Making the Most of a Trip to Disney World

7 Things Every Dad Must Know Before Heading to Orlando

WHO'S GOING to Disney World? If you have young kids at home, and if they have any say in the matter, you are. Don’t worry, it’s not that expensive; a family of four can expect to pay $500 a day, in addition to lodging and transportation.
     And you may be surprised at how much fun you’ll have—if you take the time to arm yourself with some inside information and a few trade secrets.
     Here are seven things you need to know:
     1. Avoid peak season. Unless someone has a gun to your head, it's best to avoid Disney World between June 15 and August 15. Huge crowds—as well as the heat and humidity--can be oppressive then. Things tend to be more pleasant in November (before Thanksgiving) or December (before Christmas).
     Alas, most schools are in session at these times. So, you’ll have to decide whether a trip to Orlando warrants having Junior miss classes. If you’re torn, talk to the teacher. Be honest about why you’re considering taking your child of school, and see what kind of response you get. Some teachers are surprisingly understanding.
     If you don’t want Junior to miss school, the best time to go to is probably the week before school starts or the week after it ends. In some schools, little happens in the last few days before summer recess. Ask the teacher--this could be a good time to go.
     2. Pick a hotel inside Walt Disney World. Orlando is chockablock with hotels, obviously. If you can afford the higher cost, go with one of the Disney-owned hotels situated inside Walt Disney World. The Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, and the Contemporary are on Disney’s fast and comfortable Magic Kingdom monorail line. Taking the monorail is a lot more efficient than walking, taking a bus, or driving. Kids love it.
     The best pick is probably the Polynesian, where double-occupancy rooms run around $340. Unlike the other hotels inside Disney World, it’s right next door to Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center—which means you’ll save additional time.

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