Already Disney'd Out? Do This Instead

PHOTO: The Cinderella Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. (photo via Pixabay/Erik Aggie)

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World (or Disneyland for that matter) this summer, you better get out your wallet. The trip won’t be cheap, as evidenced by Disney’s own vacation budget estimator.

According to their calculator, a family of four would pay around $4,000 for a five-night resort stay at a mid-tier Disney property, a basic dining plan and 4-park Magic tickets good for four days.

That doesn’t include airfare or gas to get there, parking, souvenirs or any incidental costs, either.

Disney enthusiasts will gush all day long about how the parks are worth it and how the Disney experience can’t be created elsewhere. Personally, as a Disney non-enthusiast and thrifty traveler, I would have to disagree.

I took my kids (ages 6 and 8) to the Magic Kingdom last year as part of a timeshare tour we were doing in Orlando, and wasn’t that impressed. The rides are older, albeit pretty cool since they feature Disney characters. Meanwhile, the meals we consumed at the park were all insanely expensive and didn’t live up to the pricetag.

Worse, we practically melted into the pavement for the entire trip—so much so we poured bottled water over our heads in an effort to stay cool. And the crowds—don’t get me started on the hour-long waits in the sweltering summer heat.

Choose a Local Theme Park Instead

If you love Disney, you’re probably thinking I’m totally clueless right now.

And that’s perfectly okay. Disney captivates some people while leaving others wondering what the big deal is. Different strokes for different folks as I like to say.

Still, not everyone can afford Disney–even if they wish they could go. Fortunately, nearly everyone in the country lives near a local theme park that’s less than half the price or less.

In my state of Indiana, we have the famous Holiday World n’ Splashin Safari, but Ohio’s Kings Island and Cedar Point are only a few hours away. In Texas, you have Sea World, Six Flags and Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

In Arkansas, there’s Magic Springs, Holiday Springs Water Park and Wild River Country. In California, it’s Knotts Berry Farm and Legoland, among others.

No matter where you live, you’re probably within a few hours of an inexpensive theme park that will satisfy your family’s hunger for rides and cheap fair food and miserable summer heat—all for a price you can afford.

If you’re aching for a Disney trip but can’t afford to fork over $4,000 or more, don’t forget about the little parks in your immediate area. Chances are your kids won’t even care about the lack of Disney characters or about how much you spent to get there.

What they will care about is the fact you bothered to plan it—and that you showed up for a few days of family fun. At the end of the day, that’s what summer vacation is all about anyway.

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