Guess who just got back from Disney World!! My family and I have had this trip planned for well over 6 months. I was talking with a co-worker who went to Disney World twice and gave me some really good tips for saving and making the trip easier. I figured if he could save me money and time in a five minute conversation, then what other information was my travel agent not privy to.
So I stumble on two books. One is $19.99 and one is $19.95. I am about to go to Disney World with 2 kids, my wife and my in-laws (Yeah me) – I was not about to let $20 bucks stand in the way of possible so I bit the bullet and brought the first book. After 2 hrs. of reading through it, and looking up stuff on the internet, I decided to buy the other one.
The first book was written by Beth Haworth, who is a former Disney World cast member. Who better to know the ins and outs of Disney? Not only is Beth a travel author, but she has seen first hand all of the subtle traps that the park creates to get you to spend the most for everything.
See NEWS footage as NBC Reviews Beth’s Book here.
TIP #1
Avoid the Disney Land/Sea vacation packages that include a cruise plus a stay at Walt Disney World. Bargain-shop the cruise and resort stays separately. You’ll have far greater choice and flexibility, too.
TIP #2
We also learned the importance of teaming up and splitting the male activities and the female activities. Getting my wife and daughter reservation
s to the Disney Girls Perfectly Princess Tea Party at the Grand Floridian was huge and wouldn’t have been possible without the Travel Guide.
It is really difficult sometimes to plan ahead and have to work your schedule around the ADRs you can get. I’m thankful for tools like touring plans that help me figure out the crowd schedule in advance so I don’t have to go to the busiest parks and deal with long lines just for my ADRs.
The 2nd book is written from a different point of view but no less helpful. This book breaks down ADR (Advanced Dinner Reservations). With the help of these two books we were able to make the best meal plans online months in advance – the best thing ever. We saw many families getting turned away from restaurants that were at capacity. Disney isn’t magical when your kids get turned away from Minnie and Mickey.
We planned all these meals in advance:
- Sunday Dec 5: 1:30pm Chefs de France; 6:35pm Shutters at CBR
- Monday Dec 6: 3:45pm Sci-Fi with my sister; 9pm Wishes Dessert Party
- Tuesday Dec 7: maybe Pizzafari for lunch; Trails Ends 4:30pm
- Wednesday Dec 8: 11:30am LTT; 6:45pm Yachtsman
- Thursday Dec 9: counter service somewhere; Cape May Cafe 6:35p,
- Friday Dec 10: Beaches and Cream; 7:15pm Hacienda
- Saturday Dec 11: Crystal Palace 10:15am; Chef Mickeys 6:30pm
- Sunday Dec 12: counter service for lunch somewhere; WCC 5pm for the family; ohana 5pm for me and my Disney family
- Monday Dec 13: 7:30am Cape May Cafe.
I know it looks like overkill but trust me…..it’s necessary.
The other huge trip saver was all the tips on riding the best rides in a quarter of the time.
I think this book was essential while we were at the park the other book was important for planning the trip.
TIP #3
Through strategic use of the Fast Pass and arriving at the park early, you can stay one step ahead of the crowds and the unwashed masses sweating in line. If you go during peak season when crowds and heat are at their worst, then you are screwed anyway but this book should help a little. Do yourself a favor, pull the kids out of school for a week in the winter and enjoy 75 degrees and no lines.
You can get both books here – and Best of All, They both come with Money Back Guarantees. If you don’t save –then
you get your money back!!
