Which Disney Theme Park to Visit?
Many people swear that you need to spend multiple days at each theme park to get the full Disney experience. I say not so. If it is your first Disney visit, and you have the time, I do suggest that you spend one day at each of the parks just to be able to say you did so. If you are planning a shorter trip, or would rather spend some of your days elsewhere, the truth is, you don't need a full day at any of the parks. You can easily get away with a two-day Disney trip and a couple of Park Hopper passes, which allow you to go back and forth from theme park to theme park. But how do you know which Disney park to visit?
- The Magic Kingdom is a good choice for families with young children. Most, though not all, rides are geared toward little ones, but older kids and adults can enjoy them as well.
- Animal Kingdom is another family friendly theme park. While the Magic Kingdom really focuses on classic Disney characters and rides, Animal Kingdom is much more zoo-like with its animal exhibits and numerous attractions.
- Hollywood Studios is a must-see for those who have older children. This theme park has more thrilling rides and much longer lines than any of the other parks.
- Epcot has a number of attractions for kids of all ages, but the "World Showcase" is honestly more geared to adults.
Where to Stay When Visiting Disney
Should you stay onsite, off-site, or way off-site? How much is it worth to have the convenience of staying at a Disney property vs. a chain hotel that is off Disney premises? For us, that question has been answered in spades.
We stayed onsite at one of Disney's "moderate" resorts last year.
Pros: Beautiful grounds, convenience, and extra magic hours that allow guests to arrive early and/or stay late at theme parks.
Cons: Small rooms, high prices.
This year, we opted to stay at the Royal Plaza. It's about a 10 minute walk from Downtown Disney, with regular shuttles to all of the theme parks. The price, including resort fees and taxes, was about $100 less per night. We didn't have extra magic hours, but as it turns out, didn't need them. The shuttles ran just as well as Disney's own shuttles and the room was significantly larger. The only downside is that the grounds are not as immense, but with such easy access to Downtown Disney, we spent our evenings there instead of at the hotel.
What to Eat
Everyone who asks me about Disney eventually asks my thoughts on the Disney Dining Plan. What I have learned is that you can save a great deal of money on it, if you actually use the food on the plan. Most families don't eat that much, though, and end up wasting most of what they have spent. Instead, research menus so you are not caught off-guard by the sticker shock of some of the local dining establishments. If it's feasible, pack your own snacks or even your own breakfast or lunch foods. Dining in and around Orlando is very expensive and if you eat out at every meal, a family of four could easily find themselves spending and extra $100-$150 per day. Visit AllEars.Net for an extensive list of menu items and prices.
On the other hand, though prices are large, so are servings. It only took one meal for me to learn that I could order a single dish for the kids and they could easily split it and still have leftovers. Ask your server about portion sizes. Most are happy to supply a separate plate for one meal.
I also highly recommend taking part in a character meal. These are crazy expensive, but they are also a lot of fun and create memories that your kids will take with them forever.
Transportation Costs
We flew to Orlando, which is definitely pricey, but also way more convenient than the two day drive it would take to get there. Once we arrived, we rented a car because we spent a few days at the beach before heading back and doing the whole Disney thing. At that point, my husband returned the car because we simply didn't need it anymore. He finished his work responsibilities and was able to avoid driving until we arrived back at the airport. Nearly all of the transportation at that point was gratis, though getting back to the airport was about a $50 venture. My husband checked out the costs of shuttles vs. taxis and found that hiring a private car was the best and cheapest option. When you stay onsite at Disney, the cost of your airport transportation is included.
Everything Else
We save money in a lot of sneaky ways. For instance, I bought some souvenirs at home, at Walmart, for $1. They were Disney themed and the kids were just as happy with them when I presented them in their wrapped packages. Another way to save is to avoid baggage fees. If you can't avoid airlines that charge for your luggage, try instead packing as much onto carry on as you can and only checking one bag. Pack half the clothes you'll need for your trip, then pay $5 to wash them all in your hotel's coin-op laundry facility. They all have them.
There are a number of fees that you will likely encounter during your trip. If you stay near Disney, expect to pay a resort fee of about $17 per night. If you drive your own car, you'll be charged a parking fee. You will also find that servers expect larger tips here than they may on your home planet. And if you have young children that love to drink milk? You'll need to budget about $10 per day, per child.
For me, one of the best purchases during both trips was stroller rental. For less than $50 total, I had a stroller that we could use throughout the Disney parks, Downtown Disney, and around the hotel. I rented a double, because the six-year old got tired of walking quickly and needed a place to sit. I used Magic Strollers, because it was recommended through MouseSavers.
Speaking of MouseSavers, this site is the number one choice of all of the Disney savings web sites out there. It is thorough, gives its readers access to great deals, and is generally the best place to find all of the information you need for your upcoming Disney trip. So stop reading my blog and head over to MouseSavers. Then come back here and let me know how you have managed to save on your vacation.
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