Leave the Stress at Home in 5 Easy Steps

A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step. - Chinese Proverb

Our neighbors to the far east must have had a sprawling theme park complex with endless entertainment in mind when writing that anecdote. Either way, it is important to keep this thought in mind as you plan for your trip to Orlando.

The #1 mistake people make when visiting Walt Disney World is that they try to do too much in too little time.

Here are 5 tips to help you and your family better plan your trip by keeping it as stress-free as possible.

1. Let the kids help with the planning. I can't stress this one enough. What child would want to go along on a week-long trip planned by (boring) grown-ups? Sit down with your kids a few weeks in advance with some books/brochures and allow them to share their opinions on the itenerary. The ultimate decision-making will of course fall on your shoulders but you'd be surprised just how much better kids will behave on a vacation they feel they helped to plan.
2. Don't try to see it all. See and enjoy what you can. If you run out of time on a certain day--don't worry. You can always come back in a day or two (or on your next vacation to Disney World).
   
3. Split up. While mom takes the younger kids to Fantasyland, dad can enjoy the thrill rides and attractions with the older kids. If you are traveling with at least two teenagers, you can have them take off on their own. Just be sure to agree on a meeting place.
4. Take a break from the theme parks. Make a splash at one of Disney's water parks or head to Downtown Disney and do a little shopping. The LEGO Imagination Center at the Downtown Disney Marketplace, for example, will keep children occupied for hours; and there are many seating areas for parents' convenience. Disney's Boardwalk is also a nice place to unwind and relax.
   
5. Be Flexible. Even though you think your travel plans are fool-proof, we all know to expect the unexpected. Be as flexible as possible during your vacation and don't freak out when things don't go your way. With so much to see and do in Orlando, there is always a way to accomodate for changes on the fly.