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The resort you choose has a huge impact on your vacation budget; your choice will also affect other aspects of your vacation as well. Choose wisely and you’ll have a great time, and have more room in your budget for dining and souvenirs. Choose poorly and you could end up spending way too much–or realizing that your “bargain” room is really cramping your style.

Save yourself some sleepless nights and some cash by considering one of these great options for your next Disney vacation; these resorts you the most for your money:

Port Orleans Riverside

You'll find plenty of deep South charm at the Port Orleans Riverside. Photo Courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Port Orleans Riverside’s sister resort, the French Quarter is getting plenty of attention, thanks to the debut of the new royalty inspired rooms. You can still snag a regular room at a great price at Dixie Landings and enjoy all of the perks at this great resort.

From the old fashioned charm of the swimming hole pool to the daily fishing expeditions and on-site marina, this resort is packed with great recreation opportunities. Dixie Landings is one of the more private resorts on property, thanks to the winding paths and the distance between the buildings. Book a room here if you enjoy a rustic setting, want some amenities, including an on-site fine dining, and don’t want to lay out the cash for a deluxe resort.

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Enjoy horseback riding at Fort Wilderness. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

The cabins at Fort Wilderness allow you to have all of the fun of camping out, without the tent or camper. Each cabin is a free standing unit, and you can park right outside your door. Cabins feature full kitchens, plenty of sleeping space and all the comforts of a hotel room. You can rent a cabin for about the same price as a moderate resort room, but having a full kitchen can help you save on your dining expenses, since you can easily prepare meals and snacks on site.

Choose the cabins if you enjoy the outdoors and the many recreation opportunities offered at Fort Wilderness, including horseback riding, poolside Bingo and nightly campfires.

Old Key West Villas

Relax in comfort at Disney's Old Key West. Photo courtesy of the Walt Disney Company

As the oldest  of the Disney Vacation Club resorts, the Old Key West is often overlooked–and often offered at a reduced rate. You’ll get all the great amenities the DVC resorts are known for, without all the expense when you choose Disney’s Old Key West resort. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, spacious rooms with in-suite kitchens and plenty of dining and recreation options.

By Samantha McNesby for Orlando Vacation Hotels

Move over mac and cheese! Disney World announced the addition of some new kids meals this week. If you are tired of the same pizza, mac and cheese and chicken offered for kids at just about every dining location, you’ll want to head to the Magic Kingdom theme park and check out some of the newest kid’s meal options.

Liberty Tree Tavern is taking things up a notch, replacing standard, boring kid’s fare with a pineapple/chicken topped pizza and a traditional roast turkey and mashed potatoes. While both sound tasty, go for the turkey; it is a house specialty, and fits well with the theming and decor of Liberty Tree Tavern. You can use the Disney Dining Plan at this location and reservations are required.

Tony’s Town Square offers up a pair of enticing entrees. First up is a healthier version of grilled cheese, served on whole grain bread and accompanied by a tomato based dipping sauce. Also on the menu: spiedini, skewers of steak served with sweet potato fries and fresh fruit. Tony’s required advanced dining reservations, and they do accept the Disney Dining Plan.

New kid’s offerings at Cinderella’s Royal Table include a biscuit topped chicken pie, grilled beef skewers or chicken drumettes. Each entree comes with it’s own side dishes, and all are designed to be both tempting and healthy.  Cinderella’s Royal Table is a Signature Dining location, so reservations are an absolute must, and you’ll need to part with two dining credits per person to eat here.

The often overlooked Plaza restaurant serves up great food each afternoon and evening, and the new kid’s fare here is no exception. Look for savory grilled chicken, served with couscous and a fruit skewer–and don’t forget to get an icecream sundae for dessert! The Plaza accepts the Disney Dining Plan, and reservations are recommendd (you can sometimes snag a table here without a reservation, but why risk it?)

Disney World announced some changes to the headlining attraction of the Animal Kingdom theme park, Kilimanjaro Safari. The safari tour has remained largely untouched since the park opened, with the exception of the occasional newborn elephant or zebra, or upgrades to the ride vehicles.

