Disney on a Budget

If you think a Disney World vacation is out of your reach, maybe you should think again. Travel Channel has a few helpful tips on how to save money on lodging, tickets, food and airport transportation that can make your Disney dream trip become a reality.

A Moderate Resort
You can book a vacation package for a 2-night, 3-day stay at 1 of Disney World's moderate resorts. The Port Orleans Resort offers a discount package that includes 2 nights of lodging and 3 1-day park-hopper.

Magical Express
Disney's Magical Express is like having the combination of a car service and luggage valet all wrapped up in 1. All you have to do is check your bags at the airport, and they are magically waiting for you when you arrive at your Disney hotel. Be sure to request your Magical Express luggage tags when you make your reservations. Don't worry about transportation to the hotel; a bus will pick you up at the airport and take you right there. 

Disney Value Seasons
You and your family can head to Walt Disney World during the off-season when lines are shorter, the weather is more comfortable and the prices are lower. The rates are usually lower from January to February; for a few weeks in April and May; mid-August through September; and between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Magic Your Way
Sign up on the Disney World website to receive announcements of special offers. Magic Your Way is a new program that offers visitors options a la carte. You can choose to add what you wish instead of buying a package that might include elements that you don't really want.

Three Pricing Categories
Disney offers 3 pricing categories for hotel accommodations. The Pop Century Resort offers some of the lowest rates in Disney World, while the Coronado Springs Resort is in the intermediate price range. Disney also has more exclusive hotels, like the Grand Floridian Hotel, and other high-end accommodations, like extended-stay condominiums with their own kitchens and living rooms.

Rider Swap Tickets
These tickets allow parents to take turns accompanying older children on the rides without having to wait in line again. Systems in place at Disney World like the Rider Swap program provide ways to get more entertainment in less time, which equals more bang for your buck!

Extra Magic Hours
Another great way to maximize your family time at Disney World is to beat the crowds by arriving early (or staying late). Guests of Disney resorts can enjoy extended Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom, offered both before the park opens to the general public and after it closes.

Park-Hopper Tickets
For an additional charge per ticket, Park-Hopper tickets allows you to visit multiple parks in the same day. The charge is only applied once and the more days you stay, the less it costs per day.

Free Transportation
Disney not only has complimentary transportation to and from the airport, but they also provide transportation between all their resorts and parks. A system of monorails, buses and even boats can take you from park to park at Disney World.

Fast Pass
Don't feel like waiting in lines? Put your park ticket in the designated Fast Pass machine, and out comes a Fast Pass ticket that tells you to come back at a specific time (for example, 2:30-3:30). The ticket acts as a placeholder, which is great for families who don't want to spend hours waiting in line at a popular attraction. However, you can only get 1 Fast Pass ticket every 2 hours and popular rides can run out of Fast Passes, so try to get one early.

Lower Cost Activities
Another way to save money when vacationing in Disney World is to take advantage of the lower-cost recreational activities. For example, a family of 5 can book a Magic Your Way package that includes a 4-day, 3-night stay in a cabin at Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground. By choosing a 3-day theme-park admission with the Water Park Fun and More option, families can enjoy 5 days of fun for slightly more than the cost of 3. So check for the special deals and packages for extra savings.

Hotel Pools
The water parks cost less than the theme parks, but the pool at your hotel is free. Of course, your kids would probably love the crazy slides at the water parks, but they might be just as happy playing Marco Polo near your hotel room.

Disney Dining Plan
Families can take advantage of some of the counter-service buffets that are generally all-you-can-eat. If you're really into food and you're a big eater, then definitely go with the Disney Dining Plan. A family of four can save up to 30 percent on this plan.

Budget for Children
It's recommended to give older children a budget for the length of the vacation. Not only will it keep parents' budgets in check, but it's also a great lesson for them on how to spend their time and money wisely.

Room Key Purchases
This perk allows Disney resort guests to purchase items with their room key and have the delivered directly to your room. No credit card. No ID. Just plain convenience.

Photo Pass
A service is more of a memory saver than a money saver. This is a great feature for families that don't have a free hand to take pictures. Ask any Disney photographer for the pass and carry it with you throughout the day. When you're ready to leave the park, you can get your pictures printed out, or select the ones you want online and have them sent to you.