I've Planned Luxury Walt Disney World Vacations for Hundreds of Clients — Here are 3 Ways to Elevate Your Trip

"As a travel agent, the author reports encountering a wide range of guest enthusiasm, from clients who say "we’ve been waiting for this moment since our baby was born" to those who confess "I’m dreading this trip and only booking it out of parental obligation." She offers three main ways to elevate a visit: 1) Travel during off-peak times — avoid Christmas break and other federal holidays (if your child has a school holiday, most of America likely does too), check the runDisney calendar (races draw large crowds), and consider July and August, when the author notes you’ll often see some of the lowest wait times of the year; Disney also tends to offer resort discounts when occupancy is low. 2) Prioritize convenience — staying on a Disney property is a "no-brainer" for the author and most clients because of perks like early park entry for resort guests and extended evening hours for Deluxe Resort guests; she highlights paid conveniences such as the Lightning Lane system (seven days prior to check-in (three days for off-property guests) guests can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass; guests at Disney Deluxe Resort hotels, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and other select hotels may also purchase an upgraded Lightning Lane Premier Pass) — "My family never travels without it," the author says — and private VIP tours (listed at "$450 to $900 per hour depending on the season, with a seven-hour minimum") that include private vehicle rides, back entrances, reserved parade viewing, a dedicated guide utilizing unlimited Lightning Lane entry and often alternate ride entrances to bypass lines. 3) Add downtime — with four theme parks and two water parks spread across a property the size of a major city, the author cautions against trying to cram everything in; schedule resort breaks or full pool/rest days and "follow [the children's] lead; if they're shutting down, take a break." Finally, she recommends consulting an experienced travel agent to determine which additions or upgrades are worth it for your family." - Mary Helen Law