The ads for Disney parks all talk up the "magic" of a park visit. None talk about the reality of planning a budget to cover the many expenses. The vacation industry is well aware of this issue, and there are plenty of package deals available from ticket brokers as well as Disney itself. A total trip needs to consider how to cut costs of everything from airfare or gas mileage to souvenirs.
Skip the extras like the hopper tickets (when you can visit more than one park in a day) or the no-expiration-date option. Plan the trip in advance to see one park per day and to use all of your tickets in that day.
Look for a hotel that is not on Disney property if you're using your own car. In the Orlando, Florida area, some hotels on the Irlo Bronson Highway or International Drive charge much lower prices than the Disney hotels, especially in the slow seasons.
Stay on Disney property if you do not have your own car. Check the car rental rates in the area when you check on hotels. The car rental costs may negate the savings from staying at the cheaper hotel. Use Disney's transportation lines to get to and from the parks.
Set a reasonable budget for food, snacks and souvenirs before you get to the park. Weigh the advantages of a meal plan against any desire to sample multiple restaurants. The upfront cost is high, but it may be cheaper in the long run.
Look into the Disney-related ticket promotions of multiple travel websites, as well as the official Disney site. In 2011, Disney had its own links to vacation package guides, including a function that made suggestions based on how much you were willing to spend.
