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Family Vacation (1)

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Family Vacation (1)

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  1. HOWTOBUDGET A FAMILYVACATION

  2. TABLEOFCONTENTS Introduction Saving for Your Vacation Beginning Your Vacation Plan Getting There AreWeThereYet? Lodging All Inclusives Transportation Eating Well on a Travel Budget GeneralInformation DisneyWorld CruisetheOpenSeas Let’s Go To Vegas HistoryTour South Dakota DudeRanches Camping ThreeWell-KeptSecrets MexicanBeaches Rocky Mountains EuropeonaShoestring GeneralVacationTips The Internet is Your Best Friend Conclusion 3 5 7 10 14 16 20 21 25 28 33 38 41 42 44 44 45 48 50 51 52 54 57 58

  3. INTRODUCTION Thefamilyvacationhas beenportrayed inmany ways. FromNationalLampoon’s“Vacation”showingthetrialsand tribulations oftheGriswoldfamilytryingto getto“Wally World”to“The Great Outdoors”withJohnCandyandhis familyrentingout a cabinin thewoods onlytoencounter a meddlingbear.Family vacationsinthemedia seemtobe one thinggoingwrongafteranother. Butinreal life,thefamilyvacation isatimetobond together as a family unit and enjoy newfound times of closeness while exploringnewadventuresandlocales.The memories you can makeon thesevacationswillstay with youfor yearsandgiveyourchildrenspecialmomentsthey’ll treasure forever. Youcanchoosetodrivecrosscountry andseethe quirky roadsideattractionssuchasthelargestball of yarnor the cornmuseum.Somedon’tlook at this asa true vacation.Afterall,being stuckinacar forthe majorityof the trip canbreedsomerealfamily strife! You could also book a family cruise or fly to Mexico to spend time at a resort, but this can get pricey, and with all the activities they have for children, some parents fear the bondingtheywerelooking forwardtowon’t happen. For thefamily ona budget,thenotionof a memorable and fun-filled vacation may seem out of reach.That’s simply not true, however.There are many, many ways you canhavea terrificfamilyvacationwhileonabudget.You don’thavetosacrificefun becauseoflackof money.There are allkindsof vacationsthatcanbehadwithinalmost every budget. ClicktoURLformoreinformation

  4. While travelingisgood for theeconomy and foryour soul,itcanbehardonyourwallet.Infact, AAA estimates that afamilyoffour shouldbudgetatleast$244 perday for meals, lodgingandautomobiletravelcosts.Andthatfigure doesn’tincludethestaple of familyvacations— entertainment.Asusual,thebest waytokeepthecosts downis toplan ahead andmakeinformeddecisions. Buthow doyoustart?Youstartwithfamilyinput,a surveyof your resources,and a well-thought out plan.We’ll not onlyshowyouhowtodothateasily,butwe’llalsogive you allkinds ofideas for familyvacations andways thatyou canmake themaffordableandfun! Always dreamed of goingto DisneyWorld?You can! Think the Caribbean is out of reach?It’s not!We’ve compiledtheadviceand suggestionsfrommany vacation expertsand added some ofourown experiencesas wellto give you thiscomprehensiveguidetotaking a family vacationon a budget! We’llshow you differentways tosavemoney on airfare,hotels,transportation,andeating.We’llalso give you some great specific ideas for family vacations that won’t breakthebank alongwithsome suggestions tohelp you save money and time in general while on your family getaway. Whetherit’s a summertrip,springbreak jaunt,or winteringin thetropics,you’llbeable toplan yourdream vacation without breaking the bank.You’ll get maximum fun without sacrificing every penny of your hard earned dollars – and you may even come back with a little extra to save for thatnext vacation! Whatareyouwaiting for?Read on!

  5. SAVINGFORYOURVACATION Therearemanyeffective waystosave for yourfamily vacation.Whenyou spend40hoursa weekslavingatyour job, you deserve to havesometimeto get away fromthe ratrace,relax,and enjoy yourfamily. Unlessyou’reindependently wealthy,you’llneedaplan forsavingupthemoneyyouneed.Whilethismayseem likeasimpleproposition,somepeoplefinditdifficulttolay aside some money each pay period.The key here is discipline. Open up a separate savings account specificallymeant for your vacation money.If your employer offers direct deposit,youcanusuallyspecify acertainamountof money beputintothisaccount.Somebanks willschedule an automatic direct transfer to your savings account if you don’thavedirectdepositorifyouarenot abletodeposit moneyintotwoseparateaccounts. Examine the amount of money your family spends weeklyor monthly on familyentertainmentandfastfood restaurants.Then reducethatamount,storingthe remainderawayforyourtrip.Sothata pendingvacation doesn'tbecomea joy-buster,shoparound forfreebie and reduced-costentertainmentoptionsto enjoy duringthe monthsbeforeyoudepart. Another good way to save up money is to save your change.When you use cash,resolvetoonly usepaper money.Thentakethechangeyoureceive andput it aside at theendof every day.You’llbe surprisedathowquicklyit canbuildup. Onefamilyreportedthattheykepta “vacationjar”ina convenientplace and each family memberwoulddeposit change andtheoccasionaldollarbill intoit.When they

  6. emptied thejarandhadit counted,theyhad managed to save $5,000 – enough for them to enjoy a tropical getaway to GrandCayman Island! While you may nothavethatmuch in yourchangejar, emptying it at vacation time can mean extra spending money orthatlittleboostyouneedto go on yourdream vacation. Be sureandinvolveyourkidsinthesavingventure. This is a great time to teach the valuable lessons of saving and budgetingmoney. Look for other ways to add extra cash to the vacation coffer.Onefamily weknowwouldsavealuminumcansand taketheminto therecyclingplantperiodically forcash. Throughoutthe course ofa year,theymanagedto accumulate an extra $1,000 for theirvacation. Youcouldhavearummagesaletoearn extravacation cashas well.Thereareplenty ofopportunitiesoutthereto add toyourvacationsavings.Youjustneedtothinkoutside of the box andresolvethatanyextra cashyouget willgo toward yourfamily vacation. Youneedtobudgetrealistically.Vacationsneednotbe expensive.Budgetan amountandstick toit.If you're driving,set a fixedspending amount($150 perday, for example).Include allofyour expenses,gas,meals, admissions,specialactivities,etc. Involve your childrenintheprocess.Sharewiththem thatconservingmoneyon oneday allowsthemtogo to a waterpark on anotherday.Be creative. To save money, you can eat only one meal in a restaurant per day. For the other two, prepare your own food andeither eat in thehotelroomorhave a picnic.Take

  7. turnslettingthekidschoosethetypeof food—and, if you are really adventurous, the restaurant—each day. This way, thechildrenfeelimportant anditminimizesarguments. A good point to also keep in mind when determining how much youcan afford to spendon avacationisto be sure that you consider other periodic expenses that may be waiting for youwhen you return,suchasback-to-school costs,holiday expenses and nextyear’s taxes. That’swhy wehighlyrecommendaseparateaccount foryourvacationsavings.Thatwayyouhaveyourvacation money separate fromyoureverydaymoneyandwon’thave to stress about “robbing Peter to pay Paul” when you get home fromyourtrip! The next keytoa successfulgetawayona budgetis to plan. BEGINNING YOUR VACATION PLAN The first thing you must do is plan early.Spontaneity works well for day trips, but is not as effective for longer jaunts. By planningearly,youwill findcheaperfaresand more availableaccommodations. Youcanalsohavetheopportunityto save any additionalfundsyou mightneed, perhapsinclude extended invitationstootherfamilymembers,andgettogetherallthe paperwork youmight needif travelingabroad. While planning, it’s a good idea to stay flexible in your desires.Flexibility equals maximum pleasure for everyone. Thisisespeciallytrueifyou havespecialneedsduetoa

  8. disability or are taking along teens and children who will wantto dodifferentthings. Get yourchildreninvolvedtoo.Thiswillnot onlymake themmuchmoreenthusiasticaboutthetrip,but theycan providetheirinputintowhattypesof activitiestheywantto do and whattypes of activitiesthey’dliketo do as a family. They’ll be muchmore excitedwhentheyarefullyinvolved in decidingwherethefamilywillbevacationing, sobesureto get theiropinionstoo. You probably already have some kind of idea as to whatyou’llbeableto affordwhentaking a vacation.If you do have a specific numberinmind,thismakesitmuch easier to pick out a destination.You can research what’s available in your price range and choose the trip that will best fityourfamily. If you don’t have a specific number in mind, make a list ofyourdreamvacations.Includethoseplacesyou’ve alwayswantedtogo aswellasplacesyouthinkwould fitthe personalities of yourfamily.Seewhatthesetypesof vacationswillcost,andthen pick the oneyouthinkyoucan save for or affordto takerightaway. TheInternet isanindispensabletooltodothis.There are many travel websitesthatoffer vacationpackagesfor specificdestinations.Here are somehighly suggested by the experts: www.expedia.com www.orbitz.com www.cheaptickets.com www.travelocity.com When youusethesesites,they can give you best pricesforvariousdestinations,buttheycanalsoprovide valuablesuggestions for whereyoucan go aswell as

