Disney World: A Guide to Saving Money While Visiting Disney World

SAVE MONEY ON ACCOMODATIONS
We all know how much of our budget can go to accommodations. When visiting Disneyworld, you have the choice of either staying on-site (in a Disney resort) or staying in a nearby location. Let's look at advantage and disadvantages of both, and ways you can save.

Onsite Packages - Disney Resorts
The on-site Disney hotels are more convenient and normally the priciest. Disney's least expensive hotel options are their All-Star resorts: All Star Music, Movies, Sports and Pop Century. These are basic (think smaller, no frills) rooms with two double beds, one bathroom for a family of four.

All Disney hotels have four price "seasons" with the value season being their least expensive time. Another bonus to booking during the value season is that the crowds are also lower during that time. For the All-Star resorts the value season for the rest of 2008 is: August 3 - October 1 and November 30 - December 18.

When you look at their prices, remember they are based on a "per-day" not a "per-night" number and therefore, to take full advantage of the tickets you will need to make sure you get into the parks both your first and last day.

Pros

• Extra park time - All Disney hotel guest are eligible for an hour early (or up to 3 hours late) of extra admission time at one of the Theme Parks daily.
• Shuttle service - All-Star guests also have access to on-site transportation to Disneyworld as well as complimentary transportation to and from the airport. The Disney Hotels generally have more shuttle runs throughout the day than the off-site hotels.
• No bags to carry - Disney Merchandise delivered from Park Stores (and Downtown Disney) to your hotel. This can be more valuable than it sounds - try dealing with over excited kids in large crowds and have to worry about the Music box you bought for Grandma breaking on top of finding a place to eat.
• Save money on food - When a Disney hotel package is purchased, you have the option of adding on their dining plan; which can save you up to 30%. To see ways to save even more with your dinning plan see the dining section below.
• Lots and lots of Disney - You are immersed in Disney at every turn from the grounds to the rooms themselves

Cons

• First to Sellout - Since the All-Star resorts are the least expensive; they often sell out quickly.
• Shuttle to monorail or is it boat to shuttle? - Using Disney provided transportation from one resort to another or to the different Parks may require different methods and each one may have a line.
• But...we wanted to visit Sea World! - Getting to non-Disney attractions is up to you.
• Quite please! - The All-Star hotels are popular with family reunions and college students. Therefore, it will behoove you to inquire if there are any large groups booked during your stay before choosing which All-Star complex to stay in.
• Money - Resort and Disney dining can be more expensive.

Off-site hotels
There are literally hundreds of off-site hotels in the Disneyworld area as well as nearby Kissimmee. Some of them offer airport transportation or are serviced by the airport shuttle. There are off-site options from budget to luxury, from studios to suites but we will focus on what to look for to save money.

Pros

• Complimentary breakfast - Staying at a hotel with a free breakfast is always a money saver. Have everyone fill up and then grab a couple of pieces of fruit and/or muffins to eat later in the day.
• Fridge and microwave in the room - This will allow you to stock the fridge with fruits, juice, milk, yogurt etc. that allow you to eat quickly in the morning or have access to a fast snack or meal after a long day at the park.
• Shuttles to both Disney and other parks - Many of the close off-site hotels offer not only shuttles to Disney but also some of the other Parks such as Universal and Sea world. This can save you money on gas and parking fees, even if you have a car available.
• Better access to restaurants, shopping and non-Disney activities -Eating off-site will always save you money and many of the off-site hotels are within walking distance of restaurants, shops etc.

Cons

• Shuttle service - Many of the hotels use the same shuttle service so you are rather restricted in your time options. This can be a problem if you need to bring a toddler back to your room for a mid-day nap. Another problem with ANY shuttle service to the non-Disney parks is they normally have large breaks between drop-off and pick-up times. For example, we once took a shuttle to Sea World which had one route which gave us 6 hours at the park. The shuttle came before my kids were ready to leave and too late for another family which had 3 toddlers! The only way around this is to find a shuttle that runs more often and stays later: which some do. Just make sure you understand the hotels shuttle schedule before booking.
• Car fees - If you drive or rent a car, you may be charged for parking at your hotel and you will be charged for parking at the theme parks.
• Not as Disney-oriented - This can be considered an advantage to some and disadvantage to others. If you want the kids to enjoy other local activities, off-site is the best: if you want them to be immersion in Disney, then on-site is better.

Websites to try: Orlando Vacation Store / Expedia / Travelocity / Orbitz / Alaska Airlines / Continental Airlines

Off-site house rentals
One other off-site option is to rent a house while you are there. Most of these homes are located in Kissimmee and range from 1 bedroom to 5 and often have pull out couches to accompany more. These can be big money savers: especially for large families and/or groups.

