For most families, visiting Disney World or Disneyland is a dream vacation. Disney theme parks are places that remind adults of their childhood and let children believe that magic really exists in the world. While everything from Disney tickets to Disney hotels may seem expensive, it is possible to take cheap Disney vacations. With a little budgeting and planning, families can easily take the vacation they've always dreamed of.
Find a reasonable place to stay. Depending on the time of year, staying at one of the Disney hotels may not be feasible. There are countless hotels surrounding the parks, and the ones closest to the parks even offer free shuttle services to their guests so they can avoid paying parking. For those looking to stay at one of the Disney resorts, it's cheaper to stay during what Disney calls its value season. This is normally when most kids are in school, but for those looking to take cheap Disney vacations, traveling during the value season can save a lot of money. When planning on where to stay, visit the Disney.com website to check the rates during the time you plan to travel. MouseSavers.com also has discount codes that people can use when calling to make reservations. In some cases, these codes can save you up to 35 percent on a room at one of the numerous Disney resorts.
Make a souvenir budget. Souvenirs can be very expensive, but everyone wants something to remember their trip by. Cheap Disney vacations can easily turn expensive when families overspend throughout the Disney theme parks. Planning a budget for each person is the best way to avoid overspending. There are also various places throughout the Disney parks to pick up cheap and unusual souvenirs. At the end of some of the rides there are machines that make pressed pennies. The pennies are imprinted with a theme of the ride and are about 50 cents to purchase. Collecting these can not only make a fun game, but gives you souvenirs without breaking the bank. Most of the sit-down restaurants also have swizzle sticks and napkins with neat designs on them that can be taken home as souvenirs.
Plan your meals. Eating at theme parks can be expensive, and the Disney theme parks are no exception. However, the Disney parks do allow guests to bring in food and drinks as long as nothing is in glass containers and the food doesn't need to be heated up. A good rule of thumb is to eat breakfast before visiting the park and, if possible, pack a lunch. Packing a small bag of chips, a sandwich and a bottle of water can save a lot of money and easily fits into a fanny pack. When you have to eat in the Disney parks, grab a park map and look for the restaurants with only one dollar sign next to them. These restaurants are the cheapest. Hit up one of the fruit stands located in the theme parks for a snack that's both cheap and healthy.
Make an itinerary. At Disney.com, you can make an itinerary for free that can easily be printed and brought to the Disney theme parks. This will ensure that everyone sees the attractions/rides that are most important to them. Remember, time is money when it comes to Disney vacations, and it is possible to take cheap Disney vacations if you plan your time wisely.
