This is Post #1 in my latest series: Daydreaming of Disney. It’s never too early to start thinking about future vacations. Even if you’re not quite ready to book your next trip, there are plenty of ways to get excited and start collecting ideas! If you’d like to read the entire collection of posts, you can find them here.
What’s the first thing you typically do when you start planning a vacation?
If you’re like most people, it’s probably picking out dates or looking at the budget. These are great, and necessary, but they’re the wrong place to start. I’ve seen too many families end up with a vacation that doesn’t satisfy them by missing a crucial first step. Here’s what you should be asking:
What do you want your next vacation to look like?
Have you ever asked yourself this before? Have you asked your family?
Too many times people assume that any opportunity to leave the local area will be a “vacation”. And too many times they come back feeling like they need a vacation from that vacation. With so many options for experiencing the world and participating in unique activities, we need to make sure that we’re choosing the right ones at the right time. Every vacation is different; you can’t know if it’ll be a success if you don’t know what it is you truly want.
So let’s talk about how we can kick off our future vacation plans by figuring out what we want our next trip to look like. Remember, when done right, dreaming about a vacation can feel like a break in itself!
What Do You Need Right Now?
We take vacations for all different reasons. Here are just a few of them:
- To spend more quality time as a family.
- To break up the routine of daily life.
- To get a relief from stress or free up our minds.
- To visit a place we’ve always wanted to go.
- To experience new things and have some fun.
- To treat ourselves or celebrate a special occasion.
At first glance, which of these stands out to you?
Knowing what you need in a trip is a powerful way to create fulfilling experiences. For example, if you’ve been working long hours and you need to break free from a schedule, you might enjoy a Disney cruise and some lounge time on the beach. On the other hand, if you’ve been bored by repetitive days at the office lately, you might enjoy the thrills and excitement of one of the Disney Parks.
Grab a notebook or journal and think about what it is you need in your life right now. Even better, try to picture your dream vacation and describe it on paper. Consider which words stand out to you: escape, fun, immersion, alone time, adventure, thrill, relaxation, etc. Invite your family to brainstorm too.
What kind of trip do you think you need at this point in your life?
Where Would You Love to Go?
I started my first travel wish list when I was about 11. I read about the Sydney Olympics in a copy of National Geographic and decided that I’d love to visit Australia. Since then it’s grown to about 20 different countries, plus a handful of fun spots around the U.S. I’ve been working to check off destinations over the years.
Which vacation destinations are on your wish list?
Have you always dreamed of taking your family somewhere?
Your wish list could be as grand as visiting every country in Europe or as fun as dream trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Maybe it’s even a list of beautiful beaches. Everyone’s travel wish list will be unique.
Tip: Be sure to store your wish list somewhere you can look back on it from time to time, or at least pull it up as you begin planning future trips.
If you’ve never made a wish list, now is a great time to start. One of my favorite activities is sitting down with my husband to dream up places we’d love to go. If your kids are old enough to join in, this is the perfect opportunity for some weekend afternoon fun. Gather together and browse through Pinterest, Instagram, Google Images, or Facebook Pages. Write down the spots that get everyone excited.
When you’re adding destinations to your wish list, don’t forget to write down WHY you’d love to visit them too. It’ll help you make decisions in the future about which trips are best at any given time.
Also, don’t be afraid to put a destination on the list that you’d love to return to. Every vacation you ever take will be a different experience.
Here’s a quick snapshot of my current travel wish list:
- Disneyland Resort (for Emily’s 1st birthday)
- Alaskan Disney Cruise
- England, Ireland, and Scotland (Castle Tour)
- Grand Canyon
- Aulani (Return Trip)
How long is your list?
Get to Know Disney Destinations
Of course, even if you know already that you’d love to take your family on a Disney vacation, there are several options to choose from. You can experience the magic of Disney on six continents!
Here’s a quick overview of five of the most popular Disney Destinations:
Walt Disney World® Resort
Walt Disney World® Resort is located in Lake Buena Vista, FL (near Orlando). It is one of the most visited vacation destinations in the world! Here you’ll find four amazing theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. You can also enjoy two water parks, the Disney Springs dining and entertainment district, and over 30 Disney Resort hotels.
A visit to “Disney World” is perfect for families looking for the quintessential Disney vacation: a combination of fantasy, thrills, and family fun!
Explore Walt Disney World® Resort Vacations
Disneyland Resort®
Disneyland Resort® is located in Anaheim, CA (near Los Angeles). It is the home of the original Disney Park! Here you’ll find two incredible theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. You can also enjoy the dining and entertainment of the Downtown Disney District, along with three Disney Resort hotels.
A visit to Disneyland is perfect for families who love Disney history and want the Disney Park experience on a slightly smaller scale.
Explore Disneyland Resort® Vacations
Disney Cruise Line®
Disney Cruise Line® offers three incredible vacation experiences in one: Disney magic, unforgettable shipboard fun, and the opportunity to explore ports around the world. Disney’s shops include spaces and activities specifically designed for kids, teens, AND adults. Many itineraries visit Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay. Other popular itineraries include the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe.
Disney Cruise Line® vacations are perfect for families looking for a balance of relaxation and adventure, with fun for all ages.
Explore Disney Cruise Line® Vacations
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa®
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa® is located in Ko Olina, HI on the island of Oahu. This tropical paradise offers comfortable rooms, a pristine beach, refreshing pools, great dining, a hydrotherapy garden, and more. Dine with a sunset view of the ocean or treat yourself to the excitement of a luau. Kids will love seeing touches of Disney magic around the resort, while adults will love relaxing in the Hawaiian sun.
Aulani vacations are perfect for families looking for the ultimate family-friendly beach resort.
Explore Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa® Vacations
Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney® offers guided group tours around the world that are specifically designed for families. Itineraries are available on six continents and offer river cruises, short escapes, Disney Cruise Line® packages, and full-length adventures. Your Adventure Guides will bring you on a journey that includes VIP experiences, activities designed for adults and kids, and opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture and beauty and new destinations.
Adventures by Disney® vacations are perfect for families looking to explore the world with Disney’s legendary service and storytelling.
Explore Adventures by Disney Vacations
The best place to get started learning about Disney is to download a copy of my free Disney Vacation Planning Kit. Inside you’ll find guides to the Disney Destinations, along with planning checklists, a Disney terms glossary, and more. Get your copy here.
How Do You Choose Your Next Vacation Destination?
So, you’ve got a wish list a mile long and all of these great Disney Destinations to choose from. How do you pick one?
First, go back to those words that stood out to you when you thought about what type of vacation you need right now.
Next, look at your travel wish list. Which destinations would best fit those words? When it comes to Disney, look through the different options and consider which experience the whole family would enjoy.
Where will you be heading next?
Once you’ve got your next destination picked out, the real fun begins. In my next post we’ll talk about all the amazing things you can do on your next vacation.
Next Post: What Would We Love to Experience on Our Vacation?
