Are you dreaming of a luxury Disney vacation? Not a Disney trip- a Disney vacation.
We all know there is a difference between a trip and a vacation. A trip is when you’re fighting for space in a double bed with an inconsiderate 2-year-old, who somehow doubles in size the second he falls asleep. A trip is being woken up by teenagers at the pool all night. A trip is when you scarf down a wet sandwich for dinner while pushing a double stroller across the parking lot to find your car.
But a vacation? A vacation is relaxing by the pool while your kids enjoy the water slide. A vacation is having ample room in a queen bed and a restful night’s sleep. A vacation is bypassing long lines and ending your day at your resort’s restaurant with a view.
Does this sound like the type of vacation that would require a fairy godmother for you to afford? Well, here I am, dear. Let’s turn your pumpkin budget into a vacation your rich, evil step-sisters will envy. Keep reading to see my 3 magical ways to experience Disney luxury within your budget:
- Skip Genie+ for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom, and don’t purchase lighting lanes for those parks. I know what you’re thinking: I said I wanted to SKIP the lines, not spend the entirety of my trip there. But listen to this: if a family of four visits each Disney park and purchases Genie+ and all the lightning lane options for the parks, they’re going to spend over $670 on average.
My suggestion for you is to use the almost $700 you were going to spend on Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases and use it to upgrade to a deluxe resort instead. A deluxe resort will not only provide you with bigger rooms, better food, and closer proximity to the parks, but it also gives access to extended evening hours at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Extended Evening hours are an exclusive perk to guests staying at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts & Villas and a few other select hotels. This means you’ll be able to spend extra time at the park without the crowds, heat, or lines, and your money will go farther than a one-time ride occurrence. It’s a luxury experience you and your family will not regret.
- Don’t think you can swing the entirety of your trip at a Deluxe resort after reallocating your Genie+ and Lightning Lane budget? I can help with that too. I recommend you try a split stay.
A split stay is when you split time between different Disney resorts during the same vacation. Currently, Disney is offering Extended Evening hours at Epcot on Monday evening and Magic Kingdom on Wednesday (subject to change). The most cost-effective way to gain access to extended evening hours is to check into a participating hotel on Monday to take advantage of extended hours at Epcot and check out Wednesday morning. You will get access to the extended evening hours at Magic Kingdom on the day of check out, but you will pay the nightly rate of whichever hotel you check into that day. This means you’re getting deluxe perks for three nights and only paying for two.
If you are planning a Disney trip and aren’t currently working with an agent at our recommend travel agency Smart Moms Travel, reach out to me here so I can work my magic to make this trip happen for you.
- Now it’s time for my final tip to add a little more luxury to your vacation. You’ve played hard this week, and what you really deserve is a spa treatment.
Would you believe you could save money by going to the spa? Instead of having a park day on Tuesday, schedule a rest day. Sleep in (you were out late) and eat a late breakfast at one of the deluxe resort’s fabulous restaurants. Take turns going to the spa while the other caregiver sits poolside with the little ones. Your kids will have no objections as they enjoy the amazing water slide, pool, and splash pad. You’ll be thankful for the slow pace of Tuesday and will be ready to take on the Extended Evening hours at Magic Kingdom on Wednesday!
There are a million different ways to spend money at Disney World. If you’re already working with a Smart Moms Travel Agent, ask about a split stay or a deluxe resort they’d recommend for your family. If you aren’t currently working with an agent, I would love to use my knowledge and Disney expertise to help your family plan a vacation you’ll never forget on a budget you won’t believe. Head over to this short form and we can get started. And if you already have a trip scheduled, make sure you don’t make these classic mistakes when planning for Disney.
My family and I have found that we enjoy our time away together more when we’re rested and relaxed. We have never regretted upgrading to a deluxe resort or taking a day to rest and rejuvenate. After all, time is the greatest luxury. Don’t you want to invest it in a vacation everyone (including the grown-ups) will enjoy? Don’t wait, with a little bit of faith we can make every dream you wish come true!
