A theme park vacation can be a perfect way to relax with family and create lifelong memories. Most of the details are taken care of for you, and there’s always something fun to do. But before you head out on your epic adventure, be sure to keep these three tips in mind:
Figure Out Food
One of the biggest costs of a theme park vacation is the food. Because park food portion sizes are notoriously large, you may consider splitting meals or even ordering kids meals for the adults in your family as a way to save money. Many theme parks will also allow you to bring food and sealed beverages into the park. You will need to weigh the pros and cons of bringing in your own food, though. While it may save you money and allow you to eat more healthy, you will also have to tote it around with you or rent a locker. Also, that mini-fridge in your hotel room is unlikely to be able to hold everything you need.
Go During the Off-Season
While it may not always be the most convenient for your schedule, planning your theme park vacation for the off-season will help you to mitigate the crowds and also deliver better prices. You will also likely beat the heat if you travel during the off-season. Disney’s best off-season months are January-May, with the exception of the busy Spring Break weeks. Making an effort to schedule your trip during this time will help you to avoid long lines and yield better prices on hotel accommodations. One benefit of a visit to Disney during the busy summer season is that you will enjoy longer park operating hours and rides will be running at full capacity.
Hit the Parks Early
Regardless of the time of year that you travel to the park, it is always recommended to get an early start. Being at the park when the gates open will ensure that you have a full day of fun and allow you to take advantage of short lines early in the morning. If your hotel is located close to the park, you can leave during the middle of the day and rest in your room before heading back during the evening hours. This will help you to escape the highest crowd levels and re-energize for the remainder of the day.
With the right planning and preparation, you can ensure that your theme park family vacation will go off without a hitch. Once you have a plan in place, you can simply enjoy making memories to last a lifetime.
