Caldwell's expert advice to vacation planning
Disney Dad Bret Caldwell's vacation planning tips:
1. Buy a good guidebook, such as The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 (John Wiley & Sons, $20), and do some online research (favorite sites: disneyworldmoms.com, allears.net, mousesavers.com and tour guidemike.com).
2. Use a travel agent who specializes in Disney World. They don't charge anything extra and can help save you money. Magic for Less Travel (themag icforless.com) and Mouse Fan Travel (mousefantravel.com) are both great options.
3. Make some dining reservations 180 days in advance at (407) WDW-DINE. Popular spots like Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table and Le Cellier sell out fast.
4. Involve your family in the planning process. Ask about their "must do" attractions and restaurants.
5. Unless you're staying for several weeks, don't try to do everything. Focusing on fewer options usually makes for a more enjoyable and less stressful vacation.
6. Build in midday breaks for naps or pool time. If you're staying more than four days, plan some full-day breaks from the parks for slower activities like shopping or golf.
7. Don't waste money buying water in the parks. You can ask for free ice water at any of the parks' counter service (fast food) restaurants.
8. Use Disney's "Fastpass" queue reservation system to avoid long lines. It's free and available to everyone in the parks.
9. Get to the parks as early as possible, when the lines are shortest.
10. Celebrate something! It doesn't have to be exactly your birthday to celebrate it at Walt Disney World. Simply go to Guest Relations at any park for a "Birthday Button" on whatever day of the year you choose and you'll often get extra attention from Disney employees. Similar buttons exist to celebrate an anniversary, honeymoon or any group gathering. And in 2009, you get free admission on your birthday to one of the theme parks at either Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California. (You'll have to provide proof of your birthday.)