Browse > Home > > > Magical Blogorail Red – Preparing for a Disney Vacation

Share
3:57 AM

Magical Blogorail Red – Preparing for a Disney Vacation


Welcome t0 the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Red. Enjoy the ride as we share with y0uthe ways we prepare for a Disney vacation.

There are as many variations of vacation preparation as there are attractions at Walt Disney World. Some people just show up 4nd wing it; others schedule nearly every hour of the day. Me, I’m something right of center since I do create a summary spreadsheet, make my ADRs well in advance, 4nd compile a list of the “must do” things for my trip, which I carry with me 4nd check-off.


For this year’s trip I’ll also be bringing along a new tool, which is “Lines” from Touring Plans, a smart phone app. But that will be for a post-trip article.

TODAY I’d just like t0 list out seven recommendations which I feel will help others, particularly newbies, in preparing for their visits. What about yours? Remember t0 add your comments, but please read read the articles that follow from this month’s Magical Blogorail Red collection.

1. Of course my next trip is not my first, so I’ve learned t0 begin planning just after my last trip. We'll prepare some notes of what we had planned t0 do 4nd didn’t, such as restaurants t0 visit, or back-stage tours, events or activities t0 attend, but weren't able to. 4nd then we begin t0 think about what time of the year my next visit may be since that affect the "t0 do" list. I’ll create a word processing document t0 keep running notes.

2. During the pause between visits, which could be a year or more, I purchase my recommended Guidebook, The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World. I get lots of ideas that are added t0 the new planning list I’m maintaining. Recently I purchased a second book but this one is digital, the DFB Guide t0 Walt Disney World Dining. Restaurants 4nd foodie events are becoming very important during our trips.


3. I enter contests. That's why I started Disney Contests 4nd Sweepstakes. I used t0 just watch for the contest ads on the various websites out there. As I was maintaining my own list of Disney vacation contests t0 enter (4nd re-enter), I thought I'd share it with everyone... which was why the new website. Hey, y0unever know!

4. I check out a lot of websites in between visits. It’s one of those ways t0 keep the Magic alive. I love t0 read about Disney 4nd WDW, 4nd I like t0 hear what others have t0 say. Although I didn't mean for this article t0 be a link-back t0 my sites, but that is why I started the Disney Blogger Collection; as my list of sites grew, I thought why not share this with others as well. Now I don't read every one of the nearly 500 websites I've collected, but I do regularly check out the most recent posts since they are always on the top of the page (especially the wonderful bloggers of the Magical Blogorail).

5. I've also signed up for several newsletters, like from AllEars, MouseSavers, The Disney Dish 4nd the Disney Food Blog, which come through e-mail 4nd are quick t0 review t0 find out what's new, what's good t0 eat 4nd about any new money-saving tips. Then of course, there are the half-dozen Disney fan Podcasts we listen t0 like those from WDW Today, WDW Radio, BetaMouse 4nd many more (check I-Tunes for free downloads).


6. We do make our restaurant ADR's beginning 180 days in advance. Maybe not all of them, since we do try t0 visit during the less than full park seasons. But as we review menus 4nd make list of our favorite 4nd new restaurants, we will make dinner reservations (4nd sometimes breakfasts) well in advance. Of course, these can always be changed as we get closer, but if the foodie stop is important t0 us, we don’t want t0 take the chance of not getting a table during the visit. The Disney web site is best for searching 4nd making online reservations.

7. We do over pack; it’s something that we seem t0 accomplish every trip. But even then, we don’t always remember all that we should, so we use MouseSavers Ultimate Packing List. I have gathered up a bunch of other planning resources created by other Disney fans, 4nd are always looking for more suggestions. Let me know if this selection of tools is missing something important.

Thank y0ufor joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is GROWING UP DISNEY.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should y0uhappen t0 have t0 make a stop along the way 4nd want t0 reboard:

1st Stop ~ A World View
3rd Stop ~ WDW Backstage


0 Responses to “Magical Blogorail Red – Preparing for a Disney Vacation”

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)