1. Disney101 Presented by: Jane Bonam

2. Self-Book or Travel Agent Both are good options. If you self book, you will spend a lot of time researching and getting to exactly what you want. You will be able to select the exact itinerary you want…..you may even get a few headaches or two. If you book with a travel agent they will be able to access information you can’t such as specials from vendors – not ALL trips are booked through Disney. Sometimes they are more expensive…sometimes they are the cheapest….agents check all vendors and compare the prices. No matter who is cheapest the trip will be the same as if you booked through Disney. PLUS they get paid to do the work of researching flights, hotels, and tickets. They will give you the options you would have found yourself, PLUS a few more that you haven’t thought of. If you do decide to book with an agent be sure they are a graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge – this is a special designation for travel agents who are trained BY Disney FOR Disney.

3. Budgeting For Your Trip Most people are aware they have to put a deposit and then make a final payment for a trip – what most people DON’T know is that they can make payments throughout the time in between. Plan a budget that is reasonable, be sure to budget for extras such as souviners, tips, emergencies, etc. Stay within your budget. Just a note: the TV commercial that shows Disney for a family of 4 for $1600 for 4D/3N…does NOT include air, taxes or insurance. It is just the hotel room and standard park admission (not park hopper). ALWAYS purchase the travel insurance – if for whatever reason you have to cancel you will get your money back!

4. Planes, Trains, Automobiles! Deciding whether to fly, take a train or drive to Disney is a choice that most people can make very easily. If you drive it may be cheaper but do you want to sit in a car for 18+ hours – especially if you have small children? Trains are about as expensive if not more than flying and take about as long as driving Flying from our area takes about 2 hours. It is a little more costly than driving but depending whether or not you have small children it may be worth it.

5. Hotels: On-site or Off-Site Hotels will leave many options as there TONS of hotels in and around the Disney/Orlando Area. Hotels on site have a benefit as they are located on the property and transportation is provided between all the parks and the airport. Staying on site will allow you some privileges others who stay off site don’t get such as early entry into a park. Hotels off site also have a benefit as you aren’t confined to the Disney property. You don’t have the luxurious Disney transportation system but most hotels in the area offer free shuttles. Some of the hotels off site are cheaper than staying on site. Another option is renting a vacation home close to the parks. They offer space, aren’t any more expensive than hotel rooms and if you have a group you can share the budget. Plus they come with washers/dryers, full kitchens and most of the time pools.

6. Food Inclusive Disney now offers a plan that will include meals. This package can be purchased and you will receive meal coupons for your meals. It comes down to approximatly $30 per person per day which is a lot cheaper than purchasing separately. Sometimes this plan is better because out of pocket expenses for food at any theme park can get very expensive. The only drawback is this plan is only offered if you stay on-site. If you decide not to do the food inclusive plan, the food would cost the same as if you were in a park closer to home or a major sporting event. If you decide not to purchase the meal plan, be prepared to budget for food. If you stay off-site, there are many restaurants and fast food eateries in the area. To save money, eat a hearty breakfast prior to going to the park then while in the park eat a light lunch, then a dinner.

7. Park Hopper Passes Purchasing park hopper passes in advance will save you the expense of having to pay Florida Sales Tax. Many corporations, businesses and federal/state agencies offer discounted passes. If you purchase a park hopper be sure to plan ahead how many days you will be actually spending in the parks and how many (if any) you will be spending just poolside relaxing. If you decide to purchase tickets as you go, remember that you will have to pay Florida Sales Tax. You can purchase in advance at the Disney Store or on line.

8. Disney Cruise Line The Disney Cruise Line is an extension of the Disney experience. The ships are very child friendly, offer an array of sailings and specials. They offer a unique experience to everyone who loves Disney but doesn’t want to go to the parks. The Disney Cruise Line offers Eastern, Western and soon European sailings for 3-7 night sails which are combinable with a stay at the parks! Disney owns their own island in the Caribbean so you get to enjoy the privacy of a destination that isn’t too ‘touristy’.

