Below is another article by my friend Alexia.  If you are planning on taking a Disney vacation or just want to dream, contact her for some awesome rates and maybe a few little pixie dust surprises along the way.   P.S – My favorite quick service is Wolfgang Puck at Downtown Disney YUM!

Over the past two weeks we discussed the top ten character meals and the top ten non-character table service meals. Today we will discuss the top ten quick service meals. Because these restaurants do not accept reservations, most people just eat at whichever restaurant is close by when they are hungry. If you are like me though and like to try new restaurants and plan ahead, here are my top ten quick service meals at Walt Disney World:
1. Be Our Guest: This restaurant is unique in that it is quick service for lunch and table service for dinner. If you are not lucky enough to get a dinner reservation, why not try the lunch menu? Located in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, guests order with a touch-screen terminal and food magically appears at their table. Menu includes choices such as fresh tuna Niçoise salad, béchamel-smothered croque-monsieur sandwich, turkey baguette, vegetable quiche, 8-hour-braised pork, Mickey meatloaf, whole-grain macaroni and more. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

2. Capt. Cook’s: Located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Capt. Cook’s is home to Tonga Toast for breakfast, and self-serve Dole Whip with lunch and dinner. Other menu items include sandwiches, burgers, salads, stir-fries, flatbreads, sushi and grab ’n’ go items. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

3. Casey’s Corner: American baseball favorites such as hot dogs, nachos, corn dog nuggets, French fries, cotton candy and Cracker Jack located on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. Casey’s is famous for its hot dogs, which do not disappoint. Throughout the day, a ragtime pianist will entertain Casey’s guests from the bright white piano outside the restaurant. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

4. Columbia Harbour House: In a quiet corner of the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, the Columbia Harbour House sets the scene for traditional Americana in a colonial village. Fan favorites include fried fish, shrimp or chicken baskets, lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, grilled salmon, vegetarian chili and salads. Specialty sandwiches include the Anchors Aweigh, made with white tuna, and the Lighthouse, made with hummus and broccoli slaw. Kids can enjoy macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and more. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

5. Contempo Café: Just a monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is most famous for its cupcakes. Hot breakfasts, bakery items, fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches, flatbreads and pasta entrées are also served. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

6. Earl of Sandwich: If you are looking for a quick bite at Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich is always a crowd pleaser. Try the signature roast beef sandwich on hearth-baked bread or any of number of hot or cold gourmet sandwiches. Soups, salads, wraps and desserts are also served. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

7. Flame Tree Barbecue: Chicken, St. Louis ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, all served with beans and coleslaw at the signature dishes at Flame Tree Barbecue located in Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

8. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café: Another fan favorite located in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom. Selections include barbecue pork sandwiches, Angus burgers, taco salad, chili and more. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

9. Studio Catering Co.: Located on the Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Studio Catering Co. is a surprising family favorite. We were expecting the food to be okay, but it was actually amazing! Try the pressed Tuscan deli or the Buffalo chicken sandwich. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

10. Sunshine Seasons: Believe it or not, the best quick service restaurant in Epcot is actually located in Future World, not the World Showcase. Most of the food is grown in The Land’s greenhouses. Food doesn’t get fresher than that! Choose from stations featuring Asian fare, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, and wood-fired entrées. Try the ginger Mongolian beef or the grilled salmon. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

What are your favorite quick service meals at Walt Disney World?

Below is another article by my friend Alexia.  If you are planning on taking a Disney vacation or just want to dream, contact her for some awesome rates and maybe a few little pixie dust surprises along the way.  P.S – My favorite table service is The Wave at the Contemporary! YUM!

Last week we discussed the top ten character meals at Walt Disney World.  This week we will go over the top ten table service (non-character) meals.

