Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

PostHeaderIcon Travel Tip to Avoid a Family Holiday Nightmare

One of the best travel tips for people thinking of going on any kind of trekking or adventure vacation with friends or family is to first consider whether their personal enthusiasm for this style of holiday is shared by the rest of the group.

The following story of a family’s holiday nightmare in Thailand provides an example.

The family had enjoyed a few days of a beach resort holiday in Thailand when the husband suggested that they go off on a jungle experience, organized by one of the trekking and adventure tour operators. His wife was not enthusiastic but decided to go along with the proposal because she knew that this was something her husband had always wanted to do. Their seven year old son sounded as keen as his dad and their five year old daughter seemed happy enough with the idea too. The other family member was a two-year-old boy.

They booked up with a reliable tour guide and set off three days later, The seven year old had become even more enthusiastic and promised his mum that he would deal with all the nasty snakes and spiders for her.

After a grueling seven hour drive, during which time all three kids had been travel sick on several occasions, the family finally arrived at their destination, a lodge in the jungle.

They were greeted by a number of snarling dogs who looked as though they desperately needed a good meal of European children to fatten them up. Mum was immediately panic stricken but Dad and the tour guide reassured her that they were in no danger and the family continued safely towards on to the lodge.

This building was a large, wooden hut on high stilts with a straw roof. Immediately below it, there was a small lake that looked as if it should provide a perfect home for crocodiles. Inside the lodge, accommodation was about as basic as it can get.

Dad was more than happy with everything however and informed the rest of the family that anything more grand would have spoilt the back-to-nature experience. Mum was not amused.

Luckily, only one overnight stay in the lodge was involved. As night fell, the crescendo of jungle sounds increased. Mum laid awake becoming more and more worried about the children who were in the next room. Very soon the jungle noises were accompanied by the sound of the children crying. Dad got up to fetch them, returning with three very frightened children who spent the rest of the night in their parents room. It was just as well, because within an hour a new sound was keeping everyone from going to sleep. Mum and the children listened in horror to repeated loud bangs on the roof-beams accompanied by ear splitting screeches. Dad explained that the source of this noise held no threat for them. It was only monkeys, he informed them but his explanation did little to reassure the rest of the family.

There was little sleep for anyone that night except the two-year-old, who slept fairly soundly after the move to mum and dad’s room. Mum found it hard to believe that she slept at all and was relieved when the sun finally rose and shone its light into the room. She untangled herself from under the mosquito net and looked around the room that had seemed so menacing in the dark. But her relief was short lived and her scream awoke the rest of the family. There in the middle of the floor, only a few yards from where she had been sleeping, was a large, tropical spider. It wasn’t quite the last ordeal she would face before they left the lodge. Waiting for her in the bathroom were two gigantic tree frogs.

The long journey back to civilization was uneventful apart from further episodes of travel sickness. Mum refused to talk to her husband for the entire length of the journey. Back at the beach resort, the relationship improved a little over the remaining few days of the holiday but not enough for Dad to ever forget the best travel tip he had learned for a very long time: don’t take your family on a wilderness excursion unless they are genuinely as enthusiastic about going on one as you are.

PostHeaderIcon Three Cheap Travel Tips

Cheap travel means you get to go more often, go on longer trips or just save some of your money for other things. Fortunately, it doesn’t mean low-quality travel. If you find a way to get a cheaper plane ticket, for example, you might be flying on the same plane as with the more expensive tickets.

Of course sometimes you can save money by traveling differently, and that’s okay too. Why pay an extra $40 for a hotel if you like the idea of staying in a hostel with visitors from around the world? Why rent a car in countries where good bus and train systems make for cheaper and more interesting trips?

Essentially you can travel cheap in two ways. First, you can find cheaper ways to get the same thing. The other, perhaps more powerful way, is to alter your expectations and plans to create a more interesting trip that is also inexpensive. The tips that follow will help you do both.

1. See if you can book two flights cheaper than one.

My wife and I are thinking about going to Ecuador this year (2007). Checking for our approximate dates, I found that it would cost $950 each round trip from Colorado Springs, or $1,900 total. Then I checked from Colorado Springs to Miami. It would be $215 round trip. From Miami to Guayaquil, Ecuador costs $350 round trip. That makes it just $565 to Ecuador, or $1,130 total – a savings of $770.

