So you want to go to Walt Disney World????
Well how much savings do you have to spend on ONE vacation?? Probably not that much.... And that is okay!!
1
First things first... If you have decent credit, get a Disney rewards Chase credit card. Yes, the one with the annual membership fee- but don't worry! The fee is only around $50 but you won't have to pay it the first year-- why?? Because they run marketing promotionals ALL THE TIME! The one I snagged last spring was - spend $500 in 3 months, get $200 credit! That covered the $50 fee plus some of my groceries! There current promo is get $100 credit after 3 months.
With this credit card, you get 1% or 2% back on every purchase! And that goes to a Disney gift card that will help pay for your Disney vacation!
2
Next....
Start planning your vacation atleast 12 months in advance. I actually start planning mine 14 months in advance.
If you have to work around the academic school year- go in December. Leave THE DAY the school lets out!
If you can go anytime - go in September right after Labor Day! It will be hot, but the crowds are so low, it could be a ghost town!
Order FREE Disney planning DVD from Disney.com and order FREE Disney World customizable maps!
3
Make a My Disney Experience account! - online and free. Then explore your dates and resort/ticket options. The prices do change!
Order free customized maps of each park and order free planning dvd!
You will use this account to book your resort also!
4
Play around with dates and resort hotels. Do you want a value resort because you don't want to spend your savings all on one WDW trip? Can you afford a moderate or deluxe resort?
When I go to Disney, I spend 90% of my time in the parks, the rest shopping and then sleeping in the room. So I am fine with a value like Art of Animation! That is actually where we are staying for my next trip!
There are several non-Disney hotels on Disney Property like Wyndham Bonnet Creek - I stayed there my last trip! Fabulous and you can request rooms to watch the fireworks at night. The downside of not staying at a Disney resort hotel is no free parking, free transportation, and no Extra Magic Hours.
Extra Magic Hours are only for Disney resort guests and they happen everyday. Sometimes twice a day! They are posted online under Park Hours. Example: Magic Kingdom opens at 9 AM to everyone, but they have Extra Magic Hours from 8-9 AM. If you are staying at a Disney resort hotel, then you get an hour or more in the parks before everyone else.
Explore different ticket types: Park hopper vs. Single park per day. Will you be making 2 trips this year? Buy an annual pass! Do you have a child under 3? They don't need a ticket!
5
Look for discounts and book your hotel reservation and buy your tickets!
Buy your Disney tickets at Undercover Tourist unless you are buying an Annual Pass.
6
180 days out make your sit down dining reservations!
60 days out make your FastPass+ attractions!
If you are confused about somethings I said, please check out my disney world newbie post! It goes into more details about everything!
Now let's talk money:
4 Day park pass at undercover tourist.com is $349.75 for 10+ and $330.80 for 3-9 years.
A 7 day 6 night stay at All Star Movies is $771.79
A 7 Day 6 night stay at Art of Animation Little Mermaid: $974.25
A 7 Day 6 night stay at AOA in Cars, Lion King, or Nemo is $2293.88
Memory Maker is $149
Keep in mind, about 80-100 days out, Disney releases discounts of 15%, 20%, 30%, or 35% off.
You will use this account to book your resort also!
4
Play around with dates and resort hotels. Do you want a value resort because you don't want to spend your savings all on one WDW trip? Can you afford a moderate or deluxe resort?
When I go to Disney, I spend 90% of my time in the parks, the rest shopping and then sleeping in the room. So I am fine with a value like Art of Animation! That is actually where we are staying for my next trip!
There are several non-Disney hotels on Disney Property like Wyndham Bonnet Creek - I stayed there my last trip! Fabulous and you can request rooms to watch the fireworks at night. The downside of not staying at a Disney resort hotel is no free parking, free transportation, and no Extra Magic Hours.
Extra Magic Hours are only for Disney resort guests and they happen everyday. Sometimes twice a day! They are posted online under Park Hours. Example: Magic Kingdom opens at 9 AM to everyone, but they have Extra Magic Hours from 8-9 AM. If you are staying at a Disney resort hotel, then you get an hour or more in the parks before everyone else.
Explore different ticket types: Park hopper vs. Single park per day. Will you be making 2 trips this year? Buy an annual pass! Do you have a child under 3? They don't need a ticket!
5
Look for discounts and book your hotel reservation and buy your tickets!
Buy your Disney tickets at Undercover Tourist unless you are buying an Annual Pass.
6
180 days out make your sit down dining reservations!
60 days out make your FastPass+ attractions!
If you are confused about somethings I said, please check out my disney world newbie post! It goes into more details about everything!
Now let's talk money:
4 Day park pass at undercover tourist.com is $349.75 for 10+ and $330.80 for 3-9 years.
A 7 day 6 night stay at All Star Movies is $771.79
A 7 Day 6 night stay at Art of Animation Little Mermaid: $974.25
A 7 Day 6 night stay at AOA in Cars, Lion King, or Nemo is $2293.88
Memory Maker is $149
Keep in mind, about 80-100 days out, Disney releases discounts of 15%, 20%, 30%, or 35% off.
(These figures include tax and shipping)
