where can i find the best deal for a family of six to disney world?

Question

lodging, tickets and and meal plans

Answer 1

If you are wanting to stay in a budget, but really want to reduce the amount of time you have to put into the research, I would look into a Disney specialized agent. They can work a budget like magic so you can get so much more with their knowledge, and it takes so much less time. Or, if you have a little more to spend and want to get a better package, they can help you plan your days with tours and such.

The thing with a Disney vacation, if you stay onsite, is that just about anywhere you look the prices are going to be the same. Whether you book directly with Disney or an agent, prices are usually the same, of there is a few dollars difference. AAA is another option, however, having worked with them in the past they are not always the best to work with, I prefer to go with Disney directly over AAA. Also, I would stay away from sites like Expedia and Orbitz, they claim to be discounters, but from what I have seen with Disney, they actually charge a little more, you can't get a package, and they can be a nightmare to deal with if there is a problem.

I'm not sure of what your budget is. If you really want to have a fantastic time, I would try to stay onsite. The value resorts at Disney are really cute (Pop Century, All Star Movies, All Star Music and All Star Sports) they aren't fancy, but they are a lot of fun, and most kids like them better than the moderate or deluxe resorts which cost alot more. The value resorts run an average of around $100 depending on the time of year. There are offsite resorts that charge less, but you lose a lot of convenience and not all of the resorts are very nice. For a little extra money you get a lot more and in the long run you may find that you spend less staying at Disney because of all the extras.


There are a lot of books that offer info on saving money, but most of the info can be found online, so I would save the money and look around online, or use an agent. I think an agent is the best way to get the most for your money, especially since you don't have to pay any extra. I would also check the library, most of the time I don't find the info that useful and it can be inaccurate as well, some of the more popular books I've even read inaccurate info.

I would say that $2000 would give you a nice stay onsite. The meal plan is a great deal and will save you a lot of money, depending on your kids ages, kids under 10 eat for only $10.99 and under 2 are free. Any child 10 and up and adults are $38.99. You really can't find less expensive food for the kids, that is a big savings. You can eat for less, you just can't expect to eat at the nicer places you are able to eat at on the meal plan. Bringing some snacks and things will help you save some money and maybe you won't need to eat as many meals in the park. If you go offsite that will also save you money. Have a large breakfast someplace like Denny's and then go to the park, have a snack and then have dinner in the early evening. The meal plan can save you 40% off your food if you want to eat at the nicer places, so if you plan to eat onsite, that is really the way to go and one of the biggest benefits to staying onsite. Counterservice meals only cost about $10 per person, but most only offer hamburgers and fries. There are some that offer other foods for around the same price, but not as many. If you want to spend less than the dining plan, it can be done, but it doesn't make the vacation as fun and you don't have as many options.

Staying onsite also gives you a ton of benefits that you can't get offsite. Here are a few of the reasons I would stay onsite:

1). Better transportation- Especially if you are travelling with younger kids or older adults that need to rest in the middle of the day. Many offsite hotels, if they offer a shuttle (if they don't that is an additional cost you will have to pay) only run in the morning and in evening. You usually need to schedule the shuttle, etc. It can also be a long ride and take away a good portion of your time at the park. Onsite transportation is fast and easy, and it runs all day. Depending on where you would stay you have different transportation options, all resorts offer buses, some of them offer boat transportation and three offer a monorail for transportation.

2). You can take advantage of the Disney dining plan. This plan can save you 40% off of your food and you get to eat at the nicer restaurants that you may not eat at otherwise. It is a great deal.

3). I'm not sure when you are going, but Disney offers promotions for just about every date of the year. Unless you are going in the next few weeks, you should still be able to get a promotion for your dates. Currently they are offering free ticket upgrades, but they often offer free dining, especially during value season. So if you add up the saving there, you will more than likely be spending less, or possibly a little more than an offsite hotel, but you get all of the extra benefits and probably a lot more included.

4) The Disney touch- When you stay at Disney you know you are going to be staying at a nice place. I've gone past some of hotels that offer lower rates, and in some cases the same rates as Disney's hotels, and I think I would be afraid to go inside. Most of them aren't very clean, they can be a few miles away, etc. Also, you get the Disney service. If there is a problem, Disney will go above and beyond to try and fix the problem and do everything they can to make up for it. Even in cases where it isn't even their problem, they try their best to compensate in some way.

5). You can charge purchases to a room card so you don't have to bring your credit cards and cash with you everywhere you go.

6). Parking is free at your resort and you will also get free parking for the theme parks and some of the other places on property.

7). You packages can be delivered to your room. I know this doesn't sound like much now. But when you are in the parks, it is hot, you've been there all day, your tired and you have a ton of purchases to carry around, put on the bus, take back to the room (especially if you have kids that have purchases and/or diaper bags, strollers, etc.) it is nice to be able to make your purchase and then let Disney deliver it to your room.

8). Disney also offers Magical Express. Now, this isn't the best service and it does have some room for improvement, but it is also free. So that is another $100 or so dollars that you can save just for your transfer to and from the airport.
Staying onsite also gives you a ton of benefits that you can't get offsite. Here are a few of the reasons I would stay onsite:


These are just a few of the benefits. I think that if you actually figure out your costs, everything that is included, etc. you will probably find that an offsite hotel actually ends up being more and you don't get all of the benefits. Most people think they are saving a ton of money by staying offsite, but they don't figure in the costs for everything else, or consider other benefits. After everything is said and done, I can almost guarentee you can save money by staying onsite, and you know you have a good room and things like that.

