If somebody asked me what the best-of-the-best plans were for a family trip to Disney World, today's 1-week plan would be it. It has all of my favorite overall resorts, dining locations and special touches that I think most families will enjoy.

I also have a quick tip of the day about what you can order when you make a dining reservation.

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 FAVORITE 1 WEEK TRIP PLAN

Best resort options

• Value Resorts - Pop Century and Art of Animation
• Moderate Resorts - Port Orleans Riverside or Port Orleans French Quarter
• Deluxe Resorts - many good options

Day-by-day plan
Use my general touring plans for touring each park

• Day 1 - arrival day, get checked in, dinner at Chef Mickey's
• Day 2 - Magic Kingdom with early breakfast in the park before it opens, lunch at Columbia Harbour House, Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party in the evening
• Day 3 - Epcot, lunch at Sunshine Seasons, tour World Showcase w/Agent P's World Showcase Adventure, dinner at Garden Grill or Biergarten or Teppan Edo, Illuminations cruise
• Day 4 - Hollywood Studios, Hollywood and Vine character meal for breakfast or lunch, Sci-Fi Diner is a good option for lunch, end day with Fantasmic (suggestion: get a 4th FP+ in the park for Fantasmic or get Fantasmic Dinner Package)
• Day 5 - sleep in, visit Downtown Disney, maybe do a water park
• Day 6 - Animal Kingdom, Tusker House lunch, Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue for dinner
• Day 7 - Magic Kingdom, repeat items from the first day, dinner at a Magic Kingdom-area resort such as Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge, Pirate and Pals Fireworks Cruise
• Day 8 - get packed up and check in at the airline check-in desk, have a final fun character breakfast before departing

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

You can order whatever you want at restaurants such as just having dessert or an appetizer. Don't feel like you have to order an entire meal.

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Today's interview is with a first-timer named Cindy who I talked to before and after her September 2014 trip. There were surprises, great plans, magical moments, unexpected challenges and great memories.

I also have a quick tip of the day about a way to snag difficult FastPass+ reservations less than 60 days before your trip.

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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LINKS/TOPICS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• My eBook that Cindy used to help plan her trip
• Tinker Bell gifts
• My Disney World packing list that Cindy used

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

When park hours are extended, new FastPass+ opportunities open up. To be notified when park hours for your trip dates change, sign up for alerts on the monthly dashboardfor your month.

You can also find links to the PDFs that Disney publishes on my binder download post.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

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

One big part of many people's trip budgets is for souvenirs so today I've got info on where to shop, what to buy and some tips.

I also have a quick tip of the day for people who are nervous about knowing how to use the My Disney Experience site or app when it's time to make dining or FastPass+ reservations.

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

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Disney Visa cardholder discounts (PDF)
• Tinker Bell tips
• 20 unique Disney World souvenirs

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

People who are nervous about using the My Disney Experience site or app to make dining or FastPass+ reservations should consider practicing ahead of time. Anybody can practice making dining reservations; people who have purchased their park tickets separately (not as part of a Disney World package) can practice making FastPass+ reservations. Just be sure to cancel them afterward.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

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

I often mention my 6 step planning process but have never had a podcast about the details of each step. Today, I discuss that and have a free download to help you work through the process.

I also have a quick tip about people attending one of the parties who want to use FastPass+.

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

MY 6 STEP PLANNING PROCESS

Fill out the trip planning worksheet as you work through the steps.

Trip planning worksheet

Step 1: pick your dates
Decide when you want to go. Use my charts to help figure out the least crowded times.

Step 2: choose a place to stay
On-site guests get Extra Magic Hours, the ability to make all dining reservations 180 days before their trip begins, FastPass+ reservations 60 days beforehand, MagicBands and the ability to charge things to their room.

Off-site guests will usually get more space for less money. FastPass+ reservations for off-site guests are made 30 days beforehand and off-site guests use their park tickets to enter the park and check-in for FastPass+ reservations.

Some resources to help choose an on-site hotel:

• The pros and cons of every Disney World resort
• A hotel picker quiz
• Chart listing details of every Disney resort

Step 3: make a daily plan
Choose where you'll be each day of your trip and then decide which park tickets you'll need to execute that plan. Check out my suggestions on planning each day.

Step 4: choose your dining options
After you know where you'll be each day, decide where you'll dine that's close to where you'll be to avoid spending too much time on transportation. Check out all my dining guides to help decide where to eat.

Step 5: plan your park touring
Figure out your touring plans before it's time to make your FastPass+ reservations. I suggest showing up before the parks open, touring the first couple of hours without any FastPass+, using FastPass+ reservations for late morning and early afternoon, and then leaving the rest of your day more flexible.

Check out my touring plans which are mostly structured that way.