A Disney vacation may be more affordable then you realize. Here are some tips that can help it be more affordable for families. The more tips you are able to follow the more affordable your trip will be. You can also use one of these to save money.
Time Of Travel: The cheapest time to visit Disney is during value season. The dates change from year to year and depend on certain holidays but in general value season includes January through mid-February, August through September, and the beginning of December. Some advantages to traveling during this time are less crowds and great promotions. One of the disadvantages is weather. These are the times of year when it is either cooler or very hot.
Resort: All resort guests are entitled to the same benefits (Disney’s Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, Disney transportation, Magical Extras, etc.) regardless of their resort being deluxe or value. A great way to save money is by staying in a value resort. The rooms are smaller (they only sleep 4) and you don’t have some of the amenities of the deluxe resorts but you will be saving a hundred or two a night. If you have a larger family you will find 2 connecting rooms to be cheaper than a suite too!
Park Tickets: The best savings here is to buy a regular base ticket. If you are looking at a package online you will most likely be offered a park hopper ticket. (Be careful since some sites will not let you downgrade to a base ticket) You will be paying a premium to be able to go from park to park on the same day. With a family and young children you will probably not be running from park to park.
Dining Plan: There are lots of opinions on the dining plans. You do have to eat there and so they can save you money. The question is what types of meals are you planning to eat. All sit down meals, no sit down meals, or a mixture of sit down and counter meals. Make sure you get the right meal plan. Check out Disney Dining Plan 2011 to make sure you select the plan that works best for your family.
Magic Your Way Packages: One of the ways to save is to book a Magic Your Way Package. I like the MYW packages because you pick the number of nights, resort, type of tickets and number of days, and if you want to add a meal plan. This is where the special offers come in. You can check here to find out the current specials.
Grocery Delivery: Another great savings is grocery delivery. You can have diapers, formula, baby food, bottled water, and snacks, even milk and fruit delivered right to your room or vacation house for a lot cheaper than at the resort.