Overwhelmed? No Problem!
By Magic Maker Kevin Gallagher
While planning a trip to the most magical place on earth may seem like an exciting adventure, there are many stresses involved for the primary planner. Cost is always a worry even with all of the wonderful packages available and discount options to help ease the financial load of such a trip. Another stress inducing problem is the ever common “I want it to be the most amazing trip ever and we have to see everything” syndrome. This is to be understood – especially given the initial concern mentioned and the lack of opportunities most have to visit. Below are some ideas to assist in planning a stress free trip that may come in handy.
First and foremost, allow one of your favorite Off To Neverland Travel® Magic Makers® to assist you in making planning your trip and your day to day scheduling – including any special dining or shows. All of the Magic Makers® share a great deal of knowledge and experience with the parks as well as a love of all things Disney. We will be more than happy to help get you on the path to a successful and enjoyable vacation where you won’t feel as if you have missed out on anything. Our Magic Makers® will be help you plan your perfect itinerary complete with dining reservations, parade and firework times, and attractions perfectly tailored to you and your family.
Secondly, as mentioned above, there are so many things to see and do throughout the theme parks as well as in the Downtown Disney® Area, that when planning you will need to have an idea of what kinds of things you would like to see. If parades are important to you and yours, then by all means they are something that should not only be seen, but seen at the best possible locations. Take some time for them and allow yourself to be directed to a spot to relax and enjoy the view. If they are not important to you, then that would be a fantastic time to ride some of the rides that are usually very crowded such as Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, or Pirates of the Caribbean. If characters are your thing or are of utmost importance to your little travelers, then the guide map will be your friend (as well as some helpful tips from your Magic Maker). Don’t forget to pick up an autograph book (most of the stores outside of the Walt Disney World® Resort have these as well). There will be long lines for Mickey and Minnie, but walking through the parks many characters can be found. You can even get a FASTPASS® to see Mickey and Minnie and the princesses now at the Magic Kingdom® Park so you can do other things until your appointed time comes up. However if you would like a cool off time while at Epcot®, your family could meet and greet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald at the Epcot® Character Spot. There is usually quite a wait, but it is also a five character spot so it is well worth it. Plus it is indoors with classic cartoon shorts being played on the TV’s overhead.
Thirdly, invest in the Park Hopper® option. These will allow you to go from park to park on a given day. For instance, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park closes most days at 5:00 leaving an entire evening of possibilities waiting for you. While the Downtown Disney® Area and all of the wonderful options there might seem appealing, there is also the opportunity to venture to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ on a day Fantasmic! is showing (this is a must see). Or perhaps one of the nights at the Magic Kingdom® Park, you head back to catch the fireworks or the parade, after spending a quiet afternoon at your resort, resting or relaxing at the pool. There are also so many quality shows throughout the parks from the Castle show at the Magic Kingdom® Park to the Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park as well as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™! The possibilities are endless with the Park Hopper® option added to your park tickets.
Finally, all planners should take heart for there is a simple way to look at your trip to remove any concern: Traveling to Walt Disney World® Resort itself and stepping foot into the Magic Kingdom® Park is ALREADY an amazing trip. Taking in the architecture, the ambiance, the first character you happen to meet, or that first glimpse of the castle and is there any doubt that whatever gets accomplished the trip will have been a success? A stroll down Main Street, U.S.A.® and venturing into the different lands will provide quite a bit of joy especially for first time visitors. Explore a little. Make sure to check your guide and see where characters may be, what time special events are, and chart your course. Visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort is like visiting a high-end sunday morning buffet – sure you may not have had the omelet, but that is because you filled yourself up on the delicious fruit and waffles. Whatever you choose to see will be wonderful – and magical.
What tips do you have to share with first-timers?
Two new ways for guests of Walt Disney World® Resort hotels to live like their favorite Disney characters are now on sale. Building on the success of Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, new “Disney Story Rooms” are now available for guests booking vacations in 2012 – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.