Published on: 19 January 2019
Last Updated on: 09 August 2019
Getting Ready for a Chicago Getaway
Chicago, Illinois is among the most thrilling and magnetic cities in the entire United States. That’s the reason the Midwestern metropolis welcomes countless leisure travelers on a yearly basis. If you’re planning on visiting the Windy City, there are all sorts of attractions that you need to put on your “must-see” list as soon as possible. People who are putting together an upcoming trip to Chicago can take advantage of all sorts of resources, too. There are many Internet resources that can simplify the process of preparation greatly.
The Finest Points of Interest in All of Chicago
Chicago is without a doubt a haven for serious shoppers. If you want to shop until you drop, you can head to the Magnificent Mile for a day of pure retail therapy. North Michigan Avenue, in a nutshell, is a hub for high-end shopping destinations of all kinds. If you want to revel in chic boutiques, you won’t be able to turn away from the Magnificent Mile. It’s home to more than just exciting shopping opportunities as well. That’s because it’s also home to a wealth of A+ choices in eateries of all types.
Millennium Park is a favorite among people who visit Chicago. This renowned public park draws people in for a range of reasons. People flock to its artwork, recreational activities, and theater. It also makes a superb spot for people who are simply in the mood to relish in lush greenery.
Navy Pier is yet another legendary destination in Chicago. The lengthy pier gives people the chance to take in unrivaled views of picturesque Lake Michigan. Individuals who want to reap the rewards of dining establishments, stores, people-watching and more often have the times of their lives at Navy Pier. Some remarkable attractions that are available at the Pier are the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Children’s Museum and, last but certainly not least, scenic Crystal Gardens. Kids often cannot resist the Funhouse Maze and its plentiful adventures.
Terrific Options in Hotels in Chicago
Finding top-notch accommodations in Chicago isn’t hard for people who are detail-oriented. It isn’t tough for people who depend on the Internet, either. People who search the Internet for hotel choices in the city can often find locations that are convenient. They can in many cases score excellent room discounts and deals. The Hyatt Centric Chicago Mag Mile is a sleek option for travelers who are all about ease. The hotel, true to its name, is right by Magnificent Mile. It’s also right by the aforementioned Navy Pier and all of its joys. The hotel features a total of 419 units and guests can pick between capacious standard rooms and suites.
The Drake, a Hilton Hotel is a Magnificent Mile staple among visitors in Chicago. This is yet another prime example of a hotel that brings maximum convenience to the table for guests. Highlights that are on hand to all guests who stay at The Drake are comprehensive business facilities, an on-site gift shop, luggage storage, a pleasant lounge and even a shop that sells apparel. The professionals who represent the hotel speak numerous different languages for guest peace of mind. The hotel’s suites and rooms include wireless high-speed Internet access, free tea, free coffee and beyond.
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Planning a trip to Disney can be very exciting, especially if you’re doing it with your family. There’s so much to do, see, and enjoy for everyone, regardless of age.
However, if you're planning a trip to a Disney park, then you must know how expensive Disney parks can be. The good news is saving money at Disney parks isn't difficult at all. There are plenty of ways tourists can cut down on costs.
In this guide, we'll discuss various ways how you can save money, including Disney Park ticket discounts, food, and lodging. We'll also provide tips for avoiding unnecessary expenses.
So, whether you're planning your first Disney Park visit or are returning for another adventure, read on for some helpful money-saving tips.
What Is a Disney Park?
Disney parks are theme parks located in the United States, France, and Japan. The original Disney Park, Disneyland, opened in California in 1955. The Walt Disney Company has opened additional parks in Florida, Paris, and Tokyo. The parks are popular tourist destinations, with millions of visitors each year.
What Does a Disney Park Ticket Include?
A Disney park ticket includes admission to the theme park and access to most rides and attractions. Some attractions, such as special viewing areas for parades and fireworks shows, require a separate ticket.
Additionally, the cost of a Disney park ticket varies depending on the park and the pass length. It's important to note that tickets are non-refundable and expire 14 days after the first use. It's also important to note that ticket prices are not the same for everyone. For instance, tickets are often cheaper for children and seniors.
How Can I Save Money on a Disney Park Ticket?
