Spinning to a meltdown?

Not that Susie or Johnny–or these days–Taylor or Ashton–would ever do this, but here’s a little secret: Kids sometimes get cranky.

Yup, it’s true.

And, yes, they even get cranky at the Most Magical Place on Earth. In fact, maybe more so. What with overstimulation, inflated expectations, too much Dole Whip, and the sheer excitement of seeing Pluto in person—what’s a kid to do but act out? We can’t promise your kids won’t have a meltdown—or that you won’t, either—but here are some tips to deal with them when they happen, and with any luck, to forestall them altogether.

Deal with Your Own Expectations

Lots of parents find that they have a particular fantasy of the way the trip is going to play out: After all, you’ve probably been saving and planning for this for quite a while. Here’s a tip: Dial it down. You’re going to have a great time–but maybe not in the exact way that you’ve planned. Steel yourself for the fact that no matter how much you plan, not everything is within your control. Life happens. Kids get tired. Lines are long. The concession stand runs out of chocolate-covered frozen bananas. Deal with it. And we mean that in the nicest possible way. Remember: You’re the grown up. Do not deal with your child’s tantrum by yelling, as we heard one parent do, “You’re going on Dumbo whether you like it or not!!”

Now, really. Who is that Dumbo ride supposed to be for, anyway?

Remember that it’s still possible to have a long and happy life even if you haven’t ridden on Pirates of the Caribbean 12 times and that you’ve substituted some down time in the play area for a long line in Epcot.

Always Be Five Steps Ahead

Make sure you have snacks (meltdowns are often due to hunger, if you hadn’t noticed); water, and things to do while waiting on lines. A small first aid kit wouldn’t be amiss, either. Beware of the times your child tends to get hungry/sleepy. Plan rest stops or quiet activities for those times, rather than a 20-minute walk to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad followed by a wait on line without a FASTPASS. Maybe go back to your room to swim in the middle of the day. And here’s a novel idea: Note the times that you tend to get tired/hungry/cranky as well.

Be Prepared to Switch Plans

Follow the Touring Plans, but be prepared to deviate if need be. It’s fun to be in the moment, not always to anticipate the next thing, or to bemoan things you didn’t get to do, or to try to do 10 things miserably instead of five that your really enjoy just so you can say you’ve checked them off your list.

Again–Have Realistic Expectations

You won’t see all of Disney World in one trip–even if you walk very, very fast. You may see a lot, but certainly not all. And don’t go with the idea that you absolutely, positively have to see/ride/do certain attractions/rides/events, or you’re bound to be disappointed. It’s like going to France with the sole idea of seeing the Mona Lisa—it may be off view; you might get to see it, but for four seconds, rather than the lengthy period of contemplation you envisioned. You’re going for an overall experience, not just a single attraction.

Check in With Your Kids

Make sure your kids are getting to do what they want; that they get to rest if they need to; if they’ve changed their mind about Kali River Rapids. Let them be in the moment—to stop and watch a performer; to buy a postcard for Aunt Myrna; to see what’s down that side path.

The Eye of the Tantrum

Despite all your planning, however, tantrums may still occur.

In general, it is not a good idea, as a friend of ours did, to say to your kids, “If you stop screaming because you can’t have gummy bears, I’ll give you some chocolate.”

Try to diffuse the situation. If you can get somewhere quiet, do so. If kids are hungry, feed them. Use distraction, but try not to bribe them.

Above all, remain calm. Your child will get over it. Disney World, while utterly, completely fabulous, can be pretty overwhelming. And remember….

Other People’s Kids get Cranky, Too

And, in a way, that’s one of the great things about Disney World—to know that other people’s kids are also whining for ice cream, begging for souvenirs, shrieking because the didn’t get a certain autograph, sneaking soft serve for breakfast. It’s incredibly comforting to know you’re not alone, that other parents face the same issues, and that meltdowns and tantrums, as unpleasant as they are—do pass, whether you’re in your own living room or at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Do you have suggestions on dealing with meltdowns and tantrums at Disney? Let us know!

The Crankiest Place on Earth is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Stop stressing, enjoy your kids!

Traveling to Disney World is both exciting and daunting, since you must possess the fortitude of an intrepid explorer, the cunning of a master spy, and the fun-loving nature of a game-show host.

Traveling as a single parent requires all this, and more. Whether you’re flying solo by choice or necessity, going alone with your kids to the World can be exhilarating, memorable, and, ultimately, thoroughly enjoyable–with a little planning.

Ask Your Kids for Help

You kids probably know this already, but you’re not infallible. Sit down with them before the trip. Explain that you’re going to have to work together as a team, that certain rules are non-negotiable, and that you’re not out to ruin their good time, but that your job is to take care of them, and everything you do, you do for a reason.

Explain to Your kids What Non-negotiable Means

No ice cream before 11 am: possibly flexible. Not wandering off by yourself: not flexible.

Make Disney Work for You

The hotel staff and park employees in Disney World are enormously helpful to parents traveling alone with their kids, but only if you ask them for help. Call your hotel before you go and explain your situation. Ask for anything that will make your life easier in terms of location, special needs, etc. Will you need help carrying luggage? The number of an all-night drugstore? Extra packets of coffee in your room? They won’t know you need it unless you tell them.

At the parks, find park staff and express any concerns or difficulties. If they can’t solve every dilemma, they can certainly help in some way. Disney staff often excel at dealing with special issues like this. Disney World is a great place to be alone with your kids, because they’re so welcoming to so many different kinds of families and travelers in general.

Figure Out What Your Biggest Issues Will Be

When you’re the sole parent, it’s all you, all the time. Figure out ahead of time what issues this will pose. One child is a night owl and the other conks out at 7 pm? One child is tall enough for certain rides and the other isn’t? Older sister likes to ride Kali River Rapids five times in a row, while little brother would rather go see It’s Tough To be a Bug? You probably won’t be able to solve all the issues, but knowing what they are before you go can let you approach them and talk to your kids about them. If some issues can’t be solved, come up with alternatives.

You also need to figure out what works for you, and realize that you just won’t be able to do everything, but that enjoying what you are able to do is what’s important. Are you more comfortable staying close to your hotel for meals, or are you game for exploring? Is venturing outside of Disney World too much, or a nice diversion?

Don’t Panic

Arrange ahead of time rules for what you do if you get separated, if one child has a meltdown, etc. Think about giving kids temporary cell phones or other ways to communicate with you. Whatever you need to do to ensure peace of mind is worth it. Make sure to carry small activities for kids to do while waiting in line, have emergency numbers with you, and so forth.

