Affordable Disney Family Vacations

One of the biggest expenses for any vacation is the accommodations. The Walt Disney World area offers a wide array of choices from hundreds of off-resort properties to a number of options on Disney property itself. Is it always cheaper to stay off-property? The answer is...it depends. Time of the year, size of your family, how long you will be staying, and need for transportation while there all factor in your decision. Don't assume it is always cheaper off-site: Disney has 3 "levels" of accommodations, and often offers excellent discounts and packages. For a truly affordable Disney family vacation, be sure to check out all options before making your reservation.

Don't give up your dream of a Disney vacation because you think it's not affordable. Learn how to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation for your family! You CAN plan a trip filled with magical memories for you and your children. Don't spend weeks surfing the internet for the best Disney discounts.Visit The Affordable Mouse for THE best tips and ideas for planning a Disney trip that is fun AND affordable!

There are many ways to save money on meals while on a Disney vacation. The first one is to have some meals in your room. Most hotel properties have mini-fridges in them and many actually have a small kitchenette. We always make good use of ours, with breakfast foods and evening snacks stored for easy use. Increasingly, many off-property hotels even include full breakfast as part of their package. And if you have chosen to stay in one of the many, lovely rental homes or condominiums near the Disney property, then you will have a full kitchen and can take full advantage of eating some dinners in, while resting up for the next day at the parks. Looking to make your Disney family vacation even more affordable? Bring some snacks/drinks with you into the parks, "share" large portions between several people (works especially well with kids!), and consider Disney's Dining Plan where you can pre-purchase meals at a fixed cost per person, per day. Trust me on this one: we don't spend a fortune on food...and we eat like kings!!

Depending on where you live, you may have the option to drive. Don't assume that it is necessarily cheaper to drive....or to fly. We are fortunate, as we live in the mid-atlantic states, so we have done both. While it is definitely more convenient to fly, in today's economy, it makes good sense to compare the cost of airfare with the cost of gas. Many airlines run some pretty good specials, especially if you are not traveling at a peak time of year. In addition, I have been successful with finding good deals on airfare by signing up for notifications directly from the airlines (like Southwest's DING). But do the cost comparison to determine your best option for an affordable Disney family vacation.