--Be Flexible in your
time.
I know for some this is
easier said than done. Working around
school schedules, work schedules, and other schedules can be very
difficult. But the more flexible you are
in your time of year you can visit will make a great difference in overall
price.
Peak season (summer and
holidays) are a premium price (as well as having higher crowd levels). Also, if
you are going on a short trip try to avoid Friday and Saturday night
stays. These nights have a surcharge as
well.
When Disney has a
promotion the dates you are available can have a very important role. For the most part, if your check in day falls
within the promotional period, you get the promotional pricing for the whole
trip. Of course, there are exceptions to this, so I will double check that
before we actually book your trip.
Speaking of promotions,
this brings up my second tip – Be flexible on the resort.
Some promotions will
exclude certain resorts completely or may have different blackout dates for
some resorts. A promotion will have a
limited number of room types for each resort.
So, while there may still be rooms available in a particular resort for
your dates, it doesn’t mean that the promotion is available for those rooms on
those dates. Having a second or third
resort or room choice can improve your chances of snagging that promotion.
Ticket Options
Water Parks and More Fun
If you are going in the
winter; or if you aren’t planning on a water park or visiting Disney Quest,
this just adds an unnecessary charge. However, if you are planning on going during a
hot or warm season (and you are planning on 2 or more days to visit water
parks) then, by all means- add the option!
You will save money over the single day entrance fee. Although keep in mind each resort has at
least one pool. Most have ‘quiet pools’
as well (smaller pools spread out over the resort)
Park Hopper
Here is another place to
save money. If you are planning on
visiting only one park per day (perhaps returning to your resort room for a mid-day
swim and then returning to the same park in the evening for dinner or nighttime activities) then a
Park Hopper could be an unnecessary charge.
However, you need to know
if you do not have Park Hopper you CAN NOT go to a different park later
in the day, even if you have unused days left on your ticket!
Also, it is important to
note you cannot purchase a park hopper for only one day of your trip. Well, you can, but the price for hoppers is
for the life of the ticket, so it will cost you the same if you have 3 days left
or 10 days left on your pass.
Non Expiring Option
If you are going to make
two or more trips to Disney with a year or more between the trips, then, this
MAY say you some money. Be advised that
most promotions have a minimum number of tickets that must be purchased with
the promotion, so this could possibly eat your savings. (Disney seems to be phasing out this
particular add on. It may or may not be
available at time of your purchase.)
Dining Plans
Again, these could
possibly save money. It completely depends
on how your family chooses to eat on vacations.
Remember all those questions I asked about how your family prefers to
eat when on vacation? Well, this is
where it comes into play. I will help
you decide which (if any) dining plan is best suited for your family.
These are just a few of
the ways we can make the Family’s vacation package a bit more budget
friendly. Next we will talk a bit about
value.
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