Anyone who knows me, knows that I am huge Disney Nerd. Between my passion for all things Disney and a little bit of professional experience, I wanted to offer some tips when it comes to planning your trip to the "happiest place on earth"! This post is intended to be a quick glance at the top 4 most important things to keep in mind when planning, for more detailed posts on the different topics, see the links below!

When to Go

This is always a huge thing to consider when planning your trip. Because there really is no "slow-season" for WDW and the sunny temps of central Florida can be pretty high, you just need to be strategic when you decide to plan your trip.

From experience, the best times to visit are:
- January - March
- September to Early November
- The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas

From experience, the worst times to visit are:
- Weekends
- Holidays
- Summer
- Any time that coincides with a large event (marathons, cheer competitions, etc..)

For more detailed information regarding crowds, visit my post "When to Visit Walt Disney World".

Where to Stay

With over 25 hotels on the WDW property, there is something for every budget. From the budget-friendly to the super luxurious options, you are sure to find something that suits your family.

The on-property hotels are broken down into 4 categories:
- Value
- Moderate
- Deluxe
- Deluxe Villas

The categories reflect price-per-night and proximity to the theme parks. For more detailed descriptions of the on-property hotel options, click here.

In addition to the on-property options, there are countless options off property as well. You've got every big name hotel brand, timeshares, air b&b, and all kinds of other vacation rentals. Depending on the size of your group, these can be a good choice. For more detailed information regarding where to stay, visit my post "Perks of Staying on Property at Walt Disney World".

What to Do

Now this should be done in the months (yes, months) leading up to your trip. I highly suggest sitting down and mapping out your game plan. Yes this is a vacation and there should be some room for spontaneity and relaxation, but for some folks, a trip to WDW is a small fortune and may be the one and only time they get to go. So I reaaaallly suggest going in with a plan.

A few things to keep in mind:
- Download the MyDisneyExperience app on your phone. It's a lifesaver.
- How many days of theme parks do you anticipate doing? Remember that there are 4 theme parks and each one needs at least a full day to experience most of the activities.
---> Magic Kingdom
---> EPCOT
---> Disney's Hollywood Studios
---> Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Don't forget about Water Parks, the Boardwalk, ESPN's Wide World of Sports and Disney Springs!

Where to Eat

Confession: one of the things that I look forward to the most when I visit WDW is the FOOD! With over 130 restaurants on the WDW property, there is something for everyone!

A few of my favorites include:


- Breakfast & Character dining at Ohana in Disney's Polynesian Resort.
- Dole Whips
- Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars
- Churros in EPCOT
- Funnel Cakes in Magic Kingdom
.... the list goes on and on! For more detailed information regarding where to eat, visit my post "Top 10 Places to Eat at Walt Disney World".

Happy planning!!

Xoxo,