OFF SEASON MEANS SMALLER CROWDS IN THE PARKS

Surprise - surprise! There really are smaller lines in the parks during September - after labor day!

This was the first time we spent two weeks at WDW after Labor Day. We drove down and arrived on Thursday after the holiday and stayed for two full weeks - our youngest daughter flew down with a friend an joined us on the Saturday after we arrived and left on the following Sunday.

We have been to WDW in the busy seasons usually, including the hot days of summer, and crowds were always high. Planning was particularly important then in order to avoid long waits in the summer heat. It was even hot when we went down a year ago in May. When at WDW during peak times, getting to the parks early, leaving to go to the pools at midday, and returning at night (or during extended hours for WDW hotel guests only) is pretty much the way to go without "getting frustrated and overheated."

However, these were the smallest crowds (if you could even refer the number of people in the parks using that terminology), I have witnessed in my many trips. We did hit a hot spell for some of the trip, but it was more bearable than August. There were many days when we first got there and before we left that were fairly delightful for northerners visiting Florida.

Though the hours the parks were open had decreased from the peak seasons, getting into many attractions in a short period of time was not a problem. No lines, 5 minute waits, and being able to ride Big Thunder Mountain over and over without having to get off, was something I really enjoyed. It also allowed for more time at the pool and at Typhoon Lagoon - relaxing was a pleasure when you are at WDW. There is just so much to see and do, it is easy to get carried away and forget to smell the roses. Speaking of smelling flowers - try going to WDW during the spring when the flower festival is on to see the extra plantings and topiaries on the grounds.

But, the off season doesn't last long so if you want to take advantage of when these times occur, check the guides or reference books to get the dates. Also, I should mention that the smallest crowds are during the week, and start to increase on weekends even during non-peak weeks (I guess that is fairly obvious - but I thought it worth mentioning).

So, for those of you who hate lines, and don't mind the parks closing earlier - going to WDW in September can be the perfect time for you. Did I mention that a free dining package was included with our trip? We also used AAA and saved some extra $$.

One more note before ending this post - there are still nights where the parks are open later, and there are still extended hours in the morning and evening for onsite guests.

See you soon with more strategies on visiting the Kingdom.

FIRST VISIT? PLANNING IS IMPORTANT!

No matter where one travels, the only real way to enjoy a trip - is to plan, plan and plan some more. Fortunately, when going to visit Disney World you have a great advantage. Not only can you get some tips from this blog, but there are oodles of materials out there to assist you. The trick is to not just buy one book, visit one site, talk to a single individual who has already been there, or even contact one and only one travel agent.

Everyone has their own opinions and it is your wisdom that will decide how to pick and chose the best advice. That, of course, is definitely not always easy. But, the best place to likely start is reading books on WDW. There are plenty out there. There are official guides, and unofficial books, all having words of wisdom on how to plan your trip. I am not here to promote and particular book, and you really do not actually have to purchase these to profit from their content. It is a pleasure these days that many book stores have coffee bars, or comfy seats, where one can finger through the various publications t0 obtain information, and take notes. Of course, it would be a good idea to eventually obtain one or more of the publications that you feel best meet your needs - it is always a good idea to have one of these books with you to look over at home during your leisure hours. And most of all it is extremely important to get this information well in advance of your trip.

Now to some, well in advance when planning a normal vacation, might mean a few weeks, a month, or maybe even a couple months. If that is all the advance time you have - there is nothing much you can do. However, just so you "really understand," return visitors often book their hotels up to a year before the trip (not that this is really needed anymore with all the hotel options available), but the earlier the better. Also, even dinner reseravations at the most sought after restaurants, specialty meals with characters, specific meal times, and even special events, have schedules for when one can start booking. These may be 90 days to 6 months prior to taking the trip. So, just a word of warning, if you really want to reserve a particular day and time for a meal or event - do so as close to the time reservations are initially being accepted.

Be aware that you can change dates and times later on - so rescheduling is feasible - but at least you will be assured that you will have booked special meals and activities and not miss by not having reserved these in advance.

