Disney World Vacation Deals

Choosing the Right Time to Go

One of the first ways to get a deal on a Disney World vacation package is to pick the right time of year to travel. If your schedule is flexible, your best bet would be to go during the off-season, when children are back in school and there are minimal families traveling. Besides getting better rates on plane tickets and hotels, you will also have a better chance at smaller crowds in the park and shorter wait times for the rides and attractions. On the flip side, however, you will still have to deal with possible inclement weather and shorter park hours. If you can avoid it, don't book your trip:

• Between Thanksgiving and the end of the year
• During spring break
• From Memorial Day to Labor Day

While the park hours are extended during these times, it is also at its busiest. Hotels are usually book up early and it is very difficult to get a reservation at any of the popular restaurants.

Weekends, too, are far busier than weekdays. However, if you really want to go when the special attractions are up, when the park is decorated for Christmas for example, stick with going the week or two before Thanksgiving (decorations go up the second week in November) or waiting until December 1 when the Thanksgiving crowds have settled down. Check Disney World's website for more information about special dates and park hours when you do your planning. You don't want to arrive at the resort only to find out the park closes early for a special event!

Finding Walt Disney World Vacation Deals

Planning is key here to finding the best deals, and make sure you start doing so several months before you travel. Depending on your budget, where you want to stay, and what you want to eat, there are several places to find good deals. For starters, check the Walt Disney World Resort vacation package website for an idea of going rates. Then you can contact some of the others listed below to see if you can get a better deal.

Authorized Disney Vacation Planners

If you choose to use a travel agent – or a Disney vacation planner -- to help you find a deal on a Disney World vacation, you may need to shop around for one who will save you the most money. As opposed to doing it yourself, an agent can take care of all of the arrangements from plane and park tickets, hotel accommodations, and rental cars, if needed. But they will also charge you a fee, so if you think you are getting a deal, you will need to comparison shop.

Save by finding deals online.

There are some authorized Disney vacation planners designed to help only Disney World customers, so right there you will save some money over using a regular travel agent. Many offer discounts and package deals on a variety of amenities, including if you book your trip ahead of time. However, trip prices, especially on airline tickets, change on a daily basis. So it is best to book early. Some reputable Disney vacation planners include:

• Small World Vacations, Inc.
• Magical Travel
• Magic Itineraries
• Conlin Travel
• Mickey's Travel
• Magical Mountain
• The Magic for Less Travel

Discount Websites

There are several really good websites out there that have tons of information about saving money at the resort:

• MouseSavers is one of the most popular and up-to-date sites that has "Great deals on all things Disney!" From coupon codes for rental cars to Disney freebies, you will find current deals here.
• MousePlanet helps you find deals on hotels, restaurants, and other amenities. The site has also has a forum where registered users can post discount information and feedback.
• eBay Reviews has a great write up about one person's experience at the resort and how they saved money and time.

Various Social Networks

If you don't know where to start in your search for Disney World vacation deals, ask around. Chat rooms, blogs, bulletin boards, and other social networks dedicate a lot of space for individuals to share ideas on how to save money on a Disney World vacation.

• Moms for Moms - Disney World Panel is an unofficial Disney blog with a few "how-to" videos on planning a vacation for your family.
• Mommy Savers offers reader tips for having fun for less at the Magic Kingdom.
• The Disney World Blog offers not only reviews of the resort, but many cost-saving tips.
• BabyCenter has a bulletin board dedicated to links, information and advice from moms who have gone and are going to Disney World for vacation.

A Final Note: Scams

Remember, if some Disney World vacation deals sound too good to be true, they usually are. Before you fork over thousands of dollars for your dream Disney World vacation, make sure the agent or company with whom you are working is reputable. A quick search with the Better Business Bureau will give you an idea of its customer service. Some scams that individuals fall prey to include fake tickets and coupons and individuals not reading the small print in their vacation package contracts. If something doesn't feel or seem right when booking your trip, then odds are something is wrong with it. If all else fails, you can contact the Walt Disney Travel Company for information and advice at (407) 939-6244.