6 Ways to Add On to Your Disney Vacation

We all know that when you are on vacation you tend to let your budgeting slide some. I am as guilty of this as anyone when it comes to impulse purchases while on vacation (I mean really where am I going to wear gold Mickey Mouse Ears?). A lot of people tend to swing the other way to far when this occurs -- those are the "NO!! I cant buy anything, or do anything while I am enjoying my vacation" sort. There is a middle ground when it comes to adding and purchasing while on your vacation. Let me share a few tips with you about what we are doing on this trip.

First, food. When we are on the cruise we will not have to worry about paying for any on-board meals because that is included with the ticket. This doesn't extend to the nice Mojito, or Cosmo that you want to nurse while you are reading by the pool. That is an extra add on. We have figured into our vacation budget that we will both probably have two drinks a day while on the ship, and another three or so while we are visiting the park (can you say Grand Mariner Slush at Epcot? I can, YUM!!). Once we have reached our maximum if we want another it comes out of our souvenir money. Yes you heard right, you either get a nice glass of wine, or a t-shirt. This is what we are demonstrating to our son as choices and repercussions, and it is a good thing for kids (and some adults) to know. Will this be easy? I don't think so, but to have a really great trip this is how we have chosen to work our bar tab.

Now on to the real food savings AND a refillable beverage cup. Walt Disney World has a dining plan that is good for its parks and resorts. With their most popular dining plan, you get one quick service meal, one table service meal, and one snack per person per day. This adds about a hundred bucks a day to your vacation budget, UNLESS you plan a time when the resorts are including the dining plan with a vacation package. Then those meals are free, and you can use them at all the parks, resorts, and some participating Downtown Disney restaurants. Also you can use the snacks to purchase things that are wrapped up like Rice Krispie treats and take home with you. So if my wife and I want to go to Jiko we have the dining plan (all we have to worry about is a tip for the server). I specifically like that we have one table meal so we MUST all sit down and interact with one another and slow down. If you are doing a WDW trip,check to see if they are offering free dining plans during your window. If it is a choice between that or 30% off your room, do the dining as it is a much more cost-effective option.

Child Care. I have discovered that family vacations are much smoother if mom and dad can get away from the kiddo for a few hours. To this end the wonderful folks at WDW have for their guests (at certain resorts) a kids club where you can check your kid in to play, while you go have a nice kid-unfriendly meal. The kids club is an extra cost, but I think familial bliss is worth it. Now if you happen to be staying off-property there are several prescreened childcare options for you too. These are not specifically recommended by Walt Disney World and if you get them to give you the information you have to sign a waiver to get the names of these places but they do in-room sitting or can come to your vacation home to watch your kids. I haven't done this at Disney World, but did on other trips and can say that if you research a bit you really can find a good babysitter while on vacation. The pricing I have found is not terribly bad -- you are looking at about $40 for a few hours of kid-free fun. Well worth it in my book.

Souvenirs. This is where most people lose their minds. I go into it with this set of criteria in mind. First, will I use it at home? Second can I buy it online, or at the Disney Store? Let me address the first question. This is basically asking if what you purchase will be used when you are not surrounded by giant cartoon characters in close approximation to a fairy tale castle/tree/giant golf ball. A cap, t-shirt, sweatshirt, or print all can be useful away from the parks. Bedazzled Mickey Ears, a Giant Mad Hatter hat, or a Disney Princess gown are not things that are generally used once you you step foot off the park. Also ALL of these things are expensive, so don't you want to use your new purchase for more than a few hours? I sure do.

Palo. On the Disney Cruise Line all food is free, except the adults-only fine dining establishments such as Palo. At Palo you pay $25-$30 per person and eat food that would cost you three times that. If you want to linger over a glass of wine while looking over the ocean this is a purchase you could and should do (if you can get reservations). If your taste in food runs a little less frilly it may be that you could pass this up for something else you feel passionate about. It depends on the individual desire.

Spa Treatment. I received my first massage on the Disney Wonder. A wonderful hot stone couples massage. It made me so relaxed that the muscle spasms and general tension in my body go away for several days. This was different for me since I use my spasms during transfers. This is an expensive, EXPENSIVE luxury. I was only able to take advantage of it because it was a gift. That being said, if you can save the money beforehand, it is well worth it. Also if you are nice to the spa people you may be treated a little extra special (just saying, be nice and they may upgrade you to a pedicure too).

Special Party while in park. There are special times of the year that have events that add to the price of admission. It usually is around a holiday or a special event such as the dessert showing of Fantasmic, or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween. The basic rule of thumb on making this kind of add-on is simple. Do you love this event/holiday/character/etc. enough to justify the expense? If so add it on. My family will be at Disney World over the Halloween holiday, we LOVE Halloween and celebrate it like fiends anyhow. It is a no brainer that we are going to add this on. How many 4-year-olds can say that they got to trick-or-treat Disney World.

Much more to come.