1. Be Our Guest:  Located in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest is Disney’s newest (and most difficult to book reservations for) restaurant.  Be Our Guest is French themed food and seats up to 550 guests in three different dining areas:  the west wing, the library, or the grand ballroom.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

2. 50’s Prime Time Café:  American comfort food graces the menu at this retro 50’s kitchen themed restaurant located near Echo Lake in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Be sure to mind your manner and eat all your veggies because these servers have sass!  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

3. Coral Reef:  This seafood restaurant Future World of Epcot gives guests a view into The Seas with Nemo & Friends aquarium.  See sharks, turtles and stingrays, plus over 85 species of tropical fish, swimming in the living coral reef that surrounds this gourmet restaurant.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

4. Jiko: The Cooking Place:  Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge this signature dining experience features a delicious blend of traditional African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine.   Watch chefs prepare appetizers in the open show kitchen.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or two table service credits per person.

5. Le Cellier:  Savor tender steaks, fresh seafood, cheesy poutine fries and more regional cuisine inspired by the provinces of Canada.  Located in the Canada pavilion of Epcot, signature dishes of Le Cellier include the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and the “Le Cellier” Mushroom Filet Mignon.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or two table service credits per person.

6. Liberty Tree Tavern:  Located in Liberty Square of the Magic Kingdom, guests can celebrate our heritage with hearty all-American eats and a traditional family-style Thanksgiving dinner.  Guest can dine in one of 6 rooms that commemorate a pivotal figure in U.S. history: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, and George Washington.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or one table service credit per person.

7. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant:  Do dinner and a movie retro-style at this eatery done up like a ’50s drive-in, with all-American cuisine to match.  You can even watch campy clips as you picnic under the stars in a classic car-shaped booth or table at this unique restaurant located on Commissary Lane in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

8. Yak & Yeti:  At the base of Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, decorated with the souvenirs collected by the proprietor and his family on their travels through Southeast Asia, Yak & Yeti Restaurant serves favorite dishes from regions across Asia.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

9. Narcoossee’s:  This is a signature dining experience located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  Narcoossee’s serves a spectacular, innovative selection of fresh seafood from both local waters and around the globe, including the popular whole-steamed Maine lobster.  Guests can also view the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant from the waterfront verandah.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or two table service credits per person.

10. Rose & Crown Pub:  This family-friendly British pub located in the United Kingdom pavilion of Epcot features traditional favorites, waterfront dining and lively evening entertainment.  Delight in such specialties as fish and chips, bangers and mash, vegetable curry and cottage pie.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

What are your favorite non-character table service restaurants at Walt Disney World?

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between in September 2013 – click here for a quote!

Character Meals are the most popular types of meals at Walt Disney World.  Please remember that all character appearances and prices are subject to change.  Here are the top ten most popular:

1. Cinderella’s Royal Table:  What girl wouldn’t want to eat inside Cinderella’s castle?  Cinderella makes your acquaintance in the majestic Grand Hall, before you ascend a spiral staircase to the banquet hall above.   Cinderella’s Royal Table is a fixe prix menu.  Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, or two table service credits if you are on the dining plan.  Breakfast options include stuffed French toast, steak and eggs, baked quiche, crepes and pastries.  Lunch options include slow-cooked short ribs and Her Majesty’s catch of the day.  Dinner options include oven-roasted chicken breast, beef tenderloin and gnocchi with roasted vegetables.  Character appearances include Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, and Belle.

2. ‘Ohana:  Located at Disney’s Polynesian, the Best Friends Breakfast features Lilo, Sitich, Mickey, and Pluto.  Prices vary between $15 and $36 per person, or one table service credit if you are on the dining plan.  Family style selections include scrambled eggs, Island-style fried potatoes, Hawaiian pork sausages, smoked bacon and a variety of fresh fruits and breads.

3. Chef Mickey’s:  Open for breakfast and dinner, Chef Mickey’s is a buffet at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, or one table service credit if you are on the dining plan.  Breakfast options include made-to-order pancakes, Mickey waffles, French toast, fresh fruit, bacon.  Dinner showcases roasted chicken, carved beef, pasta, savory sides and kids’ favorites like macaroni and cheese.  Character appearances include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy.  Guests also enjoy watching the monorail zoom by and a character led dance along.

4. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ:  Join Mickey and friends for a buffet barbeque dinner at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.  Prices vary between $36 and $60 per person, or one table service credit if you are on the dining plan.  Feast on barbeque ribs, smoked chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs with all the trimmings, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese and more.  Character appearances include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Chip ‘n Dale.  Be sure to head over to the dance floor for line dancing led by Disney Friends!

5. Disney Junior’s Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood and Vine:  This breakfast and lunch buffet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a favorite of toddlers and preschoolers.  Character appearances include June (from Little Einsteins), Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates), Special Agent Oso, and Handy Mandy.  Prices vary between $15 and $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  Breakfast selections include Mickey waffles, frittatas, pastries and fresh fruit. The lunch buffet offers such kid- and adult-friendly entrees as baked chicken, deli meats, hearty pastas and fresh salads.  Be sure to join in the character led dance party as well!

6. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall:  Located in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot, the Princess Storybook Dining is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Prices vary between $30 to $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  For breakfast, enjoy family style selections such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potato casserole, biscuits, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit.  At lunch and dinner, selections include a Norwegian buffet of cold dishes features salads, meats and cheeses, while hot entrées are served à la carte. The rotating menu may include seared herb-dusted beef tips, oven-roasted chicken breast and a special Scandinavian meatball dish made of pork, beef and capers called kjottkaker.  Character appearances include Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, and Marry Poppins.

7. Crystal Palace:  Located in the Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace is a buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Prices vary between $15 and $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  Start your day with stuffed French toast, made-to-order omelets, freshly baked pastries, breakfast pizza, and fruit.  Later, enjoy carved flank steak for lunch and sirloin for dinner, plus rotisserie chicken, Atlantic salmon, peel-and-eat shrimp, turkey, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, and pizza.  Character appearances include Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore.  The Crystal Palace is the only location at Walt Disney World where you can meet Piglet and Eeyore, so be sure to dine here if you have fans in your group!

8. Donald’s Dining Safari:  This breakfast and lunch African buffet at Tusker House located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom features Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Mickey Mouse and Goofy.  Prices vary between $36 and $60 per person or one table service credit each.

9. Supercalifragilistic Breakfast:  Located at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, this breakfast buffet features Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger.  Prices vary between $15 to $30 per person, or one table service credit each.  Buffet selections include custom-made omelets, fluffy mini pancakes, Mickey-shaped waffles, carved ham and their famous chilled strawberry soup.  Be sure to make your breakfast reservations early, one luck guest will be selected to help Mary Poppins open the restaurant!

10. Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner:  Located at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, this dinner buffet features Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, Drizella.  Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  Buffet selections include seafood, salad, pasta and beef specialties.  This dinner is a must for any Cinderella fans!

What is your favorite character meal at Walt Disney World?

Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  When she is not helping plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

This article below is written by my friend Alexia.  I just wanted to add a little to it as well since my son is allergic to soy.  We have been at Disney World twice now on the meal plan after realizing his allergy and both went fairly well.  Disney definitely goes above and beyond in making sure that children and adults with allergies leave happy and not disappointed.

If you or someone in your family has special dietary needs, you understand how stressful going out to eat can be sometimes.  When you cook at home, you know exactly what is going into your meals that it is safe for you and your loved ones to eat.  If you go out, this obviously changes.  There is no worse feeling that when you try to explain your needs to a server only to have them not understand why you can’t eat certain things or be able recommend anything that is safe to eat on the menu.

This is the case in my family.  Due to a medication my father takes, he has a lengthy list of foods he cannot have because they will counteract with his medication.  We rarely go out to eat because of this.  When we do, he is always miserable and never enjoys himself because he is so worried about what he is eating.  It’s much easier for me to cook all of our meals instead.

