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Help a Mom: Seeking Disney vacation tips

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Posted: June 26, 2012

Tags: Activities, Mom's Life

I received a couple of emails from a local mom who is looking forward to a trip to Disney in the fall.

Here's what she wrote in her emails:

Our family is planning to go in the fall and would love to hear advice and/or tips ... It is such an overwhelming task and especially to do it on a rather small budget. [I'm looking for] things to make sure to do and things that are fine to skip for an 11 and 9-year-old.

Both Amanda Lamb and Lynda Loveland wrote about their trips to Disney. Read their posts in the box to the left.

What do you recommend? Please share your tips in the comments box below. (If you don't see the comments box below, you'll need to log in or sign up for a WRAL account. You can do that by going to the top of the page and clicking on either "log in" or "register").

Help a Mom features questions from readers every Wednesday. If you have a question that you'd like to ask Go Ask Mom readers, click here to email it to me.

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You can make any sit down reservation or ADR 180 out.Just as an FYI breakfast is always lees then lunch at any of the sit down.

warmfuzzz
June 30, 2012 2:25 p.m.

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Also- if you are not a member of Triple AAA, consider getting a membership- member ship gives you preferred parking, access to guest rest areas inside the park only available to triple a members, 5-15% discounts on food, shops, suveniors etc. More then the cost of the membership. Pick up a current copy of BirnBaum's guide to Walt Disney World-it will provide you with outlines of each park, the rides-plus descriptions, ie fast, slow, roller coaster etc plus tips on what to go to when-morning best, see this in the afternoon etc-and it describes the food available, costs, shops and what they sell- hints on picture areas etc-well worth the money- any good book store with have on- Barnes/Noble etc or order off line

rachel
June 28, 2012 5:37 p.m.

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get the food plan-it saves you money at Disney World-it is way too far to try and get off property and go find someplace to eat and the food inside is expensive-often, with the fall packages, they throw in Disney Dining for a reduced fee or free-you can get a list off the website of places to eat in each area and you can make reservations 30 days in advance if you need to- if you get just the Basic Disney Dining-you won't have to get reservations-just pick one of the dining areas included and enjoy- realize, at least for the Magic Kingdom- you park your car, then take either a Monorail or a Ferry Boat across a large body of water to get to the entrance gates to get in- then go out to the five different areas- its way too much of a pain to back track to go off property for lunch-dinner. I have been there 15 times and I am going back again soon.

rachel
June 28, 2012 5:33 p.m.

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Depending on when you go Disneyworld is running a special on room rates right now. Go between 8/15 and 9/29 you can get up tp 30% off on a room. There really isn't a whole lot I would skip with kids those ages except Stitchs show in Magic Kingdom. I won't even go in there. First time for anyone, get the My first visit button. There is a new resort that opened up,well part of it has, it's a value so price isn't to bad.I think it's the Cars section that opened and is what they call family suites. If the kids aren't big eaters you can get them kids meals or split an adult meal between them. On a budget skip the sit down restraunts. If you want to try a bufett and don't care about meeting Mickey or any others then try Trail End at Fort Wilderness. Are you driving? If you are almost all the hotels on property have a small fridge. Bring breakfast things. Save more, bring snacks in a backpack. I could go on and on because we have been over 30 times, yes I know a lot, and have been with young

warmfuzzz
June 28, 2012 4:55 p.m.

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And I definitely recommend using a travel agent. They make it alot easier and you get all your stuff in one packet that makes checkin and stuff so much easier and less stressful.

JAT
June 28, 2012 11:28 a.m.

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Get the quickpasses, and spend some time at Nickelodeon where you get even better quickpasses and the kids will probably have more fun.

Definitely stay on a Disney property - it's more than worth it. The food add-ons were too complicated for me to figure out so I'd bypass those.

Make sure to see the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom so you can see Tinkerbell fly.

Make sure of the photo card - prints are a bit costly but you get good shots and don't have ask strangers to take your family's photo.

and HAVE FUN

JAT
June 28, 2012 11:26 a.m.

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Thanks Tabitha, I will keep your information as well. I want to plan a trip to Disney in the future for my 3 girls, My husband and i want to take them once we get our funds right. Thanks to the mom for this great question.

newssaavy72
June 28, 2012 10:27 a.m.

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As I stated below - This is Tabitha again - I am a certified Disney Travel Agent and I am in the Raleigh/Apex/Cary Area. I am also giving FREE GIFT CARDS to qualifing packages for new bookings - details on my Facebook page ("Mouse"cation). My services are FREE too!

hwoodard7
June 28, 2012 9:07 a.m.

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I am a certified Disney Travel Agent (my name is Tabitha) and I would LOVE to help this family. I can schedule everything from room, tickets, dining reservations and much more. If she would like to contact me (or anyone else for that matter) I can be reached at Tabitha@mousecation.com or she can find my page on Facebook - "Mouse"cation or Mousecation on Twitter. My website should be up soon too at www.mousecation.com. Thank you for the opportunity to post this information.

hwoodard7
June 28, 2012 9:04 a.m.

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I also recommend using a disney certified travel agent-their services are free and they can get you the specials, make your dining reservations and plan your trip for you. As well as give you lots of tips and tricks. I am a disney travel agent with Aladdin Travel in Winston-Salem and would love to help you. laura.slawter@aladdintravel.com

lauraslawter
June 27, 2012 8:25 p.m.

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Help a Mom: Seeking Disney vacation tips

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