Be Flexible

Once you have a rhythm going, many parents find that it’s not as difficult as they feared to be alone with kids in Disney world. But that realization requires knowing when to stop: When to stop touring, when to stop planning activities, when to stop trying to give your kids The Best Time Ever and just chill out. It’s not admitting defeat; it’s being smart.

Ask Kids for Feedback

You’re a team, and everyone on the team plays. Have a nightly meeting to figure out what’s working and what isn’t. Be frank with them (without making them feel guilty). It’s perfectly okay to say, “I want this to be fun for all of us, so let’s figure out what we can do to make this trip more fun with less yelling on my part.”

Make Time for Yourself

Parent downtime is not frivolous. Whether it’s sitting on your patio for half an hour by yourself while the kids color nearby, or choosing an activity or ride that you really want to do (and doing it three or four times in a row, if you like, you need the time to recharge.

Do you have suggestions about traveling alone with your kids to Disney World? Let us know!

Flying Solo–Traveling Alone with Kids to Disney is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

The Hunt is On!

Before you leave for Disney World, you will tell your three adorable children that each is allowed to buy one souvenir costing under five dollars while there. They will acquiesce gracefully, proceed to thoughtfully choose one souvenir apiece the second day you are there, and never ask to buy anything else during the trip.

At what point did you start laughing hysterically? (Or if you didn’t, and you recognize your own family in that depiction, please let us know promptly how you accomplished it!)

Souvenirs–or, to put it bluntly, buying stuff–are one of the biggest delights and biggest headaches of a Disney World vacation with kids. Good intentions, not to mention your budget, can fly out the window in the face of the adorable stuffed Pluto that you didn’t see anywhere else, or that pin that will round out your collection so nicely, or those pajamas that match your daughter’s furry slippers.

What to do? There’s no one right answer, of course, but you can make it easier on everyone by keeping the following in mind.

Set a budget.

“Tell me something I don’t know,” you are now saying. We hear you. But there are different ways to do this, some more successful than others.

Kids often have trouble with the concept of money. (News flash: so do many adults.) One way to help is to illustrate a nebulous idea ($5.00) with concrete evidence (e.g., $5.00 equals 3 Disney cookies). That will give your child a sense of what she has to spend. Do this kind of exercise (several times) before you leave on vacation so the child is used to equating a certain amount of money with certain items.

This will all be for naught once you actually set foot in the gift shop near Space Mountain, of course. However, give your child a set amount of money to spend ($20). And it is important to figure out ahead of time exactly where this money is coming from: Is it allowance? Are mom and dad chipping in some? If this is the amount that your child really has, then stick to it. Set some guidelines.

Now think about some rules. Many parents caution their kids not to buy the first thing they see, which seems like good advice. But what if on the first day little Trish sees something at Animal Kingdom that isn’t sold back at the hotel? Should she buy it? Should you cave and give her money? There’s no one right answer, but you will come upon many situations like this, where your child insists that, ”If I get this one thing I will never ever ask for anything ever again.” Regardless of whether mom or dad says, “Yes,” it’s one reason you see so many meltdowns on vacations–there’s just so much stuff and, frankly, who doesn’t want it all?

If your child is 100 percent sure this item is The One, then fine. Make sure she understands that it means that if she buys this item today, then she can’t buy something tomorrow. But if she’s wavering, find out where else it’s sold, then do the “live with it” scenario. Tell your child if he still wants it in 24 hours, he can get it. If nothing else has managed to replace it, it’s a go.

Now let’s say your child has accepted these rules–but the money is gone on the third day, and on the fourth, he sees a Mickey Mouse play set he can’t live without.

Well, clearly he can live without it (although at that moment he may feel like he can’t), so here’s where you need advance planning for just this kind of situation. Since you know this kind of thing will come up, figure out some solutions ahead of time.

Some parents put aside an extra amount of money for situations like this. They can either give it to their child (“it’s for special treats”) or buy it themselves and put it away for a later date. One word of advice: always put aside some “extra” money for the end of the trip. Maybe this is money that you put aside ahead of time. Maybe this is a birthday check or part of your child’s allowance.

Then decide how this item will make an appearance—on the plane on the way back? Right then and there? If you present the item while you’re still down there, make sure your child knows it’s a one-time thing so he doesn’t expect money to just keep appearing every time he wants something.

And remember (surprise!) that sometimes you will just have to say no. Your your child has lived through disappointment before, she will live through it again, and she will absolutely survive without that Daisy Duck sticker set if need be.

Other Tips

You can try to ration money so kids have a little to spend each day. For some kids, it’s the hunt; for others, it’s the acquisition. Know thy child.

Also figure out: Who holds the money? Do kids get it all at once?

Some parents set aside shopping days rather than spreading it out. Kids can browse, keep lists, and then purchase, say, on the third day and the last day of the trip. This technique makes it easier for some kids—the decision has been taken away. This gives them a chance to plan out what they really want.

Sometimes it really helps to get kids to focus on why they want something—it’s hard not to be acquisitive when faced with aisles and aisles of Disney merchandise. If you point out, however, that your son never wears a watch, or that the bathing suit your daughter is admiring only goes up to size 2, you can help your child in the right direction.

You can also give kids a little money to buy gifts for other people—it takes their minds off themselves and still fulfills the shopping urge.

So set rules and stick to them, but leave a little wiggle room; it is Disney World, after all! Budgeting and planning are important, but so are some little treats along the way.

Do you have any tips on kids and souvenirs at Disney? Let us know!

Souvenirs for Kids Without Pain: Some Hard-Won Advice is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Let teens do some shopping on their own

Many parents have fantasies of taking their little ones to Disney World—skipping gaily though the Magic Kingdom with their daughter dressed enchantingly as Princess Jasmine; clicking away as their son poses for snapshots at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.

Fewer parents have fantasies of going to Disney World with their moody 16-year-olds. This, however, is a mistake. (Just wait…) Disney World is actually fantastic for older kids, especially teenagers. With a little planning, both you–and they–can have a terrific time–even if your son refuses to pose for that picture beside the entrance to Splash Mountain.

Note: The following suggestions rely on your comfort level and your teen’s age–not vice versa.

