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How to Select the Right Disney Package for Your Family

Selecting the right Disney package for your family can seem very overwhelming, especially if you are new to the packages and the Disney World Resort. There are also many, many choices which can be complicated to sort through and understand what is available and what you get with each of the options. Here are 5 steps to help you select the right package and make the process much easier:

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5. Set your budget.

The first step to determine your max budget. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend all of it, depending on what features and add-ons are important to you and your family, but you do need to determine what the most you can afford on the package and the most that you are willing to spend on the package is. This will help you in making the right selection for your family that won’t blow the budget and price you out of being able to book a vacation. Discuss this number with the adults in your party and come to agreement on the max that you feel comfortable spending. This will be very helpful when you are pricing all of the components of your vacation.

4. Select your resort.

This can be a difficult process. There are so many Walt Disney World resorts and they are all amazing. They are broken down into a couple categories. You have the value resorts, moderate resorts, deluxe resorts and deluxe villa resorts. The value resorts are among the cheapest and the resorts in the deluxe categories are the most expensive. If you are traveling with a larger group or want to save money by cooking in your room, then the deluxe villas, Art of Animation or the Cabins may be the best bet as they can accommodate these needs. If the budget is tight, then the value resorts would help accommodate the budget. If you have a large budget and like to stay at resorts with amenities, then one of the deluxe resorts are definitely ones to consider. Look at the different resorts and their themes to help get an idea for what your family would enjoy the most. Each and every resort is unique with lots of great amenities and sights to see.

3. Determine your ticket options.

After you select your resort, you will be asked to pick tickets. There are a few different options. You can purchase tickets for as many days as you like. If you are on a tighter budget you may want to do less days so that you save funds in the budget that way. You can also add on the park hopper options which allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. It is an added cost so it may not make as much sense on a budget, but makes your trip more flexible if you are able to add it on. There is also the water park option which gives access to the water parks and other fun activities around the resort that you can enjoy. These also come with an added cost, so they have to be carefully considered within your budget.

2. Evaluate your dining preferences.

The dining plan is another add-on that you can consider. There are 3 different options to choose from, the Quick-Service, Disney Dining or Deluxe plan. The Quick-Service plan gives 2 quick service dining entitlements and 2 snack per person, per night of your stay. The Disney Dining plan is 1 quick service, 1 table service and 2 snack entitlement and the Deluxe Dining plan is 3 dining entitlements that can be table service or quick service and 2 snacks per night of your stay. These are also the rankings from cheapest to most expensive. The dining costs of your vacation can really sneak up on you and many guests find the dining plan to give the vacation a more all-inclusive feel and help control the food budget so that it doesn’t become a cost that add stress during the vacation. So first you have to decide if a dining plan is right for your family at all and then decide which one best meets your budget and dining needs.

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1. Consider Memory Maker.

Memory Maker is probably the cheapest of the add-ons, but is still a controversial add-on for guests. Advanced purchase is $149 and means that you get all of your digital photos from dining experiences, rides and PhotoPass locations throughout the park. Some individuals don’t see the value in buying the pictures, but I am a huge supporter of trying to fit this within the budget. It is well worth it and ensures that you capture many of your amazing memories with the whole family in them. It also means that you don’t have to carry a camera around if you don’t want to, and they do various magical extras to the pictures that enhance the photos. If you are an avid photographer, this may not be necessary for you. Just remember that selfie sticks are banned from within the parks!

About Christy Caby

I am a diehard Disney fanatic! I fell in love with all things Disney from an early age and that only increased once I first visited Walt Disney World! It led me to complete a yearlong Disney College Program working at merchandise locations within Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Disney-MGM Studios at that time) and I worked for Disney Parks & Resorts Technology in Project/Program Management. Now I get to write about Disney and help others plan their magical vacations! Disney holds a special place in the hearts of my entire family as my husband proposed there, we honeymooned there, took trips while pregnant with each of my boys and have visited with them many, many times from 8 weeks old through now. One of my favorite memories from each trip is always the look on my kids’ faces the first time they see the castle. I’d love to help you plan your magical vacation! Request a free quote at http://magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/christy-caby/ or look for me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christy.caby. Have a magical day!