How to make Disney more affordable

 

--Be Flexible in your time.

I know for some this is easier said than done.  Working around school schedules, work schedules, and other schedules can be very difficult.  But the more flexible you are in your time of year you can visit will make a great difference in overall price.

 

Peak season (summer and holidays) are a premium price (as well as having higher crowd levels). Also, if you are going on a short trip try to avoid Friday and Saturday night stays.  These nights have a surcharge as well. 

 

When Disney has a promotion the dates you are available can have a very important role.  For the most part, if your check in day falls within the promotional period, you get the promotional pricing for the whole trip. Of course, there are exceptions to this, so I will double check that before we actually book your trip.

 

Speaking of promotions, this brings up my second tip – Be flexible on the resort.

Some promotions will exclude certain resorts completely or may have different blackout dates for some resorts.  A promotion will have a limited number of room types for each resort.  So, while there may still be rooms available in a particular resort for your dates, it doesn’t mean that the promotion is available for those rooms on those dates.  Having a second or third resort or room choice can improve your chances of snagging that promotion.

 

 

Ticket Options

 

Water Parks and More Fun

If you are going in the winter; or if you aren’t planning on a water park or visiting Disney Quest, this just adds an unnecessary charge.  However, if you are planning on going during a hot or warm season (and you are planning on 2 or more days to visit water parks) then, by all means- add the option!  You will save money over the single day entrance fee.  Although keep in mind each resort has at least one pool.  Most have ‘quiet pools’ as well (smaller pools spread out over the resort)

 

Park Hopper

Here is another place to save money.  If you are planning on visiting only one park per day (perhaps returning to your resort room for a mid-day swim and then returning to the same park in the evening  for dinner or nighttime activities) then a Park Hopper could be an unnecessary charge.

However, you need to know if you do not have Park Hopper you CAN NOT go to a different park later in the day, even if you have unused days left on your ticket!

 

Also, it is important to note you cannot purchase a park hopper for only one day of your trip.  Well, you can, but the price for hoppers is for the life of the ticket, so it will cost you the same if you have 3 days left or 10 days left on your pass.

 

Non Expiring Option

If you are going to make two or more trips to Disney with a year or more between the trips, then, this MAY say you some money.  Be advised that most promotions have a minimum number of tickets that must be purchased with the promotion, so this could possibly eat your savings.  (Disney seems to be phasing out this particular add on.  It may or may not be available at time of your purchase.)

 

Dining Plans

Again, these could possibly save money.  It completely depends on how your family chooses to eat on vacations.  Remember all those questions I asked about how your family prefers to eat when on vacation?  Well, this is where it comes into play.  I will help you decide which (if any) dining plan is best suited for your family.

 

 

 

These are just a few of the ways we can make the Family’s vacation package a bit more budget friendly.  Next we will talk a bit about value.

 

 

How much will a trip to Disney cost?

Last time we talked about some of the questions I will be asking you before we even start talking about booking a Disney trip.  We went over a lot of things that will help me get to know your family’s traveling style.  Because, let’s face it, you won’t have a fun family trip if you are stressed out over a particular aspect that I might enjoy, but just doesn’t fit into your family’s idea of a perfect family vacation.

 

So, now we will talk a bit about your budget.  This aspect always confuses people.  Either it is a lot less than they expected, or it is a lot more than they expected. 

Let’s start with the feeling that it is a lot less than you expected.  This mainly comes from listening to what other people pay for their trips.  Remember everyone’s style of traveling is different.  Your friend may only do first class all the way…may have more people in their families…may have included all the add-ons in their total cost.  Or simply went at a different time of year, or stayed longer.  No two trips will price out exactly the same.  It is important to compare apples to apples.

Now let’s go to the more common problem.  It costs more than you expected it to.  I know this can be a real sticker shock.  But let’s remember a couple of things:  When you price out a Disney trip, it may include more than just a hotel room.  It may include the tickets, and a dining plan.  The photograph package may be included.  It is a package designed just for you.  Using all those questions I asked earlier. 

And don’t forget, when you book a package, it only requires a deposit of $200.  The remainder needs to be paid in full within 45 days of travel, but you can make as many payments as you want (as long as it is more than $20 per payment). So, the sooner you book, the smaller the payments will be!   And…Disney does not charge a finance fee!

I get the question all the time…”what does it cost for a family of 4 to go to Disney?”  There is no magic answer to that.  There are so many variables it is impossible to give a quick answer.  It is like asking how much a car costs. Are we talking new or used?  Are we talking economy size, or luxury model?  What features are you looking for? Until we know all those things we can’t possibly answer!

So, we have asked all the questions, and have a price.  It is more than what you expected it to be.  But you really want to take Sally and Johnny to Disney. What can we do to make it more affordable for your family?

Stay tuned for the next report!