Saving Money While Staying Onsite

(Short Excerpts From the Book)

Try Resort Hopping in Order to Save Money (3 nights at a Moderate/Value Resort and 2 Nights at a Deluxe Resort)

     Many people want to stay in the “lap of luxury,” but cannot afford to stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort for five days or a week. If you do not mind moving around during your trip, try making different reservations at different resorts.

     You can stay 3 nights at a Value or Moderate Resort and spend 2 nights at a Deluxe Resort. Disney will transport your luggage for you for free. All you will have to do is pack and unpack everything in the middle of your trip. You will need to make two separate reservations since Disney does not have a program or system that will combine resorts under one reservation.

    Try staying at a Deluxe or Home-Away-from-Home hotel during the week, as the prices are generally cheaper than on weekends. Prices for a Moderate Resort are typically the same any day of the week.

Renting a Refrigerator- Pros and Cons

     Renting a fridge could be a good option if it is your only option. If you flew in, could not bring a cooler, and were only going to stay a couple of nights it might be a cost savings measure.

     As an overall savings strategy, we suggest you do not rent a refrigerator. The $10 a day can add up quickly over the span of your entire visit. If you’re staying for a week that’s $70 you’ll never see again.

Options to renting a fridge:
     - If you are driving, bring your own compact fridge ($60), plug-in cooler ($65) or regular cooler ($5-$20).
     - If you are flying or don’t have enough room in the car for a cooler, stop off at the grocery store and buy a cheap styro-foam cooler. When you are done at the end of the week, throw it away.
     - You can also buy and pack a collapsible, soft-sided cooler. These are very inexpensive and very efficient. We found that some of our soft-sided coolers worked better than our traditional coolers.
     - Remember, ice is free!! Use a cooler and all of the ice you could possibly want at the hotel.

View at the Disney Resorts is Not Important- You Won’t Spend Much Time in the Room

     All of Disney’s resorts have preferred options that allow guests to get a better view or better location to the entrance of the hotel. Do not use this option if you just want to sleep in your room rather than hang out there.

     Most guests do not spend a huge amount of time in or around their rooms. If you are looking at saving money, do not upgrade to a preferred room. Most of the views at the Disney hotels are good. The resorts were built so that the parking lots are hidden, for the most part, and almost everybody has a good view. Most of the time a good view also includes a lot of noise.  If a good view is defined as a room overlooking the pool, there will be constant noise from children and families splashing around.

Want More Onsite Resort Tips and Secrets? Disney on a Dime, The Book-Available Now!!

Look to Disney on a Dime for the latest and greatest ways to Save money on your Disney World Vacation. Look in the Book for more Onsite Resort tips on: Onsite Resort Benefits Annual Pass Tricks Downsides to Disney Resorts Who has the Best Rates How to Book the Best Rate Travel Agents and Disney Watch out for Packages Timing is Everything Tips for Groups and Families More Onsite Tips and Secrets

Other Topics That Can Help with Saving Money:

Disney's Resorts

When is the Cheapest Time to Go?