The Blonde Diaries

Trying to plan a trip to Disney and not sure where to begin? Maybe you have been before and realized upon your return you didn’t know about something or missed something. Then again, maybe you are a Disney pro (aka nut) and know the basics but are looking for something off the beaten path but not sure where to turn. Well here are my suggestions which I hope will help you out.

I was never a huge Disney fan. In fact, on our 2nd trip to “the World” back in 1994 I begged my parents to leave me behind so I could go watch LSU begin their baseball season (umm yeah not sure what I was thinking there). I had a great time and slowly I started turning into a fan. I went on my senior trip in 1999 to WDW and then Mike and I’s first vacation in 2006 was to WDW because it was the cheap and economical choice. Since then I have turned into a full blown Disney nut and am happily planning my September 2008 trip which is officially paid off and I’m clicking/surveying to our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets (halfway there!!) and then to our Photopass CD.

So where can you turn to for Disney information?

1. Podcasts – Podcasts are similar to talk radio shows on the AM radio dial. You can download podcasts for free from iTunes (also free from apple.com) on a variety of subjects. There are many, many podcasts out there about Disney. My 2 favorites are WDW Radio (Lou Mongello puts on a fabulous show) and I just started listening to Netcot (not as good as WDW Radio but a good 2nd). You can subscribe to your favorite podcasts and each time you sign onto iTunes, iTunes will automatically download the latest show for you. You can then either listen on your computer or transfer to your iPod. One show I cannot and will not recommend is DIS Unplugged after their “memorial show” to recently passed podcaster Bob (who did not agree with the discussion) featured what they called a “best of” moment where the podcasters were making fun of recent naturalized citizens, people with disabilities, and laughing over racial slurs. For a transcript of what was said visit this thread, and to hear it this sound bite which just features the segment in question. Just shameful and why they decided to play an unedited version after getting repeated negative feedback the first time they aired it and having to edit it twice I don’t understand. This podcast has since been edited again but it’s a little too late. So please stick with the other two podcasts mentioned and forget this one.
2. Guide Books – Birnbaum’s guide books are one of my absolute favorite books to take with me on my trips. They are very light and easy to carry in your backpacks in the parks. Birnbaum has a complete guide to WDW, couple’s guide, kid’s guide, etc. Basically a book to fit your needs. Another good book is the Unoffical Guide to WDW. I have not read this book yet but I have heard from various message boards that it is very good and easy to use but maybe too much information is in this book and can lead to over planning or commando-style touring of the parks. So use with caution.
3. Message Boards - These are my favorite ways to get up-to-date information on what is going on in the parks and what to look for/do. I tend to get a lot of ideas from fellow posters. Some of my favorite sites are:

• WDWWOW
• SunshineRewards Disney Boards
• DisneyworldTrivia.com Forums

I have heard good things about intercot and mouseplanet but do not belong to either. I am a former member of DIS boards due to the recent bannings of long time posters for no reason, hypocritical actions by webmasters (do as I say but not as I do), and the recent “best of podcast” put out by this group I have revoked my membership. More on that to come though.

Good luck planning your trip. I hope some of these sites, books, and suggestions will help make your planning more fun and enjoyable.

Up Next: Fun things to keep yourself busy while at Disney!

Tags: Disney, Planning, WDW