Money Saving Secrets When Planning Your Vacation

When you first step foot on the Walt Disney World property it's like stepping into a fantasy world. Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL is just full of secrets that the common visitor will completely miss. These secrets are just waiting to be found, so when you go on your next trip to Disney World make sure to seek them out. Here, I will share just some of those secrets with you.
Planning your vacation is just the start of your vacation, so lets start with money saving secrets.

Secret 1: Travel during the value season.

The value season gives you the lowest rates on each resort hotel rooms.

2009 Value Season Season
January 1, 2009 -February 12, 2009

August 9, 2009 -October 1, 2009
November 29, 2009 -December 17, 2009

I suggest going during August because schools in Florida go back to school at that time and some people don't like Florida in August because it is so hot. Meaning there is less of a crowd and not that long of lines.

Secret 2: Buy "Magic Your Way" Tickets

When you choose the "Magic Your Way" ticket plan the more days that you plan to stay, the more money you save.

For example, if you choose a 7 day Magic Your Way Base Ticket, the average price is less than half the price of a single day ticket. That's a 50% savings!

I always choose "Magic Your Way" tickets when I plan my vacation, but I also include the Park Hopper Option and Water Park Fun and More option. This allows you to go to multiple parks during a day without spending more money for another ticket. As well as going to the water parks. Each are less then $10 a day when you have a 7 day "Magic Your Way" ticket. Trust me, they're worth it!

To learn more about the tickets and ticket options go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/.

Secret 3: Stay at a Value Resort Hotel

Choose from 4 highly themed value resorts:

Disney's All-Star Movie Resort

Disney's All-Star Music Resort

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Disney's Pop Century Resort

During the value season you can pay just $82 per night, plus tax for a standard room.

These are the only resorts I go to, they are so much fun to stay at, and they are fun to explore.

To check out the value resorts and other hotels go to

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/.

Secret 4: Use Disney Transportation

If you fly to Orlando, you can take advantage of Disney's Magical Express service. Check your bags at your home airport, when your arrive in Orlando simply hop on a Magical Express Coach and you'll be taken to your hotel. Your bags will then appear in your room just like magic.

During your stay at Disney take advantage of the transportation within the resort. Simply hop on a boat, a bus or the monorail to get to your final destination. It's much easier then packing everyone into the car and driving to the park's parking lot. Which I might add that the cost of parking is $15. Yikes!

Secret 5: Stay on the Disney Resort Property

If you stay at a Disney resort hotel you can enjoy a couple of perks that others that stay off the Disney property will not.

Instead of driving to each park and paying a $15 parking fee, hotel guests can take advantage of the free transportation. Every Disney Resort hotel has a bus service to get you to the parks, and some select hotels have a boat system or a monorail to take you to the parks.

Another perk only offered to hotel guests are Magic Hours. These are hours in the morning before the parks open or at night after the parks close that hotel guests can take advantage of. Just show your hotel room key and receive a wristband. Not only will there be shorter lines and fewer people, but more time to play.

***Some Magic Hours can be extended up to 3 hours***
To check out the resorts go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/.

Secret 6: Spend a Day Outside the Theme Parks

Extend your stay at Disney by taking a break from the parks and enjoy other things Disney has to offer.

Water Parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon)

Downtown Disney (Dining, shopping and entertainment)

Disney Quest (Located in Downtown Disney West Side)

Cirque du Soleil La Nouba (Located in Downtown Disney West Side)

Disney's Boardwalk (Dining, shopping, entertainment)

Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex

To get more information on these places and to discover what other things Disney has to offer, go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/ .

Secret 7: Take Advantage of "Magic Your Way Package plus Dining" Plan
The dining package allows you 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal and 1 snack per person, per day. Saves you up to 32% on food.

A recent promotion Disney is running is Free Dining when you purchase a 5 night, 6 day vacation package.

For more information on the 7 secrets you can watch a video On Demand under Searchlight.

Go to Travel & Leisure, then Disney Travel, then Disney Insiders, and then click on Money Saving Tips.

To start planning your vacation go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/, and as well to request your very own Vacation Planning Video.

Here is a video that summarizes some of the secrets I discussed, and some more tips to take in consideration when planning your next vacation:

* if video doesn't come up go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=698K96RmRUA to view it.