Atypical Familia

  • Home
  • About
  • Autism
    • Our Autism Journey
    • Autism Resources
    • Autism Parenting
    • Tips
    • Autism in NYC
  • Familia
    • Atypical Mami
    • Atypical Dad
    • Atypical Kid
  • Travel
    • Special Needs Travel
    • Philly
    • Road Trips
    • Sesame Place
    • Walt Disney World
  • Life
    • Culture
    • Marriage
    • The Personal
    • Working Mom Life
  • Food + Fun
    • Food
    • DIY
    • FREE Printables
    • Holidays
  • Contact
    • PR Friendly
  • Shop
You are here: Home / #FamiliaTravels / Simple Tips on Saving For Your Disney Vacation

Simple Tips on Saving For Your Disney Vacation

March 28, 2017 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Yesterday Facebook reminded me that six years ago, I began planning our first Disney vacation. I posted an update asked for suggestions and recommendations. Since 2011, we’ve been fortunate to visit Walt Disney World several times.

FB Status Update Disney World

Now I’m the one happily sharing our tips and suggestions in person, over Facebook and here on the blog. I even applied to be on the Disney Mom Panel. I just love helping others plan their Disney vacation.

Related: Disability Access Service at Walt Disney World: UPDATE (2015)

Saving for Disney can feel intimidating. Because let’s be for real, a Disney vacation is not cheap. But there are ways to plan, save and have a magical time.

Saving for a Disney Vacation

As a kid, I dreamed of going to Walt Disney World. When I became a parent, I knew it was an experience I wanted my son to have. When Norrin was first diagnosed with autism, I didn’t think a Disney vacation could ever be possible.

Over the last six years we’ve been fortunate enough to visit Walt Disney World several times.

Last year I was dreaming about a Disney Cruise and all the stars must have aligned. Because this year, we were invited on our first #DisneySMMC Conference. And itwas the first year, the celebration was both on land and sea.

Our time on the Disney Wonder, convinced me that a Disney Cruise is the cruise for me and our family. But that’s for another post…

There are so many new and exciting things coming to Walt Disney World that planning for another Disney Vacation is on the horizon. And I want to take a Disney Cruise leaving from NYC to somewhere, not sure where just yet.

All of this will cost money. But a Disney vacation is worth saving for.

A Disney vacation isn't cheap. But there are ways to plan, save & have a magical time. #TravelTue Click To Tweet

Saving for a Disney Vacation

Open a Disney Savings Account. Yes, Disney actually has a savings account. The set up is easy. There’s no fee. Once you create your estimated budget, it will calculate how much you’ll need to set aside each week. The money is automatically deducted from your bank account. Family and friends can help contribute with a Disney gift card for holidays and birthdays – the gift card can be applied toward your savings. Obviously terms and conditions apply. For more information visit: disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com.

Disney Savings Account

Try the 52 Week Saving Plan. I suppose it’s easier to start in the beginning of the year. That’s what I did a few years back. But you can start when you’d like. No special accounts necessary, I used to put the money in a regular envelope.

Create a Mad Money Jar. I love shopping at Disney and it’s easy to spend a small fortune at the gift shops. So I like the Mad Money Jar idea for spending money purposes while at Disney. This is also a fun way to get the kids involved and teach them the importance of saving their pennies. Instead of saving for a rainy day, they’re saving for a magical day.

Plan in Advance. You can make Disney vacation reservations up to 499 days in advance. Whether booking online or by phone all that’s required is a deposit. Obviously the deposit amount varies. You can pay pay off vacation over time or about a month before your reservation date. Terms and conditions will apply, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com for specific details.

Related: 10 Benefits To Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort 

Travel Off Season. All of our Disney vacations have been, for the most part, off season. For us, it works. I couldn’t imagine visiting during July/August,  Christmas or Spring Break. A vacation is a learning experience. I don’t feel guilty pulling my kid out of school for a few days to go on vacation. Visiting off season is less expensive and less crowded.

Bonus Tips for Saving Money While at Disney:

Get the Meal Plan. I’ve done Disney with and without the meal plan. And if we’re at Disney for more than 3 days, the meal plan is worth it. (This truly deserves its own post…pretty sure I have one in drafts. I’ll post it soon.)

Purchase the Memory Maker in Advance. If you purchase the memory maker while at the Parks, it’s more expensive. And purchasing per picture can get costly. There are opportunities for family photos everywhere – you’ll want to take advantage of them all.

Related:  12 Tips for Autism Families Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation

What are your Saving for Disney tips?

Saving for Your Disney Vacation - Parks or Cruise Vacation Tips Atypical Familia

Related

Filed Under: #DisneySMMC, #FamiliaTravels, Family On A Budget, Family Travel, Travel Tips, Travel Tuesday, Walt Disney World Tagged With: #FamiliaTravels, Atypical Familia, Places We Go, Walt Disney World

« 7 Tips For Prompting Conversation When Your Kid Has Autism
Spring Cleaning for Small Spaces »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Welcome!

LQ blog image

Hi, I'm Lisa aka @laliquin on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest & Snapchat. I'm a 40-something mom raising a son with autism in The Bronx, NYC.

