The first is submitted by the holly, jolly, Mollusk herself. "How does one do Disney on a budget?" Excellent question!!By far, the thing that will lay the groundwork for the cost of your vacation is the time of year you choose to go. If you have the flexibility, the best time of year to go is the first two weeks in December, since the parks are virtually empty. Otherwise, here's a good idea of what to expect with crowds. During value seasons, Disney tends to offer more discounts and hotel rates drop. Ticket prices typically stay the same, but the longer you stay, the less you pay!
The next best tip is to choose your resort wisely. I'll forever sing the benefits of staying on property. There are so many benefits that will save you tons of money. For instance, when staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you'll get to take advantage of FREE transportation to and from the airport, and the parks. You are also offered the conveniences of things like the Key to the World Card. Instead of carrying your key card, tickets, ID and credit cards all over the parks, you can tie it all to your resort key. Your KTTWC can be tied to a designated amount on your credit or debit card, along with your park tickets. It can also serve as identification in most cases (not in the case of purchasing alcohol though) saving you space and piece of mind. (Never fear- in order to use the card at one of the parks, your finger is scanned for added security).
Staying in one of Disney's value resorts is the best bet for someone aiming not to break the bank. The rates rival those of off-property chain hotels while still giving you the perks mentioned above. The four Value resorts are Pop Century, All Star Music, All Star Movies and All Star Sports. Keep in mind that if you're staying at any of the All Star resorts, you'll be sharing a bus with the 2 other resorts, so walking and crowds may be an issue, especially on the Magic Kingdom buses. Pop Century has it's own, separate buses.We stayed at the Pop and loved it!
If you're looking to save money inside the parks, you may want to consider a Disney Dining Plan. With the standard plan, you'll save about 40% on meals. The Dining plans range from Quick Service only to Three Table Services a day, so be sure to choose what's best for you. The husband and I loved the dining plan during our trip in 2008, but we're considering other options for our next trip. It may take a little research on your end, but your wallet will thank you! When you're ready, you can check out the Disney Website for more Dining Plan options.
And finally, merchandise is a killer. I can't help but walk through each store at Disney dreaming of the things I could take home. I've found it's best to limit myself to a set amount each day, and ONLY allow that much to be charged to my Key Card. I then leave my credit card in my room safe, so that I can't do more damage than I allow myself. It's tough, but it works!
Last but not least, I suggest checking places like AAA and Expedia for discounted package deals. It can literally save you hundreds!
To review, my tips for doing Disney on a dime are: Go during value season, stay on-property at a Disney Value Resort, do the Disney Dining Plan, budget as much as you can for merchandise and check with AAA or Expedia. With that, you'll be able to have a fantastic time without breaking the bank! I hope that answered your question, Mollusk!
Thanks Mandy! We are tossing around a Thanksgiving trip (likely doing Disney early the week after Thanksgiving). I was thinking of the All-Star Music resort - are any of them more appealing or better suited than others to small children (ages 4 and 5)?
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