A trip to Disney World is a dream for many kids. It’s also a fantasy for parents who don’t think that a stay in the “Happiest Place on Earth” is financially possible. Guess what? It is.
At first glance, the total cost of a Disney trip can appear more frightening than Cruella de Vil’s quest for a puppy fur coat, but a weeklong stay on Disney’s property doesn’t have to freeze your finances Queen Elsa-style.
With a lot of pre-planning, a trip to Disney World is memory-making money well spent, at least I think so. Below are a few of my best (and updated) budget-conscious Disney trip tips, most helpful if you intend to fully indulge in the Disney experience and stay on property.
Don’t go at it alone: In the past I prided myself on calculating cost-conscious trips to Disney. This year, we went through a travel agency, Magical Vacations Travel. Every year the New Jersey-based outfit offers exclusive packages that even my penny-pinching prowess can’t counter. Travel must be made in a specific time-frame, and the package we purchased included park tickets (even water park passes) and lodging. Disney accommodations are divided into three categories: value, moderate and deluxe. We’ll be staying at a top-of-the line deluxe resort for less than the cost of mid-range room.
Rent points: Disney has a time-share program dubbed the Disney Vacation Club. DVC members pay for, accumulate and own points, which are used to reserve villa-style rooms at the premier resorts on Disney’s property. Owners can opt to rent the points out to anyone, and in exchange for payment, the owner makes a room reservation for a rentee. Last year we rented points and paid less-than-half of what we would have, per night, if we booked directly through Disney.
Let the web be your guide: There are hundreds of Disney travel and fan websites offering insider tricks and tips to help you plan a discounted Disney trip. Two of my favorites are MouseSavers.com and WDWinfo.com. You can also find special offers directly through Disney throughout the year. You can visit their official website, www.DisneyWorld.com or call (407) 939-7905.
Have your groceries delivered: If you aren’t planning to use Disney’s Dining Plan — a pre-paid meal package — you can have groceries delivered directly to your room. This year we are purchasing water, milk, my husband’s vital energy drinks and some adult beverages through GardenGrocer.com. Order what you’d like online and the company will shop for you and deliver directly to your resort. They do require a $40 minimum purchase and charge a $14 delivery fee, but if you break it down, you come out way ahead of what you’d pay at a park store. For instance, cans of microbrew beer ring in around $8 a pop at the Beach Club Resort’s poolside eatery. A six pack through Garden Grocer is $9.79, a substantial savings. If you have a rental car, even better. You can pop into Publix or any other local grocer and stock up.
Travel off-season: If you are flexible, and willing to travel during what Disney terms the “value season,” you can find great bargains. Room rates at “value resorts” start around $90 a night. Typically, off-peak travel periods include January to mid-February, the tail-end of summer and most of fall. Because bookings tend to be lower during the value season, Disney tries to entice travelers with free dining plan promotions or steeply discounted room rates.
Track down ticket deals: If you are a Florida resident, AAA member, government employee and or military personnel, you may be eligible for discounted passes. If not, you can still save some cash. There are legitimate ticket agents offering discount passes, including UndercoverTourist.com and Orbitz.com. Online rebate site Ebates.com offers cash back on an “activity reservations” — sometimes as much as 20 percent — made through travel website Orbitz.com. Register with Ebates.com, search Orbitz deals to see what’s available. If something entices you, click the link and you’ll be instantly routed to Orbtiz.com. Reserve the tickets and the cash back with appear in your Ebates.com account within a day or two. The cash-back site disperses funds quarterly either by check or via Paypal.
Explore Disney’s free attractions: They do exist. Take a spin on the monorail and explore the resorts location along the railway, many of which offer musical entertainment throughout the day and movies under the stars; cruise across the Seven Seas Lagoon on the complimentary ferry location by the entrance of the Magic Kingdom; walk along Disney’s Boardwalk and enjoy the Coney Island-esque sites — jugglers, magicians and midway games and more. There’s always Downtown Disney, too. It’s in the midst of a major overhaul, but there are shops, street performers and much more to enjoy.
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