We’ve all dreamed out taking a trip to a Disney theme part to indulge in the fairy tales of life. Of course, this dream can abruptly stop as soon as the price tag is considered into the equation. There are, fortunately, many ways to make your Disney vacation a reality without having to force you to empty your bank account. If you want the vacation of your family’s dreams then these ten tips will help you find a great financial balance when it comes to your vacation budget. Now, you and your children can enjoy the beautiful Disney theme park and create memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Multi-Pass
If you intend to spend more than a couple of days at the park then it might be a great idea to go ahead and purchase this multi-pass. This pass typically isn’t limited to one Disney park, so you can explore the water park as well as the main park without having to buy tickets for both. Multi-passes are typically the best route to take if you want a longer vacation because the price typically drops around $40 per day at the park. If you stay for the entire week you will have saved nearly $300 dollars on each member of your party. These savings can really add up and will come in handy when you’re actually inside the park and see all of the exciting things that you might want to eat or buy. You might even be able to pass through some lines a bit faster with a multi-pass in hand. So, make sure to ask your travel agent how this type of pass can benefit your family.
2. Free Attractions
Although you might have a week filled will fun events to see and do, you might want to take a break from some of the more expensive things and check out a few free exhibits that can relax the family and the wallet. For starters, going to see the Epcot center is free and is something everyone should see if they are going to a Disney park. This center is an iconic piece of Disney history and will bring a nice historic lesson to the trip. The monorail is another free area and might give the kids something to look forward to. If you have younger kids then there are many great areas that feature floating characters in the water. This could be a nice area to break for lunch and relax before you go back to the busy park.
3. Food
If your family wants to experience the most Disney food they can then a food plan is probably the best way to go. This plan will provide each person with two meals and a snack per day at a discounted price. This is a great bargain for people who have their hearts set on eating at the park and will ensure that you get enough food throughout your trip to remain energized and satisfied. Of course, for those not wanting to spend too much money at the park, Disney actually allows you to bring in your own food and drink. So, hit the grocery store before you head to the park and bring a picnic along with you. You can also leave the park for awhile to leave, as a simple stamp on the hand can allow you back in to enjoy the festivities with a full stomach.
4. Dress Up Before You Show Up
A lot of children, and some adults, enjoy showing up at the park in their favorite characters attire. The key to doing this is to dress up before you come to the park. Yes, the park does offer a makeover service for anyone that wants to be made into their favorite character, but this can run you around $50 per makeover. So, find a costume before you go on vacation and wear it to the park so when you meet your favorite character you can show off your attire. If you really want to a Disney makeover then allow Disney to add some glitter to your hair for the low price of $5. This will still provide you with the experience without having to pay the huge price tag.
5. Hotel
If your looking for some extra Disney perks then your hotel can save you a lot. Try to find a low cost Disney park and you will enjoy free parking as well as being allowed to remain in the park for longer. Having a Disney hotel also means your closer to the park so coming back and forth is not big deal during your trip. Of course, if you are looking to save even more money then you can try to find a hotel away from the park. There are many fairly priced hotels in the area and many even offer free parking or a free continental breakfast. If saving is your main objective then trying looking for a place further from the park. This will cut down on your spending, but will also mean a lot less time spent at the park.
6. Disney Transport
Disney offers a series of shuttles and buses that help customers get from the park to their hotels. These services are free to those that have park tickets and can make your transportation stress drop a lot. Using the transportation means that you don’t actually have to remove your car from hotel parking, which can save you a lot of money. It also means that you won’t have to drive around looking for a spot to park your before you can even get in line to go into the park. The shuttles and buses drop you off in a convenient location, so you can easily get you and your family in line and in the park in no time. The buses run frequently too, so you won’t have to worry about being crammed into a tight space because there won’t be another bus for an hour or two. With this luxury service you can even leave your car at home and enjoy your trip without having to spend anything on parking.
7. Off Season Planning
If your planning a Disney vacation then you might want to consider when you go before anything else. There are a lot of different pricing options when you buy tickets. For instance, when you buy them around the summer time you’ll pay a lot more than when the park is less populated. So, you might want to take some vacation time in the winter or spring to make your vacation a little more affordable. Off season planning also benefits you when it comes to the amount of people you have to share the park with Although there might not be as many bells and whistles going on you will still get to see all of your favorite characters while not having to feel rushed or stand in too long of lines.
8. Souvenirs
People tend to lose the most money when it comes to buying souvenirs. These items are generally over priced and aren’t necessary. If you really feel the need to buy souvenirs then you might try buying smaller items like pins or shot glasses for friends and family. Of course, you can also buy the same items outside of the park for a lot less money than you would expect. When it comes to bring grandparents home souvenirs, the best gift you can give them is a lot of pictures of their grandchildren having fun so make sure you bring a camera with you. Your kids might also ask for souvenirs and with a little coaxing you might get them to settle with an autograph book. You can easily make one at home with a notebook, stickers and markers and will definitely help your children build up hype for the vacation while they decorate it at home. When you get to the park your children can ask their favorite characters for an autograph and later you can add a picture if you want.
9. Look for Discounts
The best savings require a little work on your end. There are many different ways to find a discount on your ticket prices so ask your agent if you qualify for any. This might require a little research on your behalf, but the savings will certainly be worth it. If you are a AAA member you already qualify for a discounted ticket price, so make sure your travel agent is aware of this. Active military members also get to enter the park for a lower price, so if you currently serve make sure to bring your military I.D. , so you can enjoy a lower price. Also, if you are with a big party you might be able to get a group discount, so make sure to ask around. These are only a few of the discounts Disney offers, so do your research and see if your qualify for any.
10. Plan Your Time
You might not think about it, but your time is actually money when you’re in the park. You didn’t pay a whole lot of money to stand in line all day and miss out on half of the magical things Disney has to offer. So, budgeting your time can be the best way for your to save money and get the most out of your vacation. Before you leave for your trip try to get a hold of some schedules and plan out your days ahead of time. If you can’t get an up to date schedule then take a couple minutes when you enter the park to make a game plan. Try to plan out your days for meeting characters, catching shows and doing activities. Leave the early morning hours and later evening hours for rides as the lines will be shorter and you can do more in a short amount of time.
Your Disney trip doesn’t have to be filled with stress. Instead, take your time when planning out the finer details. There are many simple ways to reduce the cost of your trip if you just take some time and talk it out with your travel agent. You don’t have to dream about going on a Disney vacation, instead with these ten tips you will see that it can easily become a reality you and your family can enjoy.
Author: Chelsey McQuitty
