About How To Disney

The Instruction Manual for Your Disney Vacation.

Welcome to HowToDisney.com, the straightforward, no-nonsense resource for planning a trip to the Disney Parks. We know that a Disney vacation is magical, but planning it? That can be overwhelming.

Between Lightning Lanes, Virtual Queues, 60-day dining windows, and park reservations, visiting Disney today requires a strategy. That is where we come in.

Our mission is simple: To take the confusion out of the planning process so you can focus on the fun. We answer the “How,” “Where,” and “When” of your vacation with clear, step-by-step advice.

What We Do

We believe that everyone deserves a stress-free vacation. Whether you are a first-time visitor trying to understand Genie+ or a seasoned Annual Passholder looking for the latest food festival menus, we break it down into actionable steps.

Our Core Pillars:

• How to Plan: From budgeting to packing lists, we cover the logistics that make or break a trip.
• How to Ride: Strategies for beating the crowds, understanding wait times, and using the latest digital tools to skip the lines.
• How to Eat: Honest reviews of dining locations, how to secure hard-to-get reservations, and guides to mobile ordering.
• How to Save: Practical tips for maximizing your budget, from hotel deals to finding the best value snacks.

Who We Are

HowToDisney.com is managed by a team of theme park journalists, former Cast Members, and travel experts. We are the same trusted team behind Disney Dreamer, but here, we put on our “Guide” hats. We don’t just tell you the news; we tell you what to do with it.

Leadership

Kurt Schmidt – Owner & CEO

Kurt leads the business strategy for How To Disney. His goal is to build a platform that strips away the noise and delivers pure utility to travelers. He ensures our writers have the resources to test every strategy we publish.

Jennifer Schmidt – Chief Financial Officer & Co-Owner

Jennifer ensures the sustainability of our platform, allowing us to remain an independent voice in the travel industry. She champions our reader-first approach to content.

Abigail Schmidt – Editorial Director

Abigail oversees the accuracy and clarity of our guides. She ensures that when we say “How to rope drop Magic Kingdom,” the advice actually works.

The Experts

Andrew Boardwine – Senior Reporter & Strategy Expert

Andrew specializes in the mechanics of a theme park day. He knows the exact time to arrive at the gates and which rides to hit first.

• Focus: Park Strategy, Crowd Patterns, Universal Orlando.

Jess Colopy – Lifestyle & Merchandise Guide

A former Disney College Program participant, Jess explains the “how-to” of the Cast Member world and shopping. She knows the best times to shop to avoid lines and how to find exclusive merchandise.

• Focus: Shopping Guides, Cast Member Insights, Park Tips.

Luke Dammann – Attraction Details & History

Luke breaks down the attractions themselves. From height requirements to “scare factors” for kids, he provides the data parents need before getting in line.

• Focus: Ride Guides, Accessibility, Attraction History.

Emmanuel Detres – Features & Family Planning

Emmanuel focuses on the “Why” and “How” of family travel. He writes guides for navigating the parks with different age groups and finding the emotional center of your trip.

• Focus: Family Itineraries, Resort Guides, Nostalgia.

Alessia Dunn – On-the-Ground Reporter

Living minutes from the parks, Alessia tests our advice in real-time. If a bus route changes or a walkway closes, she is the first to update our “How To” guides.

• Focus: Real-Time Updates, Transportation, Local Tips.

Thomas Hitchen – International Parks Guide

Thomas provides the “User Manual” for Disney’s international destinations. He explains the visa requirements, currency tips, and cultural differences for visiting Disneyland Paris and beyond.

• Focus: International Travel, Logistics, Global Parks.

Chloe James – Travel & Culture Specialist

Chloe’s background as a Cultural Exchange Cast Member allows her to write guides that bridge the gap for international travelers coming to Florida.

• Focus: UK to US Travel, Animal Kingdom Guides.

Sarah Larson – Universal & Industry News

Sarah ensures you know how to navigate the other major parks in Orlando. Her guides cover the best ways to split your time between Disney and Universal.

• Focus: Universal Orlando Planning, Park Hopping.

Rick Lye – Practical Family Travel

Rick writes for the dads and planners. His guides focus on the logistics of moving a family through the parks, finding sports bars, and keeping everyone fed.

• Focus: Logistics, Sports Viewing, Dad’s Guide to Disney.

Eva Miller – Entertainment Guide

Eva explains how to see the shows. From the best viewing spots for fireworks to how to get seats for Broadway-style shows in the parks, she covers the “Show” aspect.

• Focus: Show Schedules, Viewing Spots, Entertainment.

Dan Roberts – Immersive Travel

Dan explains how to get the most out of immersive lands like Galaxy’s Edge. His guides cover how to use the datapad, build a lightsaber, and interact with characters.

• Focus: Interactive Experiences, Star Wars, Adventure.

Brittni Ward – Dining & Budgeting

Brittni is our expert on the “Disney Diet” and wallet. She breaks down dining plans, snack credits, and how to eat around the World Showcase without breaking the bank.

• Focus: Dining Guides, Budgeting, Food Reviews.

Editorial Standards

We take our “How To” promise seriously.

• Tested Advice: We don’t guess. Our strategies are based on real-world testing in the parks.
• Clarity: We strive to avoid jargon. If we use a term like “Rope Drop” or “LL,” we explain it.
• Updates: Disney changes fast. We commit to updating our guides as policies change.

Connect With Us

Don’t just dream it—do it.

• Newsletter: Sign up for weekly Disney vacation planning advice
• Advertise: Support our content; Learn about sponsorship opportunities.
• Social Media: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Contact: media@howtodisney.com

How To Disney
7726 Winegard Rd.
2nd Flr #206
Orlando, FL 32809

Disclaimer

HowToDisney.com is an unofficial fan site and planning resource. We are not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. All Disney parks, attractions, and related names are registered trademarks of The Walt Disney Company.