Give him free time
It’s entirely possible that when your husband/four-year-old/great Aunt Mollie wants to ride the spinning teacups for the 12th time, your teen will politely (or not so politely) decline. In fact, he has made it clear that he would much rather hang out in the room for a while and watch the Final Four basketball games and then meet you later. If you both have cell phones, this is a great opportunity to arrange a meeting time and place. If your hotel is on the monorail, so much the better. Arranging a meeting time and place just relies on careful planning and your descriptive powers. For instance, do not say, as others have undoubtedly done before you, “I’ll meet you at the Information Desk in the Magic Kingdom.” That’s kind of like saying, “I’ll meet you in France.” Far better to say, “I will meet you in front of the bottom step that leads directly to the entrance of the Crystal Palace at exactly 3:01 pm.” Your teen will be happy you trusted him; you will be happy you were specific. Arrange check-in points ahead of time: Tell him to text when he gets on the monorail, when he enters the Park, etc. This will give him some free time and not make him feel like he’s merely tagging along every second. Make sure he has some free time every day. Remind him of the adage, ”With freedom comes responsibility.” The more he acts responsibly, the more you’ll trust him.

Give her real responsibility; let her make decisions
Kids and teens know when you are giving them fake jobs or tasks to do. If you’re giving her responsibility, then really do it. For example, put her in charge of all the gifts you buy for friends and family back home. Arrange a budget, have a preliminary discussion, and tell her to check in when she wants your advice–but LET HER FOLLOW THROUGH ON HER OWN.

Following through, by the way, does not mean shadowing her as she looks at Mickey Mouse cups in Downtown Disney and whispering, “I hear Cousin Frank likes Donald Duck…” In the same spirit, if you ask her to get some information from the concierge or make a reservation for a show, do not lurk nearby while she’s at the front desk or “happen” to be standing right there while she’s attempting to book last minute tickets for four.

Accept that they will say no sometimes
This is one of the hardest parts for parents. You want those bright-eyed toddlers squealing in wonder; they want to IM their friends or play arcade games. Know when to push and when to say no. As my mother says, choose your battles. Is it more important for your teens come to dinner at Boma or breakfast at ‘Ohana? Can you bear for them to give up one meal with you? If they want to hang out by the pool when the rest of you go to Downtown Disney, will they meet you you for a movie that evening? Compromise, people. Remember: As in Disney World, so in life.

Initiate the Offer
Don’t always wait for them to come to you; show your teens you trust them by reaching out on your own. (Hint: This also allows you to retain some control over the situation.) For instance, were you to say, “I know you might want to sleep late tomorrow. Why don’t you meet us for lunch at Sunshine Seasons? Just stay in touch, OK?” you will probably be met with a look of both surprise and gratitude.

Or maybe not. You can never tell with teens. But at least you made the effort, and have shown you understand their need for independence.

Remember that they’re teenagers.
As if you could forget. But that means that they may not always (or ever) go along with your fantasy of the perfect family vacation. You–and they–may have to settle for moments, which is actually not that bad.

Because Disney World, paradoxically, is a great place to let them to do a little growing up.

Teens at Disney World: Not the Impossible Dream is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Tell us what you loved!

So listen up, people. You love Disney World, right?
You want us to help you have the best possible experience, correct?

So do us a favor – do our reader survey after you visit. Why, you may ask, when I have a resort collection to design and several economic summits to attend? Because, fair readers, without you, we can’t give you the advice you need to have a successful (read: fantastic) trip.

http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/survey

Here’s how it works: we ask you about your experiences with hotels, food and attractions — pretty much your whole experience there. Once you tell us what you think, we can attach demographics so we can better guide you. For instance, if 90 percent of adults surveyed love the Carousel of Progress, that helps us figure out how to fit it into a touring plan and when it will be most crowded. Likewise, if 2 percent of those surveyed say that Stitch’s Great Escape was less fun than a burning hot poker in the eye, that also helps in the planning. We need to know the good, the bad, and the crowded. Which restaurant did you love, and which one left you cold? Be honest – tell us what you liked and what you didn’t, what worked and what could have worked better.

Do it right when you get back your memories are still fresh in your mind — it’s fun we promise!). And it will help make future trips fun, as well. But just so all you have to face when you return home isn’t a survey to fill out (though it’s fun! really!) and a suitcase full of dirty laundry, check out our blog (below) on how to make leaving Disney World easier, and also keep the following tips in mind:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2011/07/25/leaving-disney-planning-for-the-inevitable-trip-home/

Do something Disney-ish as soon after you return as you can: Watch a favorite Disney movie; use that Disney mug; break out the Disney snacks. We’re big advocates of saving a surprise until you get home, as mentioned in the blog; wait a few days until everyone is thinking that nothing nice will ever happen again; then pull out the t-shirts or necklaces that you secretly purchased. Maybe even sneak a small treat into your family’s luggage for them to find when they unpack.

Don’t put off certain things: Start your scrapbook project before all these bits and pieces of paper get lost; compile your photos; send those postcards. Make sure kids have a fun activity that will prolong the experience; have them finish an art project they started on the trip; or add photos to a journal. Or start an ambitious long-term Disney project: design a Disney-inspired outfit or costume; start a Disney cookbook; learn to draw the Disney characters.

If you’re thinking about making another trip to Disney World (and who isn’t!), start making notes as soon as you get back. That’s the time to write down the restaurants you loved; the ones you didn’t have time to try; the attractions you definitely you want to revisit; your favorite gift shop. Write down what worked and what didn’t, so next time, you’ll know that carrying snacks was a necessity but that 9 pm dinner reservations didn’t work so well for the under-10 set. Make your notes clear: I stared at a piece of paper for months that simply read: TT yes; sptc ab no. *

*Test Track, yes, Spinning Teacups, absolutely not again.
It took much detective work.

Some people will be happy to participate in your obsession with Toy Story Mania or the pizza at Captain Cook’s; other people will wish you would simply go away. This is a great time to find other Disneyites to share stories.

Oh, and fill out the survey!

Any thoughts? Let us know!

What were your favorite things?

Trip Planning 101: After Your Trip is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Arrival day at Disney World can easily be the most exciting–and the most frustrating—day of your vacation.

We’re finally here!
But we only have half a day.

We’re finally here!
Should we use up a theme park admission? Stay at the hotel?

We’re finally here!
Go shopping? Bite our fingernails in panic all afternoon?

We’re finally here!
Now we have two minutes less than the last time we checked our watches.

Check in to your hotel--then check out some activities--like Donald!

Since many, if not most people spend a good part of their day in travel, not to mention sweating mundane details like wondering if their baggage is enjoying Saskatchewan, arrival day carries with it its own peculiar set of issues. But with a little foresight, the day can also offer its own set of enjoyments — even if your baggage is carrying on without you somewhere else entirely. (Read this article on our blog for info on arriving and getting to your hotel as well as other aspects of transportation.)

