A theme park vacation is a dream for many families, but for those trying to plan family vacations on a budget, it can be difficult to make that dream a reality. There are some tricks, however, that veteran theme park visitors know, for keeping cost down and value high. Among these techniques are several that pertain to dining at a theme park on the cheap.

  • Eat before you go. Having a big breakfast can push lunchtime back for your family. Load up on carbs, but make sure to have some protein to give the breakfast some staying power.
  • Pack a lunch. Most theme parks, Walt Disney World included, allow visitors to bring food into the park, as long as it doesn’t require heating. Bringing snacks and sandwiches can really cut down on the money you spend in the park!
  • Dine outside the park. Get your hand stamped, so that you can leave and come back. Then head off to eat like a local, and you will save at least 25 percent on your meal.
  • Utilize the dining plan. On the other hand, if packing it in or leaving to find food is not your style, find out if the park offers a dining plan. Walt Disney World, for example, offers vacation packages that include discounted dining for guests staying at one of the Disney resort properties. In addition, some park restaurants offer free meals to children, with the purchase of an adult meal. Do a little research ahead of time, and you will save your family some money.
  • Save money on drinks. It may seem pricey, but if the souvenir mug offered by the park comes with free drink refills, it is probably worth the money. Another strategy is to bring drink flavoring packets, and fill water bottles from the water fountains. Mix in your flavor packet, and you have a tasty beverage!
  • When you do spend, make it count. Steer clear of fast-food type items that you can pick up anywhere. Choose something special, since you are going to spend money that you would not normally spend.

When you are ready to plan a trip, Preferred Guest Resorts can help. Visit them on the web at BestVacationsEver.com to learn more about planning family vacations on a budget. Whether you are interested in a beach vacation, theme park, or another destination, they can offer expert advice and assistance in making arrangements.

Everybody needs to get away, but the financial stress of vacationing can sometimes ruin the relaxation you were hoping for.  Here are some tips to have fun family vacations on a budget so you don’t regret your time away when you get back.

Limit Eating Out

It’s easy to justify eating out for every meal when you’re on vacation, but the bills will add up quickly and your nutrition may suffer.  Choose how many times you’ll eat out, such as once a day, and hit the local super market for the other meals.  Buy fresh fruit and veggies to keep yourself energized with quality calories and save money at the same time.  This tip for inexpensive family vacations is easiest to accomplish if you have a kitchen in your hotel room.

Don’t Go Overboard with Souvenirs

Decide how worthwhile certain trinkets are and whether they will really be put to good use when you get home.  Many knick-knacks will catch your eye on vacation, but you must limit the gifts you buy for friends and family at home as well souvenirs for yourself if you want to save money on vacation.

Fly Midweek

Tuesday through Thursday are the cheapest days to fly.  You can save a bundle on travel expenses by planning your flights well in advance for the middle of the week.

Buy Vacation Packages

There’s no reason to ever pay full price for your flights and hotel room if you plan ahead.  There are travel packages for all kinds of destinations that allow you to save hundreds on your plane tickets, accommodations, and even with restaurants that are affiliated with the hotel or airline.

Travel Light

Many airlines charge you a fee to check your bags.  You could end up paying hundreds of dollars to check your family’s luggage.  To save in this area, ask everyone in your family to pack as light as possible.  Remember, most hotels supply basic toiletries so you don’t have to bring these along.

Take a Trip during the Off-Season

By traveling in the spring or fall instead of the summer months, you can save big time on all kinds of vacation expenses.  If your children are homeschooled, or you’re willing to take them out of school for a few days, you can enjoy inexpensive family vacations during the off-season.

All of these tips will help you save money on your next family trip.  Traveling doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you know what it takes to accomplish fun family vacations on a budget.

Promotional Vacations, like those found at BestVacationsEver.com, offer travelers special incentives in exchange for participation in an introductory sales tour of the sponsoring Preferred Guest Resort destination.

The freedom to choose your discount or promotional package allows families to customize their vacation experience. And most promotional getaways are good for a year, so families have flexibility in planning their vacation when it’s most convenient for them.

For more information about available promotional packages, be sure you join our social network on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find more helpful videos just like this one on our YouTube channel.