Disney World is a wonderful vacation spot but without careful planning it can be an expensive trip. When searching for a cheap Disney World vacation, pay attention to travel dates, package deals and other discounts. A travel agent can be very helpful since agents are trained to find the best deals and often have access to unadvertised specials. But you can also get a cheap Disney World vacation without a travel agent.
Consider purchasing a meal plan. Disney resort guests can purchase from two meal plans that include one or two meals, snacks and a souvenir beverage mug. Another perk about the mug is it allows unlimited refills on non-alcoholic drinks, a major money saver.
Travel during the off-season. Disney has two off-seasons when prices are lower: August through September and Thanksgiving through mid-February. The week between Christmas and New Year's is costly, however, due to holiday celebrations at the park, so don't plan a vacation on those dates.
Plan ahead and plan wisely. You may want to see everything the park has to offer but that's not always possible, especially if you're traveling with small children. The parks are large and involve a lot of walking. Additional attractions such as water parks or the ability to move between parks or return to parks all cost extra. Save by buying simple admission tickets and planning a day for each park on its own.
Use the Disney shuttle system. Guests at the Disney World resort hotels have access to a free airport shuttle and can use shuttles to travel between hotels and the various parks. This will save you money on a rental car and parking fees.
Avoid buying souvenirs. You'll no doubt want to pick up a few souvenirs of your trip but most of the Disney World merchandise can be found at nearby department stores at a much lower price. In addition, inexpensive pictures and free character autographs will be remembered long after that Mickey Mouse action figure has been broken or lost.