IN PREPARATION
You probably already know this, but baggage can get lost. Even if it doesn’t, it might be awhile before you and it are happily reunited. So make sure you have everything you will need in the next several hours with you on the plane. If you are driving, keep a separate bag earmarked for your arrival day. Have with you:

• Any medicine
• Sunscreen
• Bathing suits
• Shorts, T-shirts, sandals, hats, sunglasses
• Puzzles, games, other stuff to amuse the kids
• Snacks

MORNING
For some people, morning may be spent in midair or traveling down the interstate while the children and Aunt Francine play “Alphabet” for the four thousandth time. Others, perhaps more fortunate, may find themselves actually arriving at their destination. If you’re lucky enough to get there in the morning, you still have most of a day ahead of you, and you’re raring to visit a Disney park, consider the Animal Kingdom. It’s the smallest park, so you have the greatest chance of seeing pretty much all of it. Even if you arrive in the afternoon, there’s a good chance that you can tour the park and not stray too much from one of our Late Arrival Touring Plans. If, however, you don’t want to be under those kinds of time constraints, especially considering how much a theme park admission costs, consider some of the options in this article.

You could immediately run from your hotel to a park....or not.

AFTERNOON
Before the fun actually starts, you’ll need to check in, get your maps and other informational materials, and get your bearings. There’s a good chance that your room won’t be ready, but you’ll be allowed to use the facilities. The lines to check in can sometimes be annoyingly slow, so make sure you have stuff to amuse the kids or, better yet, another adult who can take them off to explore. At the check-in desk, ask any questions (bring a list with you), check on any dining reservations, and then do a quick tour of the hotel so you know the layout.

Here are some thoughts on how to spend your half day so you don’t feel like you’re just waiting for the real fun to start.

• Have a Hotel Day: When do kids ever get enough time to swim? Hang out at your hotel or check out other hotels nearby. Many have great attractions in and of themselves, from arcade games to watercraft.
• Downtown Disney: Shop at the stores you’ve had to rush past before. Eat some ice cream. Play at the Lego Store. Have a meal at your leisure without it interfering with your Touring Plan.
• Have a nice lunch: When you follow a Touring Plan, even though there’s time set aside for meals, you often feel rushed. This is a great to opportunity to book a meal without looking at your watch every five minutes. If you know you’ll arrive in time, book a lunch and use the rest of the day for shopping or swimming.
• Play miniature golf: A great personal favorite, and Disney’s courses are among the best. You’ll feel like you’re doing something Disneyish without actually being in a park.
• Think outside the parks: In fact, think outside Disney World. If you feel like leaving the resort, consider attractions like Wet ‘n Wild water park or Gatorland. Seriously. Gatorland advertises itself as “Florida’s best half day attraction,” which seemed unduly modest–until we went. It’s enormously fun, but they’re right on target about the time frame–you can pretty much see everything you need to in half a day. It costs less than a theme park (even factoring in cab fare from many locations) and it’s completely unlike anything else. Be sure to check out the gift shop, although you, like us, might be queasy about viewing live alligators and then buying gator bits to snack on.

EVENING
This is the time to splurge on a nice sit-down meal. You’ll be able to enjoy it at your leisure, it’ll get everyone in the Disney mood, and you won’t have to worry about fitting it in around anything else. Be sure to book way ahead of time, and leave yourself enough time to get there. Choose a restaurant with a view of the fireworks (like ‘Ohana or California Grill) or splurge on a show, like the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue, or Cirque Du Soleil’s La Nouba.

What are your thoughts on how to make the most of your arrival day? Tell us in the comments!

Trip Planning 101: Your Arrival Day is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Magic Kingdom's Liberty Tree Tavern is popular with families, particularly for dinner. Planning ahead will help you secure your place at the table

Eating at Disney World is always a huge topic of discussion. Some people love it; others just see meals as the fuel that gets the commando tank moving through the parks. Whichever camp you fall into, you’ll still have to eat. And, unless you want to eat only Dole Whip and soft pretzels for the duration of your visit (and if you do, don’t let us interfere), you’ll have to do some planning. Here are some tips to get you started:

When You First Start Thinking About Your Trip
Along with all the other things to think about when you first consider booking a trip, you should think about dining. Is this going to be a food-centered trip where you plan to experience all the restaurants you’ve been meaning to try? Is it a quick trip where you plan to get in as many attractions as possible? Is it in summer when the heat might make you less hungry than usual?

Once you get an idea of the importance that restaurant meals are going to have in your trip, think about the Disney Dining Plan (DDP). Available only to those staying in Disney Resort Hotels, the DDP in its various flavors is covered ad nauseum here and all over the web. Learn about it, because you’ll need to know when you book your trip if you want it or not. Also, be sure that you can secure Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) at your preferred locations before booking the Dining Plan.

Regardless of whether or not you choose to book the Dining Plan, get an idea of where you plan to eat for both budgeting and planning purposes. Use our Disney dining links to help plan where and what you’d like to try on your vacation.

180 Days Before You Arrive or As Soon As You’ve Booked Your Trip
This is when you spring into action and start making those Advance Dining Reservations. If you’re less than 180 days away from your arrival date, don’t worry. We have a chart in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World that lists the typical number of days out you need to make a reservation at the table service restaurants. You won’t go hungry if you make ADRs 90 days out or even a week out for MOST times of the year. Naturally, peak seasons and holidays will be busiest (see the Crowd Calendar for relative crowd levels for the next 365 days), but Disney promotions can pack restaurants even when the parks are not crowded. Never count on getting a walk-up table (although feel free to try if you don’t mind being rejected). Starting October 26, 2011, be prepared to give a credit card guarantee for Signature and Character Dining experiences at the time you make an ADR. Also note that dinner shows (like Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue) require prepayment in full.

A note about allergies: Disney dining reservation agents will ask at the time of booking if anyone in the party has allergies or special needs and note it on your record. To be on the safe side, confirm when you’re at the restaurant. Disney chefs are well known for going out of their way to prepare meals that are both safe and tasty for everyone you’re traveling with.

Before You Go
Verify confirmation numbers for any ADRs you’ve made and keep them with your travel documents. Pay special attention to any ADRs for which you’ve prepaid or had to make a credit card guarantee. Remember you must cancel these in advance (generally 24 hours for restaurants and 48 hours for dinner shows) to avoid cancellation fees.

