Disney Trip Planning Guides

Walt Disney World Planning Guides and Tips

Preparation is the key for maximizing your time at Disney World. Surprises are great when they're from Mickey Mouse; not when you discover after the fact that you could have saved a bundle with a discount offer or when you're scrambling to change your schedule to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. If you're just getting started, check out our Guide to Planning your Disney World Vacation.

Our discussion forums, (DISboards.com) are the best source for Disney Trip Planning on the net. Depending on your interests, you may choose the Trip Planning forums, the Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Universal Studios or Disney Vacation Club forums.

Below are some great Disney trip planning topics that will help you plan your Walt Disney World Vacation.

Working with a Disney World Travel Agent
Planning Before You Leave Home
At the World
Planning with Children

Working with a Disney World Travel Agent

The sheer volume of information required to plan a Disney vacation is more than the average traveler can comprehend. Just selecting the best theme park ticket options can be a daunting challenge not to mention what time of year to travel, should you stay on property or off property, what hotel to pick, what restaurants to avoid – and that's just the start. The entirety of the DIS web site, including DISBoards.com is devoted to that pursuit. But what if you don't have the time to do all that research and planning? What if you just want someone to break down all your options and guide you through the process? What if you want someone to watch for any discounts that come out and apply them to your vacation? That's where the benefit of a specialized Disney World Travel Agent comes in. Read More...

Planning Before You Leave Home

Disney Trip Planning Columns:

At the World

Weather Related:

Florida Heat in Orlando - Keeping Cool at Disney
Summer Touring Tips and Strategies
Rainy Day Weather Activities at Disney World

Dining Related:

Planning with Children

Lost and Found

Contact numbers if you lose a belonging at WDW:

407-560-5408 - Blizzard Beach
407-824-4245 - Theme Parks
407-560-6296 - Typhoon Lagoon

If you lose an item, ask for and fill out a form at Guest Services. It will be turned into Central Lost and Found. Hopefully it will lead to the recovery of your article.

Cooler Policy

Theme Parks:

Full size coolers whether with or without wheels are not permitted
Coolers smaller than 24"L x 15"W x 18"H (the size of the large lockers) are allowed
Neither glass or alcoholic beverages are permitted

Water Parks:

Coolers are permitted, including those with wheels
Neither glass or alcoholic beverages are allowed
No cooler storage is available
Wagons are not permitted