Unless I am in Orlando for business, or have to attend a convention, meeting, etc. I always stay onsite, I even stay onsite when I am just there for business because I like the Disney hotels that much.


If you need any ideas or need some more help, please e-mail me. I go to Disney several times a year and I love to help.

Answer 2

While I worked there I found that it's cheaper if you stay in a "value resort" and get a "dining plan" for your family. It promises 3 meals a day (main dish, side dish, and dessert) for your family and a certain amount of snacks (I'm not sure how many and they're usually considered anything under $1, but don't quote me on that) per day. As far as tickets go, I don't have any "tricks" for getting those any cheaper. Make sure to talk these things over with an agent and call the Walt Disney World company as well. Ask for the details about the things I've mentioned...they won't mention them on their own because they're out for your money, but they will be happy to answer your questions if you already know about these things. Just make sure you do your research before going. If not, Disney can get ridiculously expensive...trust me! I worked there...and have a great time. It's an amazing place to vacation.

Answer 3

If you are interested in the Disney Dining Plan (which is great), you'll have to book your hotel and park tickets directly through Disney. If you are not interested in the dining plan, then you can book your hotel through Disney (if you'd like to stay on property) and purchase discounted park tickets at any of the following locations:
AAA (membership and 3 day or more ticket purchase required)
Your Local Disney Store

You can also stay off property and save a ton of money. I recommend the Lake Suites in Kissimmee or the Best Western Lakeside (also in Kissimmee) and prepare most of your meals in the kitchen provided (Lake Suites only).

Also be sure to check out http://www.easybreezyplanning.com
for assistance in planning your Disney vacation, and to sign up for the free E-Newsletter! Have a wonderful trip!

Answer 4

A Disney specialized agent is a good idea when planning a trip on a budget, but in my experiences I saved more money planning the trip myself than having someone do it for me. Agents are a great source of info, but they are the middle man and need to make their cut. I have made the reservations directly with Disney on all of our trips over the last 15 years and always had a blast.

I would recommend going to the WDW website and taking a look at all of the resorts. You have a large family, but Disney will more than accomodate you. Here are a few things that I have learned over the years.

Stay on property. The Disney resorts are all great from the value to the deluxe. Price wise they are competitive with anything in Orlando, and the perks that are afforded to resort guests make it worth any little extra. Disney resort guests are allowed unlimited use of the Disney transportation system, getting you to and from all the parks. The off site hotels all have some sort of shuttle service, but then you have to follow their schedlue, not yours. I have also heard more than once that shuttle service is not necessarily complementary, so that is an extra cost. If you are flying they also have the Disney Magical Express, which is a free service they offer now. Basically they will pick you up from the airport and deliver your luggage to your room. When it is time to leave they pick up your luggage and check it at the resort (if you are flying a participating airline) and take it to the airport for you. The only time I touched my luggage was checking it at O'Hare in Chicago, when I unpacked and packed in Saratoga Springs, then when I got off the airplane at O'Hare after the trip.

Buy the Park hopper option for your tickets. It is a small extra cost but worth the money. You are not locked in to one park on one day, you can basically come and go as you please. We llike to go to one park in the morning then a different one in the evening for the nighttime show. If you are planning on one of the water parks or DisneyQuest, the water parks and more option is a good idea as well. If you are skipping the water parks, then skip the option.

I would recommend going to www.disneyworld.com and checking out their specials. Also, you can check out the resorts and parks there. When booking (if doing it yourself) you will have to call and talk to a cast member since there are more than 4 in your party I think. They are extremely helpful and will figure out the best way to accomodate you. Also, pick up the Birnbaum's guide to WDW. I know there are a ton of guide books out there, but that one has worked the best for us. Finally, go check out the disboards. The disboards are a free website that people go on and talk about Disney. They have trip reports, dining reports, and can answer just about any question you can throw at them. It is real people that love going to Disney that know what they are talking about.

Have a great trip. I hope some of this helps!!

Answer 5

I used www.mousesavers.com for planning our trip, it's not a travel agency or business and it's reccomended in several Disney World guide books. You can also get some great travel deals on www.hotwire.com For a family of six, you can rent a condo (or house) as low as 90 bucks a night, complete with kitchen, fully furnished living space and everything. If you buy groceries and prepare even just breakfast at the condo, you will still save a lot of money.

Answer 6

Some of the current specials that Disney offers are:

5-night, 6-day Magic Your Way Package were you get 5-nights accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort, a 6-day Magic Your Way Ticket and the Disney Dining Plan.

The Magic Your Way Premium Package includes Disney Resort accommodations, a Magic Your Way Base Ticket, breakfast, lunch & dinner per person per night at selected table-service and quick-service restaurants, unlimited use of selected recreation including golf, admission to the Cirque du Soleil® show La Nouba™ and more.

Answer 7

We are leaving for DW in 14 days and for a family of 7 for us with the dining plan, value resort, and park hopper passes for 5 days was $3300 and included vacation insurance. but i just used www.disneyvacations.com. and booked straight through disney

Answer 8

If you're definitely going to only do Disney World, then visit http://www.disneyworld.com/affordable/ -- they have packages that include rooms on Disney property, tickets to the theme parks & the dining plan.

Have fun!