Planning is a must if you want to go to Disney World

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Before you book your Disney vacation you will need to spend some time doing some research. You will need to think about:
•    When to go
•    Where to stay
•    How to get there
And the choices are endless!

But don’t worry – I’ll guide you through it step-by-step. Before we get started on the detail I want to share some planning resources that will help you make the decisions.

Disney World Vacation Planning DVD
[advert1]One of the first things you will want to do is order a free copy of the Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Kit. This is Disney’s official planning kit and includes a great DVD that will take you on a tour around the World. You’ll get a glimpse of the parks and the Resorts and it can be helpful if you don’t yet know where you would like to stay.
You can click here to order your free copy or  call (407) 934-7639.

Disney Guidebooks
There are numerous guidebooks for you to choose from but they all contain the same information; what to expect from the Resorts, detailed descriptions of the attractions, restaurants and pricing guides. Some will also look at shopping, car rentals and even life outside the Disney theme parks.

I’ll cover pretty much everything you need in the Disney Vacation Planning Crash Course and there is lots more information available on the Internet – but if you want to buy a printed guidebook then the one I recommend is the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.

This is the book that saw us through our first few trips to Disney World and is packed full of detailed information on the parks, the Resorts and restaurants. Unlike other guidebooks I’ve read it also gives detailed descriptions of each and every attraction and gives you an idea – based on age group – whether you are likely to enjoy it or not.
Click here to find out more about the book.

Another guidebook which is extremely popular is Birnbaum’s Official Guide to Walt Disney World. This book is endorsed by the Walt Disney Company and includes plenty of colour print and photographs. It’s one of the only printed books with exact Resort pricing but isn’t overly detailed so it can make planning a little tedious.
Click here to find out more about Birnbaum’s Official Guide.

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Websites
The Internet is a great resource for vacation planning with lots of really useful websites and forums. Here are some of the best:

• The Official Disney World website is the place to go to take virtual Resort tours, find out more about the parks and to book vacation packages.
• All Ears is one of the best unofficial Disney World websites. You’ll find first hand reports from the parks, restaurant menus and plenty of photographs.
• If you are interested in the latest Disney discounts and deals then I recommend you sign up for the email newsletter over at Mousesavers.
• The DISBoards is one of the most active Disney forums on the Internet. If you want to talk to other people planning Disney vacations then this is the place to hang out.

Discounts and Membership Benefits
Before you book your vacation it pays to check your memberships to see if you are eligible for a discount. Here are the most common ones.

• AAA offers its members discounts on Disney World vacation packages or tickets. You need to check with your local Chapter to see what they have to offer but the best place to start is their website.
• Sam’s Club offers discounts to its members in the form of car rental, hotels and theme park tickets. You can find out more about their current offers at their website.
• If you are planning to venture farther than the Disney World Resort while in Orlando you should take a look at the GoOrlando Card for discounted entry to popular attractions. Go City Card: Top Attractions & Tours for 1 Low Price!
• For discounts on hotels, restaurants, car rentals and Orlando attractions you can’t go wrong with a free Orlando Magicard.
• Another useful website where you might find discounts off accommodation and local events is the Kissimmee Tourism website.

Finally it might be worth investigating the Disney Rewards VISA card. You earn Disney Rewards while you shop which can then be converted into Disney Dollars to spend while on vacation.

The VISA card is also good for discounts in the parks, such as a special Character Meet and Greet and money off Behind the Scenes Tours.

Please note that all benefits are subject to change without notice.