A Disney (DIS) destination may be the “happiest place on earth” for kids, but for many parents it’s a little too expensive to make it all that happy. With amusement park admission prices up another 9% this year, trips to Disney are increasingly one of the most expensive places for families to vacation.

And it’s not just the ticket prices that’ll get you. Once you’re in the park, there is a constant barrage of spending traps placed strategically to get your kids to ask you to spend even more. Failing to plan for ways to save throughout your trip can set you back hundreds of dollars.

“To save time and money, you’re just going to have a better vacation if you’re a planner,” says Joanie Demer, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady. Yahoo Finance interviewed Demer to learn some of her favorite ways to spend less and enjoy the vacation even more.

Book FastPass rides 30 to 60 days before your trip

There’s nothing worse than standing in a long line for two hours (with whiny kids in tow) for a ride that only lasts a minute. To avoid this, reserve your rides in advance with the FastPass. Everyone gets three free passes with their ticket purchase so the key is to be the first to book it.

Demer advises that you set your alarm for 7 a.m. exactly 30 days before your trip. If you’re staying at a Disney property, you’re allowed to book your FastPasses 60 days in advance. Without these reservations, expect to stand in line for double the amount of time that’s estimated on the sign in front of each ride.

Take advantage of the MaxPass

Keep in mind that each Disney destination has different FastPass options so it’s worth taking the time to look it up before you go. For those visiting Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., the MaxPass is available for an additional $10 per day per visitor.

Using this feature by downloading this app helps maximize your experience so you can book FastPass rides from your phone and make selections in other theme parks while you’re on the go. “It ends up saving me money because I no longer book multi-day Disney vacations because we can get everything done in a day, thanks to this extra $10,” says Demer. A Disney representative told Yahoo Finance that this MaxPass feature is currently only available in Anaheim.

More Disneyland-specific savings

If you want to make a whole vacation out of your stay in Southern California, Demer says the single best way to save is to take advantage of the CityPASS that’ll get you three days at Disneyland Resort, one day at LEGOLAND, and one day at SeaWorld. Buying this bundle will save you about 30% on each ticket and costs $367 for those ages 10 and up and $337 for those ages 3 to 9.