Disney and Universal Resources

I thought I would take a break from the trip review to share some sites that have been very helpful in years past. Of course there's nothing better than browsing around various media sources and finding what works best for you, but here are a few places to get you started:

1. DIS: DIS is made up of several different resources of information, but the core group behind this operation is an agency called Dreams Unlimited Travel. They are one of the premier travel agencies that specialize in Disney trips and they have several mediums for information. First, there are the forums at disboards.com; the threads are divided by major categories and subtopics including all Disney properties, Universal, and lifestyles (solo traveler, adult groups, and LGBTQ). They also have a popular podcast titled DIS Unplugged, as well as a YouTube presence with lots of video series on everything from Dining and Resorts to pop culture info sessions. And finally, there is a public Facebook group titled 'disboards on facebook!' that is also associated with this resource.

2. WDW and DLR Prep Schools: These websites are divided by destination to include Walt Disney World (WDW) and Disneyland Resort (DLR). You can find them at wdwprepschool.com and dlrprepschool.com, respectively. Each site is managed by a different contact but they include podcasts and blogs full of information that is primarily geared toward a family visit to the parks. I really like the passion behind these sites; I utilize them often for parade and fireworks location recommendations and other non-group related information. I highly recommend checking these websites out if you're planning a trip with a family and/or children.

3. Disney Tourist Blog: Fun fact - this was actually the first site I stumbled upon when I decided to expand my knowledge about Disney. Tom offers a lot of great advice about photography and he shares many of his photos as wallpaper downloads for free. He and his wife Sarah also offer a free ebook for Christmas, as well as a forum for conversation and itinerary suggestions. More than anything, I recommend this site to anyone that plans to travel abroad to the Disney locations in France, China, or Japan. Tom and Sarah have been everywhere and they have very detailed reviews of their experiences! Check it out at disneytouristblog.com.

4. Kenny the Pirate: Kenny is well-known in the Disney community for his expertise in character meet-and-greet planning. He offers an app titled Character Locator that will assist with tracking character schedules and other park events. I haven't used his services yet but I've heard nothing but positive reviews. You can find more information at kennythepirate.com.

5. Disney Food Blog: If you love Disney food - or if you just love food in general - then you won't want to miss the action at disneyfoodblog.com. This is the best place to find restaurant reviews, specialty food and drink information, as well as exclusive details about Epcot's Flower & Garden and Food & Wine festivals. They are usually the first site to update food kiosk information and they sell several guides to help you make the most of your dining experience at Disney.

6. Orlando Informer: The Orlando Informer (also referred to as "OI") community is an excellent resource for Universal news and tips. They have a website at orlandoinformer.com as well as a podcast and a group on Facebook by the name of "Universal Community by Orlando Informer". I've found OI to be very helpful with general Universal information, but especially with planning for Halloween Horror Nights this year.

There are a few other sites that didn't make the expanded list but are worth mentioning:

• MouseSavers.com - this site has recently changed management although the information appears to still be in good order. You can find a lot of valuable advice with user-friendly navigation. Their biggest asset is the monthly newsletter, which I recommend everyone sign up to receive. 
• TouringPlans.com - there is a free version of this site with basic information but the subscription option will provide access to their custom touring plan creator which will utilize your FastPasses to help you make the best decisions about when to visit certain attractions during your visit. They also have a dining reservation finder but it's free to use (no subscription required) - definitely use this tool if you need help snagging a particularly difficult restaurant! Please note: you will still need to create an account on the site but the tool is free: https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder 
• Undercovertourist.com - site for discount tickets and crowd calendar

Of course I'm always available to answer questions about Disney and Universal - contact me any time! If I don't know an answer then I'll make sure we find it together. Thanks for reading this post and check out these websites when you get some extra time!