Top Five Tips for a Budget-friendly Disney Vacation
Posted on | December 18, 2009 | 9 Comments
Disney World is a much sought-after destination for family vacationing. However, with all of the activities and sights to see at the Magic Kingdom, the bills could pile up as high as Space Mountain. Even with the tightest wallet, a family of four could spend thousands to see Cinderella’s Castle. If you and your family are planning a trip to Disney World, saving every penny will allow you to see more parks and spend more time in the Kingdom. A budget-friendly Disney vacation can be yours – and these five tips can help make that a reality!
Tip #1: Go for the package deal.
Millions of people visit Disney World each year. So, of course, Disney has a number of package deals available to help make your stay more convenient. Many people opt to instead stay in other non-Disney hotels, plan budget meals, and so forth, but the truth is that you can save a lot of money by simply making your trip centered on Disney. The packaged deals they offer really do help you save money.
Tip #2: Compare your travel options.
Some families choose to drive instead fly when going on vacation. However, with gas prices through the roof, this may not be the best option. It depends on a number of factors including the efficiency of your car, the distance to Orlando, the size of your family, the ages of your children, and the time of year during which you plan to travel. If you have a small family, want to travel during the off-season, and live far from Florida, heading to the airport may be your best choice.
Taking a train or bus to get to Disney World is another option many families choose. A bus or train is a great choice if your children are older and you live within a reasonable distance from Orlando. The key to finding the best price is to research and compare options. If possible, also work with a travel agent to find the best prices in a package deal or group discount. If you want to make the most budget -friendly choice for your Disney World vacation, be sure to explore every travel option before packing your bags.
Tip #3: Check into Disney Club prices for accommodations.
Some families visit Disney World more than just once, and, if your family qualifies, being a member of the Disney Vacation Club can save you money. This club is not equivalent to owning a timeshare with Disney, but you get “points” for your membership, which can then be redeemed at any one of their many club resorts, which are only available to club members. It is important to note that this is not a real estate investment. It is simply a way to save money and make the most of a Disney World vacation if you live nearby and plan to travel to the Magic Kingdom more than once..
However, even if you don’t have the resources to do that, the Disney Club may be able to help you. Points expire after a certain period of time, so if a member cannot make it to Disney, it is possible to sell the points. Once you purchase these points, Disney accommodations become available for a reduced rate! Do your research, and, if the points can help you save, buy some for your family vacation.
Tip #4: Buy a meal plan and eat off-site for the meals not covered.
Food is expensive in the Magic Kingdom, and, you are not permitted to take your own food into the park. If you plan to spend the entire day exploring Disney World’s parks, you will most likely dine at them as well. While time may fly when you’re having fun, hunger does not, so consider one of Disney’s meal plans, which is part of the vacation packages they offer. With the meal plans, you pay one set price for a certain number of dinners and snacks per day. That means you can get more for your money! Another option is getting your hand stamped and leaving the park for lunch. Orlando does have some great family options that are less expensive than food in the park itself. So, perhaps this would be the best option for your family.
Tip #5: Buy Disney Dollars online.
Disney Dollars are exchangeable at a 1:1 rate, but only in Disney itself. You can use them for most souvenirs and food in the parks, as well as in some non-park stores. Many people like to buy Disney Dollars to give their children a “Disney allowance” for items at the park, which is a great idea. However, if you buy them online ahead of time, it is possible to save some money. Because Disney Dollars cannot be used anywhere else or exchanged back to regular dollars, people who have them left over usually sell them for less than a 1:1 rate.
Disney World can fill your imagination but it does not have to empty your wallet in the process. There are many affordable options you and your family can take advantage of in order to place this vacation in your price range. Do your homework, do some research, and you should be able to find a Disney World option that works for best you. Above all else, have a great time, and enjoy your stay in the Magic Kingdom!
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Tags: disney > disney world > disneyland > holiday > travel > Travel Agency > Travel Agent > vacations
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9 Responses to “Top Five Tips for a Budget-friendly Disney Vacation”
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December 18th, 2009 @ 10:07 am
My brother & I took a vacation, or more like a trip. Here is our story:
The wildwood flower grew wild on the farm
And we never knowed what it was called
Some said it was a flower and some said it was weed
I didn't gave it much thought…
One day I was out there talking to my brother
Reached down for a weed to chew on
Things got fuzzy and things got blurry
And then everything was gone
I Didn't know what happened
But I knew it beat the hell out of sniffin' burlap
I come to and my brother was there
And he said, 'What's wrong with your eyes?'
