From Planning to Pixie Dust: How We’re Getting Ready for Our Disney World Adventure

A Travel n Taste Journal Series

Planning a Disney World trip can be overwhelming—but with the right tools (and the right planner), it’s actually pretty exciting. As we prepare for our upcoming adventure, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we’re planning it all—from where we’re staying to how we’re booking top rides and dining reservations with ease.

Our Split Stay: Off-Property + On-Property Magic

We’re starting at Marriott Grand Vista Villas, a spacious, off-property resort perfect for relaxing after the road trip. Later in the week, we’ll move to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in a Cars Suite for that full Disney immersion experience.

Why we love this approach: Budget flexibility, more room early in the week, and Disney perks when it counts most.

Our Disney Planner: The Real MVP

We’re working with an amazing Disney planner who’s taken a huge load off our plate. She’s helping us book:

• Resorts (both off- and on-property)
• Dining reservations
• Lightning Lane and Multi Pass strategy
• Special experiences like Space 220 and Savi’s Workshop

Here’s the planner we’re using: Click here to check her out. And yes—her services are free to you (Disney pays her, not you!).

Other Great Disney Planners to Explore:

• WDW Prep School – Planning guides, podcast, and in-depth park strategies
• Mouse Hacking – Budget hacks and trip walkthroughs
• The Bucket List Family – Known for epic Disney adventures and content

There are a lot of amazing planners out there, but we definitely recommend finding one that matches your travel style.

MouseWatcher: The Key to Dining Reservations

We’re using MouseWatcher to grab the most popular dining spots at Disney. So far, we’ve set up alerts for:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Topolino’s Terrace
• Space 220

MouseWatcher monitors availability 24/7 and notifies us the moment a table opens. Then we book it directly through Disney—no stress, no guesswork.

Multi Pass + Lightning Lane Strategy

We’re planning out each park day using Disney’s Multi Pass (pre-booked rides) and Lightning Lane (paid front-of-line access for high-demand rides like TRON and Rise of the Resistance).

With help from our planner, we’re lining up key rides early and building in breathing room—because no one wants to run through the parks all day.

What We’re Packing

Here’s a look at our current packing checklist:

• Cooling fans
• Portable power banks
• Lightweight ponchos
• Collapsible water bottles
• Reusable straws
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Rain jackets or compact umbrellas
• Tiara-making kit (for themed days)
• Park day backpack or sling bag
• Snacks for lines and breaks
• Refillable water bottles
• First-aid kit (band-aids, Tylenol, blister treatment)
• Ziploc bags for electronics or wet items
• Extra phone charger cords
• Hand sanitizer & wipes
• Sunglasses

Budget Tips We’re Using

• Starting with an off-property stay to save on lodging
• Tracking spending with Disney gift cards
• Letting our planner help us avoid missed opportunities
• Booking early to secure the best options

What’s in Our Planning Toolkit

• Disney Planner: Meet ours here
• MouseWatcher: Set alerts and secure top dining
• Packing List: See above for our full list
• Ride Strategy: Lightning Lane + Multi Pass = less waiting, more magic

We’re still in prep mode—but feeling ready, excited, and confident that this trip will be unforgettable.