It starts with the news that you are taking the kids to Disney World on vacation, which is followed by understandable mania and excitement.
Then, you have to start planning and that is where the nightmare often begins for parents. Planning a trip to Disney World is hard. Especially if it is your first time visiting the park, and especially if your kids have a favorite princess (or any other character) that they want to see.
So, rather than “wing it” (not a good idea for any trip), here are some tips on how to save money, plan effectively, and have a great time at Disney World.
Book a Hotel or Resort Away From the Park
If your kids want to stay in the park overnight at one of the hotels, that is going to knock you back a penny or two!
Staying at the resort itself is immensely expensive and there are many hotels and other accommodations you can stay at for a fraction of the price nearby, such as Westgate Orlando. This will shave the cost of the trip and, if you opt for a resort, there will likely be a few amenities that the kids can have fun with when they aren’t chasing down Mickey Mouse!
Pack Your Own Food and Drinks
Much like staying at the resort overnight, eating there is going to be expensive too. As well as this, many parents are less than happy with the food options on hand at the park, which can be loaded with sugar. So, be sure to pack your own sandwiches, crisps, and snacks, as well as plenty of water. It’s Orlando: it’s going to be hot! Remember, if you get too hot, you can always ask for iced water at the park, as it’s free, but it is usually best to have your own to hand to keep your kids hydrated in the summer sun.
Download the App
Yes, it can be worth buying a paper map of the park for the family holiday/memory scrapbook but, for parents who value their sanity, it can be ideal to download the app to their phone.
The app will make booking in easier, as well as finding toilets, and even planning the entire day. You can even use it to make your day at the park as time-efficient as possible, which is great if you have very young kids who want to see everything as quickly as possible.
Buy Outfits of Your Kids Favorite Characters
OK, if your kids are of an age where they cannot stop talking about Buzz Lightyear, or they are obsessed with Moana, you can use some simple clothing items to your advantage.
Walking around the park, you will likely see people dressed as Disney characters and, if your child (or children) wears a t-shirt that has their favorite character on it, then the actors at the park portraying those characters are more likely to talk to them and to even sign an item that belongs to your kid. Now that’s a gift that they will treasure forever!
So, keep it simple, take along your snacks, and make sure you have plenty of space on your smartphone for photos: there will be a lot of them.
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