Travel to Disney in the off season. Vacationers can save up to half the cost of a hotel room, by simply visiting in what is known as the off season. Disney refers to this time of year as "value season". It generally begins in late August, when the kids return to school, and continues through mid- to late February. There are some non-value days during Thanksgiving and Christmas when prices go back up to peak season highs.
Stay in cheaper Disney hotels. Walt Disney World has different levels of hotel accommodations for every price range. Rather than spending money to stay in a luxury hotel, which overlooks the Magic Kingdom, stay at one of the value resorts. As of August 2010, Disney's All-Star Resorts or Disney's Pop Century Resort have prices per night ranging from $80 up to $160. That's a much better rate than the $200 to $1,000 per night for a luxury resort. There is no reason to pay for hotel extras if you are just going to sleep in the room.
Book the vacation yourself. Rather than pay a travel agent to book your trip, do it yourself through the Disney Travel Company. When working directly with Disney, you will be able to ask about discounts such as for AAA members and for Florida Residents.
Pack your own snacks, meals and bottled water. Before heading to the theme parks prepare a backpack with all of the essentials to get you and your family through the day. Some things which can help save money include packing bottled water, sandwiches and snack bags. This will help avoid buying expensive items in between meals when someone is getting the munchies or thirsty.
Go camping to help save money on accommodations. A great value is Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort. It offers plenty of free and inexpensive things to do, including campfires, boat rentals and horseback riding. Campers get their choice of tent camping sites or RV slabs with full hook up, including water, electric and cable television. As of August 2010, the cost of camping at Disney is $44 to $74 per night depending upon site location and hook up services.
Save money on dining by purchasing the Disney Dining Plan. It's a good value for guests staying at a Disney resort. As of 2010, the meal plan was $40 per person and $11 for children ages 3 to 9, per night staying. The plan includes one quick service meal, one table service meal and one snack. If you compare the cost of the plan with the cost of some of the table service meals, it is almost like paying for one meal and receiving another plus a snack for free.
