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planDisney Celebrates National Plan for Vacation Day

Lisa Mendillo

by , Sr. Manager, Digital Integration

Rise and shine! It’s National Plan for Vacation Day and the planDisney panelists are here and ready to help you plan your next Disney vacation! Resorts, theme parks, restaurants and so much more await you. 

Wait, you were unaware of this momentous occasion? Let us give you some background. 

Fact #1 – National Plan for Vacation Day happens every year on the last Tuesday in January

Fact #2 – This year’s glorious day is today! 

Fact #3 – Each year Americans leave more than 600 million vacation days unused! A true travesty, we agree!

Fact #4 –While some may not be ready, or able, to travel, U.S. Travel Association research shows we just feel happier when we plan a vacation! In fact, 97 percent of survey respondents say having a trip planned makes them happier. 

Fact #5 – planDisney is here to help you plan the most magical vacation ever … not just any magical vacation … a Disney vacation.

planDisney

Whether you are a seasoned Guest or are ready to begin planning your first Disney vacation, planDisney is here to help. planDisney is the official digital resource for tips, advice, and unique insights from real guests who have mastered the art of planning Disney vacations. They are here to answer your Disney vacation planning questions for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line. Thinking about becoming a Disney Vacation Club member in 2021? We can answer your questions on that topic too! 

Let’s Get Started!

Just getting started can seem overwhelming, so where do you even begin?  Kathy knows, and here is how she recommends you begin planning your Walt Disney World Resort vacation. “Imagine this: you’ve just gotten off the monorail at Magic Kingdom Park and you’re about to catch your first glimpse of the iconic Cinderella Castle. Can you feel the excitement and anticipation of those first few magical moments? Congratulations! You’ve just started planning your Walt Disney World Resort vacation! It really does start with a dream. Now you just need to make that dream come true.”

You have the vision and now Missy recommends considering the “biggies.” What time of year do you want to travel? Do you have a budget in mind for your trip? Are you driving or flying and do you have a resort in mind where you would like to stay? Once these major decisions are ironed out, it’s time to put on those Mickey ears and plan the specifics!

planDisney Reminder: Wes reminds guests to check the “Special Offers, Deals, and Discounts” page on the Walt Disney World website. “With a family of seven, I am always very grateful for the magical deals Walt Disney World Resort has to offer! Another great way to hear about special offers and discounts is to follow Walt Disney World Resort on all their social media platforms and subscribe to Disney Parks Blog to hear the most up-to-date and TIGGER-ific Disney news!”

Choosing a Resort

Where to stay can be one of the hardest decisions when it comes to planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, but for Sarah, this must be done before any further planning can take place. 

“We love to experience all the different resorts Walt Disney World Resort has to offer, and our resort often sets the tone for our entire vacation! If we are planning a relaxing vacation at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, I make sure to include plenty of time to spend lounging at Stormalong Bay pool. If we are staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, I like to add an extra day at Magic Kingdom Park to our itinerary, since it is just mere steps away!”

Robyn reminds guests to consider what you want from your resort hotel stay. 

“If you’re a foodie, look at menus and reviews of resort hotel dining locations and consider how much you’ll be eating at your hotel. If you know you’re going to want lots of pool time, check out pictures of the pool’s theme and features. If you know you want to get to the theme parks at opening and spend most of your time in the parks, look at resort transportation and proximity to the theme parks.” 

There is nothing like staying in the middle of the magic at a Disney Resort Hotel, and Tabitha encourages everyone to stay on property. “There is truly a Disney Resort Hotel for every budget!

Get the Family Involved

Dates set … check ✅. Resort selected … check ✅. Now Jackie recommends grabbing a 

notebook & pen, your computer and phone (complete with the My Disney Experience app,) and let the games begin.

“Once the dates are set, the first thing I do is grab that notebook and pen! Writing out the park hours, which can easily be found on the app, is a big help. After I know the park schedule, I like to sit down and talk with my family to see what their must-dos are for each of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. There is no way to experience everything in one trip, but we can do something each day that everyone wants.”

Getting the family involved is half of the fun of planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. 

“Engaging my family in the planning process has changed throughout the years,” explains Tamela. “As little Mouseketeers, I would have them tell me all the attractions they wanted to experience. I would also ask for input on restaurant choices, which often included dining with Mickey Mouse. Once they hit the teenage years, I would have each kiddo pick a unique restaurant experience to sample and try new tastes. By doing this, we have experienced almost all the dining offered at the Walt Disney World Resort!”

planDisney Reminder: Wyatt reminds guests to check out the Friends & Family feature on the My Disney Experience app! “This allowes me to invite each family member to collaborate with the planning process right from their own phones!”

Stay tuned and follow along this week on planDisney’s new Twitter and Instagram accounts for helpful tips and recommendations including more planning tips, countdown ideas the entire family can enjoy, and the top 21 tips you need to know when planning your Walt Disney World Resort vacation in 2021. Or, if you have questions, stop by plandisneypanel.com to get a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. If your ready to book, contact your travel agent or visit DisneyWorld.com. Have a wonderful National Plan for (your Disney) Vacation Day!

Comments

  • I want to visit Disney land in end of Mar2021 but don’t know how to plan the trip

  • An Annual Pass would be a great beginning to my WDW vacation planning “ditto”

  • I want to go to Disneyland but don’t know how to plan because there is no info to plan with.

  • An Annual Pass would be a great beginning to my WDW vacation planning.

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