Orlando
We live in one of the many places people vacation. Walt Disney World and Universal are 45 minutes away. We have an annual pass to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Although we live so close to these theme parks we stick to four rules that help us stay aligned with our debt free journey.
- Pack your lunch/Share your food
This tip is an easy way to save more money to your FUN category. More on FUN later. When we have a stay-cation we make sandwiches and little snacks like goldfish, chips, granola bars and gummies to eat while in the parks. This helps keep costs extremely low when the family gets hungry. We all can agree that known vacation spots will inflate the price of any food and beverage item. I guess it is part of the experience?? While we may partake in a treat like ice cream or a salted pretzel, sharing is our main way to go. A few weeks ago our family of four went to SeaWorld and ordered tacos. The cost was $10 for one taco…..yes, ONE! A drink was not included and there were no sides. (This particular item was a part of the Seven Seas Food Festival/Mexican Market.) Cody and I had a choice to make. Each of us could get one taco = $40 or the kids could split one while Cody and I ate our own = $30. We chose the latter and drank the waters we brought in.
2. Stay Local
Our surrounding area has theme parks, fresh water springs, museums, breweries, gardens and tons of other activities to enjoy with the family. Enjoying the springs that stay a cool 72 degrees all year is a lovely cost effective way to enjoy a good time without breaking the bank. Staying local allows for less time traveling and more time creating great memories. Our current go to is using discounts on hotels near the beach. We book a one room with a kitchenette and stock it with snacks and things from home. Then we can visit the beach and partake in a special meal at a local hangout.
3. Go on a weekday/during off season
If you’re planning to visit a location you know can have a high volume of people, please research when that may happen. A quick Google search can give insight on this. This is easier said than done, but totally worth exploring. Our schedule allows for us to go places towards the end of the week, Thursdays. During off season, parks are practically empty with short ride wait times. Walking around an empty park is less overwhelming for the children as they can see the attractions ahead of them. Luka and Char are less antsy because lines are short and close seating for shows is available.
4. Have FUN money set aside
Just as you would save money for an emergency fund, you can save money for fun as well. Do some prelim research on how much entry tickets are for your party, the parking fees, the average food prices in and around the area, hotel prices and gas/travel costs. See if it’s possible to get a ‘locals’ discount. Calculate how long it would take for you to save up this amount in order for you to go on your vacation. Write out your monetary needs and work around them to make a vacation savings plan. Once complete, you are ready to have a budget friendly vacation!