Walt Disney World vacations aren’t cheap these days; the food is expensive, the cost of souvenirs has increased, and even a budget resort will set you back a couple hundred per night.  To make matters worse, as the parks become more and more popular, lines get longer, too, making it harder to fit everything you want to see into one day.  But with a bit of strategy — and a little extra money, of course — it’s possible to get everything done in one trip.

Here are five tips to see more at Disney World:

Plan Your Trip During Slow Season

One of the best ways to see more at Disney World is to avoid crowds, and the easiest way to do that is to go during slower times.  The slowest times are generally at the end of January and after kids go back to school in August and September.  The busiest times are usually the holidays and spring break.  Late spring and summer tend to be right in between.  Disney World uses tiered pricing, which results in admission prices being higher on busier days.  A good way to know that you’re going on a slower day is if your ticket price is $109, as that’s currently the lowest price for a day at any of the four main parks.

Stay at a Disney Resort

There are a number of perks to staying at a Disney Resort.  One is that you can start making reservations for restaurants 60 days in advance, as opposed to 30 days in advance if you stay off-site.  Some of the newer eateries at Disney World (like the Space 220 restaurant) are reservation-only, and others are so massively popular that wait times are over an hour just to be seated. The biggest perk of being a hotel guest is the ability to get into the parks 30 minutes before opening.  This means you’ll be able to avoid lines at the front gate, access the park at rope drop, and avoid the hordes of guests staying off-site. For some of the more popular rides, this can be the difference between a 15-minute and 45-minute wait.

Use the Skyliner

Disney’s Skyliner is a gondola lift system that transports guests from select Disneyworld hotels to select parks. Guests who stay at the Art of Animation, Riviera, Caribbean Beach, and Pop Century resorts can get into Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios faster because they’re connected by the Skyliner, which is similar to a ski-lift. Although Disney offers bus services between all its resorts and parks, Skyliner is more efficient because it runs continuously and tends to have shorter lines, especially in the mornings.  Transportation time generally takes between 10 and 25 minutes.

Research Dining and Make Reservations

If there are specific restaurants you want to try at Disney World, or if you want to make sure you try the best and most interesting foods, you’ll likely want to make reservations ahead of time.  All of the restaurants (except quickserve counters) at the Disney parks and hotels accept reservations.  Of course, a reservation isn’t needed at all of them, but it definitely is necessary at some of the more popular restaurants.  Some restaurants, including Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, are booked out as far as 180 days ahead of time.  And others have wait times that could have been better spent riding a ride or seeing a show. The more popular eateries at Disney World include Ohana at Polynesian Resort, Topolinos at the Riviera Resort, Oga’s Cantina in Hollywood Studios, and the previously mentioned restaurants.  To make a reservation, you’ll need to go to the “Reserve Dining” tab under the My Disney Experience section of the Walt Disney World website (it can also be done in the My Disney Experience app).  From there, you can choose the restaurant and select a time frame, and the site will show you what’s available. Keep in mind that it’s extremely difficult to make reservations for most of the restaurants mentioned.  Most people who successfully nab a reservation at these hot spots do so in one of three ways:

• They make the reservation on the app or online at exactly at 7 a.m. EST, exactly 60 days prior (this option is only open to hotel guests).
• They’re able to grab a canceled reservation two days prior. Since Disney charges $10 for all missed reservations, and reservations can be canceled up to 24 hours in return, many guests book spots ahead of time and then cancel them at the last minute. They sign up for a paid alert system like Mouskepros, Mouse Dining, Mouse Watcher, or Mouse Seats.  These third-party services charge $6 or $7 per month to text you when a reservation becomes available for the restaurants of your choice.
• They incessantly check and refresh the My Disney Experience app.

Use Genie+ to Schedule Most Rides

The old fast pass system has been replaced with Disney Genie and Genie+, which can be found in the My Disney Experience App.  This app is an AI that keeps guests alerted as to how long wait times are for rides and attractions around the parks.  Disney Genie is free, but if you upgrade to Genie+, you can schedule a specific time to ride a ride.  When it’s your time, you’ll have an hour to check in and join the queue in the special lightning lanes.  There are only a limited number of reservations allowed during each window, so Lightning lanes are significantly shorter than the regular lines; on average, expect to wait 5-10 minutes in these lines, but it can occasionally be longer if the ride has a shutdown, for example. Some of the more popular rides have paid lightning lanes, which means you pay between $7 and $15 per person just to skip the line for that one specific line.  A few of the rides that offer this are Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy Rewind at Epcot, and Avatar Flights of Passage at Animal Kingdom.