I said, 'I don't know, I was chewing on a weed'
He said, 'Let me give it a try'
We spent the rest of that day and most of that night
Trying to find my brother, Bill
Caught up with him 'bout six o'clock the next mornin'
Naked, swinging on the windmill
He said he flew up there
I had to fly up and get him down
He was about half crazy
The very next day we picked a bunch of them weeds
And put 'em in the sun to dry
Then we mashed 'em up and we cleaned 'em all
And put 'em in the corncob pipe
Smokin' them wildwood flowers got to be a habit
We didn't see no harm
We thought it was kind of handy
Have you ever take a trip and never leave the farm
A big ol' puff on the wildwood weed
Next thing you know
We's just wandering behind the little animals
All good things gotta come to an end
And it's the same with the wildwood weed
One day this feller from Washington come by
And he spied us and he turned white as a sheet
And he dug and he burned
And he burned and he dug
And he killed all our cute little weeds
Then he drove away
We just smiled and waved
Sittin' there on that sack of seeds
Y'all come back now, ya hear
December 18th, 2009 @ 11:13 am
The only all inclusive trips I have taken have been cruises which I liked because I just unpacked once, settled in, then could choose if/when I wanted to go on shore excursions, or explore all the wonderful activities offered aboard the ship.
As the other answerer said – drinks, massages, beauty salon, etc. on board were NOT included, but there was a lot that was. It all depends on what you like to do & what your tastes are.
Best thing would be for you & your wife to do what he did – type in all inclusive vacations in your browser search line & review what comes up, then keep adding a keyword until you narrow it down to just those that fit the activities, locations, etc. that both of you like.
Good luck!!
December 18th, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
This website might help , check it out –
http://www.usairwaysforum.com/
December 19th, 2009 @ 12:36 am
December 19th, 2009 @ 12:40 am
book supplier direct to avoid cancel or non refundable fares.
dig up association member cards, like AAA or AARP, you can get 10-15% off the weekly rate, (weekly rates are 5x the daily)
check with the company you work for, they may have a coporate agreement in place that may be available- many of these agreements waive airport fees and taxes, add'l driver and underage driver fees- real expensive fees here.
Also return the car to same location to avoid drop off charges and lastly, reserve a Compact car, most people are looking for smaller cars now with the most fuel efficiency. So reserve a smaller car and most likly they will upgrade you for free at counter.. if you wanbt a larger car, reserve in advance as paying for an upgrade at counter is usually much higher. oh, yeah, bring a copy of insurance card with you as well..
December 19th, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
You need to get a Japan Rail Pass which gives you unlimited travel for the time you opt to purchase for………1 week, or 2 or 3 weeks .If you are just going to be on Honshu Island you can actually get a pass that is a bit cheaper just for that island.You could also look at the JAL flight passes but you miss the scenery if you fly.You must buy this Pass in YOUR country…………..you cannot buy them in Japan and you will save yourself a huge amount of money.
Look around Tokyo ………and do take a day trip to Kamakura…….go to the Tsukiji Fish Market on the way.
If you plan to go to Kyoto which is gorgeous you can mostly walk if you choose accommodation in a good location. There are maps with walking routes you get at the station.You won't get top see it all just do one section – we opted for the area near Murayama Park.There are so many shrines, temples gardens etc near here.
Catch the bus to Fuji go ko – Fuji Five Lakes…it is only an hour and a half and just beautiful …….at the base of Mt Fuji. Then take the bus to Gotemba which is a beautiful trip round the base of Mt Fuji through old traditional villages with thatched cottages etc.Change to a bus for Mishima – just catch the bus behind they call it Station 2 to Station 3.but was quite literally just the bus behind the one we got off. This bus takes you right to the Shinkansen which you can catch through to Kyoto.
If you go to Osaka, you should try and go further on to Himeji and see the castle …………probably the best in Japan and the Shrine and then on to Osaka. You could go on a little further to Okayama which has one of japan's best gardens but from Okayama you can take an ordinary train to Kurashiki – only 30 minutes ……..which is a really beautiful Edo period town.
You can look at these places at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/japanese-holidays.html
December 20th, 2009 @ 1:13 am
you seem underweight. If you are going on vacation, the best advice i can give you is to HAVE FUN and eat the best and tastiest foods while you are at it. With an active lifestyle, your not going to add or lose too much weight.
December 20th, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
at grand teton national park go hiking up to lake solitude, its 15 miles round trip but 100% worth it. In yellowstone I would recommend spending time just driving around looking at the wildlife, maybe hike to the top of Mount Washburn (only like 6 miles) oh and go to Bubba's Barbeque in jackson hole!!!!!
December 21st, 2009 @ 3:13 am
It must be a slow day in the J.J. household today. But to answer another of your fabulously funny questions, I will give it my best shot. Go out in the garage, climb up into the attic and get out all the seldom used camping equipment. Then, after you have removed all the camping stuff, take into the living room and set up the tent with your sleeping bags, etc. You may have to go outside to find enough rocks to build your fire pit, but place it near the tent so you will not get cold during the night. Go to your local convenience store and pick up enough wood to last through the night. Then return home, turn your air conditioner down to 60 degrees. When your husband comes home, you can have a nice roaring fire going, with a cup of hot chocolate and only wearing a smile. It will be the best at home vacation ever. Good luck with that.