by Lori Savery-Hinze

Created on: June 24, 2008

When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, there are two separate budgets you need to make. The first is for your actual trip package, including your airfare, hotel and park passes. The second budget is how much your family will actually spend on food and souvenirs at the resort.

Trip Package:
As with any vacation, do your research. Many local travel agencies hold open house meetings to showcase the different Disney travel packages. Other online travel services, such as Priceline.com or Travelocity.com also have combined air and hotel packages; however the number of choices for staying on Disney properties may be limited. Since Orlando is a tourist hot spot, there are a myriad of bargain packages for airfare and hotel accommodations off Disney property. However, keep in mind that you will have to pay for your own transportation to and from the Disney parks and parking. If you choose to stay on Disney property, benefits include free bus transportation to and from the parks, Magic Express tickets which transport you and your luggage to and from the airport, discounted meal plan options, and Extra Magic hours for at least one park every day (either one hour earlier or three hours later). Disney has their own website: www.disneyworld.com/affordable, which explains the different vacation packages.

Food and Souvenirs:
Keep in mind that like any amusement park, the food at Walt Disney World can be pricey. Disney World has a number of meal plans available to their guests who are staying on Disney properties. Meal plans are explained at www.disneyworld.com/affordable. If you are staying in a hotel that has a kitchen, make the most of it. Make an agreement with your family that you will only eat out for one meal a day, and that you will bring your own drinks and snacks into the park. In our experience, lunch was usually the best time to have our meal out, since we were already at the parks.

Some Disney properties have a grocery list you can order from and will stock your kitchen for you, but the prices are about double to triple average grocery prices. Your best bet is to order from them only the items that are liquid, refrigerated, or frozen. I recommend ordering milk, orange juice, bread, jelly, chicken nuggets, and frozen pizzas to have in your hotel room. Other dry, lightweight groceries that are perfect to pack in a suitcase include: boxes of macaroni and cheese, a jar of peanut butter, powdered Gatorade or other drink mixes, cereals, crackers, cookies, sandwich bags,

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