How to Visit Disney World on a Teacher’s Budget

Normally, the number one tip for saving money at Disney World is to go during the off season. I’m not even going to put that on my list, because it’s virtually impossible as a teacher. Unless you have a week-long break that isn’t over a major holiday, that’s not going to happen. However, there are still plenty of ways to save money on a trip to Disney World.

#1 – Start Saving a Little Bit at a Time

Paying for a Disney vacation is a lot easier when you have money set aside specifically for it. I have a Disney envelope that I add money to each time I get a paycheck. Just add whatever you can, and watch as it grows. Even my kids are willing to give their five dollar a week allowance to the Disney fund.
Wait until you have enough money saved. Then, start planning your special vacation. Any extra money you build up in the meantime will be perfect for spending money while you’re there.

#2- Buy Disney Gift Cards at Target

If you have a Target Red Card, you get 5% off of all your purchases. Amazingly, that includes Disney gift cards. For every holiday leading up to our Disney World vacation, I buy my kids Disney gift cards from Target. I love getting 5% off of them, and they love planning what they’re going to buy with them.

#3 – Ask for Disney Gift Cards for Gifts

You can save up Disney gift cards, too. They work for food, souveniers, and almost everything in Disney World. I ask for Disney gift cards from all my family members for Christmas and my birthday. I’ve even received them from some of my students who know how much I love everything Disney.

#4 – Find an Affordable Place to Stay.

You can definitely find places off Disney property that are very affordable. There are condos and even whole houses for rent really close to Disney World.

However, I always save a little bit longer to be able to stay at a Disney resort. There are so many added benefits to staying on property, like Extra Magic Hours that allow you into the park an hour before the general public. You also get to reserve your dining and FastPasses before everyone else. Plus, Disney transportation is a reliable way to get from one place to another.

If you want the best of both worlds, The Swan and Dolphin Resort offers a teacher discount and most of the advantages of staying at a Disney resort. This resort is managed by Marriott, but you still get to book your FastPasses in advance and benefit from Extra Magic Hours.

The Hilton Orlando also offers a Teacher Appreciation Discount. You’ll receive 20% off your room and a daily $50 resort credit.

#5 – Buy Souveneirs for the Kids Before Leaving Home

One of the easiest places to spend a lot of money at Disney World is the gift shops. They are everywhere, and of course you have to walk through one every time you get off a ride. It’s inevitable that the kids are going to see something they want in every single shop.

I stock up on little Disney surprises before I leave home. You can get stuffed animals and Disney light-up toys for a lot less money than you’re going to pay in the parks. I give my kids a little treat each day so they feel like they’re getting something.

Then, when we look in the gift shops, we take pictures of the items they like and their prices. The day before our vacation ends, we look back through the pictures, and the kids choose what they want to buy with their gift cards. On the last day, we go back to those stores and purchase the few items they really want.

#6 – Get a Disney VISA Card

Another way to get money toward your Disney World vacation is with a Disney VISA Card. With everything you purchase, you get points. Those points convert to dollars to spend on a Disney vacation. Plus, you get special discounts at the Disney Store a few times a year.

Find out how to get your Disney VISA Card, and start earning points today! Plus, you’ll get $200 statement credit when you spend $500 in the first three months!

#7 – Take Your Own Pictures

I love having pictures to remember our special Disney memories. One year, I invested in Disney Memory Maker. That gives you access to all the photos the Disney photographers take during your vacation. It was a nice service, and there are some neat effects the phototgraphers can add to the pictures, but I wouldn’t do it again.

Disney makes it really easy to take your own photos. A cast member will use your camera or phone to take pictures of your family at character meetings. Plus, you can almost always find a friendly person nearby who will happily snap a photo for you.

#8 – Bring Some of Your Own Food

Food is another place you can spend a lot of money. Disney food is really expensive. Don’t be surprised when they ask you to pay $7.oo for a  small cup of yogurt. That’s why I bring my own breakfast foods and snacks. I pack boxes of granola bars, cereal, and juice boxes in my suitcases. That way, we can grab a quick breakfast before heading out for the day.

Disney allows you to bring food into the parks. I stock my bag with snacks. We often munch on them while we’re waiting in line, and they usually keep us from stopping for lunch.

