15 Best Places to Travel in April - Trip Ideas
Disney Vacations
Dust off your mouse ears and make room in your stomach for the best churros you might ever taste: Disney vacations are serious business. Or planning them can be, at least. Disney is one of the most popular travel franchises in the world, encompassing iconic theme parks, cruises, resorts, and more. Fans of the man and his brand have Disney trip planning down to a science, too, always finding ways to skip long lines, get deals on hotel reservations, and snag the best character meet-and-greets Disney has to offer. Want the tips, tricks, hacks, and secrets to visiting The Happiest Place(s) On Earth? Find them right here.
Disney Trips Are So Complicated Now That You Need A Class To Plan One
Rob Kayris and his family of six were "dumping a boatload of money" into a Disney trip last year and wanted to make the most of it. So a few months before the vacation, they took a class about the new ride reservation system, Genie Plus.
Then right before the trip in February, they took it again.
"I feel like if you don't know how it works, you're going to waste probably two to three days before you have a grip on what's what," said Kayris, a copy machine salesman who lives outside Philadelphia.
Disney has always been a paradise for planners — or nightmare for the disorganized. When is the best time to go? How can we save money? Is it possible to avoid long lines?
David Semanoff, a public relations firm owner who has been visiting Disney parks since he was an infant, distributes a 10-page primer to friends with tips on rides, dining, character interaction and what to do if it rains ("get your ponchos and go to the park!"). Reactions to his advice can be mixed.
"I think some are already so overwhelmed at the idea of the trip," he said.
Travel agents, YouTubers, influencers, bloggers, friends-with-experience, Disney experts and paid services like Touring Plans have filled the knowledge gap and helped frazzled families figure out their dream vacation even as the cost has soared. Some visitors turn to VIP tours that cost between $450 and $900 an hour, plus park admission. Others have used the service of independent guides, a practice Disney has been cracking down on.
The pandemic added a new layer of complications, though some of the biggest pain points — such as the need to make reservations and restrictions on when guests could hop from park to park — went away this month in Florida. Then came a fresh upheaval: Instead of the old, free-to-use ride-reservation system, the company introduced one that costs money, requires early wake-ups and drains cellphone battery life. The 2021 introduction of Genie Plus, which mobilizes vacationers to reserve rides starting at 7 a.M. And then throughout the day, turned vacation organization into a near-competitive sport. And it created a new lane for tipsters, content creators, travel advisers and savvy regulars.
One of those is Brooke Raybould, a social media content creator who sells a 200-page digital "Mom's Guide to Disney World" for $40. Her TikTok on her family's early-morning approach to tackling the Magic Kingdom featuring a 7:20 a.M. Arrival at the park with her four sons — went viral last year.
"There's an entire system to doing Disney World the right way," she said.
@brookeraybouldMagic Kingdom EARLY PARK ENTRY STRATEGY! But first, only 2 more days to get the discount for "A Mom's Guide to Disney World," the 200-page guide I wrote to help moms plan Disney! Comment the word "MAGIC" to get the link to the guide (a sneak peek) and use code "MAGIC2023" for $10 off at checkout. EARLY PARK ENTRY TIME NOTES: 5:00 AM Wakeup 5:15 AM Workout 7:00 AM Book UBER 7:15 AM Leave @fsorlando in UBER 7:30 AM Arrive in front of Disney's Contemporary Hotel 7:30 AM Walk to Magic Kingdom using walkway! 7:35 AM First in line at kiosks 7:45 AM Enter park + Main Street US is open! Note: snap a photo in front of Cinderella's Castle while park is empty. 7:50 AM Line up to rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 8:20 AM Rides are OPEN to start riding! … and we stayed all the way til 8:15 PM! MAGIC KINGDOM GENERAL NOTES: We rope dropped Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This is the only way to get on this ride without a line without paying. Next, we rode Peter Pan, It's a Small World and Ariel. Fantasyland was finished and the park had barely opened. If Seven Dwarfs has a sign that says 75 minute wait when you rope drop. Ignore it! The line is actually short if you get there early, they just default to that sign. Our first Genie+ Big Thunder Mountain was then ready to ride at 10:15 AM. TRON is incredible, and now makes Magic Kingdom one of our fave parks! Skipper Jungle Canteen for dinner - food was amazing; ambiance was … okay. … And we SURPRISED the kids and decided to do EPCOT on Monday! Check my stories tomorrow! For those asking, we stay at the Four Seasons @fsorlando and love it!
♬ original sound - Brooke, The Southernish MamaLearning the lingo
For the average Joe, the nomenclature of a Disney World trip can befuddle. Lightning lanes let you bypass longer standby lines to get faster entry to a ride. Genie Plus is the way you get access — unless you've paid for an individual lightning lane, which is only available for certain rides and doesn't require Genie Plus. Those can be booked at 7 a.M. For resort guests and at park opening time for everyone else. Virtual queues for the newest, hottest rides are free, but also open for booking at 7 a.M. And often fill up quickly.
