"Scoping" the Parks

Mike will help you maximize your enjoyment of all of the WDW parks

Welcome to "Scoping" the Parks with Mike Scopa.

Mike Scopa's first trip to Walt Disney World was over 26 years ago. Back then things were simple. With only the Magic Kingdom and a few Disney-owned resorts in Orlando, planning a trip was easy in the 1970's.

Mike recalls, "I remember in July 1975 when my wife Carol and I planned our first trip. We went to the local travel agency and they did everything for us. We never thought about staying on the property, or about the type of admission media. Heck you bought your ticket book once you got there. We're talkin' E-ticket ride booklets folks. The same in 1976... we booked only a month before going, again a travel agency."

Needless to say, things have changed since then. Thankfully Mike has faithfully kept up with what was going on during all his subsequent visits and will take the time to share all his tips, tricks and resources he uses to plan a trip to the Orlando parks with you the readers.

It's with great pride that MousePlanet welcomes our newest columnist, Mike!

The Contemporary Resort, one of the few Disney hotels that existed when Mike first visited Walt Disney World.

Over the last ten years, I have perfected the art of planning family trips to Walt Disney World (WDW) Resort. Over the last eleven years, I have hosted chats and bulletin boards about Disney for a Fortune 100 company. Through my own experience and through conversations with hundreds of families, I have found that not everyone "hits a home run" when taking their family to Orlando.

Some people, especially first-timers, are overwhelmed to the point where frustration sets in and the vacation sometimes turns out to be a stressful and not a very pleasant part of their lives. My goal became to prevent that from happening, so I started helping people plan their vacations.

Using my own experience as well as those of my "WDW network" I have put together and presented seminars on how to go about planning a Walt Disney World family vacation.

The response was overwhelming. One of my first seminars included someone who was a Magic Kingdom director... and even she learned some things that would help her better serve her company. I have also made presentations to cast members and even a Disney webmaster or two.

Over the last eleven years I have helped 500 to 600 families plan their trips. My payment? Some postcards, trip reports, a phone call... any kind of information people can give that can help me help the next person even more.

My objectives are simple, to prepare everyone as best as possible to customize their vacation to suit their needs. We all are different and have different interests. The only common denominator is our love for the Disney "experience" and culture. My seminars are geared to be informative and to help families make decisions that are best for them.

The source of the Disney "magic"

I'll bring my experience to MousePlanet in a series of "lessons" that helps families go through the many phases of planning a WDW trip, and guides families into deciding what works best for them. I'll also pay special attention to all the details that ensure your family will have the best possible time at the Happiest Place on Earth.

If you've ever read one of my trip reports (the ones in the MousePlanet archives are listed in the side bar) you know my family (shown below) -- wife Carol, daughter Holly, and son Mike, Jr. -- whose home is in New Hampshire, "The Granite State."

The Scopa Family (L to R), Holly, Mike, Mike, Jr., and wife Carol and hang out at the Grand Floridian.

So here it is, my course syllabus on how to plan a Walt Disney World vacation:

Session 1: WDW Vacation-Planning Notebook

I open my course with an introduction to my Walt Disney World vacation- planning notebook.

I'll discuss the purpose of this notebook and how it helps you make decisions for your vacation planning. I describe how to set up your own notebook and talk on an individual level about how each is so important in the early WDW vacation- planning stages.

When you finish this session, you should understand how your WDW vacation-planning notebook works for you.

Session 2: Deciding When to Go

Here I'll discuss when you and your family should go to Walt Disney World.

Everyone's needs are different, and this session's objective is to point out the pros and cons for going during all times of the year.

At the end of this section, you should have a better idea of what to consider when determining the best time to go.

Session 3: The Great Debate: Where to Stay?

I tackle the "great debate" -- whether or not to stay on-property at one of the Walt Disney World resort hotels, and I'll discuss the issues that help you make the right decision.

I rely not just on my own experience, but also those from the hundreds of vacationers I have talked to who have described the pros and cons of staying on or off the property.

Session 4: WDW Resorts: Which One is for you?

If you and your family plan to stay on-property, then you'll definitely need to pay attention as I tell you what to consider before deciding on which resort to stay. In this section, my general discussion on all the resorts may touch upon just the right point that helps you make the best decision for you and your family.

Which resort is the best for you? Let me help you decide.

Session 5: All About Room Rates

How different are the room rates? What should you be aware of when making your reservations? I'll spend time in this session describing the various rates, and the ways you can explore different avenues when trying to get the best rate for your vacation.

