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Money Saving Tips For Disney World Resorts
Every year, millions flock to Disney theme parks worldwide. After all
it is the ultimate American family vacation, the ultimate experience of
magic and wonder for the whole family. After the terrorism attacks, President
Bush encouraged Americans to continue doing American things, including
going to Disney World. Disney vacations aren’t only for families
with children. Disneyworld in Florida attracts children of all ages; they
even have a wedding chapel on property where thousands have been wed since
its opening.
Yet these magical vacations don’t come cheap. Families will save
for months and even years to visit the parks and resorts. Yet, your trip
may not need to be as costly as you imagine. The list of expenses is quite
high, transportation to and from Orlando, Hotel, Park Admission, Meals,
Souvenirs, and on and on. Everyone that visits Disneyworld will attest
that Disney is indeed worth the expense, for the memories are sure to
last a lifetime.
If you are interested in a Disney trip, the best way to find out about
it is to call Disney and order your free DVD planning guide. Disney is
a for profit company, so they won’t share you the tips to save money.
For those without disposable income, this guide offers tips that can cut
costs on your dream vacation. You may also tune into the Disney Channel
and see if they offer any specials for the time that you are going.
We also recommend that you apply for a Disney Credit Card to take with
you to earn back points you spend on anything Disney related. You want
to apply for this card in time for it to get to your home and be able
to use on your Disney World Vacation.
Timing is Everything
Disneyworld knows exactly when people want to visit their parks. Peak
times are usually around holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years
encompass some of the highest attendance for the parks and resorts. Not
coincidentally, these times are also when the Disney resorts have the
highest rates as do the surrounding hotels. Airlines too take advantage
of this time. Disney knows the crowds will come at these times, and they
take full advantage of it.
There are, however, times when the park is less attended, when the crowds
aren’t flocking. Disney knows this too and thus lowers room rates.
Generally, the best times to visit are the week after Thanksgiving until
the week of Christmas, and January 2 until around Valentines Day.
The savings can really work for you, if you decide to visit the parks
during a non-peak time, and not just in hotel rates.
Where to Stay
If you are going to a Disney park, most feel you should stay at a Disney
resort. The Disney resort hotels offer price structures to fit most budgets,
and the benefits are incredible. Benefits for staying on Disney property
include:
Disney Airport transportation. For guests that stay on property, they
can receive free transportation to their resorts from the airport (saving
you money on a shuttle or taxi)
Disney Bus line: When on property, the Disney busses run very frequently
to all resorts and all parks, their use is open to resort guests (saving
you money on a rental car to get around)
Extra magic hours, where certain parks are open late and/or early exclusively
for resort guests
Shopping delivery: While you are out in the parks, purchases you make
may be delivered to your room, saving you the time to return them home.
And of course the Disney service standards you will not find anywhere
else.
If you stay at a neighboring non-Disney hotel, you will likely save money
on a room rate and you can eat food at a much lower rate. If you are not
staying on Disney property, you will have o pay a parking fee for the
days you visit the park, and you may not be able to use the Disney transportation.
When you compare the cost and benefits of staying on Disney property to
an outside hotel, rental car, airport shuttles, and Disney gate/parking
fees, you may find that it is more economical to stay on property.
What to see
How long should you stay? What parks should you visit? Likely are the
most difficult questions to answer. To really enjoy the parks to their
fullest, a trip of 3 days or more is suggested. It is also suggested that
you plan your trip before you go, using the Disney websites as a guide,
outlining what attractions you want to visit, on what days. If you plan
well, you can avoid long lines, and avoid crisscrossing back and forth
around the parks. Even if you spent a month at Disney, you could not see
everything and do everything you want to.
Here is a list of must see attractions at the parks, and an estimate
of about how much time you would need to spend at each park to see these
attractions. There are many more attractions, all of which are worthwhile,
but no Disney trip should be without these attractions. This list and
time estimates assume that you visit at a non peak time, and that you
don’t mind getting up early for the early entrance, and staying
out late for the late park hours.
Magic Kingdom
(Spend a full day at this park, and conclude your day with the Spectromagic
Parade and Wishes fireworks show)
Absolute All ages must-see:
Spectromagic night time parade (certain nights only, check schedule)
Wishes Fireworks Spectacular!
Mickey’s Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Older audience must see:
Space Mountain (roller coaster)
Splash Mountain (log ride)
Epcot
Spend a full day here, more time if you have it in the World Showcase;
conclude the day with Illuminations fireworks show
Mission Space
Test Track
Soarin
American Story (in American building)
Illuminations Fireworks
Disney/MGM Studios
Spend ¾ day here, conclude with Fantasmic Night Time show
All Ages must see
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Fantasmic! Night time show
Muppet Vision 3-d
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Older Audiences Must See:
Tower of Terror
Aerosmith Rock n Roller Coaster
Animal Kingdom
Spend a half day here, preferably on the early entry morning
Festival of the Lion King
Tarzan Rocks!
Safari/Animal exhibits
It’s a bug’s life 3-d show
Older audiences must see
Dinosaur!
Where to eat
Disney has restaurants and meals to suit every taste pallet and budget.
Many of the economical hotels have cafeteria style dining available, making
a great spot for a pretty inexpensive breakfast. This isn’t your
home town café, it is Disney remember. In the parks, there are
fast food and snack shops every which way, undoubtedly the most inexpensive,
and many sit down restaurants, ranging from moderate to incredibly expensive.
A little tip is to visit the guest relations upon your arrival, show them
your ideal itinerary for the day and your budget, and ask for suggestions
on dining. Any cast member (Disney speak for employee) is trained to help
with suggestions on dining, and virtually any other need you have during
your stay.
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