Affordable Disney Alternatives

If you’re a mom and you’re in charge of planning family vacations, there’s a lot to love about Disney World in Orlando. In fact, it’s one of those quintessential vacation spots that most families have on their bucket lists, and many families have gone time and time again.

However, some things aren’t so lovable about Disney World including the crowds, and even more than that, the prices. Even when you take the budget route, Disney is an expensive family vacation.

Alternatives are available, however. The following are some great alternatives to Disney that are more affordable and might be a good fit for your family.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg, Virginia is a great family destination, and it offers history and adventure. Williamsburg is well-known for Colonial Williamsburg, which is an 18^th-century living history museum. The people who work at Colonial Williamsburg aren’t actors. Instead, they are actually trained craftspeople and apprentices.

In the historic area, you’ll find Nation Builders, which are portrayals of real figures who had associations with Williamsburg. There are carriage rides, and you can tour historic buildings and watch the trades people working.

Colonial Williamsburg is home to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and 18^th-century-style taverns and restaurants.

Along with the history, Williamsburg is also where you’ll find Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which is a theme park and a water park. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is based on countries in Europe, and it’s often named as one of the most beautiful theme parks in the world.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

If you like adventure and theme parks, but you don’t want to blow your budget at Disney, Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio may work well for you. Six Flags Fiesta Texas features thrill rides like Batman the Ride which is the first 4D free-fly roller coaster, as well as the Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster and is soon to be home to the new Joker Carnival of Chaos Coaster.

San Antonio has other appealing places to visit if you’re a family as well. There’s SeaWorld San Antonio, the San Antonio Zoo, and historic sites like the Alamo. There’s also the downtown Riverwalk, full of shops, dining, and live entertainment.

Dollywood

Dollywood is located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, in Pigeon Forge which is near Gatlinburg. Dollywood is an affordable, family-friendly theme park destination with a lot of wholesome entertainment. Dollywood’s low ticket prices are paired with shorter lines than you’ll find at a lot of parks, including Disney.

Dollywood features around 27 rides, eight of which are roller coasters. Right next door is the Dollywood Splash Country water park.

If you want a break from theme parks, you’re right next to Smoky Mountains National Park, which is one of the most popular National Parks in the country.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is located in Buena Park, California which is in northwestern Orange County. Buena Park is located around 24 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and is considered part of the Los Angeles Metro.

The park itself has many rides, attractions, and shows divided into four themed areas. One of the top attractions is called the Silver Bullet, which is the largest inverted roller coaster in California. Knott’s Berry Farm is also home to the roller coaster with the steepest drop in California, and there’s the Ghostrider, which is the longest, fastest and tallest wooden roller coaster on the west coast.

If you have younger kids, they’ll love Camp Snoopy, featuring more than a dozen rides geared toward kids, and interactive shows.

Club Med Sandpiper Bay

Maybe you want the Florida sun without the Orlando prices, and perhaps you don’t want a theme park at all.

If that’s the case, Club Med Sandpiper Bay can be an affordable family destination. It’s on the eastern coast of Florida along the St. Lucie River. It’s around two hours north of Miami and is an all-inclusive family resort which can be tough to find in the U.S.

There are children’s clubs for ages 4 to 17 and gourmet dining. There arean open bar and snack policies, and entertainment day and night.

Activities include land and water sports, as well as excursions. There’s golf including Club Med Academies which are all-inclusive golf programs, and kids can participate in age-appropriate activities.

Disney is great, but not always in your budget, or perhaps you’ve been, and you’re burned out, so the above are great family-friendly and budget-friendly U.S travel options.