Visiting a Disney Resort is unique in the realm of vacations because it is quite literally a world of its own. Multiple parks, hotels, and attractions fill each one. Without a plan, fun and magical vacation can turn into a stressful experience. This guide focuses on tips and tricks to use for Disneyland or Disneyworld Resorts. Avid traveler, Mark Alvarado provides some tricks on how to plan an unforgettable Disney Trip.

Dates

When traveling dates are usually very important because airfares and hotel rooms are more or less expensive depending on the arrival date, length of stay, and departure date. But this is critical when planning a Disney vacation.

Both resorts are popular, and even outside of peak times such as the summer months, spring breaks, Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving, other factors impact a trip. Each Resort is located near convention centers and other hotels that host conventions and meetings all-year around.

The cost of flights and hotels plus the size of the crowd at either park are influenced by these events.

So be sure to set several different possible dates before purchasing tickets for certain days at a Disney Park.

Make Your Budget Go Farther

Everyone has a budget when it comes to vacation planning. Budgets for Disney vacations are on the higher end because a lot of people want to stay in resort hotels and buy souvenirs and other items inside the parks. This means that budgets can go further when tickets and travel costs are factored in.

Tickets for both parks start at $91 and go up from there. The total cost depends on how many people are in your party, the number of parks visited, and how many days you plan on visiting the park for. Consider:

• Purchasing discounted tickets for a yearly vacation
• Obtaining passes for more than one trip in a year

Discounted tickets are available from approved outlets. Search to find out which outlets are allowed to sell discounted Disney tickets.

Passes, on the other hand, provide a better deal on tickets over more than one visit in a year. They also include perks like discounts on dining and souvenirs depending on the type chosen.

Compare vacation packages too. Vacation packages are fairly standard for booking vacations online because they save money on flights and hotels. The same principle applies to a Disney vacation. Vacation packages often include tickets, a meal plan, a hotel room, and parking as well as applicable bonuses at the time of booking like coupon books or extra savings on hotel rooms.

Buy Smart

Disney vacations have costs that are unavoidable such as the purchase of tickets to the park. But there are several different ways to shape your  spending leave room for nice meals, experiences or shopping like:

• Don’t Rent a Car- A shuttle or a ride-sharing service like Lyft or Uber will drive you back and forth from the park, often for less than the price of parking.
• Get Groceries Delivered- Disney World has a grocery delivery service that goes to resort area hotels for a small fee. They’ll even give discounts if you order in advance of your visit. Use it to buy items like water, snacks, and breakfast items. For those staying at a hotel outside of the resort or at Disneyland, services like Postmates, Amazon Fresh, Prime Now, and Instacart all deliver groceries. Certain hotels might have delivery restrictions. But these delivery services save on smaller meals like breakfast and snacks and water.
• Bring Your Water Bottle- Water bottle filling stations are available in both parks. This saves on water purchases and is more environmentally responsible.
• Buy Souvenirs Online- Buying souvenirs online is less expensive and saves on baggage fees or space in luggage. This is a wise option for children who want costumes or large stuffed animals. Having them shipped is easier logistically, and it can be done while on vacation so that items arrive by the time the trip is over.
• Consider Staying at an Off-Property Hotel- Off-property hotels are often right next to the resort and are cheaper. Consider staying here if a resort hotel you want is unavailable or out of the budget.

Figure Out What to Do Before Getting There

Disneyland and Disney World both have some attractions and shows to see. Before traveling, figure out which ones are on the must-see list. Once you know, learn what to expect when you go there. Construction of new attractions might be an issue. Crowds also factor in. Understanding when to will minimize stress and strain particularly on families so they can focus on fun.

Take Pictures

• This planning tip may seem obvious. But it has several different parts to it including:
• Travel Light– Don’t bring a big fancy camera with many parts because it will be heavy while walking through the park. Use a point and shoot or lighter camera instead.
• Take the iconic shots- Take photos in front of Epcot, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and so on.
• Don’t forget the fun shots- Children and family members having fun often make the best photos.
• Give Your Child a Camera- Consider giving them an inexpensive camera to take their photos.
• Invest in a Souvenir or Ride Photo- These are more expensive than taking photos but worth the quality for the memories they capture.
• Label Your Gear- Label cameras and memory cards so they can be returned in the event of a loss.

Remember to have fun! Disney trip planning has some moving parts. But once the trip arrives, enjoy it. Time flies on vacation, and it will be over sooner than your family might like. Following these planning tips will help keep the vacation focus on fun instead of lines and stress. Don’t forget the Mouse Ears!

About the Author

Mark Alvarado is a graphic designer who travels the world with an artists’ eye. He grew up with a father who traveled often, and a mother who appreciated art. He continues to learn and grow, and share his experiences with others.