Enjoying Disney on a Budget

There is no doubt that Disney World is a top vacation spot. For many people, though, a trip requires months, sometimes even years of saving. Here are some tips for enjoying Disney on a budget, making it affordable for everyone, and leaving you with enough money to come home on.

There are so many ways to save money on a trip to Disney. The first and easiest is to go during off peak times. If you are coming from a cold location or don't mind that the temperature is not a searing 95 degrees or more, consider going in the spring or fall rather than in the summer. Not only can you get a better deal on tickets, but hotel and airline rates are considerably cheaper when traveling during off-peak times. It is Florida, after all, and even during these times, it is far from chilly or cold. Another benefit to traveling at off peak times is that you really do get more bang for your buck. With significantly fewer patrons, the lines are much shorter, ensuring that you fit as much entertainment into your day as you can handle.

Another quick way to save big bucks is to buy your tickets in advance. The earlier you buy, the more you save. If you think you may want to go to more than one of the parks, go ahead and buy the Park Hopper pass up front, it saves you the admission of getting into other parks down the line. You can also get multi-day passes, which save the cost of additional tickets if you decide to extend the fun, and you can even get one that don't expire, depending on the length of your vacation.

It is best to set a budget for your Disney days, as souvenir photos and Disney themed meals can add up fast. Try giving each member of your group an allowance per day. If they choose to buy an expensive meal or pricey stuffed animal, it won't affect the budget for any other members of the trip.

To help avoid the temptation to buy expensive theme park food, pack some heat resistant snacks like chips and granola bars to snack on. A simple candy bar is a lot cheaper than a Mickey Mouse licensed snack.

Last but not least, before buying your plane and park tickets and hotel, check with a travel agent or do some web surfing. Some agencies and sites have off peak packages that include all of the above and sometimes even free shuttle service to the parks from your hotel, all for much less than you would pay buying these things separately.

It is not only possible, but rather easy to enjoy Disney on almost any budget with careful planning and tight budgeting. That said, start saving, and your trip to Disney is closer that you ever thought possible.