WDW Reflection: Primary Principles

Here are 5 principles you will find me returning to again and again when sharing opinions, tips and experiences concerning a Walt Disney World Vacation.  You will see me return to them again and again.

1. FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL.
   Any destination guidebook to any location will push the value of doing your research and having a plan to make the most of your visit, but when it comes to a WDW vacation planning is essential.  I'm not one to say you HAVE to every single detail planned and mapped out complete with spreadsheets.  In fact, I think uber-planning has a significant downside as it can be a major setup for disappointment when things don't play out as planned.  Of course, it is possible  to show up to Disney with no tickets, no reservations and no game plan and have a good time, but it is highly unlikely while ensuring missed opportunities and higher expenses. 
   Disney's recent move My Magic Plus and Fastpass+ has ushered in a new age when it comes to planning.  I personally plan much more than I think the average vacationer needs to, but that's part of the joy for me.
    
2. YOU WILL NOT FIND "CHEAP," BUT YOU CAN FIND "CHEAPER."Let's be clear, you're going to spend a lot of money at Walt Disney World.  Unless you win a free trip, you won't find yourself on low-budget WDW vacation.  There are definitely ways to save money though, and I spend a lot of time and posts walking through options to do so.
    
3. TIME = MoneyThis simple "equation" is an essential cost/benefit tool when making your choices on your WDW vacation.  It's not always true, but often time saving opportunities and tactics will have a price tag attached to it.
    
4. YOU CAN'T DO IT ALL. People are so baffled on how I could take so many trips over the years and spend so many days in the parks each trip.  The truth is that we do multiple new things every time we go. There is SO MUCH to do that you will have to make choices.  There will be a few times where the options will come down to a good choice/bad choice.  More times than not, it's the question of good choice/great choice.  The key is to enjoy all that you get to do, and let go of the things you couldn't do "this time" (that's how they get you back!)
5. THE MAGIC IS A MOVING TARGET. "Disney Magic" is a phrase you'll hear a lot in correlation to a trip.  It's that "thing" that makes the vacation special.
   What would make a Disney Vacation magical for you?  I could easily ask 10 different people that question and get 10 different answers.  Some of this has to do with goals.  Meeting characters, escaping life back home, making the most of your $$, creating family memories... they all will play a role in this.  Even when I personally look at this, each trip has contained it's own "magical moments" and they had a lot to do with the timing and goals of that specific trip.

WDW Reflections: An Anthology of Prenkert Trips

Jan 2001
Location: Westgate Town Center
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  First visit.  2 days at the parks.  Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios and EPCOT in one day, Magic Kingdom the other.

December 2003
Location: Knights Inn
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  3 full days in parks before heading to Fort Lauderdale for 2 weeks.

November 2004
Location:  Westgate Town Center
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  2 days at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, 1 day at EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and MGM. La Nouba. 

November 2005
Location: Offsite Vacation Rental Home & 1 extra night at Holiday Inn
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights: Thanksgiving Day in the parks, Monday Night Football at ESPN Club (Colts beat Steelers).  Disney Quest

January 2007
Location:  1 Day Visit to Disneyland
Participants:  Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, California Screamin'... basically any ride unique to California.

October 2007
Location: Port Orleans Riverside
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  1st time staying On-site, 1st Time on Dining Plan, 3 weeks before adoption of our 1st child.

December 2008
Location: Coronado Springs Resort
Participants:  Derry, Janelle and Katylynn
Highlights:  1st trip with child. Very Merry Christmas Party.

May 2009
Location: Marriot Grande Vista (Universal Studios)
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights: Universal

February 2010
Location Animal Kingdom Lodge
Participants: Derry, Janelle and Katylynn
Highlights:  Dining Plan, Janelle Parasailing, Princess Dinner Akershus

November 2010
Location: Saratoga Springs Resort
Participants: Derry, Janelle and Katylynn
Highlights: DVC point rental.  Katylynn's 3rd B-day Surprise.  Walking to Downtown Disney. 

November 2011
Location: Westgate Town Center & Sheraton Vistana Resort
Participants: Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, and Moses
Highlights:  Moses 1st trip. 7 total Days in Parks.  Found out Janelle was pregnant

February 2013
Location: Sheraton Vistana Resort
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, Kiki, Dave & Pat Lister.
Highlights:  Trip with the Grandparents.  New Fantasyland Open.  Derry and Janelle go to Universal and Harry Potterland.

November 2013
Location:  Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani & Sheraton Vistana Resort
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, and Kiki
Highlights:  Kids ride waterslides for the 1st time.  DVC Point Rental. Hit 3 parks in one day. First try at FP+.

March 2014
Location: Youth Pastor Conference; Evening visit to Boardwalk
Participants:  Derry, Colin and Chris.
Highlights:  A day at Universal.  Supper at Cape May.

May 2014
Location:  1 day visit from Daytona
Participants:  Derry and Janelle.
Highlights:  3 parks. Flower and Garden Festival.

October 2014
Location: Art of Animation and Liki Tiki Village
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, and Kiki
Highlights:  Free trip, dining and tix. 

April 2015
Location: Dolphin
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, and Kiki.
Highlights:  Surprised the kids.  Blizzard Beach Waterpark.  Crazy Crowds.  Two days at parks till midnight.
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Here's the takeaways from this list:

• We have been to Walt Disney World and the Orlando Area far too many times.
• We have experienced a wide variety when it comes to trip length, lodging, activities, group sizes, and times of the year.
• I have learned  a lot over the years and trips.  It is out of these experiences I will be sharing my reviews, tips and opinions.

WDW Reflections

It's no secret the Prenkert family has a special place in their heart for Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.  Some may call it an obsession, addiction, waste of money, or something else.  Ultimately, I really don't care what others may call it.  The reality is I have come to know A LOT about traveling to and visiting the Parks, Hotels, Shops, Activities, and many other aspects connected to the WDW region.

I often get asked for advice or opinions on all kinds of different aspects connected my Disney travels.  I have decided to let this blog be a landing spot for a series of posts to highlight some of the more common things I've been asked about.  In WDW Reflections, I hope to share stories, ideas, tips, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.  On the blog I previously didn't a stretch of posts called Disney Thursdays where I did a little bit of this, but my experience and knowledge has grown significantly over the years and the general Disney experience has changed significantly.  I hope you, the reader, will benefit from reading whether just casually checking or in the midst of major research and preparation for a trip.