Affordable Disney Vacation Transportation Tips
Anyone planning a visit to Walt Disney World will be determining, at some point, the best way to get there, and how to get around once you are there. If you want to do this as economically as possible, you will need to do some research and planning, but rest assured that it is possible to plan your transportation to have a quite affordable Disney vacation.
Most people choose flying as their transportation of choice, but keep in mind that booking the very best rate will require you to plan ahead and start looking at least 4 months before your trip, when rates are typically at their lowest. After that, be persistent and check rates on a regular basis to see if they drop: often at around 6-8 weeks they will. However, within the final 2 weeks, the opposite occurs and rates will be at a premium, so make sure to book as early as you can.
If possible, try to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for the cheapest fares, and avoid Friday and Sunday nights, as they are typically the most expensive. By registering with each airline's website, you may get special email offers. You may also want to look at nearby airports like Tampa, Jacksonville, and even the smaller Sanford for cheaper airfare. You may also have this option for your home airport, so see if you can get a better price if you can.
Folks along the East Coast may want to consider taking the train as a fun transportation option for your affordable Disney vacation. If you do this, you will have several options for both trains as well as seats/accommodations. On Amtrak's basic trains, there will be a number of stops along the way, so be sure to look at the estimated travel time on the train schedule. Or you can take the Amtrak Autotrain, which travels between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. On this train you can take your car with you, and arrive in Florida ready to drive away.
On every train, you will be able to choose whether you want to purchase just a seat...the least expensive option...or get an entire compartment, which can be very fun. With a seat, you will want to make sure you are comfortable sleeping upright for the entire night. And you should know that it is possible to actually get a compartment for a very affordable price, if you plan ahead.
Most of the time, if you drive, you will probably save money, although with rising gas prices, make sure you compare the cost of several tanks of gas (and possibly a night in a motel along the way) with the cost of airfare. You will also save money on other things as well. By driving, you won't need a rental car. And having your car will allow you to pack things like food, snacks etc. Plus, if you are bringing little ones, bringing your own stroller will save you the cost of renting one while at Walt Disney World.
How will you get around once you arrive at Disney World? If staying on Walt Disney World property, you will have access to their free Magical Express bus service that travels between Orlando Airport and all the Disney resort properties. And you will also be able to use Disney transportation...buses, boats, and monorails...to get from your hotel to the parks and back.
But if you are staying off property or plan to venture off Disney property to other theme parks, then you will probably want to rent a car. There are a number of rental car companies at the Orlando airport, and to get the best price possible you should check the rental companies' rates on a regular basis. You can also register for the "preferred renter" option on each website in order to get money-saving discounts. When you see a good rate, go ahead and book it: if you get a better one later on, there is no penalty for cancellation. This is an area where persistence will definitely pay off in money savings.
Travel to Disney World can be much less expensive than you might expect, if you are able to do some research and planning. And by saving money on your transportation, you will find that you can actually have a far more affordable Disney vacation than you might expect. It is said that the journey is half the fun: why not make that journey fun, and affordable?
