Summary of Current Walt Disney World Deals and Discounts
CURRENT DEALS AND DISCOUNTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
This page brings together links to key pages on this site about discounts and deals at Walt Disney World.
- For the current Walt Disney World principal deals and discounts for the general public, see this
- For current military deals and discounts, see this
- For many other ideas and resources for finding deals and discounts, see this
- For thoughts on future Disney World discounts, click here.
62 comments
Hi, my husband and I have a four year old daughter that is wanting to come to Disney this year and we also have two other kids what is the best deal for us for a week stay; we are from McComb Mississippi, and this will be our very first time to ever vist Disney and I want this to be something that we all remember can you help?
Yvonne: the place to start is the home page of this site, which addresses all the fundamental questions of a first visit to Walt Disney World: http://yourfirstvisit.net/
Follow the instructions there that you can, and for the ones you can’t, click the links on that page until you have built a Disney World vacation that works for you!
It it all seems to complicated, make the big decisions–when to go, how long to stay, and where to stay, or at least a target nightly hotel cost–and then reach out to a travel agent like my friends at http://www.destinationsinflorida.com/?affId=96837 and they’ll sort out the rest for free!
We have a unique situation, and I wanted your take on it. We are a family of four with two sons, ages 2&3. We visit Disney annually, but have never stayed in a WDW resort. We have friends who are CM and they are kind enough to help us with free park entry. So, the whole resort/ticket/dining package deal doesn’t work for us. Would it be worth it for us to look into staying at a WDW resort even though we won’t be using the package deal? We usually find a better deal to stay off-site in a hotel or rent a house, but I was thinking the convenience of staying on-site with pre-schoolers would be possibly worth it. We are HIGHLY flexible with our travel dates but don’t have a TON of money….we would prefer lower crowds and lower cost. We are also likely to return to Disney often and live within driving distance. Thanks for any ideas!
Hi Jennifer!
Here’s the issue. The REALLY convenient WDW resorts for lil kids–the monorail resorts and the WIlderness Lodge–are likely out of your price range. The others–the values and moderates–at least to me aren’t that convenient for strollers, because they tend to be huge and spread out, and the strollers can be a pain on the bus. The real value of the WDW resorts is the extension of the WDW experience, and your kids are likely too little to really appreciate it.
Since you go back every year, here’s my suggestion: treat this year as an experiment. That is, stay for 2-3 nights at a WDW resort, and the rest at your usual kinda place. You then will have the data to know whether or not the value of the WDW resort is sufficiient for you to try one for the whole trip next year, or whether you and your family should stick to off-site.
I rank the resorts in order by price class here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/04/26/walt-disney-world-resort-hotel-reviews/
When is the best time (or the time when I can get the cheapest package) to book a trip for 2 for the first or second week in December 2011? Will there be specials for that time of the year that haven’t been released yet?
Hi Sam!
Prices are already low in that period. If any discounts come out, they will likely exclude the week of 12/3-12/9, so your best bet from a possible discount point of view will be to shoot for a 12/10 arrival date.
Hi Dave, We are visiting Disney in mid-October for the first time with 3 kids ages 8, 5 and 2.5. We have a timeshare to use, so we aren’t staying at a WDW Resort. What do you recommend for itinerary and/or dining?
Hi Gioia!
To help I need your dates and how many nights you intend to stay–let me know and I’ll share some thoughts!
Hi Dave, We are thinking about going to Disney the 1st or 2nd week in Dec. My husband is in a wheelchair, and we have 2 children coming along with us, ages 7 and 4. The 4 year old will be turning 5 in December. 1st, how accessible is Disney for getting around the parks? we are flying, it is an electric wheelchair. Hotels that are accessible? And is there a benefit for being there on our granddaughters birthday?
Thanks
Hi Donna!
The short version is that it is wonderfully accessible. For more specifics, I recommend PassPorter’s Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line: Easy Access Vacations for Travelers with Extra Challenges
If you are there on her birthday, she’ll be given a big button to wear and many cast members will wish her a happy birthday…this is pretty fun…
Dave,
I am visiting disney world in September with my 23 yr old daughter. We are looking at 9/18 and planning at least four days. Is it cheaper to do the all inclusive than to stay say at hotel right out side the resort that has a shuttle to the park?
Hi Tina!
Hotels outside the park are generally a good bit cheaper than those inside. You’d have to price out the specific discount and hotel you are interested in in WDW vs outside to be sure which is a better deal. A travel agent can help with this (free to you). Check out the quote form on the lower right side of the site.
is it better to buy Disney World ticket at home or are there deals when we arrive at the park or our hotel?
If anyone could let me know that would be great!!
