I think the key is to do loads and loads of research and then some more! That's the fun part anyway. Beware, it gets addictive
Some people prefer to book a package holiday and others do it all separately. I prefer to book each component i.e. flights, accommodation and theme park tickets separately for any holiday we go on but especially now for our Orlando trip. That's what we did last summer and we had a great time and the cumulative cost was downright silly compared to what we'd have paid for the same thing as a package. But obviously DO check out all the package prices with the various holiday companies online and compare prices.
There are a few different ways of saving money, whether you want to stay at a Disney Resort or an off-site resort/hotel.
1) AA discounts (all hotels).
If you are a member of the AA (Automobile Association) you could get very good discounts (up to 20% off) on Orlando hotels (incl. Disney ones). The American version of AA is called
AAA (Triple A) but the discounts ARE available to Ireland and the U.K. too provided you have AA membership (which you can take out later if you find a price you like).
AA discounts (Disney resorts)
To check these out you can ring Disney Central Reservations directly and ask what AA discounts are available for your time. Except make sure to say AAA (Triple A) or else they'll get the wrong idea
2) Annual Passholder Discounts
An Annual Pass allows you access to Disney's theme parks for the whole year BUT a lot of people buy the AP just to avail of room discounts which can be amazing - up to 40% off rack (regular) room rate. The AP this year costs 440 dollars, about (roughly) 190 dollars more than the price of a 10 day hopper but you would quickly recoup that 190 dollars by saving hundreds over a week or two with the discounts.
I bought the AP last year. It also entitles you to purchase the Disney Dining Card for 60 dollars which gives you 20% off your meals at most of Disneys sit-down restaurants and 5% off items at World of
Disney store.
3) Renting points
Disney have a timeshare programme called Disney Vacation Club (DVC) and members are allowed to rent out their points if they're not using them some years. You can rent a point for approx 10 dollars each. There are specific DVC resorts within Walt Disney World which have villa style accommodations (1 or 2 bedrooms) and studios (with kitchenettes) etc. and are really beautiful (or so I think from doing my research!!). To rent a studio at Disney's Boardwalk Villas (centre of everything!) you need 9 points per night in October so at 10 dollars per point that's 90 dollars per night. There's no tax. There is a risk in going this route though as it involves trust on both sides. We're gonna try it this year. You can ring DVC and ensure that the reservation has been made and you don't hand over money until you see the printed reservation. The DISboards have a DVC board and it's worth taking a look at.
Where you stay, who you fly with and whether you book a package or DIY depends on:
a) your budget
b) how much space you want
c) how much time you want to spend at Walt Disney World versus the many other Orlando attractions
d) how close you want to be to the magic at WDW
e) whether or not you want to drive (in your case you don't, we didn't either)
f) whether you prefer to book a package and leave it in someone elses hands or whether you enjoy doing all the nitty gritty yourself and pricing things out separately.
We're definitely hooked on WDW after just the one trip so that's gonna be where we spend most of our time again though, not all - this year we'll be doing a beach trip, Kennedy Space Centre (can't wait for this!!), a lot more shopping offsite
and Universal again (for 1.5 days). Last year's holiday was meant to be our ONCE IN A LIFETIME trip but, ahem, we find ourselves drawn to it again and I am yearning to get back there.
Read as much as you can here on the DISboards though you have more posts than me so it looks like you've been doing that already
Don't forget about
www.mousesavers.com and
www.allearsnet.com.
Oh and get yourself a copy of the The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It's a great laugh if you never went there at all - very humorous and entertaining but also a great source of info. The author, whilst funny, can lean towards the cynical side about Disney though and that's a tad offputting and unsettling but overall, it's a fabulous guide book. Also there's The Passporter which is good too (not as detailed as The Unofficial Guide but much easier on the eye and has great maps and tips).
Sorry, I got totally carried away there droning on and on..... happy planning! You'll find that you reach a stage of WDW planning where there's no going back, you're hooked and you'd rather sell your Auntie than even contemplate NOT going to WDW.
I'm just glad we saw some of Europe before we discovered WDW because from this point on, I think we'll never see the inside of a museum again.