Traveling can be tricky too.  We can always pack plenty of safe snacks for in the car or airports, but eating once we are at our destination can be a challenge.  When we were planning our October 2012 trip to Disney World, I could see the anxiety of eating out every day sinking in on my father.  I did a lot of research before I made any of dining reservations.  I was surprised to learn that every single restaurant on the Disney property is more than accommodating of special dietary needs.  Here is everything you need to know about dining at Disney with special dietary needs:

First, make a note on your account, or have your travel agent do so for you.  When I made all of our dining reservations, there was a spot to put any special notes.  This is where I documented any foods that my father couldn’t have.  If you are diabetic, have a gluten intolerance, are vegan, or have any food allergies you will want it listed on your reservations.  When we arrived at the table service restaurants and explained my dad’s dietary needs to our servers, they already knew.  When we checked in at the hostess stand, the hostesses saw the note on our account and explained it to our servers before we were ever seated.

At the buffets, the chef came out walked through the buffet with my dad and explained to him everything that was safe for him to eat.  If you have gluten intolerance, the chef will make gluten free dinner rolls or biscuits and bring them directly to your table.  There is usually a sugar free dessert option available; however, if there is not one and you request it, the chef will create one and bring it out to you.  The reason the chef brings special requests out to your table is to ensure that it does not get mixed up or cross contaminated with another order.

At the table service restaurants, the chef will come to your table and discuss your dietary needs with you as well as your likes and dislikes.  For example, my dad hates mashed potatoes (which happen to be one of my favorites).  The chefs at all the table service restaurants made sure to never add mashed potatoes as one of his side dishes.  Again, the chefs brought his meals out to my dad directly.

The counter service meals were the ones that I was the most concerned about.  When you get to the cashier, let him or her know that you have a special dietary need.  A chef or manager will then come out to speak with you.  When they come out, they will bring with them a binder filled with almost every substitution you could think of for every type of dietary need.  It helps to have an idea of what you would like based on what is on the menu.  For my dad, it was usually a type of grilled chicken sandwich.  Sometimes the substitution was as simple as the type of cheese on it.  Other times it was a bit more complex.  Regardless, the chefs and managers were always patient and knowledgeable.  After his order was placed, my dad was given a pager (similar to the ones you are given at restaurants like Applebee’s or T.G.I. Friday’s when you are waiting for a table).  When his order was ready, the pager went off and the manager or chef he had spoken to before brought his order out to him.

Sometimes it took my dad’s special orders a little longer than the rest of our food to be delivered.  Other times it was delivered more quickly.  It really just depended on how busy each restaurant was at the time and how many substitutions needed to be made.  One thing I should note is that we were never charged for any of the substitutions.  Even if the chef had to create something completely new that was not on the menu, we were just charged for something comparable.  If you are on the Disney dining plan, you will never have to pay anything extra out of pocket for your substitutions.

Eating at Disney World was one of the best experiences we have had since my dad’s dietary needs changed.  It was the first time I had ever seen him actually relax and enjoy himself at restaurants.  It was also the first time I had ever seen him go back for a second serving of anything at a buffet!  I love how knowledgeable the staff is and how they take the extra step of having the chef who prepares the food bring it directly to you.  We are planning another trip to Disney World for October 2014 and my dad already has a list of new restaurants he wants to try!

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

Have you experienced eating at Disney World with special dietary needs?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

This post is by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping plan magical vacations you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed! Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

If you have been following this series, you should have already made your budget, decided when you are going, how you are getting there, and where you are staying for your Disney World vacation. Today we will be discussing one of your other biggest expenses: the food.

You have a few options when it comes to eating at Disney World. The first is to bring and cook your own food. Disney World allows outside food in the parks.  You are allowed to bring a soft sided cooler. Hard sided coolers, glass bottles, and alcohol are not allowed. My first trip to Disney World we packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips and crackers, fruit, and bottled water and had picnics in the parks.  If you have a hotel room with a full kitchen or kitchenette, you can take advantage of this and cook your breakfast and dinner each day. I know several people whose slow cookers are their best friends on their Disney vacations. Throw your favorite slow cooker recipe in before you leave for the park and when you return to your hotel you will have a family favorite ready and waiting for you!

