How we do Disney

Top Things I recommend for Disney Travel:

1. Stay on-site at Disney
• You get free transportation, to and from parks, Disney Downtown and other resorts all day
• Meal-Plans
• It doesn’t matter which resort you are in, it is Disney and you will be taken care of
2. Travel in the off season
• Free meal plans is an option
• No or very short lines
• Fewer children
3. If your kids need a nap or stroller, they are too small to take.
• There is too much walking for young children and having to push around a stroller will take away from your trip. If they are too small, chances are they will not remember it. You will have a much better time and they will to when they are old enough to enjoy it.
4. Plan with a Disney expert.
• Our travel agent had itineraries for every park based on info I had told her about our family’s needs and likes.  We used Jeri Hall, she is on facebook (please tell her I sent you).
• She made all of our reservations and was the one to be on hold, I just made a list of things we wanted to do and she made it happen.
• She notified me when there was a special that saved us over $600.
5. Skip the character meals. You will have an opportunity to see all of the characters in the parks. The meals are good, but the meals at the resort sit-down restaurants are fabulous. Take the time to leave the parks and escape from loudness, have a sit-down meal and relax.  Plus you pay tips on your meals and it is pricier than all other meals.
6. Take your time. We visited each park with the exception of Animal Kingdom twice (seven day option). We still did not see everything, but we saw what we wanted and the things we enjoyed twice.
7. Get a meal plan.  We chose the table service option.  We had a sit-down meal every day, a quick service meal and a snack.  I took a toaster and our mini fridge (you can rent a fridge there).  We had bagels, juice and fruit every morning in our hotel before we left for the parks.  There is a Target and Wal-mart just miles away.
With planning and a flexible schedule you can do Disney on a budget. We spent less than $2,000 by driving and opting to stay at a budget resort. I would love to share more budgeting tips if you want, just email me.