A Former Disney Employee's Guide to Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation

Your kids are old enough, and your wife or husband has been begging to go to Walt Disney World, the place where dreams come true and magic is everywhere. Of course, you can be kid-free and go to Disney World. It's all up to you.

The first thing that you might need to do is set a budget. This is key to enjoying a fantastic trip to the Sunshine State and Walt Disney World. There is so much to see, so much to do, and prices on everything are far more expensive than they would be in 'real life'. Do you want fancy dinners every night, or just one night? What are you willing to spend on your kids, or yourselves for souvenirs? It is important to note that pin trading is big at Disney and each pin can cost upwards of $12. Plush-stuffed Minnie and Mickeys can be upwards of $20 a piece. So be very frugal. Hold off buying these things until the end; as someone who has worked at Disney, it is noted that the same merchandise will be everywhere if you look hard enough, unless it is specific to a ride.