Hello gentle readers! It’s been like FIVE days since I’ve been on my computer! Someone check my pulse. I’m dyin’ over here. Anyway, I ran out to the Mac store today to buy a new power cord. The old one looks like it had been snipped in half…airport security perhaps?!
Anyway, it’s over halfway through Tuesday, so I thought in honor of my Magical Moms event at Disney and in the effort to get a post up ASAP, I’d re-post my tips on having a frugal Disney World vacation. I might add a few thoughts here and there (depending on how long Asa naps). So, here are my…
TOP TEN WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AND STILL HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY VACATION
magical photo by Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry
1. Move to Orlando, make friends with Disney employees. They get free tickets. If they’ve worked there for like 15 years they get a pass that lets in 3 people a day. Yeah.
2. Receive tickets for Christmas presents. That’s how we went on our 2nd Disney cruise.
(what these aren’t working for you? ok. ok.)
3. Go during FREE DISNEY DINING. That means like FREE FOOD. Disney Dining is already a deal, in my opinion, but once a year, they offer FREE Disney Dining packages. So you get one counter service meal, one table meal and one snack per day per person FOR FREE. I’m not kidding. So cool.
4. Get on mailing lists. Find the sites for Disney, for airlines, for travel agents, etc. They always send emails about deals and free stuff. I have found more deals in my inbox and my mailbox than anywhere else.
5. Check out the DisneyWorld site. They’ve always got Florida resident deals on hotels and special events. But there are usually special deals for non-residents, too.
6. And my one big tip for Disney Cruises: wait till the last minute. That’s what we did in March. We found a cruise (on Disney’s site, not even one of those special vacation sites) that was ridiculously cheap with one caveat–leave in 4 days. It was worth it!
7. Bring your own snacks…a granola bar and a water bottle goes a long way when waiting in line. You can bring all the food you want into the park, so don’t feel like you’re sneaking popcorn into the movies! But please splurge on a Mickey ice cream!
8. Stroller Swap. Instead of bringing your own stroller, or renting one from the park, try a stroller swap! Other Disney fans leave their stroller for you and then you do the same when you leave. What a great idea! (via The Dis Boards and Emily at Mommin’ It Up!)
9. FREE ADMISSION ON YOUR BIRTHDAY IN 2009. Seriously. Do you have any family members that have birthdays the same week? Twins? Head to Disney World! They’ll get in for free—plus they get a giant HAPPY BIRTHDAY button that lets the cast members know to treat them right. PS: My birthday is in TEN days…HINT HINT.
10. Just hang out on property! All the resorts have cool stuff to do–tandem bikes, beaches, boats, special programming, etc. Go visit one of the pricey resorts–The Animal Kingdom Lodge has as many animals as the real Animal Kingdom! (I even went on a free Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt there!) Go to one of the fun mini golf courses. Head to Downtown Disney for cute shopping and fun picture spots!
Want more Disney? See my most magical posts on earth!
We were planning on going for my birthday, in June, but we aren’t going to have the money, darn it. I so want to take the girls to Disney! Emily has been once, with my Mom, but I want to go with her, too, lol.
My top ten is at my blog, but for some reason I can’t access my blog right now. Guess my hosting site is down?
It’s my top ten favorite games. Have a great day!
Oooo, you are making my heart hurt. I love this place so much and I want to go to there. Like, NOW!
O-well, at least someone enjoyed all that magical goodness.
Free food!? Where do I sign up!? Too bad my dad and I missed the free birthday thing, our birthdays are only two days apart!
I posted my Top Tens here: http://longbrakeliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-why-i-love-aerobics/
We went a year ago April and my kids beg to go back everyday, I only wish we could pick up and go RIGHT NOW.
http://hotomom.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-tv-shows/
Disney sounds like so much fun!!!
Here’s the link to my top ten
http://idahocheneys.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-ten-tuesday.html
We went to Disney Jan ’08. Had a blast. I saved up for years so we could go. Kids were 9 and 6. They keep asking to go back(so do I!), it took every ounce of self control between me and my hubby when the deals started, buy 3 days get 4 free. It still was too much for us to spend again so soon. We don’t live close.
Must tell you this funny stroller story though.
My folks took us for the first time back in the mid 70’s. I was 5 and my brother 2.5. My folks didn’t take a stroller on the plane. Probably couldn’t. They had never been to such a nice incredible place – so much was provided. They saw all these people grabbing strollers after each ride and they thought they were free. Yup at each ride they took a different rented stroller and moved it to another not realizing that someone else had rented it. They did this for days before they figured it out. They were mortified.
They sure did mess up some stuff for some poor Disney worker.
We tease them about it now. However after your top ten list – maybe they were just ahead of their time?
All good tips, of course! I think I could actually take the most advantage for #7 & #10. I could do #1, but then you’d miss me too much!!
I put a Top Ten up … Mother’s Day Style!
http://mlbh.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-mothers-day-gifts/
I so wish I had gone with you! You have some great tips here. We take advantage of the Florida resident discounts and go during off seasons when the resorts offer discounts. Have you been to allears.net? There are some good ideas too.
I am too tired to make my own Top Ten list today but I love yours (of course)!
Here’s my current tip: For our July trip, we are going a different route with souvenirs. This will be our kids’ second trip in six months so we decided not to buy park souvenirs. Now, don’t call me a mean, ol’ mommy because we have an alternative. Now, Mickey (or Donald/Buzz/Goofy, etc.) is going to leave a gift for each of my boys (in our room) each day of the trip.
Yes, it still costs money (but sooo much less – can you say Easter clearance?) and yes, I have to get all there and back BUT my boys are so excited by this idea! I have tons of Disney stuff from Target, WalMart, and the Disney Store and I probably haven’t spent $50 total!
Amanda, I’m glad you’re back – I can’t wait to hear more!!!
Very good advise!!!
I’m holding out for #11 – Wait until your husband’s company has to update “The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World” and tag along.
…a fabulous idea. I think we’re all taken, however. But still, fab idea. 🙂
Hey – will you email me on how the “residence discount” works? We’re going in a couple of weeks & one of Pep’s single guy friends lives in Orlando (guy & single = he hasn’t a clue how the thing works, how to find out, or what’s WDW even stands for for that matter!!). Would he have to go with us? Or can he order it & not have to actually go to the gate with us?? I’m just trying to do the research to see if it’s worth getting him in the loop or not.
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