How to Go on a Walt Disney World Vacation on a Budget
Walt Disney World park admission, hotel and food costs can get very expensive very quickly! In an effort to appeal to families, there are now many Disney World vacation packages available, but upon closer inspection, these all-inclusive Disney World packages aren’t always a great deal.
That’s why I reached out to an expert to help identify how to take your family to Walt Disney World without blowing your vacation budget. Kelly Goode, author of “A Mom’s Miserly Guide: Orlando, Disney & Universal on $25 a Day!”, has generously offered to share some of her tips for planning a Walt Disney World family vacation.
griffiths
Your Guide to Planning a Family Orlando Vacation for $25 a Day is such an intriguing concept! How did you come up with this idea and how long did it take you to write the book?
Good and
Having been a travel agent for over 15 years in Florida and an avid fan of Disney World, I have long felt the need for a comprehensive and realistic guide for families to save money when visiting Orlando and Disney World. I learned that people dream and plan these vacations years in advance, and it broke my heart to hear and see people struggle to pay for their vacation when there were actually cheaper ways to enjoy their dream Disney vacation. The book took about a year to write, but it is an ongoing project due to the constant changes in Orlando and the theme parks.
griffiths
When you say you can go to Walt Disney World for $25 a day, is that per person or is it based on a family of four, two adults and two children?
Good and
Families can visit Walt Disney World for $25 a day, and that’s for real. The $25 fee is per person and is based on actual hotel options, rental car options, and discounted tickets. In fact, I have a chart in my book that shows exactly how families can achieve this goal. Of course, not all families may spend just $25 per day because they may want different hotel options, different theme park options, or several restaurant options that will add to their vacation budget. My book, however, allows families to see how they can pull off this vacation on this basic budget and move up if they want.
griffiths
How often is the eBook updated with information? I know that when I seriously consider buying such a guide, I worry that the information is dated.
Good and
As I mentioned, the book is an ongoing project because it needs to be constantly updated to give people the new information they need about hotels, attractions, and prices. I update it continuously and I also have a blog that I update daily with updates related to Disney, Universal, Sea World, Orlando and how to save money on your vacation.
griffiths
What are the 5 most costly mistakes families make when going on a Walt Disney vacation?
Good and
Well, every family is different, so I hate to tag them with “mistakes,” but if you force me to, I have to say that these are the most common ways families refuse to save:
1. They commute at rush hour, instead of taking the kids out of school for a day or two. Value season lowers prices tremendously.
2. Families think the only way to see Disney is to stay at a Disney Resort, and these are often the most expensive accommodations you can find.
3. Discount airfares are not secured because people are not comfortable buying discount airfares on the Internet, and they don’t know about sales. (My book helps with this tremendously)
4. Families don’t take advantage of theme park discounts, whether that means going to a special operator, buying tickets online, or simply going the extra step or two to find discounts.
5. Parents are unaware of the savings on restaurants and food they can get from various places in Orlando. Hundreds of vacation dollars can be saved with coupons, kid-friendly meal-free places, and special planning.
Once again, my book helps in all of these areas!
griffiths
A Walt Disney vacation could easily cost thousands of dollars in a week if a family hasn’t planned a proper budget. How far in advance do you recommend that families plan their Walt Disney vacations to ensure they are effectively squeezing every dollar?
Good and
Planning is very important because everything from dates to airfares, car rentals, hotel accommodations, and theme park tickets come into play. I think a family should start around 9 months, but still be flexible when looking for the best savings on vacation dates.
griffiths
What impresses me most about Kelly’s Walt Disney Vacation Guide is that he doesn’t accept any kind of payment from the companies he recommends. It really adds credibility to the guide along with offering a 100% guarantee. Getting creative with your vacation budget can often be part of the vacation experience! The more you plan ahead, the more likely you’ll be able to stay on budget while making memories for your family.