  9. activitiesthatareavailableand ratingsfrom othertravelers who havetakenthesamevacations. Youcanalsouse: www.priceline.com Price line often allows you to name a price you’re willingtopayforflights,hotels,etc.,butyouhave totake what theyofferyou if theyacceptyour price.Forexample, you may be willing topay$100 fora $200 airline flight,but theymayacceptyour priceonlyifyou’rewillingtotakethe redeye in the middle of the night. If this is something you can livewith,byallmeans,bookit!Justbeflexible. Doyou detect a themehereinthe planningphase? Flexibilityisthekey! You’llneedtodecideif youwillbeflyingtoyour destinationordriving.Thereare many airlinesthathave cut-rate prices when you fly during certain times. Again, you’llneedtobeflexibleondeparturedatesandtimes. You’llalsoneedtodecideon a timeframefor your vacation.Again,if you areflexibleondeparturedates, you’re more likelytogeta better deal.We realize,however, thatworkconstraintsmightnotallowyou tochangeyour vacation dates, but if possible, it’s best to just have a generalideainstead ofarocksoliddate. Try totravelondays other thanFriday,Saturdayor Sundaywhicharethebusiesttraveldaysoftheweek.You can firm upplanslaterif needed. Onceyou’vegotyourdestinationinmind,you’llneed toconsidera coupleofotherthingsbeforebookingyour trip.

  10. GETTINGTHERE There are many ways to arrive at your vacation destination.Onceupona time,theonlyway a familycould afford a vacation was to load up the car and head out on the road.Howmanyof yourememberthese long trips?I certainlydo!Butyoudon’t necessarily havetodriveto vacation anymore!Thereareall kinds of optionstodaythat are affordableand muchmore enjoyable! Driving If youwillbedriving,gaspriceswillbe a huge consideration.At thetimeof this book’swriting,gas inthe Midwestisrunningjustunder$3.00pergallon.Ifyou’re goingto bedrivingmorethan300miles,depending on the gas mileageof yourvehicle, itwillprobablybecheaperto fly.Wesuggestthatyoudriveonlyifyou aregoingto a locationthatisn’ttoo veryfar from your home. Therecanbehugeadvantages,however,todriving. Youwon’thavetoworryasmuchaboutdates andtimes. Youcanjustpack upandgo.There’ssomethingtobesaid for seeingthe countryoutthewindows ofa car. It canbe alearningexperiencefor yourchildrenas theygettoseethebeautifulnationtheylivein.Thisis a goodtimetofosterconversationwithyourfamily as well. When there’s not much else to do along the way, tell each other stories,shareyourthoughtsandmemorieswiththem. You’llall learn somuchifyoudo! The nextsectionexploresspecificwaystomakecar travelon vacation not only bearable,butenjoyable!

  11. Flying Withairlinescompetingforbusinesstoday,airtravelis moreaffordablethan it oncewas.Booking early forairfare will save you a lot of money.Booking ahead is important to getting a fairrate. Family travel is centeredaroundschoolholidays, makingspaceata premium.Thefartheroutyoubook,the better your chancesthatyouwill get whatyouwant.It's a question of supply and demand. When demand is high, pricesarehigh.It is suggestedyou try toplantripsten months to a year in advance, so you get what you want and don'tfeel likeyouhaveto settleforwhat you canget. You’llprobably findthebestdealsonlineat one ofthe siteswementionedabove.They’reeasily navigableandyou cangetinstantavailabilityreportsalongwithalternative suggested routes. When booking airfare online, don’t overlook discount and internationalairlines—someare notlistedon the big travelportal websites, eventhoughtheymighthave alower fare toyourdestination.Alsobesuretocompareratesfor alternateairports withina reasonabletravelingdistance. You might live half an hour from a major airport, but the smaller airport a couple hours away might have substantially lowerfares.Checkforalternateairportsnear yourdestination, too. Beflexibleabout yourarrivalanddeparture dates;the major travel portalsallhaveoptionstosearch for the cheapest flights within a range of dates. Any one of these alternativescouldpotentiallysaveyouhundredsofdollars.

  12. Many creditcardcompaniesofferfrequentflier miles when you usetheircardsfor purchases.Thisisagreat way tosaveon airtravel bytakingadvantage of thisservice. • Use yourcreditcardforalmosteverypurchaseyou make thencashinatvacationtime.Itcouldmeanfree airfare for youand your family! • Of course,itcouldalsomeanlargecreditcardbills and unpaidbalances, sospendwisely.Only usethecard for things you would purchase normally – not on extravagant itemsjust togetthemileage. • Don’t throw away your junk mail!Sometimes inside thosecouponpackages,there willbediscountsfor airtravel. Onepersonalmostthrewaway her Val-Pak envelope,but decidedtogo throughitjustincasetherewasanythingin thereshecoulduse.Lo andbehold,there wasa certificate for $100 off travelwith adiscountairline.Thecouponwas good for up to 4 tickets, so each member of her family flew to Florida for just$54 eachroundtrip! • Finally,youcangoto a travelagenttobook yourflight. Theyareveryknowledgeableabouttheairlinebusinessand canoften saveyoutons of cashifyouletthemknowthatis your biggestpriority.They’llgive you freerate quotes as well, so when you call, you can see if a flight will fit into your budgetedplan. • Here are somevaluabletipstohelpyousave on airfare whenbookingyourself: • Airlinesusually reloadtheircomputers at midnight,so assoonafterthataspossibleis a goodtimetoshop online forlow cost seats that folksmighthave reservedbut notpaid for. • When one airline announces a sale to a particular destination,chancesaretheotherswillsoon

  13. follow suit, so be on the lookout and call or click around. • Use the internet to search out last minute bargain weekend fares. Most airlines' websites have a place wheredrasticallyreducedweekendfares are available.StartcheckingonWednesday for the weekend ahead. • Trains • Many,many songshavebeenwrittenaboutthe • country’s love for trains and the rail system. Most of them, however,areabout hoppinga freighttrainboundfor Georgia orsome otherunseemlywaytotravel.Traintravel isn’tlike thatanymore. • Today’strainsareluxury vehiclesthatrival many airplanes.Theyprovideforroomy seats, diningcars,club cars, andevensleepingberthsfor reallylongtrips.Thebest partis,theseconveniencesdon’talwayscomeat apremium price. • Amtrak, thecountry’s major trainservice offers up many,many discountplansforbudgetsavvytravelers. Sinceit’s a family vacation,we assume youwillprobably have childrenalong.If thesepassengersareage15 or under, theygettotravelathalf price. • You can also find money saving coupons in mailings and online.Allyouhave to doislook around.Anddon’t • forget to ask fordiscounts!If youdon’task,theyprobably won’t be offered up to you eventhoughtheymightbe • available,sotakeamomentwhenbookingandsay,“Can youget thatrateanylower?”

  14. Long cartripsarelong andstoried in family vacation history.Thetalesaboundandgrowlarger witheachtelling as eachfamily memberrecountsthehorrendousstoryof the 18 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Is there any way to make thevacationdriveeasier?Youbet! AREWETHEREYET? When vacationseasonapproaches,many familiesplan totaketothe road inordertoescapethestressofthedaily grind.A poorlyplannedfamilyroad-tripcanbeagreater sourceoffrustration than many familiesrealize. Unfortunately,thesefamiliestend to encounterthis frustration halfway into the vacation, at a time when little can bedonetoremedyit.The level ofstressduringthetrip isindirectproportiontothequality of planningdonebefore pulling outof thedriveway. It can be sodisappointingtomaketravelplansinorder topromotefamily 'togetherness' only toget tothe destinationwithparentsandchildrenat eachothers'throats. Butwhenparentsdiscoverhowsimpleplanningcanmake thetripfun andmemorable,thedifference inthe qualityof theactualvacationismeasurable.Havingtherighttools on theroadcanmakeallthedifferencebetweenthesuccess and failure of theactualvacation. First,taketimetoplot outa tripthatincludes pre- plannedrest stops,a cooler ofrefreshments(toavoidhigh- priced rest stop and fast food prices), music and books on tape,andlots ofactivities for thekidsin theback. Keep everyone occupied with Ghost, 20 Questions, Punch Buggyand LicensePlateBingo,thentry ascavenger hunt,a tinfoilsculpturecontest and Penny Ante.

