What are all the different ways to save on the cost of a Disney vacation?

[Kion10]

Ok so I've learned some new things this week and I was hoping y'all could help me make a list.

1. Book a package based on the current promotion offered by Walt Disney World.

2. Receive special one time use PIN offers from Disney.

3. Receive discounts if you have an annual pass.

4. Receive discounts through AAA.

5. Receive discounts on tickets through Undercover tourist and even deeper discounts if you sign up for the MouseSavers newsletter and follow the link located in it.

6. Receive discounts through your employer. (Walmart has discounted tickets for example).

 

[DisneyWisher]

Being a Floridian also saves you a lot especially on tickets and if you are a member of the Military, family of a member or friend. I know they were offering tickets that could be bought on base for $100 for 4 days.

 

[normmo]

With their new promotion - give a day get a day) you can volunteer and get a free day at the parks.
Mo

 

[mickeyluv'r]

With all due respect, that's what mousesavers is - and that site is HUGE. The number of variables that folks use when they vacation is huge: kids? adults? onsite/offsite? value/mod/deluxe? time of year? length of trip? employer/military? where you live? how will you get there? rental car/towncar/taxi/Magic Express? Universal/only WDW?

the list goes on and on and on...I'm just saying your list is going to get huge and complicated in a hurry.

A few commnets on your list:
1. - there are several deals going on right now.
2. you may or may not get one, it might not be better than #1, it may be for atime when you can't go.
3. you have to cover the cost of AP, thenthe cost of TiW if you are considering that option, dining discounts are limited, room discounts are variable and sometimes only offered last minute.
4. pretty straightforward, but you've got to cover AAA cost and often can't be combined with #1.
5. and 6. The difference between mousesavers newsletter and regular UT is only a couple dollars at best, again can't often be combined with #1 type discount, which is usually bigger.


I have used many different types of discounts to book Disney travel, and in each case, I've usually had to run numbers to see what works for our family in our particular situation.

But here's two rarely mentioned or appreciated: varying your travel dates slightly can result in one of the biggest savings of all - lower airfare. Especially if changing your dates lalso eads to hitting a different pricing season with Disney.

Second, a big factor that often gets overlooked inthe rush to save a few dollars - and this is especially important when on vacation - time is money. Add up the total cost of your trip the basics: airfare, tickets, food, room - and divide by he number of waking hours. You'll find that you are spending usually upwards of $25 per waking hour. If you are going to do something that requires an hour of your vacation time - then it needs to save you at least $25 or it isn't worth it. Conversely, spending $25 on a taxi that it will save you over an hour of time is a good value.

 

[Kion10]

Second, a big factor that often gets overlooked inthe rush to save a few dollars - and this is especially important when on vacation - time is money. Add up the total cost of your trip the basics: airfare, tickets, food, room - and divide by he number of waking hours. You'll find that you are spending usually upwards of $25 per waking hour. If you are going to do something that requires an hour of your vacation time - then it needs to save you at least $25 or it isn't worth it. Conversely, spending $25 on a taxi that it will save you over an hour of time is a good value.

That is very valuable information! I never thought about it like that.