How to Manage the Crowds at Walt Disney World

“When should we plan our trip to Walt Disney World if we want to avoid the crowds?”
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked that question! I used to have specific times I recommended and could confidently tell clients that the crowds would be “very light.”
That’s no longer the case. Even during the “slow” times, you are still going to encounter crowds on your Disney vacation. The good news is that the masses don’t have to impact your trip at all negatively.

photo ©Matt Clare

I’ve put together a list of some of my top tips for managing the crowds at Walt Disney World…

Be realistic in your expectations.

There are plenty of “crowd calendars” available online to help you find the weeks where the parks are going to be less crowded. Just keep in mind that “less crowded” is relative.

It doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to walk right on to your favorite attractions with little to no wait at any time of day. If that is your expectation, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

What it does mean is that you are unlikely to be standing shoulder to shoulder with other guests as you walk down Main Street USA on your way into the Magic Kingdom!

Plan ahead.

A Walt Disney World vacation requires a lot of planning!

There are three things I recommend you plan in advance…

1.          Know what park you will be in for each day

2.          Plan and schedule your FastPass+ attractions for the day

3.          Make Advance Dining Reservations for any table service meals you plan to have for the day

Planning out your days so that you know what park you will be at each day and making your FastPass+ reservations in advance will make a massive difference in helping you to minimize the time you spend waiting in line.

I know what you may be thinking, we don’t want our trip to be overly scheduled. We want to go-with-the-flow. That’s an excellent idea but trust me when I tell you that once you see what a difference a small amount of advance planning makes, you’ll find it very worthwhile.

Creating a theme park touring plan is one of the services I provide to my clients as part of their vacation planning package. Following the advice in these touring plans can make the difference in your family feeling tired, frustrated, and spending most of your day in lines, or knowing the ins and outs of the crowd patterns, ticking off your “must-see attractions” (sometimes more than once!), and enjoying the day without feeling overwhelmed.

photo ©Allie Caulfield

Arrive early…

It’s your vacation and waking up early may not sound like the kind of relaxation you had in mind, but the first hour to hour and a half the parks are open the crowds and lines will be at their lowest levels. As the day goes on, the crowd levels (and the heat!) will continue to build.

Arriving at the parks just before they open officially and heading straight for the “headliner” attractions is one of the best ways to ride them without waiting in long lines.

Use Extra Magic Hours Wisely

Each day Disney opens one of the theme parks one hour early, and/or keeps one of the parks open for 2-3 hours after its regular closing time just for on-site resort guests.

I typically only recommend the morning Extra Magic Hours to my clients if they know for sure they will be at the park before it opens so they can really maximize that hour. It’s also incredibly helpful if they have “park hopper” tickets.

Why? Because the morning extra magic hour park will usually be the most crowded park for the remainder of the day. Even if guests aren’t taking advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, many of them will head to that park since the tv in their room and the schedule on the info screens in the hotel lobby feature that as the park of the day.

If you aren’t going to take advantage of the full 60 minutes of minimal wait times, choose a different park for the day.

Stay super late…

Early mornings not your thing? No worries!

Evening Extra Magic Hours are ideal for families with older kids and teens who are wholly opposed to getting up early, even if it means shorter lines! During the busiest travel seasons, evening Extra Magic Hours may have one of the parks open until as late as 2 am, and you can bet the crowd level is low for that kind of late-night fun! The lines, even for headliner attractions, are almost nonexistent by the end of the night.

A pro tip for late-night touring… adrenaline and activity will keep you going while you are having fun, but once you sit down and stop moving, fatigue can set in quickly. Waiting for the bus back to your resort can be tough at the end of a long night.

Consider taking the monorail to one of the resorts and catching an Uber, Lyft, or MinnieVan back to your resort. The nominal charge is worth it when you are dropped off as close as possible to your door and into your bed much faster than if you had waited for the bus!

photo ©Anna Fox

Take a break.

Mid-day is when both the crowds and the heat index are at their peak, so it’s the perfect time for a break.

Consider planning a sit-down, table service lunch. You’ll escape the heat for a bit and get off your feet. Having a chance to sit down in the A/C and enjoy a good meal can be precisely what cranky kids (and parents!) need mid-day.

