When I tell people that I create personalized Disney itineraries and touring plans for a living, I often get the same response: “Why do I need a touring plan? Why can’t I just GO to Disney World and have fun?”
The answer is simple: Disney vacations are unlike any other trip you will ever take. They are a huge investment in time, money, and energy. And for most people, they are emotionally charged, representing the innocence of childhood. As a Disney buff, it makes me sad when people return from a Disney vacation, frustrated because they spent most of their trip waiting in line. I’ll never forget a conversation that I had with an old friend after his family vacation to Disney World. He recounted a story of bitter disappointment, crying children, and gigantic crowds that prevented his family from experiencing more than one attraction per hour.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way, as long as you are armed with a good touring plan (a list of attractions you plan to visit, written in the order that will save you the most time). On our Disney vacations, my family routinely experiences all of the headliner attractions (and some minor ones) before lunch, and we rarely ever wait more than 15 minutes for any ride. The trick is learning how to stay ahead of the crowds. With some planning, this is an easy goal to achieve.
One of the biggest concerns I hear from clients is that a touring plan will consume their entire day, leaving little time to stop and enjoy the magical details that make Disney parks so special. In reality, a touring plan does the opposite. With a touring plan, you will experience more attractions and spend significantly less time waiting in line. Then, while everyone else is spending hours standing in scorching hot queues, you will have tons of free time to explore the less-crowded areas of the parks, rest at your hotel, or just sit and people-watch!
So, how do you stay ahead of the crowds? Over the years, I’ve learned countless tips and tricks that help my family and friends avoid the crowds and enjoy memorable Disney trips. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to share some of them with you on The Patch!! For more information about my Disney experiences (and even more tips), you can check out my personal blog, “Drinking the Kool-Aid: A Mom’s Guide to Disney World” at http://drinkingkool-aid.blogspot.com.
Until next time, have a magical day!
I'm happy to say that my kids are getting old enough now that our most recent trip to WDW will be our last. Our next family vacation is going to be dad's choice and we can go somewhere that's less humid, less crowded, less commercialized...and way more fun.
Plan your days around your weakest link. Running a 5 year old until they are ready to drop will take its toll on the whole group. Try a mid day break ...
To think its commercialism is now stretched to the point that we're now being asked to purchase personal itineraries. Again, my opinion, but I'd just prefer to stay away.
I realize that without advance planning, a Disney trip can definitely be unsatisfying. I also know that, if you follow some simple rules and have a good touring plan, you will have a successful, memorable Disney vacation. That's where I come in! As far as finances are concerned, it's true that a Disney vacation can be expensive. But it definitely doesn't have to be. Disney offers a wide variety of vacation options to fit every budget! I look forward to sharing some budget-conscious tips with everyone in some of my later posts. I wanted to clarify that I am not affiliated with Walt Disney World or Disney Destinations in any way. I work for a local full-service travel agency called Ginger's Getaways where I specialize in booking and planning Disney vacations. My clients do not pay me anything to book their Disney vacations (travel professionals are paid commission by travel suppliers), and I charge a nominal fee to design personalized Disney itineraries and touring plans (usually about $50-$100, depending on the length of the itinerary).
We are planning (yet another) family trip to WDW in May, but I hope to get down there by myself for a quick visit before that. I can't wait to visit the New Fantasyland and Art of Animation Resort and report back!! We're combining this trip with a Disney cruise as well, so I'll have TONS of info to share!