A trip to Disney World is on pretty much everyone’s bucket list, but the Happiest Place on Earth is not exactly the Cheapest Place on Earth. Unless of course you plan your trip ahead of time and take advantage of the countless services the park offers to tourists and families. So not so fast! You don’t have to cancel any plans of visiting Orlando, FL yet. It is possible to take this trip without breaking the bank.
When You Go and How Long You Stay Make a Difference
Spring and summer vacations are generally the times when the most people go to theme parks. This drives up the prices, and also means fewer choices in available hotels. Timing often means everything:
- Late August before school is back in session is a great time to go
- The week following Thanksgiving until the week prior to Christmas is a notoriously slow time for the theme parks
- Early January, just after New Years’, especially if your school system has winter vacation around this time
- Staying longer makes a difference: the daily admission prices drop considerably when multiple-day passes are purchased
Use the Public Transportation Options
One of the ways to take advantage of affordable travel is to use the transit systems provided by the park. Including buses, trams, and monorails, these take you anywhere and everywhere, including each resort, theme park, and even the shops and restaurants at Downtown Disney. If your vacation is all about Disney World, this may be the way to go. In addition to saving money by not filling up your car quite as much, you'll also save time by hopping right on a bus, not having to search endlessly for your car, load everyone up, and load everyone back out each time you visit a new park.
- Even if you drive or rent a car, consider using these transit systems to save time
- Magical Express provides airport to hotel service and vice versa
- Disney Transportation System has free buses providing service all over the parks
Vacation Home Rentals Can Be a Big Help
Many people don't think of the prospect of renting a vacation house, thinking it may be well above their means. However, it is a good prospect for affordable travel that offers several unique advantages, especially if you are traveling with the entire family:
- Hotel rooms at Walt Disney World have limits on people per room, requiring many families with more than 2 children to pay extra
- The nightly rates are lower than at many of the hotels, with better amenities that include private pools, private bedrooms and outdoor grill areas
- Full kitchens make it easier to prepare your own meals and snacks
Fix Some Meals of Your Own
If you don't mind venturing out of the park, you can buy snacks and ingredients for quick meals. These work well either for those staying in vacation homes or in hotels with a microwave and fridge. Some possible suggestions include:
- Frozen dinners, especially geared towards kids
- Pizza, including microwavable individual pizzas
- Deli chicken or tuna salad with rolls
- Lunch packs with crackers, meat, cheese and dessert
- Ready-made tacos and burritos
Take Advantage of Dining Plans
Many parents with constantly-hungry kids enjoy the idea of being able to buy dining plans. It is an affordable travel option that works well for those who enjoy quick service options. You can save time as well by not having to worry about crowding in full service restaurants.
Two meals, as well as a snack for each person are provided daily under these plans. This helps cut back on some of the costs, especially if the remainder is handled by preparing other meals and snacks at your rental.
How You'll Benefit Overall
While you’re hunting for coupons and discounts, don’t forget about these simple and often overlooked budget-keeping tips when visiting Walt Disney World. Visiting the Mouse doesn’t have to be as exhaustive on your funds as everyone makes it out to be. It’s a trip everyone should take at least once, especially if you have little ones, so make the most out of it!
Want more ways to save? On your trip to see Mickey and the gang, don’t forget to stop by one of our E-Z Rent-A-Car locations in Orlando, FL so you can save even more on transportation! You shouldn’t be spending a fortune getting around, you should spend more on the memories that matter. We want to help make this possible! We’ve got locations in the Orlando International Airport and on the famous International Drive — come see us!
Image Credits:
Disney World Trip by Richard Stephenson
Mickey Mouse Bento Box by Melissa
Monorail 2 by Don Henry
Magic Kingdom - The Stage is Set by Cory Disbrow