  15. Try leaving for your trip at a time other than in the morning or mid-afternoon.Youmayevenwanttoleave in the early or late evening.There’ssomethingtobesaidfor thelullof theroadtoput bickeringkidstosleep.Just be sure thedriverisabletostay awake! Borrow an idea from the airlines: show a movie. Rent (orbuy) a TV/VCR madetoplayin your vehicle,hit"play" and go.PortableDVD playersare more affordablethese days and theycanbe alifesaveron a longtrip! Make goodie bags for your kids to keep them occupied on thelongtrip.Forthebagitself, useanoldbookbag or backpack,lunchbox,shoppingbag,small suitcase or a small purse.The lengthof thetripmayendupdeterminingthe appropriatesize of thetravelknapsack.If you are traveling byplane,try to usesomethingthat closes tightlytoavoid spills. Make sure you have a separate bag for each child to avoid arguments. You might want to consider labeling items withthechild'sname forextra certainty.Fillbagswiththe same items if your children are near in age or have similar interests. Some suggestions for items to include are: spiral notebook, coloredpencils,washablemarkers,storybooks, activitybooks,magneticgames,cardgames,travel-size board games, kazoo, hand held electronic games, sticker books,non-meltingcrayons,coloringbooks,Mad-Libs, magnifyingglass,paperdolls,magicslates,invisible ink books, smallcars,fingerpuppets,smalldolls/actionfigures, feltbookswithstick-ons, blunt scissors,sewingcards, puzzles,pipecleaners,slinky,origamipaper,books on tape, anda tape player orCD player and headphones. Let yourchildhelp youpackthe bagandencourage him/ herto thinkaboutwhathe/ she wantsto takeonthe trip.Allowyourchildrentochoose theirfavoritetoysto

  16. placeintheknapsack.Do not forgettopackyourchild's security items such as a blanket or stuffed animal. That could surely spelldisaster. You maywishtoincludesnacksto tideyourchildren over betweenmeals.Choosesnacks carefully toavoid messes and stomach aches. Avoid stickyfruitsanddrinks that you cannot re-close and pack snacks in zipper bags for easy clean-up. Some travel-safe snacks are: fruit rolls, animalcrackers,raisins,bottledwater,slicedapples,carrot sticks, bananas,and smallbagsof cereal. Once you’ve figuredouthow togettoyourdestination, you’llneed aplaceto stay. LODGING Thereareallkinds of questionsto ask whenlooking for suitablelodgingonyourvacation.Whattypeofhoteldo you want to stay in?Does it have to have a pool? What about courtesyvans?Doesithavetobeahotel?Thereare many,many options out theretokeepyourvacationbudget inline and stillhave aplace tolay yourhead! Most savvy budgettravelersrecommend a hotelthat offersup a kitchen or kitchenette.Thiscansave youahuge amount of money on meals.Having a kitchen when you’re vacationingwithkidscanbeinvaluable.Oftenthecostona per personbasiscan be well worththetimeittakesto cook up some of your own meals. Families should considercondominium-style accommodations astheseareoftencomparable in pricetoa fine hotel (and even less than the cost of two rooms), and give you the luxury of a spacious apartment with a full- kitchenandamenitieslike laundrymachines- anicefeature when youhaveyoungchildren.Other"non-traditional"

  17. lodgingsinclude furnished apartments, houseswapsor rentingavilla. If youprefertominglewiththe localsratherthanother tourists, look into a home exchange vacation. One couple spent theireight-weekhoneymoontouringEurope without ever staying in a hotel; instead, they stayed in private homes while their European hosts stayed in their New York Cityapartment. Sound risky? Maybe—but tens of thousands of people have exchanged homes since the 1950s. For an annual membershipfee (usuallyaround$50),home exchangeclubs helpmembersarrangeexchanges,aswellasofferingtipsto make theexchange go smoothly. According to ExchangeHomes.com, a home exchange cancut travelcostsby asmuchashalf.Moreimportantly, though,a homeexchangevacationmakesitpossiblefor you tolivelike the locals,andperhaps makesomelife-long friends. In a slight twist on the home exchange idea, look into joining a hospitalityclubthatwill hook youupwithpeople willingto hostyou onyour nextvacation.The largest hospitality club has more than 23,000 members in 148 countries. Membershipisusuallyfree,althoughmembersare askedtoprovide hospitalitytoothers(on a voluntarybasis) inreturn sometime inthefuture. In additiontosaving money, staying with others is a great way to meet locals whocan giveaninsider’sperspective onyourdestination. Now this next suggestion might seem a little off the wall, but if saving money is your ultimate goal, it might be something youwillwanttoconsider.Stayinamonastery or aconvent.

  18. Monasteries and convents have a long tradition of providinghospitalityto travelers. Asidefrombeing alot more interesting (andaffordable) thanthelocalHolidayInn, amonasterycanbeagreatplacetoexploreyourspiritual landscape. Many monasteries andconventsask foradonationof $40 to$80pernight;othersonlyaskfora free-willoffering. In additiontosimpleaccommodations, monasteriesand conventsoften offertheirguestssimplemeals aswellas opportunitiestoparticipateindailyprayerandwork. Reservations may berequiredinadvance. Youcanresearchthis vacationideabylookingup individualmonasteries orconventsonline.Orgeta guidebook such as “Europe's Monastery and Convent Guesthouses: A Pilgrim's Travel Guide” or “Sanctuaries: The CompleteUnited States:AGuidetoLodgingsinMonasteries, Abbeys, and Retreats.” Youshouldconsiderbooking a hoteloutsidethe main part of townbutstillclosetothe sights youwant tosee.By stayingawayfromthemore popularhotelsrightinthe middle of the action, you’ll have a better chance of not only saving money, but also getting accommodations at the time youwant them. Know whatyouarebuying,though.Sometimesyou can savemoneybyspending alittlemore.Forexample, if lodgingincludes breakfastorhasan indoorpool,orhas a better location that will cut down on the time and expense of travelingto theattractionsyou'reinterested in;theextra expensemay bewellworthit. Be aware of amenities that may be extra prices hidden in theprice of theroom.Forexample,the hotelmay

  19. provideaturn-downservicefor$x.xxandsayit’sincluded in theroomrate.If you don’twantturndownservice,askit beremovedfrom yourroomrate.Notallhotelsdothis,but it neverhurtstoask! Many people look for a place near the attractions they want tovisit so thatbiking orwalkingcan bethemode of transportation.Itcanbenicetonot bedependentona vehicle toget you from placetoplace. Also, ask if there are any discounts available.Some hotels havechildren stay freepolicies orwilloffer50 percent offa secondroom for children 17and under.If you’re a member ofan organization,askifthey offer any discounts. Belonging to a motor club like AAA can save you money too. They often work with hotels to give their members value for their dues. Although we’ll address ways to save on your meals in a later chapter, you might also want to find a hotel that offers a complimentarycontinental breakfast. Werecently stayedin a hotelthatsaid freecontinental breakfastandexpectedtheusualbagels,toast,andcold cereal.Werewesurprisedto find thattheirideaof continental breakfastincludedeggscookedany way you wanted,bacon, sausage,pancakes,biscuitsandgravyall in abuffetstylesetting. Thiswriterwasblown away andleft thebuffettfull – to besure!Wedidn’thaveto buylunchbecausewe werestill fullfrombreakfast, sothatsavedussome money!Wejust thought“WooHoo!”

  20. ALLINCLUSIVES We’ve addressed each of the most important aspects so far inyourfamilyvacationplan, but weneedtoaddress a HUGEmoneysavertoyounow–especiallyif you’retaking along children. Almost allresortswill offer youan all- inclusivepackagewhichcanmeanbigbucksin thesaving department! These packages may just be while you’re at their hotel, or they couldincludeairfare and transfersaswell.You’ll have to doyourresearch andfind out whatis bestforyou. An all-inclusivepackageata resortwillmeanthatall your meals, drinks, and gratuities are included in the price ofyour room.Soyou’llhave a placetostay, aplacetoeat, and aplace toparty if youso choose– allforoneprice! No need toworryaboutbudgetingfor dinnerora nightout!It’s allincluded! With these types of plans, however, you’ll need to get to your destination at your own expense for which we refer youto the abovesection titled“GettingThere”. However,thereareotherall-inclusive plansthatinclude airfare,transportationtoandfromtheairporttothehotel, and thentheythrow inthemeals,drinks, etc.withtheprice as well.This,wethink,wouldbe thebesttypeofall- inclusivetobookbecausethenyoudon’thavetoworry about budgeting for anything except for excursions, admission fees,andsouvenirs. All-inclusives are a great way to save money on vacation.Withanall-inclusive,youknow up frontwhat you're payingforand there arenosurprises.Whenyougo someplaceelse,everythingaddsup.

