Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation - A definitive guide

This year is the big year.  We are planning our grand Walt Disney World Vacation.  We have been saving up for several years because we didn’t want to make the big trip to Florida until the kids were old enough to enjoy all of the rides.  Waiting also makes sure the kids are going to enjoy the trip and have a lifetime of memories.  My wife and I debated a long time about what is the best age of kids for a trip to Disney World.  We wanted to make sure the kids remember the trip, could enjoy the rides and still be mesmerized by the magic.  Luckily for us everything fell into place for a trip this summer.  The long task of researching has begun and has led me to this hub.  I have been to Disney World several times throughout my life, but I always felt like I was missing out on something.  There are so many parks now, I don’t think anyone can research enough to make sure you catch all of the magic.

Consider this just the beginning of my research.  Keep a close eye on this hub as I plan to document my research here to help all of you catch the magic.  All of this talk about Disney is bring back all of the great memories I have of the parks.  Let me digress and share some of my memories.

My first trip to Disney World was in 1981.  I remember it quite well because they were still building Epcot and I remember trying to figure out what that great big ball thing was going to be.  We all know now that it is the geodesic dome called Space Ship Earth.  Most of my memories were of the hotel we stayed at.  My family growing up wasn’t very well off, especially in 1981.  I remember my Mom and Dad both being laid off around this time, so we drove to Florida from Ohio and stayed in Kissimmee at a pretty ratty hotel.  I remember having to check our shoes to make sure there weren’t any cockroaches in them and the mosquitoes made the pool uninhabitable.  It didn’t matter to my family as every day we were in the most magical place on earth.  I wouldn’t change anything about that trip.  I have such great memories; it was worth taking the cheapest trip to Disney World.

My second trip was a few years later.  My family was doing much better financially and my parents wanted to take my younger cousin whose family couldn’t afford the trip.  I have fond memories of Epcot that have shaped my life.  The high tech exhibits at Epcot got me interested in technology, giving me my love for gadgets and computers which has lead to a great career in computer science.  I don’t think I would have ever found my true calling without my experiences at Epcot.

My third trip was with my High School band.  We marched in several parades at MGM Studios and the Magic Kingdom.  It was a great experience because I got a true behind the scenes look at the magic the really takes place.  My sister was dating an animator at Disney Studios and he was able to give me a behind the scenes tour where I learned to appreciate what really happens at Disney World.  Pretty good for drawing bubbles for The Little Mermaid.

My last trip was several years ago for our honeymoon.  My wife and I had a magical time.  The Disney resorts really do know how to help you celebrate special occasions.  It is a trip we will never forget.  Now we get to go with our kids.  I cannot wait to see the joy in their eyes.