Dinner is the meal we usually splurge on during our Disney vacation. We sit down as a family and choose the restaurants we really want to try. Then, I book our reservations 180 days before our trip to guarantee the times we want. We always schedule a character dining experience, like dinner at Be Our Guest.

#9 – Don’t Rent a Car

If you’re staying on Disney property, there is no need to rent a car. The Magical Express will pick you up at the airport and transport you directly to your hotel. The Disney busses, boats, and monorails will get you everywhere else you need to go during your stay. The monorail was actually my son’s favorite ride when we were there. Ironically, you don’t even need to buy park tickets to ride it. Haha!

#10 – Don’t Worry About Money During Your Vacation

If you’ve budgeted appropriately and saved up your Disney gift cards and credit card points, you should have more than enough spending money for your trip. That should allow you not to worry about money during your vacation. Enjoy every minute you spend soaking in the magic of Disney World with your family!

Looking for other vacation destinations for your family? Find out how to plan an amazing vacation to Hershey, Pennsylvania.

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What Do You Think?

What tips do you have for visiting Disney World on a teacher’s budget?

Let me know in the comments below.

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Plan Your Day at Hershey’s Chocolate World

There are several ways you can work Chocolate World into your Hershey vacation. You could spend the morning at Hersheypark and stop by Chocolate World for a mid-day break. Spend some time in the air conditioning and do an activity before heading back to the park.

Another option is to set aside a whole morning or evening to spend at Hershey’s Chocolate World. In about four hours, you can do all of the activities it has to offer. I personally prefer doing it this way because you get a discount when you purchase tickets for several activities at one time. We bought the Adventure 1 Bundle with Summer Trolley and saved $17. Check out all of the activity bundles, and see which one is best for your family.

If you don’t have time to spend half a day or several days at Chocolate World, at least pop in to do the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour. This ride will show you all the steps it takes to make a delicious Hershey’s Chocolate Bar. The best part is it’s completely free, and you get a chocolate sample at the end of the ride.

If you like planning ahead like me, you can purchase all of the tickets online. Just print them and show them at each attraction. It’s super quick and easy!

Activities at Hershey’s Chocolate World

I’m going to take you through the morning we spent at Hershey’s Chocolate World. You can do the activities in any order and leave as much time as you like between them. We wanted to spend the morning and early afternoon there and make it home for naptime.

4-D Chocolate Mystery – 10:30-11:00

The first activity we did was the 4-D Chocolate Mystery. I was a little bit nervous about Maddy sitting through the 30-minute movie. We still can’t make it through a regular movie in the theater without crawling over seats, running up and down the aisles, and taking 25 bathroom breaks. Needless to say, Mommy doesn’t usually get to see much of the movie.

We entered the theater, donned our 3-D glasses, and I didn’t know I had a 3-year old with me for the full 30 minutes. The 4-D Chocolate Mystery is very interactive and not only has 3-D movie effects but also special effects that appeal to all the senses. Maddy sat on my lap, so she didn’t feel some of the things bumping against her legs. That might have scared her. She sat with her eyes glued to the screen until the lights came back on at the end of the movie. Now I need all movies to be this engaging!

Lunch – 11:00-11:30

We had a break before our next scheduled activity, so we decided to have some lunch. There are plenty of places to have lunch in Hershey’s Chocolate World. Different stations offer a variety of foods from mac and cheese to pizza to soup in a bread bowl. The last time we were at Chocolate World, we had the mac and cheese, and it was very good.

This time, I wanted to save some money, so I packed lunch for us. You are allowed to bring food into Chocolate World, and this is a great way to save money. Buying food for everyone adds up quickly. I’d rather spend my money on the fun activities than on food.

The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour – 11:30-11:45

The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour is a ride that takes you through the making of a chocolate bar from start to finish. You’re greeted by the cows who provide the milk for the chocolate. Then, you go through the factory and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the chocolate-making process.  My kids loved that the Hershey characters kept appearing throughout the ride. Maddy loved the Hershey Kiss, and Jamison’s favorite was the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Of course, they both enjoyed the free sample on our way off the ride.

Chocolate World wasn’t busy on the day we were there. We were able to walk onto the ride without a line, and we were finished in under 15 minutes. If it’s busier the day you’re there, the line will be longer. It usually moves pretty quickly, though.