How To Budget for Dining
Restaurant prices and menus can be found on our site, but here are examples of what you might spend for two grown-ups and three children aged 5, 8, and 12:

Breakfast on the go:
5 bagels at $2.59 each: $12.95
2 coffees at $2.09 each: $4.18
3 small fruit juices at $1.69 each: $5.07
Total: $22.20 plus tax ($23.64)

Lunch at various fast food places:
3 piece chicken strips with fries at $7.69 each: $23.07
1 nachos with cheese: $7.95
1 taco salad: $7.69
5 lemonades at $2.19: $10.95
Total: $49.66 plus tax ($52.89)

Dinner at Chef Mickey’s (character buffet):
$34 for adults; $17 for kids 9 and under.
Total: $136 plus tax and gratuity (about $170)

Even if you don’t dine lavishly, it is not hard to spend $200 per day on food if you dine exclusively on Disney property. Know ahead of time where and what you plan to eat to avoid shock when you get your bill. Read our article on vacation budgeting for an in-depth look at how to break down the numbers.

We list current prices for table and counter service restaurants on our web site and in our books. Additionally, we survey local grocery prices every year for the book to help you plan.

Kids’ Meals
Pretty much wherever you eat at Disney World, a kid’s meal will be available. (This is Disney World.) Many offer standard fare, like hamburgers or macaroni and cheese, but some give more adventurous choices. They often come with a drink, side dish, and dessert, but often the entrée can be ordered separately—ask. When you eat at a buffet, you’ll find a mini-buffet for kids with standard offerings like chicken nuggets and fries. But at places like Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, for instance, a kid’s meal at lunch ($7.59) includes an appetizer (such as cheese toast or creamy tomato soup), an entrée (meaty macaroni and cheese, tandoori chicken breast, or a cheeseburger), and dessert (vanilla ice cream, eggless chocolate cake, or coconut rice pudding). At places like Liberty Tree Tavern, there’s one set menu—again, when you book, ask what the options for kids are, especially if you have a picky eater.

At many table service and counter service restaurants, adult portions are so large that you can easily split a meal among two kids.

Once You’re There – Dining and Touring
People ask us all the time how to fit dining plans into their Touring Plans. Questions tend to fall into two categories:

• What do I do if my ADR is no longer in the “best park” according to the Crowd Calendar?
• When do I take a meal break in my daily schedule?

When crowd predictions change, you can either try to rebook your ADR or simply stick with your original choice and remember to follow a Touring Plan. We say it over and over and over—when it comes to minimizing your time in line, a good Touring Plan is way more important than the crowd level.

Our Touring Plans allow time for meal breaks, but here are some tips:

• To take advantage of low wait times, spend your time touring rather than eating during the first 1-2 hours a park is open.
• If you are booking a character breakfast in one of the parks, try to get a reservation for an hour before the park opens. You’ll get the character autographs and greetings checked off your list and finish eating in time to start touring when the park opens.
• Make a late-ish dinner reservation (if your kids are up to it) so you can eat at a relaxed pace after you’re done with touring for the day; you won’t have to worry about rushing off to your next stop.
• Arrive before the park opens; try to keep to the Touring Plan as much as you can, and try to keep breaks to a minimum. Around midday, when the parks become crowded, break for lunch.
• If you plan to be in the parks for fireworks, parades, or other late evening events, eat an early dinner so you’re finished in time for the evening events.
• If your main goal is to see the parks and you don’t have a lot of time, avoid table service restaurants. A table service meal will easily take 60-90 minutes plus travel time.

Other Dining Options
Dining offsite can definitely save you money, particularly if you’re already planning to rent a car. Buying groceries or having them delivered is also good for rooms that have a kitchen, kitchenette, or even just a refrigerator or cooler. We outline off-site dining and list local grocery stores and delivery services in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.

What else should I do?
Do us and your fellow readers a solid by completing the reader survey after your trip. Your comments and ratings help make our books and web content useful for everyone.

How do you plan your dining? DO you plan your dining? Would rather take a Casey’s chili dog to the eye than hear any more about the Disney Dining Plan again?

Trip Planning 101: Disney Dining is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Disney transportation is usually manageable and efficient. Usually.

Let us start with a tried but true observation: Nothing is as simple as it seems.
These words could have been written about getting to and around Disney World, so let us try to demystify the process for you a bit.
The first question that awaits you: Drive or fly? Depending on where you live, the answer may be a no-brainer. If you live in Milwaukee and you’re heading for a four-day trip to WDW, being airborne is the only way to go. Likewise, if you live two or three hours away by car, driving seems like the best option.
But what if you live on the cusp—when the difference between driving and flying time might not be that great? Let’s look at the different factors you’ll need to consider.
Meet Donald, Daisy and their three children—Mickey, Minnie, and Maisie (you weren’t really expecting Goofy, were you?) They live in Greensboro, NC, and have six days for their vacation. Let’s look at their options and calculate how much time it will take.

DRIVING…
To drive from Greensboro to Orlando takes approximately nine hours. You won’t need a hotel, but figure on gas, tolls and food—about $200. In terms of time, you can bring snacks, but never underestimate the pull of roadside food (30 minutes for two stops) plus at least two rest stops (30 minutes). So a 9-hour trip can actually become an 11-hour trip, not even counting traffic and delays.

If you’re driving more than 12 or so hours, you’ll need a motel for the night. (12 hours, minimum, plus your other stops, for a total of at least 13 hours).
Plus you need to account for other variables. You’ll need two drivers so you can switch off. And remember to ask yourself: Is this an easy drive for me? Am I comfortable/familiar with it? How bad will traffic be? Am I planning on making stops on the way, or is my main objective just to get down there?
And then there’s the people factor. We’ll assume you’re taking along one or more children. How long can they reasonably be expected to travel without a) making you crazy? b) making each other crazy c) repeating the phrase “Are we at the Magic Kingdom yet?” approximately 678 times?

…VS FLYING
But now let’s look at flying. You need to get to the airport, which can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours (or more), depending on how far away you live. Once you get there, the fun hasn’t even started; you need to allow for checking your baggage, going through security, getting there early, possibly a delayed flight. So you’re adding on easily up to two hours–and you haven’t even left the ground. We checked out a Delta flight that leaves Greensboro at 6:00 am and arrived at MCO in Florida at 10:21 am–assuming it’s on time.
So that’s 4 hours and 21 minutes. But wait! This isn’t a direct flight–there’s a 1 hour and 18 minute layover in Atlanta, which could easily be longer. Plus, once you actually arrive in Orlando, factor in getting your bags and either renting a car or waiting for the Magical Express (more on that below). Then you need to get from the airport to your hotel, so let’s see what we have now:
Drive to airport: 30 minutes (ish)
Check bags; go through security, sit and wait: 60 minutes
GSO to ATL to MCO—4:21 minutes (theoretically)
Waiting for baggage: 10-20 minutes
Rent a car and drive to WDW (40 minutes (again, could be longer)
So factoring in the REAL time, your four and a half hour flight becomes almost 7 hours of travel. Hmm.
So we have driving (9-11 hours) vs. flying (7 hours.)