"I knew it would be complicated, but I don't think I could have imagined the Disney-industrial complex was this complicated," Theresa Brown, a New York City resident who took a family trip to Disney World in August, said in an email. "The sheer brain power just to figure out the Disney lingo and landscape is monumental."
Kirsten Andrade, a concierge travel planner for Favorite Grampy Travels, saw that need when she created the Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane Tip & Tricks Facebook Group in 2021 — which has more than 200,000 members now. After several months, she decided to launch an interactive online class, which costs $39.
"It's kind of a mixture of a Zoom and like a remote college class," said Andrade, who is based in Pittsburgh. "We've got a little pop quiz built in."
Planning forums are full of stressed-out newcomers trying to decipher a virtual queue from a lightning lane, and worrying about what happens if the technology glitches out — as technology often does.
"I've had people call me crying," said Jacquie Murphy, a Wilmington, N.C.-based travel planner with Kingdom Elite Travel.
Jessica Mickelson, 39, worked for years as a family therapist and now applies those skills to her Disney planning business, Well Hello Magic. Her tagline is "minimizing parental stress at the Disney parks."
"There is a therapeutic touch woven into everything," she said.
The mom of four kids between the ages of 3 and 12 created a "Magic Made Easy" course for $139 as well as shorter free park guides, a YouTube channel, podcast, blog and social media accounts. Mickelson is not a travel agent — she doesn't book trips for anyone — but includes tips on choosing an agent, sample itineraries, Disney apps and what happens when everything goes wrong.
"Then I talk about realistic expectations, which is the therapist in me," she said.
She likes her family trips to be low-key and flexible with a mix of parks, hotels and other activities. Still, her husband, Jerod, can't help but engage in a modern-day Disney activity: testing the WiFi speed before 7 a.M. To make sure they have a strong connection to book reservations right on time.
A costly, time-consuming perk
Murphy sees the value in Genie Plus, but she wishes visitors had more transparency about the price. At Disneyland, the price varies but starts at $30. At Walt Disney World, prices change according to the day and park; on Tuesday, for example, the service cost $17 at Animal Kingdom up to $27 at Magic Kingdom or for multiple parks. The price reached $39 at Magic Kingdom around Christmas, according to Disney Tourist Blog.
"I think the thing that people have the hardest time wrapping their brain around is not knowing how much it costs in advance," Murphy said.
David Gordon, a theater journalist in New York City whose wife works for a Disney subsidiary and gets free tickets, has purchased a $25 quick entry — an individual Lightning Lane — to ride a Star Wars ride on a trip to Disneyland. And his family used Genie Plus over the Christmas holiday at Walt Disney World to avoid lines for rides with his young daughter, which he called an "absolute game changer."
He said he understands Disney is trying to get people to use its apps. But many parks fans don't want to view their trip through a small screen.
"It's the one time in my life where I want to be looking around and taking in all the sights and smelling the flowers," he said. "The fact that you have to be so tethered to your app that you should probably bring an extra battery just to make sure you get on the one ride you want to get on is shortchanging the whole Disney experience."
Disney has said it is taking customer feedback into consideration and has made some Genie Plus changes. The company created its own team of advice-givers in 2008, now an online forum called planDisney.
"We know everyone vacations differently, and with hundreds of iconic Disney attractions and experiences to enjoy at Walt Disney World, we are listening to our guests and giving them many choices and ways to personalize their visit to meet their unique needs," Disney World spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said in a statement.
In a blog post last year, the company acknowledged that guests want to use the Genie Plus service to plan their days in advance of a park visit, not just in real time — and said that may be possible in 2024.
"Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family," the blog post said.
Tips from the experts
Mickelson likes to visit the parks in late August and September, when kids are back in school and crowds are more manageable. "You kind of exchange the heat for the crowd level," she said. She plans for midday breaks and rest days that let her family take advantage of non-park offerings at the resorts.
Her biggest tips are to understand the geography of the parks and learn to ignore Disney FOMO (fear of missing out). When booking Genie Plus, she said it's important to know which rides sell out quickly, start with the high-demand one your family wants and then tackle other attractions in the same area.
"With Genie Plus, we have never zigzagged across the park," she said.
Murphy recommends that guests bring an extra power bank or cellphone charger when they go to the parks because they'll spend so much time on their phones. She also suggests people "play around" with the My Disney Experience app in advance of a trip to Walt Disney World to get familiar with all the features.
