How Can Anyone Afford Going to Disney?

   

     There's no greater feeling in the world than paying off a vacation - any vacation - ahead of time. Anyone who's ever suffered from a holiday-shopping-hangover knows how overwhelming those ensuing credit card bills can be. No one wants to return from a fantastic family vacation only to have those magical memories crushed beneath a mountain of debt.
      That may seem a daunting task when considering a Disney Resorts or Disney Cruise Line vacation. One only needs to look up current theme park ticket prices to question how anyone could possibly vacation with Disney without selling their first born to Rumpelstiltskin - or charging it. Rest-assured, it is possible to enjoy Disney without breaking the bank. But before exploring all the ways to save for Disney - and save on Disney - let's first examine the value of a Disney vacation.

     Current admission for a Magic Kingdom (my personal favorite park) ticket is $132 (incl. tax) during peak season. That seems like a lot - until you consider what you are getting in return.  Since park hours are generally longer during peak times, that one day ticket offers up to 16 hours (or more) of resort-wide transportation, parades, shows, fireworks, and Disney character experiences, not to mention over 30 rides and attractions! To put it into perspective, tickets to the last Broadway show we attended were $129 (plus taxes and fees) each for a 2-1/2 hour production. While we certainly were entertained, there is no comparison to the value provided by a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park.

     Of course, the ticket I've mentioned is one of the more expensive options (single day tickets to Disney's other three theme parks are even less) and there are ways to bring the cost down. For instance, Disney offers multi-day ticket options that bring the price per day down exponentially as days are added - especially at four days or more.
     Another way to economize would be to add the Park Hopper Plus option, which includes an equal number of visits to other resort wide activities per park day - essentially doubling the number of active days one might spend at the resort. This includes any Disney Water Park,  mini-golf, or even a full round on Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course!

     Here's an example: A 2-day ticket with the park hopper plus option (theoretically) allows a visitor to visit ALL FOUR of Disney's theme parks for two days (this is not for the faint of heart) PLUS spend a third day at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and a fourth day at Disney's Blizzard Beach for $292 - bringing that price per day way down to $73 and providing a more diversified vacation experience.
     Disney's ticket options are so vast and varied, that you will want to enlist the services of an expert Disney travel planner - such as Second Star Travel - to guide you through the many options and help you save money by buying only what you need and will use. And, don't forget: children's tickets are less expensive and kids under 3 are FREE!

     Now that we've established what a tremendous value a day at Disney can provide, we need to consider whether staying on property is the best option. I answer with a resounding YES! Again, while resort rates may seem pricey, there are many options for every family and budget. And staying at a Disney resort offers many benefits. One of the best features of staying on property is the free transportation to and from Orlando International Airport via Disney's Magical Express, which eliminates the need for a rental car. Plus, if you're staying on-property, you won't have to pay $20 per day for parking at the parks. Disney Resort guests are also able to make Fastpass+ reservations 60 days prior to arrival - that's a full 30 days before any other ticket holders. The time saved from waiting in lines means added value doing something else in the park.  Another great perk is Disney's Extra Magic Hours - which provides up to three extra park hours only for Disney's resort guests. Those extra hours add a lot more value to those tickets! Lastly, only guests staying at a Disney resort can add a Disney Dining Plan to their reservation, which also helps to keep those costs down.
     Disney regularly offers discounts for staying at their resorts - sometimes up to 35% off the standard room rate! Currently, Disney is even offering a special reduced rate 4-park ticket. Another way to keep the cost of a Disney vacation down is to travel during non-peak times. Travel agents who specialize in Disney vacations - like Second Star Travel - keep an eye out for these kinds of deals and can help you choose the most economical travel dates for your situation.

Hints for Saving:
     And once you've decided that a Disney vacation is right for your family, you'll want to start saving for that special trip.

1. Disney gift cards: There are many ways to save up to 5% or more by buying Disney gift cards at warehouse clubs and other retailers who occasionally run specials. 
2. Use credit cards that earn cash back and transfer that cash-back directly to your Disney fund.
3. If you do a lot of online shopping, join Ebates. Install their browser extension, which alerts you when you're visiting a site that earns cash back. Shop as usual and Ebates will deposit a cash-back reward directly to your Paypal account (or send you an old-fashioned paper check). Apply that money to your Disney fund.
4. Keep a change jar. You would be surprised how much adds up simply by emptying your pockets at the end of the day!
5. Eat Smart: When visiting the parks, eat something small and quick in the morning, like cereal or breakfast bars. Then have a large brunch. (Disney buffets are a perfect choice as they get you out of the heat of the day.) Then have a late lunch/early dinner, before the changeover to higher "dinner" prices.

     Once you realize how cost-effective a Disney vacation can be, you'll see it's not that hard to save for one. Contact Second Star Travel when you're ready to take off to Neverland!