Walt Disney World aficionado offers time, money-saving advice

Walt Disney World aficionado offers time, money-saving advice

(Courtesy of Nancy Murphy)


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ALPINE — From fast passes to food, a Utah woman is a Walt Disney World vacation-planning veteran, and now she has the credentials to help others plan their magical trip.

Nancy Murphy and her family were frequent visitors of Disney World when her husband, Dale, played for the Atlanta Braves.

Since the Murphy's didn't live far from the park the family visited Disney World two or three times a year.

"It's not just a place to go and go on rides … and to eat great food and see great fireworks ... to us and to my family and my kids, it's really such a integral part of their childhood memories," Murphy said.

Whether they are celebrating something, or someone has experienced a big disappointment, the Murphy's go to Disney World.

"It's kind of a place we can get away from everything else in our lives and just kind of enjoy being together," Murphy said.

In January, Murphy started her yearlong position on the Disney Parks Moms Panel, where she assists people in their vacation planning by answering questions online.

Vacation planners can ask Murphy things like how to get from their hotel to a specific restaurant.

Since Murphy has a son with special needs, she can provide expertise on how to get visitors with special needs around the park.

"That's the part I like about it, is just being able to help people," Murphy said.

When Murphy herself plans a trip to Walt Disney World, she focuses on how she can get the most out of her time and money.

The Disney World aficionado provided some examples of ways to save money, including staying at a value resort and getting a suite that sleeps up to five people.

By staying at a Disney World hotel, there is free transportation from the Orlando airport to the resort, so it won't be necessary to rent a car or take a taxi.

To save money on food, Murphy has ordered breakfast from a local grocery store that delivered food to her hotel room each morning. Her family also has purchased just one big meal at the parks during the day plus a snack at night.

"Another thing we've done ... if we go for a week, and I'm going to be buying park tickets for everyone for a week anyway, it's not that much more money to get one of us an annual pass," Murphy said.

She added that getting an annual pass qualifies its owner for specials, such as large hotel discounts.

(Photo: Courtesy of Nancy Murphy)
(Photo: Courtesy of Nancy Murphy)

To make the most of time, Murphy suggested avoiding Disney World during peak season — summertime and holidays — and staying at Disney World resorts, since one of the four parks is open exclusively to those hotel guests for a few hours each day.

Murphy has also booked things in advance. Her family plans to visit Disney World in March, but they already have their fast passes and meal reservations set.

Additionally, Murphy advised Disney World parkgoers to attend character meals to avoid waiting in two-hour lines to meet Mickey.

"For us, our time is about as valuable as our money, so we just try to find ways to get in there, have a great experience, do everything we want to do and not waste time doing stuff."

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