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Mom and daughter on Expedition Everest; Animal Kingdom
  • On Sep 7, 2011
    Allan from NJ Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi Moms! My boyfriend and I just booked a trip to WDW for Dec 30-Jan3rd. We are college seniors, 21 and he will be 22 at time of trip.What things should we plan for this time of yr? Any special celebrations? Also, we r trying 2 be cost efficient. Any tips?

    First, you need to plan on WDW being very busy! You will most definitely encounter crowds and waits, so be prepared for that with patience and a good sense of humor.

    Whichever park you wish to be in for New Year's Eve, you should plan on arriving early in the morning and staying all day - no leaving for naps or swimming. Parks often fill to capacity and have to turn away guests attempting to enter later in the day, so arrive early and stay put.

    Consider a subscription to TouringPlans or TourGuideMike for assistance in making the most of your days in Disney at a busy time. Yes, there is a cost, but its worth it!

    Budget tips:

    • Bring your own quick breakfast foods and eat in your room before you hit the parks. Granola bars, pop tarts, instant oatmeal...
    • In fact, you're welcome to bring a picnic lunch with you into the parks! If you're staying in a resort with a fridge in your room you could have groceries delivered and eat entirely from your own stores.
    • If you are eating in the parks, look at portion sizes. Some are quite large and could easily be split between two people. At Cosmic Ray's in the Magic Kingdom, for example, the 1/2 rotisserie chicken and 1/2 rack of BBQ ribs meal is plenty of food for two.
    • Don't buy park hoppers. They're great, but also an easy thing to cut. Opt for regular Magic Your Way tickets and save money.
    • Bring your own ponchos. They are expensive in the parks, and if it rains you will want them. At home you can buy disposables two for $1 at your local dollar store.
    • Drink water! Better for you anyway, and free. At $2ish dollars per soda, that can save you quite a bit over the course of your trip.
    • Be choosy with souvenirs. Look around for a day or two to get a feel for what's available before you decide what you really want, so you don't waste money buying numerous 'lesser' trinkets.
    Have a wonderful vacation!
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Meet the Panelist: Heather, Kentucky

I'm a member of the original 2008 Moms Panel and am happy to be back again to help you plan! We are DVC members who visit 2-3 times per year with our 3 young daughters, and I am only one visit away from being able to say I've stayed in every Disney resort! Learn More About Heather

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