Next year is shaping up to be a tough one for many families, when people will need to be extra careful with their spending. Some will skip vacations completely, while others will write off the possibility of visiting someplace like Orlando, believing it to be too expensive.
I've been visiting theme parks, as well as many other top tourist destinations around the country, for decades. And, trust me, with a degree in journalism, I understand working in low-paying jobs with little money left at the end of the month for travel.
Plus, I know a lot of other smart people with experience in trip planning, too. So... starting next Thursday, I'l be writing to offer advice and answer questions to help people plan their family vacations for 2009 and beyond.
If you have a question, or a topic you'd like me to address, please e-mail me via themeparkinsider [at] gmail.com. Please feel free to e-mail me any money-saving tips you've used that you think might help others, as well.
Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from many of you.
Tweet
Last July I got myself and two others in for two days for the price of $134 by buying one season pass, using a buy one get one free Coke can and buying two twickets.
Breakdown:
Day 1 admission/1 guest-season pass $60.00
Day 1 admission/2 guests-Coke can $60.00
Day 2 admission/1 guest-season pass, no charge
Day 2 admission/2 guests-twickets $14.00
Total of $134. Compare this to Disney for two days/3 people!
This maybe old news to locals, but if traveling on a budget
this may be helpful. And as this is one of SF premier parks a two day visit is probably in order for out of towners. Or at least a day and a half (using that 1/2 day to arrive and hit the park or leave early and hit the road.)
As of now, I've heard that 2009 season passes have just gone up to $69.99. You may also want to call and inquire about the twicket deal as they don't advertise it. One more
thing, if you find a buy one, get one deal tell them your intentions for using the twickets. I told them and they were cool with it. In theory, two people could get in for two days for a mere $74. Remember to call about the deal first, they've had it for years and years but things could change.
Hope this helps someone out there.
Robert, as for as tips I'd like:Ohio/Pennsylvania parks- plan of attack. I've never been. I'll keep checking in.
Sorry for jumping in there like this, I hope you don't mind. Just felt excited about sharing a good deal I enjoyed.
Here are some tips for doing Disney World cheap:
a) stay at a Value Resort, they can be fairly cheap, but still have good amenities and very good themeing
b) if you are staying for a week or two, stay at the Ft. Wilderness Cabins; they have a kitchen, and a mini mart on property, so you can shop and cook in your room and have breakfast and sometimes even lunch or dinner in your lodging, which will save you A LOT of money
c) if you plan on eating at the parks often, get the Disney Dining Plan, it will save you money in the end if you use up all your meals and snacks
d) Get a Magic Your Way ticket package; the more you play, the more you save; as you increase the number of days on your ticket package, the price per ticket gets increasingly lower
e) If youre going in 2009, try to go on some family member's Birthday; it will save you $75 dollars very easily right away, whether it be for the free ticket, or say youre an AP holder, a $75 gift card for food and merchandise
f) Even though the Full Service F&B meals are nice, you will save a lot of money, and time, by just eating at Quick Service (counter service) restaurants...they still provide good food and lots of choice...Turkey Legs are a cheaper option and fill you up just as much if not more than a full meal
It really all depends on the sacrifices youre willing to make. For some that may be shopping less, or not shopping at all (wait, its impossible to not shop at Disney! never mind! less sounds better), for others it could mean sharing meals; maybe you can only go for one week this year instead of your usual two; or 3 days instead of 5; or if youre a family of 5, trying to squeeze into one hotel room instead of buying 2....there are lots of ways to make your Disney vacation cheaper, and Disney is fully aware of the economic situation and the effect it has on tourism, so they will have no choice but to cater to the tourists and find ways to make our vacation destination more affordable for the average family
these guys have been doing some offers
http://www.ocean-usa.co.uk/ hope you dont mind the link.
I did keep calling them oceanic, which is a bit scary for us Lost viewers :)
anyway here's hoping that when I have the funds to book a vacation they have suitable offers.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Since we're starting earlier this year, we decided to buy tickets to the other parks besides WDW each month. November we'll buy our Orlando VIP express passes; December we may skip altogether since it's Christmas; January we'll buy our SeaWorld & Aquatica Passes; February our Kennedy Space Center tickets, and so on. Any money we get from income tax return will be put into our vacation savings account or pay off the balance owed on our WDW resort vacation.
In my husband's line of employment, he receives a step increase and a cost of living increase every year. This year I was able to get a raise myself. We made a commitment to take a vacation every year and this year we went on two. For us it's important to take a family vacation together so we specifically budget for that.
The only (and best, in my opinion) piece of advice I could offer is to plan early and save up specifically for your trip, if your household budget will allow.
I probably could have saved my fingers until you actually did your post. I am very much looking forward to this topic of discussion as we are now in the throws of planning our 2009 trip.