Your second option is to pay for your meals out of pocket. This option is ideal for families who only drink water with their meals, skip desserts, share meals, and/or only order off the kids menu. The average price for an adult quick service entrée is $10.00.  This does not include a drink or dessert.

Your third option is the Disney Dining Plan. I often get asked if the Disney Dining Plan is worth it. For my family, the answer is yes. I love knowing that our meals are prepaid for. My husband and stepdaughter always get sodas with their meals, my daughter always drinks milk or juice, and everyone in my family always has dessert.  We also prefer to have at least one table service meal a day. The way I look at it, our table service meal costs the same at the dining plan, so in a way, we are getting our quick service meal and snack for that day for free. The best way to see if the Disney Dining Plan is a good fit for your family is to plan out a mock day of the food you would eat. Then add up the cost of your mock day. If the cost exceeds the price of the Disney Dining Plan, then the Disney Dining Plan is for you! If not, then you would be better off paying for your meals out of pocket.

There are a few variations of the Disney Dining Plan. First is the Quick Service Plan. This plan includes 2 quick service meals and one snack per person per night. It also includes one refillable resort mug per person. The cost of the 2013 Quick Service Plan is $37.58 per adult (anyone over the age of 10) per night and $14.32 per child (ages 3-9) per night. Children under the age of 2 are free to eat off of an adult’s plate.

When Disney World offers free dining, this plan is free for guests staying at the value resorts for the specified date requirements. Guests staying at the value resorts will also have the option to upgrade to the regular Dining plan (which we will discuss next).  Guests will simply pay the price difference between the regular and Quick Service Dining Plans.

Next is the regular Dining Plan. This plan includes one quick service, one table service, and one snack per person per night. It also includes one refillable resort mug per person. The cost of the 2013 regular Dining Plan is $56.94 per adult per night and $18.16 per child per night. When Disney World offers free dining, this plan is free for guests staying at the moderate and deluxe resorts for the specified date requirements.  The last major dining plan is the Deluxe Dining Plan. This plan includes 3 meals (your choice of either quick service or table service) and two snacks per person per night. It also includes one refillable resort mug per person. The cost of the 2013 Deluxe Dining Plan is $102.27 per adult per night and $28.91 per child per night. This option includes a lot of food! It is ideal for families who are foodies or who plan on eating at a lot of table service restaurants that require two table service credits such as Cinderella’s Royal Table. I have never seen this option given  during free dining; however, guests can always upgrade to it and pay the difference if they wish.

If you are planning on traveling between September 2, 2013, I have good news for you! You may be eligible for FREE DINING! You must book at least a minimum of a 5-night/6-day stay and must book your package by July 2nd and September 25.

This post is by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping plan magical vacations you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed! Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

If you have been following this series, you have already set your budget and decided on your hotel for your Disney World vacation. Today we are going to discuss when to go and how to get there.

Certain times of year are not only busier but also more expensive at Disney World. The busiest and most expensive times of year are during the summer (when most kids are out of school and most families go on vacation) and Christmas. The least crowded and least expensive times of year are usually in February and September. If you have school age children and cannot travel during the school year, consider going during spring or fall break. The weather is milder than it is during the summer, crowds are moderate, and you will not be paying the premium summer prices.

You’re next step will be to determine how you are getting to Disney World. The two most popular choices are flying or driving. If you are flying, sign up for email alerts from JetBlue and Southwest. Watch for discounts and specials. If you are lucky, you might be able to snag a flight for as low as $50! If you do fly, remember that Disney offers a free Magical Express shuttle to and from Orlando International Airport for guests staying on the Disney property. If you do not stay on the Disney property, you will need to make arrangements for either a rental car or shuttle transportation to take you to your hotel. Don’t forget to add baggage fees and hotel parking fees into your budget!

