Planning a Disney Vacation is fun. It is part of the vacation. There are many options and choices. Disney Genie. Dining. Rides. Parks. Park Hours. The list goes on and on.

Planning a Disney World vacation doesn’t end when I get to the resort. Flexibility and balance are vital. I plan which ride to rope drop and get to as the park opens and then plan where to go after that and after that.  I usually plan for a few hours at a time. So if I have a lunch reservation I will plan which rides to hit on the way there. I want to time it so we get to the reservation right on time. I don’t want to end up too early and without enough time to go on another ride. Then at lunch we will decide the plan for the next few hours. But things can change if I notice a ride with a short wait time nearby after lunch

Disney Dads want to get their kids on all the attractions and make sure everyone gets to do everything.  But veteran Disney Dads know better. They balance efficiency  with patience.  I don’t want to be yelling at everyone to hurry to a ride to save time. That’s no fun. Disney Dads remember that the family is on vacation.  And kids are only little for a little while. They can have fun in many ways. But if they are needed, time outs are great photo opportunities.

My Disney Experience

My Disney Experience is the account profile for your all encompassing Disney Vacation. Here you will find your plans, your friends and family and so much more.

Disney Genie

Disney Genie is a free program to help plan a day in Disney World. Then there is a paid upgrade to Genie Plus. It seems confusing and overwhelming. And that’s for veteran Disney Dads. Think of it as a digital assistant that recommends attractions throughout your vacation based on what rides you have set as priorities. Click here for a full review of Disney Genie.

Dining Reservations

Dining reservations can be made 60 days prior to the first day of your vacation when staying on property. For any table service restaurant, these are a must. I will wake up at 6am EST 60 days before my check in date to make reservations. Once the system updates to allow me to make selections, I move fast. Do not hesitate or you will miss your chance. I have a plan for what places I want and I have a back up plan. It moves fast and I usually don’t get everything I want. Something I do if I really want a specific restaurant is to book either dinner or lunch if it is available. I find it is just as enjoyable to have a big lunch and a light dinner.

Seasons of Disney

Disney parks change with the seasons. Epcot festivals come and go. Check out some tips for travelling during different seasons.

Crowds

Disney World will be crowded. It will always be crowded. But do not stress over this. The major rides always have long lines. The restaurants are always booked. It doesn’t matter if it is peak season or not. The biggest difference with crowds is just the number of people in the park. Disney knows what they are doing. They have a system and a plan. They want people in lines or on rides, or in shows or restaurants. They will operate rides at lesser capacity when it is less busy. It doesn’t feel crowded unless there is congestion when moving through the park. July, August and March are the busiest times in general.

Weather

Do not stress over weather either. July has passing thunderstorms and August has the most rainfall. Generally, the winter months are the coolest in January and February. However the weather can vary greatly on a daily basis. Again don’t stress over it.

Dad’s Picks

Dad’s Picks are the rides, attractions, dining options and shops that are hidden gems or top suggestions. These are things I have to do on every visit or options that are extremely reliable and convenient. There are so many choices. These picks are a guide to simplify some decisions.

Magic Kingdom

• Dining
  • Sleepy Hollow
  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
  • Liberty Tree Tavern
  • Crystal Palace
• Attractions
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

EPCOT

• Dining
  • Sunshine Seasons
  • La Hacienda de San Angel
• Attractions
  • Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival

Hollywood Studios

• Dining
  • Catalina Eddie’s
  • Rosie’s All American Cafe
• Attractions
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Animal Kingdom

• Dining
  • Restaurantosaurus
• Attractions
  • It’s Tough to Be a Bug