Kilimanjaro Safari is one of the biggest draws in the Animal Kingdom theme park. Guests visit the safari on trucks driven by guides; drivers point out the different forms of wildlife on display along the way. Non predatory species from gazelles to ostriches and giraffes roam freely in the areas explored by the ride vehicles. It is not uncommon to have to stop and wait while a giraffe or two cross the road. Thanks to the magic of Disney imagineering, even the predators look like they are free to stroll along the savannah and interact with the vehicles.

Expect to see a few changes in the Safari experience later this year, as Disney removes one of the only animatronic components of the ride, the elephant “Little Red”. Little Red is part of a poaching storyline that will be eliminated from the safari line, so you won’t hear references to the momma elephant, Big Red either.

The fictional elephants are making way for some very real zebras. Disney will enlarge the zebra herd, cutting into the area that currently houses the animatronic Little Red and related set pieces. While Disney has not announced a firm start date for the new story line, expect to hear a different storyline — and see some stripey new additions–later this year.

Disney actually offers some fun experiences inside and outside of the theme parks, totally for free. Why do these fun freebies matter to you? If  you are heading to the area for your Orlando vacation, you may arrive too early to check in to your resort. In some cases, you may arrive the day before your tickets begin–or stay a day later than your theme park tickets last.If you find yourself in the Orlando area without a theme park ticket, here are 5 fun things you can do without spending a dime:

1. Ride the monorail: Jump aboard any of Disney’s monorails and take a quick loop around the theme parks and resorts. If you’re heading to  a theme park later, you’ll get a preview of what’s to come; the Epcot monorail actually does a loop of part of the park so you can check it out. Board the monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center or at any monorail resort.
2. Take in a resort: Soak up the atmosphere at one of Disney’s themed resorts, whether you are checking in or not. You can listen to live music at the Grand Floridian, catch a free storytelling session at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, or see the geyser spout off at the Wilderness Lodge.
3. Go for a boat ride: Several of the Disney resorts offer complimentary boat transportation, you can enjoy a boat ride to and from a destination withouth disembarking. This is particularly nice in spring or fall, when the weather is just right for boating. Look for boats boarding ath the Magic Kingdom (you won’t need a ticket to ride), Port Orleans and Boardwalk resorts.
4. Get a family portrait: Get a picture of the whole family to include on your next Christmas card or to hang on your wall. You can head to one of Disney’s deluxe resorts each evening and get a free portrait session with a PhotoPass photographer. You can pick out prints after you get home, if you are interested in purchasing — the sitting is free.

If your Orlando vacation includes the week of Valentine’s Day, you’ll find plenty of romantic and fun things to do in the theme parks and resorts. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic meal, pamper your valentine with a spa visit or find the perfect gift, you’ll find something special in the Orlando area.

Tips for spending Valentine’s Day in the Orlando theme parks:

Make reservations: If you plan on dining, book that romantic meal now–if you wait, you may find yourself sharing fast food instead of a gourmet dinner. Popular spots like Disney;s Le Cellier and Universal’s Mythos are probably already booked, so look to the area’s big hotels for great dining. Consider Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Villa de Flora at the Gaylord Palms, both offer superb food in a romantic setting.

Skip the theme parks: Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days in the theme parks this month, thanks to the number of people visiting for romantic dining and fireworks. If you’re staying in one of the area’s luxury resorts, stay in your hotel and order room service instead. You’ll get a great meal in a luxurious setting, and you won’t have to wait to be seated or fight the crowds to get in.

Visit a spa: Stop by one of the area’s luxury spas for a couple’s massage or spa package. Consider a pampering experience at the Spa at the Grand Floridian, you’ll be able to head right to the theme parks when you are through.

No matter how or where you decide to celebrate Valentine’s Day, allow ome extra time to getto, from and around the area’s attractions. This holiday will draw plenty of locals to the theme parks and resorts, so expect some crowded conditions and plan accordingly.