Disney after Divorce

     After the emotional trials and tribulations of a divorce that you and your kids have endured, one of the best ways to unwind and reestablish that important bond is to plan a family vacation. Ask almost any kid to describe their dream vacation, and chances are the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will be at the top of their list. As a single parent, however, affording a Disney vacation can be a challenge. Plus, planning the perfect trip can be a time-consuming process. After all, everyone wants to experience the magic of a Disney vacation, without having to go into serious debt in the process.

If you’re a single parent traveling with kids or teens, the following five strategies will help you save time and money when planning your Disney World vacation: 

1. Book early.
Book your airfares at least 14 to 21 days in advance. During peak travel times, which include school vacation periods - such as winter break (Thanksgiving through New Years) and spring break - the lowest airfares sell out well in advance. Once those discounted seats are gone, airline ticket prices will double or triple, so make your reservations as far in advance as possible. In addition to shopping for low airfares on the popular online travel sites, be sure to check with the discount airlines, like JetBlue, Southwest and AirTran, separately. If you’re using an online travel website to make your reservations (which is typically the cheapest way to go), you can often save extra money by booking your airfare, hotel and rental car simultaneously, especially if you’re planning to stay off of Disney property.  

2. Seek out special deals.
Directly From Disney If you want to stay at one of the more than 20 on-property Disney resorts which are known for providing top-notch service and hospitality, plus offer multiple perks (like extended theme park hours and free bus transportation to and from the Orlando airport and around Disney’s property during your stay), choose a property that’s within your budget.

The WDWInfo.com Web site, which refers to itself as “The Internet's Largest Unofficial On-Line Guide to Walt Disney World”, reports, “If there are more than four of you traveling, there are some Disney World resorts where you cannot be accommodated in a single guestroom. Disney doesn’t do rollaways and are very strict when it comes to room occupancy. The exception is a child under the age of three who can sleep in a Pack ‘n’ Play Crib.”

The Disney Value Resorts include four themed resort properties that start at about $82 per night. Each room has a four-person capacity, but living space within the rooms is very limited. These are more basic, no-frills guestrooms that are clean and comfortable, but designed for budget-minded travelers. Between November 11-15 and December 9-13, Disney Value Resort rooms can be reserved for as little as $59 per night, if you book directly with Walt Disney Travel Company (407-939-7543) and mention promotional code CCF. Disney’s moderately priced resorts start at around $145 per night. Some are within walking distance to at least one theme park, and all offer more on-property amenities and activities than the Value properties.

The deluxe Disney resorts offer four-star accommodations in a luxury and themed setting. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (priced from $215 per night), for example, overlooks a 33-acre wildlife reserve, so it’s common for wild giraffes, zebras and other animals to be seen up-close from the guestrooms. Disney’s Contemporary Resort (priced from $259 per night) is another favorite amongst kids and teens, because the famous Disney monorail travels right through this hotel and Disney characters can often be met in the lobby or restaurants. Another option is to stay at one of the Disney “Deluxe Villa” resorts (priced starting at $279 per night). Instead of traditional guestrooms, these offer more apartment-like accommodations, complete with multiple bedrooms and a kitchenette.

Expect to pay higher resort prices during peak travel periods. However, to save money, be on the lookout for special promotions offered directly from Disney. For example, for less than $1,600, Walt Disney Travel Company is currently offering a six night/seven day vacation package, including accommodations at one of the Disney Value Resorts, plus theme park tickets for two adults, one junior and one child. This promotional package does not include airfares. For the remainder of 2007, it’s only available from November 25 to December 19, plus theme park tickets are only good for one park per day (with no park-hopping privileges). Multi-day theme park passes can be purchased at a slight discount online at www.Disneyworld.com, or from your local Disney Store.

Don’t bother upgrading your tickets to the “park hopper” option, unless you plan to visit multiple Disney theme parks in a single day. You’ll be able to maintain a more relaxed pace if you focus on one theme park per day. When traveling with young kids, plan on spending at least two full days (or longer) within The Magic Kingdom theme park. Teens will enjoy the Disney/MGM Studios (soon to be renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios in January 2008), plus the thrill rides at Epcot (like Mission: Space and Test Track). When staying at a Disney on-property resort, no rental car is typically needed, since guests can use the free buses, water taxis and monorail transportation throughout the resort, and to get to and from the theme parks. For details about travel deals offered directly from Disney, call (407) 939-7774, or visit the official Disney World web site at www.DisneyWorld.com.