Chocolate Tasting Experience – 11:45-12:15

Maddy was most looking forward to the Chocolate Tasting Experience. She is a big fan of dessert, and she hasn’t met a piece of candy she doesn’t like (until today). We were given a bag with four pieces of chocolate in it as we entered the tasting room. After a lesson on how to properly taste chocolate, we were given the chance to sample each type. Did you know you should listen to your chocolate before tasting it? You learn something new every day.

After tasting the chocolate, we voted on the flavors we tasted in each type of chocolate. Then, we got to compare our vote with what the experts taste. One of the pieces of chocolate was organic with a high cocoa content. The top 3 votes said it tasted like wood, leather, and tobacco. If you haven’t guessed yet, that is the one Maddy didn’t like. The rest she gobbled up, even before we were instructed to try them. At the end of our Chocolate Tasting Experience, we were each given a certificate saying that we are Hershey’s Palateers.

Create Your Own Candy Bar – 12:30-1:15

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the Create Your Own Candy Bar activity when I signed up for it. When we arrived, we were given an apron and a hairnet. Then, we entered the “factory”.

First, we went to computers to choose the ingredients for our chocolate bars. We were able to select dark, milk, or white chocolate and up to three add-ons. Finally, you could add sprinkles to the top.

After customizing our candy bars, we moved to the conveyor belt where our chocolate bar would be created. We watched in awe as the chocolate was poured, the pretzels, chocolate chips, and other add-ons were inserted, and the sprinkles were drizzled on top.

While our chocolate bars cooled, we used computers to design the packaging for our chocolate bars. We could custom design the boxes or use a design that was already created.

Finally, our chocolate bars were ready. I was extremely impressed with the organization of this activity. Everything was timed perfectly, and it really kept the kids engaged. Maddy and Jamison were so excited to take home the candy bars they created!

Candy Shopping – 1:15-1:45

You need to leave some time in your schedule for shopping! Aisles of every candy imaginable will surround you. You’ll find treats that can’t be found anywhere else. Be sure to stock up on your favorites to take home with you.

We also had to stop for our favorite Chocolate World treat – a chocolate milkshake.  Yum!

Summer Trolley Ride – 1:45-2:15

We wrapped up our day at Chocolate World with the Summer Trolley Ride. The trolley waits for you right in front of Chocolate World. After you board, you’ll be taken on a journey through Milton Hershey’s life. Your tour guides will put on a show filled with important sites in Hershey’s life, costume changes, and sweet treats.

I wasn’t sure how much the kids would like the trolley ride. However, it ended up being Jamison’s favorite part of the whole day. He loved learning about Milton Hershey, and he even got to request a song.

A Fun-Filled Day

We had so much fun doing all the activities at Hershey’s Chocolate World. In case you were wondering, we didn’t quite make it home for nap time.  This picture says it all. Maddy enjoyed a final piece of chocolate and slept the rest of the way home.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

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What Do You Think?

Which of these activities would you enjoy most at Hershey’s Chocolate World?  

Let me know in the comments below.

Check out the rest of our summer adventures in Hershey.

The post Hershey’s Chocolate World Review appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

#1 – The Hershey Lodge Welcome

From the moment you walk into the Hershey Lodge, you’ll feel at home. There are valets to park your car and bellhops to take your luggage the moment you pull up to the entrance. When you get to the check-in desk, you’ll be welcomed with your room key, a schedule of events for the week, and a Hershey’s Chocolate Bar for each member of your family. What a sweet way to start your vacation!

There’s even a separate kids’ check-in area. The kids can sign the guest book, play a quick game, and get a sweet treat of their own. This is a nice touch and makes the kids feel really special and welcomed, too!

#2 – The Hershey Water Works

The Hershey Water Works is the reason we decided to stay at the Hershey Lodge. As soon as I saw the pictures of this indoor water complex, I knew we had to try it. The only way to access the Water Works is by staying at the Hershey Lodge.

The Hershey Water Works alone made the cost of our room worth it. There was something for everyone to do. Maddy spent her time splashing in the kiddie pool, playing with fountains, and going down the little slide. Jamison went down the big Twizzlers slides about 50 times. While he wasn’t sliding, he was practicing his swimming skills in the big pool.

When it was time to leave for dinner, we were all a little sad. There was even a snack bar right next to the pool, but I had my heart set on trying one of the Hershey Lodge’s amazing restaurants!