  21. There can be drawbacks, however.One of these is that theymay only offera flight outofMiamiand youlivein Albany,NewYork.You’llhavetogettoMiamitocatchyour flight,butyouwillprobablystillrealizesome hugesavingsin thelong run. TRANSPORTATION If your plan is to go beyond your place of lodging – whichitprobablywillbe– you’llneedtoconsideroutside transportation. These are a matter of taste and what is mostimportanttoyouintheareaof convenienceandprice. You maylike havingyourown carto beableto gowhere you pleasewhenyouplease, butthatcanbeexpensive. Thereareotheroptions. RentalCars Ifyoudowantto rentacar,thereareacoupleof thingstokeep inmind.Whenprocuringa rental car,getthe smallestone thatyourfamily canfitintocomfortably. There’s no need to spend extra money on luxury when an economy carwillstillget you towhereyouneedtogo. You’ll have to decide on whether or not you want to buy therental insuranceoffered bythecompany.Wewon’t tellyouone wayor anotherbecausethereareadvantages and disadvantageseitherway. If youarecomfortable enoughwithdriving and feelyou can becareful enough to avoidany accidents thenwaivethe insurance.Youmay wantto checkwithyourown auto insurance plan beforeyouleavetoseeif youarecovered under thatpolicywhileyou’reoperatinga rentalcar.

  22. However,keepinmindthat accidentscananddo happendespiteourbestefforts.Any ofyou who’veseenthe movie,“MeetTheFockers”,knowwhat I’mtalkingabout! If youwant to takethechanceandwaivethat insurance,rememberthatanydamagestothe rentalcarwill come out of your own pocket.Often the cost for this insuranceisrelativelyminimal,soitmightbeworthpeaceof mind–at thevery leastto go ahead andinitialthat line. Rental car agenciesvary widelyinpriceandoffera great opportunity fornegotiating. Youcan savehundredsof dollarsbycheckingthevariouslocationsina town.Oftenit ismuch cheapertopick up a carawayfrom theairport. If you work for a company that has a corporate account withcertainagencies,theyoftenhonorthe discountrates when youtravel for leisure. Checkalldiscountsofferedfor AAA,AARP,weekendrentals,etc. Theyhave lotsofroomto negotiate,sojust keep askingwhat discounts youcould qualifyfor. Use discountsofferedintheEntertainmentbook. When you pick upyourvehicle,manycompanieswillupgrade you to amuch nicercar for thesamerateif youlearn toask with anice smile.Check out thepeople behindthecounter,and wait for one that appears to be more friendly and easier to work with. HotelCourtesyVans Many hotels doprovide courtesy vans for theirguests tousefortransportationwhenstayingattheirhotel.Thisis a great amenity and one that should be used if it is available.Each hotel is different about their policies regardinguseoftheirvans,however,soyoushouldcheck withthefrontdesk uponcheck-into seewhat theirsis.

  23. Often,youjustneedtoinformthefront desk thatyou’ll need a vantogoto,say,alocalrestaurant,andtheywillbe waitingoutsidethelobby foryoutotake you toyour destination.At thattime,youcanprobablyletthedriver know what timeyou want tobepickedup andtheywill return tobring youback tothehotel. However,hotelcourtesy vansARE NOT taxicabs.They are a serviceprovidedbythehotelfortheconvenience of theirguests,sotheyshouldbe usedwiselylest you makea conciergeangrybyinviting15 peopleyoumet ata barto comealong for theride and then askingthevan todrop them offin 15 differentplaces! Otherhotelshavesettimesfordeparturefromthe hotelandsetdrop-offpointsthatarepre-determinedaround the location where you are staying. In this capacity, they almostoperatelike a busservice.Be there on time andyou geta ride–ifyou’relate,calla cab! Thebestpartabout thesecourtesyvansis thatthey are freetouseaslongasyou area guestatthehotel.This certainlyis a greatway to savemoneyon vacation! LocalBuses Well,thissectionisgoingtobeshort!You can also utilize thelocal busservice of thecity youarestayingin. What’s theadvantage?It’scheap! What’sthe disadvantage?Itcantakequiteawhile for youtoget to yourdestination. When we were in Las Vegas, we utilized the city bus system and had a very good experience. We weren’t on a strict timetableand ifwesawa placewewantedtogetoff thebusandvisit,wecould.Wepurchaseda5 daypassfor unlimitedbusrides for $10 and gottoboardandde-board asmany timesas wewanted.

  24. Sure, wedidn’tgetdowntown rightwhenthelightshow started,butweweredarnclosetothebeginningand a taxi ride would have cost us way over the $10 we initially spent forour buspasses. Taxicabs We’lljustcomerightout andsayit- taxicabsare expensive – bottomline.Yetsometimes,they area necessarily“evil” whenyouaretraveling.If youdohavea schedule you are tryingto stickto,they canbealifesaver gettingyoutotheshowyou havetickets forontimeor the restaurantwhofrowns onpeoplelatefor theirreservations. The key totakingtaxicabsisto tellthedriverupfront where you are going and ask what the estimated fare will be.If it’s within your budget, hop in!If it’s not, you’ll need tofigureoutanotherway togettoyourdestination.That’s the plainandsimpletruth! And cabsareprobably mostexpensive in tropicalor luxury locations. We know of one couple on a Hawaiian cruise who got off at one of the islands and caught a taxicab to go parasailing. Itended up costingthem a smallfortune for aone-way rideonly tofindoutit wastoowindyto parasailthatdayand they had toeat thesame exorbitant fareon the wayback to theship. Find out in advance and have a backup plan, just in case. OtherTransportation If you’re on an island or in a resort town, you may want toconsiderbicycles or scootersfor your transportation

  25. needs.Theycanoftenberentedforasmallamountof money and you getthesatisfaction of gettingsome exercise along withthe localflavor! And, of course, you can always “hoof it”.However, we recommendthis onlyif yourdestinationiscloseenoughto walk to.In theaforementionedLas Vegas trip,wethought itwouldbe fun towalkTheStripand getarealtastefor Vegas.What wedidn’t knowwasthat The Stripwas well over 5 mileslong.By thetime we reached theend,wewere all so exhausted; we called a cab and paid the $25 it took to getus back toourhotel. Alright,youknowyour destinationandhavebooked yourflight.Youknow whichhotelworksbest for youand havemappedoutthedifferent waystovisittheplacesyou want tosee.Whatelse needstobeaddressedin the budget?Food! EATING WELL ON A TRAVEL BUDGET When you'retraveling itcanbedifficulttofindgood food atreasonablepricesespecially ifyou happentobe stayingin a bigcity thathas anestablishedfood and restaurantculture. When you'refacedwith a budget,you want to try and maximize your enjoyment per buck. If you want to eat well and sample the local cuisine for a budget price,you'llneedto doalittleresearchtofindthatperfect restaurantthat offers abalance between qualityand price. Obviously,if you’restayingatanall-inclusive,you won’t needtoworry about thispart,butmany, manypeople needtoconsiderwherethey’regoingtofeedtheirfamily andnot break thebank.

  26. First, check with your hotel or hostel and inquire whetherbreakfast isincludedinyour stay.In Europemany hotels providebreakfast.If you'rehoteldoesprovide breakfast, don't skip it in favor for paying for food elsewhere.Rememberthecontinentalbreakfastwe had? Neverpassupanamenitythat’sincludedinyourroomrate. Hotelandhostel breakfastsarealso a greatway togetto know otherguests. Another option for budget eating is to eat at a chain restaurant thatyou a familiarwith,suchasMcDonald's, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. You can find a McDonald'saboutanywhereworld-wide.Whilethisisn’t recommended for every day, it is a good way to save a little moneywhenyou’relowfor theday.Afterall, youcan eat at McDonald’sathome!Ifyouwanttobecomefamiliarwith the culture of the country you are visiting, eating at a fast food restaurantis nota goodoption. Youcanalsobuygroceriesandmake your ownfood.If youhave a kitchen or kitchenette,this isexcellentfor breakfastsandlunches.It’smuchcheapertopoura bowlof cerealforyourlittleonesinyourroominsteadofgoing down to thediningroomwherethecerealwillbeoverpriced anyway.Pick up some cold cuts and bread and pack a lunch insteadofbuyingtheover-priced hotfoodatthetheme park! Eating one or two meals a day from a street vendor or take-outrestaurantmay alsobe a goodwaytostilleat great, but save some money. Not only will you get a taste of localflavor andculture,but youwillfindthefoodisvery good andreasonably priced! Being friendly with other guests in the hotel, the conciergeandthelocals,isanothergreatwaytodiscover goodfoodthatwon'tbreakthebudget.Askalocal if they know any goodrestaurantsthat aren't tooexpensive.They should beabletocomeup with afewgoodoptionsfor you.

