You have decided you want to visit Walt Disney World. Your budget needs a little help.  I have 5 money saving tips for you to help you afford your trip.

  1. Start paying yourself first when you get your paycheck. Decide on an amount that you wish to save weekly, or monthly. You could have a fancy jar that you save your money in or use a plain envelope. Encourage everyone in the family to add to the envelope. Put your goal on the jar and watch it fill up. Check out the Budget Board on the DIS boards for more ideas.
  2. Think of having a credit card that earns airline miles for purchases. That is an easy way to save money for your tickets. If you aren’t enrolled in a frequent flyer program, enroll today and start earning those miles. If you are a member of the American Automobile Association (AAA) they offer great discounts if you are a member at many retailers.
  3. Buy Disney gift cards at a discount. Target and other retailers offer discounts on Disney gift cards. You may also find some Black Friday discounts on Disney gift cards. Just remember if you cancel the trip, the money will go back to the gift card so be certain you want to do that. Also don’t throw the gift card away once you use it, if there are any refunds or adjustments WDW refunds the money back to the gift card. Ask family and friends to gift you with gift cards for birthdays and other celebrations.
  4. While you are at WDW, consider placing a grocery order with an online retailer. Getting water, drinks, snacks, etc. are going to be less expensive than purchasing them at the resort or parks. When my kids were younger, I made it a game to save money for WDW. I told them we didn’t want Mickey to get our money. They were great at finding ways to save some money before and during our trip. They felt involved in the planning. Then we would find a dinner or event where we could use our savings for something we normally wouldn’t do at WDW.
  5. Use a WDW certified travel agent. They will be able to answer any questions you might have. They will keep an eye out for any discounts that could be applied to your reservation. They can also advise you of money- saving options when choosing a WDW resort. They are there to help you have a carefree vacation.

What money saving tips does your family use when going to WDW? Have a great trip!

The post 5 Money Saving Tips for your Walt Disney World Vacation first appeared on The DIS.