Walt Disney World on a Budget

I really love staying on Disney property. To make this more affordable we go during Disney's Value Season. No matter which hotel you stay in this is when the nightly rates will be the lowest. It's also when the parks are less crowded.

2012 Value Season Dates:
January 2 - January 4
January 8 - January 12
January 16 - February 15

2012 Value Season 2 Dates:
August 5 - September 27

If those dates just aren't possible for you the next dates to look at would be during their Fall or Regular Seasons. If you are on a budget and trying to save money you will want to avoid their Peak and Holiday Seasons.

Note: Weekend rates are higher than weekday rates year round.

If you go during the Value Season, Value Resorts can be as low as $89 a night. They certainly aren't fancy, but really, how much time to you plan to stay in your room or even on the hotel property. One day we will splurge on a really nice Disney Resort, but right now this is all we need.

Currently, there are 4 different Value Resorts to choose from.

Disney's Pop Century Resort
Fads of the 20th-century
Located in Disney's Wide World of Sports Area

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney film characters
Located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Music inspired
Located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Sports themed
Located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Each of them include:

* Bus Transportation to the Theme Parks, Water Parks and Downtown Disney
* Quick Service Dining
* Themed Pools
* Arcade
* Playground
* Gift Shop

The typical room has 2 Double Beds and sleeps 4.
All-Star Music now has Family Suites which are twice the size and sleep up to 6.

You can find more first hand info about Disney Value Resorts at Princess and Pirate Vacations.


Update: I'm very excited about this one. A brand new, 5th Value Resort is opening in May 2012! Family suites will be opening up in phases followed by smaller rooms. I can't wait to stay there in 2013 :).

Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney Animation from Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.
Located in Disney's Hollywood Studios Area

Campsites from $44 a night

Disney Fort Wilderness Campground
Located in the Magic Kingdom area

Features available at all campsites:

* Water
* Charcoal grill and picnic table
* 20 amp/120 Volt, 30 amp/120 Volt, 50 amp/250 Volt outlets

Tents and cots are available for rent.

When you purchase the Disney Dining Plan you can relax and eat where you like without having to worry about how much each item costs. Your meals are paid for in advance. You can choose snacks and meals at selected restaurants throughout Walt Disney World Resort including some that feature Disney Character Dining, which is so much fun when you go with young children.

Table-Service Meal which includes an entree, dessert (or full buffet) and non-alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must choose from the children's menu if available.

Quick-Service Meal (cafeteria style) which includes and entrée and dessert, or a combo meal, and non-alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must choose from the children's menu if available.

Snack. There are many options to choose from wherever you go. There's pretty much anything you can think of from ice cream to popcorn to fruit or a drink.

Reservations are typically required for Table Service meals, including all Character Meals which can sell out months in advance. For a complete list of Walt Disney World Restaurants and Menus in each park and hotel check out the DIS website.

2012 Meal Plans:

Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan per person per night
2 Quick-Service Meals
1 Snack
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug

Disney Dining Plan per person per night
1 Table-Service Meal
1 Quick-Service Meal
1 Snack
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan per person per night
3 Meals table-service or quick-service
2 Snacks
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug

Premium Package Dining per person per night
3 Meals table-service or quick-service
2 Snacks
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
Special Perks

Platinum Package Dining per person per night
3 Meals table-service or quick-service
2 Snacks
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
Even more Special Perks

For more information on the Disney Dining Plan Disney's website offers PDF Documents for each option under Related Resources.

Before you go to Disney World getting your kids a new pair of pjs can be an inexpensive gift that can be given on your first night in the hotel. You can save money by buying them at home and bringing them with you as a surprise. One less souvenir to buy while you are there.


Disney Princess Pink Cotton Shorty Pajamas
for Infants, Toddlers and Girls
$6.99

100% cotton fabric
Snug fitting for safety

The longer you visit the less park tickets cost per day.

Base Ticket Price for age 10+

1 day ticket $85.00 ..... $85.00 /day
2 day ticket $168.00 ... $84.00 /day
3 day ticket $232.00 ... $77.33 /day
4 day ticket $243.00 ... $60.75 /day
5 day ticket $251.00 ... $50.20 /day
6 day ticket $259.00 ... $43.17 /day
7 day ticket $267.00 ... $38.14 /day
8 day ticket $275.00 ... $34.38 /day
9 day ticket $283.00 ... $31.44 /day
10 day ticket $291.00 . $29.10 /day

Base Ticket Price for ages 3-9

1 day ticket $79.00 ..... $79.00 /day
2 day ticket $155.00 ... $77.50 /day
3 day ticket $214.00 ... $71.33 /day
4 day ticket $224.00 ... $56.00 /day
5 day ticket $232.00 ... $46.40 /day
6 day ticket $240.00 ... $40.00 /day
7 day ticket $248.00 ... $35.43 /day
8 day ticket $256.00 ... $32.00 /day
9 day ticket $264.00 ... $29.33 /day
10 day ticket $272.00 . $27.20 /day

Base Tickets only allow you admission to one Theme Park per day, adding the Park Hopper option lets you come and go through multiple Parks on the same day. I recommend that added cost. There's also a Water Park Fun & More option, and a No Expiration option. Go to the Magic Your Way Tickets page for their added costs.

To give you an idea I'll share the cost of two recent trips - January 2008 & January 2009.

We are a family of 3; 2 adults and 1 child. We stay in a Value Resort during Value Season for 5 nights. We purchase 4 Day Park Hopper Tickets and the Disney Dining Plan. We fly into Orlando from Boston.

Cost for Hotel, Park Tickets and Dining Plan:
$1,715.42
+
Cost for Flights:
$656.40
_____________________________

2008 Total cost: $2,371.82

Cost for Hotel, Park Tickets and Dining Plan:
$1,862.39
+
Cost for Flights:
$822.00
_____________________________

2009 Total cost: $2,684.39

For 2010 and 2011 we changed our vacation packages so I didn't add them here for comparison. Problem is, I'm not sure if we'll have the exact same package again so I might as well start again with our upcoming 2012 trip.

We're staying in a Value Resort for 5 nights and purchased 4 Day Park Hopper Tickets.
(Note: This vacation we're not getting the dining plan and used Air miles for flights.)

Cost for Hotel and Park Tickets: $1,763.52

Do you need luggage for your trip? This lens is all about being frugal so here is a tip. Make sure to check out LuggageOnline.

They have great prices and even better sales.

There's Free Shipping on orders of $100 or more (and if you are buying for everyone in your family it adds up quick), and free returns.

The best part is there 110% Low-Price Guarantee. If you find the same item selling for less somewhere else within 30 days they will refund you 110% of the difference. You, can't go wrong with that!

As an example this American Flyer 4-Piece Set Retails for $580.00.
Luggage Online's price is $204.95.

Make sure you look at different days of the week, as well as different airlines when comparing flight costs. Leaving on a Wednesday is typically less expensive.

Save up to 70% off published airfares on major Airlines with Airfare.com.

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