This is Post #3 in my latest series: Daydreaming of Disney. It’s never too early to start thinking about future vacations. Even if you’re not quite ready to book your next trip, there are plenty of ways to get excited and start collecting ideas! If you’d like to read the entire collection of posts, you can find them here.
Have you ever had an idea to take a trip and wondered why it hasn’t happened yet?
Maybe you have some reservations about taking the trip. Maybe you don’t have the finances in place for it yet. Or maybe you just don’t know where (or when) to start. Much like any goal, travel plans need to be broken down into steps if you want to bring them to life. Even if you’ve just been waiting for the “right” time, at some point you need to decide to start narrowing down the details.
There are a few things you need to figure out before you can officially begin planning.
Let’s take a look at some of the steps to take to make your next dream vacation a reality!
What we we excited about?
In the first two posts of this series we talked about all the things you could do on your next vacation. Now is the time to take that list of “must do” experiences and make them the front and center of your plans. But I want you to make a list that goes one step further. Get your family together and make a list of what you are MOST excited about doing on your next vacation.
When it comes to Disney, your list might look something like this:
- Staying at a Disney Resort hotel for the first time and taking the monorail to the park.
- Riding Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, and “it’s a small world” together.
- Meeting Cinderella in her castle.
- Enjoying a fun drink by the pool and turning the phones off for an afternoon.
- Getting to finally try Dole Whip.
Everyone’s list will look different. You might be excited to explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and fly the Millennium Falcon. Or you might be excited to get a massage in a cabana on Disney Castaway Cay. There are no wrong answers!
Looking forward to a trip as a family can be nearly as exciting as the trip itself. Keep this list somewhere you can all see it, and keep it in mind as you sort out the rest of your plans.
What are our concerns?
It’s completely natural to have some concerns about any trip you take. Identifying and considering these early will help you find solutions that will create the best experience for your family.
Make a list of worries you have about your next vacation.
Here are a few of the most common concerns when it comes to Disney vacations:
- The lines will be too long.
- It will be too hot.
- It’s too expensive.
- Our kids get overwhelmed too easily.
- There’ll be nothing for the adults to do.
Well, that’s a downer of a list, isn’t it?
But it’s okay! The more we’re aware of things we need to consider, the better we can plan around them. Let’s take a look at how these play into our needs.
When could we go?
Vacations aren’t real until we can put them on a calendar.
One of the first steps you’ll take in actively planning your trip is deciding on your travel dates. But before you can do that, you need to decide on the time frame in which you’d like to travel.
Think back on all the ideas you’ve been putting together on your trip. Let them guide you towards the best time for YOUR family.
A few examples:
- Are you most looking forward to swimming or relaxing on the beach? Aim for a time when the average temperature is in the 80’s.
- Concerned about the lines? See if you can go to the parks during the less crowded months, such as January or September.
- Worried that it’ll be all about the kids? Research seasonal events, such as the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
- Have you been dreaming about the Christmas decorations on Main Street, U.S.A.? (Me too!) Take a look at dates in November and December.
Also consider any restrictions on your time. If you know you won’t take the kids out of school, you will have a more focused window in which to explore options.
It’s not just about seasons; it’s about how far out you’re planning your trip. Decide on the year that you’re aiming for. Maybe you’ve decided that you’d like to spend this Christmas on a Disney cruise. Or maybe you’ve decided that you want to save up some funds for a 2022 trip to Walt Disney World. Either way, write two dates down on your calendar: the day you’d like to take your trip AND the day you’d like to book it.
What accommodations would we need?
One of the secrets to planning an amazing vacation is truly digging into what your unique needs are.
Quick note: Accommodations, in this sense, include all of the experiences, programs, and services that enable your trip.
My husband and I have three young kids, and when we travel, many of our choices are based on their needs. We know we want to stay as close to the action as possible so we can get back and forth for naps. When possible, we try to book suites or rooms that have extra space for pack ‘n’ plays. We take advantage of services such as Disney’s Rider Switch program and the Baby Care Centers. Life with three kids under four is tough, so we value convenience when it comes to vacations.
If you’re traveling with a group of teens, your needs will look very different. Maybe it means a dining plan so that they eat to their heart’s content. Perhaps you want a resort with a great pool so everyone can hang out.
Bringing the grandparents? Look at options for smaller resorts with easy transportation options or an electric scooter. You might also want to consider an extra room or an extra pull-out bed.
Now, if you’re traveling with someone who has special needs, you already have an idea in mind of things you’ll need to consider. You may even have some strong concerns about traveling in the first place. The good news is that most people are able to enjoy amazing Disney experiences with a little extra attention to the details. I highly recommend working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who can help you navigate accessibility options and create personalized itineraries (more on this in the next post).
What accommodations would make your next trip truly relaxing? Write down your thoughts and keep them handy for when it’s time to create your package.
How can we put aside money for it?
It’s pretty difficult to take a vacation without some funds, so let’s talk about how you can start planning your finances around travel.
Balancing budget and the trip of your dreams is an iterative process. You don’t know how much the vacation package will be until you ask for a quote, BUT it’s helpful to have an idea of your budget before you start actively planning your trip.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Talk with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and ask to get a preliminary quote for the trip you have in mind. (Be upfront about being in the first stages of planning and know that quotes aren’t official until you have travel dates.)
- Now that you know what you will need (roughly), start coming up with a plan to make it happen.
If you already have the funds ready to go, that’s awesome! You can schedule your trip whenever you’re ready.
If you need a little time to put the money aside, come up with a savings plan and find a way to earmark the funds for that specific trip.
Here are a few ways to put aside money for a trip:
- Create a separate account specific to travel.
- Put a vacations savings jar in your home so everyone can contribute.
- Adjust your monthly budget to accommodate travel savings.
- Set up a paid hobby or side business.
Even if you save just a little bit at a time, it’ll be exciting to see that amount grow as you get closer to an amazing vacation.
Knowing what you need to make your trip happen is what turns it from a dream into a goal. It’s also what will make your next vacation uniquely yours!
Next Post: How Can We Bring Our Vacation Plans to Life?
