What does your dream Disney vacation look like?
Does it include a Deluxe Resort, an extended visit, and tons of delicious food? Is it a Mediterranean cruise with a spa package and concierge-level service? Or perhaps it’s gathering your entire family over multiple generations together in a Grand Villa suite.
It’s fun to have big dreams (Walt himself was a fan). And with some work and long-term planning we can make them happen. Here are 8 ways to start saving for your dream Disney vacation!
1) Plan Ahead and Book Early
In order to know your vacation budget goals, you need to know how much it’s going to cost. Start planning well in advance and research expenses such as transportation, hotels, tickets, food, souvenirs, and experiences. An vacation planner who specializes in Disney can assist you in these details.
Give yourself enough time to save the money you’ll need, but remember to book early to take advantage of the best pricing and availability.
2) Set Aside a Monthly Vacation Budget
The best way to save for a vacation is to put aside a little each month until you have what you need. Create a monthly budget that allocates a set, comfortable amount towards your vacation savings. You can even create a separate account for them and set up automatic payments.
Tip: Create a themed chart to show off your savings to your family and help everyone stay motivated!
3) Search for Travel Rewards Opportunities
If you travel often, particularly with the same airlines, you can start earning frequent flyer miles towards future travel. You can do this either by logging your flights in a frequent flyer account or by using airline rewards cards (credit cards that give bonuses towards air fare). Similar programs can be found for rental cars and hotels.
4) Cut Back on Nonessential Spending
This is the step that takes the most discipline, but it’s also the simplest. The less you spend now, the more you’ll have to enjoy later. Take a look at your current spending habits and see where you could cut back. That could mean eating out at restaurants less or cutting out a subscription service. Get creative and be sure to put those extra savings into your vacation account.
5) Pick Up a Side Job
I’m not necessarily suggesting you take on another full-time job just to pay for a vacation. But today there are plenty of ways to start a part-time job that will earn you extra spending money. Do you have any talents you could start a business with? Do you use any favorite direct sales products you’d be comfortable selling from home? Are there any work-from-home jobs you could do after you get the kids to bed? Look around at options and choose a side job you can enjoy doing.
6) Earn Rewards While You Shop
There are several ways to earn rewards or cash back on items you’re already purchasing. If you use a credit card, check to see if you can earn rewards points. The Disney Visa card earns you points you can use directly towards your Disney vacation. When you’re shopping online, search for coupon codes and use programs such as Ebates to earn money back (I’m a big fan of Ebates as they send you a check every quarter with the cash you’ve earned).
7) Save on Disney Gift Cards
Disney Gift Cards can be used to pay for your Disney vacation, food, merchandise, and more. There are a few ways to purchase these at a discount:
- Use your Target RED card to save 5%.
- Purchase them from Sam’s Club at a discount.
- Earn gift cards through survey programs such as Swagbucks.
You can factor gift card purchases into your vacation budget – purchase one per paycheck until you’ve saved enough.
8) Work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
One of the best ways to get the best deals and information on your Disney vacation is to work with a vacation planner who specializes in Disney Destinations. We study Disney constantly and we know the best time to book, the best time to travel, and the best way to design your dream vacation. We can set up payment plans, help you budget your travel expenses, and assist you with keeping track of deadlines. Vacation planners are advocates for you and your family – we love nothing more than to help you achieve your Disney goals.
Overall, it may take time to save for your dream vacation but it will be worth it in the end!
Ready to start planning your Disney vacation? I’d love to help you make it everything you want it to be. When you book your trip with me my planning and concierge services are available at no additional cost. Contact me via my consultation form or at jtullino@themouseexperts.com to request more information and a free quote!
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