Or think about returning to your resort for a break! Take a nap… go for a swim… relax for a while and head back to the parks in the evening with renewed energy.

Parades and Fireworks Draw the Crowds

Disney does a phenomenal job with their night-time entertainment! Their parades and fireworks are top notch, and most people will secure their spot to watch both well in advance of the show starting… which means they won’t be riding your favorite attractions!

If you’ve already seen the parade or fireworks show (or the rides are more important to your family than the fireworks!), this is one of the best times during regular park hours to head to the parks most popular attractions.

Ready to start planning your next visit to see Mickey and friends? The perfect vacation begins with scheduling your complimentary consultation. Click here torequest a time for us to chat . We’ll discuss the details and what your vacation priorities. I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.

Top 5 Reasons to Choose Royal Caribbean for a Family Cruise

Once upon a time cruises were considered a refined, maybe even stuffy, vacation where the average passenger was well past retirement age. Not anymore!

Today's cruise ships are stacked with fun for the entire family. Water parks? A bar with a robot bartender? Ice skating rink? World-class Broadway-style entertainment? YES, PLEASE!

I'm often asked what cruise line I recommend for family vacations. While there isn't one answer that is right for every family (I pride myself on getting to know my clients and making a custom recommendation tailored to their family's vacation style), Royal Caribbean is almost always high on my list of recommendations.

Here are my top 5 reasons for recommending Royal Caribbean for family cruises.

Family Suites

You will very rarely hear the word "spacious" and "stateroom" in the same sentence. In the past, finding a stateroom that would accommodate a family of 4 could be a challenge, and finding something for a family of 5 was darn near impossible. Even finding connecting staterooms was difficult as most cruise ships had a minimal number available and they booked up quickly. 

The newer Royal Caribbean ships were designed with families in mind. There are considerably more connecting staterooms in all category levels as well as family staterooms that can sleep up to six in one room. 

Planning a multigenerational trip with a larger group? You may want to consider one of the Royal Family Suites that comfortably accommodate up to 8 people and give you family space to hang out and relax. While a regular stateroom may not be considered spacious, you'll be impressed with the amount of space and amenities you'll enjoy when you book a suite!

If you really want to go all out and blow your kids minds, book one of the Ultimate Family Suites onboard the Symphony of the Seas! These two-bedroom suites will sleep up to 8 and have the most kid-tastic features such as a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, a slide from the secondary bedroom down into the living room, a dining room table that magically transforms into an air-hockey table (or is it the other way around!), and a movie room with a popcorn machine and a 3D television. And it doesn't stop there! Open the doors and head out to your 212 sq ft wrap-around balcony with a climbing playscape, a ping-pong table, a full-size hot tub, and unparalleled ocean views. It's truly the ultimate in family accommodations!

Ultimate Family Suite on board the Symphony of the Seasphoto ©SBW-Photo

Kids Clubs for Ages 6 months to 17 Years

No matter what age your kids are, there is a kids club with dedicated space and age-appropriate activities just for them. 

Traveling with a baby? You'll find planned 45-minute interactive playgroups, interactive classes with enriching activities, and an expertly staffed nursery where your little one can stay with the childcare staff while you enjoy dinner, the spa, or just some adult time. (Check with your travel advisor… nursery drop off is not available on some ships).

The kids' clubs are divided by age group. The Aquanauts for ages 3-5, Explorers for ages 6-8 and Voyagers for ages 9-11. Teens are split into younger teens (ages 12-14) and older teens (ages 15-17). Each age group has its own dedicated spaces and supervised activities. There is never a dull moment and plenty of opportunities for your kids to make new friends and enjoy time on their own.

They even have a "Late Night Party Zone" for kids from 10 pm to 2 am for parents who want to enjoy a date night on their vacation. The kids' clubs are included in the cost of your cruise, however additional fees may apply for some activities, nursery drop off, and the late-night party zone.

Adventure Ocean on Allure of the Seasphoto ©Royal Caribbean International

Nightly Family Entertainment

After a day of fun in the kids' clubs, you may want to get the family together to enjoy some evening entertainment! There is no shortage of entertainment options for the whole family.