Session 6: Admission Media Primer

Some of the most confusing aspects for first-time visitors to WDW are the different types of admission media. How do they differ? Which one is best for me? Let me simplify everything for you.

Are you a WDW veteran? There may be some advice for you in this session as well.

Session 5: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

How do you get there from here? What's the best way to travel to WDW?

Relying on both my own experience and well as those of other travelers, I discuss the pros and cons of various traveling methods families choose when visiting Orlando.

Session 6: Bus or Car?

First-time visitors to WDW always ask whether they need to rent a car when visiting. Let me help you decide what is best for you, with some interesting insights regarding getting around the entire resort.

Session 7: Discovering Discounts

In a session that is probably of interest to many people, I point out how unnecessary it is to pay full price for a lot of services and goods. Souvenir shopping and restaurants can be an expensive part of your vacation. Let me help you save money.

Session 8: Dressing for Mickey

Although this session may not seem important, it may be vital for those who have never been to Orlando before. I discuss what you and your family need to consider before packing your bags and taking off.

Session 9: Money, Money, and Money!

How much money should you take with you when you go? Should you use a credit card? Should you charge to your room? How much will you be spending on a day-to-day basis?

Everyone has different spending habits and patterns, but I'll tackle this subject and offer guidelines on what you can expect to spend. I'll also offer advice on the best and safest way to spend money while in Orlando.

Session 10: A List of Lists

There's nothing more frustrating than spending a lot of time, effort, and money to plan a great vacation, then discover on your way home that you didn't do everything you wanted to. Avoid this as I teach you how to make helpful lists before you leave for Orlando.

Section 11: Recording Memories

This session is near and dear to my heart. Here I'll prepare you for taking video or still photos while you're visiting. Pay attention because I also give you hints that not only help you preserve moments... but your money too.

Session 12: Navigating the Parks

In this extended session, I'll discuss the best ways to navigate the parks. Look for advice on how to plan your day, which attractions and shows are best to see, at what time of day. I'll give you some valuable tips that will make the most of your precious time in WDW.

Session 13: Unheralded Treasures

In this section, I'll take a break from the usual trip-planning process and describe some aspects of the parks and the Walt Disney World Resort that many people might not know about but may enjoy. Join me, and maybe you'll add a few of these "Unheralded Treasures" to your Orlando to-do list.

Session 14: Mike's Top Ten List

In this session, I list ten catch phrases that help you remember important tips when visiting WDW. This handy reminder helps to reinforce some of the informative material presented in this seminar.

Session 15: How to do a Trip Report

In addition to video and pictures, the best way to remember your trip is to put together a trip report. Not only does it serve as a lasting reminder of your trip, but it can also help others in their trip planning.

In this session, I'll give you hints on preparing and writing trip reports, which you can then submit here to MousePlanet for publication!

After the formal coursework is complete, I'll launch into a graduate course of study, so you have plenty of things to read about!

So that's the game plan for now - and I'm sure we'll find even more things to write about as we move on ahead. Feel free to write me at the e-mail address below.

Class dismissed.

Click on the "Scoping the Parks" logo at the top or the "Section Contents" link at the bottom of the page to read Mike's previously-published articles.

If you'd like to write Mike you can reach him at mike.scopa@mouseplanet.com

Photos on this page by Brian Bennett unless otherwise noted

Here's a list of the trip reports that Mike has written that are part of MousePlanet's archives!

Michael Scopa -- August 1999 -- Walt Disney World (CSR)

Michael J. Scopa -- July 1997 -- Walt Disney World (WL/CBR)

Mike Scopa -- July 1994 -- Walt Disney World (WL / CBR)

Also, don't miss Lani Teshima's column, "The Trip Planner" for more travel planning information!

Brian Bennett, author of MousePlanet's WDW Trip Planning Guide (and publisher of the Disney Trip Report Archive), writes:

The first Disney trip report that I ever read was a report by Mike Scopa that I downloaded from the America Online travel library in late 1994. The report was a detailed description of the Scopa family's trip to WDW in the summer of that year.

As soon as I was done reading it, I was hooked.

I picked my own brain and documented my own trips and the things I'd learned from my own experiences. Then, in 1995 I actually wrote a report as the trip unfolded. I took a laptop with me and spent some time in the evenings documenting what had happened that day. (I've repeated that process for my own reports ever since.)

In July 1996, I started my Disney trip planning Web site. Besides including my own reports, I asked for permission from the authors of several other reports and added them to the offering. Since then, the number of reports has expanded greatly. In 1997, I added an information summary for each report to make it easier to sort through the reports that are available.

I still 'blame' Mike for hooking me on this Disney habit.

Thanks Mike!

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