WHAT SHOULD OUR FAMILY DO?
So let’s look at our hypothetical family again:
Driving down there is obviously less expensive, even adding in the cost of gas, food, and tolls, but the trade-off is in vacation time and freedom from driving. Once they’re there, they can either use their own car (parking at the parks is free, so they’re looking at mainly at gas) or use Disney Transportation. They don’t need to worry about transportation to/from the airport or offsite either. And they can save a lot of money.
By the time they consider the factors we mentioned above, they could save two to four hours if they fly–not necessarily a deal breaker.
But if those hours, plus not worrying about a long, tiring drive, are worth it to them, then flying might be the better option. If saving money is paramount, driving is the way to go.

So let’s break it down:
Flying: For five people, on Delta: the lowest fare we found was approx. $333 per person
DME: Free
Disney Transportation: Free
Rental car: Rates vary and you should always see if you can book online and use discount codes. Though Mousesavers, at Alamo we found a midsize car for six days for a base rate of $160
Cab–one trip $40
Hours saved flying: Approx. 2-4 each way for a six hour flight

Driving: Gas, snacks: (round trip) Motel for the night if needed: $300
Time lost by not flying: approx. 2-4 hours each way

If they fly, they need to factor in renting a car or relying on Disney transportation. The most economical way to go would be to take the DME to the resort, then rely on Disney transportation if they plan to spend most of their time on property. If they’re planning on a lot of trips outside of WDW, renting a car becomes a viable option

GETTING AROUND WDW
Let’s say you’ve flown and decide to book Disney’s Magical Express (hereto referred to as DME).
The Magical Express is truly magical in that it can save you bundle of money–there’s no cost—and it’s also convenient–it’s right there at the airport, clearly marked, and easy to find. The downside is that you may have to wait–both at the airport and en route to your hotel, depending on how many stops it makes; it takes about 30 minutes to reach the first hotel. (You don’t have to wait for your baggage, however.) Another fact to consider is that you’re pretty much dependent on Disney transportation or cabs if you take the DME–not the worst thing, but something to bear in mind.
What about other ways to get to your hotel? A cab from the airport to an on-property hotel is approximately $60 each way; that’s a lot of Mickey Mouse ears. If your fare includes airport transfers, you can go with Mears (mearstransportion.com; 407-422-2222) in a shuttle; if you don’t have a package, expect to pay a per-person rate of about $17-$21 if you’re staying in Disney World. They’ll wait until the van is filled, and make several stops along the way.
You can also get a town car that will hold four people. Mears offers a service for $105 round-trip; other carriers include Tiffany town car service (tiffanytowncars.com; 888-838-2161. Round trip fare is $109; one way is $60 to Disney resorts. They also offer a free stop at a Publix supermarket to stock up on groceries en route to your hotel.
Finally, you can get a rental car (check mousesavers.com for discounts.) Remember that you’ll have to add in the price of tolls.
So let’s look at our family of five coming from North Carolina. The Magical Express is the best bet if the family is willing to use Disney transportation and to take cabs only rarely. If only one or two people are going, a shuttle is the most economical choice if they’re not taking the DME and time is not the most important factor.
Disney’s Magical Express: Free
Cab: $60 each way
Shuttle: $27-21 per person
Town car: $109 round trip

I WANT TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY. WHAT DO I DO?
So there you are at your WDW hotel. Eventually, you’re going to want to go somewhere. If you need to go off property–say to buy groceries—and you don’t want to rent a car, you can take either a taxi or a town car.
Mears’ Yellow Cab charges $12 for a taxi from the Caribbean Beach to the Winn Dixie on Buena Vista Boulevard; $19 from the Polynesian–certainly less than renting a car, especially if you plan to stock up. Mears also offers limos, shuttles, etc. There’s a taxi fare estimator online. You can call ahead, but cabs also stop at the resorts.

If you’re planning on going further afield, tings get a little pricier.
Yellow Cab charges between $73 and $76 one way from the All-Star Music resort to downtown Orlando, for instance; $32-$36 to Sea World.
From the Grand Floridian to Sea World is about $22-$26.
So if you’re only planning on making one trip off property, a cab might do the trick. Otherwise, if you’re planning on spending a fair amount of time off property, you might want to look at car rentals.

But when you’re in Disney World, you’ll probably want to spend most if your time, in, well, Disney World. You have three options for getting around the World: WDW transportation; your own car or a rental car; or outside transportation, like a cab.
If you’re planning on spending your time exclusively at Disney attractions, there’s really no reason to rent a car—you can fill in with cabs when need be, and save yourself the car rental expense. If you have your own car, we recommend that you use it except if you’re going to the Magic Kingdom—take Disney Transportation for the easiest trip. If you plan on renting a car, you can rent at the airport; Orlando is the world’s largest rental car market—24 companies and counting compete for your business. Remember, you can also rent a car for just part of your stay as well.
If you decide that you want to rent a car once you’re at your hotel, where can you go on property? Some of the Downtown Disney hotels (like the Buena Vista Palace and the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista) offer car rental services, as does the Dolphin.
In addition, some of the agencies will pick you up at your hotel. The Walt Disney World Car Care Center, for example, will pick you up from any Disney property and take you to the Center.

WDW TRANSPORTATION (and other ways to get around)
WDW transportation is often a terrific option; it picks you up at your hotel and will take you everywhere on the Disney property, including Downtown Disney. It’s also free, safe, and runs both before the parks open and after they close. You can also take the bus directly from park to park without having to transfer to another hotel (So, for instance, you can go directly from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot.) The downside? Sometimes long waits and long travel times. If you’ve just missed a bus, or you’re planning on having dinner at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and you’re staying at Port Orleans Riverside, you could have a long ride ahead of you.

If you’re staying at a hotel that is on the monorail or offers boat service, those are also great options and will ultimately save you a lot of time. (If you’re staying off property, most hotels offer shuttles that go to—or stop near–the parks. They do fill up quickly and often make many stops.)
So when does it make sense to take a cab?
Well, if you’re going off property, say to Sea World, and you don’t want to go through the hassle of renting a car for one day, go for a cab, with prices starting at about $20. If you’re going from one resort to another, they’re far from each other, and you have dinner reservations, it might also make sense to spring for a cab. What you end up spending you can make up in time saved and peace of mind.
The Lynx bus (central Florida’s public transportation system) can be boarded at the Ticket and Transportation center (TTC). Standard fare is $2 one way, and if you’re going to International Drive (home of numerous outlets and restaurants), that’s one option. You need to factor in long travel times and waiting times though.

