With summer just a few months away, the time is now to consider where your very next vacation will be.  Whether you are taking a vacation with just you and your spouse, or are bringing the whole crew along, vacation is a wonderful time in everyone's life.  Vacations allow for individuals to take a break from the craziness of ones own life, and offers a short sigh of relief where you do not have to worry about work or school. 

When it comes time to consider where to take vacations, the possibilities are pretty much endless depending on your personal preference.  If you are an outdoorsy couple, you might want to consider backpacking through the trails of the Geneva Wilderness.  Or, if you are a couple which loves the sights and sounds of a big city, what better place than metro Orlando to visit for a few whirlwind days of fun and excitement?

But how can you decide just what sort of vacation you should take together with your loved ones?  There are some factors to consider whenever contemplating a vacation.  The biggest of the factors, of course, is your budget.  If you are are unable to set aside a large amount of money right off the bat for an expensive vacation ,there are obviously budget-friendly vacations you can look into.

Undertaking some research prior to deciding on a vacation location can be the best factor in your favor for saving money.  Many vacation venues offer early booking discounts as well as multiple night vacations.  Some even offer discounts where if you buy a certain number of nights, such as 4 nights, you will get 2 nights free.  And who doesn't love a free night or two of vacation?

If you really would like to travel to Florida for your big vacation, Orlando offers a great amount of discounts and deals for your trip.  Orlando hotels offer great packages, and you are able to additionally combine them with deals at the various Disney World area parks such as Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom and the African Safari.  Sea World Vacation Packages additionally offer fun for the whole family, and includes not only a stay in an Orlando hotel, but also day passes to Sea World for you to enjoy with your little ones. 

Another way to save money when embarking on a Disney vacation is to look at areas outside of Disney, such as Kissimmee Florida or surrounding areas.  While they may be a little bit further distance wise from the Main Gates of Disney World, the prices may be lower depending on which area you reserve a hotel within.  With the money you are saving on the price of the actual hotel, you can easily rent a car to use for travel to and from Disney World.

A vacation is what you make of it, and whether you use some budget friendly tips, or go all out and enjoy a lavish vacation with your loved ones, the bottom line is to make sure you have the best time of your lives and make memories which last a life time.

Disney World is the most incredible place that you could ever hope of visiting. The employees at Disney are called cast members are they are always pleasant, informative and ready to help make your visit spectacular. Even the others guests seen to be friendlier than anywhere else on earth.
Although most people plan their Orlando family vacations during the summer months, January is a great time to visit the happiest place on earth. Of course, New Year’s Day is always packed but the rest of the month seems to be significantly less crowded than the summertime. You can also score some decent discounts when visiting Disney World in January.

Disney’s New Year’s Day Parade
Everybody loves a parade and Walt Disney World surely knows how to make parades wonderful. However, the Disney New Year’s Day Parade is the best ever. There are awesome floats carrying various stars. Naturally, many of the Disney Stars from their popular televisions programs will be there as well as other celebrity entertainers. At the end of the parade is jolly old Santa Claus and his eight reindeer. Visitors both young and old will love the Disney New Year’s Day Parade.

The Osborne Family’s Spectacle of Lights Show
From January 1st through the 3rd, Hollywood Studios presents the Osborne Family’s Spectacle of Lights Show. The back lot of the Streets of the Americas is an incredible sight to see. There are millions of beautiful lights adorning the area. If you’re in Disney World during the first three days of January, you simply can’t miss the Osborne’s Family Spectacle of Lights Show at Hollywood Studios.

Walt Disney World Marathon Jan 6-8
The Walt Disney World Marathon will be held from January 6th through January 8th. It’s held in the Magic Kingdom and thousands of marathon runners and their friends and families invade the park. It would be wise to avoid the Magic Kingdom on this weekend and plan to enjoy it on a weekday before or after the Walt Disney World Marathon.

Fantasmic!
Although Fantasmic used to be shown every day at Disney World, there are only a minimal amount of shows offered anymore. During the month of January, it is only available from the first through the fourth. The performances are limited and the wait time can be ridiculously long. With that being said, it is a spectacular show that really shouldn’t be missed on a visit to Walt Disney World.

Getting the Best Deal on a Disney Vacation

One of the largest expenses you’ll encounter on your Disney vacation is your accommodations. Where you stay has the biggest impact on your trip budget, so choosing the right location will help you plan a trip that is both affordable and fun. Thanks to the wide array of resort and hotel choices on Disney property, you can find a room that serves your needs without overwhelming your budget. Having an idea of the available properties and what they have to offer will help you navigate your way through the process and get the best possible deal for your vacation.

Perks:

All on-site Disney resorts offer free transportation, via bus, boat or monorail (some offer all three). As a guest staying on Disney property you will also be able to attend daily Extra Magic Hours in one of the theme parks; having some “guests only” time in one of the parks each day is a huge perk if you are visiting during a busy season. You may also be able to save on your theme park tickets when you stay onsite—look into the cost of packages versus the cost of buying your room and tickets individually. Depending on the package promotions being offered and the time of year, you may find a large difference in your trip cost if you purchase a package deal.

Buy only what you need:

Since all Disney resorts have the same basic benefits, you don’t have to spend more for free park transportation or Extra Magic Hours. Spend money on the things that are most important to you.  If you want to park your car (or use the free Magical Express bus), and not use it again during your trip, then a monorail resort may be a must for you – but it will add to your budget. If you don’t mind driving, you can save plenty of cash by choosing a more remote resort; you’ll need to drive your own car, but you could save hundreds per night on your room.

Stay at an older resort:

Aside from the Deluxe monorail resorts, which are always popular, some of Disney’s older resorts may not be as popular as their newer counterparts, and can be had at a discount. “Old” doesn’t mean poorly maintained; all of the resorts are in good condition. If you are willing to try one of the original Disney Vacation Club locations like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs, you can usually get a prime room with plenty of perks at a substantial discount. There is nothing wrong with these properties, they are simply not as popular as resorts like the Wilderness Lodge and the Port Orleans…take advantage of this factor and save.

Time your trip:

A single resort can fluctuate in price by hundreds of dollars a night, depending on when you visit. Once you pick a resort, time your trip well for the best savings. Consider planning a fall or winter trip (avoid the holidays) to take advantage of Disney’s Value Season – all of the resorts will be on sale during this time period. The days you visit matter as well; you’ll save about $20 per night by visiting during the week instead of on the weekend. Have your calendar handy when you book and double check the nightly rates for your chosen resort to pick up additional savings.

One of Disney World’s most popular year-round events headlines the month of October at the Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is an after-hours trick or treating extravaganza designed to be fun for the entire family. Not interested in a spooky good time? Head to Epcot instead and enjoy the popular International Food and Wine Festival this month.

In October, the crowds are typically much smaller and the nightly rates on Orlando hotels are greatly reduced. So plan your trip today!