Pros

• Full kitchens and laundry facilities - Being able to cook complete meals is a huge money saver! It also lets you prepare family favorites that you know will satisfy even your fussy eaters. Having the ability to whip up some pancakes while everyone is getting dressed, makes sure everyone starts the day out full as well as gets you on the road faster. With a house you have the option of packing a picnic lunch which you can store in a cooler or coming back to the house for lunch. And don't forget you can freeze your water bottles (and juice boxes) for the next day and have a place to store fresh fruit for snacks. All of which save you money and time. Having a washer and dryer is a great bonus when you are traveling with kids! It allows you to pack less (hopefully just carry-ons), get stains out quickly and use the dryer to "fluff up" any clothes wrinkled from packing. It also lets you come home with clean clothes, which is always nice.
• Private pools - Many of the house rentals have their own private pools. These are a wonderful alternative to the crowded pools at most hotels. The pools are normally enclosed to keep out the bugs and usually have patio furniture to relax in. Some of the houses also have nice outdoor gas grills for your use.
• Room, room and more room - The space is one of the greatest advantages of renting a home over staying in a hotel. Most of the homes have 3 or more bedrooms, a comfortable living room, full dining rooms, garages and many times, a game room. You could easily have two families (or groups) in the larger home and still have plenty of room.
• Money - Many of the houses can be rented weekly for less than a lot of the hotels. This is especially true for large families or groups that would require more than one hotel rooms.

Cons

• Distance - Even though the house is within a few miles of Disneyworld, you will need to have a car. This will add to your expenses but on the other hand, a car adds to your freedom.
• Rental times and cost - Some of the rental homes require a 3 day stay and many a week. If that is not your plan, it might not be your best choice. If you stay there in the colder months, you normally pay a price to heat the pool.

Websites to try: VRBO , Vacation Rentals and Florida Rental Houses. Be sure to check for off season discounts and to email or call the owners before settling on a choice.

SAVING MONEY ON PARK TICKETS

Florida-Orlando is a wonderful discount site place to pre-purchase your Walt Disneyworld tickets. Read my review here: Right now, they are having a FREE UPGRADE: simply purchase a 3, 4, or 5 day hopper pass and they will give extend the pass for two additional days - for FREE! For example if you order a 3-day hopper pass, you will receive a 5-day pass at no extra cost!

SAVING MONEY ON DINING
There are some ways to save money on dining regardless of what accommodations you choose. Granola bars, fresh fruit, cereal bars, juice boxes, dried fruit etc. need no refrigeration and will work well for breakfast and/or snacks. Oranges and apples don't smash easily so they hold up well in backpacks.

• If you have a coffee maker in your room, you can heat up water for instant oatmeal, hot chocolate and tea. Packing a few flavored hot cereal packets take up little space and by adding raisins or bananas should please most kids.
• For rooms with a fridge, you can keep milk for cereal and instant breakfast. You can keep string cheese, yogurt, jell-o cups, salad ingredients, carrots, PB&J, lunchables and other quick-fix options in there. Not to mention you can freeze your water bottles for the next day.
• By eating your breakfast before you leave, and bringing some snacks along, you will end up saving both time and money.

SAVING MONEY ON DIING IN DISNEY PARKS

• It is no secret; the food at Disney World is expensive. Chances are you are going to have to break down and purchase some food inside the parks. Luckily, most of the portions are filling and can often be split between two kids or light eaters.
• Drinks cost can add up very fast, especially when it is hot. The best way - and least expensive way - is to simply drink water. All counter service restaurants will give you a complementary glass of water or better yet, bring a bottle of water with you and refill it at the many drinking fountains around the Parks. A tip to make that water more drinkable is to bring along some packets of instant tea or Crystal light, kool-aid or even zip-fizz for tired adults!
• A money saving trick that is often used is to purchase a double cheeseburger and ask to buy and additional bun: most places sell them for under a $1.00. Then, go over to the condiment area and split the double burger into two. I saw one lady order two double cheeseburgers with extra tomato and 2 extra buns. It is a lot cheaper than getting two burgers and often the meat is thicker than a kid's burger

SAVING MONEY ON DISNEY DINING PLANS

Guests of any Disney package (see: on-site package accommodations above) have an option to add on Disney's dining plan. Each year the price changes a bit, click here for the most updated information. The price is the same regardless of which of their resorts you stay at, with a reduced price for kids 3-9 years of age. Disney says you will save 30% with the program but there are ways to save even more. On the basic plan, you get 1 sit table service meal, 1 counter meal and 1 snack for each member in your reservation. Since the kid's rate is so much lower (they are required to order from the kids menu) your "averaged rate" will be much better than with older children. Right now, it comes to under $100 a day for a family with 2 adults and 2 children. Here are a couple of my tips on how to get the most out of your dinning plan.

Use one of your table service meals at a character meal for a fun way for the kids to dine with the characters and, not have to cringe at the price! Eating at the castle takes 2 credits so you will get more mileage on going to one of the others. Just remember to make your reservation 180 days before you want to dine at 407-939-3463

Eat at the more expensive restaurants. For example if you choose Le Cellier in Epcot for dinner you can easily spend $100.00 which would make your counter service meal and snack, free for the day. With 100 different places to choose from, it is easy to find not only restaurants that your party will enjoy but will also give you the most for your plan.

Since all your credits expire you last night, be sure to use them all. If you have left over snacks, pick up those cute Disney shaped cookies or rice krispee treat pops to take back home. They are welcomed gifts for your kid's friends or a fun treat on the plane or car ride home.

