17 February 2014

Up and Running




Have you ever wanted to save money at Walt Disney World, but hated the idea of having to do a lot of leg-work trying to find the best rate, deal, or way to plan your trip to get the most bang for your buck? Then you are definitely one of the 102! Or rather, you would be wise to check out Lou Mongello’s newest project, 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World. The book is available as both a traditional paper copy and an ebook, and Lou was gracious enough to forward a copy over to me to see what I thought of his latest gift to the Disney community.

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? 102 Ways weighs in at almost two hundred pages and rarely does a page get flipped that doesn’t include multiple ways to save, spend, and have frugal fun at Walt Disney World. The book opens with Lou’s guarantee, which also serves to offer up his first piece of advice, “Your goal should not be to use 102 strategies in the same vacation.” The guide offers plenty of strategies, but trying to cram everything into a single trip will create a taxing planning scenario and a trip that will push the boundary of what you could define as family fun. From years of experience, Lou inherently knows this to be true, but rarely do you see a travel writer openly express that moderation in a trip is how you can create lasting family memories and even have fun while planning.

102 Ways offers up a variety of thought processes that you may not have consider. Sure, plenty of guidebooks tell you how to get there or how to get around while you are there, but 102 Ways walks you through the entire process! From planning before you get there, how to save, pack, and plan/make your souvenirs, to when to go, how to get there, and what tickets are perfect for you. Once you’re there Lou touches upon all things edible, from snacks you can pack to those celebratory meals, shopping for souvenirs, and all the stops in between, up to and including what to throw in your back pack.

So, Lou has given you a lot to chew on with how to get there, how to save and spend, and how to make the most of your days in Walt Disney World. All of which begs the question, what’s left? Turns out, plenty! 102 Ways has a secret of its own, turns out it should actually be called 142 Ways, or maybe 1,002 Ways would be more apt for all the uncounted insights Lou has given to readers. The bonus 40 points provided gives you a ton of free things to do, see, and collect while you are vacationing in Walt Disney World. It is here that Lou hands out my favorite piece of advice that I am always passing out myself, and something I make time for on almost every single trip, the sing-a-long and campfire at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

All in all, when it comes right down to it, I would recommend 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World to anyone. Whether it is your first trip you are planning or you happen to be looking for that one thing to make your one-hundredth trip just a bit more affordable or magical, Lou Mongello has you covered. Do yourself a favor and picking up 102 Ways just as soon as you have a chance, and then get started planning your next trip to the Vacation Kingdom!

1 comment:

Lou Mongello said...

Thank you, buddy! Glad you enjoyed the book and I sincerely appreciate your review and endorsement! See you around the Ft. Wilderness campfire!