If you are driving, make sure all maintenance on your car is up to date. This includes properly inflated tires, oil change, tires rotates and balanced, etc. If your local grocery stores offer any gas incentives, take advantage of them! I live just south of Nashville, TN. For my family of 5, it was much less expensive for us to make the 12
hour drive than it was to fly to Orlando. Throughout the year, I bought gas gift cards at Publix when they offered $10.00 off a gas gift card when you purchased $50.00 in groceries. Kroger also offered four times fuel points when you purchased select gift cards throughout the year. By combining fuel points and gift cards, we only spend about $150.00 in gas round trip. If you drive, be sure to pack snacks and drinks and to budget for food and toll roads (or map out your trip to avoid the toll roads).

Do you guys have any other tips or tricks for when to go or traveling to Disney World? I would love to hear them!

This post is by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping plan magical vacations you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed! Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

So far we have discussed the top ten ways to save on a Disney World vacation and how to make a budget and stick with it. This week we will discuss one of the age old debates when it comes to a Disney World vacation is staying on-site vs. off-site. Most people assume that staying off of Disney property will save them more money. I used to be one of those people. My first two Disney vacations I too stayed off site. On our last trip to Disney World we were taking our children for the first time. This is also the first time I really researched the benefits of staying on site. Here are a few things that I discovered:

• Disney resorts are the only resorts in the Orlando area that offer free transportation to and from the Orlando airport and to and from the Disney parks. Some of the area hotels do have free shuttles to the parks, but you will need to rent a car or pay for a shuttle service to and from the hotel. If you do not stay at a hotel that has transportation to and from the parks, Disney charges $15.00 per day for parking.
• Most off-site hotels do not offer any discounts. These hotels offer everyday “low, flat rate”. Disney resorts offer different discounts throughout the year such as 30% off your room and free dining. There isn’t ever a reason to pay the rack rate if staying on site at Disney World.
• Disney offers Extra Magic Hours to their guests staying on-site. Every day one park is open either early or late for guests staying on site. If you stay at an off-site hotel you will only be able to visit the parks during regular hours.
• Deluxe villas are the most expensive of the Disney resort rooms. If you have a large family or would like a full kitchen, you may save more money by renting a home or a condo nearby.

On our last trip we ended up staying at a value resort on the Disney property. After one trip on-site and two trips off-site, I can honestly say that I would prefer to always stay on-site. I love getting in those few extra hours at the parks and the convenience of Disney transportation. The price of All Stars Movies ended up being about the same price we would have spent if we had stayed at a nearby hotel off-site. We also traveled while Disney was offering their free dining promotion, so all of our meals were free! This saved us a lot of money. If we had stayed at an offsite hotel, we would have had to figure out a dining budget or packed food for the parks every day.

What do you guys think? Are you fans of onsite hotels or offsite at Disney World?

Below is the latest article from our friend Alexia at Destinations in Florida

Last week we discussed the top 10 ways to save on a Disney World vacation.  Over the next few weeks, we will be going over these points in a little more detail. This week we will be discussing making a budget and sticking with it. This seems like a pretty basic thing, especially for those of us who coupon. However, vacations are often a time when many people have a difficult time sticking to their budget, especially somewhere like Disney World when your kids what everything they see in every single gift shop. Most people have a set budget ahead of time and work out the details around their budget. The average family of four spends $3,000.00 on a Disney World vacation. Of course, you and your family may have to adjust your budget based on your family size and needs.

Make sure that your budget covers all aspects of your vacation. This includes transportation (If you are flying this would include your flight, baggage fees, airport parking, etc. If you are driving this could include gas, toll fees, etc.), hotel room, park tickets, food, tips (don’t forget about housekeeping!), and souvenirs. There is no worse feeling than pulling up to a toll booth and realizing that you forgot to budget some cash of the toll roads or getting to your hotel and realizing that you forgot to budget some cash for housekeeping tips!

