Disney Parks announced its new class of Disney Park Moms for 2018, featuring 11 new moms (and dads!) who have, combined, taken 1,250 Disney Vacations with more than 80 kids between them – that’s 77,394 hours of Disney Parks experience or 2,204 rides on “It’s A Small World!”
The Disney Parks Moms Panel is an online resource for individuals thinking about planning a Disney vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line or with Disney Vacation Club. The panelists leverage their vast experiences from their own Disney vacations to provide authentic answers to guests seeking advice – whether for an entire family vacation or for guests traveling without kids.
Here, they provide their best tips just for readers of Family Traveller:
- “One of my favorite tips when planning a Disneyland Resort vacation is to familiarize yourself with the Disneyland app. Here you can view park maps, see entertainment schedules, and even make dining reservations. It’s also a convenient way to get a feel for the layout of the Disneyland Resort before you even leave home. Having this knowledge will definitely maximize your vacation time once you arrive to the Happiest Place on Earth!” — Jennifer L., Disneyland Resort Specialist.
- “My tip is to start planning early, if possible, at least eight months out. This will allow you have a room reserved before making your important advanced dining reservations.” — Andrea W., Walt Disney World Resort Specialist and single mom, empty nester and expert in multigenerational travel.
- “Stay flexible and never stop looking for those hard-to-find dining reservations and FastPass+ attractions in My Disney Experience. Even when in the parks, you never know what will open up at the last minute!”– Kristen N., Walt Disney World Resort Specialist and Air Force wife who has mastered the art of planning last-minute Disney vacations.
- “Prebook Port Adventures, character breakfasts, and onboard activities BEFORE your sailing so once you’re aboard you can just sit back, relax and enjoy vacation!” — Stephanie L., Disney Cruise Line Specialist and mom of two toddlers knows the ins-and-outs of cruising with kids
- “Make sure to plan your days well, but remember to stay flexible. This means plan your dining reservations, FastPass+ experiences, and everything else you can plan as early as possible. This way, when you are actually going to the parks, you’ll be able to soak in all of the magic instead of worrying about how to fit everything in while you are there! Just remember, have plenty of time in between “planned” events so that you can appreciate the moments that you don’t expect!” — Lindsey N., Walt Disney World Resort Specialist and military spouse.
- “My tip to share would be this to stay at a Disney Resort hotel! Not only is it most convenient, but you’ll be able to enjoy many extra perks like Extra Magic Hours, complimentary Magic Bands, and the ability to make FastPass+ selections 60 days before your arrival. By staying on-site, you won’t miss a minute of the magic!” — Missy F., Walt Disney World Resort Specialist who travels with five children of her own.
- “My number one priority when planning our Walt Disney World Resort vacations is to plan out what restaurants we want to try and get those Advance Dining Reservations 180 days prior to our trip. Good food is super important to us, and there are so many delicious options to choose from! I plan this piece of our visit first, then I plan all of the other details around where our reservations are. After all, we have to keep ourselves energized for all there is to see and do on our vacation!” — Tabitha D., Walt Disney World Resort Specialist and passionate Annual Passholder.
- “My quick tip for planning a Disney vacation is to pace yourself. You don’t have to have an activity or experience lined up for every hour of your trip. Sometimes your best Disney trip is the one where you spent the most time enjoying one experience or activity at a more leisurely pace.” — Veronica O., Walt Disney World Resort Specialist and local Florida mom.
- “My favorite tip is simply this: do plan, and don’t over-plan. There’s a lot to see and do with any Disney vacation. Put together a plan that highlights what’s most enjoyable for you. Plan those moments with the My Disney Experience website and mobile app. And then allow time in-between to just take in everything around you.” — Jerry M., Disney Vacation Club Specialist and dad.
- “My one top-tip for planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is to stay at a Resort hotel. With benefits like early access to FastPass+ and dining reservations, Disney’s Magical Express, complimentary MagicBands, Extra Magic Hours and the option of adding the Disney Dining Plan, staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is a must-do for my family.” — Ashley P. Walt Disney World Resort Specialist and mom of three, including an infant, so she knows a thing or two about traveling with babies.
- “My top tip is to make plans but stay flexible in the parks. The Disney memories my family always talks about are the magical moments that pop up at Walt Disney World, like dancing to the Move It! Shake It! Dance It! Play It! parade or following Tigger as he bounces his way through New Fantasyland. Having a schedule is key on a Disney vacation, but so is the mindset that you’ll stop and follow the magic – and you just never know when or where those “wow” moments are going to happen!” — Robyn M.. Walt Disney World Resort Specialist, military mom and planner of large, multigenerational group trips.