Broads in the USA! Disney World 2023

Trip Deets: December 2023, 7 nights/6 park days, family trip with 2 adults and 2 kids (11 and 9 years) Also included MVMCP

Where did you stay: Art of Animation Cars Suite

How often do you go to Disney?: This was our first time!

The Best Part of Your Trip?: Feeling like all the planning and reading paid off :-) We had such a smooth, efficient and successful holiday, because we set our priorities and intentions as a family before we left, then planned our days around achieving those priorities. We were able to do more than our priorities, but we were prepared to not 'do everything' as we knew there was just so much that could be done.

How often do you go to Disney:This was our first time!

The Best Part of Your Trip: Feeling like all the planning and reading paid off :-) We had such a smooth, efficient and successful holiday, because we set our priorities and intentions as a family before we left, then planned our days around achieving those priorities. We were able to do more than our priorities, but we were prepared to not 'do everything' as we knew there was just so much that could be done.

What would you do differently: Not underestimate how tired we would be after the MVMCP :-) Although we planned to have a slow start the next day, we were still awake naturally and at EPCOT by about 10am, and with Candlelight Processional booked for 8.30pm, it was a surprisingly long and tiring day. Still enjoyable, but because we were tired, I don't think we experienced EPCOT properly and missed things.

What is the best tip you learned from Well Hello Magic: Set your priorities for yourself and your family, and build your park plan around these :-) You can't do it all. Oh, and no more than two rope drop days in a row! You need a rest day or late start day on day three.

Give us your best tip: Buy the Disney Photo Pass and be totally engaged in the parks and activities. Visiting Magic Kingdom on a party day is a great option if you are going to a party or back to Magic Kingdom another day. The crowds are certainly lower, and it just feels so easy to get all the rides and character meets done.

Favorite memory from the trip: Watching the MVMCP fireworks from right in front of the castle, seeing my kids faces as the music played, and the fireworks lit up the sky. Having my 11 year old son spontaneously turn to me and say 'this is so great Mum, thanks'.

We would love to hear how you saved money your budgeting tips and any programs you used to help reduce the cost of your trip: We booked through a Disney agent and just paid the $200 deposit. We then automatically set aside savings each pay into our 'holiday account' so that the money was available to pay at our 30-day due date. We could have made monthly payments to our travel agent to spread out the payments, but our savings was in a high yield account offsetting our mortgage so better for us to keep the cash! For saving money, I ordered packaged snacks, fruit and bottled water from Walmart to be delivered to our hotel on our second day (resort day). We then packed our own snacks and drinks for the park, focusing on one quick service meal a day, except for our two character meals (H&V and Garden Grill - both amazing! Food and character interactions well worth it). I also ordered 2 x breakfast boxes to be delivered throughout our stay which meant we could breakfast in our room, or 'grab and go' and eat on the bus. Thing like pastries, cinnamon buns, muffins etc. plus fruit. I also ordered things like t-shirts and Minnie Mouse ears online before our trip and took them with us. Inexpensive versions from Temu were a hit with my 9-year old daughter, who either didn't notice or didn't care that they were not the same as what she saw in the gift shops. In fact, a couple of times she commented that she felt her ears were special because she didn't see other people with them :-)

What social media platforms did you use of Well Hello Magic: Instagram, Podcast, Blog, Facebook

Leave Well Hello Magic a Review: Well Hello Magic is a wonderful resource for helping you plan a stress free, successful and magical Disney holiday, that will create so many positive family memories. Jessica's advice, through her blogs, posts and podcasts, is thoughtful and considered, and perfect for families who might be planning their first Disney holiday, or repeat visitors. Her advice on reducing parent stress and maximizing memories helped my family have a fantastic Disney holiday, and we are already planning our next one :-)

Shout out other Creators you followed to make your Disney Dreams come true!:

Melissa @happyhauntplansmagic

Lauren @laurendreamsofmagic

Amanda @onceuponamarathon