So this family’s options for getting around are:
Rental car: (Alamo and National tend to have the lowest rates, but again, check MouseSavers.com for the most up-to-date rates) $160 for six days
Cabs: approx. $20-70 per trip
Disney transportation: Free
Lynx Bus $2 per person
So it really depends how often they’re planning on going off property. For one or two trips, we say take a cab.

What are your thoughts on getting to Disney Word and then getting around one you’re the? Any great tips? Let us know!

Trip Planning 101: Transportation – Getting There and Getting Around is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

This is the second of our Trip Planning 101 series. It follows last week’s article on deciding when to take your vacation. TouringPlans.com is experimenting with a scoresheet to help you rank your hotel choices. You will need a copy of the Unofficial Guide (for offsite reviews) or can just use the Hotel section of TouringPlans.com. Download the PDF and let us know how you like it or if we need to include more instructions on how to use it.

The Polynesian, complete with palm tree

So you’re off to Disney World. What is there to say but “Yay!”?

Well, actually, a lot.

The first question (or possibly, the fourth, after “Will I meet Mickey Mouse?” “Is Dole Whip as good as they say?” and “How many more minutes until I can ride Splash Mountain?”) should be “Where will we stay?”

So to get you to the aforementioned Dole Whip, Mickey Mouse, Splash Mountain and the other reasons that you’re really going, here are some tips to get started.

The big question: On property or off? (Also known as onsite vs. offsite)

Our reviews of onsite Disney hotels are found here to help you out.

Why you SHOULD stay on property:

It’s wildly convenient in terms of transportation

You don’t need to worry about a car because the Disney transportation system will take you to all the Parks, as well as to places like Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney. Disney buses are convenient, stop at your hotel and all Disney venues, and run relatively on time. That means you don’t need to worry about parking (or finding) your car after a long day. The buses will also deposit you pretty close to the action. If your hotel is on the monorail or has boat service, even better—your trip will be speedy and easily accessible. (However, if you do have a car, parking is free in the Parks.)

If you stay onsite, you can also take advantage of the Magical Express, a service for guests who arrive in Orlando by commercial flight. Disney will get your checked bags (now, that’s a yay) and take them to your hotel. Oh, yeah—they’ll also take YOU to your hotel–all for free. You can also check your bags at your hotel and get a boarding pass right there when you leave. How groovy is that?

It has fantastic amenities

Extra Magic Hours

Guests can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, whereby you get access one hour earlier to different parks on different days than the general public, or can stay up to three hours after closing time.

Disney Dining Plan

Only Disney resort guests can purchase the Disney Dining Plan, which provides a set number of meals, snacks, and drinks for a fixed price per night. If you use it right, you can save some money. Plus, many love the peace of mind of having their food paid for before the trip starts, allowing them to ignore prices on the Disney menus while on vacation.

If this is Your Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip

Maybe it’s a big family reunion, or an anniversary, or a birthday, or you’ve saved your pennies for years and this is your shot. If this trip is your once-in-a lifetime, then you should definitely consider staying on property. You’re going to Disney World, and staying at a Disney resort is a HUGE part of the experience. If you’re already planning to stay on property, considering staying at a higher-level resort than you might normally consider, if you can swing it. Bottom line: If this is it, make it memorable and make it Disney, every second you’re there. You won’t regret it.

That Disney Magic (duh)!

Seriously, staying on property extends the thrill you get from being in the Parks. When you leave Typhoon Lagoon and go back to you’re hotel, you’ll still be in Disney World. When you wake up and look out your window, you’ll still be in Disney World. When you…OK, you get the idea. It’s a fantastic feeling. And the theming at the Disney hotels is incredible, from the decor to the pools to the gift shops. Staying on property means you don’t have to leave that Disney magic behind when you leave Epcot at the end of the day. And seriously, there’s so much to do at many of the hotels that you may choose to spend part or all of a day just taking advantage of everything offered there.
And that, as they say, is priceless.

First-Time Visitors

For first-time visitors, the above factors make staying on property a serious consideration. The ease of being picked up at the airport, booking your meals ahead of time, the Disney transportation system, extra magic hours, and so forth will ensure that your first time there is really special–and that you’ll want to return.

Value vs. Deluxe: The Disney Hotel Classification System

But wait—even after you’ve decided to stay on property, you still have some work to do. Disney has a somewhat complicated ranking system of its properties, one that you’ll need to decipher before you can book your stay.

Deluxe resorts, are, as you can probably guess, the nicest. They offer the most space, the nicest accommodations, the most to do at the resort itself, and a wider range of dining options. They’re often close to the monorail or boat transportation, and offer fewer guests and thus more efficient service. (The Grand Floridian is a good example.) Disney Deluxe villas (or vacation club resorts) have full suites, sometimes with kitchens, and are often attached to these resorts (like Disney’s Beach Club Villas).

A level down you’ll find the moderate resorts (such as Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort). They’ll still offer nice theming, but they’re bigger, the rooms are smaller, and you’ll have fewer dining and transportations options.

The value resorts (All-Star Music, the soon-to-be-unveiled Art of Animation) have the most rooms but also the smallest, and each hosts large numbers of people; they also don’t offer many dining or transportation options. However, you can also opt for family suites. At the Art of Animation (opening next year) the suites will be twice the size of standard rooms and offer theming from such classics as Finding Nemo and The Lion King; they can accommodate up to six guests. (That being said, some folks who can stay pretty much anywhere they want opt for a value resort because they love the theming.)

And finally, you can also check out the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground for campsites or fully equipped cabins. (For the real scoop, and more details, check out our Disney World Hotels page.)

Another option is to split your stay. Speaking from personal experience, it’s a hassle, but can be well worth it if you want to stay at a particular resort or level of resort but can’t afford it for the whole trip. You might stay at a value resort and move to a deluxe for a night or two; or even stay off property, see the sights outside of Disney World, and then move to a moderate resort for your last few nights. If you want real luxury, you could splurge on the Ritz-Carlton, for instance, and then move to a less pricey hotel in Disney World. This brings us to…

Why you might consider staying off property

Cost

Even though the value resorts are, well, good values, and you can usually get discounts for many of them, there’s no question that staying off property is less expensive. If that’s a huge consideration for you, it might be worth it.

Space

While many Disney rooms are a decent size, if you’re going with large group, a condo or vacation villa might offer more space than you get on property.

Amenities

For some families, having a pool, washer/dryer, or kitchen might be an important factor. You can more easily choose certain elements that are important to you if you stay offsite.

