Step 1: Have Fun

While it's important to do your homework and research, don't obsess over trying to plan the "perfect" vacation - over-planning will only work to ruin your vacation.  Chances are that you will not book the least expensive vacation possible, not get the best room, not go at the best time, etc.  That's life.  Do some searching, compare a few options, read a few reviews and then book your vacation.  Once done, stop trying to find a better deal - it will only ruin your vacation.  Just get excited and go!

Step 2: Order Your Free Disney DVD Vacation Planner from Disney

Visit https://www.disneyvacations.com/dv/en_US/VacationPlanningDVD/ and order your free copy of the current Disney Vacation Planning DVD (Disney updates these about once per year).

Step 3: Get a Good Guide Book 

Either one of these will do:

These are relatively inexpensive to buy new but it may be worth checking with friends or family to see if someone has one you can borrow or try a used bookstore - you're almost guaranteed to find a relatively recent one cheaply.

Step 4: Decide When to Go

The guidebooks (see above) and/or sites like AllEarsNet.com or WDWMagic.com can help you determine the best time for your vacation.  These resources will outline average attendance by week, typical weather, attraction refurbishments, etc.  You can also check-out TouringPlans.com (from the authors of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World noted in Step 3 above).  TouringPlans.com has some pretty cool tools for predicting attendance by day well into the future and can help you decide when to visit Walt Disney World and on which days to visit which parks.  There is a nominal registration fee but one we feel is well worth the cost.

Deciding when to visit Walt Disney World can be quite madening.  We suggest that you attempt to visit Walt Disney World during the "low season" if at all possible.  These time-periods offer the best deals (by far) and the smallest crowds (think line waiting times).  Not to dispair however if you are like us and have your schedules limited by school and work calendars- you'll still have a wonderful time and save money.

Step 5: Go to the Source

Once you have your travel dates narrowed down, visit www.waltdisneyworld.com or their "Special Offers" page at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ and price out a few basic package offers (park tickets and "on-property" accommodations).  You'll have the option of including the "dining plan."  This rarely works out to be a good deal so unless it's included within a special offer, I wouldn't recommend it - but, it's up to you.