When traveling to Walt Disney World, a package including accommodations, travel, theme park tickets and dining provides the convenience of having the vacation planned and bundled in one step. Saving on the price of the package allows more money for souvenirs or even a return trip. Because Walt Disney World grants so few discounts, booking a vacation package reduces costs more than many families can find when pricing items separately.
When booking a Disney package, first look at the official calendar to find out when special events and holidays take place at the parks. Walt Disney World charges more for packages during times of peak attendance. Adjust your travel dates, if possible, to take a vacation during off-peak times for the best deals. Some of the busiest times include Thanksgiving week, the week between Christmas and New Year's Day and the time period between President's Day and Easter, during which many schools take spring break. Although it may be difficult to work around school or work vacation schedules, traveling during off-peak times can net savings on your accommodation and theme park ticket package of more than 50 percent.
Walt Disney World occasionally publishes discount offers on its vacation packages, offering lower prices on accommodations, theme park tickets and even free dining when purchased together. Subscribe to Walt Disney World's email list and stay updated on the official news blog for early notice of those offers. Another website, MouseSavers (http://www.mousesavers.com), publishes Disney special offers, military discounts and its own deals on packages. Reserving at the time the offer comes out helps ensure best availability of resorts and restaurant reservations for the package. Florida residents also receive discounts on packages not available to those outside of the state. Walt Disney World announces those package deals through the email lists, its blog and in radio commercials.
Disney Vacation Club, the Walt Disney World vacation ownership program, offers members discounts on theme park passes, dining, golf and merchandise. Members can take advantage of periodical special offers on packages that include multiple vacation components, or piece together their own packages that take advantage of all the discounts. Although purchase of a Disney Vacation Club membership costs much more than a single vacation package, program membership saves money over the long term for families who plan repeat trips to the area.
Current and former members of the military and some Department of Defense civilians may be eligible for package discounts at Walt Disney World. The Armed Forces Recreation Center operates a resort on Walt Disney World property called Shades of Green, where veterans and Department of Defense civilians enjoy theme park admission and room packages at a rate lower than comparable Disney deluxe category resorts. Specially priced packages give further discounts to the family members of currently deployed active duty military and the survivors of fallen heroes.
A travel agent or auto club such as AAA may help guests save on Walt Disney World packages over packages purchased directly through Disney. All authorized Disney travel retailers can sell packages including the current Disney special offers. In addition, a travel agent or auto club helps guests find the cheapest air and ground transportation, driving down the cost of the overall package.
