Mouse Money: Saving on your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation

Allison FlynnAugust 18, 2016You've taken a leap and have decided you'd like to take a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort. You've chosen the resort, ticket options, dining, etc. With trepidation, you click to see the total.If you're like me, you're probably doing this with one eye scrunched shut, not looking forward to the total you're about to see.Yes, a Walt Disney World vacation is expensive. But even if I weren't a concierge agent with Wishes Family Travel, I'd tell you that it's money well spent and that you will truly have a magical time.If heading to Walt Disney World is a dream you'd like make reality, then there are steps you can take to get the most out of your mousekemoney.Think of it in basic terms – Eat. Sleep. Play.When you go on vacation, you always do three things – eat, sleep and play. And when it comes to Walt Disney World, the options for each of these is endless. Let's start with sleeping.How will your family be most comfortable on vacation? Can you all sleep in the same room and share a bathroom or do you need space to decompress at the end of a busy day? If you can all get along well enough for one room, then a value or moderate resort category room will fit the bill. If you're looking for space, then a deluxe may be what you need.Now, you've got to eat. How does your family eat at home? Three full meals each day or smaller, snackier options? A dining plan is one way you can budget for your vacation. With a Disney dining plan, you'll know upfront what you'll be spending on meals.What about play? Do you plan to visit each of Disney's theme parks or are you going to concentrate on just one? Would you like to visit more than one park each day? For families who feel that this will be their only Disney vacation for several years or it is their first Walt Disney World vacation, I recommend at least four days worth of park tickets.But you haven't told me how I can save?

• Book early. Yes, Disney offers many promotions throughout the year that can add up to savings. Even if you book early a promotion can be applied to an eligible vacation.
• Once you've booked, look at a calendar and see how many weeks there are between your booking date and your final payment due date. (Guess what? Your Wishes agent will do this for you!)
• Divide your remaining balance by the number of weeks between the two dates. This is what you could pay weekly in order to pay off your balance. (See why booking early pays? More weeks to divide by!)
• Save up your spare change and put it toward a Disney gift card. Often you can find Disney gift cards, which can be applied to your vacation balance or used in the Parks for souvenirs, on special at various big box stores. (One such store currently offers a $500 gift card for $474.98 - for my vacation this will save more than $50!) Have a birthday, anniversary or holiday between now and your travel dates? Ask for Disney gift cards as gifts! You can combine the balances into one to put toward your vacation.
• Create a Disney Vacation Account Essentially, this is a savings account just for your vacation.
• Be realistic. We all want to stay in a grand villa at the Grand Floridian Resort. What can your family live without and still have a fantastic vacation? If you will only visit one park each day, then skip a Park Hopper. Not big eaters? Then you will pay less out of pocket for meals than you will for a dining plan.
• Use the services of your Wishes Concierge Agent! We are here to help you every step of your vacation, including cutting costs. We are all traveled professionals who have experience in planning vacations for every budget!

I'd love to help your family plan your next vacation. Please reach out to me at allisonf@wishesfamilytravel.com or visit me on Facebook to keep up with promotions for the Walt Disney World Resort as well as Universal Orlando.