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Schedule of artists for the Eat to the Beat concerts - As with all Disney events, themed entertainment is part of the festivities. Visitors to the Food and Wine Festival can "Eat to the Beat!"
Festival of the Masters dates released for November 2013 - This art festival will be held at Downtown Disney November 8-10, 2013.
Blog - FIRST LOOK: Disney's MyMagic+ MagicBand - The DIS got a first look at Disney's new MagicBands which are part of their MyMagic+ rollout! Take a look at the photos of the MagicBand and a brief review of what we thought about wearing them...
Blog - Summer Dooney & Bourke Release Update
Schedule released for Star Wars Weekends - Schedule for the events during Star Wars Weekends.
VIDEO: Disney Park Bench - Disney's Hollywood Studios - Sunset Boulevard - With our "Disney Park Bench" series, we're giving you a 5-minute break to relax with the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.
Free admission to Blizzard Beach for Annual Passholders today! - Today, May 16, Annual Passholders will get complimentary admission to Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park after 2:00 pm. Complimentary refreshments and giveaways will take place at Lottawatta Lodge.
Blog - Moving the Needle at the Orlando Theme Parks
VIDEO: Disney Park Bench - Magic Kingdom - Crystal Palace - With our "Disney Park Bench" series, we're giving you a 5-minute break to relax with the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.
Adventurers Outpost meet and greet location opens at Animal Kingdom - The new indoor meet and greet location for Mickey and Minnie is now open in Discovery Island.
November 2013 Disney World park hours added
Details released for 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival - A Scotland marketplace will be added. Dates for the Party for the Senses, as well as a partial schedule for the Eat to the Beat concerts also released.
Summer edition coming to Celebrate the Magic show - The summer edition of this show will start later this month, possibly May 24, during the 24-hour Monstrous Summer event.
Cirque du Soleil closed for refurbishment through May 27 - The next performance of Cirque du Soleil will be May 28.
Blog - The Contemporary Resort Hotel – Walt Disney World’s Resort Loop Hotels
Book a trip during the Free Dining promotion! - Free dining is available for check-ins between 9/2 and 9/25/13!
New operating hours for Splitsville at Downtown Disney - Splitsville, Downtown Disney's luxury bowling alley, has updated its hours of operation.
VIDEO: Disney Park Bench Video - Art of Animation - Wheel Well Hotel - With our "Disney Park Bench" series, we're giving you a 5-minute break to relax with the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.
Typhoon Lagoon to close for refurbishment - Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park will be closed from May 12 - May 16 for refurbishment.
Blog - Merida becomes a Disney Princess (Includes Coronation Video)!
Limited Time Magic: Make a Moment in Time Out of Mother's Day - Stop by Tren-D or the World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney to see the new collection of watches designed just for the occasion. Moms will receive a flower on Mother's Day when they enter the theme parks.
VIDEO: Disney Park Bench - Coronado Springs - Marina Courtyard - With our "Disney Park Bench" series, we're giving you a 5-minute break to relax with the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.
Life-size rancor replica and three one-man shows coming to Star Wars Weekends - Guests will have a photo op with a replica rancor, Jabba the Hut's prized pet. There will also be three one-man shows performed by some of the celebrity guests.
30% off Room Only offer available for the general public! - Guests can save up to 30% when they book a Room Only reservation at select Walt Disney World resorts for most nights 8/15/13 - 9/28/13.
Free Dining offer available for the general public! - Walt Disney World has announced a Free Dining offer for the general public!
Raglan Road to host Summer Solstice Celebration - Master Chef Kevin Dundon has created the five-course menu for this meal, celebrating the Summer Solstice with fresh, seasonal flavors. Wines have been chosen for each course. Celebrating the Summer Solstice is a time-honored tradition and marks the official start to summer.
Blog - Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Split Personality
Celebrity list updated for Star Wars Weekends - The list of celebrities appearing at Star Wars Weekends later this month has been updated.
Truckeria Rolling Tacos food truck parked at Downtown Disney this week - Food is available from 6pm - 11pm and will include tacos, chips and salsa.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can save up to 35% at select hotels - Annual passholders can save up to 35% when booking a Room Only reservation at select Walt Disney World hotels. Discount is valid for travel between 6/4/13 - 8/15/13.
30% off Room Only offer for Disney Visa cardholders! - Disney Visa cardholders can save up to 30% when they book a Room Only reservation at select Walt Disney World resorts for most nights 8/15/13 - 9/28/13.
Free Dining offer announced for Disney Visa cardholders! - Disney Visa cardholders can book a Walt Disney World vacation package for 9/2/13 - 9/25/13 and receive the Disney Dining Plan for free!
Walt Disney World golf courses offer new Players Club program - For $29 per month, members can use the practice ranges for free and take advantage of free daily golf clinics (Monday-Friday) led by PGA-certified golf instructors, as well as receive other discounts.
Blog - May the Fourth Be with You: Intergalactic Star Wars Shopping
Limited Time Magic: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Epcot - Meet the Three Caballeros, enjoy live music, marionettes, folkloric dancing and songs by Mariachi Cobre.
Limited Time Magic: Merida Becomes an Official Disney Princess - In a royal coronation ceremony at the Magic Kingdom, Merida (from the film Brave) will be christened as an official Disney Princess.
Blog - New Disney Dooney & Bourke Release This Summer
List of performers for 2013 Night of Joy concerts - Disney’s Night of Joy features contemporary Christian performers. The star-studded lineup is always outstanding and features a host of Dove Award and Grammy Award winning artists.
Blog - Help! A Walt Disney World Vet’s First Time at Disneyland – Part 4

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