1. Travel

Discuss in my forum

Tips for Saving Money on a Summer Vacation

By , About.com Guide

6 of 6

Budget Vacation Strategy # 6: Do A Theme Park Vacation - Twice (Or More)
Expedition Everest coaster, at Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney World. Photo ©  Teresa Plowright.

The Expedition Everest roller coaster, in the Animal Kingdom Theme Park, at Disney World.

Photo © Teresa Plowright.

Many families long for a Disney vacation, but get a rude shock when they add up the costs of their passes to Disney World ( -- especially as "children" are defined as ages 3 through 9, and any kids who are older pay an adult price. )

Luckily there is a magic fix, of sorts, due to the fact that an Annual Pass costs not so very much more than, say, a seven-day Park Hopper Plus pass. If you have an opportunity to be in Orlando more than once in a calendar year, you can enjoy two (or more) theme park park visits -- a summer vacation and a Christmas vacation, for example.

This Annual Pass strategy works for many theme parks: very often, the extra cost for year-long admission is just a few dollars more than a multi-day pass. Universal Orlando, for instance, has well-price annual passes. Sometimes annual passes include admission to sister theme parks, too.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.