Atypical Familia is a personal blog & resource site for Typical Parents raising Extraordinary Kids. We focus on autism parenting, special needs travel, work/life balance, family entertainment and more. This is parenting from a unique perspective.

Learn more about our Atypical Familia...
youtube-glitter
Autism Parenting Tips from an Autism Mom | Atypical Familia Lisa Quinones-Fontanez

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Hit a Grand Slam for Autism 300x300
download
wayfair-blogger-button StreamTeam_Red&Black_Transparent
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Let’s Connect!

LQ blog image

I'm Lisa aka @laliquin on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest & Snapchat. Get to know more about me and my familia!

Atypical Familia focuses on autism parenting, special needs travel, work/life balance, family entertainment and more. If you'd like to work with us, send us an email: autismwonderland(@)gmail.com. 

lqf-babble_contributor_badge_white_2x
TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

laliquin

No caption needed… my face says it all. 💙 No caption needed… my face says it all. 💙
I’ve had these skates for 5 years and I finally I’ve had these skates for 5 years and I finally got to skate in them for real. “Why do my skates feel funny?” I wondered. I assumed it was because I’m not used to roller skates. So I spent the first 15 minutes skating with my skates on the wrong feet 🙄😐🤦🏻‍♀️ but once I fixed them - skating was a little bit easier. 🤣🤣
When the student becomes the teacher… I got to w When the student becomes the teacher… I got to workout with one of my (favorite) former students this morning! From the moment I met her 2 years ago, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. In the classroom, she is enthusiastic, bright, confident and strong. But at the gym she’s next level! Mel really pushed me today and I know I’ll feel it tomorrow. It wasn’t easy keeping up with this 19 year old. I held my own up until she said 20 minutes on the stair master after our work out. I lasted 5 minutes and then did 15 on the elliptical. 🫠🫠 And obviously we needed a quick locker room photo shoot. 🤣 Also…I don’t know if it’s the angle or the lighting but I can’t believe my arms/back look like that! 😳🥹
Solid women don’t crumble. Period. Solid women don’t crumble. Period.
I’m so grateful to be his mom. 💙 I’m so grateful to be his mom. 💙
When I think about where I was and where I am now, When I think about where I was and where I am now, I am so damn grateful. I used to believe that I “wasted” the best years of my life. I was so wrong. I am living my best years and fully present in my life. 🤍 5/6/18 🤍 5 years one day at a time (sometimes one hour, one minute, one second).
She’s a mood. She’s a mood.
In case anyone’s wondering how my life is going… 😬😐🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Started reading Carmen and Grace by @melissacossaq Started reading Carmen and Grace by @melissacossaquino on the 6 train. By page 5, I had to close the book and take a minute to absorb the words on the page. Ok ok ok, I also may have begun tearing up a bit. I love when a book makes me feel. There are times when I come across a book, and the words are exactly what I need at that precise moment. This is that book, this is the time. “The only way out for you is through.” 🤍 

#latinaliterature #latinawriters #latinawriter #latinasinacademia #latinassupportinglatinas #bronxwriters
Last week he was so excited about his first game a Last week he was so excited about his first game and today baseball is cancelled because of the rain. He sent me a video at 7am - fully dressed in his uniform for his 1pm game - and a text saying he was disappointed. 😕  It’s after 12 and he’s still in his uniform.
I didn’t think I’d be able to make his first g I didn’t think I’d be able to make his first game but I surprised him. When he saw me he said, “Mama! What the hell are you doing here?” But he was totally happy to see me. Grateful @d3sportsandrec exists! 💙
After class flex. This month I hit my “goal” w After class flex. This month I hit my “goal” weight and for the first time since before Norrin was born, I’m wearing a size 6 jean. Does it feel good? Yes. It does. But what feels even better is that I feel strong. Stronger than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Thanks for an amazing class @freelikeoj_allday & @tiabrooks_0106 for always offering to take a picture.
Here’s another dirty mirror bathroom selfie beca Here’s another dirty mirror bathroom selfie because I feel cuter than usual today. 🥰
Rompers seem like such a cute easy outfit until yo Rompers seem like such a cute easy outfit until you have to pee. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I almost dislocated a shoulder trying to get in and out of this.
Earlier this week, I was unpacking my spring/summe Earlier this week, I was unpacking my spring/summer clothes. I found 3 dresses that I’ve had forever - probably 15 years. They were probably only worn once. I held on to them, even though I couldn’t fit into them. Because I knew one day, I would fit into them again. Over the last 2 years, I’ve lost some weight but they still didn’t fit last summer. When I tried them on this week, they fit! I haven’t been able to fit into these dresses in more than a decade. And so yesterday I put on the blue dress. I didn’t go anywhere spectacular. I wasn’t on a date. I visited a friend in the neighborhood, went to a meeting and then White Castle (don’t judge me). When I first bought this dress and when it fit, I held on to it - waiting for an occasion. I refuse to do that. I’m not waiting for a man to take me out, or a party or an event. If I want to wear something, I will wear it. I am the special occasion. I am the event. I am worth getting dressed up for. 

Also - I realize that holding on to clothing for 15 years hoping it will fit again is probably not normal. But oh well. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣
As Featured In 2017 - bottom footer

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

 

Loading Comments...