Royal Caribbean is known for their award-winning Broadway-style shows. The shows will vary based on the ship, but you'll find shows such as Mamma Mia, Hairspray, and the Queen Tribute, We Will Rock You. It's a great way to introduce your kids to this type of show in a more relaxed environment (and a slightly abbreviated show).

But it's not just musical theater! There are plenty of other entertainment options available as well. On Oasis Class Ships, head to the open-air-theater to be wowed by the professional acrobats, divers, and synchronized swimmers. The aqua-theater has two 30-foot diving platforms, tightropes, and the deepest pool at sea. The show is like nothing else you've experienced before!

On many ships, you can also enjoy Royal Caribbean's original productions in their ice-skating rink. These dramatic shows feature professional skaters, dazzling costumes, and engaging choreography.

With all of these different options, you can enjoy a different type of family entertainment each night…. All included in the cost of your cruise!

Hairspray on Symphony of the Seasphoto ©SBW-Photo

Tons of Dining Options… and you won't have to dress up for dinner!

Dining has always been a very important feature of cruises… but things have certainly changed as more cruise lines moved to focus on families. On Royal Caribbean ships, dinner is still an event each evening but it is no longer as structured as it used to be. And (much appreciated by the kids!) you no longer have to dress up for dinner unless you want to. You'll find passengers wearing everything from casual cruise wear to cocktail attire… the choice is yours. It is your vacation after all! 

In addition to the traditional main dining rooms and casual buffet options, you'll find an assortment of specialty dining options. Enjoy burgers and shakes at Johnny Rockets, take in the table-side show at Teppanyaki, savor the mouthwatering steaks at Chops, or indulge in the delicious pasta dishes at Jamie's Italian… once again, the choice is yours!

 Want a date night for Mom and Dad? Send the kids to the late night kids club and make a reservation for one of the fine dining establishments. Enjoy a specialty cocktail and a quiet dinner for two… you deserve it!

While dinner in the main dining room, buffets, and select casual restaurants is included in your cruise fare, many of the specialty restaurants require an additional fee. Talk to your travel advisor about the restaurants that your family may be interested in. They may recommend a specialty dining package that will save you money on your dining experiences.

Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine onboard Symphony of the Seasphoto ©SBW-Photo

You'll never hear them complain about being bored!

If you've never cruised before… or even if you've never sailed with Royal Caribbean… you may have a hard time wrapping your head around just how much there is to do and see on the ship. 

 Wondering what types of activities you'll find waiting for you? How about…

a rock-climbing wall, surf simulator, sky diving simulator, zip line, mini-golf, water slides, ice skating, trivia contests, dance lessons, wine tastings, escape rooms, culinary classes, bingo, casino games, live music, karaoke, comedians, movies, dance parties, history and port lectures, art auctions, behind-the-scenes-tours… and so much more. (Note that not all activities are available on all ships. If there are specific activities that you are interested in, your travel advisor can direct you to the ships you should consider).

Many of the newer ships are like floating cities. They are made up of up to seven different "neighborhoods" and are taller than the Eiffel Tower, and every square inch is packed with fun for your family!

Ultimate Abyss onboard the Symphony of the Seasphoto ©SBW-Photo

The perfect family cruise starts with a vacation consultation. Just click here to contact me. We'll talk about what kind of cruise you are looking for and how I can help. After that, I'll put together a no-obligation quote for you to review and we can get started planning!

Travel With Teens

 My parents always asked my input on vacations when I was a teen, maybe they were crazy but they did want to know. Now I didn't have 100% of the say(I wasn't paying) but we would have discussions. And I always appreciated the opportunities that my parents gave me to travel when I was a teen or during college. A week or two away from my friends didn't sway me when I had a chance to go to Europe for 2 weeks. From a young age I have never let a good travel opportunity slip away.

So now that I am a parent of two teens I try to get them involved but sometimes I wonder why I bother? Was I this bad? I know my schedule wasn't as busy as my kids. But here are some of my favorite issues when planning travel with teens.

