You are thinking of booking a trip to Disney World. Maybe it’s your first time or you haven’t been since 1985 when there were only two parks. What could be so hard? Go on the website or call (you may be on hold for a bit). Then, plug-in your dates, pick a hotel, add some tickets, maybe a dining and—voilà–you are all set. You’ll arrive with the kids, check-in, run to the parks with the kids, ride all the rides, maybe get some dinner at a table service restaurant, go back to hotel, and get a good night sleep.
I love Disney and love sharing what I’ve learned. If you are planning a Disney, I can help. Check me out at alison-wishesandwizardstravelco or email me at alison@wishesandwizardstravel.com.
Sounds simple, right? Well, it’s not that simple. You see, Disney World has lots of nuances, some of which you may not know about unless you go frequently. Did you know there are three tiers of accommodations on Disney Properties? What about the fact that you actually have to book dining reservations for table service restaurants in advance? Perhaps you didn’t know about the Disney extras or the special events Disney offers? Disney has VIP services, dessert parties, and special events that require a separate ticket. For example, Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween party requires an additional ticket and wrist band to attend. I have seen visitors that were totally unaware and had to leave the Magic Kingdom, screaming children in tow. You may not be able to get on all of your favorite rides in one day, but there’s a chance you can get on the ones you really want by booking a Fastpass in advance. Never heard of a Fastpass? Well then, you may want to contact a Disney Travel Planner before booking your trip.
Hiring a Disney travel planner is like having a Disney expert by your side at all times. Did you know that Disney travel planners get a Disney degree through Disney College? Travel planners then must continue training with updates and additional education to stay accredited. Think of it as a PhD in Disney-ology.
I love to travel with my family; we have been fortunate enough to travel all around the globe with our kids. But the place that keeps bringing me back is Disney World. I could go to Disney every year—and, maybe, even more than annually. Disney is my happy place; I feel like a kid when I get there, and cannot wait to see and do it all. I love it so much that I wanted others to love it as well. So, I became a Disney travel planner. My passion is planning perfect Disney vacations, so that they feel the same love and wonder.
Disney Travel Planning: No Cost
Going through an accredited planner doesn’t cost you a cent. Disney recognizes that people who work with planners are happier and more likely to come back, so the service takes no fees from you, the consumer. While a few agents charge fees but they are both usually upfront about their service fee and are in the minority. A planner knows how to harness the best rates and specials available and connect you with them. Be suspicious of any planner that claims that he or she can get deals no one else can.
Disney College of Knowledge
The Disney College of Knowledge is a training program on all things Disney that all Disney planners must take. It’s a comprehensive, module-based training system that give planners detailed information on everything from food to hotels. We learn everything we could ever want about the parks. We also get trained on Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, and Adventures by Disney. Additionally, I’ve done onsite visits and training at both Disney and Universal. For example, when the new Star Wars Land, Galaxy’s Edge, opened, I spent hours learning about its history and ins-and-outs.
Knowledge of All Things Disney
A good planner will take time to get to know you and your family. They will find out if your kids love princesses or thrill rides. They will get to know your budget and connect you with packages that will accommodate it. Planners will get a feel for what your perfect day looks like, and then place you in the right hotel for your family. They will figure out what Disney dining is right for you. Perhaps you want character dining and buffet only? A planner can help you to create those dining experiences.
Save Time
Most of us are busy with work and kids. Good travel planning takes time and energy. That’s where a planner comes in. They will be the ones to spend time working with Disney to ensure the best possible reservation that fits your needs. Need to make modifications? Let the planner do it. Want the best Fastpasses (currently unavailable) and dining? A planner knows what day you are able to book those sought-after Fastpassesand do it for you. The same goes for dining; a planner will be prepared to reserve you the best meals the day reservations become available for your vacations.
Always Looking out for New Deals
Did you know that Disney will periodically drop great deals for visitors? They may offer 30% off your stay, or sometimes entice visitors with free dining plans. It’s a Disney Planners job to look out for these deals and help you get the best deal. Perhaps you booked before the deal came out. If that’s the case, a planner will call to modify your reservation to include the deal. This saves you money. Usually there’s talk among all planners before a deal comes out, so planners are ready for it. Once it drops, we are the first on the phones to get your Disney package modified.
Know the Parks and Rides
Disney travel planners are Disney-obsessed and go to Disney at least annually. We are familiar with all the rides and the layout of the parks. This is helpful when planning an itinerary for your family. Planners can map out your day based on ride location and what would make the most sense to maximize your time in the park. Planners also know the ins and outs of all rides and which rides would be best suited for your family. Our obsession helps you have the best experience while visiting Disney.
Fastpass and Dining Booking
Update: currently unavialable. Did you know you get three ride Fastpasses you can book 60 days ahead if staying on Disney property? A Fastpass is like a ride reservation; you get to essentially skip the line and head right onto the ride. Did you also know that some ride Fastpasses are really hard to get, and if you book them on the Disney website the day they become available, you won’t get one? The planner has some tricks of the trade to make it most likely to happen. If, by chance, they cannot get the ride you want, a planner will spend the next weeks and months before your trip working to make it happen.
A planner will be able to book your dining reservations based on your food preferences. If you want a character breakfast and try schnitzel in Germany for dinner, a planner will make sure to figure out which dinning locations are best based on your daily itinerary. Like Fastpasses, if dining isn’t available, planners will take the time to go back in and check to see if anything has opened up. A lot of times, reservations do open up and a planner will be able to book it, so you don’t have to spend the time checking.