SAVING MONEY WHILE EXTENDING THE DISNEY MAGIC
After you have saved money on your Disney tickets, your accommodations and dinning, you will still need to watch your budget. It may seem like everywhere you turn in Disneyworld, there is something else that cost money. By following this guide, you can still enjoy the theme parks and even extend that magic without spending much money.

Characters

Disney Character meals are very pricey and are often more than a budget allows. A fun and very cheap way to let your kids eat and spend time with some characters is to head over to the Chip and Dale Campfire at Fort Wilderness. Every night at 7 pm you can join the duo for campfire fun, songs and a movie. My son was always a big Chip and Dale fan so this was a "must do" for him but it is a fun family event for all. You can purchase two roasting sticks and a bunch of marshmallows for a couple of dollars. Or better yet, spend around $5 for the smores kit!

The best way to catch the characters while at Disney World is to make sure to read the Times Guides which are available at each of the four main parks. This will list that day's greeting times and locations. At Magic Kingdom you can also check the Character Location Guide on the main tip board on Main Street which will list which story the characters are from (Snow White, Peter Pan) but not the individual characters. If you must see a specific character your best bet would be to hit either Guest Relations or City Hall in Magic Kingdom. They can call around and pinpoint where your must-see character should be.

The most important character tip is to have an autograph book and pen (sharpie type) for each child. To save money, buy yours before the trip. Pick up blank books at Wal-Mart that have solid colored covers. They work out even better than traditional autograph books as the binding allows them to open flat and makes them easier for the characters to sign. Add an address label on the back inside cover so if it gets lost, it can be returned. Be sure to leave the first page blank to add a Disney photo of the child and the date to make it extra special

DISNEY SHOPPING: INEXPENSIVE SOUVENIRS
Your filled autograph book is a great start but what other inexpensive souvenirs can you get at Disney World?

Free Disney Souvenirs

• Park maps
• Napkins
• Tickets
• Electronic Room Keys
• All of these are great for scrapbooking and travel journals.
• Plastic shopping bags
• Items made at Epcot
• The Kidcot stations are a fun way to keep kids busy and interested throughout Epcot.
• Email postcards at Innoventions
• Send one to Grandma and to yourselves! It won't arrive until after you get home and it will be fun for all of you to share.
  

Cheap Disney Souvenirs

• Smashed pennies: These are great fun and can be made all over the Parks. Months before your trip set out a jar and collect quarters and the shiniest pennies you can find. Each souvenir penny will cost 2 quarters and one penny and it is much easier to have that amount on you when you come across a machine, which is why you save them ahead of time.
• Magnets for your fridge: We have magnets from every state, country and attraction we have visited. They don't cost much and we can enjoy them every time we open the fridge.

A LITTLE DISNEY MAGIC

• If you have pre-schoolers; there are some fun and inexpensive ways to add a little magic to their trip. Before the trip, pick up a couple of Mickey postcards, note cards or a plain note card you can add some Disney stickers too. Mail your child the note from Mickey (or their favorite character) saying they are so excited she/he is coming to Disneyworld! As your vacation gets closer you can send another and this time mention it won't be long until they see each other. You can also do this for free by sending online cards which you can still print out if they want.
• Secretly pack a couple of Disney T-shirts and other small items to equal the number of days you'll be staying there. When your child goes to sleep, place one of the items where she is sure to see it when she wakes up - (the end of her bed, on her backpack etc) with a note saying something like "Welcome To Disneyworld - we are so happy you are here" Tinkerbell and Peter Pan. Change the message (and character) until the last day where it can say "We will miss you so much!!" from all of her favorites. It is so fun to watch their excitement with these - imagine a special gift everyday from their favorite Disney friends!

Two places to pick up inexpensive souvenirs in Kissimmee are; the Wal-Mart on SR 535 at 3250 Vineland Road and the Target at 4795 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. Since it is a Super Wal-Mart, you can pick up groceries, sun block and a few things out of their Disney section (from shot glasses, to shirts, to toys) for a lot less than in the Parks. You might also picks the kids up a disposable water camera for added fun in the pool.

A FEW FINAL DISNEY MOMENTS...

• The Magic Kingdom Fireworks
• Epcot IllumiNations
• The Disney Parade
• The Animal Kingdom Jammin' Jungle Parade
• Ride Up Front with the Monorail Driver: Ask one of the cast members that you would like to ride in front. You may have to wait for the next run if someone else beat you to it.
• The Electrical Water Pageant Parade: Watch this 1000 foot string of illumination featuring deep sea creatures and King Neptune himself. You can catch this from the Beaches of the Disney Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge resorts. Just take Disney transportation over from the Magic Kingdom and then ride it back again afterwards.

Order your FREE Disneyworld planning DVD. While it is does show only Disney hotels it is a wonderful freebie for all Disneyworld planners! Your family will love watching the tours of all four parks as well as two of the water parks. It also comes with a small planning guide that slips into your pocket or bag. It's FREE and it is fun for the kids to see what they can look forward to.

Sources: Viewpoints/The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2007 by Sehlinger & Testa/ personal experiences/ Walt Disney World 2007/Disney's website