#3 – Excellent Dining Options

Food is one of my favorite parts of visiting new places. I love trying different restaurants and experiencing new flavors. The Hershey Lodge has four main restaurants. I had previously eaten at 2 of them. The Hershey Grill has really good dinners, and the Bears’ Den is themed after the Hershey Bears hockey team and has excellent snacks and casual meals. That left the Forebay and Fire and Grain. The Forebay seemed a little bit fancier, and we weren’t dressed up. We decided to try Fire and Grain.

We were not disappointed!  Everything from the service to the entrees to the dessert was excellent. The menu had a lot of interesting options, and our server, Christian, answered all of our questions and gave us great recommendations. I had the Fried Oyster Toast, and it was incredible. Tony and the kids loved the flatbread pizzas.

Since we were in Hershey, I couldn’t leave without dessert. We ordered a chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream. Oh my! It was ridiculously good, and I didn’t want to share.

We were so impressed with the food at Fire and Grain that we went back for breakfast the next morning. Again, the menu was creative and everything was delicious. It fueled us so we were ready for our day at Hersheypark.

The Hershey Lodge also has a coffee shop called the Cocoa Beanery. The kids wanted to stop for some smoothies when we were leaving. I ordered the Chocolate Bar Iced Latte, and it was so good! I highly recommend it if you need a sweet kick of caffeine.

#4 – Transportation to Hersheypark

I know this sounds strange, but I dread driving and parking in lots where there are tons of people. The entrance to Hersheypark is crazy with 4 lanes of traffic and hundreds of cars. Luckily, the Hershey Lodge provides free transportation to the park. We were picked up right in front of the lodge and dropped off right at the entrance to Hersheypark. It was perfect! At the end of the day, it was so nice to board the air conditioned bus instead of having to hunt down a roasting hot car.

#5 – Hersheypark Preview and Sweet Start

Hersheypark tickets are not cheap, but there are a few ways to get the most for your money. Anyone who purchases a ticket can take advantage of the Hersheypark Preview. This allows you to enter the park three and a half hours before closing. That way you can scope out the park, do some rides, and decide what your must-dos are for the next day. We didn’t have an opportunity to use this since we were busy at the Water Works and eating, but it’s definitely a nice feature.

If you’re staying at the Hershey Lodge or any of the other Hershey hotels, you can take advantage of the Sweet Start. This allows you to enter the park an hour before it opens. Only select rides are open, but it was perfect for us because a lot of the kiddie rides were open. We walked right onto the rides without any lines for that whole first hour. It was awesome, and the kids were able to ride their favorites more than once!

#6 – Activities for the Kids

The Hershey Water Works isn’t the only thing for the kids to do at the lodge. Each day, there is a schedule of activities for the kids. We didn’t get to try any of them, but I wished we were there on a Tuesday or Thursday. On those nights, they have a smore’s roast by the lake. That sounds like lots of fun!

We did try the arcade and mini golf. The arcade was small, but the kids had fun playing a few games. We tried mini golf because it was free for guests staying at the lodge. The course was nothing special, but with two small kids we don’t take it too seriously anyway. It was Maddy’s first time mini golfing, and she gave up after hole 2, so I was glad I hadn’t paid to do it.

#7 – The Attention to Detail

When you’re visiting the Sweetest Place on Earth, you expect lots of sweets. There were so many small touches at the Hershey Lodge that constantly reminded us that we were in Hershey. The room numbers outside the rooms had pictures of candy on them. We were in the Hershey’s Kiss hallway. Inside the bathroom, the wallpaper was covered with Hershey’s Kisses. When we showered after the Water Works, we realized the shampoo, conditioner, and lotion all smelled like chocolate.

At Fire and Grain, the kids were given coloring pages and crayons. I was expecting the regular pack of red, blue, green, and yellow crayons that they get at every restaurant. Instead, the crayons were gray, brown, orange, and green so the kids could color the candy bars the correct colors. All of those little touches made us feel special.

Money Saving Bonus

So I promised you 7 reasons you should stay at the Hershey Lodge, but I have one more tip. Look for special deals the lodge is running when you are booking your stay. The Kids Stay, Play, and Eat Free deal saved us lots of money! Our park tickets, admission to the Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum, and breakfast for the kids were all included. I love finding a great deal!

