Well our long awaited family trip is approaching quickly. We have our reservations and plane tickets. The excitement in the house is almost overwhelming. This is a trip we have been planning for over a year. We scrimped and saved and are finally taking the family to Disney World. Both my husband and I have been to Disney many times. In fact the two of us were in Disney (without the children) for a working trip in March. We had a wonderful time and only wanted to bring the children more. We have 4 children 1 son; age 15, 3 daughters; ages 12 (she'll turn 13 in Disney), 7 and 4. The 3 older children have been to Disney at one time or another but we have not made it all together as a family since baby #3 was born.

Since we have been several time we have planned this trip using some of the things we have learned. First off we knew we wanted to stay at the resort. The reason for staying at the resort is transportation. Disney will pick you up and drop you off at the airport, this eliminates the need to rent a car. The bus ride from the Orlando airport is about 40 mins or so, but on the bus ride you watch a film about Disney Cruise line. Ok, another Disney commercial. Disney just wants to sell me more, but I think it does add to the anticipation of finally making it to Disney for the kids. Now on this trip we are staying with family a few days before we go to the resort, so G-ma will drop us off at our hotel. We will take Disney transport back to the airport after our stay.

The transportation doesn't end at the airport. When you stay on site, transportation to all the parks are included. Depending on where you stay and where you are going there are buses, boats, and monorails to get you to anything Disney.

We have decided to stay in the All-Star Music. I am a fan of the All-Star hotels. I think they are super fun, I'm really just a big kid. I love the huge, bright sights of the All-Star resort. I think it's very family geared. Great pools too. The rooms are basic, no thrills. I am not planning on spending much time in the room. I like that there is always something going on pool side, games for the kids to play or movies to watch on a huge inflatable movie screen. Oh, and it's nice to have a pool side bar too ;) (oh, but that's not cheap- it's just fun)

The Disney food leaves much to be desired in my opinion. I'm not a fan of the food at the All-Star. I will admit; I am a total food snob. I don't like to eat anything that isn't all natural. I have a legit reason for this. I have quite the long list of allergies and intolerance to food additives. I am planning on packing in some of my own food. Defiantly bringing a collapsible cooler for milk for my 4 year old. It has been said that this child should have her own cow. I will take advantage of the ice machine and the fact that we will have a few days in Daytona to get supplies.

Ok, the princesses. This is something that I have been working on for a while. I remember when I was a kid and went to Disney I wore my most comfortable, hot weather friendly, play clothes. Hmm... Not how little girls do Disney anymore. All the little princesses want their Bibbity Bobbity make over. For starters it takes a minimum of 1/2 hour, that's after you wait your turn. Cost starts at $50 and that's just for a quick updo and some glitter makeup. Not a fan of the makeup so that's out. An updo for $50!!! No way! We have our own princess dresses that I am bringing with us to Disney, I have packed enough hair product to make any girl look like they have plastic hair. When the girls weren't looking I found some super cute over the top hair thingies at the dollar store. All pink and toole and glittery. I also found some glitter for their hair at Walmart for $1.80. So dresses we have $0, free hair product bought with coupons on sale $0, dollar store fancy hair thingies $3, and glitter $1.80 and I can Fairy Godmother all the girls, all 4 days for a grand total of $4.80! Now if we didn't already have a collection of princess dresses, I would have asked for some of freecycle. I am planning on bringing play clothes to change into when the dresses get itchy. A tank top and shorts will take no space in my back pack.

As a surprise, but really my way of not spending $25 on t-shirts per child. I hit the Disney store in the mall a few months back and bought t-shirts for $2.50  each for the two smaller children and $5 each for the two older children off the clearance rack. I have kept these souvenirs well hidden and am planning on giving them to the children the first day we go to the parks. This sweet surprise cost me $15 as opposed to $100 when we buy them in the gift shop.

So my short list of Disney tips:

*Stay a the park, All-Stars are your best value

*Pack in a cooler and your own food

*Plan on "Bibbidi Bobbiding" the girls yourself (trust me on this one, every little girl in Disney dresses like a princess)

*Bring your souvenirs. Hit your local Disney store before your trip and surprise your kids with something when they wake up their first day.

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