1. If you are going to Disney, you must get your hands on a copy of \\\”The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World\\\”. There\\\’s a new edition every year and it will absolutely contribute to a successful trip. From reviews of every single ride (including scariness factor and age appropriateness), to reviews of every resort (including which ROOMS are the best), to Fast Pass tactics, to suggested itineraries tailored to your group\\\’s ages; this book has it all. Going to Disney isn\\\’t a typical vacation. It is war. And \\\’The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World\\\’ is your battle plan.

2. The first time we went we stayed with a relative in Orlando and commuted to the parks. The second time we stayed in a Disney resort (Carribean). Staying inside the Disney realm is much better. You also feel much more a part of the whole experience–kind of like living on campus instead of commuting to college.

3. The Disney transportation within the park is a huge timekiller (unless you\\\’re on the monorail line). If you\\\’re staying at the Carribean you can find yourself sitting on the bus for up to 45 minutes before you even leave the resort. Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a rental car. It is worth every penny.

4. Take your kids out of school and go off-season. The best times to go are in October and in January. The last time I went we visited in January. The crowds were so thin that at one point we got to stay on the Fast Track ride in Epcot for another spin without getting off the ride! If you\\\’ve been to Disney, you know that doing a second lap on a ride without having to get out and get in line again is virtually unheard of.

The kids will survive the absence, and you can even get work from the teacher to bring with you. Or you can do like the masses and go during school vacation week, where you will spend the bulk of your time fighting the crowds.

5. Don\\\’t skimp. To get the most out of your Disney trip, wait until you\\\’ve saved up enough money. Stay in the Disney resorts, eat wherever you want, buy the Park Hopper passes that let you go to whatever park you want whenever you want while you\\\’re there. If one kid wants to go back to Animal Kingdom to ride Dinosaur again, and another wants to visit Splash Mountain again, you\\\’ll have the freedom to do it. This doesn\\\’t mean that there aren\\\’t deals to be had. Just make sure you shop around, and start looking as much as a year in advance. Work with the Disney reservation agents to find out what\\\’s best for you.

That\\\’s all. Any other tips out there?

The solution? Buy the kid\’s meals for everyone. Sure $8 is rough for a kid but it sure beats the $12 adult chicken sandwich.And now your other kid gets a toy.

When we went last time, my wife, my 2 kids, and I split 3 kid\’s meals. Lunch cost enough to buy Madden 2007 but I sure enjoyed those chicken nuggets. Remember, you\’re on vacation! A little cholesterol never killed anyone in the Magic Kingdom.