| Though a trip to Walt Disney World Resort can be an | | | | home instead of inside the theme parks. Since you are |
| exciting adventure, and a place where dreams | | | | on vacation you will probably want to splurge on a |
| become reality, fairy tales come to life and memories | | | | couple of in-park meals. Whether it is a character lunch |
| are made, it can sometimes be rather costly. There | | | | or a themed dining experience, you will probably end |
| are some things you may wish to keep in mind while | | | | up eating at least one meal in a theme park. But if you |
| you plan your Disney vacation. | | | | eat a quick breakfast in your hotel room or vacation |
| 1. Research, plan and create a budget. The first step in | | | | home, you will save big money. Or perhaps you may |
| any vacation planning should be to know your budget. | | | | want to unwind, have a light lunch and take a nap at |
| Once you have created a budget it is much easier to | | | | your hotel room or vacation condo before heading |
| plan an affordable vacation. When you do your | | | | back to the park for the fireworks display. This is a |
| research try to figure out exactly what you are looking | | | | great opportunity to save some money that you'd |
| for. How many guests will be in your party? Do you | | | | spend on a full lunch in a park. If you do choose to eat |
| wish to stay in a hotel, resort, rental condo or vacation | | | | at the Disney parks more than once in a day, opt for |
| home? Do you desire that your accommodations are | | | | the less-expensive quick-service places that offer |
| on Disney property? Will you have your own | | | | dishes for under $14.99 per person rather than sticking |
| transportation? What is the duration of your stay and | | | | to just the pricier sit-down restaurants. |
| how many Disney parks do you wish to visit? These | | | | 5. Stay in at a Disney hotel or resort. By staying on |
| are the types of questions you need to ask yourself. | | | | Disney property you will be able to take advantage of |
| As you plan out your trip, keep in mind that the Orlando | | | | a variety of amenities such as themed rooms, pools |
| area is somewhat spaced out so, especially if you will | | | | and Jacuzzis, water slides, and outdoor activities like |
| not have your own transportation, you may want to | | | | tennis, basketball, golf, canoeing and kayaking, etc. You |
| stay closer to the Kissimmee or Lake Buena Vista | | | | will find that there is so much to do that you will end up |
| areas instead of the Orlando-Universal area. | | | | spending some time at the resort instead of only |
| 2. Look for specials, deals and coupons. Disney offers | | | | spending time at the theme parks. And another perk is |
| a number of packages that include park-hopper | | | | that many of the Disney resorts offer shuttle service |
| passes. There are discounted tickets for military | | | | or monorail service that take you directly to the theme |
| personnel and Florida residents too. If you rent a | | | | parks so you don't have to worry about transportation |
| Disney vacation condo or home sometimes there are | | | | or traffic. |
| discounts or theme park passes included in your | | | | 6. Take a day off in between park-hopping to explore |
| package deal. Be sure to ask about any special | | | | other attractions. Did you know that Kissimmee is |
| discounts when you are purchasing tickets. And stop | | | | home to themed restaurants like Arabian Nights or that |
| at area hotels and restaurants for brochures for local | | | | if you travel a little farther East on I-4 you will find |
| theme parks. This will not only help in the vacation | | | | International Drive and attractions such as indoor |
| planning process but will also provide you with coupons | | | | skydiving, wacky museums and miniature golf? Many |
| to area attractions. | | | | of these activities offer free parking and some even |
| 3. Purchase souvenirs at gift shops outside of theme | | | | offer free admission so you will be sure to spend less |
| parks. Sometimes Disney shops on theme park | | | | money than you might spend at a theme park. |
| property can have high prices. If you find that your child | | | | 7. Focus more on the experience than on buying |
| wants a large, expensive toy offer him/her the option | | | | souvenirs or planning meals. Most importantly, |
| to instead purchase a smaller memento like a pen or | | | | remember why you are on vacation. The sole reason |
| key chain at the theme park gift shop. Then venture to | | | | probably isn't to spend money on souvenirs or lavish |
| a gift shop in the Lake Buena Vista area or | | | | dinners; it's probably to have fun and bond with your |
| Kissimmee, or even on International Drive, where you | | | | family and/or friends. Remember that you can have |
| will find many discounted gift shops. This will result in | | | | fun by focusing on things like street performers, cultural |
| drastic savings, and you will still end up with plenty of | | | | dancers, stuntmen and character meet and greets |
| souvenirs. | | | | found throughout the theme parks rather than focusing |
| 4. Eat a meal or two at your hotel, resort or vacation | | | | on which souvenirs you just have to buy. |