Below are a few hidden secrets to saving big on a Disney Park ticket that you should consider.
1. Get Disney Park Ticket Discounts
Disney occasionally offers discounts on park tickets. You can find the discounts for Disneyland Resort online using a ticket discounter or through a travel agent. For Walt Disneyland Orlando, there are recommended third-party sellers where you can get discounted tickets.
Do not buy discounted tickets on Craigslist, KSL, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, or OfferUp because it is very likely that they are scams.
2. Buy Your Tickets in Advance
One of the best ways to save money on a Disney park visit is to buy your tickets in advance. Every year in February, Disney averagely raises their ticket fees by $20. If you buy before this month, you can save anywhere from $20 plus per ticket. So, if you’re buying tickets for five people, you could save as much as $100.
If you're planning to visit more than one Disney park, it's usually cheaper to buy a multi-day ticket rather than individual tickets. Multi-day tickets include a certain number of days' admission to the parks and are valid for 14 days after the first day of use.
3. Use Points to Purchase Tickets
If you have credit card points to redeem, consider using them to purchase Disney park tickets. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Citi ThankYou Points can all be used to purchase Disney tickets at no additional fee for this service.
4. Get an Annual Pass
If you plan on visiting a Disney park more than once in the next twelve months, an Annual Pass may be the best option for you. Annual Passes include admission to all four Disney parks in the U.S. and come with a host of other benefits, such as discounts on food and merchandise.
5. Skip the Park Hopper Option
The Park Hopper option allows visitors to move between all four Disney parks on the same day. If you're only visiting one or two parks, it's usually cheaper to forgo the Park Hopper option.
For starters, the park hopper is the most expensive add-on option. It also doesn't include admission to attractions in the other parks, such as Epcot's World Showcase and Disney's Animal Kingdom's safari.
6. Bring Your Food
One of the best ways to save money at a Disney park is to bring your food. Disney allows guests to bring food and drinks into the parks, but there are a few restrictions.
You should carry all food and drinks in a backpack or soft-sided cooler that's no larger than 24 inches by 36 inches by 18 inches. Additionally, guests can bring in one empty water bottle per person. Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
There are a few places in the parks where you can purchase food, but it's usually more expensive than if you pack your own. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're saving money while enjoying some of the most amazing attractions in the world.
7. Plan Your Trip Off-Peak Dates
Disney parks are busiest during the summer and around major holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If you can, try to plan your trip during less busy times. January, February, and September are usually less crowded than the peak months.
Additionally, many of the restaurants and shops in the parks offer discounts during off-peak times. So, if you can't avoid peak dates completely, at least try to visit the parks during less busy times of the day.
8. Use a Travel Agent
If you're not sure how to save money on Disney park tickets or looking for other ways to save on your trip, consider using a travel agent. Travel agents can often find discounts on tickets and hotel rooms that aren't available to the general public.
They can also help you plan your trip and ensure everything is taken care of before you leave home. So, if you're looking to save money on your Disney trip, using a travel agent is a great option.
9. Enjoy Partial Park Days on Holidays
If you're visiting a Disney park on a major holiday like Independence Day or Memorial Day, consider enjoying only a portion of the day at the park. Most of the major attractions will be open, but the parks can be very crowded.
By only spending a few hours at the park, you'll be able to enjoy some of the biggest attractions without having to deal with the crowds. Plus, you'll have the rest of the day to do something else fun.
10. Stay off Property
Disney offers a wide variety of hotels on the property, but they can be very expensive. If you're looking to save money on your trip, consider staying off property. There are several great hotels near the parks that offer excellent rates.
Plus, you'll have the added benefit of being able to come and go from the park as you please. So, if you want to take a break from the crowds, you can easily do so without having to leave the Disney area.
11. Use a Credit Card with a Rewards Program
If you're going to be spending a lot of money on your trip, it's a good idea to use a credit card with a rewards program. Many credit cards offer points or miles for every dollar you spend.
You can redeem these points for cash back, airline tickets, hotel rooms, and more. So, if you're planning on spending a lot of money on your trip, be sure to use a credit card with a rewards program.
