4 Biggest Mistakes Families Make on Their First Trip to Disney
It’s been your kid’s birthday and holiday wish for so many years, you’ve lost count – and finally, you’re ready to pull the plug and book the trip. Without further ado, you’re feeling like a quarterback at the Super Bowl and proudly announcing to your pals at work (and of course, Facebook) that yep, you’re going to Disney World! Arguably just as exciting for parents as it is for their children, booking your first family trip to Disney is a big moment, and also a daunting one.
With so much to look into, reviews to scour and details to arrange, you might be so overwhelmed, you wish you had your own Fairy Godmother to make your first trip to Disney happen with a flick of a wand.
The good news? You do! By using a travel agent with MickeyTravels, you can create the once-in-a-lifetime trip that will have you, your partner and your kids, grinning from ear to ear, without going back home stressed and penniless. To get you started, consider these biggest mistakes that families make when visiting Disney for the first time, and how you can avoid them before it’s time to board your flight:
Mistake #1: Not Researching the Best Times Of Year to Go
If you want to avoid massive lines that will leave your kids cranky and hangry (yep, not just hungry, but hangry), especially out in the hot sun, it’s essential to do your due diligence to look into the busiest times of the year, and how to avoid them.
Depending on your work schedule and how much time your children can take off from school, you should look into mid-November to mid-December, mid-January to mid-February or late August and September for your family getaway. While crowds will always vary, these times are traditionally less chaotic, meaning your 7-year-old can ride Space Mountain as many time as her little heart desires, without much stress.
Mistake #2: Not Opting For the Meal Plan
When was the last time you thought of a meal plan? College, right? Well, pull on your backpack and start crunching numbers again because if you head to Disney World, the meal plan offering might be the most cost-effective way to enjoy the adventure and keep everyone well-fed. Depending on your budget and family size, a meal plan allows you to choose from 100 select restaurants, from Asian-inspired to old-fashioned Americana.
Each time you scan your MagicBand, Disney automatically keeps up with how many meals you’ve used and how many you have to go. At the end of your breakfast, lunch or dinner, your server will give you a receipt, detailing what’s left. Forget reading Yelp reviews, it’s all included and right on the property.
Mistake #3: Not Staying on Disney Property
When you initially think of staying on the resort grounds for Disney, you might see dollar signs frolicking through your mind. Though a normal reaction if you’ve watched any sitcom or family movie from the 80s, the reality is that oftentimes, being on the property itself will save you cash in the long run.
Just think about it (or talk to your travel agent, who will think about it for you): you need not worry about parking, getting from one park to another or about dining. Consider it a way to have an all-inclusive experience that isn’t in the Caribbean, but offers just as much happy memories and sugary drinks. (Either with or without alcoholic, depending on what time the kids go to bed after a long day riding rides and meeting characters.)
Mistake #4: Not Booking With a Travel Agent
While you might be a wizard of the Internet and have all of the flight alerts and hotel savings set up in your inbox, ready to pull the trigger when the deal strikes cheap, using a travel agent to customize your experience is almost always the best route. Why? Because of preferred partnerships, exclusive access to events and savings, working with a travel agent will help you get the most dazzling experience, while allowing you to worry less.
For your first trip to Disney, you’ll want to watch the sparkle behind your kid’s eyes as they see Mickey Mouse for the first time, instead of plugging into your iPhone to see what time check out is, right? Book with MickeyTravels today and let them do the work for you so you can get on vacation, ASAP!