Plan of Attack

In 6 short days, the Cahill clan heads to Orlando, FL and Walt Disney World (WDW). We’re very excited about the trip, our 2nd in the past 14 months. It is also the last time we’ll be able to go where we can get a child in for free (Liam), go at a time not dictated by the Fulton Co. school schedule (Zachary starts Kindergarten (?!?!) in August), and not bake to death (summer).

The trip in Dec-08 was a lot of fun, and we learned a lot from that trip. In planning and experiencing it with small children, planning and being organized takes on a much bigger role that I thought. I’m sure there’s many of you out there that have done the Disney Dance before, multiple times even. For those folks, I apologize if this is repetitive. But here are some great tips/suggestions for any of you all out there going to WDW in the near future (kids or no kids):

PLANNING:

Touring Plans website. A MUST visit for crowd projections and creators of the very handy “Lines” app for you iPhone, Blackberry, etc.

Allearsnet.com. Another great resource for restaurant info, scheduled park maintenance/closures, and hotel reviews.

Pack breakfast for at least some of the duration of your stay. Disney is going to get you on the food bill no matter where you go, but at least you’ll be able to focus on 2 meals & snacks instead of 3. And it will make things a bit easier trying to get everyone dressed and ready to go in the mornings.

Buy park-hopper passes, allowing you to mix and match your mornings and afternoons (especially useful with kid still taking naps).

Buy Disney gifts BEFORE you go. Any mall Disney store will do. Will make a nice surprise each day you’re there.

If arriving in the afternoon, book a character dinner the day you arrive. Since you’ll likely not have spent for the extra pass to a park, it will be a nice way to meet some characters in a less stressful environment, and get a huge meal before you hit the ground running on day 1.

WE MADE IT! NOW WHAT?

If you can swing it, and have small kids, go see Epcot on Day 1. It’s probably the most grown up area in WDW, and it will serve as a nice appetizer to the main attractions in the other parks. Plus it won’t be a letdown later on if its all princesses and pirates from the start.

Unless you’re near a monorail, drive to the park you’re going to see. It’s nice to be able to leave when you want, and it’s easier for stroller transportation. Parking is free, provided you’re staying in a WDW resort.

If you want another character meal, go for a breakfast early inside one of the parks. We’re doing breakfast in the Magic Kingdom one morning 45 minutes before the park opens. No lines to get in for us!

Comfortable shoes. Goes without saying, you’re going to do a lot of walking and standing.

Add some “flair” to your stroller for easy identification.

Embrace FASTPASS! Identify 2-5 must see rides/attractions in each park and use FASTPASS to structure your day. It really works.

Have someone in your group as “the runner”. This is the person you trust with your park tickets and heads direct to the park headliner as soon as the gates open. That person gets a FASTPASS and then meets the rest of the party at another must see attraction. A must for the Toy Story ride in Hollywood Studios, Soarin’ / Test Track in Epcot, and Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom.

Hope these help out!