I know that visiting WDW isn’t always stress free, but I also believe that if we work to keep our attitude in check as a part of our planning process, that we can reduce the stress and be more free to enjoy the magic of this kingdom.

I’m sure we all have journeyed into a park and heard people grumbling about one thing or another. This is where I think the best weapon is having a good plan. And, making sure you have the research into all of the little things that make a Disney vacation special, can also save a lot of disappointment and hurt feelings.

There are some who are going to try to sway other’s attitudes toward the negative no matter how much they plan. But, if those around choose to ignore the negative, a fabulous vacation CAN be had by all!

Grumpy-Disney

So, what is the key to a good attitude while at Walt Disney World? Don’t be like Grumpy!! Make sure that everyone is on the same page as far as what attractions we are aiming to see, where and when our meals are scheduled, and how we are getting to the parks! There can always be a bit of flexibility, but I think it is a great idea to have a basic plan for the day before we begin.

What are some of your ideas? Leave a comment below!

I would also like to ask for a little help from readers. If you could share this with your Disney loving friends or family, I would appreciate it! I’m trying to build the reader base and would love to include them in the fun!

Until next time, may you have a Blessed and Magical day!!

Go! Go! Go! Or No Go! Go! Go!

Now, you may look at the title and be saying to yourself…HUH! This entry is not about whether to go to Walt Disney World or not! I believe I would have to relinquish my status within the fabulous Disney community if that was the debate.

Partner's Statue, Magic Kingdom Park

No, this is about how you decide to tour the resort. Do you hit the ground running like a platoon of commandos? Or, do you like a more leisurely pace what is the order of the day? There are more than two trains of thought on how to handle the parks. And, don’t forget that there ARE things of interest outside of the parks to occupy your time.

Commando Style of touring means hitting rope drop no matter what! Breakfast may be an optional meal for those who are aiming to make certain rides and attractions at certain times. These folks carry spreadsheets and touring plans. Everything is laid out and there is very little, if any, room for augmentation! You know going in that your first stop is a FastPass machine (may be a thing of the past, soon). Then you hit a few of the main attractions, before going back to cash in that FastPass. Your constantly moving all around the park to get everything done in a day! If you’re lucky, you get a 30 stop for food, and a 3 minute bathroom break along the way. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m tired just typing all of this up!

The Leisurely plan allows for a few change-ups along the way. Sure, you may still make rope drop, but you will either eat a little something in your room, or grab something at a Counter Service and sit to take in the surroundings. As you stroll from one attraction to another, you may take a moment or two looking at some of the details that are put into the facades and queue lines. After all, Disney is in the Details! You may not finish an entire park in one day, but you will have relaxed and really enjoyed your day.

Some may blend both of these styles and make them work according to what day they visit a certain park. And, depending on how much time your vacation allows will be critical in determining how you tour the parks at The Walt Disney World Resort. It seems the shorter time that we have, to more we feel the necessity to hit it and keep running!

There are some really good resources available to help in the planning, regardless of the style you may choose. One place is at http://www.touringplans.com. Touring Plans is the brainchild of Len Testa, one of the co-authors of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. They have crowd calendars, suggestions, touring plans for all types, and an optimizer that you can use while in the park that uses current wait times to help you navigate your way around the park.

Another fabulous site is http://www.easywdw.com. Here, you are given an everyday guy’s view of what goes on at WDW. This site also has some calendar information, and some planning tools. I love to read his postings on a regular basis as it feeds my own Disney habit, and the pictures really help to understand what he is doing. If he visits a restaurant, you get a picture of the current menu with prices.

Whatever your style of touring the parks of WDW, if you can look back and say you’re satisfied, you’ve had a great Walt Disney World vacation.

Thanks for reading! Have a blessed and magical week!