✨ Traveling for the Holidays: Save Money, Stay Calm & Make It Fun🎄✈️🎁

🌟 Introduction

Holiday travel hits different. Between crowded airports, skyrocketing ticket prices, and Auntie Cheryl asking if you brought the dessert you promised… it’s a lot. But traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to drain your bank account OR your sanity — if you prepare the Pynk Collar way. 💁🏽‍♀️💗

This guide (why do I keep calling everything a guide?) breaks down how to save money on travel, stay calm during the chaos, make the whole experience fun, and I’ll share how I planned my Disney World holiday trip like the organized travel queen I pretend to be (but honestly… I usually nail it). 😉

💸 How to Save Money on Holiday Travel

1. Book Early… or Book Smart

Holiday prices play no games. The earlier you lock in flights and hotels, the better.
BUT — if you’re late to the party, look for:

Flexible airports (try nearby cities!) ✈️
Red-eye or early morning flights (helps avoid crowds)
Price-tracking apps (Hopper is my fave)

2. Travel on “Off” Days

The days everyone avoids are your new best friends:

🎁 Dec 24, 25, 31 — often cheaper and not as crowded
Middle-of-the-week departures

Yes, you might be the cousin who shows up Christmas morning with bedhead… but you also saved $300. Win. 😌

3. Pack Smart to Avoid Baggage Fees

Holiday outfits are cute… but baggage fees are not.

Use packing cubes (I don’t care for them, but others swear by them. I like the vacuum bags.)
Wear your bulkiest items (i.e. coat or sweater)
Choose carry-on-only (if possible)
If you must check a bag, consider sharing it with a travel buddy. Your wallet will thank you. 💕

4. Use Rewards & Points

If there were ever a time to treat your credit card/travel points like elite soldiers… it’s holiday travel season. Deploy them. I looooove my travel points and am sooooo thankful to have them.

5. Don’t Sleep on Bundles

Flight + hotel packages during the holidays? Often cheaper than booking separately.

You don’t have to be a full-time travel hacker — just a woman who knows a deal when she sees one. 😉And please shop around.

😌 How to Stay Calm During Holiday Travel (aka Surviving the Madness)

1. Expect Delays… and Protect Your Peace

Go into holiday travel with the mindset of:
Nobody’s stealing my joy today.
If your flight gets delayed, honey… that’s normal.

Use the downtime to:

Read a book 📚
Watch a movie 🎥
Listen to a podcast 🎧
Scroll Pinterest for your 2026 manifestation board ✨
Get a snack because airport calories don’t count 😆

2. Give Yourself Extra Time

Holiday airports move slower than a toddler putting on socks. Arrive early so you’re not stressed and speed-walking like you’re in the Olympics. 🏃🏽‍♀️💨You know you need time to check to see if the gate is where it’s supposed to be.

3. Keep a Travel Calm Kit

Think:

Headphones
Snacks
Water
Travel blanket
Portable charger
Lip balm
Mini notebook
Hand Sanitizer

Small comforts go a long way.

4. Set Up “Do Not Disturb” Boundaries

Travel days are not the day to answer 47 family group text messages.
Let people know:
💗 I will respond once I land or just leave them on read.

Boundaries are festive too.

5. Play Your Favorite Playlist

Music will carry you through ANY airport line. Keep it calm and peaceful, no gangsta rap. 👀

🎉 Making Holiday Travel FUN

1. Turn It Into a Mini Adventure

If you’re traveling with kids or adults who behave like kids (no judgment), bring:

Games
Holiday trivia
A mini scavenger hunt
Holiday treat
An ipad loaded with fun

2. Matching Travel Outfits

Nothing says “we’re a festive crew” like matching shirts or pajamas.
Plus… cute pictures. 💕

3. Create a “First Stop Tradition”

Pick a treat or activity you only do when you travel.

Starbucks holiday drink ☕
First airport selfie ✨
Treat yourself to a small gift

4. Surprise Your Travel Companions

Bring something small:

Candy
Holiday card
Travel-themed ornaments
Travel survival kit
Shot glasses (lol something my sister and I would do)

People love thoughtful surprises.

🏰 I’m Headed to Disney World for the Holidays! ✨

If you’ve ever been to Disney during the holidays… you know it’s a trip AND an experience. Like stepping into a magical snow globe — with long lines and no snow. 😂

Here’s how I planned my trip ahead of time so I didn’t and don’t lose money, time, or joy.

1. Booked Park Tickets Early

Holiday spots fill FAST. I was determined to experience Epcot for New Year’s this year. Now, the beauty part about Disney is that the price is the price. So once the price is set, you know what you’re dealing with. But the sooner you get your tickets, the better.

I booked early to secure Epcot on the day I wanted — because missing the New Year’s Eve party is not an option. 🌐

2. Saved Money By Booking a Park Hopper

Park Hopper = Cheaper tickets per day

By booking my tickets with a park hopper pass instead of just regular tickets, I now have the option to visit all the parks on the same day. I won’t be doing that. I will do 2 parks a day, but if I wanted to, I could. And I love that for me. If a Disney park ticket costs, let’s say $150, but a park hopper costs $250, why not spend the extra $100 to visit all four parks instead of just one? So now each ticket costs under $100 per park. That’s assuming you want to go to all the parks. Please avoid paying for individual days if possible. Disney will take your money if you let them. I did not let them. 😌Well, kind of. You know what I mean.

3. Scheduled Dining Ahead of Time

Holiday dining at Disney? Not for me….but

If you think you can just walk in… you’ll be eating pretzels and popcorn all day. Book early — trust me. I don’t participate in dining plans or even try to do sit-down dining. I’m a grab-and-go or a quick sit-and-shove on type of eater at Disney. Plus, sit-down dining adds up. 🏧

I do have an eating plan scheduled, though. I know where to go and what I will be grabbing. This is only if I should be hungry at the time I am near whatever is on the list. Plan ahead so you’re not twiddling your thumbs and eating up valuable park time trying to figure out what to eat.

4. Packed Smart

I prepped:

Portable fan
Ponchos (rain in Disney is always a thing)
Snacks
Matching shirts
Portable chargers
Refillable water bottle (you can get cups of water for free in the parks)

5. Created a Loose Itinerary (Keyword: Loose)

LOL, I’m totally kidding. A plan is in place, but there is room for the unexpected. I’m not rigid, after all, we are at Disney World. You should definitely have a plan, but don’t be so committed to it that you forget to enjoy yourself. But loose, yeah, I’m not doing that.

6. Budgeted for Souvenirs

Because Disney merch during the holidays?

Take my money. 🎁😂I’m kidding again. I’m going to the Disney Character Warehouse outlet. That is where I will load up on T-shirts and other trinkets if need be. These are items that come straight from the parks. So, I will still be able to get park items, just at a nice, discounted price.

I set a souvenir limit so I wouldn’t go wild. Wish me luck.

7. Downloaded the Disney App Early

I already had the app because I go to Disney a little too often. Maybe? Ehh, who’s to say? Anywho, you need the mobile app for mobile ordering, wait times, Lightning Lane…all of the things, all in one place. Plus, I needed to link the fam’s tickets, so you should do this early. It’s a lifesaver to have everyone linked.

The app is your best friend. Period.

✨ Final Thoughts: Holiday Travel CAN Be Joyful

Whether you’re flying across the country or headed straight to Mickey Mouse like me, holiday travel doesn’t have to be chaos. With planning, patience, and a sprinkle of fun, you can keep your coins, your peace, and your excitement.

Your holiday adventure starts the moment you leave home — make it magical. ✨ 😉