January 9, 2017

This Week’s Ask Ashley Question

One of the questions this week came from Howard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Howard asked:

I would love to get to Walt Disney World some day; but, I’m not sure I can afford it. It’s so expensive! I’ve heard people save for years before they can afford to go. However, I’ve also heard people tell me that they go every year. Where is the balance? Is it a possible destination on a budget?

Ashley’s Answers:  The Cost of Walt Disney World

Thank you so much for your question Howard! I know how overwhelming Walt Disney World (WDW) can be. Guests have to book a resort reservation, purchase park and possibly water park tickets, consider what types of meals your party will eat, and acknowledge excursion possibilities, tours, special events, and even spa treatments. They also have to decide on a time of year to visit and what their ideal budget will be. The question I always get is:  “Where do I start when deciding what my budget should be?”

My initial advice? Ask yourself the next few questions:

• Why are you interested in visiting WDW? Are you going for a celebration or for one of the special events that are held through out the year?
• How many days are you able to travel? Do the children in your party only get so many days off school? Does one person in your party only get so much time off work?
• Are you going to be flexible with your dates?
• What are your typical eating habits like on other vacations? Do you sit down at restaurants that require reservations or end up at quicker places (e.g. McDonald’s, Potbelly, Tom + Chee, etc.)?

If you really want to check out Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, for instance, you will want to find out when the festival occurs. Often times, the festival is during September and October each year. This year, the festival is from August 31-November 13. So, say this time frame will work for your party, but you can only visit for five days, then consider whether you’re flexible with which five days (i.e. Sunday through Thursday will be cheaper in a resort and often less crowded in the parks). If the flight with those days doesn’t work, try another week. If those days don’t work for flights, consider changing the days around and comparing the new day range with the new flight prices. Take the less expensive option. Finally, check out my blog post on WDW Dining Plan Tips. Here you’ll be able to see which types of restaurants and dining plans will be best for your party.

By working with a Disney Vacation Planner like Magical Vacations and Beyond (MVB), guests will be assisted with figuring out these intricate details and also receive assistance with finding the best WDW vacation for their budget! Ultimately, vacation planners alleviate the confusion and stress.

Disney Discounts

Discounts are one of the biggest advantages when booking a vacation to WDW. But, guess what? The discount doesn’t have to be available when you book. Your Disney Vacation Planner will watch out for discount offerings for you and apply them when they come available. The trick of the trade is to book your reservation when you want to vacation. After all, specific rooms at certain resorts are subject to availability. Below is a list of the current discount offerings available at WDW:

Soak Up the Fun & Sun

Guests can save up to 25% on rooms at select WDW resorts for stays most nights Feb. 20-June 10, 2017.

Plus, guests can get one more day added to their ticket when they upgrade to a Magic Your Way® room and ticket package with a minimum 4-day Ticket.

Booking and Travel Windows:

• Book by Feb. 26, 2017 for stays most nights Feb. 20-June 10, 2017
• Book by March 30, 2017 for stays most nights April 9-June 10, 2017

Kindermoon Package

We’ve all heard of honeymoons and babymoons. But now WDW is introducing guests to the “Kindermoon”—a family getaway to WDW during that precious time right before your little one becomes a “big kid” and goes off to kindergarten.

With this offer, guests can enjoy a 3-night stay in a standard room at a Disney’s All-Star Resort and 2-day Magic Your Way base tickets for as low as $987. Sample package price is valid for a family of 3 for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights from February 26 through March 9, and from April 23 through May 25, 2017.

Plus, guests will receive 2 FastPass+ vouchers with this package in addition to the standard FastPass+ selection allotment. The FastPass+ vouchers can be used at the following preschool-friendly attractions (valid park admission required):

• 1 voucher valid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® for Disney Junior – Live on Stage!
• 1 voucher valid at Magic Kingdom® Park for your choice of one of the following attractions: Dumbo the Flying Elephant®, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor® or Mickey’s PhilharMagic®

The same FastPass+ vouchers are also included in Walt Disney Travel Company packages at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel with a minimum 2-day Magic Your Way ticket for stays 2/20-6/10/17. Check for availability and prices. Book by 3/30/17.

Booking and Travel Windows:

• Book by Feb. 26, 2017 for stays most nights Feb. 20-June 10, 2017
• Book by March 30, 2017 for stays most nights April 9-June 10, 2017

Free Quick-Service Meal this Summer – Value Resort Package

Guests can enjoy one meal per person, per night at select WDW quick-service dining locations when they buy a non-discounted 5-night/6-day Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at a select Disney Value Resort hotel for arrivals most nights May 30-Aug. 24, 2017 when they book by Feb. 12, 2017.

Booking and Travel Windows:

Booking Window: Dec. 28, 2016-Feb. 12, 2017
Travel Window: May 30-Aug. 24, 2017

If you’re not sure whether a certain discount offer applies to your vacation, a Disney Vacation Planner, like MVB, can discuss the offer details with you.

Disney Vacation Planner Services

When you’re ready to start planning your next WDW vacation, pop over to the Magical Vacations and Beyond page and fill out the interest form. They will send you an email with any questions shortly there after. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to have a vacation quoted; the quote is free! You may be surprised the price that is provided is different and often less than what you expect! See how your vacation to WDW can be everything you want it to be and fit within your budget!

Also, for all vacations booked, Disney is now sending out the MagicBand 2! So, with all of the discounts available right now and the Pandora – The World of Avatar opening this Summer in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, what are you waiting for?