Have you always wanted to go on a Disney trip with just your friends but they haven't been before? Or have you been asked to help plan a trip for someone else? Here is a guide to guiding the guidebook-less through planning a Disney vacation!
6 tips for a magical trip!
Tip #1: Don't bog them down with information all at once. Disney is logistically complicated, and dumping a ton of complex details on your friends could discourage them from wanting to go. Keep it simple, and keep the irrelevant details to yourself unless your party needs to know.
Tip #2: Have an open conversation about the budget. Be open with what you are comfortable spending, and discuss what you want out of the trip. Money saving hacks are great, but also be realistic about what is doable for when you want to go. Disney is expensive, and you always end up spending more than you mean to on food and souvenirs.
Tip #3: Only present options that are in that budget. Do you remember on Say Yes to the Dress when the family picked a dress thoroughly out of the bride's price range and she loved it, but couldn't get it? Don't do that to your friends. If possible, keep the luxury experiences under wraps unless someone specifically asks for them so nobody feels like they're missing out.
Tip #4: Don't shut them out of the planning process. If they want to learn more and help you plan, let them! Your friends are just as capable as you are, so let them take something off your plate. If you do it all yourself, you might get stressed and resentful and ruin the trip (or the friendship!). Also, feeling included could help someone feel more in control of this very expensive thing they're helping pay for!
Tip #5: Have everyone do some research and make a list of Must Do's, Must Eats, and Must See's. This will help you plan your days and prioritize all the options you have in the parks. Does everyone want to see Fantasmic? Great! Don't schedule a sit-down dinner that evening. Is nobody in your party really interested in Tron? Great! You don't have to worry about getting that Lightning Lane!
Tip #6: Plan for down time! Don't schedule every minute of the day, leave room for spontaneity, delays, over-sleepers, etc. In this same vein, plan for a nice dinner or a night in the hotel with snacks and pizza. (Did you know they stream the nighttime spectaculars on Disney hotel TV?) This is a great way to slow down and enjoy each other's company while still being in the parks or enjoying your hotel.
Every group and every trip is different, so do whatever you want to do. The key to any logistical undertaking is communication and research, so be honest with each other about what you want and what is possible right now, and you'll have a magical time!