Decide when you want to visit Walt Disney World. Correctly timing your vacation can save you hundreds of dollars. Disney has created a Value Season to entice visitors to the parks during dates when attendance is traditionally lower. This enables guests who stay on-site to take advantage of lower rates and shorter lines.
The Value Seasons are January 3-6, January 10-14, January 18-February 11, July 18-September 30, and November 28-December 16.
Find discounts and promotions for which you are eligible. Disney advertises specials periodically, typically for a percentage off your accommodations or several free days when you purchase eligible vacation packages. Disney even offers free dining packages occasionally. Unfortunately, no one knows when these promotions will be rolled out, you need to have a keen eye. Note that if you book a vacation, and a discount becomes available at a later date, Disney travel will modify your reservation to account for the new discount.
Other discounts, called PINs or codes, arrive via email. While there is no way of knowing when one of these money-saving offers will arrive in your inbox, you can improve your odds of receiving one if you are on multiple emailing lists with the Walt Disney Company.
DisneyStore.com, Disney.com, DisneyParks.com, and DisneyMovieClub.com are all good ways to get on Disney's list. Please note that no purchase is necessary to sign up for email offers.
Avoid wasting money once you arrive. Knowing your budget for souvenirs and gifts can help you avoid impulse purchases. If you want a photo of your group in front of the castle or with a character, cast members will take photos with your own camera, so there is no need to use the professional photographers who are available.
Disney guidebooks, which you can often find at your local library, and online expert communities like AllEars.net or MouseSavers.com, are good tools to help you plan a trip that maximizes your time at the parks and minimizes your spending. These guides will alert you to inexpensive and free activities in the parks.
Choose your accommodations. Disney guidebooks and online resources can help you choose where you want to stay during your vacation, both on Disney property and in the Orlando area.
Disney offers wonderful incentives for guests who would like to stay on Disney property. Vacationing at a Disney resort entitles you to take advantage of the Disney transportation system, the Disney Dining Plan, and Disney's Extra Magical Hours, extra park hours reserved exclusively for guests of Walt Disney World hotels.
It does not have to cost hundreds of dollars a night to stay on Disney property. Disney has designed a collection of hotels, known as value resorts, to accommodate the most budget-conscious travelers. The Pop Century and All Star resorts give you the total Disney experience and save money, too.