Dining

Many offsite properties have kitchens; preparing your own meals can cut down on eating costs.

Spending Time Outside of Disney World

(Yes, some people actually do that…) If Disney World is only one of your destinations, it could make sense to be located someplace where you will have easy access to a number of different attractions.

Planning the Trip

So, now let’s take a theoretical family and help plan its dream Disney vacation.

Mom, Dad, Grandma and three kids are flying to Disney World over spring break. Let’s meet our protagonists.

• Dad: Wants his family to have a great top-of-the-line experience but can’t justify paying for the six entire nights at a deluxe resort. Doesn’t want to see the inside of a car for the whole trip. Convenience is paramount. Embarrassed at how much he wants to try Toy Story Mania!
• Grandma: Game as all get out but has trouble walking long distances. Has wanted a hat with Mickey Mouse ears for 37 years.
• Mom: Has a secret pin-trading obsession; needs to be somewhere she can do her daily run.
• Bobby, 16: Severe Star Wars obsession. Rumored to have come out of the womb wielding a light saber. Happy to show up for the occasional ride like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but also wants to stay at the hotel and watch the Final Four Basketball Tournament.
• Babs, 11: Mostly wants to ride Pirates of the Caribbean as many times as is humanly possible. Wants access to a fantastic pool. Is desperate to eat at the 50s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios.
• Bitsy, 6: Making her first appearance at Disney World. Completely enamored of Lilo and Stitch. Frightened by loud noises and dark spaces.

How can this family with different interests and goals have its best Disney vacation?

We recommend booking on site, all the way. The family can fly down and take the Magical Express bus, then rely on Disney transportation so Dad doesn’t have to be car bound. They might start at a family suite at a value resort like All-Star Music for two or three nights to save some money, then move to the Polynesian, where Bitsy can enjoy all things Lilo and Stitch, including merchandise and the ‘Ohana restaurant, as well as the terrific Volcano Pool. Mom can run on the path to the Grand Floridian; the hotel also offers pin-trading sessions, or she can hop on the bus to Downtown Disney. The Polynesian allows easy access to the parks and other hotels, which also means less walking for Grandma. If she feels like staying at the hotel one day, there’s plenty to do, including checking out different Mickey Mouse hats. It also means that Bobby can stay at the hotel to watch basketball and hop on the monorail with quick access to a number of hotels and parks. If Bitsy wants to duck out early to avoid nighttime fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, someone can take her back easily on the Monorail. They have easy access to the Magic Kingdom, where a lot of their interests lie, and can also access Hollywood Studios without too much trouble.

So there you have it.

What are your thoughts about staying choosing your hotel? Let us know!

Trip Planning 101: Choosing a Hotel is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Enjoy foods from around the world!

No doubt your five-year-old can whip up a passable French onion soup and your teenager is an old hand at emulsifying sauces. Kids today are often quite savvy, food-wise, and count “Iron Chef” and “Chopped” among their must-see TV.

But though you are quite fond of them, does that mean that you want your children to accompany you to the Food & Wine Festival? Well, yes and no, and here’s how to make it work. You have heard us say this before, and you will hear us say it again: Plan ahead. (The 2011 Festival runs from September 30 to November 13 and takes place in Epcot.) In fact, if you do not automatically think “Disney World” and the phrase “plan ahead” in the same thought, then we’re not doing our job properly. So below, here are some tips so you can gaze upon your choucroute garnie—and, happily, eat it too.

• Without or without kids, the Festival will take some research. Events abound, from culinary demonstrations to mixology seminars; book signings to musical performances. Many require reservations; some carry additional fees. If you haven’t done so already, figure out which ones are must-attends, and sign up for the ones that allow advance reservations. Start scheduling the others into your overall trip.
• Figure out which ones your kids can attend. Remember, grownups are occasionally allowed to have fun all by themselves–even those with kids. Do not feel guilty. Everyone will be happier if kids don’t go to events where they don’t want to be and that are not really appropriate for them.
• Make arrangements ahead of time–have another adult agree to hang out with kids during the time you’re watching a demonstration, or arrange for a babysitter.
• When you get to Epcot, go to the Welcome Center and pick up your Marketplace Discovery Passport.
• Many kids love sampling new foods; others never look at anything outside a chicken finger. Before you leave for Disney World, try serving some new foods and get them used to the idea of more exotic tastes.
• At the Festival, select some options in which they can participate. A cheese tasting might not be a priority, but they might enjoy checking out the Cranberry Bog display in front of the World Showcase, for example, or you might let them sample tapas or other specialty foods at one of the kiosks that are set up. (You’ll have to pay for the privilege, so just make sure they’ve eaten a meal first!)
• Let kids have their own food experiences. Have them choose new restaurants or foods to try; have them be a “food critic.” Give kids small notebooks so they can jot down their impressions of foods they eat; or select recipes they want to try. See if you can find cookbooks or other souvenirs so you can recreate your favorites, or plan on looking for a recipe later. (Jot down descriptions of foods you enjoyed so you remember. Or have kids be the official jotters.) Give them instant or digital cameras to use so they can take pictures to accompany their writing. When they get home, have them make an official Disney kids’ cookbook.
• Ask kids to write a food blog or dairy that you can send to family back home.
• Give kids “tickets” that they can redeem for food items. If you’re on the dining plan, save some snack credits!
• If you’re at an event and you’re happily engaged and kids aren’t, don’t despair. You are, happily, in Disney World, not at a graduate lecture seminar at MIT. (However, it will feel like one if you don’t give kids things to keep them busy.) Always keep a stash of small goodies handy. A mix of stuff from home and new Disney stuff works well. Try to keep the food theme going with a kids’ cookbook or food stickers. Or have kids make a food-themed collage with menus and souvenir items. (Tip: in your “kid craft kit,” always carry a glue stick, small colored pencils, and stickers!)
• Have kids choose foods for favorite stuffed animals or dolls and make a mini cookbook.
• Take your child’s personality into account. Some kids will love attending a culinary demonstration; others would rather be taking a math test. If it’s worth the fee, consider letting an older child have a really special experiences. (Call ahead and ask if it’s appropriate, however.)

The secret is to make sure that everyone gets to do something they really want to, and that kids are engaged even if they’re not enthralled. Remember: it tastes better if a five-year-old is not pulling on your leg, asking in a loud voice when this will be over.

Everything tastes better at Epcot!

Do you have any tips on how to have kids enjoy the Food & Wine Festival? Let us know!

Food and Wine (Not Whine!): Taking Kids to the Food & Wine Festival is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.