$5000 seems like a lot for a week-long family trip but it's amazing how easy it is to spend way more than on a Disney World trip.

Today I have tips for planning a deluxe-quality, 7 night trip for a family of 4 for less than $5000.

I also have a quick tip to help you keep your MagicBands secure on your Disney World vacation.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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MY STROLLER COMPARISON DATA

You can find my stroller comparison post, including a spreadsheet with data about many of the most popular rental companies at https://wdwprepschool.com/comparing-stroller-options-for-disney-world-trips/

PLANNING A DELUXE TRIP

We're going to assume that we're planning a 7 night trip for a family with 2 adults and 2 kids who want a trip that includes a nice hotel and restaurants but staying under $5,000 total for everything.

Here's what I suggest:

• Step 1: when to go - you can make your money go further by avoiding the most expensive times of the year which include the last 2 weeks of December, the week surrounding President's Day, Spring Break (the second week of March to mid-April usually), the week before and after Easter and Thanksgiving. People traveling in summer can pay a bit less by visiting the last 2 weeks of August.
• Step 2: picking a hotel - I suggest renting DVC points (Animal Kingdom Villas, Boardwalk Villas and Old Key West are the least expensive) or staying at the Swan or Dolphin
• Step 3: make a daily plan - plan to kick off the trip with a fun character meal and spend 6 days in the parks (6 day base tickets from Official Ticket Center would run a family of 4 about $1250)
• Step 4: choose dining - I would suggest purchasing the Disney Dining Plan and then picking restaurants that maximize the value of a Disney Dining Plan credit such as Akershus breakfast, Chef Mickey's dinner, 'Ohana dinner, Boma dinner, Garden Grill, 1900 Park Fare dinner, Cape May Cafe dinner and Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Step 5: plan park touring - same touring principles apply for everybody
• Step 6: add extra magic - I suggest the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party which would cost $68 for a family of 4

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

To secure your MagicBand (I lost mine on a recent trip!), I suggest ordering a Bitbelt for everybody in your group.

Perhaps the thing that stresses people out the most about planning Disney World trips is the idea that they'll end up standing in lines for hours on end.

Although there are plenty of different places where you can encounter lines, good planning can help you to avoid most of them.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
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MY RECENT TRIP REPORT

My Spring Break trip went really well and many people who followed along on the WDW Prep Facebook Page were surprised at how much we got done.

AVOIDING LINES

Most people think of avoiding lines for rides but there are many areas where you could encounter a line.

Here are some of the main areas and how to reduce your wait time.

• Resort check-in - people staying on-site should make use of resort check-in up to 60 days ahead of time and then get into the early resort check-in line once arriving at the resort
• Dining - even with a reservation, you can encounter long waits at restaurants. Eating at off-peak times (11-11:30, 1:30-3, 4-5:00, 7:30-9) at both Quick Service and Table Service restaurants can really reduce your wait time
• Rides/attractions - show up before the parks open, ride the highest priority rides first, use FastPass+ reservations to visit high priority rides later in the day and have a good touring plan. The eBook that I have for sale also comes with printable park maps that indicate which rides to visit at various times of the day.
• Transportation - plan to exit the park at the front of the pack after nighttime entertainment, consider taking a taxi if bus lines get long, look into the CLEAR program which is like a FastPass at the airport

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If little ones can't ride a ride, don't make them just sit and wait for everybody else. Keep them busy doing other things. I have a chart of ideas in my Rider Switch article to keep little ones nearby but busy while bigger kids and adults ride.

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Disney World has noticed how popular the princess attractions are and has gradually been adding more over the years.

Today, I have advice for princess-lovers on which hotels to stay at, where to eat and some special touches you can add to your trip.

I also have a quick tip with an alternative to itchy costumes.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

PLANNING A DISNEY WORLD TRIP WITH LITTLE ONES

To send a letter to your favorite character, address it to your favorite character and use the following address:

Walt Disney World Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Step 1: Choose when to go
You can really go anytime but if there are people ages 10 or older who want to dress up as a princess, you should go during a time when Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is scheduled since they allow everybody to dress up at those parties.