Best Plan of Action

• Wake up before 7 in the morning so you’re set to enter one of the parks.  Make sure you’ve already purchased Genie+ for the day because as soon as 7 a.m. hits, reservation times will already start going quickly.
• At 7 a.m., try to make a reservation for one of the most popular rides at the park.
• If available, purchase an individual lightning lane pass.  These are usually only available for one ride per park.  This step can also be done later on in the day, but don’t wait too late, as these passes will eventually sell out.
• Make sure you’re at the park for rope drop.  This also means you’ll be in the park 30 minutes before it officially opens to the public. At this point, you’ll want to make a mad dash to ride with the longest wait time.   Ideally, your max wait time will be under 30 minutes.
• Once you’re done with your first ride of the day, it should be about time to check in to the lightning lane for the reservation you made this morning (keep in mind that you can check in five minutes early).  Once you’ve scanned your lightning lane pass twice in line, start booking a reservation for your next ride while you’re still in line.  It’s best to choose another popular ride, something that has a wait time of around 30-45 minutes or longer at this point in the day.
• Check out another one of the less popular attractions or shows while waiting for upcoming ride reservations. Depending on the park you’re in and the day of the week it is, it’s not uncommon to find attractions that have 5-25 minute waits for the first few hours after opening.
• Lather, rinse and repeat this process throughout the rest of the day.
• If you need a rest or want to see a show, midday is generally the best time to do either, as this is when crowds tend to be highest.

Conclusion

Although Walt Disney World is referred to as the happiest place on earth, it can sometimes be the most rushed as well.  Although these tips take a lot of planning and require plenty of time staring at your phone, it can definitely be worth it to get more done while at the park.  Make sure to take some great photos and make some amazing memories while doing so.

Nothing could be more embarrassing than showing up for your long-planned trip to Colombia, only to be denied entry at the last minute. Yet, if you do not research the visa and other entry requirements, you could find yourself in just such a situation. In the blink of an eye, your travel plans would be ruined, and you would be on another plane — this one an expensive trip back home.

All of that is easily avoided with a little homework, and there is no reason to put your amazing travel plans at risk. Once you have the required travel documents, you will be able to visit the bustling cities of Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena, the amazing rainforest, and the lovely small towns that make Colombia such a special place to be. Here are some key things you need to know about traveling to Colombia.

Visa Information

Citizens traveling from certain parts of the world will require a valid tourist visa to visit Colombia, and if that requirement applies to you, it’s important to get that documentation in place well before your trip. You can check with your travel agent or local embassy to see if you need a valid tourist visa to visit Colombia.

It’s also important to remember that people visit Colombia for all kinds of reasons. While many head to this South American hotspot for fun and to see the sights, others may travel for business and other reasons.

If you are not traveling to Colombia as a tourist, you will need to check the relevant visa requirements. The country of Colombia issues a number of different types of visas, including student visas and visas for those engaged in certain types of commerce. Each of these visas comes with its own set of requirements, rules, and regulations, and it’s essential to do your homework and complete the applicable forms.

In addition to any visa requirements, you will also be required to have a valid passport, so check the expiration date on this vital document long before your planned departure date. If your passport is about to expire, be sure to get it renewed — you do not want to arrive in Colombia and face unexpected surprises.

Documentation

Upon entry to Colombia, you will be asked to present your documentation, including any required visa and your valid passport. The immigration control personnel will check those documents, and they may ask questions about where you are traveling and the purpose of your trip.

You will want to keep your passport and any required visas with you at all times while in Colombia. It is also a good idea to make copies of these documents, carry a copy with you, pack an extra copy in your luggage, and even leave a copy with a trusted friend back home. You will also want to record phone numbers you can use in case of emergency, including those for your embassy or consulate.

Travel documents are vitally important for vacationers, international students, and anyone else planning to visit Colombia. Knowing what to expect and what you need ahead of time will make your life easier — and your trip a lot more fun.

Whether you are a one income family by choice or necessity, one thing remains the same. The budget doesn’t necessarily allow for those expensive family vacations. But family vacations don’t have to be expensive to be fun, exciting and fill of memories. Here are some ideas for one income families.

Local and State Vacations

Never underestimate the power of state and local vacations. These can be extreme money savers. But they can still be fun. Some state travel agencies offer specials and discounts. Be sure to check these out before you book and plan the family outing.

There are so many things that can be done at the local and state levels that it would be hard to name them all. But here are a few ideas to get you started.

Local Parks

Don’t underestimate local parks. Family picnics are great cheap fun for families all year round. Some parks have events and activities especially during the summer months so be sure to contact your local parks to see if they have a list of events planned.

