How many days until your next Disney vacation? Whether it is three days, three weeks — or hell, three years — I think there is a reason to be excited! There is so much to see and do at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Parks around the world, so it is never too early to start planning your dream vacation. No two Disney vacations are the same, and being able to shape and mold the perfect vacation is extremely satisfying.
When you’re having a bad day at work, at school, or at home, researching dining details or preplanning what FastPass selections you want to make can have surprising remarkable healing power on what could have otherwise been a pretty frustrating day. By just planning your vacation you get to escape reality.
Watching YouTube videos about Disney vacations, reading Disney blogs, and engaging with others in the Disney community online can amplify your excitement. On a personal level, I am going on my first Disney Cruise Line vacation in 3 days, and you simply cannot pull me away from watching vlogs and reviews on YouTube of other people’s vacations. You also learn so many little details that help maximize your fun. By learning from others’ mistakes you know what to avoid, and taking advice from their tip and tricks and make you the Disney vacation expert in your family.
One of the most satisfying feelings is making a dining reservation at a must-do restaurant, or finding a FastPass selection for an attraction you know has a long wait. These must-do experiences are booked up quickly, and it’s a huge relief to have them reserved. While this process can be a bit stressful, it is also the most rewarding part of the planning process.
This may sound weird, but I enjoy planning Disney vacations so much that during college, when I didn’t have the money or time to visit as frequently as I would have liked, I would just plan a fake vacation. I know I probably sound crazy, but it really helped when I was having a challenging day.
With more time to plan you also have more time to budget. Disney vacations are expensive, and by planning your trip as far out in advance as possible you can create a realistic outline of how much you can and should spend. You also have more time to look for special offers and promotions from Disney, like free dining, or discounted resort hotel rooms.
Do you enjoy planning your Disney vacations like me, or is it just too stressful?
Stephen "Steve" Porter started going to the parks with his family in 1996. Since then he hasn't looked back! Steve was a cast member participating in the Disney College Program in 2013. Most recently he graduated from Penn State University!