1. If you have 2 or more you'll end up with an equal number of ideas. Well, both of my sons have different interests, that 's fine. But the majority of the time I think the one does it just to aggravate the  other. So that pleasant discussion has one leaving in a huff while the other has a smirk on his face and you are back to square one. So Mom makes the decision. Sorry guys, you missed your chance has come out of my mouth more than once.

2. Does your teen have a busier schedule than you? Between school, sports and other extracurricular activities trying to fit a vacation is like putting a puzzle together. This is where plans A,B & C come in. Maybe plan A is that longer trip. Well this year you can only slot one week in, fall back is plan B and sometimes it's only a long weekend plan C.

3. What to do with the friends issue, if your teen will be in a better mood with a friend on the trip invite them. Be very straight forward on what you are going to pay for on the trip with the friends' parents when asking permission. Not having this discussion can make for some awkward moments on your trip. Depending on where you are going and the age of the teen, you should discuss what to do in an emergency and also check if a cruise line requires some sort of paperwork for this situation.

4. Give the teens down time away from the grown ups, this could consist of letting them veg with their phones, tablets. Of course if you are on a cruise ship this is an issue, unless you pony up for a Wi-Fi plan. Nothing is more fun than a teen having tech withdrawal on vacation. So let them know up front.

5. Include activities/interests your teen would like to avoid the "I'm bored out of my scull" look. Take some time to do some research on activities or places that would interest your teen. So if it means shopping or stopping at some roadside attraction(world's biggest whatever) do it, it may put a smile on everyone's face.

6. Perhaps look at a specialized family tour, there are many companies that offer tours especially geared toward families. Most suppliers will let you know the ages and mix of genders of the kids on the tour. You get to drop being the family tour guide and hey maybe your teen meets some new friends.

Just as you used to plan vacations around the kids nap/sleeping schedules when they were little, when they get older it pays to include them and their interest in your vacation planning. Sure a few funny sulky teen stories are good, but don't you want to have those memories where your teen is enjoying themselves.

Solo Travel Tips & Ideas

 "Why don't you find someone to go with you?" Have you ever heard that from a travel supplier if you are looking to take a trip by yourself? Let's be realistic not everyone has a partner or a spouse and it can be for a variety of reasons that you really shouldn't have to explain. Or I have friends that their spouse doesn't want to go. Not all of us have wanderlust and while I think that is weird it's okay. And friends, well maybe they have a variety of reasons why they don't want to go. And nothing will ruin a good friendship faster than traveling with someone who perhaps doesn't have the same routine as you.

Don't worry, the travel industry is slowly coming around to the fact that solo travel is a growing segment and many companies are looking to tap into this growing market. And not everyone is making you pay the full solo supplement.

Cruising- Yes cruising is one of the more solo friendly ways to travel. Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the Studio Cabin on the Norwegian Epic back in 2010 and it has been a fixture on all their new ships. It's a stateroom designed for solo travelers and they also have a studio lounge that is for the studio passengers use. There is where you meet up for dinner, so you don't need to eat by yourself if you don't want too. And it's a great way to meet others, I sailed in one of these cabins on the Epic a few years ago yes I went all by myself. After the first dinner a bunch of us arranged to head out to Maho Beach in St Maarten to watch the airplanes land. Had a great time and you will find a wide age range of people who book the Studio cabins. Cunard added solo staterooms to the legendary Queen Mary2. Smaller ship? Silverseas has low single supplements of 25% along with some of the other luxury lines.

River Cruising- River cruise lines can also be a good choice. The majority waive single supplements on certain cruises and some have solo cabins, like Tauck does on their newer ships. But since they limit the waiver booking early is good idea.

Land- If you are looking at tours, Globus will offer to match you with a roommate, but if no one requests your departure they will waive the single supplement. Now if you are looking at higher end tours, they usually offer a better value in regards to the single supplement than say a cruise. Tauck and Abercrombie & Kent are two companies that value solo travelers. While not a luxury product, G Adventures offers various small group travel styles with trips from the Arctic to Tanzania and also will match solo travelers and has a low supplement if you don't want to share.

So there are really not many excuses to stay at home and not explore the world if you are a solo traveler. Give it a try, you'll see the world and maybe make a friend or two along the way.