12. Purchase Tickets from a Third-Party Vendor
If you're not eligible for discounts or you're looking to save even more money on your tickets, consider purchasing them from a third-party vendor. Some websites offer discounted tickets to Disney parks.
Just be sure to do your research before purchasing tickets from any vendor, as some of them may be scams. Note that you can't buy tickets from any seller as Disney doesn't allow ticket resale. If caught, you might not be able to use the ticket and end up buying another one, so always buy tickets from an authorized seller.
Disney uses a rigorous process to choose its partners to sell its tickets. Only a small number of companies are authorized to sell Disney tickets, and these companies must agree to certain terms and conditions.
These companies are often the only ones that offer discounts on tickets, so be sure to purchase your tickets from one of the authorized sellers on Disney's website.
13. Military Tickets for Disney World and Disneyland
Disney offers a discount on tickets for active and retired military members. This discount is available at both Disney World and Disneyland parks.
Military members can purchase up to six tickets at a discounted price. You must purchase the tickets in person, and the member must present their ID card. The cards are tax-free, and members cannot purchase cards for their friends or family.
To Sum It Up
Disney parks are a great place to spend time with family and friends, but they can also be expensive. You can save money on every aspect of your Disney park visit by following these tips, from food tickets.
Moreover, you'll still have plenty of money left over to enjoy all the amazing attractions and experiences that Disney parks have to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today.
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Readying your gear for your travel photography trips is something you have to plan ahead. You have to think of the best way to fit all your needed gear. This way, you can keep your baggage as light as possible. If this is a problem for you, you’re in the right place as we deliver you our 10 must-haves for travel photography. This list is based on experiences of photographers from their multiple trips.
1. Good Travel Backpack
For a travel photographer, the backpack is as essential as all the equipment inside. Even backpack manufacturers focused on creating specialized backpacks for cameras and its accessories. There are many to choose from, and here are some recommendations for your travel backpacks.
2. The Right Travel Camera
For a travel camera, choices are also limitless, but here are points to consider before buying one: First, for a travel camera, the size and weight matter. Your camera must be handy so that you can hold it easily during traveling.
The low light performance check is a must. A travel camera must have fast lenses and effective sensors. With them, the quality of the image stays better even in low light conditions such as in travel photo scenes.
Also, a decent zoom is a plus for your camera. It should adapt to your shooting style and capture quality images even from a larger distance.
3. Lenses
Camera lenses are the next purchase priority after cameras. There are various lenses with various functions. For a beginner, the variety may be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we can recommend the so-called “walk around lens,” the 24-70mm lens.
The 24-70mm lens offers diversity and functionality. From wide captures to close-up portraits, this lens is the one that many photographers start with immediately. Its range makes the 24-70mm lens a remarkable companion for various types of photo shoots.
For a more advanced selection of lenses, you can read more here. Just make sure to purchase lightweight lenses to keep your travel as convenient as possible.
4. Filters
These small accessories may be unnecessary, but filters can have benefits. They can offer your camera lens some protection and control of lights entering into the camera lens. Here are the various filters and their functions:
The UV Filters will protect the lens glass by blocking ultraviolet rays. More than that, it also blocks dirt from getting into your lens, which can scratch and destroy it. Having this accessory is a cheaper alternative than repairing your lens.
Graduated neutral density filters are useful when taking shots at sunrise and sunset. This works by evening out the light in the scene so that one part will not look too bright or too dark as compared to the rest of the photo.
Neutral Density Filters are used to darken the scene and are useful during the daylight when the sunlight can be a harsh element in your photos.
Finally, the Polarizing Filter is used for suppressing glare or reflections. It is a necessity when you take photos of reflective surfaces such as water, metallic objects, and glass.
5. Stabilizers
Most travel photographers see the tripod as one of the most important accessories in their travel. You’ll need a stabilizer every time you take photos of scenes with low-light conditions since the camera has to be steady to take sharp photos.
The Gorilla Pod is also complementary to your travel shots. Although it works as a smaller version of a tripod, it has bending legs that you can mold to mount on tricky areas.