Of course, if you are going to do this, you have to find flights that have enough time in-between them. You probably won’t get e refund if you miss the second flight because of a delay on the first. In our case, we have friends near Miami, so we’ll just arrange the flights to be a day or two apart, and go visiting. Even after the cost of renting a car for a couple days we’ll still be hundreds of dollars ahead.

2. Live in a new place for a while.

One way to make a vacation less rushed, cheaper, and in many ways more interesting, is to stop going from hotel to hotel. Why not stay in a place, and even rent a condo or apartment? We did this a few years back in Tucson, Arizona. It was nice to escape winter for a couple months, and it was fun to explore and get to know a new city. Often you can save hundreds of dollars this way, versus paying by the night for hotel rooms.

3. Be an opportunistic traveler.

This is the most valuable of these cheap travel tips. There are so many things to do out there and so many places to see, so why get stuck on just the ones you have already thought of? With a little luck, you might find a more interesting place to go for half the price. With little shopping, you might find a bed and breakfast in whatever country you visit, and pay less for a more interesting experience.

First look for all the possible alternatives that are less expensive. This isn’t about doing something you don’t want to do. But among those cheaper choices there might be a perfect trip for you. Why not find out? To start with, do any of your friends live in interesting places? Visiting friends is a great way to save on travel costs and have a load of fun (with the right friends).

Here’s a good example of being an opportunist. We were in the mountain resort town of Banos, Ecuador, and asked about the cost of taxi ride to some waterfall. It was $15. It was apparently a popular attraction with tourists. We kept that in mind as we wandered around. Then we saw a chiva (an open-sided bus with seating on the roof) go by playing music. We asked about that.

The chiva took us on a tour of the city (I rode on the roof), then up into the mountains for a view of the city from above. Then we watched the volcano Tungurahua erupt and spit out a bit of lava. They served us hot rum drinks (included in the price), and there were fire-juggling entertainers. Passengers had to push the chiva to get it started for the trip back to town. The cost of all this? $3 each. Cheap travel does not mean uninteresting travel.

PostHeaderIcon Budget Travel Tips: Eight Simple Ways To Stretch Your Vacation Budget

Budget travel has become a necessity for most people with the cost of gasoline and other consumer products on the rise. But when we start considering when, where, how and what type of vacation to undertake, we sometimes get caught up in the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming trip and let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may only happen once a year and for some, even more infrequently, so we tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.


There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. Travel planning is easier that you might think and here are eight great budget travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!


1. Cushion your budget – When considering a trip or planning budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.


2. Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.


3. Set your priorities: Set some budget travel spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you.


4. Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM’s and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.


5. Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you’re planning a road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own. Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large family with a lot of equipment or luggage.


6. Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you reach the next more densely or major populated destination, where gas might be a little cheaper.


7. Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these during a pit stop, if you are counting your budget travel dollars. A cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.


8. Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip. The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge.

PostHeaderIcon Important Adventure Travel Tips

It seems like everyone enjoys a good adventure. However, proper preparation can certainly make the difference between a great trip and a great disaster. Knowing what to expect, what to pack, and covering your basis will make your trip go smoothly and therefore be a lot more enjoyable then being unprepared. Below you will find a collection of some of the most important adventure travel tips from experienced travelers.


Things To Do Before You Go:

It is important to do some research on the country that you will be traveling to. Are there things that you should be aware of before going to the country? For example knowing a little bit about the history, culture and political climate of the country you will be traveling in can not only help you stay safe it can also improve your enjoyment and knowledge of the trip. Also before going you will want to clearly find out what important documents you will need to take to travel. Will you need a passport for example? It can also be a good idea to find out the number and location of your countries consulate or embassy before going. This can again be a good extra safety measure.


Are You Covered?

One of the most important things to research before going on a trip is medical information. You will want to know if your medical insurance will cover you and if so what the procedures are if you are to get ill. Sometimes you will need to contact you medical insurance provider to get clearance before seeking any medical care in a foreign country. Otherwise you might get stuck with the bill yourself. Find out what the procedure for payment with your medical insurance company is and how it works. Do they reimburse you for any medical expense and if so what documentation will you need to get the reimbursement. It is also a good idea to make sure you have fund that are easily accessible in a medical emergency.


