Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation?

While Walt Disney World has always been known to be expensive, prices recently have just increased in many areas of the vacation destination to include: dining, kennels, theme park tickets, and resorts. Depending on length of stay and size of household, families may have to add an extra twenty to thirty dollars a day in their budget. While some families find ways to cut back on their costs, even those options may become more limited now.

Already in place is the new hotel resort tax which affects all hotels located in Orange County. Hotels are now taxed at a rate of 12.5% hotel tax, in addition to the 6.5% sales tax, for a grand total of 19% tax. This essentially adds an extra $19 per every $100 you will spend on a hotel. While this does appear to be extremely high, Disney's All Star Resorts are located in Osceola County, and their total tax rate is 19.5%. One of the benefits about staying on Disney property is the discounted kennel rates, but even those have changed.

If you are staying at a Disney resort and are leaving your pet there overnight, the new rate is now $13 a night, up four dollars from the previously charged amount of $9 per pet per night. The day rate has also increased by four dollars as well, and is now assessed at $10 per day. Still keeping with the four dollar price increase, non-resort guests are assessed fees of $10 per day and $15 per night, respectively.

When visiting the theme parks, be sure to bring some extra money for increased prices there. Magic Your Way ticket prices have increased anywhere between three to six percent, depending on age, residency, and type of ticket purchased. Within a span of ten months, Disney's ticket prices have increased 12%, and since 2004, they have increased by 22%. Unfortunately, when Disney raises ticket prices, Universal Studios and Sea World follow suit, which both have already done. In addition to ticket prices, food prices have also increased, particularity at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park and the higher-end restaurants located in the resorts hotels. The website, All Ears.net has a complete restaurant price list that is updated monthly, so it is one of the most reliable sources on the web to locate current meal and food item prices.

While vacationing at Disney may end up costing a little more, it still helps to do research and discover some of the better bargains out there to help save on the budget. Join a message board or network with others who have recently visited to find out where the deals are. In the end, you may come out under your anticipated budget!