Loving the Lodge

The only issue we had during our stay at the Hershey Lodge was finding our way to the pool and other activities. We kept going to the wrong floor and getting lost. That problem would have been solved by staying a few more days and getting used to the layout of the hotel. I guess we’ll have to do that next time.

The kids absolutely loved their stay. Jamison actually cried as we were getting in the car to leave, and Maddy asked when she can sleep there again. I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes open for another great deal so we can experience the Sweetest Place on Earth once more.

Find out more about our adventures in Hershey.

Click to book your stay at the Hershey Lodge.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

Which reason makes you want to stay at the Hershey Lodge the most?

Let me know if the comments below.

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What to See in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Everyone has heard of Hershey’s Chocolate and Hersheypark, but do you know about all the other fun things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania? In this series, I’ll tell you about all the best things to do when you’re visiting Hershey. We’ll look at the best places to stay and have fun. As I visit each place, I’ll write a review and link to it below. By the time we’re done, you’ll be completely ready for your vacation to Hershey, PA.

Places to Stay

Even though we’re doing a staycation, I know everyone doesn’t live as close to Hershey as we do. Therefore, I decided to check out some of the best places to stay. There are a ton of hotels in the area, but we’re going to investigate two of the official resorts of Hersheypark.

The Hotel Hershey

The Hotel Hershey is the most expensive option, but it is well worth the money. As soon as you enter the long driveway and lay eyes on the Mediterranean decor, you’ll see just how amazing this hotel is. There are lots of perks included in the price of staying at the Hotel Hershey. They provide free transportation to the park, and you get free tickets to the Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum. You can also get into Hersheypark an hour before everyone else! The hotel has amazing amenities, such as elegant restaurants, gardens, and a spa.

The Hershey Lodge

The Hershey Lodge is less expensive than the Hotel Hershey, and it is also a great place to stay. It’s even better than the hotel if you have children. You still get free transportation to the park, tickets to the Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum, and early admission to the park. However, the lodge also has an indoor water park. Your kids will love playing there on a rainy day or after a hot day at the park.

Even though this was supposed to be a staycation, the Hershey Lodge was running a special Kids Stay, Play, and Eat Free deal. We booked a room at an amazing price and received free Hersheypark tickets and kids meals.

Find out about our amazing stay at the Hershey Lodge.

Things To Do

Hersheypark

Let’s get the most obvious activity out of the way first. Hersheypark is what draws most visitors to Hershey. The park has rides for all ages. There are roller coasters for the thrill seekers. There are also plenty of options for people who prefer calmer rides. The kiddie rides will keep the little ones happy all day. On a hot, summer day, be sure to visit the Boardwalk and water attractions.

Chocolate World

Did you ever wonder how chocolate is made? You can find out by visiting Chocolate World. The ride is completely free and will take you through the process of creating a delicious Hershey’s Chocolate Bar. You even get a free sample at the end of the ride.

While you’re visiting Chocolate World, you can also make your own chocolate bar, do a chocolate tasting, watch the 4-D Chocolate Mystery, and take a trolley ride around Hershey. Don’t forget to stock up on your favorite sweet treats before you leave!

The Hershey Story

Learn about Milton Hershey and the history of Hershey in this fun, interactive museum. Kids will be engaged with all the hands-on activities. Older children can complete a scavenger hunt as they explore the museum while younger kids can play an “I Spy” game during their visit. For a few extra dollars, you can make chocolate in the Chocolate Lab and do a chocolate taste testing.

The Hershey Gardens

The Hershey Gardens are a perfect place to spend a beautiful, sunny day. Adults will love admiring the beauty of all the different species of plants. The children will love the Butterfly Atrium where they can see between 500 and 600 beautiful butterflies from around the world. There is even a separate Children’s Garden where the little ones will love being misted by Hershey’s Kisses and exploring the interactive exhibits.

The Sweetest Place on Earth

Hershey, PA is known as the sweetest place on Earth. There are Hershey’s Kisses around every corner (and on each lightpost). Come and explore all of these fun, family-friendly activities. No matter which ones you choose to do during your vacation to Hershey, I can promise your trip will be filled with lots of chocolate and great memories!

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

Have you been to Hershey, Pennsylvania? What was your favorite part?

Let me know in the comments below.

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The post Hershey, Pennsylvania: A Fun Vacation Destination appeared first on Teach Without Tears.