When You Go

It is important to get an information update on the current security measures necessary for air travel. These are changing frequently right now and it is therefore very important to check on the internet or with someone who has recently traveled. Don’t have anything on your person or in your carry-on that could be confiscated at the airport. When you are on the plane, pay attention to instructions about filling out the visa forms for the country you are entering. If you do not fill out the document on the plane, you could be charged a fee for completing one when you arrive at the airport. It is also a good idea to have some American one-dollar bills on hand for tiping when you go through the airport.


When you get there: adventure travel tips from veteran travelers urge other tourists to use common sense. Remember, you are in another country. People do many things differently from what you are accustomed to. You have a right as a guest to be treated well, but you also have a responsibility as a guest to behave well. Remember, if you are tempted to buy or use illegal drugs, that the laws in the country you are visiting are not necessarily the same as those of your own country. Foreign jails can be extremely unpleasant, and your family might have to spend a lot of money to get you home.


Just a few more adventure travel tips: stolen passports are worth a lot of money on the black market. Make sure yours is in a safe place when you are not actually carrying it. If the tap water of your host country is not safe to drink, do not use it to make ice-cubes. Freezing does not kill bacteria. Nor should the water be used to rinse lettuce or other vegetables or fruits. In some Third World countries it is best to know whom you are dealing with if you rent a vehicle. Disreputable rental operators have been known to steal rented motorcycles and cars, and then bill the renter for the cost of the vehicle. At night, keep away from dark, unfamiliar places. Being safe means being smart.

PostHeaderIcon Travel Tips for an Incredible Journey

Are you planning to travel in these forthcoming vacations? Do you want to make the coming trip of yours as the most memorable one?
If yes, then simply scroll down and read these amazing travel tips that will come in very handy for your coming travel trip.

Preplan your travel:

It is essential that you make all the required arrangements before you set out to travel in order to make a comfortable and smooth journey. So, buy the traveling tickets well before you embark on your journey. If you have made the reservations on a prior basis, it is always better to check before you begin to travel so that there are no hassles faced.

Make other travel concomitant arrangements on time:

It is important that you make the arrangements for transport, that is, taxis or cabs on a prior basis so that you do not have to wait unnecessarily when you reach your travel destination. In fact, you should also book your accommodation previously so that you are saved of running around in an unknown territory looking for places to find a shelter at. Your travel agent can help you out in both these areas very easily as travel agents have contacts with all good accommodation keepers and transportation companies in various travel destinations.

Take care of your cash properly

When you travel, you tend to carry a lot of cash so that you can enjoy to the best possible exploiting the unique features and facilities of the concerned holiday place to the maximum and to buy the famous items. But carrying too much of cash is not really safe these days. In order to keep your money safe, it is better that you always carry a credit or debit card instead of heavy cash. As credit/debit cards are accepted almost everywhere they make purchases a very easy and convenient process. Moreover, they are very safe to carry as well.

Make lists of all the things you carry

It is very common for little things to get misplaced when you are traveling as the fun and frolic leaves you with less time to take care of each object you carry with yourself. So, to ensure that every piece of your belonging comes back home with you, it is a good idea to make a list of the things you carry with yourself. When you are packing to come back home, quickly recheck as per your list that all the items are there and none of them has been lost during the travel and holidaying.

These are some of the main travel tips that can help you have an enjoyable journey. Some other things that you can keep in mind are:

- Place a nametag over your belongings and suitcases so that they can be easily recognized.

- Keep extra packets of tissue napkins and medicines for several common ailments like cough, cold and headache along with antiseptics and band-aids for minor cuts and bruises.

So, avail these travel tips and have a happy journey.

PostHeaderIcon Exposed – Last Minute Travel Tips to Save you Bundles of Money!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU THINK ‘I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO. . . . . . . . ” THEN DON’T TAKE IT ANY FURTHER BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT?

This is a very common scenario as we tend to think that exotic locations are just for the person with a pocket full of money.

We will explain to you why you will be able to get the best deals, when to book these budget deals and where to go. In no time at all with our travel guide you will be booking holidays and business travel like the professional travel agent.