  27. Make sureyouindicatethat youwanttosamplesomelocal cooking. If you're going to splurge at an expensive restaurant, lunchis a goodtimeto do so.You canoften getthesame famousfoodata significantlylowercost.Sincemosthealth experts agreethat eating thelargestmealof theday in the afternoonisa goodidea,you'llbedoingmorethan your pocketbooka favor. Almosteverytownhasalocal“MomandPop”diner thatprovidesbetterthanexcellenthomecookingfornota lot of money.We found one in Florida that offered up an all- you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $4.00 per person and it had everything onityoucouldeverwish foratbreakfast time! Anothergoodwaytofindinexpensiverestaurantsisto alwaysbelooking fora goodplacetoeat.If you're out visiting a touristsite,stopby a fewrestaurantsandread theirmenuswhichareusuallypostedinthewindow.Evenif you are not hungry, you may decide to come back later. You may havebetter luckwiththistechniquewhenyouareinan areaof thecitythat isnotyourstandardtouristdestination. Eating in a sit-down full service restaurant is the most expensive dining option, so if you are really on a budget, you may want to limit the number of full service meals you eat. But don’tforgettospoilyourself. When I was in Boston, I wanted a full-service lobster dinnerwithallthetrimmings.I wantedtobepamperedand enjoya mealIwouldn’tgettohaveathome. Iwent totherestaurantbestknownfor theirdelicious lobsterwhichwasalsowell-known fortheirhighprices. That lobster ate up a large portion of my food budget, but as I ate that tasty lobster, I found it was more than worth the price I paid.

  28. Ifyou'reonabudget,youcanstilleatgreatduring your travels;youjustneedto be awareofallyour food options.Ask aroundwithlocalsforrecommendations.Make sure you knowthepricebeforeyou eat.Mostimportantof all, youshouldtry newthings.Stretchyourboundaries and try something that you would never eat at home. After all isn'tthereasonyoutravel istodiscoversomethingdifferent. If yourhoteloffersa “kidseatfree”planordiscounted mealsfor yourstay,take advantage of thisasmuch as you can, butremember,you’reonvacationtoexperienceyour traveldestination.Thepointis togetoutsideyourhoteland live! Beforewegetintospecificvacationsuggestions,we wantedto offerupsomegeneraltips andadvicetogetthe maximum enjoyment value out ofyour family trip.It’s nota vacationunlessit’sprovidingenjoyment–foreveryone! GENERALINFORMATION Wecan’tpossibly tellyoueverythingyouneedto know abouttaking a family vacationon a budget.Afterall, thisisonly a 60 pagebook!Granted, it’s a 60 pagebook packedwithallsortsof valuable information,butevenifwe give you everysinglemoney-savingtipwecan find,there are stillsomeaspects of thefamily vacationthatshouldbe addressedso that everyoneis havingfun! 1. Writedownyourbudget,make itdetailed,and sticktoit! If you’vebudgeted$1,000for food,besure you’regoingtobeabletofeedeveryonetheentire time for $1,000.It’llsaveyou alotofstress and

  29. aggravationandyou can makeadjustmentselsewhere ifyou findyou’reclose togoingoverbudget. No matter what, ALWAYS ask for discounts.You won’t evergetthemunlessyouaskfor them.If they’reavailable,youshouldtakeadvantage–foryou andyour vacationbudget! Remembertobeflexible!Be abletochangeyour plansif needbe and “gowiththe flow”. Buy your children journals – cheap notebooks – and give them fun pens so they can record their thoughts andexperiencesas yougothrough your travels.They’llappreciate itlaterplusitkeepsthem busy! Once you've selected a destination, share copies of your travelbrochures withyourfamily.Thenwatchthe excitementskyrocket. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Makelists.Planningafamilytripoftensparks more questionsthananswers.Thankstolists, however, you'llhavetheanswersatyourfingertips.Some"Last- MinuteList,"whichtousebefore departingcaninclude: "Don't Forget,""ToDo," and "Pack Now." It's a great time-saver,andensuresnon-replaceable essentialslike medications andsuch aren’tleft behind. When travelingin theU.S.,contactlocaltourism departments forfreebrochuresandmaps,and any money-savingcoupons.Alsocontactthelocal ChambersofCommerce whereyouwillbevacationing to seeif theyhaveany residentpacketsthatmight include valuable money-saving coupons and tips on where tovisit. Cruise theInternet for reducedprices on everythingfrom lodgingtoairfaretocarrentalsto entertainment-andeverythinginbetween.Wherever 7. 8.

  30. your dreamdestination,youcan pointandclick your way into an affordable, enjoyable vacation without ever leaving home. Maintain a routinewhileonvacation.It'stempting to set asidebedtimesandotherdaily routineswhile traveling.But stickingascloselyas possibletonormal routines—likemealtimes,andbedtimes—willhelp your family toenjoyeach day'sactivities andreturn homelessstressed. 9. • Schedulesome downtime.Becausefamily travel can be soexpensive,parentsoftenattempttobook as much activity in a day as humanly possible. Unfortunately,thatwhirlwindapproachcanbemore tiresomethanfun—forparentsandchildren.One option: schedule a mid-day "rest stop" to unwind, or finish activities by7p.m. • Be prepared.Being on vacationdoesn't exempt youfromemergencies.Thus,bepreparedtorespondto emergencies while away. • Pack neededmedicationsandrelatedequipment for family memberwhorequirethem.Carrymore thanenough foryour plannedtrip.Saveonover- the-countermedicationbybringingitwithyou, rather thanbuying them "on theother side." • Carry a copy of your medical and dental insurance cards, physicians' contact information, and a list of illnesses, prescriptiondrug and foodallergies of which any familymembersuffers. • While this may come naturally at home, in an emergency situation you could easily forget pertinentinformationwhile underpressure.Also bring alongat least one emergencycontact number for afamilyor friendwhocan reached

  31. should emergency personnelneed to contact them for you.Thinkingaboutsucheventualitiesaren’t pleasant,butit'sbettertobepreparedshould they arise. • Leave a copy of your complete itinerary, including yourairlineandhotelreservations and daily activities, if known, with at least one extended family member. It will come in handy should someone need to contact you concerning an emergency backhome. 12. When vacationisover, taketimeto regroupand reconnect.Cominghomecan be anti-climaticafter spending days living out of suitcases and participating in new, exciting activities. After each trip, carve out a portion ofthefirstday ortwotounwind.Doing sowill helpeveryonetogentlyreturnto yourfamily'sroutine. Youmaywanttotakeacreditcardalongfor safety andconvenience.However, itisimportant to rememberthatcreditshould notbeusedas an extensionof yourincome. Nomatterhowmuchfunyou had on avacation,it’snever funtostill bepayingit off years later. In fact, if you put at $2,000 vacation on your 18% interest credit card and make only the minimum monthly payments, it would take you more than 18 years topayit off. Decide onthegroundrules.Howmany timeshave you been on afamily vacationandseenparentsand theirchildrenarguing?Vacationsare supposedtobe fun,notabattleground. Parents should establish the rules in advance so that arguments don'ttake away joyfrom theday.For example,takechildren'sspending.Tothem,nothingin asouvenir shopistoo tacky or overpriced.How doyou solve thisdilemma?It’ssimple.

  32. Theycanbuywhat theywantwiththeirown moneybuttheycan'task formore.A fewmonthsprior tovacation,beginremindingthemthat theyshouldbe saving theirfunds.Somedo,somedon't. On theeve of departure,youcan give themeach $20 tosupplementtheirsavings. Afterthat,they'reon theirown.If they spendit thefirstday,they'reoutof luck.Knowinginadvance thegroundrules on spending, fastfoodrestaurants,andsharingtheGame Boysaves countlessarguments andembarrassing moments. Publish it. Regardless of what you've done or whereyou'vegone,it'salwaysfuntorememberit. Take a largescrapbookwithyou.As youaredriving, dictatewhathappenedthatday andleavespaceto pasteinphotographs,postcards, admissiontickets,etc. When youreadaboutvacationspast,youcan relive thememories.Someentries are exciting—such as when we saw a bear. Others are funny ("You know you're in trouble when the highlight of the day was when your pediatrician phoned in an anti-diarrhea prescription").No eventis toosmallto document.It all looks humorousinhindsight. Alternate pricey attractions with those that are free--a hike in the woods, the best playground in the area,atour of the localpotato-chip factory. Set thesouvenirbudgetbeforeyouleavehome andsticktoit. Suggestthekidsstartcollectionsalong theway-postcards,pins,patches,for example. Always ask when you call for reservations if there are any otherdiscountdealsavailable-kidseatfree,a room upgrade,asecondroom athalf price,etc.

