Disney World.
Many U.S. parents (who are fortunate enough to have such concerns) see the family trip to The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida as a childhood rite of passage—a must-do (at least once) for their children.
These are parents who grew up watching Disney movies and recall their childhood trips to Disney World as some of their fondest memories. Or, on the other hand, perhaps they always wished to go to Disney World but didn’t and now want to experience this for the first time with their children.
Additionally, their parents remember the original Mickey Mouse Club, when Disneyland first opened in California on July 17, 1955:
and when Disney World opened on Oct. 1, 1971:
and looked up to Walt Disney himself. They often want to experience “the magic” with their grandchildren as well.
I realize some readers might find themselves rolling their eyes at this point. If that’s you, this article’s just going to get more, shall we say, magical, so you might want to cut your losses.
If, however, any of the above sounds familiar and you watched any of those videos with a big, goofy (eh hem) grin on your face, then let’s “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” to the good stuff.
(Hey, can’t say I didn’t warn you, eye rollers.)
So, maybe you’re thinking of planning your family’s Disney World vacation. Maybe you’re thinking of thinking of planning a trip to Disney World.
A quick trip around the Internet and you'll soon see that the fandemonium stretches far beyond a healthy appreciation for Mickey Mouse. The wealth of information and enthusiasm on the topic could fill an amusement park!
Not to worry. Here are 12 resources you can use to decide if Walt Disney World is in your family’s future:
First Things First
First, you'll want to head to the official Walt Disney World Website.
Blew your mind with that one, huh?
Truth is, Disney World does an excellent job of presenting its options online.
While you’re there, it’s worth it to create an account. Your activity will be remembered each time you come back and you'll enjoy emailed promotions and discounts, including the possibility of exclusive pin codes that offer discounts above and beyond the current deals.
You can price out your vacation ideas online, explore on-property resorts, and learn all that Disney World has to offer. If you wish you can also request a free planning DVD.
This is also be a good time to download the My Disney Experience app on your smart phone. Once you’re in the thick of planning, this will make things infinitely easier to manage.
Buy the Book
“The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2016,” by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa, is a thick, all-encompassing, helpful, well organized, behemoth of a read and invaluable. Get it. Reference it often.
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