2018 Summer Vacation Planning Primer

Don’t book your summer vacation until you read my 2018 Summer Vacation Planning Primer blog!

I have all kinds of news, resources, and money-saving tips I want to share with you. I know that this is a lot of information I am throwing at you, but knowledge is power–and big savings in time, effort, and money!

Without a doubt, many of you will be headed to a theme park. And there is none more popular than Disney. That’s because it’s the happiest place on earth and about to get even happier when the 11-acre Toy Story Land opens at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios on June 30. Thanks to the new Skyliner gondola service, it is even easier and faster to get from Epcot to Hollywood Studios. Disneyland’s Pixar Pier opens on June 23. This new attraction includes a one-mile Incredicoaster with a 360-degree loop, Jesse’s Critter Carousel, and much more. Universal Orlando opened Volcano Bay last year. This South-Pacific themed water park boasts a 200-foot volcano. Also new to Universal is the TapuTapu. This is a wearable device that allows guests to “virtually” wait in line for nineteen attrations. TapuTapu sends an alert signalling you that your “virtual” wait is over.  How cool is that? Disney World offers something similar known as a Fast Pass.

Click here for the #1 Disney vacation planning resource!

More popular theme parks: King’s Dominion, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, King’s Island, Hersheypark, Dollywood, Legoland, and Cedar Point.

Best Theme Park Tips: Learn the layout and park hours in advance. Make a plan of action and stick to it. There’s no need to criss-cross the park multiple times! Download the park’s official app to stay abreast of events and wait times. Buy a .99 rain poncho and keep it in your pocket or bag. Bring bottled water and refill at water fountains all day. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. Don’t carry anything that is non-essential. It’s just more to lug around and possibly lose or get wet. Bring or rent a stroller (and snacks) for small children.

Next Up…Best Places to Go!

Best Beaches: Hawaii, Maui, St. Augustine, Honolulu, and Outer Banks.

Best Family Vacations: Outer Banks, Destin (FL), Hilton Head (SC), and Myrtle Beach (SC).

Best (Affordable) Destinations: Grand Canyon, Williamsburg, and Fort Lauderdale.

Best Value Cruise Lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norweigan.

Best Overall Destinations: Jackson Hole, Anchorage, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Ocean City, Maryland.

Best Vacation Cities: Boston, Steamboat Springs, Nashville, and Portland.

*According to U.S. News & World Report.

FYI: Travel experts are predicting the most popular places to vacation will be Santa Fe (New Mexico), Providence (Rhode Island), and all over Florida, California, and Hawaii. If you are planning to travel to the Big Island, make sure to get the latest updates on volcanic activity beforehand. Gas will cost more this summer. The national average was $2.39 last summer and it is expected to be $2.81 this summer. Be sure to use one of my favorite travel apps, GasBuddy, to always find the lowest prices on gas.

Next Up…Summer Flights

If you’ll be flying this summer, be aware of that nearly ten million more fliers will be in the air as opposed to last summer. This is a five percent increase. Let me share some mind-blowing numbers with you. From June 1 – August 31, 246 million fliers will take to the skies! This is an average of 2.68 million people per day! This means that low fares will be few and far between, so don’t hold out for last minute deals. Instead, book as far out as possible. Be advised that the busiest travel days will be Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer, as well as July 5, 12, and 19. The good news is that TSA is adding 1,000 agents and 50 canine teams to help speed things along. I recommend getting My TSA app so that you’ll always have current airport security wait times. Also, watch out for these possible fees: carry-on bag (as well as checked bag fee), In-flight Wi-Fi, seat selection, and non-alcoholic beverages. My personal pet peeve fee is to redeem frequent flier miles. While the miles are free, cashing them in is often not free or even cheap!

Best Resources for Finding Best Fares: Google Flights, CheapAir, and Hopper.

Best Resources for Finding Cheap Lodging: HotelsTonight, Booking.com, and HomeAway.

Best Resources for Finding Cheap Cruises: Cruise Compete.

Next Up…Terrance Talks Travel Reports

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Best Hotel Rewards Programs

Best Adventure Cruises

Packing Checklist

#1 Travel Ailment & How to Avoid It

Worldwide Tipping Guide

Securing Your Home for Vacation

Ten Reasons You’re Stupid If You Don’t Buy Travel Insurance

Never Stand in Another Long Airport Security Line

 

…and many more!

Click here to see a complete list of my travel books!

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Click here to see all my travel reports!

Hint: Use the search box (located on every page of this site) to find hundreds of helpful blogs, such as “Five Best Hotel Hacks,” “Planning a National Park Vacation,” and“Five Scariest Vacation Spots in the World.”