  33. Get out a map and talk about where you want to go andwhatyouwant todo.Even thefour-year-oldwill have an opinion.Make sure everyone gets at least some of their picks on the itinerary.If the kids are old enough, suggesteach one planaday'sactivities. Consider inviting a friend for an only child or for a sole preteen or teenin thefamily.Heor shewillbe much happier. Alright, now we’ve gotten the general tips out of the way. What you really want to know is, how can we take a fabulousfamilyvacationona budgetandwhere?We’ve shown you how.Nowlet’s explore where! We want you to know before you read further that thesedestinationshavebeenpickedbasedon the recommendations ofmany different experts and are not endorsedinanyway byusspecifically.However, wethink theseexperts aredeadstraightonin theirsuggestions.So, let’slook atdestination number 1–Disney World! DISNEYWORLD Disney World is unarguably the largest family vacation destinationintheUnitedStates.SuperBowl winnerswant to go there,kidswant to go there, adults want togothere– heck,MYGRANDMAwantstogo there! Cantheeveryday family affordtogoto DisneyWorld on alimitedbudget? YOUBET! There are many options for you to consider on a Disney vacation.We’llpresentasmany ofthemtoyouaspossible. Theobviousfirstchoiceis tostayonthe propertyfor maximumconvenience and fun.Atthe time ofthiswriting,

  34. thethemeparkiscurrentlyofferingthefollowing packages for asixnight,sevenday stay for afamilyof four: • $1,500forastay atavaluecategory resort • $1,900forastayatamoderatecategory resort • $2,500forastayatadeluxecategoryresort Thevaluecategoryresorts include All-StarSportsand • All-StarMusichotelswiththeentireresort centeringaround • those themes.Theyarefun for thekids andhavethemed pools and foodcourts.Theroomsare standard,but comfortable andaccommodatefourpeopleeasily. • When we visited Disney World with our two children, westayedatthe All-Star Musicresortandwerevery satisfiedwitheverythingtheyhadtoofferus.We were, afterall,theretovisit theparks,so our roomwasjust a place tolayourheads.However,whenthe kidswantedto swim,wewerehappyto sip a tropical drinkatthe poolside barwhilethekidssplashedandplayedjusta fewfeetaway. • Themoderatecategoryresortsoffer more amenities thanthevalue pricedones.Theseresortsincludethe CaribbeanBeachresort,CoronadoSpringsresort,andPort Orleans. • Theseresorts offer themedpools,fullservicedining areas,whirlpools,and watercraftrentalssincemost of these resorts are on thevariouslakestheproperty has. • Iwas ona companysponsoredawardtripandstayed at CoronadoSprings.Theroomsare moreluxuriousand • roomy thanthevalue ones,butwedidn’tspend alot of time in thempreferring instead tovisitthe parks – obviously! • The foodoffered atthisresortwasmoregourmet, and thepoolsweremore elaboratethantheAllStarMusic,but theywere stillfunatbothplaces.Itwasnicetotake a walk

  35. down the Boardwalk at sunset and enjoy the nightly fireworksfromourbalcony. While I haveneverstayedata Deluxeresort,it obviouslyfollowsthat these arethenicest thatDisneyhas to offer.Thesehotels includeAnimalKingdomLodge,Beach Club Resort,Boardwalk Inn,and theGrandFloridian. Theseresorts haveelaborately themedpools,world class restaurants,roomservice,valet parking,whirlpools, conciergeservice,and a fitnesscenter.Theygoout of their way to insure your comfort and satisfaction which can be veryimportant forsomepeople. Thereareotheroptionsyouhaveon theparkgrounds as wellthatyoucanconsider foryourDisney vacation. DisneyalsooffersVacationClubresortsthatarebasically condos thatincludethegeneralamenitiesthatDisneyoffers to alltheirguests. Theseunitshavemultiplerooms, a kitchenor kitchenette,spaciousrooms,andvalet parkingservice.This wouldbe a greatoption forlargerfamilies. Finally,thosewholiketo“roughit”mightwant to considerthe campingfacilitiesonthepark grounds.Fort Wilderness offers guests the opportunity to stay in air- conditionedcabinsor secludedcampsitesfortents andRVs. Thereis a conciergedesk andlaundry facilities.They alsohavemilesofhikingtrails,horsebackriding,andnature trailsready forexploration. We had friends who rented an RV and drove down to Orlando and stayed at Fort Wilderness.They got to enjoy not only the fun parks at Disney, but it was combined with their otherloveof camping. There were 10 of them in total, so they saved money by stayingin the RV insteadofahoteland theybrought a

  36. lot of theirownfoodto cookovertheircampfire sothey saved quite a biton diningaswell. When youstay at oneof theDisneyresorts,youget added value as well.Thecomplexhas oneof themost elaboratetransportationsystemsaround.Youcanhop aboard a luxury bus and arrive at whatever park you want to visitwith noworries.Thebusesrunatallhoursandasa guest,youcanridethem asmany times as youwant. Youwillalsogettransportationfromtheairporttoyour hotel includingbaggageservice.Thisisa greatperk since you won’thavetoworryabouttraversingthemany roads thatleadto thevariousresorts.They’lltakeyou directly from the airporttoyourhotelforeasy check-in! The parks open early and stay open later for resort guests.Thisisan especiallygreat aspectofstayingon the grounds because the lines are shorter after hours and you don’thavetowait as longto rideyour favoriterides. Of course, these prices don’t include getting to Orlando. You’llhavetobook your ownflightor makearrangementsto drive or takea traintogetthere.Because ofthe airport shuttle service, wehighly recommend theairlineoption insteadofdriving. Onethingwefoundwhenstayingata Disneyresortis topurchasea souvenirtravelmugfirstthingafter checking in.Thismugallowsunlimited drinkrefillsduringyourstay at any theme park and at your resort.This saved us a ton of moneyon coffeeandsoda.Unfortunately,the refills didn’tincludethosetropicaldrinkswe had,butitwas well worthit anyway! Youcanalsochoosetostayoff thepropertyina close- by townlikeKissimmeeorin Orlandoproper.The advantagetothis isyoucanbookanair/hotelpackagethat will probably be lessthanwhatyouwouldpayutilizing Disney’sresortadvantages.

  37. By stayingofftheproperty,youcan also takein the other sightsOrlandohasto offer such asUniversalStudios andSeaWorld. Thedisadvantageisthatyouwillpossibly have to arrange yourowntransportationto theparks,although some hotels have an agreement with Disney to use their shuttle busesfromtheirhotels.Checkwithyourhotel regarding shuttleservice. You may alsohavetopurchaseyourtheme parktickets separately.Disney,however,doeshavemanydifferent packagesthatmakeitaffordableand you canpickand choose theparksyouvisit.If you’re not especially interestedinseeingtheAnimalKingdom,youdon’thaveto purchase thatentranceticket. Wedohavesomegeneral money-savingtipswhen takinga Disneyvacation. Most of the parks will allow you to bring in small coolers.Bring in your own bottled water or soft drinks or pack a light lunch to avoid the high prices at the restaurants.Youcanalsobringa backpackwithyouwhich is a goodway tobringin yourownsnacks tokeepthelittle onesfromscreamingforFrenchfriesorcottoncandywhich come at apremiumprice. Wedo,however,highlyrecommendhavingonemealat a sit-down restaurantinsidethepark.Theprices mightbea bitsteep,butthe portionsaregenerousandyou’ll geta much needrestwhileyouenjoygoodfood.Eatatoff-peak timestoavoidlongwaitsandenjoy great service. Wehadonemealata drive-instylerestaurantinside MGM Studios. I ordered a chicken Caesar salad and couldn’t even come closetofinishingit.Mydaughterhadchicken fingersandfrieswhichshesnackedonfor therest of the day.Plus it was great fun having our meal inside a car while watching anoldmovie on thehugemoviescreen.

