As many of you will know, we were lucky enough to take a family trip to Disney World in Florida at Christmas and so I thought I would put together a handy blog post with tips on how to save money on your magical family vacation.
Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
Accommodation will take up a huge chunk of your Walt Disney World holiday fund but there are many tips and tricks on cutting down the cost. It isn’t essential to stay in one of the Disney World resorts. International Drive is one of the main tourist strips in Florida that boasts affordable family friendly condos. However, if the kids have their hearts set on the full Disney experience, some of the hotels are cheaper than others with The All Star Sports Resort being the most affordable. Choosing a Disney resort comes with unexpected money saving benefits such as a free bus transfer from the airport not to mention the Disney Magic Express, a convenient service that magically transports your luggage to your hotel room so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Get Credit Card Savvy
If you plan to take regular family trips to Disney World you should consider choosing a credit card that provides you with maximum Disney savings. This way when you pay for your petrol or your weekly food shop, you are simultaneously collecting points that you can use on your vacation. If you start early enough, you could accumulate enough Disney Dream Dollar Rewards to pay for park tickets or even a flight. Check to see if your credit card belongs to the Magic Kingdom club before you travel.
Forget Fizzy Drinks
After you have shelled out a considerable amount for flights to Florida and a family sized room, the cost of a soda here and there may seem insignificant. However, these little costs add up and before you know it you have spent £20 a day on soft drinks. With the cost of a large soda coming in at around $3 you can see how easy it is to overspend. Get your soda fix at cafes that offer free refills or take your own bottles of water.
Swap Mementos for Memories
Ok, so this one requires a lot of self-restraint. With gift shops around every corner, it is near impossible to leave the park without some form of souvenir. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice for children to take home something to remind them of the fun they had at Disney World but where possible take a memory home rather than a memento. Why not make your own autograph book for the little ones to take around the park with them? This way their hands and minds will be occupied and you won’t get hit with a hefty excess weight charge at the check in desk.
If you are planning a family trip to Disney World in 2016, these money saving tips should come in handy.