Expert Tips When Planning a Disney World Family Vacation in 2024
Couple celebrating their anniversary at Magic Kingdom in Disney World
My wife, Kathleen, and I recently jetted off to Disney World to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. We were engaged in Cinderella’s Castle and married on 2/2/02. So lots of 2’s and lots of Disney. This was the first time of many where we didn’t bring our kids or go with any other family or friends. We found it much easier and more efficient with it being just the two of us.
Efficiency at Disney World is important if you want to go on as many rides as possible and avoid long wait times. There are also many things you can do to save money during your stay.
While Kathleen and I didn’t take advantage of all of the suggestions in a recent article by MagicGuides, some of their Disney World tips came in handy. Their 2024 version of the “Ultimate Walt Disney World Planning Guide” had a long list of things to do if you’re heading to see Mickey and friends. They say these suggestions are especially helpful for first-time visitors. It offers some tips for planning your Disney World vacation on a budget.
Hydration Station
One of them we discovered while dining at the Rose and Crown in Epcot. We were waiting to be seated and noticed an ice water dispenser in the waiting area. These dispensers are located all over the parks along with several water fountains. The guide points this out saying, “Never buy water at Disney.” Even if you don’t see a water dispenser, you can ask for a glass at any restaurant or food vendor.
Sun and Rain Protection
It’s a good idea to bring some dollar-store rain ponchos in case it rains. If you get stuck having to buy them at the park you pay much more. This is especially important for large families. It could end up costing you some serious coin if you’re caught off guard. The price of buying them at the park is ridiculous. The same is true for sunscreen. Sunscreen isn’t inexpensive anywhere you go, but at Disney, you’ll get burned.
Accommodations
The one thing I disagree with about the article is regarding where to stay. They suggest you stay off-site. They write, “These accommodations typically come at a lower cost compared to Disney-owned resorts and provide a broader range of room options.” That may be true, however, it’s inconvenient especially when it comes to traveling to the parks. There are also several perks you’ll miss out on if you don’t stay at a Disney resort.
Trendy, Cheap Spring Break Destinations
Spring break always arrives at just the right time. It’s when the holiday cheer has totally worn off, and it’s also right when spring is around the corner but it’s not quite here yet. I remember loving spring break in school. But, even if you’re not in school or college anymore, why not take a fun spring break trip this year? If you have a family, all the more reason to do it. If you’re solo, that works, too. Thankfully, there are plenty of trendy, cheap spring break destinations available.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, as they say, stay close to home. It doesn’t have to be a staycation. But, why not travel to a town that you’ve never been to that’s within road trip distance? Of course, if you live in a cold climate, you might want to travel to a hot spot. The good news is that a lot of warm spring break destinations have great rates, because tourist is simply their business. So, if you go to a popular spring break spot, chances are they’ll have some good deals and be able to cut you a good deal due to just how many people who travel there each year.
The perfect spring break destination is really about getting away from it all. You want a place that fun and exciting. But, you also want a spot that really helps you break away from routine and, hopefully, your electronic devises. Another bonus is if you find a spring break destination near friends who you maybe haven’t seen in a while. It can be a really fun trip to find a central location and meet up with long-lost friends.
Read on for some trendy, cheap spring break destinations in the United States. Here’s hoping for a super fun spring vacation. Oh, these work for summer, too.
Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.
