| Thanks to Disneyland and other family destinations, | | | | attractions. |
| Orange County is now a hotbed for vacationers. Like | | | | If your vacation time is flexible, consider traveling in |
| any tourist destination, the prices have risen along | | | | the fall or the early spring. Crowds tend to be thinner |
| with the number of attractions, but it's definitely | | | | during these times of year, and the weather is still |
| possible to fund an Orange County vacation without | | | | nice enough that you'll enjoy your stay. The prices |
| breaking the bank. | | | | drop around these times of year as well, so you'll pay |
| Before you get started planning your vacation, it's | | | | less than you would if your visit were during peak |
| best to set a budget. This way you know exactly | | | | times. The large travel sites may, throughout the |
| how much you have to spend, and how much you | | | | year, offer various coupon codes for their more |
| need to save in order to go on vacation. When you | | | | popular destinations, such as Orange County, so get |
| have a budget, it becomes easy to make choices on | | | | on the email list of your favorite sites so you can |
| where you should save and where you should pay | | | | monitor any new deals. |
| full price. For example, if you can save money by | | | | There are a wide variety of hotels and motels |
| driving to Orange County, rather than flying, it will | | | | surrounding the major Orange County attractions. |
| allow you spend more on accommodations or vice | | | | You can stay at a smaller motel with fewer frills and |
| versa. | | | | be within the same traveling distance as you would if |
| One of those important choices is which amusement | | | | you stayed at a high priced hotel. If you plan early |
| park you are going to visit, and how much money | | | | and travel in the off-season, staying at the |
| you plan to spend at each. With Disneyland, California | | | | Disneyland Hotel is very reasonable. You'll also save |
| Adventure, LegoLand, Magic Mountain, Knottsberry | | | | money on travel because there are free tram |
| Farm and several other smaller parks within driving | | | | services to and from the park. |
| distance, trying to hit them all will cost you a lot of | | | | Balance your visit to an amusement park with some |
| time and energy. It's best to choose one or two. | | | | free activities, such as visiting the beach or strolling |
| That way you can really enjoy each park and not | | | | down some of Orange County's beautiful parks and |
| stretch your budget too far. Some parks even offer | | | | natural areas. Since the weather is pleasant during |
| 2-for-1 deals, such as Disneyland and California | | | | most of the year, take advantage of simply being |
| Adventure, which allow you to visit two parks for | | | | outdoors and taking in some nature during your visit. |
| one price. | | | | The beach and mountains are within driving distance |
| Check for discount tickets for tours and attractions | | | | of most Orange County towns and Southern |
| before you go. You may be surprised at the | | | | California boasts some of the country's most |
| discounts available for savvy travelers who check | | | | gorgeous national parks. |
| around for prices online ahead of time. You may also | | | | Traveling to Orange County doesn't have to cost as |
| consider purchasing an Entertainment coupon book | | | | much as you may think. With a budget in hand, a plan |
| for the zip code you plan to visit. That will save you | | | | for your activities and an open mind to taking in |
| on dining, and it may save you on lodging and | | | | some of the natural beauty in the area, you'll be able |
| attractions as well. If you belong to AAA or other | | | | to travel without spending your entire savings |
| groups, check the group's website before you go to | | | | account. |
| see if showing your card will save you money on | | | | |