Couponing to Disney

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World takes a lot and can be a big responsibility. There are so many things to consider such as age, cost, and timing. Our family is a family of four with two boys. Our oldest is five and the youngest is two. Given the dynamic of our family, here is a list of mistakes and things that we did right on our last trip.

Mistake 1: We didn’t bring any pain reliever
Going to the parks can bring you some aches and pains. In a typical day at home, you usually don’t walk 8 miles or more. When going to the parks you can easily walk that much! Bring the pain reliever and also some Epsom salt. Your body will thank you. Also, being in the Florida sun could bring the occasional headache. Be sure you are prepared!

Mistake 2: Too many table services
We were a little ambitious with the table service options. Don’t get me wrong, they are fantastic! However, we did one table service per day on our last trip. It wasn’t about the food, the food was great! It was about how long it took to get seated, eat, pay, and get out. We loved dining with the characters and eating delicious food, but it can really cut into your day. Do one or two during your trip.

Mistake 3: We didn’t bring a portable charger
Between looking at the WDW apps and taking pictures, your cell phone battery drains really quick! Buy a charger at home, bring batteries for it and check your phone with ease. Walking around the park searching for an outlet isn’t ideal when you are on vacation. Even when you find one, chances are it’s going to be taken for a while.

Mistake 4: Bring more snacks than you think you’ll need
I ordered food from the trusty Garden Grocer. I did an assessment of how much we go through in a typical week at home and went with that. We went through our snacks after the second day we were there! I could hardly believe it! Take into consideration when bringing or ordering food how much you will be walking, your schedule is usually off, and you are in the sun. Naturally, you are going to be hungrier than normal.

Mistake 5: Get the park hopper
Yes, it cost more. However, we decided to save money and not get it this one trip. It was a mistake. A BIG mistake! My kids wanted to go back to Magic Kingdom at the end of every day and to be honest so did I! There are so many things there that you as a family can experience together.

Mistake 6: We passed on the Memory Maker
I am still shaking my head at this one. You have some time after your trip to order it and I didn’t think I would want it. It’s a little pricey! But, now I realize they got some super cool pictures of my family and I passed it up. They even have some good little videos of your family riding a few of the rides!

Mistake 7:  We didn’t spend much time at Star Wars Launch Bay
This was a relatively new attraction when we went. This is where you can find a few of the characters from the movies and some really cool life size depictions of the costumes and vehicles. It’s huge! Our family loves Star Wars! But, between fast passes and dining reservations we had to keep moving. To this day my husband will say, “We should have spent more time at the Launch Bay.”

Here are a few things that we got right on this trip. I like to call these “wins”!

Win 1: We stayed on property
A lot of travelers go back and forth on this subject. Between the Extra Magic Hours, bus transportation, and the occasional discounts on rooms you can’t beat it! Not to mention there is definitely a great, magical ambiance that goes with the hotels. You also can’t beat their customer service!

Win 2: Make a list of foods you want to try
Given the vast amount of social media outlets, people are always posting food from the parks. A lot of it looks amazing! As you plan and see these delicious photos, write down what it is and where it is from. That way you will be able to try some new foods and don’t have to settle for something just because you are hungry!

Win 3: If there is a special event like the Halloween or Christmas party, go!
We love going to these events. The crowds are low and all the lines are so fast! We never had to wait longer than 20 minutes for a ride! They put a lot of extra effort into these events and go all out! Characters that you don’t normally see during the day are along for the festivities. Also, the characters that you do see out on a typical park day are in some of their special outfits. There are also a lot of great photo opportunities!

I am just like everyone else in trying to make my dollar go as far as it can. However, if you are spending money to take your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s not a bad idea to spend a little extra to make it that much more enjoyable.

(Thanks Lindsey!)