FOR THE HOLIDAY MAKER

Our ebook BEST LAST MINUTE TRAVL DEALS gives you pages and pages of travel tips on how to search for great deals, the exotic travel locations and a lot of do’s and don’ts that will help you find the very best deals at the very best of prices. They often say that half the fun of a holiday is in the planning.

Not only do we cover air travel, but accommodation, car travel, cruises, local attractions and more.

When booking last minute travel you don’t want to be paying top dollars as so many people do. We will show you where to look quickly so that you can book in a short space of time and get on with getting organised.

FOR THE BUSINESS TRAVELLER

So often you get short notice and OF COURSE you don’t have time to go searching for cheap deals. WELL, we will show you where to go and get quick, cheap deals that will save you loads of money. DON’T FORGET we give you air travel tips,accommodation tips and car hire tips.

OUR EBOOK BEST LAST MINUTE TRAVEL DEALS HAS RESEARCHED INFORMATION ALL TRAVELLERS; family, corporate, student, international. You couldn’t ask for more when trying to book budget travel.

PostHeaderIcon 5 Important, Must-Know Travel Tips For Successful Cheap Travels

Cheap travels is all about getting the best travel deals around. The following 5 travel tips are a great way to get started on making your vacation dollars stretch farther.

Cheap Travel Tip 1 – Shop Around
You must shop around if you want to be successful in getting the budget travel you want. Shop on the Internet or visit your local travel agents. Different travel websites, and different travel agencies often have access to various specials and sales. So be sure to shop around for these hidden travel deals. Sometimes booking accommodation directly with a hotel may be more costly than booking with a travel agent or online hotel booking agent. So be sure to check out third-party hotel booking agents for more competitive room rates!

Airlines may also offer travel packages (air tickets and accommodation). However, it is best to check the hotels and do a little research. This is because booking the air tickets and accommodation separately may actually save you some previous money. All it takes is a little of your time.

Cheap Travel Tip 2 – Picking The Right Season
Consider traveling during the off-season. The hotels that are overbooked and expensive in the high season are often available at really attractive prices once the high season is over. Off-season travel also offers the advantage of smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Cheap Travel Tip 3 – Group Travel
Many airlines and hotels offer discounts to groups. So if you are traveling with your friends and family, you may be able to save some money.

Cheap Travel Tip 4 – Last-minute Travel
If you have flexible employment, you should take advantage of some fantastic last-minute deals. Cruise lines, airlines and hotels often offer discounts to avoid the expense and lost revenue of an empty cabin, airline seat or hotel bed.

Cheap Travel Tip 5 – Package Travel Deals
For many destinations, especially exotic locations, airfare tends to be expensive. So package travel deals can be significantly less expensive than making your own arrangements. Many travelers also like the safety and security of traveling with a group.
Opting for cheap travels doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice fun, excitement and adventure. There are many opportunities waiting for budget travelers who are willing to put in the time and effort to seek them out.

You can learn how to travel smart, avoid getting scammed, and what to do when things go wrong. Don’t you think its time you learn how to save hundreds, perhaps even thousands, on your next trip or vacation? It’s up to you to make your cheap travel or budget travels happen.

PostHeaderIcon Bollywood Tour and Travel Tips

The romance of the world s most popular building still astonishes in its power and beauty . In addition to the Taj Mahal ,Agra houses the great monuments of the red fort and the I ‘ Timad – ud-Daulah, but to experience beauty and have to endure the less attractive sights of one of India s least prepossessing towns . Like Delhi, agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna . The polluted conditions of the river is a reminder of defect that agra today is one the Uttar Pradesh s largest and most industrialized Cities . Numerous crafts and  service industries have flourished ,associated with the large tourist traffic- hotels and transport ,carpets ,pietra dura work in marble , zari embroidery  and leather – but there are also many small –scale engineering industries visitors are subjected to a barrage of high power selling . Despite it all ,they experience still unmissable . you can avoid some of the hussle by staying at Bharatpur or Fatehpur Sikhri and visit Agra for the day.

