My Hotel Planning

The first thing many of us do when planning for a vacation is choosing and then reserving our hotel. It’s no different at the Walt Disney World Resort! I have authored a library of vacation planning articles to help you, and you’ll understand exactly how to use them to your advantage!

Planning Step 1: My Hotel Articles Guide
Choosing the right hotel for your vacation is not only paramount to your overall vacation experience, it's also one of the most expensive portions of your budget. Let's review 'how' to save money, 'which' Disney category you should consider, 'what' you should do before you arrive, and SO much more!

Save Money On Your Disney Hotel
With the exception of a few weeks out of the year, there are many ways to easily get more for your dollar at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels! Learn what YOU can do to secure both the best value AND the lowest possible nightly rate!

Disney’s Extra Magic Hours: The Basics!
[Updtd Jan 18, 10 - EMH attractions and restaurants updated]
Will you be staying on property at the Walt Disney World Resort? If you are, you naturally want to know more about your ‘Extra Magic Hour’ opportunity, right?

Let's Review Disney's Value Category
[Updtd Oct 1, 08]
Disney designed their Value category Resorts for those guests who ‘only need a room and a comfortable mattress!’ But what else do they provide? Just how nice are these Resorts? Will you feel like you’re experiencing a ‘blue light special’ vacation? I’ll answer that right now with ‘NO!’ but let’s learn more about this category of Resorts!

Let's Review Disney's Moderate Category
[Updtd Oct 1, 08] You may already know that Disney’s Moderate category of Resorts are nicer than their Value choices, but what really makes them different? What do they offer that a Value Resort doesn’t? Are they worth the extra expense? Do they truly offer more? How do they differ from the Deluxe category? Let’s have a look!

Let's Review Disney's Deluxe Category
[Updtd Oct 1, 08] Before you dive into the world of Deluxe Resorts, let's first review everything you need to know about this 'category' of Resorts at Walt Disney World. How much are they? What comes with them? Are they truly deluxe? What is there to do?

Let's Review Disney's Deluxe Villas Category
[Updtd Oct 1, 08] Let’s review Disney’s Vacation Club category of Resorts! Which ones are available? What are they like? How do they differ? How large are the Villas? What comes with them? What are the sleeping arrangements like? How do you get around once you’re here? Now you’ll know!

How to Secure the Best Room Location for You
No matter the price per night, not all hotel rooms are equal. Let me show you how easy it is to increase your odds of securing a room that is ‘just right’ for your vacation!

The In’s of Checking In
Jiminy-jikes! You arrive at the front desk and they begin asking all sorts of questions; asking for this, asking for that, shoving a gazillion helpful pamphlets at you, and more! I want you to know what to expect before you arrive so you breeze through this necessary process!

Renting DVC Points for Your Disney Hotel
[Updated Oct 1, 08]
Want to reserve Disney's Deluxe Villa Resort accomodations for a fraction of the standard cost? How about more than 50% off the rack rate? Sound good? It should, and this is one of the fastest growing ways to get the most bang for you Disney Hotel buck -- especially for parties with more than four guests!

Buy an Annual Pass and Save on Your Disney Hotel!
[Updated Sep 30, 08]
If an Annual Pass is the best ticket for you, you're probably visiting for an extended visit or you may have the opportunity to visit more than once per year. Wouldn't it make sense for Disney to keep you happy with money-saving opportunities? Of course it would! :>)

Be a Florida Resident and Save!
Are you a resident of the fine, sunny, beautiful state of Florida? If you are, Disney wants you to come visit them as many times as you can per year! And why not? You're probably only a hop, skip, and a jump away, right?

Official Discount Offers for Canadian Guests
[Updated Sep 30, 08]
Disney often provides special discounts to Canadians in an effort to entice them to this far-away fun place! Lets find out what has been offered in the past and see whats coming in the future!

Save with the Disney Rewards Visa!
There is a Disney Rewards Visa credit Card! Hmmm ... that's neat and all, but let's review it's pros and cons and decide if YOU should be interested. Will it help you save? Find out!

On Property or Off Property?
This eternal question has been repeatedly asked by millions of guests since Walt Disney World opened in 1971. Let me guide you through the pros and cons of staying both on AND off Disney property.

Where In Walt Disney World Should You Stay?
The Walt Disney World Resort is twice the size of Manhattan and larger than San Francisco. Do you think it matters where your Disney hotel is located? Of course it does! But not for the ‘big reason’ you may think ... ;>)

How to Make Your Disney Resort Reservation
[Updtd Dec 30, 08] Let me show you the ins and outs of Disney's hotel reservation system - it may seem complicated, but it's not!

Getting Wired with the Mouse
[Updtd Oct 1, 08] Are you lost without your daily dose of e-mail? Can't go a day without hooking onto the Internet? Or are you mixing business with pleasure? Don't worry, Disney has you covered with a range of in-room Internet services as well as Wi-Fi access.

When Do I Recommend a Value Over a Moderate?
Your vacation experience IS important to you, right? Does that mean you'll be depriving yourself by staying at a Value category Resort? Maybe ... maybe not. It all depends on what you plan to do while at Walt Disney World. Let's talk about this.

Which Moderate Resort Do I Recommend?
Consider this article a summary of my reviews on each Moderate Resort at Walt Disney World. I realize how difficult it can be when you’re ‘almost there’ with your final hotel choice. I hope this helps you! And if it doesn't, I'm confident the links I provide for you at the bottom of the page will ... ;>)

Which Value Resort Do I Recommend?
Decisions, decisions ... they're always fun! Which will it be? The toys or the sports equipment? How about some music with your stay? What about a celebration of the generation gap? Which Value Resort do I recommend over the others? And why? Let's see ... ;>)

When Do I Recommend a Moderate Over a Deluxe?
Decisions, decisions ... the task of deciding how much you want to spend on a hotel is one of the first ones you have to consider. You also have to factor in ‘how much’ of your vacation budget, percentage-wise, will go towards it, don’t you? Why not have a look at this article? I have a few points to make ...

What is Concierge Service All About?
Should you stay in a Concierge service room while visiting your Deluxe category Disney Resort? Do they assist you before you arrive? What about once you’re here? What do you receive in return for your extra investment? Let’s talk!

Disney’s Hotel Cancellation Policies
Wouldn’t it be nice if Disney had only one cancellation policy to be concerned about? Well, they don’t … and we’ll just have to live with that. Let’s review what they are and why you should care!

The Out’s of Checking Out
Checking out of your hotel can be much easier and faster than checking in. Let's make sure you know everything you need to know before you go! Check out my F.A.Q. too!

or