On the day of a Disney World visit, Murphy suggests a triage approach starting at 7 a.M. Sharp: First, join a virtual queue to get on the hottest new rides without paying extra. Next, use the Genie Plus service (which can be purchased as early as midnight) to choose the first attraction you'll hit — ideally one that books up quickly. Finally, for those staying on Disney property, snag up to two individual lightning lanes. Everyone else has to wait for the park to open to reserve those slots.
Semanoff's number one tip is to book a room at a Disney resort. He said it's worth the splurge if for no other reason than being able to pay for a spot on the most popular rides at 7 a.M. Plus, he said staying on property keeps "the whole vibe alive" and lets guests avoid morning traffic jams.
His recommendations wrap up with perhaps the most challenging tip to follow: "Remember to have fun! It can be stressful and annoying, so remember to breathe and enjoy."
This story has been updated.
9 Experts Reveal Their Best Disney Secrets And Insider Tips
Desiree Flores-Molina is a new member of the Disney Mom's Panel and an expert on everything Disney.
Photo courtesy of Desiree Flores-MolinaAre you Disney obsessed? Disney recently announced the results of its 12th annual search for the Disney Parks Moms Panel, a group of experts who field questions from travelers and share their insider advice on the parks, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and more. And the competition to get one of the coveted spots on the panel is stiff, with multiple rounds that include written questions, phone interviews and a video application (one applicant called it "an emotional roller-coaster"). Despite the name of the panel, this role is not just open to women — or moms, for that matter. Dads, grandparents and even parents of fur babies have made the cut.
For the winners, the job comes with a great deal of responsibility, despite the fact that there's no pay. There are mandatory training sessions, and panelists are asked to answer about 10 to 20 questions per week. But the perks are pretty sweet: Each panelist receives a free trip to Walt Disney World Resort with up to three guests. Panelists may also be invited to participate in other events throughout their one-year role. And after the first year, they are invited to return as alumni panelists.
The 12 new panelists joining the Disney Parks Moms Panel for 2019.
Photo courtesy of DisneyThis year, 12 new members — mostly women, a couple men — made the cut and will join 28 returning panelists. We caught up with nine of the women who won a spot on the 2019 panel and found out what their qualifications were, as well as their top Disney tips.
READ MORE: "The 38 Cheapest Places To Travel In 2019."
Amy Medlock-Greene, from South Carolina, is a new member of the Disney Mom's Panel.
Photo courtesy of Amy Medlock-GreeneWho: Amy Medlock-Greene
Qualifications: Amy Medlock-Greene, a high school journalism teacher from Irmo, South Carolina, is an expert on Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. "I first experienced the magic of Walt Disney World Resort in 1983 when my maternal grandparents took me and my cousin on an epic road trip to celebrate the recently-opened Epcot," says the mom of three. Now, she and her husband and daughter are annual passholders and make the seven-hour drive to Orlando at least every other month.
Top Tip: "Making the most of your Walt Disney World vacation involves a lot of planning. From making dining reservations 180 days in advance to booking your FastPass+ experiences 30-60 days before your trip, having a solid game plan can make your vacation experience that much more enjoyable. That said, it's also important to be flexible. Don't be too upset when things don't go according to plan — just go with the flow and enjoy it as much as you can."
Rayna Clay is from Wesley Chapel, Florida and a expert on Disney Vacation Club.
Photo courtesy of Rayna ClayWho: Rayna Clay
Qualifications: An anesthesiologist specializing in obstetrics by day, Rayna Clay is her friends' and family's official Disney vacation planner by night. From Wesley Chapel, Florida, this mom of five is an expert on Disney Vacation Club Resorts. "We joined Disney Vacation Club the first Christmas after we were married when we took our two oldest children to Disney World as a Christmas surprise," she says. "Staying on property, with the flexibility to fit our family's style and budget, was a no-brainer."
Top Tip: "Take advantage of the full kitchens in the villas. It's a great way to save money as well as deal with the picky eaters in the family. Make your life even easier by ordering your groceries ahead online and have the food delivered straight to your resort."
Angie Gargaro is a business analyst with a Minnesota technology company and an expert on Disney... [+] Cruise Line.
Photo courtesy of Angie GargaroWho: Angie Gargaro
Qualifications: From Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Angie Gargaro is a business analyst with a technology company by trade, but a Disney Cruise Line enthusiast by heart. "We took our first Disney Cruise when our youngest was four and after that first pirate night we knew we would be Castaways for life," says this mom of two. "We have set a goal to experience each itinerary that Disney Cruise Line has to offer as a family no matter how long it may take us."
Top Tip: "One evening during your cruise, surprise your pirate crew with some milk and cookies before bed. Order them from room service before you leave for dinner and your show and they will be waiting for you when you return."
Former elementary school teacher Samantha Kimmell is a Walt Disney World expert.