India is still the largest movie producer of the world, producing an average of 1000 movies a year. Since 1931, when the talkies were introduced, India has produced more than 67,000 films in more than 30 languages. Today Bollywood – the Hindi cinema counterpart of Hollywood – is no longer catering to a limited audience, it has gathered a large worldwide audience, especially among the NRI’s through its international quality along with the blending of east and west. Bollywood has come a long way since 1896 when soundless movies made its advent into India with the Lumber Brothers. “Raja Harishchandra” in 1913 made by the legendary Dadasaheb Phalke heralded the birth of the Indian film industry. Today popularly known as Bollywood certain rules remain unchanged in Bollywood – the Hindi cinema equivalent of Hollywood. Actors still break into a song though the venue is a discotheque. As of today songs are played at weddings, festivals, nightclubs, cutting across the numerous ethnicities and lifestyles of Indians, as well as the Indian diaspora spread across the globe. Demonstrating that westernization need not affect the Indian identity.

Travel Tips

Traveling has always been one of the most fun-filled, exciting, entertaining and most of the time informative activity that you can totally enjoy by yourself or with your friends & family. With the help on the internet we can easily find travel agents online that can assist we in getting affordable discount Hotel Booking, India Tours Package and India Holidays or any other budget travel promos and travel packages that their online India Travel agency offers.

It doesn’t matter if we already have pre-arranged travel deals or just last minute travel arrangements because there are a lot of best travel online travel portal  to choose from that can accommodate we needs. As travel agents, we should also need to make preparations yourself and not purely rely on our travel agent. These are some important travel tips for you to take into account to experience a hassle free travel and vacation tour.

As much as possible, plan your trip early. If you’re traveling during holidays, it is best to look for online travel deals from internet at least a couple of months before the beginning season. This way you can even have a chance to book under discount travel package promos which travel agencies usually offer in advance.

Next  good tip is to maximize your tour budget. Make a complete list of your proposed budget in advance and try to follow your tour budget list at least up to the degree that you can. Make food your number priority followed by your lodging necessities. Take also into consideration the age bracket of your group. If you’re going to travel with our children, their needs and safety should be on the top list of priorities.

Other  of the travel tips you need to take into account is to familiarize yourself with your travel destinations. If you still don’t have a place in mind you can choose from the top ten travel places online. If you and your company want to have a beach get-away then you might want to check websites about the popular and wonderful South Miami Beach or the magnificent coast of Acapulco. If your budget and time permits it, you can even try checking out the wonders of Asian beaches like the renowned Boracay in the Philippines. Ultimately, wherever you plan to go, you must have an overview of the place and its surroundings to avoid difficulties and disturbances.

next important tip, and a very sound advice, is to take care of your belongings. You read this tip, see the sign at every subconsciously know that this is significant, however, with all the fuss there is during travel Tour plus the excitement you feel, there will be moments that your belongings will slip into your mind. And this moment of yours becomes the shining time for thieves to take advantage and stole your possessions.

And aside from your budget travel tour list, make one checklist that enumerates everything you need to do and to accomplish before, during and after your vacation. You may be teased by your family and friends as having an obsessive-compulsive disorder but shrugged it off. Remember, being prepared is a lot better that being sorry.

PostHeaderIcon Insider Travel Tips for your Christmas Holiday in Rio De Janeiro

Get the most out of your exciting holiday in this fabulous city, pay attention to some sound travel tips from those in the know.

Arriving in Rio at Christmas time may sound like the holiday you have always longed for, but only adequate planning and some key bookings made really early on in the year will ensure you get to truly enjoy those main festive days, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Whatever your budget, your age or the number in your travel group, your time, money and opportunity will be wasted if you have to spend hours in travel agents or tourism offices once you are in Rio, trying to get from A to B.

If this is your first time in Rio city and you want to spend only 2 or 3 days taking in the “must see” tourists sights before heading off to famed festive resorts outside the city such as Búzios, Petrópolis or south along the Costa Verde to Paraty, then forward booked accommodation in all resorts and pre arranged transport to and from is vital. Pressure is always on accommodation in resort towns at this time of year, some bookings are made a year in advance, for peace of mind; don’t even think about chancing it once you get there. Unless you have driven the motorways in Rio or Sao Paulo like a local, hiring a rental car and driving to your out-of-Rio destination any time from mid December to late January is a crazy idea. Traffic gridlock (for hours, really) in unaccustomed Rio summer heat, getting lost because you can’t read those vital road signs is just so easy to do. Depending on your budget, a tour package with transfers included, with English speaking driver, or a taxi and bus ride with dictionary in hand, will get you there safer and faster.