6. Batteries
Having spare batteries is always a necessity when traveling. It is better to spend more with batteries, rather than running out of power during your shoot. If your camera’s standard batteries run out quickly for you, try out large capacity batteries like V-mount and Gold-mount batteries <do-follow>. These batteries hold bigger charges and can charge multiple devices, too.
7. Storage
Like batteries, it is recommended to bring multiple storages for your photos. A typical suggestion would be having memory cards with at least 32 to 64 GB of storage. This is because your photos in RAW format take a large amount of storage space. Moreover, having extra backup storage for your shots, such as Solid State Drive (SSD) will also give you peace of mind.
8. Your Smartphone
Of course, your smartphone is a powerful tool in travel too. It can work as different devices in one. The variety of apps available and the features of smartphones today makes it multi-functional. This gadget can work as your organizer, map, another camera, editor, and a communication device to various media.
With powerful smartphones today, simple errands and tasks can be done with them, rather than having a laptop with you. A laptop can work wonders too, however, depending on your needs.
9. Laptop
Having a laptop with you can be another option for backup storage for your photos, as well as a tool to keep you connected. Moreover, with the right laptop specifications, your laptop can be your travel editing tool to touch up your photos immediately while on your trip.
Sometimes, a laptop is not ideal for travel because of its bulk on your baggage. However, if you include it on your checklist, make sure that your laptop is powerful. It should come with a processor and graphics card appropriate for running photo and video editing software. Also, the monitor should be built to be color-accurate, so that photos are displayed close to reality. Finally, the laptop battery should suffice the screen time you need.
To help you out, here are recommendations for laptops suited for travel photographers.
10. Cleaning Supplies for Your Camera
Aside from protective devices for your camera, cleaning tools can help preserve your camera lenses too. Some tools are Microfiber cloth and Pecpads that wipe off the dirt in your lenses. Without cleaning them, the dirt may show up in your photos. Another option for cleaning is a Rocket Blower, which can blast dust and debris.
Conclusion
These 10 must-have items for photography will surely help you choose your starting gear. These essentials will not only help you take good photos but will also help take care of your devices and keep them safe during your travel.
Mumbai is one of the biggest metropolitan cities in India. The capital of Maharashtra is filled with people from different ethnicities and cultures. Popularly known as the “City of Dreams” - Mumbai is also one of the famous tourist destinations in India. There is no dearth of places for activities such as shopping, hanging out, sightseeing, partying, and adventure. Every corner of the city is brimming with life and lots of colors. That said, people who wish to explore places within and around the beautiful city should go for self-drive car rental services in Mumbai for comfort and travel convenience. On that note, this blog presents top-five popular tourist attractions that you can visit in a self-driven car in Mumbai.
1. Marine Drive
Popularly known as ‘The Queen’s Necklace", Marine Drive is a perfect place to admire the expanse of the Arabian Sea. Running along the coast of this natural bay is a C-shaped six lane concrete road where a lot of people sit and enjoy their evenings with friends and families.
2. Matheran
Matheran is a famous hill station that is around 83 kms away from Mumbai. The locals and tourists love to visit this place as it is full of greenery and beautiful sceneries. People who want an escape from crowded cities and work pressure come here often to seek peace and recharge their batteries.
3. Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is an iconic historical monument of Mumbai. Built during the 20th century, this beautiful structure showcases the beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. The structure, with the Arabian Sea in its background, is the top tourist attraction in Mumbai.
4. Khandala
Khandala is yet another famous hill station situated approximately 93 kms away from Mumbai. It is best known for its natural beauty and pleasant weather. The hills have a nice waterfall and various adventurous activities such as trekking, camping, rappelling, and so on. People who want to explore more can even visit Korigad Fort and Bhaja Caves.
5. Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is one of the famous beaches in Mumbai. It’s a common ground for people to spend quality time with friends and family. Whether it is morning or night, you’ll always find a good number of people enjoying themselves on the beach. The place is also a good eating point as it has various snack stalls offering chaat, pav bhaji, ice creams, and other such stuff.
Mumbai is a beautiful city with plenty of places to see. Breathtaking hill stations and enchanting sea view makes it a favorite place among locals and tourists. Visiting the places in public transport can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and tiring. You can make everything easy if you hire a self-drive car to make your adventure exciting and flawless.
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