Walt Disney World on a Family Budget

Vacationing to see Mickey Mouse used to be a big dream come true for me. Now that I live near the mouse, I can tell you what's hot and what's not on what's inexpensively available and family friendly.

The further out from Disney you travel, the less your hotel fee is going to cost. You don't want to lodge so far away that you can't find your way to the parks. You also do want to be so close that your hotel night's stay does not leave you and your family enough money for gas and food.

Here is a quick lesson in the area. Walt Disney World in not in Orlando. I don't care who told you otherwise, it is NOT in Orlando. Disney World is in Lake Buena Vista. Lake Buena Vista is a city. Both Lake Buena Vista and Orlando are in Orange County, Florida. Lake Buena Vista also seeps into Osceola County, which is south of Orange County. Nearby cities in Osceola County are Celebration, Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Florida. There is also an are that is called the Four Corners, thus named, because it encompasses outlying areas of the junction of 4 counties, Orange, Osceola, Lake and Polk County http://www.kissimmeechamber.com/four-corners.asp. This area and the other areas discussed above are far enough away from Walt Disney World to where getting a cheap good night's rest is available without disabling your sense of direction.

You can find some great deals on hotels at www.hotels.com. I was looking the website over and I saw some great prices especially if the whole Disney vacation package you've been researching costs about a year's pay of your hard-earned money. For all you folks who have more than the average nuclear family, you save a lot of money to be left over for gas and restaurants. Take it from a person who learned to eat deli sandwiches in the car for lunch as opposed to going to your friendly, neighborhood McDonald's, this is a good website for hotel bookings.

This website has hotels, vacation packages, group deals, or options to put together your own vacation package. I would highly recommend checking out the hotels first. If you're a savvy driver with a good sense of direction, getting around Orlando and outlying areas with a map should not be much of a problem. Should you fly, rent a car, and you need help knowing your landmarks, there are various information sites, booths and kiosks located in the Metro Orlando malls with maps, more information and discounts to the theme parks, plus they also offer areas where shuttle buses are available so you don't have to stress about how to get into Walt Disney World.

Seralago Hotel & Suites jumps out at me as the most amenities for a fair price. It's not the cheapest price, and there are other hotels for less money. This research is based on 2 adults and 3 children under 18. There are some hotels that even have a place for Fido or Fluffy. Check it out at www.hotels.com or call their number at 1-800-3-HOTELS.

There are a few websites offering shuttle assistance should driving to the Disney theme parks become more of a chore or an occupational hazard. These websites are:

http://www.mousesavers.com/shuttle.html
http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/dme.html
http://www.seabreezecomputers.com/tips/disneyworld.htm

I just love this website! http://www.mearstransportation.com/index.htm
I think I love it because when you click on the Airport Transportation under the Services tab, it offers you a step-by-step video instruction on how to go from the airport to baggage claim with ease! For all you nervous parents out there that want to offer your kids a low stress vacation, this one video will relieve your mind as well and render you more vacation educated! On the prices of the shuttles, the vans are way cheaper than the buses based on vehicle charter rate.

When you research www.hotels.com, open up each hotel that catches your pocket fancy and see if it offers shuttle service. You may want to use Mears transportation for access to Disney World, but you can find out other methods and companies of shuttle travel.

Another way to experience Disney is by taking one of their cruises. A cruise is a more economical way to have Disney fun, hotel, dining and accommodations for a low flat fee. You can either drive to the port of destination or you can book a bus to take you there.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/travel.php and http://www.laughingplace.com/page-ad-mevcruiseoffer20051201.asp offers fees of fares for Disney Cruise Line and other options for example, insurance, help with itinerary and discounts.

http://www.vacationstogo.com/cruise_ships.cfm offers information on Disney Cruise Line fares and ratings by previous guests. There are some types of information that you need to sign in/log in to have access to, but the ratings are available for everyone. If you want to trail off the beaten path, this website offers alternatives to suit your specific lifestyle.

http://www.expedia.com is my favorite so far for obtaining clear information and economically, friendly fares for the whole family. Considering that we are talking about Disney cruises and not just any old cruise, the prices are surprising and bound to make your pocketbook or wallet sigh with relief. When you take a cruise you need to be aware of added fees of insurance and maid service for your quarters. Still, it is more affordable and rewarding comparing it to a day at Walt Disney World. The only thing the cruise cannot offer is to literally touch Cinderella's Castle, ride the Dumbo Ride, visit It's a Small World and Peter Pan's Flight, sail Pirates of the Caribbean or trek Spaceship Earth at Epcot, not to mention Animal Kingdom's life-size rendition of "A Bug's Life."

Here is a short list of other websites to guide you on your journey and stay in the host cities of Walt Disney World.

http://orlandoinformationcenter.com/
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
http://www.floridakiss.com/
http://www.osceola.org

I hope you all a really joyous, fun-filled Disney vacation here! See you around!