Sticker shock is a VERY real thing when booking a Disney World vacation, but we’re here to tell you there are ways to minimize the terror.
We’ve had our fair share of price struggles in our own Disney adventures. It doesn’t help that Disney World hotel prices keep going up. Too many times have we tried to stay at a hotel like Disney’s Grand Floridian or the Polynesian Resort and thought better of it since the park tickets, airfare, food, and souvenirs all add up. But still, we can’t help the urge to splurge — so we’ve discovered ways to make stays at higher-end Disney World hotels much more affordable. Here are 4 tips to help you get started!
Before we start, though, booking your whole trip on your own can be super stressful, and it doesn’t have to be! If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!
Okay, now onto our tips!
Renting DVC Points
Some hotel rooms are actually cheaper if you book them with Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points rather than cash. Not a DVC member? Don’t worry, you don’t have to be! By using our friends at David’s Vacation Club Rentals, who we’ve used many times, you can buy DVC points from a family who isn’t using them to get you the opportunity to stay at the resort you have your eye on for less than the cash value of the room.
You can save thousands of dollars by using this service, while also getting yourself a room at the resort you’ve been dreaming of! You can also plug in your dates on their site ahead of time just to see how much it’ll be costing you before you make a decision. It’s a fantastic way to compare prices and see if it’s right for you and your group.
Learn more about renting DVC points here!
Stay at the Swan & Dolphin Resorts
On property, you’ll find the stunning Swan and Dolphin Resorts. They’re located within minutes of the parks by bus or boat transportation, and offer a higher-end luxury experience without the same price tag as Disney’s deluxe hotels.
And that’s because the Swan and Dolphin hotels aren’t owned by Disney — they’re owned by Marriott! While it depends on when you’re staying and what type of room you’re getting, rates here start around $280 a night. For a Deluxe-style hotel experience, that’s a FANTASTIC rate. Now, this also means that the transportation to and from the parks isn’t Disney transportation, so it does take a little longer — that’s something to keep in mind!
Read all about Quincy’s stay at the Swan & Dolphin Resort right here!
Check Out Disney’s Deals!
Disney has a section on their website where they list all their current deals and promotions going on, and there’s almost always at least one going on for hotel stays at certain resorts. And, if you’re booking your trip well in advance, you can keep an eye out for new deals and call to apply them to your existing vacation!
However, we know that’s a lot to look out for, so that’s again where our travel agent friends at Mouse Fan Travel come into play — book through them (which doesn’t cost you anything extra) and they’ll watch those discounts for you and apply them where they can if they become available!
Check out the current list of discounts and deals available at Walt Disney World!
Grab Some Gift Cards at Target (Just Trust Us)
If you’re a Target Circle member, you save 5% on most purchases you make with your Target Circle card. So while it’s not much, if you purchase a Disney gift card at Target with your Target Circle card, you are saving some money!
This is more helpful when it comes to souvenirs and food on your trip, as gift cards are sometimes hard to use for hotel stays if the amount is higher than $500, but you can always call Disney and see if they can help you out with using a gift card for some of your stay, and the remainder on a different card. We know 5% doesn’t seem like a lot at first, but anything helps in our eyes!
Why You Should Shop at Target for Disney Gift Cards
We’re always here to bring you the latest Disney news and tips, so stay tuned to AllEars!
A Former Cast Member Is Spilling the Discounts That Save You the MOST Money in Disney World
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What other tip would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments!
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