Making the Most of Your Disney Vacation: Setting Realistic Expectations

The first way that you can make the most of your Disney vacation doesn't start in the parks. It starts right now, in the planning process.

If you know nothing about Walt Disney World, please understand the size. If you are coming from a Disneyland background that's great and we're excited to show you what Walt Disney World has to offer but be ready to lace up your sneakers! Disneyland is a sprint, Walt Disney World is a marathon.

There are four parks, 2 water parks and a Downtown Disney area. That's not including the activities at your resort, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or the golfing and other recreation that's available. The 40 square miles that make up Walt Disney World are about the size of San Francisco or two Manhattan islands.

Needless to say you need more than a day to experience what Walt Disney World has to offer, so why is it that first timers try to cram everything into a long weekend? No matter what the length of your vacation is, there's plenty of magic to experience; so how do you go about finding that magic?

• Set realistic expectations: Don't expect to do it all in one day. You have to pace yourself and know what pace works for YOUR family. Yes, there are touring plans that show you how to conquer the park in a day...is this realistic for a family with small children dragging around strollers and diaper bags? Not necessarily. Be practical when you are planning and know that it's necessary to eat, drink and take bathroom breaks. 

• Prioritize your "must do's": This is especially important if you are on a limited travel schedule but still want to hit the highlights of the parks. You can start by eliminating attractions that are out of your kids height range. No need to sweat the small stuff, measure them before you go and know what your options are. 
• If attractions are your priority, highlight them to put into a touring plan later. 
• If characters are your priority know your options. You can experience many of the characters at the various dining locations. This is a great way to experience the characters and get a meal at the same time. The character dining experiences are a much more relaxing way to do a character meet n' greet. They come right to your table, you have time for autographs and pictures and you're in the comfort of the indoors as opposed to standing outside in line and facing the Florida elements; which include heat and humidity or rain. Sometimes all of the above, simultaneously.

• Ask a professional: If you don't know how much time to plan for your vacation, contact an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We can make recommendations that are tailored to your families needs and make suggestions based on past experiences. We can also customize a package that's in your price range. While everyone would love a 2 week vacation in a deluxe resort-concierge level of course...that's not always in the budget. By being honest with your travel agent we can help you get the most bang for your buck and make the magic a reality! 

Ask me about Pixie perks customized for your family when you book your vacation with me! I'm here for anything and everything you need from start to finish!

Michele@PixieVacations.com