  38. If youhavelittle ones wholovetheDisneycharacters, schedule a charactermealtothrill them.Do thisfirst, though,becausespaceislimitedandthey fillup fast.Don’t balkattheprice – thelook on yourlittle one’s facewillbe wellworththe money spent. Youwill, of course, wanttohavesouvenirsto rememberyourtimeat Disney.Inthepark,thesecanbe quitepricey.Agreatmoney-savingtipistolook foroutlet storesinOrlando.TheysellofficialDisneymerchandiseat huge discounts. Above all, HAVE FUN!You’re on vacation in the happiestplace onEarth.Enjoy yourself and yourfamily along witheverything thatDisneyhas tooffer! Now let’s look at another vacation option for families – cruises! CRUISETHEOPEN SEAS Cruise ships are a family vacation planner’s best friends.Picture a floating, mega-resort with tons to do for everyonein a confinedspacewhere you knowyourkids are supervised andsafe. Many cruise lines offervoyagesdesigned specifically for families, withexpandedactivity programs and shore excursions for allagegroups andwaterslides,icerinks and climbingwallsthat keep kids andparentshappyfordays. Somecruiseshaveevendevelopedonboard programs that notonlyfeaturefamilytogethertime,butalsoarrange crucialalonetime for parents.Together, parents and kids can participate in mock game shows, story hours, treasure huntsand otheractivities.Later,adultscanschedule a massage orspendtimeonthesundeckknowingtheirkids are enjoying a host of supervised games andactivities.

  39. Cruises are much like an all-inclusive vacation with the added benefit of being able to explore new and various places.Theyare especiallygoodbetsif thegrandparents are coming. Therearemorning-till-nightactivitiesfor childrenas young asthreeon mostmajor cruiseships and plenty to keepadultsbusy,nomatterwhattheirages.And,because of increasedcompetition intheindustry,cruisinghasnever beenmore affordable. Even Disney has jumped into the cruise market which can be anespecially fun timewithyourkids! Asfor cruises,expertssay to"never,ever" go the cruiselines or"general"travelagencies.If you’regoing with a travelagent, youwant tobook withacruiseexpert, one thatspecializesin discountingcruises. Thesecompaniesgetspecialdiscounts and upgrades for selling such a large volume of cruises that other sources simplydon'tget. Buteven thenshoparoundbefore you book, aspriceswillvaryfromagency toagency. If you’regoingitonyourown,use theInternetasyour most valuabletool.Manycruiseships offerkidsfree programswiththepurchaseofanadultticket.You’llneed tolook around andaboveall– ask for discounts! The two most popular family cruise ships we’ve found are Disneyand Carnival.Kidswill loveDisney’sprivate island – Castaway Cay – and the waterslides aboard Carnival ships will be a bighit! Both shipsofferplentytodo for adultsaswell including spa services,adultnightclubs,and entertainmentforadults. Disney,of course,gearsalotofitsactivitiestowardchildren and teenswithspecialshows,onboarddiscoveryactivities and specialteennightclubs–no alcoholallowed!

  40. It will depend on when you book your cruise as to what type of savingsyoucanrealize. Disney willpublish“MagicalRates”onits“Specials” page on theirwebsite.Withthesespecialrates,youmaybe able to find a 3 day Bahamas cruise for $469 or a 7 night Caribbeancruisefor$859.Children3-12getspecialrates in aroom with twoparentsandkidsunder 3 arefree! When youwillbe puttingoutmostof yourvacation budgetbuyingentryonto theship,you’llwant toknow how tosavemoneyonceonboard aswellasduringthevisitsto the ports of call. First and foremost, purchase a soda package for the kids.This allows them unlimited soda refills anywhere on the ship –a huge money saver! Whenon shore,you’llwanttosee asmuch asyou can. Instead of bookingexcursionsthroughthecruise line,rent your own vehicle and explore on your own. Maps of the ports of callarereadily availableandthisallowsyou maximumflexibilitywithwhatyouwantto seeanddo. A note of caution here, be sure to take note of the departuretimeofyour ship anddon’tbelate!If you’re on your own and don’t make it back to the ship when it pulls out of port, meeting back up with them at the next port of callwillbe atyour ownexpense. On board,they’llbetakinglotsandlotsof pictures of youand your family.You’llbetemptedto buytheseright away, but don’t.Those pictures will still be in the photo shop at the end of the cruise and they will often be discountedthen,sobuy rightbeforeyou dock onthelast day. Thesamegoesforsouvenirsandsuch.Often,thegift shopswilldiscountsouvenirmerchandisethe lastday of the cruise.Thesame T-shirt thatsoldfor $25 at the beginning

  41. of thecruisemightbe$10attheend,so bideyourtimeand realize savings. Check youraccountbalancedaily tobesurethere are no charges on therethatyoudidn’t make.Also,don’t pre- pay yourtips.Many cruiselineshave thisbuiltinto the packageprice,butasktohaveitremovedthentakecare of tipping yourself. Cruisingwithyourfamily can beaverysatisfying experience.However,thereare many otherfamilyvacation options tolook at aswell. LET’S GOTO VEGAS! Las Vegasisn’tjust forgrown-upsanymore!Thecityis becomingincreasinglyfamilyfriendlyand youcantake advantageof thetypicallylow-pricedratesfora greatfamily Vegas vacation. It’s no longer considered “Sin City” when you see the variouskid-friendlyattractionsliketherollercoasteratop NewYork, NewYork,orthethemeparkinside CircusCircus. Therearearcades justabouteverywhere and specialshows geared towardthefamily audience. The best part is that many of the attractions that kids love arefree!Youcanseethe Pirateshowoutside Treasure Island,viewthe amazinglightshow onFremontStreet,or watchthevolcano“explode”outsidetheMirageatsundown. Meals are cheap everywhere in Vegas. We once had a completeprimeribdinnerincludingpotato,vegetable,and saladbarforamere$2.99 ata smallcasinoacrossfrom the Stardust.It wasdeliciousandfilling.Thevariousbuffets have anythingandeverythingyoucouldeverwanttosatisfy apickyeater–allat alowpriceanyone can afford.

  42. Vegasisdesignedtobeinexpensiveinthehopesthat touristswillspendmostof theirmoneyinthecasinos.This is where you can splurge a little and hold back when you’re getting alittleshorton funds.Afterall,you’re inVegas– youhave to pull at least oneslotmachine’s arm. Depending on when you book, you can get an air/hotel package for aslittleas $200perperson roundtrip!Inmany places,kidsgetadiscountedroomrate,andifyouwant your older children to have their own room, many hotels will let youhavethatat half price. Oncein Vegas,considerrenting acar and goingonan explorationof thearea.YoucantakeinTheHooverDam, check out theGrandCanyonortakeintheRichardPetty ride-alongracing experience.There’sso muchtodoinand around Vegas,you’llneverbebored! Howaboutsomeless-traditionalvacationspots? HISTORYTOUR While your kids might roll their eyes at the suggestion ofa family tripbased onhistory, theymightbesurprised once you get there.They’re probably thinking they’ll be tested at the end of the vacation, but we’re betting that what theylearnwillstay withthemforaverylongtime! Most of the initial settlements for our country are on the East Coast. Head east and learn more about America than youeverknewyoucould! Colonial Williamsburg,Jamestown,andYorktownare absorbingyear-round,as historicinterpretersdressed in period costumes help thoroughly modern families appreciate what life was life without TVs, computers, or indoor plumbing.In eighteenth-century Williamsburg,you'llfindthe largest outdoorlivinghistorymuseum.

  43. Thekids canhelpweedthegarden in spring,make bricksin summer,or attenda slavecouple's weddingin winter. Visit in summer and you can also go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg andWaterCountryUSA. AtriptoWashington,DC,willgiveyouThe SmithsonianInstitutewhichisinterestingforallages.Plus, youcan seethe WhiteHouse, Congress,andso muchmore! One of ourfavoritehistoricalplacestovisitisBoston, Massachusetts.Thisbeautifulcity isabsolutelyfilledwith historicalsignificance.Whenyoutakethebluetrolleytour, you learn so much about the city and everything that occurred thereinthehistoryof America. Youcanseethe graveofMother Goose and stand in front of the North church where Paul Revere saw the lanterns signaling the coming of theBritish.JohnF. Kennedy’sfirstapartmentis alongthetourasisthe “Cheers”barthatspawnedtheaward-winningTV series. Boston Common offerstouriststheopportunitytoride the lake in their famous swan boats, and Faneuil Hall Market Place is a spectacular place offering not only great food and shopping,butentertainingstreetperformersandmusicians. One of ourmostrespectedpresidentswasAbraham Lincoln.Springfield,Illinois,offersthemostcomprehensive and interestingmuseum basedon his life and historical significance. Visitors can tour his home, visit his tomb, and learn everything you neverknewaboutthisamazingman. Just 30 miles downtheroad nearPetersburg,Illinois,is NewSalem– anearly settlementwhereLincolnlivedand worked.Thereisone cabinthathas beentheresincethe 1800’sandhasbeencarefullypreservedtogivevisitorsa taste of whatlifewaslikeinthe early years of America.

