Disney + Other Theme Parks On A Budget

Being on a budget can sometimes make theme park vacations challenging, since everything seems to cost an arm and a leg. As fun as theme parks are, it’s not all that fun when you know you are quickly draining your bank account and spending way more time in line than you need to be. With some strategic planning you can get a better value for your dollars and still have a great time at the parks. Here are my top tips for doing Disney and other theme parks on a budget:

Get to the parks early

My number one rule of visiting any theme park is to get there before they open. The worst line you stand in is the one before you get into the park. Try to arrive 20-30 minutes before the gates open and you could avoid large crowds of excited guests.

Avoid EMH

Disney parks that have Extra Magic Hour each day tend to be the busiest ones. Find out which are participating on which day and avoid them. The other parks will be less crowded in the morning and that means shorter lines.

Bring snacks

Even if you don’t have children in tow, it is always a good idea to bring a bag stocked with healthy snacks and bottled water (or a reusable bottle that you can refill for free around the park). Those churros, pretzels and popcorn throughout the day can really add up and they aren’t very nutritious either. The other upside to bringing your own food is that you don’t have to wait in line forever to get a drink or an overpriced ice cream. You have your own snack bar in your bag!

Make dining reservations

Dining reservations are a must when visiting Disney. There are so many restaurants to choose from, but even at the least busy times you may have to wait up to an hour to be seated. Look at menus and prices online, then book a table right there (or call Disney Dining). Aim for times outside the normal meal times – 11-11:30 A.M. or 2-2:30 P.M. for lunch and 5-5:30 P.M. or 7:30 P.M. or later for dinner – to take advantage of a ready table and to beat the crowds. Ride lines are considerably shorter during lunch and dinner. You can book reservations at a few restaurants inside Universal as well.

Buy souvenirs off-site

There are many cool things to buy inside the parks, but you’ve probably noticed their high price tags, too. Children have a habit of wanting things wherever they are. Surprise them by purchasing clothing and toys at one of the nearby souvenir shops or discount stores like Target. You will keep them happy and also save a bundle.

By doing a bit of preparation, you can pack more into each day and really get your money’s worth. Waiting in line sucks, and your kids (or your significant other) will be glad you took the time to learn some tricks to help eliminate needless standing around for things, and you can do the happy dance when you wallet isn’t empty at the end of each day.

Theme parks don't have to be crazy expensive. We do a lot of them and we know where to cut corners and how to make the most of our time as well. 

How do you make your visits to theme parks more affordable?

Let's Go On a Road Trip!

A huge percentage of people take vacations in the summer, including myself. If you'll be doing this as well, here are some cool facts about road trip planning. 

photo credit

I know gas is expensive, and literally, everything costs more right now with inflation, but that doesn't mean that you can't take a great road trip. Save by bringing your own food, or check out these other money-saving tips, and don't forget to get your car checked out before you leave home. 

Plan a lot of stops along the way, so you can get out and stretch your legs and maybe see something cool. Roadside attractions can be pretty cool, if you give them a chance. I like to stop at places that are free, like we saw on our last road trip through Nevada. 

Google is your friend. I search for tips on where to stop, but I also take time to go to Google Maps, pin my route, and then go alone that route to see what attractions are open nearby. This can take a few hours, but it has allowed me to find some real hidden gems.

What are some of your favorite road trip tips, or your favorite places to road trip to/through?

Tips On Packing Light for Summer

Summer travel is here, but with it comes a lot of frustration: long lines, delays and cancellations, lost baggage, and high prices on airfare. Your trips are going to require a lot of patience. Hundreds of checked bags are not getting to their final destination. If you've ever been on a trip where your bag doesn't arrive, you'll know the stress that comes with that. Let's talk about how to pack light for summer.

Unless I'm on my way home and have purchased more items than I have room for, I don't check a bag. When I do, it's only on my way home and I never pack things I bought in my checked bag, or things I can't live without, in case it goes missing.

I've packed for two weeks in a single carry-on for two of us, and a personal item for our electronics, snacks, and toiletries. I'll be doing the same for our upcoming trip to Paris, because we'll be flying on budget airlines, but for now, let's look at how I suggest packing for Las Vegas (and any other summer destination you'll be visiting).

Bottoms

I generally go with 3 bottoms in a solid color. For warm destinations, I take two pair of shorts and a pair of capris. I then take a versatile dress that can be dressed up or down. Men can bring a pair of lightweight slacks. These can be worn on the plane to avoid having more pants that you don't need. 

The bottoms I bring are usually all in one neutral color family (tans or black/gray), so they can go with every top I bring. I've shown brighter colors here, because maybe you'd rather do neutral tops and fun bottoms, but also because it's easier to see than a bunch of black pics. 

Tops

You want to make sure every top goes with every bottom, this way you can maximize your travel wardrobe and not bring a ton of pieces. 4 tops will give you a bunch of options (12 distinct outfits). I choose items that are moisture-wicking and lightweight, so I don't look as sweaty as I might feel. This also means that when you do laundry - and you should do laundry - it all dries fairly quickly. 

Look for summer-friendly fabrics. I purchase a lot of my travel clothing from Columbia, PrAna, Toad & Co, United by Blue, and Mountain Hardwear. They can be expensive, but they make high quality clothing that will last a long time. Most of the time I wait for sales or purchase secondhand on sites like Poshmark. 

Extras

Tops and bottoms are all well and good, but you'll also want to bring a swimsuit. A wrap is a smart addition to your summer wardrobe, because it can be used indoors in the air conditioning, a cover-up for your swimsuit, a beach blanket, a picnic blanket, a towel, and even an emergency top.

Shoes! You need them, but you don't need 12 pair. I walk a lot on my trips, so I make sure my shoes are comfortable for walking all day. I choose one pair of casual shoes, like deck shoes or sneakers, and a good pair of sandals. Again, make sure both of these match with your tops and bottoms. I love a sandal that can be worn with shorts and then with my multipurpose dress, just like I love a slip-on that can go with my dress and with my plane outfit.

Toiletries

If you're beholden to the 3-1-1 liquids bag, then you'll need to pare down your toiletries as much as if you are trying to pack small. I look for multipurpose items, lightweight makeup, and only bring colors that will go with my looks. At home, I probably use 5-6 items, so I try not to bring too many more thing than that. Things I love: tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara (for pool days and surviving sweaty times), a small eyeshadow palette, a tinted lip balm that moisturizes, a cream cheek/lip tint, and a stick highlighter. 

I am also a fan of spray-on sunscreen, because you can put it on over your makeup, spritz your hair and scalp, and do any touch-ups you need easily throughout the day. There are some great makeup setting sprays that double as sunscreen for your face. 

Other things you might want to look for: solid shampoo bars, travel-size hair appliances, deodorant wipes, makeup wipes, lotion bars, and ways to downsize your full-size products, like decanting into smaller containers or taking trial/sample sizes instead. 

I'll be showing you more of my packing tips on my trip, but I hope this is a good start for you if you'll be traveling soon. What are some of your favorite packing tips?