Making Your Disney World Vacation Less Expensive and Easier
May 11th, 2008
If you want to make the most of your Disney trip, be sure that you:
*Plan ahead. Even if your trip is last-minute, take the time to go online to find itineraries, Disney World discounts, and information about the parks. While it may seem to take the fun out of a vacation to plan it down to the minute, planning ahead saves you time and money. You don’t want to be lost of wandering aimlessly around jewelry stores in the theme parks when you could be having a blast.
*Bring a big backpack. Fill it with lots of snacks, frozen juice boxes, water bottles, band-aids, an extra sweater, sunscreen, hats, a small first aid kit, your camera, extra batteries, and everything else you need for the day. You will save a lot of time by not having to run to a store or restaurant every few minutes and you will save a lot of money by not having to buy everything in the theme parks. Conveniences in the park are also very expensive, so you will save a lot of money by brining your own.
*Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Disney World involves a lot of walking and you don’t want to waste time running back to your hotel to change or waste money by buying clothing at the parks.
*Set a budget. Decide ahead how much time and money you are willing to spend at Disney World and stick to your budget. It’s easy to spend a lot simply by spending a few dollars here and there, so setting a limit is very important. In general, you will get the most value from doing things rather than buying things. Seeing more attractions is generally a better idea than buying more souvenirs. When it comes to souvenirs, take photos with your own camera and get the pictures developed when you return home. Your photos will generally be your best remembrances of your visit – and will last much longer than most souvenirs.
*Choose your hotel carefully. If you choose a hotel that is not part of Disney, look for a free shuttle to and from the parks so that you do not have to pay for a rental car or for taxis. Consider also finding a hotel that offers free breakfast, as this will save you money on one meal a day. Be sure to check out the Disney hotels as well, especially if you are short on time. Many of the Disney hotels allow you to enter the parks an hour before opening, so that you can enjoy the parks before the crowds arrive. This can be worth the extra cost if you are only in Disney World for a short time.
*Look for less expensive tickets and always buy in advance. Unused Disney World tickets do not expire, so always buy ahead to avoid waiting in line at the park. Be sure to buy your tickets before May, as well, since that tends to be when prices increase. Look for “hopper” tickets which give you a discount and entrance to several theme parks over several days. There are also some ticket discounts available for military families, so if you qualify be sure to look into that discount option. If you belong to an auto club, you might also be able to get a modest discount on tickets as well.
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