Tips about Epcot, Resorts and Saving

Epcot - We went to WDW in October to avoid the crowds. It was almost sucessful! Epcot was jammed like New Year's Eve because of the Food and Wine Festival. My suggestion is to go to Epcot very early in the morning to catch the normal stuff and then come back later to enjoy the Festival! - William

Epcot - We went to WDW in October to avoid the crowds. It was almost sucessful! Epcot was jammed like New Year's Eve because of the Food and Wine Festival. My suggestion is to go to Epcot very early in the morning to catch the normal stuff and then come back later to enjoy the Festival! - William

All Resorts - Remember that Disney Gift Cards are not honored to cover valet parking. - Nalyn Marcus

Port Orleans Riverside - I go to the gym daily, it's part of my lifestyle. As you know, gyms are only located in the deluxe resorts in Disney. Last trip we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I advised the concierge there that I would be staying at Port Orleans Riverside next trip and asked about gym accommodations. I was told that I could attend any gym for a $35 fee that would cover my entire length of stay. When we checked into Port Orleans Riverside recently, I inquired about the gym fee, and was told that guests staying at Port Orleans can use the gym at Saratoga Springs at no charge! This was an extra savings that was unexpected! - Linda A. Graffagnini

EPCOT - My family was reminiscing about our trip last year and my husband reminded me of something I wanted to share: for the Illuminations show in Epcot, pay attention to which way the wind is blowing! We ended up sitting downwind and all the soot blew all over us. We had to close our eyes and duck our heads several times to avoid it! - Sharon Smith

EPCOT - My family was reminiscing about our trip last year and my husband reminded me of something I wanted to share: for the Illuminations show in Epcot, pay attention to which way the wind is blowing! We ended up sitting downwind and all the soot blew all over us. We had to close our eyes and duck our heads several times to avoid it! - Sharon Smith

Epcot - When in Epcot's World Showcase pavilions, I try to have my children say at least one phrase in the native language of the Kidcot host or hostess. It is amazing the response that can be elicited from a simple "Cheers!", "Hola, buenos dias!" or my favaorite "as salaam alekem" (Morocco). We have ALWAYS been met with incredible warmth and extra kindness. Take the time to learn a few easy phrases, stand back and watch a world of smiles unfold! - Tom McManus

Epcot - When in Epcot's World Showcase pavilions, I try to have my children say at least one phrase in the native language of the Kidcot host or hostess. It is amazing the response that can be elicited from a simple "Cheers!", "Hola, buenos dias!" or my favaorite "as salaam alekem" (Morocco). We have ALWAYS been met with incredible warmth and extra kindness. Take the time to learn a few easy phrases, stand back and watch a world of smiles unfold! - Tom McManus

My favorite tip is to join all the Disney websites and sit back while you receive special offers from Disney. - Cindy, Laurel, MD

My tip for saving money is to sign up for a survey-taking website like SurveySpot.com. This site emails paid survey invites to you. The paid surveys average about $3. I have been a member for just about a year now and have received $100 for the surveys I have taken. Many surveys that are sent aren't paid so make sure that you are focusing on completing the paid ones. Unlike other survey sites, this one is free to join and will not take a cut of your earnings when you wish to get a check mailed. - Abby, Enfield, CT

To help our monthly saving we've cut eating out down to once a week, and even then we usually get carry-out, which saves on beverages and tip. - Adele Camper

Each payday we figure out how much we can set aside for Disney gift cards. We purchase these once a month. Sometimes it's $10, sometimes it's $50. If the money goes into the savings account, it might be used for emergencies (like when our son had his two front teeth knocked out on a dare). This way, the vacation money is the vacation money, and it can't go anywhere else. - DShealer

If your bank has a vacation club or Christmas club save money out of your check each week and let it grow. If it takes more than a year to save for the vacation if you have to cash that out each year, just redeposit it for the next year. - Susan E. Kozicki

We have been going to WDW every two years because that's how long it takes us to save the money so that we won't incur debt. I have an online savings account separate from our "real" bank, and have a small amount automatically transferred with each paycheck into my "Disney Vacation Account." I chose a brand that actually pays interest. When it comes time to book the trip, the money is there waiting for us. There is no way we could have gone otherwise -- we stay on a very tight budget all year, and "live frugally" to be able to set aside this Magic Money for our every-two-years adventure. - Trudi Sabaj

My daughter wanted to celebrate her 25th birthday at the Magic Kingdom. Money is tight so we decided to see how cheaply we could do the trip. We did the following:

-- Signed up for coupons from Retailmenot.com
-- Booked a low cost flight on Southwest, and checked often to see if there was a price reduction ( saved $20 a ticket)
-- Used a hotel broker with a discount for the Regal Sun Hotel on Hotel Plaza Road. Paid $205 for three nights (weekend) and it included resort fee (great pool), and taxes. (The cheapest Disney hotel was Pop Century for $109/night.) Since it's on Disney property the transportation was great, and it was an easy walk to Disney Springs.
-- Checked the Goldstar.com web site for entertainment deals.

Having been to Disney many times, and stayed on property many times, I found this trip was almost 45 percent cheaper, and maybe even more stress free than other trips. - Meglowmaniainc