Photo courtesy of Samantha KimmellWho: Samantha Kimmell
Qualifications: A former elementary school teacher from Allison Park, Pennsylvania, Samantha Kimmell is currently a stay-at-home-mom of two. She is an expert on navigating the parks and resorts with a child with special needs. "My son has autism, and we are always so appreciative of how easy the Walt Disney World Resort makes it to vacation with someone who has special needs," she says.
Top Tip: "Start your Walt Disney World theme park days early. You can experience quite a few attractions in the first few hours after rope drop when the parks are at their least crowded. To get a head-start on the fun, you may even want to book an early breakfast reservation at a restaurant inside the park, prior to park opening."
From Peru, Desiree Flores-Molina is an expert on international travel questions regarding Walt... [+] Disney World Resort.
Photo courtesy of Desiree Flores-MolinaWho: Desiree Flores-Molina
Qualifications: This Peru-based mom of three is a middle school language arts and humanities teacher at the International American School of Lima. She speaks Spanish, English and French and is an expert on international travel questions when it comes to Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. "As soon as I walk into Epcot, my family knows that I basically run off to go use my multi-language skills in the different pavilions, especially with folks from France, Mexico and Canada," says Desiree Flores-Molina. "I'm overwhelmed every time by Disney's multiculturalism and diversity."
Top Tip: "When celebrating a special occasion, make sure to pick up a button that's shows the celebration at your resort hotel or in the parks at Guest Services. Cast Members may work some extra magic if they see you wearing the buttons."
Kristin Chessman is an expert on Disneyland Resort in California and traveling with babies.
Photo courtesy of Carole EdelhauserWho: Kristin Chessman
Qualifications: Kristin Chessman, a freelance writer and editor from Trabuco Canyon, California, started her journalism career working in TV news, then moved into print and online writing. An annual passholder for nearly 20 years, Chessman has three kids under age seven and lives under an hour from California's Disneyland Resort. "When it comes to helping others get the most out of their Disneyland Resort vacations, I especially love helping friends and family traveling with young children," she says. "I consider myself a pro at utilizing the Baby Centers and navigating the parks with littles."
Top Tip: "Parents and caregivers with youngsters will want to take advantage of the Baby Care Centers located at both parks. Purchase baby necessities, feed and change babies or just take a break with your little ones in a calm environment."
Jessica Babbit is the mom of fur babies and an expert on Walt Disney World Resort.
Photo courtesy of Brandy BocchinoWho: Jessica Babbit
Qualifications: A personal stylist, Canada-born Jessica Babbit lives with her husband and two rescue pets in Austin, Texas. "Walt Disney World has been a fixture in my life since I was nine months old and had my picture taken on my dad's shoulders in front of Cinderella Castle," she says. Babbit also honeymooned at Walt Disney World Resort.
Top Tip: "There are lots of fun things for grown-ups to do at Walt Disney World. Jellyrolls at Disney's BoardWalk is a dueling piano bar exclusively for guests 21 and over to sing their hearts out to everything from Disney songs to Top 40 hits. There isn't anything these guys don't know. I haven't ever seen them stumped by a request."
Math instructor Anne Marie Reband is a pro when it comes to budgeting for a Disney trip.
Photo courtesy of Anne Marie RebandWho: Anne Marie Reband
Qualifications: Anne Marie Reband, a mom of four from Grayslake, Illinois, is a math instructor at a community college. She's also an expert on Walt Disney World Resort and squeezing the most magic from your vacation budget. "I have been planning Walt Disney World vacations for my family and others for over 25 years," she says.
Top Tip: "Plan breaks during your vacation. I like to leave the parks mid-afternoon for some relaxation time; perhaps a quiet lunch and some pool time. I feel like I get more out of my vacation this way. Also, there is so much to see and do beyond the theme parks. Spa experiences, water sports, horseback riding and bike rentals are just a few."
Eean Kerber, a former elementary school teacher, is a Walt Disney World Resort expert.
Photo courtesy of Eean KerberWho: Eean Kerber
Qualifications: A former elementary school teacher from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Eean Kerber is now a stay-at-home mom of three boys. She has been going to Disney since she was young. "My first trip to Walt Disney World was in 1980 with my parents and grandparents. It's hard to imagine a time before Epcot existed," says this expert, who also honeymooned at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.
Top Tip: "If you have a must-do FastPass+ or Dining Reservation for your trip, plan to do it the last day of your vacation. It's always easier to snag those coveted hard-to-get reservations at the end of your trip, and it's great to have something fantastic to look forward to."
READ MORE:
• "The 20 Best Cruises To Take In 2019 (Including Disney)"
• "Quit Your Job And Live Abroad in 2019: 10 Places So Cheap You Might Not Need to Work."
• "The 38 Cheapest Places To Travel In 2019."
• "Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 25 Companies For Remote Jobs That Allow You To Travel"
Comments
Post a Comment