Repeat Disney Parks vacationers know to look for package deals and resort discounts when booking trips. We use experience when making decisions on packing, transportation, and entertainment for ourselves and kids while en route. Overall, we’ve got mad skills and that’s why others ask us for advice.
As I create my upcoming epic adventure with my friend, I find myself going the extra mile to save us both money. I have no idea what Yoli’s budget is, only that she wants an inexpensive hotel room and to go grocery shopping. My recommendation to her was to set aside $30 per day for food. Some days, she’ll spend far less and others she might go over but it’s a safe amount to not magically starve.
I’d like to share with you how I have and am still pinching pennies before we leave for Florida.
If you book your trip at least 3 months out, start searching for free product samples. On average it takes 4-8 weeks to receive freebies in the mail. Travel size items such as deodorant, laundry detergent, sunscreen, and heel balm take just a few clicks to obtain. Ask your dentist if she/he has trial size toothpaste.
Need something to read on the plane, train, or in the car? Magazines both well-known and not-so-much offer free editions and/or complimentary subscriptions. You can also download free e-books.
My advice when ordering freebies is to make sure that when you supply your personal info that you’re on the company’s website or their Facebook page. Beware of third parties who first ask for an e-mail address or require you to take a survey. Never pay for shipping. If you’re looking for a specific brand name item, visit their website and check for samples or coupons. Plenty of time before you leave? Write to the company and ask for a free trail size item and/or coupons.
Free Samples
E-books
Should you rent a car, going to the market can save you bundles of cash. Every Disney resort room now has a mini fridge. By picking up a loaf of bread, deli meat, cheese, whole fruit, granola bars, etc… you can pack lunch. We’re going to Target for groceries so when promos popped up in my Facebook news feed, I grabbed them. With coupon in hand, by spending $50 on items I need at home anyway, I earned a $10 gift card. I took advantage of this offer the second time it came up, too, so I now have $20 worth of gift cards to spend on food. Additionally, I have been cutting coupons for a few items thus making my savings go even further.
For those days when you’re not in a park, try a restaurant off-property. My mom loves Sweet Tomatoes, a healthy all-you-can-eat buffet that issues coupons weekly via their newsletter.
Check Restaurant.com for gift certificates sold at below face value. Read each restaurant’s restrictions. Create an account and receive even greater savings by e-mail. In the past I have purchased certificates for Crossroads at House of Blues in Downtown Disney, Todd English’s Blue Zoo at the Dolphin Resort, and Garden Grove at the Swan Resort.
Save on dining, recreational activities, spas, and shopping via Groupon. Search the Orlando, FL area for current deals.
When renting a car, be sure to look up discount codes from Mousesavers.com and check each rental agencies deals for AAA members, government employees, and public percentages off. I usually start my search at Kayak to see what the current prices are for many agencies at once. Then I start with codes and coupons and book the best deal I can find without putting down a credit card. Just a few days before my vacation, I try bidding on Priceline and see if I can get a better deal. Be sure that all of your info is correct because if your bid is accepted, getting a refund or changing the reservation is tedious and not likely.
I’m certain most of you have great tips for saving money and I welcome your suggestion. These are just a few of mine based on my up-coming journey. Oh and if you get addicted to signing up for freebies, you’re on your own.
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In saving for my March 2012 trip, I made my own Disney savings account. There’s a Disney Store in my local mall so every month leading up to my trip I would go and put more money on my Disney gift card. Then when I was at Disney I had all my money on my card for food, shopping, etc. It was really easy to stick to my budget because that was all I had!
Search “samples” on the Walmart.com site also. I just got 4 samples of Airborne today!