Now that I have probably scared many first timers, I want to apologize. I likely made this process seem more complicated that it truly is and I will explain this in later posts. But, the one factor, and likely the most important factor, that keeps people from enjoying Disney World is lack of planning. Disney World is a huge resort, lots of hotels - on and off the property, tons of people, busy seasons, slow seasons, hot weather, cool times of the year, rainy times and dry months, long lines and no lines, popular times to visit attractions, and times you can ride a coaster over and over without a wait. Knowing the tricks is everything, being in a hot park on a 100 degree day and having an hour wait for a 2 minute ride can be unbearable (and for the most part totally unnecessary).

Hopefully, you are still with me, and haven't decided to go to Niagra Falls instead - you would be sorry (not that I don't like the falls - but Disney is a whole lot more "fun").

Well, if you still reading this paragraph, you will be advised to go the the Disney website and just look around - things change so quickly that books are never up to date with every change in the resort area. Check out the parks, the hotels, the attractions, the "PRICES," and make a list of what interest you the most. Not that this won't change once you get there, but you will at least have a starting point. (And be aware that once you visit - you will always be planning your next trip with "what you have learned from this first experience.")

Having gotten this far, you have some idea what WDW has to offer, how much it may cost, and how long you may wish (or have time) to stay. A lot depends on if you travel as a family with children and how old they are, you are adults (and being adults without kids does have its advantages - did I mention that my favorite restaurants are at WDW?), or you are single (or on a business trip - plenty of night life after those long days in the parks or at the pool). WDW truly has something (actually many things) for "kids of all ages."

It becomes time to decide when to go (time of the year), how long to stay, where to stay, when to book the trip, how to book the trip, and find out who is going to baby sit your dog or cat while you are away (there are kennels on the property if you really have to bring Fido along).

As we keep blogging along, some words of wisdom will be offer on saving prices during off season, booking in advance to save some bucks, finding deals, traveling from your home to WDW, and so on.

For those who have already been to WDW, there will be blogs for you also regarding anything and everything from the upgrades to Pirates, the fun of getting stranded on Everest, and how to avoid getting chased by "wild boar" while visiting Celebration (the Disney Town). At least, those big, black grunting objects that were charing at us through the woods looked like wild boar (or small black bears). It was kind of hard to actually tell when my wife and I were running in the opposite direction. I must say every time we visit WDW, something new is waiting for us. Remind me to tell you the alligator story in a future blog - just in case I forget.

Have fun - and start planning for the future today.

ENJOYING WALT DISNEY WORLD

Having gone to Disney World with the family for the last few decades, it is sometimes unimaginable that there are those who have never visited this "happiest place on earth." But, I must admit, I was a doubted at first! Once upon a time, long ago, we were visiting our friends who had just returned from WDW, and I was apprehensive at best about going over to their home and listen to hours of stories, and look at photos, of a vacation destination I thought was a "silly site for young children" to spend a week of their time - not to mention having to be the parents that were going to be bored for seven days in a "fantasy land" of boredom. Looking back on that day and the days to follow until our first trip, I am astonished how wrong one person could possibly be - how I could have thought the created of the MMG (Mickey Mouse Gang) could ever design a destination I wouldn't thoroughly enjoy.

However, even after we heard the rave reviews that evening with our kids in toe, I still wasn't a true believer. I guess I just hadn't discovered the joy of running around "the lands of Disney" with little black ears sticking above those of my own. What a fool I was then, but I have been converted now, and will always be a believer in the world of the Mouse.

This blog is meant to help others become believers through our adventures in WDW, and make as many converts as possible so the joy of being in the "World" can be truly enjoyed.

I will admit though, that like all places on earth, there are drawbacks that may frustrate some, annoy others, and keep a few from really experiencing the fun that can be attained. That is the reason this blog will concentrate on mine, and my families, Disney World adventures.

There can be hot days, long lines, high costs, and other less than pleasureable features - but these can be avoided to the most part by the experienced Disney World visitors. The trick is to gain as much knowledge before you take your trip, and therefore, enhance the experience to the max!

Each visit, every year, things change.

We will constantly update this blog so you will find much more joy at WDW - without having any experiences that would be detrimental to you from having the best week (or two - or three) of each and every year.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FUTURE POSTS WILL BE SHORT AND TO THE POINT - COVERING ONE ASPECT OF "HOW TO ENJOY WDW."

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS BLOG TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS YOU HAVE - WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD OTHERS' VIEWPOINTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO THE SITE. AND MOST OF ALL "THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!"