  44. Theseareonly afewplaceswhere youcan gotofind interesting, historic exhibits that your whole family can enjoy. SOUTHDAKOTA This amazing state has so much to offer in the way of family vacations.On a visittotheBadlands ofSouth Dakota,thekids can count allof thedifferentlicenseplates in theparkinglotof Mount Rushmore,whichjustcelebrated its 60thanniversary. Youcanexplore caves, pick uprocks blasted fromthe mountainwherethecolossalstatue of ChiefCrazy Horseis a work in progress, join a "dig" at the Mammoth Site where more than50 giant mammothsweretrappedmorethan 26,000 years ago, and take a Jeep tour through a buffalo herd. YoucanstayatCusterStatePark,wherebesides seeingthebuffalo,youcanrentanold-fashionedcabinona lake starting at under $100 a night, go gold-panning, or make animal tracks with the kids at hands-on junior naturalistprograms. DUDERANCHES This type of family vacation is perfect for city dwellers togetout andexperience realcountrylife.Fullyoperational duderanchesare everywherethroughout theUnitedStates and can offer upavery memorablefamily vacation. Imagine yourself taking the best vacation of your life at a duderanch.Thecool,freshmountainair,theopenspaces, thefeelofa steadyhorsebeneathyouas you topthe next rise...theflashof color fromthedarkpoolasthemonster

  45. troutrisestoyouroffering...luxuriatinginthe warmthof the setting sunasyouwait for thedinnerbell'scall...shared timewithfamilyand friends. Most of these ranches are located in the Western UnitedStates,buta little homework can find them almost everywhere. Riding horses is the main focus of a dude ranch vacation,butaccommodationscanrangefromsimpleto luxurious.Youcan performthejob ofa cowboy ata workingduderanchor choosea resortstyle ranchtotake advantage of otheractivities liketennisandswimming. Eat authentic cowboy style meals and sing cowboy songs aroundthe campfire.In someplaces,youcan even spendanightsleepingunderthestars! Most of these dude ranch vacations are all-inclusive meaningmealsandactivitiesare inthepriceofreservation. A family of four can usually have thistype of vacationfor under $1,000althoughpriceswillvary accordingtothe location. Do your research online and choose a spot that your familywill love! CAMPING Thousandsofpeopleknowandembracetheamazing relaxationandfunyoucanhaveon a camping vacation. Thisisprobablythe most affordabletype of familyvacation – especially if you take advantage of the country’s various state parksandcampgrounds. It costs around $12-$25 to spend a night at these campgrounds, which is much less than the cost of a motel room thesedays. Theparks aretypicallyrun by park rangers,whoalsoprovidesecurity at thecampgrounds.

  46. Each campsitewill likely have a fire-pit, charcoalgrill, and a picnictable.Therewillbeanareato set upyourtent and aplacetopullyourcaroffthe road.Theseparksusually have buildingsthatenclosebathroomsand showers.You'll also find drinking water available, places to do your dishes, and trashcontainers. Youcanchoosetocamptheold-fashioned waywith tents, oryoucan rentanRVforadded convenience. A typicalRVmotorhomewillrentfor$90-$200 perday. Somepeoplefeelthat campingwith an RVisn’ttruly camping, but we think the point of a vacation is to spend timetogetherdoingthingsasa family.Whetheryousleep under the stars or in a bed inside an RV makes little difference.A campingvacationisallaboutwhatyou make it! Most public parks have hiking trails, and many parks havelakes for fishing,boating,and swimming.Imagine the sight of yourkids seeinga deercross thepath oraraccoon snoopingthroughthecampsiteatnight.Theremay alsobe aplaygroundwith swings,basketballcourts, and other amenities. Also remembertobringalongbikes, balls andgloves, boardgames,Frisbees,orany otherfavoritegameor toy. Therewillbeplenty of opportunitiesforthefamilytoplay together. Many state parks and other public parks offer nature programs for the kids,andsomeeven showoutsidemovies on weekends.Since most of theseparks arelocatedin remoteareasawayfromcitylights,theymake greatplaces towatchsunsetsand to gazeat the starsatnight. If you don’t have any experience camping and are withoutcampinggear,that’salright!You can generally get everythingyouneedfortentcampingfor under$600.What willyouneed?

  47. Fora family of 4,youshouldhave a tentthatsleeps6. You'll appreciate the extra room that a 6-person tent provides. • Next you'llneedsleepingbags.Sinceyou'reprobably not campingincoldweather,consider a 3-seasonbag. Thesearestillratedfor 30 to40degreeweather, and if theygettoowarm at nightjustunzipthezipper. Mom and Dadmightlikethecozinessof sleepingbagsthat zip together. • For addedcomfortandinsulation fromthecoldground, you might consider putting a pad under your sleeping bag. • Yourcampsitewill likely have a charcoalgrill,which is great for some cooking, but dishes that require a pot or skillet won't get all black if you have a propane camp stove.Youcanfinda2-burnerpropanestovefor around$35-$80.Thepropanecylinders are$2-$3 dollars andwillprobablylasta week. • Tokeepdrinkscold and food fromperishing,you'll need a cooler. Pick a cooler large enough to accommodate yourneeds • Otheritems totakecampingcanbefoundathome or bought atthe grocery store:potsand pans,cupsand glasses,silverware,pillows,flashlights, extrabatteries,and food. • You may wanttobuy a cheap tarp for around$10 to place underyourtent.Thiswillhelpprotectyourtentfloor againsttearsand topreventwater fromseepingintothe tentin case of rain. • Don’t bother with a lantern, because they get hot and attractbugs.Instead, buy a 9-voltbatterylampforaround • $10 and useitsparingly so thatyoucan enjoythe nightsky.

  48. Here'sa littleshoppingtip:ratherthanshoponlinefor your gear,saveevenmore moneybygoingto alocal Wal- MartorTargetstore. Theyhaveeverythingyouneedatthe lowestprices. Figure$600 for aone-timecost to buynewgear,$200 or lessforcampgroundfeesfora week,and $200 forfood, gas, andice,and you'vegot a great vacationforafamilyof four. Once you've acquiredyourgear, each subsequent camping tripwillbeevencheaper.You'lladdto yourgear from timetotime,andsomeitems needreplenishing.For economicalandadventurousvacations,takeyourfamily camping. We’ve founda coupleofplacesonlinethatjustkeep popping upwhentalkingaboutaffordablefamily vacations. Whilewedon’tnecessarily endorsethemourselves,they seem tobetop pickswhenit comestoenjoyable family travel. THREEWELL-KEPT SECRETS Many of the award winning family resorts are beyond themeansof thoseona budget, butWoodlochPinesResort in Hawley,Pennsylvaniaoffersthe amenitiesof aluxury resort forunder$350 per night. Locatedon a privatelakeinthe NorthernPocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, this family owned resort was voted Favorite Family Vacation Spot by the readers of BetterHomesandGardens.Openyear-round,the resort offers an amazing feast of activities from waterskiing, sail boating, and bumper boats in summer to snow tubing, ice skatingandsnowmobilingin thewinter.

  49. Kids of allageslove thego carts,battingcages, pool water slideandhayrides. Parentsenjoy theJacuzzis, massages for themselves and the all-inclusiveratesthatare difficulttofindatU.S.resorts.Pricesvarydependingon room selection,time of year and number of people, but a family of four can purchase a four-night package that includes roomand12 meals forunder$350 pernight. Thefamily-friendly,all-inclusivepricingdrawshundreds of familiessouthof thebordertoMexicoeach year.But families don’thavetoleavethe country to findall-inclusive deals.Tyler PlaceFamily ResortonLakeChamplainin Vermont alsooffersthispricingthatincludesmeals,snacks, lodging, andmost activities. TylerPlace’seightdifferentkid’sprogramsoffer structured nature and outdoorprogramsforchildren ofall ages. Family wateractivitiesincludesailing,canoeing, kayaking,waterskiing,paddleboats,bumpertuberides, bananaboats,andlotsmore. Otherentertainmentincludestennis,mountainbiking, indoor and outdoor pools, and group sports. Newborn and infant careisprovidedforparentswhowanttotake art, yogaandaerobicsclasses,orvisit vineyardsinQuebec. Discount,off-peak ratesfora family offourarejust under $300 per night and include lodging with separate children’srooms,allmealsandaccesstoservices and activities. Someof America’soriginalfamilyresortsfocusedon simple accommodationsthatprovidedeasy accessto the great outdoors.Nitschke’sNorthernResort, inMinocqua, Wisconsinhascarriedonthefineexampleof theoriginal resort,withitstidy accommodations,coupledwiththe pristine settingontheedge ofalake,surrounded byforest. Activitiesinclude fishing,hiking, boating,jetskiing,or simply relaxingontheporch of yourcabin.Thebeach and

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