How to financially prepare for a trip to the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’
LendingTree: 45% of parents visiting Disney have gone into debt for the trip
(InvestigateTV) — A new NerdWallet study reveals that even a budget-friendly Disney vacation can come with a hefty price tag.
For a family of four taking a seven-night trip with standard theme park tickets and no add-ons, the total cost is estimated at around $6,000.
According to Sally French, a travel expert with NerdWallet, costs can climb quickly depending on your choices.
“If you’re going for one of the most expensive hotels, I’m talking about those really opulent beautiful hotels like the Grand Floridian right next to the Magic Kingdom, a family of four can expect to spend $15,000 for a seven-night trip,” French shared. “That is inclusive of things like food, theme park tickets, add on activities but it really is possible to go all out on that Disney trip.”
She shared several ways to save on a Disney trip:
- Stay at an off-property hotel within walking distance of Disney.
- Use credit card rewards to save money.
- Bring outside food and snacks to the parks to avoid buying at all the restaurants.
- Consider a shorter trip.
“There are many people who do trips for a much shorter amount of time,” French shared. “If you’re going for that sort of value trip and you’re just doing one day, a family of four can expect to spend around $1,200 dollars which is a lot of money. That’s one night at a hotel, that’s one day of theme parks, one day of food is of course much more manageable.”
She also recommended being flexible with the time of year. Disney is most expensive—and crowded—during peak times like summer break and holidays when kids are out of school. Planning your trip during off-peak seasons can result in significant savings.
Like most trips, planning ahead, doing research, and smart choices go a long way to funding a trip to the most magical place on earth.
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