While there are plenty of cheap travel options in Orlando, whether cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages, once visitors enter Disney World the cost of park fees, snacks, restaurant meals, souvenirs, rental cars and other extras can make a Disney family vacation very expensive.
One of the smart ways to enjoy an inexpensive Disney World vacation is by visiting the park during low season, which is generally during the fall and early winter, excluding holidays. This is when Disney resort rates drop and Disney deals are readily available. Unfortunately taking kids out of school in order to make your Disney vacation more affordable is not an option for many families.
The following are ideas on how to plan an affordable, yet fun, Disney family getaway during other times of the year:
If you are going to visit during peak season, avoid staying at a Disney Resort, and look for much cheaper accommodations outside of the park. By staying between one to six miles outside the park, you will have to spend a few additional minutes each day on the shuttle, but your savings could be substantial.
Consider sharing your accommodations with another family, grandparents, or uncles and aunts. There are many resorts near Disney World that appeal to large groups by offering spacious suites or apartments that have several bedrooms at very affordable prices.
Research Disney World deals on the Internet looking for discounts on accommodations, meal plans and ticket packages before reserving your airline tickets. If you can be flexible as to your travel dates, you may be able to realize significant savings.
Where possible pack what you will need (things such as sunscreen) before leaving home vs. buying it when you arrive in Orlando. Orlando is a major tourist destination and many of its shops tend to price gouge tourists.
Bring your own food to the park. Meals inside the park and at its resorts tend to be expensive. Bring snacks and empty water bottles that can be filled at water fountains. By bringing sandwiches, salads or whatever your family enjoys, you will dine at a fraction of the cost of purchasing similar food inside the park.
If you want your children to enjoy a character meal make a reservation for breakfast or lunch vs. a more costly character dinner. You can save even more money by checking out the daily schedule to find out when characters will be available where in the park.
Dont buy a Park Hopper pass in advance. Given that each Disney Park is massive, you may well not need to visit more than one park in any given day. www.cheapfares.com