| Today, when most families are focused on saving | | | | The Walt Disney resort has 3 "levels" of |
| money, visiting Disney may just not seem possible | | | | accommodations, and often offers excellent |
| this year. But you can plan an affordable Disney | | | | discounts and packages, especially on some of their |
| family vacation, by following a few cost-saving tips, | | | | larger, "deluxe" properties that can feature one and |
| and with some good advance planning. This article will | | | | two bedroom suites. Be sure to look at their "value" |
| focus on one of the biggest expenses: | | | | properties as well: it is not unusual for some of these |
| accommodations. | | | | to be part of promotions for as little as $60/night. In |
| Most people know that Walt Disney World area | | | | a case like this, two rooms could end up being less |
| offers a wide array of choices from hundreds of | | | | expensive than one in a different location. In addition, |
| off-resort properties to many options on Disney | | | | there are many options off the Disney property. |
| property itself. The consensus is that it always | | | | Besides traditional hotel/motel choices, consider |
| cheaper to stay off-property. Well, sometimes yes | | | | renting a vacation home, condominium, or time-share. |
| and sometimes no. It can actually vary, depending on | | | | If you need the space, do the math: it can be a |
| a number of things: time of the year, size of your | | | | definite cost-saver and will go a long way in achieving |
| family, and need for transportation while there all | | | | an affordable Disney family vacation. |
| factor in your decision. | | | | You will need some sort of transportation while |
| The time of year that you travel makes a big | | | | there. You can stay with Disney and use their free |
| difference. Looking to go when the kids are out of | | | | resort transportation, consisting of buses, monorail, or |
| school, either over the summer or on Christmas | | | | boats. If you are off-site then you will need a way |
| break? Neither will be your most budget friendly, | | | | to get to the parks: find out if your hotel/motel has |
| although with continued economic problems in | | | | a free shuttle. If not, or if you are staying in a |
| tourist-hungry Orlando, there are a lot of great deals | | | | private property, then factor in the cost of renting a |
| for the coming summer months, both on Disney | | | | car or van. |
| property as well as in the hundreds of off-site hotels | | | | Once you do the math for all of these, then |
| and motels. Research this carefully, preferably far | | | | compare to the other options to see what the most |
| enough in advance to have a number of choices. | | | | affordable option for your Disney family vacation will |
| The size of your family plays a part too: if you have | | | | be. You may be surprised to find out that traveling |
| a number of kids and one motel room won't do, you | | | | to Walt Disney World can be in your budget after all! |
| will need to look for a larger "suite" or multiple rooms. | | | | |