Just starting to plan a WDW trip for May 2017....

[mrsact1]

  I am so overwhelmed right now.  We have reached out to a travel agent we found online......but all the planning involved from picking restaurants and what park to go to and FPs in advance???

This is our first trip ever to WDW (I went 30 years ago as a child but don't really count that as it wasn't what it is now).  Where do I start and how can I possibly plan all of this?

I am hoping my travel agent will do a lot of the work, I just want us to do as much as we possibly can while we are there.  We are planning to do 8 or 9 days at WDW, but I am flexible if I think I need another day.....

We have a total budget for the trip that we are hoping to stick to......I have just never planned this much for any trip!

Thanks for reading.

[krystee]

I would read the poll thread to see people's favorite restaurants and hotels! But really, it's hard to go really wrong. How old are your kids and do they have favorite characters?

[curbsideprophet]

You have plenty of time to figure things out.

First I would decide if you want to stay on property or off. How many people are going? Kids and ages?

I would start researching resorts and see what might be a good fit. Or tell us what you think you want and we can make recommendations.

You can start researching restaurants but will not need to make any reservations until 180 days before you check in.

Fastpasses are 60 days ahead or 30 if staying off site.

[alleinesein]

Planning is only stressful if you make it stressful.

1. Set a budget
2. Pick your travel dates
3. Pick a hotel that works with your budget
4. If you are going down with kids have them pick 3 things that they want to do at each park and try to do those things
5. Realize that you will not be able to do everything and if you do try to 'do everything' you will end up stressed out and upset
6. Look at the menus online to get an idea of what food costs might be
7. Ask questions- there are enough of us on here who can help you

[krystee]

I think it is mainly overwhelming because of all of the zillions of sites and resources. Honestly, I may be a dinosaur, but I would pick up a Birnbaum's Guide to Disney, come up with a rough plan from that, and then research any specific things you want to know more about. Going to sites like Disboards or one of the billion Disney blogs makes me feel like I'm drowning in information overload.