I think one of the most difficult aspects of sticking with a budget at Disney World is on souvenirs. I know I’m not the only one whose children want at least three things in every gift shop they go in. Here you have a few options. First, you can decide ahead of time not to buy any souvenirs at the parks at all. Stock up on souvenirs before you leave (Think Dollar Tree, Wal-mart, Target, and Disney Store Outlets) and give your children a few small items each morning. This way they will not be as tempted in the parks. Your second option is give your children a budgeted amount in Disney gift cards or Disney Dollars. My girls (ages 11 and 2) were given Disney gift cards for their birthdays from other family members and for doing chores. They each ended up with a total of $100.00 each and were allowed to spend $20 a day. I was really impressed by how much thought they put into each of their purchases. Even my two year old would ask each day if the items she wanted were a “smart choice”. Giving them each gift cards worked perfectly for us!

Hopefully these tips will help you with making your budget and sticking with it.  Next week we will discuss the age old debate of on-site vs. off-site hotels.

Alexia is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping plan magical vacations you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed! Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

When most people think Walt Disney World, one of the first words that come to mind is “expensive”. It can be expensive; however, a Disney vacation can also be done on a budget. Here are my top ten tips and tricks for saving on a Disney vacation:

1. Set a budget and stick with it. This seems like a pretty basic thing, especially for those of us who coupon. However, vacations are often a time when many people have a difficult time sticking to their budget, especially somewhere like Disney World when your kids what everything they see in every single gift shop. Set a budget for every aspect of your trip: transportation, room, tickets, food, tips, and souvenirs and stick with it.

2. Do the math on on-site vs. off-site. This is the age old debate when it comes to Disney vacations. Most people assume that staying off-site is automatically cheaper. If you stay off-site, you will need to factor in the cost of a rental car (if you are flying) and the fact that Disney parks charge $15 per day for parking. If you stay on-site, Disney offers free transportation to and from the airport and the parks. Disney also offers Extra Magic hours to guests staying on-site.

3. Travel during the off season. This is a little more difficult for those of us with school age children. Summer is the most expensive and most crowded time to visit Disney World. Consider going during spring break or fall break instead. Between these three options, fall will be the least expensive and crowded.

4. Decide how you are traveling. If you are flying, sign up for Southwest and JetBlue’s emails and watch for discounts to Orlando. If you are lucky, you might be able to get a flight for as low as $50! If you are driving, take advantage of gas discounts such as Kroger’s Fuel Points Program and Publix’s gas gift card promotion.

5. Consider skipping the Park Hopper option. Some families love hopping from one park to another in a single day. For my family, there is more than enough to do spending one full day in each park. Opt for the base ticket option instead of the Park Hopper option if this sounds like your family as well.

6. Hire an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Many travel agents offer their services for you to use for FREE! Some of the benefits of hiring an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner include personal itinerary planning, restaurant suggestions and reservations, and discount watch. That’s right, your travel agent will discount watch for you. If a discount becomes available during your vacation dates, your travel agent will apply the discount to your account and then alert you of your savings!

7. Get a Target Red Card. You are probably wondering what a Target Red Card has to do with Disney World. Target Red Card holders receive 5% off their purchases, including entertainment cards. You can purchase a $50 Disney gift card for $47.50. You can then use these gift cards anywhere credit cards are accepted in the parks, or even to pay for the vacation. The savings really add up!

8. Get a Disney Visa Card. Disney Visa Card holders earn 1% in Disney Dream Reward Dollars on purchases made with their Disney Visa Card. So, for every $100 in qualifying purchases on the card, you earn 1 Disney Dream Reward Dollar. Many people are able to pay for a good chunk of their vacation with Disney Dream Reward Dollars! You will also receive other perks such as a special Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at a private card member location.

9. Bring your own snacks and drinks. No one likes to spend $3.00 for a bottle of water. Disney allows outside food and drinks in the parks. Keep in mind, however, that only soft side coolers are allowed and no glass bottles are allowed (with the exception of baby food).

10. Do the math on the Dining Plan. This is another age old debate when it comes to Disney World. If your family usually drinks water, splits meals, and skips dessert, then the Dining Plan probably won’t save you any money (unless you are traveling during a Free Dining promotion). If your family usually drinks soda, coffee, or tea, wants their own entrée, and always orders a dessert, then the Dining Plan is probably a smart investment for you.

Alexia is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping plan magical vacations you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed! Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!