Dress for the heat, the sun and the crowds appropriately. Carry at least a litre of bottled water with you when out walking locally and when travelling to and from your resort destination in buses or tourist vans. Keep your carry on bags, backpacks and last minute souvenirs to a minimum size and weight. There is never enough space for both you and your bags to be comfortable on board.

Finally, a word to the wise on the state of your stomach. With all that rich festive food and the heat, now is not the time to test the spicy street stalls, those glorious snacks from Bahia or the exotic fish dishes (moquecas) from Espírito Santo. Go easy on those caipirinhas!

PostHeaderIcon Disney Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

It is hard to imagine a more exciting, magical, and eagerly anticipated vacation than a Disney theme park adventure.


And because the prospect of the trip is so exciting, the planning process can be half the fun. Here is how to get started planning the trip of a lifetime, for a lot less than you might think.


Order Your Free Disney DVD

One of the first things you will want to do is take advantage of the free Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD. This official Disney DVD takes you on a complete tour of both resorts. Go inside the parks and get an overview of the Disney complexes in both Florida and Southern California. Preview the water and roller coaster rides and get tips on where to go and what to do. The DVD also features planning guides, information on affordable places to stay, things to do, and upcoming special events. You can order it on the official Disney Parks website. (Simply do a Google search for “Free Disney Vacation Planning DVD. “)


Hotel Deals

The second thing on your list will be to find the best Disneyland and Disneyworld hotel deals.


Keep in mind that you will pay lower prices on both lodging and park tickets if you book your trip during the off season, which runs from October through April.


Disney resorts have a number of on site hotels, which bring lots of advantages, including discounted ticket prices and, of course, convenience. But the experience of staying in a resort hotel comes with a price: as much as triple the cost of other hotels.


If cost is the foremost consideration in planning your Disney vacation, begin an online search for hotels near the resort instead. Many of these neighboring hotels offer comfortable, clean lodging and may provide a complimentary shuttle service to the resort.


Accommodations range from value priced to deluxe, with amenities to match. Make a list of the features that are most important to you and refer to them when deciding on a hotel. If you do not mind parking your car and walking instead of using the valet, or if you do not mind limited room service, then you do not need to pay more for a deluxe hotel stay.


The distances to and from the park can differ, so be sure to ask about the location of the hotel in relation to the park, as well as whether the hotel offers complimentary transportation, such as shuttle bus or monorail service. There are lots of choices and you can find many different package deals depending on your budget and preferences. The Internet has made it so easy to compare Disney area hotels (and their amenities) at a glance.


Saving on Meals

Disney does not allow you to bring food into the park. But you can save money by having breakfast before entering the park and eating dinner after you leave. Lunch prices tend to be quite a bit lower than dinner prices at the restaurants inside the park, so you can experience the magic of a meal in the park for less.


You will be permitted to bring in bottled water, which is much less expensive than buying sodas and bottled water inside the park.


More Disney Travel Tips

1. Some hotels and travel agents offer discounts to nurses, teachers and government workers, as well as AAA, AARP and Entertainment Book members.

2. Make sure to purchase your tickets before you get to the park, so you do not have to stand in line when you get there.

3. Read your tickets and passes and make sure you understand what you are paying for. Remember, too, that some rides have certain height requirements for children.

4. Walking the parks may be fine for the adults, but you may want to either bring your own stroller or rent one for your child.

5. If you have a child who is too small for a particular ride, take advantage of the Disney “Baby Swap” option. All you need to do is tell the attendant. When you reach the front of the line, one parent will be able to ride while the other parent holds the child. When the ride is over, you switch. That way, neither parent has to sit out.

6. The weather can be unpredictable so do not be caught off guard. Make sure to bring an umbrella, ponchos and some cool weather clothing. Plan ahead for rainy days by having a list of indoor activities you want to do in the area, as well, just in case of an extended downpour.


Though a Disney vacation may seem overwhelming during the planning stage, rest assured that a little bit of planning now will make for a more relaxed, memorable (even magical) vacation that you and your children will remember for a long time to come.

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