One Point of Contact
Every time you call Disney, you will speak with a different cast member. That means that every time you need to re-explain your needs and requests. A planner will get to know you and your family. Want to make a modification? No problem; email or call your planner and they will take care of it for you. Need to change your hotel or add a guest? No problem, email or call your planner and they will do the work for you. A planner is your one-point of contact for your entire vacation planning before and while you are there.
I love Disney and love sharing what I’ve learned. If you are planning a Disney vacation, I can help. Check me out at alison-wishesandwizardstravelco or email me at alison@wishesandwizardstravel.com.
TL/dr
A Disney travel planner does all the heavy lifting for you at no cost to you.
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I was supposed to go to Disney back in April but the trip was obviously cancelled. We are now supposed to be going next May so if that trip actually works out I will have to look into using this for sure!
I am happy to help if you need it. You can always reach out as I am a Disney planner.
Disney is my son’s first on the list of his travel destination wish. Hapoy to have come across with this photos.
I had no idea about the three tiers of accommodations–sounds like it could be so confusing if it’s your first time. That’s so good to know that you can use a planner for free! How many folks find out about that after the fact and kick themselves…?
Ha, it makes life easier for those going.
wow full loaded with information, wish I could had seen this few years back when we visited Disney Land. Very useful info are there. Thanks for sharing!!
here’s hoping you can use a travel planner when you book your Disney World trip.
I can’t wait until my kids are old enough to go to Disney! I think we might be ready next summer, and we’ll be looking into a Disney travel planner for sure!
We first took our kids when they were 2 & 3yrs old. It was awesome. Keep me in mind if you need help😊
Oh my gosh I did not know planners existed for Disney! We became annual pass holders in 2019 and then the world shut down so we only got to visit Disneyland (we live in CA) like 3 times. Can’t wait to go back and be more efficient with our visits.
Oh there are a lot of us. I love it as I am a Disney fanatic. So sorry you only got to use your pass a few times, hoping you get back once it opens in September.
Just the thought of planning a Disney trip stresses me out. Thanks for the tips. So much I had never thought of!
That’s why I became a planner, because I had friends who got too stressed out and so I would help out (my favorite thing to do). I realized with all the help I am giving I should be a planner, so I became one.
I had no idea that there were theme park planners at all! And I live in Orlando! What an informative post. Thanks!
I will need to remember to use a planner when planning a trip to Disney. That will help calm my mind and know that we are all organized.
That’s why I became a planner as I had so many friends needing help and I love planning for others so they can have an epic time.
I was talking to my friend who goes to Disney often and she’s has someone book her reservations and eating. I didn’t realize how much planning goes into a Disney vacation now. Great information!
It helps if you don’t have time or have a busy job& family
Omg, we love Disneyland!! Haven’t had the chance to go to Disneyworld but we know Disneyland like the back of our hands hehe You have giving us so many amazing tips!
Ooh I’ll definitely keep this in mind when we finally go! I’ve heard it’s lots to do and I’m a planner anyway so this is right up my alley.
We plan on going to Disney in 2023 so I will keep this in mind!
Thanks so much!
So fun
This is definitely helpful, especially for new visitors. I remember how stressful it was planning my first Disney World trip. Great tips!
I agree completely! We’ve been going to Disney at least once or twice (or more) times a year since the kids were little and there are a lot of nuances if you don’t know what you are doing. A few years ago, I decided to become a Disney planner too and it’s so fun to help others plan their trips!
Disney hoilday is one of dream holidays to go. Don’t know when but definatley sooner than later.
i definitely made use of many of these tips when we went to orlando in 2017.. having the fast pass for a couple of the most popular rides was truly a blessing..
but i do know that if you are planning a longer trip or with a larger group, having someone plan the details will make it all so much easier..
It is cool that the Disney travel planners get a Disney degree through Disney College. If the service is free to the client, how do the planner get paid?
We get paid by commissions on the packages we help create.
This is great advice. There are so many options now I can imagine going to Disney can get complicated.
I love Disney and it is so much planning! It is nice to have someone help you the first time you go!
Disney can be overwhelming for even the seasoned traveler. I completely agree with using a professional when booking!
There definitely are so many “hidden secrets” about Disney planning! I have always done it myself, but hiring a planner does sound appealing!
I never considered using a planner, as usually I love the prep and planning and dreaming. But making sure you hit all your favourite spots, dining, special events and such is a bit overwhelming for a newbie Disneyworld goer like me. Great tip.
Knowing all of the ins and outs of Disney does make a trip even more magical! I would love to go to that college of knowledge and learn even more!
Disney really knows how to add value to every experience. It can get overwhelming to try to plan a Disney trip on your own so a Disney travel planner is a great benefit.
WOW! This Disney planning sounds complicated! This service sounds necessary for sure!
I did a lot of research before our first trip to Disney because I wanted to be able to plan everything myself. If you don’t have a lot of time to do research, or don’t want to spend a lot of time researching, this sounds like it would be a great option.
Totally makes sense to use a Disney planner! I use a travel agent when I travel internationally because he knows how to get the best deals.
I will contact you if I go to Disney. I think we need Disney planner expert for this.
I’m happy to help 😊