9. Destinations By Disney Disney has gotten into Destination Traveling and Tours. Disney sponsors tours and traveling to most of Europe and all over the United States. If you like the Disney comfort then you will probably like their tours and other hotels scattered throughout the world.

10. Tips/Tricks To Saving Money Hotel Savings: 1.Since you will be just sleeping at your hotel, don’t spend the money on a large grand hotel. Use the Value Resorts or the Wilderness Lodges. The Lodges have cabins you can rent that are a fraction of the cost of the huge hotels. If you stay off site, stay close so you won’t need a car rental. 2.A good way to save some money is to bring water with you to the parks. They charge over $2 per bottle. If you get bottles from the store and refill them the previous night it will save you money. 3.Purchase snacks to keep in your hotel room. Most hotel rooms come with a refrigerator. Buy some sandwich making items and snacks. Pack your lunch if you choose not to do the meal plan. 4.Be sure your hotel has a pool. 5.If you stay off-site don’t rent a car as most hotels offer shuttles free of charge to all the different area attractions. Plus if you rent a car or drive a lot of the hotels will charge a daily parking fee. 6.Make sure your room has a refrigerator, or if possible get an extended stay suite if you are off-campus. These may be a few dollars more but you will have a lot more room and usually a full kitchen and eating area. 7.Go off-season. Usually the spring and summer months are the most expensive as well as the holiday season and during spring break. Try the end of October- November or February-March. The parks are usually less crowded and hotel prices are cheaper. 8.If you go with a group, consider renting a house nearby and sharing the expense. Weigh that against the cost of hotel rooms.

11. Money Savers, cont… Transportation: Staying on-site Disney offers the Disney Magical Express to and from the Airport as well as all intra-park transportation so there is no need for a rental car. Staying off-site there is a shuttle you can probably catch to each hotel for a fee. Most hotels offer free shuttles to area parks at no charge.

12. Meals No matter if you stay on-site or off-site make sure your room has a refrigerator. This will save you a lot of money as you can go to a store and purchase lunchmeats, sodas, water and snacks as well as smaller meals. If you stay on-site you are limited to the restaurants, food courts at the hotels and the parks. If you stay off-site you can usually catch a bus or walk to nearby restaurants and fast food chains. Another tip would be to get a small suitcase and use as a carry-on at the airport, filled with small boxed cereal and non-perishable snacks and little envelopes of flavors to add to bottled water. In the parks – pack a backpack with extra water bottles and munchies, sandwiches. This will save a lot on food during the day.

13. Free Activities Admission to the parks covers all rides and activities. Hotels usually have pools so spend a day relaxing. There is a Disney scavenger hunt available at no charge (see us after the presentation) where you run around the park and find all the “Hidden Mickeys” located throughout and strategically hidden fun for all ages. Disney’s Market Place does not charge admission and there are a lot of activities/shops located there. While in the park, get character autographs and pictures. These make for very memorable souvineers. The autograph books are under $10 each and if you take your own camera the pictures are free.

14. Miscellaneous If you travel with small children, don’t rent a stroller for $15 per day. Go to a local store and purchase one for the duration of your stay. They usually run $15 for a small umbrella stroller. Use coupons! If you are staying off-site use meal coupons that you will find in just about any Orlando/Disney travel guide. Purchase an Entertainment book for the area – there are TONS of coupons in there. If you really don’t want to or need to go to the water parks don’t waste the money on that option when you purchase your park hopper passes. You can get hoppers without the waterpark option. Use your hotel’s pool. If you stay on-site your hotel will usually have a themed pool. When purchasing souvineers set aside a special budget just for that…especially if you have children. They will want everything under the sun when there. Another option is to give them each their own spending money and when it’s gone…it’s gone. They can spend on whatever they want but they are limited to what they have. Another idea for purchasing souvineers is to check out the stores off-site. Disney sends most of their “off season” items to the local stores to be sold. The Character Warehouse and the Character Premier has deeply discounted authentic Disney items. These stores are located just at the end of International Drive. If you are military or a DoD contractor – take advantage of it! If you are a AAA member, use it (you don’t have to book with AAA to get the disount). Military, DoD and AAA members get special discounted rates most of the time.

15. Questions?