Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2
Planning Your Trip
to Walt Disney World
& Orlando
Winging it once you get there simply won't do when your destination
is Walt Disney World. Without some pre-trip preparation, you will likely find yourself
so overwhelmed upon arriving in Orlando that you will miss out on exactly what it was
you came for in the first place—fun. In this chapter you'll find just about everything you
need to know before you go, including tons of helpful information to get you started. In
addition to the information contained in the following pages, you'll find more useful tips
and information in chapters 4 through 7—those covering the area's best hotels, restau-
rants, theme parks, and smaller attractions.
For additional help in planning your trip and for more on-the-ground resources in
Orlando, please turn to chapter 11, “Fast Facts.”
1
WHEN TO GO
Orlando is the theme-park capital of the
world, and you could almost argue that
there really is no off season here, though
the busiest seasons are whenever kids are
out of school. Late May to just past Labor
Day, long holiday weekends, winter holi-
days (mid-Dec to early Jan), and most
especially spring break (late Mar to Apr)
are very busy. Do, however, keep in mind
that kids in other hemispheres follow a
completely different schedule altogether.
Obviously, an Orlando vacation—and
especially a Disney vacation—is most
enjoyed when the crowds are at the thin-
nest and the weather is the most temper-
ate. Hotel rooms (likely the largest chunk
of your vacation bill) are also priced lower
(albeit only slightly) during the off season,
though don't expect that period to follow
the traditional winter/summer patterns of
most areas.
Peak-season rates can go into effect dur-
ing large conventions and special events,
either of which may occur at any time of
the year. Even something as remote as Bike
Week in Daytona Beach (about an hour's
drive) can raise prices. These kinds of
events will especially impact the moder-
ately priced hotels and resorts located off
Walt Disney World.
Best times:
Try the week after Labor
Day until the week before Thanksgiving,
when the kids have just returned to school;
the week after Thanksgiving until mid-
December; and the 6 weeks before and
after school spring vacations (which gener-
ally occur around Easter).
Worst times:
The absolute worst time
of year to visit is during spring break—
usually the 2 weeks prior to and after
Easter. The crowds are unbelievable, the
lines are unbearable (my kids have waited
upwards of 2 hr. to hop on some of the
most popular attractions), waiting times at
local restaurants can lead to starvation,
and traffic—particularly on International