Step 2: Where to stay
Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation, Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside, and The Grand Floridian all make great resort choices for princess-lovers.

Step 3: Make a daily plan
Plan to visit all parks and Downtown Disney if you can.

Step 4: Pick your dining
Here are some great princess dining options:

• Cinderella's Royal Table (in the castle at Magic Kingdom)
• 1900 Park Fare at The Grand Floridian
• Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus in Epcot (the best Disney Dining Plan credit value)
• Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom (Quick Service for lunch, Table Service for dinner - the beast appears at dinner)
• Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Grand Floridian

Step 5: Park touring
If you plan to meet the princesses, be sure to work those into your touring plans. I recommend using Kenny the Pirate's app for the most accurate character info.

When trying to plan shows, you can check showtimes online ahead of time.

Step 6: Add extra magic
Consider making an appointment for a princess makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (there are 2 locations - 1 in the castle and 1 in Downtown Disney), booking a limo to transport you between the airport and your resort and/or buying an in-room princess celebration from Disney Florist which will include the whole room being decorated.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If the princess costumes are too itchy, considering buying an everyday dress inspired by the princesses. The Chasing Mermaids Boutique is a great source for these kinds of dresses.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
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Are you a traveling to Disney World with a princess lover? If you have extra things to add or questions, please feel free to share them in the comments.

Taking little kids to Disney World can be lots of fun but there's a lot to take into consideration when making plans with them.

Today, I have tips on how to plan trips that include little kids, including when to go, where to stay and how to tour.

I also have a quick tip about flying with little kids and making sure that you're seated together.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

LINK TO PREVIOUS POST

Guide to the Flower and Garden Festival

PLANNING A DISNEY WORLD TRIP WITH LITTLE ONES

To prepare kids ahead of time, I suggest not telling kids too far ahead of time but talking about Disney World so they can learn. Watching videos and reading the Birnbaum's for Kids book are great ways to prepare young kids.

Step 1: Choose when to go
I recommend going after Halloween but before mid-March when the times have changed because some nighttime entertainment (such as Fantasmic) is offered earlier, making it easier for little ones to stay up later to see it. During busy times like Christmas and Thanksgiving, the parks are open later to accommodate crowds so nighttime entertainment would be scheduled later on those days.

In addition, sometimes discounts are offered during this time, such as the "Families with Little Ones" promotion that covered January and February dates in 2014.

Step 2: Where to stay
I recommend Pop Century, Art of Animation, The Polynesian, The Contemporary and Animal Kingdom Lodge for families with little ones.

Step 3: Make a daily plan
Families with little ones should primarily focus on Magic Kingdom and maybe even consider skipping Epcot.

Step 4: Pick your dining
Character dining (such as Chef Mickey's or Tusker House) can be a great way to introduce kids to characters. I would avoid making too many Table Service dining reservations because it usually takes 60-90 minutes per meal which is a lot of sitting for many young kids.

Step 5: Park touring
All of my FastPass+ guides include touring plans for little ones so I would start there. You might want to consider letting kids re-ride things if they really like them.

There's a 40" height requirement on many of the bigger rides. Parents or older kids who want to ride can use Rider Switch to take turns.

Even if kids are tall enough to visit an attraction, they might get scared so please consult my list of attractions that could scare little ones to see if you want to visit certain things.

My general advice on strollers is that if you still use one at home, you should probably bring it on your trip. Little ones who don't normally use strollers at home will likely still benefit from having one during a Disney World trip so I recommend renting a stroller for those kids.

Step 6: Add extra magic
Consider playing Tinker Bell and/or having a date night and using childcare during your trip.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If you're flying for your trip, make sure you have reserved seats (or boarding group if you're flying Southwest Airlines). Without it, there's a good chance your family will be separated during your flight.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

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Will be you traveling with a little one? Do you have more info or questions to add?

Please feel free to share them in the comments.