Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World
By Sarah Dray
Whether you're visiting Orlando just for golfing or as part of a family vacation, visiting Disney World is one of the must-do things. How enjoyable the trip is, however, depends much on the planning. So before you pack your clubs for that round of golf under the Florida sun, take some time to ensure a well-planned holiday for the whole family.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Draw up a budget, and figure out the additional expenses, such as meals inside the park, souvenirs and character breakfasts or other special events. If your budget is small, you should look for alternatives in advance, such as bringing your own snacks into the park, leaving for lunch and then returning and skipping the souvenirs or buying them outside the park.
Start planning early. This is especially important if you are looking to save money, as early hotel reservations usually mean cheaper prices. Also, get the whole family involved in the planning by downloading maps from the Disney website and deciding how many parks you plan on visiting and how long to spend on each one.
Use the official Walt Disney World website to search for discount tickets, passport prices and special offers throughout the year. The website also offers a listing of special events you can expect to find there, such as fireworks, parades or temporary rides or entertainment opportunities.
Decide what type of ticket you want. The single, one-day admission will allow you entry to a park of your choice and is the cheapest available. If you plan on visiting more than one park in a day, you might need a multiple-park pass. There are also Premium Annual Passes, which allow you to visit any of the parks, including the water parks, as often as you want.
Choose a mode of transportation. Flying into Orlando makes the most sense, and you can probably find good deals if you talk to a travel agent or use sites such as Priceline. The Amtrak also makes its way to the area, and the trip itself can be as much fun as the destination. Train tickets are more expensive, though.
Decide on a hotel. If you don't want to rent a car and your hotel doesn't offer free transportation to the parks, you might end up spending a lot of money and time on taxis. If you want convenience, staying at one of the Disney Resorts will allow you to move between the park and the hotel as you want throughout the day. This might save you money on meals, as you could eat at the hotel and then return for more fun at the park.
Tips & Warnings
If you or somebody in your family has special needs, Disney offers a multitude of accommodations and help. This applies to those who have mobility disabilities, are visually impaired or need wheelchair access. You can call the park directly to find out what's available and how you can better plan for the unexpected.
About The Author
Sarah Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications, including "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.