Some local parks have walking and hiking trails. This can be fun, entertaining and educational all in one. It is economical as well. It’s great exercise for the whole family. Have a hike or walk, then a picnic, then finish it off with some time at the playground.

State Parks

State parks are a great resource for learning and for a little family fun. Most state parks have great walking and hiking trails and have many places for picnics and family outings. It would be a great place to hold a family reunion too.

Call your state parks office to see if they have summer and fall events scheduled and if you can get a copy of these events sent to you.

Other Events

1.)  Most cities have summer activities even small towns and villages. Make sure you contact your local chamber of commerce for any events planned that you might attend with your family. Most cities especially smaller cities cater to families on tight budgets so there is bound to be something for cheap fun for a family.
2.) Why not see about your state fair? Most states hold a state fair and would probably be well within the budget to attend.
3.) Local county fairs are another idea for cheap family fun. Ask your local agricultural department for more information.
4.) Local conservatories or arboretums are a good place to have a family picnic, outing or other family fun event.

Local Historical Sites

Many historical sites are cheap or even free. They are great places to get together with your family for fun. Many have picnic areas. Some historical sites have educational programs. They also may have entertainment like reenactments of battles and historical time periods. From civil war encampments to covered bridges, there is something that might interest any family member.

Camping

Camping needn’t be expensive. A good tent can be had for under a few hundred dollars. Some basic camping supplies could be sleeping bags, extra blankets, a first aid kit, a camp light and possibly a camp stove. Having a camp stove can significantly reduce costs of food.

Some campgrounds have teepees that can be rented for an even more fun camping experience. The teepees are usually affordable only costing slightly more than a regular camp site.

Call ahead especially in mid summer when the peak hours of camping are in effect. This way, you can be sure to get the best rates.

Camping Basics: Bare Necessities

When you go camping with the family and you are on a strict budget, it can be hard to decide what you will bring. But keep in mind the absolute necessities for camping.

Tent

A good tent is a camping necessity even if you plan to rent a teepee. Having one just in case is a good back up plan. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on a good one. A couple hundred bucks should do. Sometimes even less.

Maybe you could borrow a tent from a friend who goes camping. Look around. Some people have to upgrade their tents due to increasing numbers in the household or for other reasons. You might find someone willing to bargain with you on the price of the tent.

Although you might want to consider a separate tent for the kids, think about whether that is absolutely necessary.

Light Source

A cheap light source could be as simple as a battery operated flash light. Just be sure to bring extra batteries.

Entertainment

Books and writing utensils (pen, pencil, crayons and a notebook) are a good thing to bring along with you on the family camp out. Decide whether you will be roughing it or just having a relaxing time. Roughing it would mean most technological items are left at home. That includes mp3 players, CD players, Laptop Computers and the like.

A lot of camp sites won’t have electric access so some of these things would be pointless to bring. You also might be so busy with hiking and building bonfires that you won’t have time to use these items.

Sleeping Bags, Pillows and Blankets

Tents (and teepees) aren’t usually equipped with built-in sleeping bags so sleeping materials such as sleeping bags, blankets and pillows are necessities. There is no need to buy any new fancy ones. Just bring the sleeping material you already own. That saves a lot of money.

Cooking Equipment

Decide whether you want to spend extra money eating at restaurants or investing in some cooking equipment that will save you a bundle of money. The money you save could be used for more family activities.

You should buy a good propane cooker with the basic utensils such as a frying pan, pot, spatula and spoon. Make sure you can find a local store to buy canned goods or other foods. You could bring your own from home to save money. Non-perishables such as cereal, crackers and canned goods are great items to bring with you. Don’t forget the can opener!

Finding the Best Hotel for the Cheapest Rates

If camping isn’t your family’s idea of a relaxing time (too many bugs, too much wilderness) then consider a hotel in the area you want to travel.

Finding the best hotel rates is considered by some an art or science. But it doesn’t have to be hard to find the best rates. Just keep these tips in mind when shopping around for a hotel.

1.) Travel Agency: Use a travel agency to get the best rates. Or use a motorist plan such as AAA.
2.) Use travel coupons. When you visit a new state, they usually have a rest stop that has brochures, maps and other events that may be happening in that area. They also may have travel coupon books that can help you save money on hotels and other lodging.
3.) Shop around early. Many hotel rates go up at the last minutes. If you book early, you may also book the early rates (and possibly cheaper) also.

Just the Fun, Mom!

Sometimes just a local event will do. Other times you may want to travel a few hours. A one day outing with the family can turn out to the best day you’ve ever had and it doesn’t have to be expensive either.