Hi Chrissie! There really aren’t any deals on tickets so it doesn’t much matter where you buy them…
Hi Dave,
We are going on a Disney cruise in October 15th-22nd and are planning to be in Florida for a few days before and after. We would like to go to Disney prior to the cruise for 2 days but can not find out much information on ticket prices for 2 days as well as resort deals that may help us out.
We are a family of four: 2 adults, one teen (16) and child (5), travelling with one set of grandparents. Do you have any suggestions or help you can give us? (we arrive in Florida on the Wednesday before our cruise at around 3pm, so we are looking for Thrusday and Friday – also hoping to catch the Mickey Mouse trick-or-treating event on Friday)
Hi Lana!
For ticket prices, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/12/disney-world-2011-2012-admission-ticket-prices/
For the Halloween Party–which requires its own special ticket, not covered in the stuff in the link above–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/27/halloween-2011-at-walt-disney-world/
There are, right now, no deals or discounts for your period–if any are announced, you can find them here:
http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/29/walt-disney-worlds-latest-spring-and-summer-deal/
It may be easiest for you to work with a travel agent–they can set you up so that if a deal later comes out and you are eligible for it, they can get you into the deal. If you use the travel agent via the form on the lower right of this site, they share a little of the commisson they get from Disney with me, which helps pay for the time I put into the site!
Hope this helps, Dave
Hi Dave,
My husband and I will be taking our three children (ages 7, 4, and 2 at the time of our trip) to Disney World for the first time. We are looking to book our trip for next fall (2012). I have heard about the promotions that Disney offers regarding free dining, etc. They seem to end at the end of September. So, my question is this. Is there a time in the fall that is typically better/cheaper to book? Do they usually offer deals for the month of October too? Thanks for any information you can provide! Your site is a great resource!
Hi Jenelle, and thanks for the kind words!
For 2012 price seasons, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/26/walt-disney-world-2012-price-seasons/
See also http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
Note the Columbus day holiday bump-up!
In the recent economy Disney has been offereing free dining and other deals in October, but wth black-outs. There’s a rumor one will be announced tomorrow/soon for 2011. If it is, you can use its blackout dates as a guide to potential dates and blackout dates next year. There’s no guarantees of any deals of course…
Hope this helps!
Nice site, I wish I found it before our last trip. We went to Disney early March 2010. We are planing another trip for 2012. I was wondering if you had the charts from 2010 so that I could compare the crowds from when we were there to the 2012 charts. That way I have a really good idea what any give number really means.
Thanks,
Jeff
Hi Jeff-I don;t have my old crowd calendars on this computer, but see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/2010-weeks-to-visit-ranked-in-order/
Also feel free to let me know the dates you are thinking off in 2012 and I cna compare them to early March, which–if you are talking about really early–is a great time to go…
Hi Dave,
My wife and I are going to Disneyworld on the 4th of September. We’re from the Philippines. Kinda on an impulse here. lol. No kids, just us two. First time for both of us and will be leaving Orlando on the 20th of september. So about 16 days to tour around the theme parks. Should we decide to stay at one of the Disney resorts, is it neccesary to rent a car as well? specially after we finish disney and decide to visit other parks outside of it? It would be my first time to drive around US but are there any other options? It seems like everybody is pushing for renting a car.
Any advice on this? Much appreciated.
Thanks,
Dee
Hi Dee!
You won’t need a car while visitng Disney parks if you stay at a Disney resort hotel, but if you don’t rent a car, you’ll need to either take cabs or hook up with shuttle services.
This page is on a specifc issue but addresses you concerns: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/01/10/getting-to-harry-potter-from-walt-disney-world/
Hope this helps and have a great trip!
Hi Dave,
My husband and my almost 4 year old are visiting Disney Sept 15-20, 2011. We leave in a week…YAY! My husband and I have visited WDW almost yearly for the past 14 years. I pretty much know all there is to know, but I have a question I cannot find any info on. Is there anyway to upgrade to a higher resort level with no cost to us? We’ve stayed at all level’s but have chosen to stay at Pop Century this trip…however, I’d like to stay at a moderate (or even a deluxe – but I doubt it) resort with no upgrade cost. Is this possible? We’ve never tried to upgrade for free, but I wonder how hard it would be seeing as we’re going at a non busy time.
If you have any info on this, I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks,
Danielle
Hi Danielle!
Great question, and one I’ve never seen addressed. My guess is that you can’t, as with few exceptions (POFQ and POR, the two bits to Fort Wilderness–cabins and campsites) the resorts aren’t managerially linked except at high levels, so the front desk staff can’t “do something for you” at another resort…
As a family of 6, 4 adults, a 10-year-old, and a then 7-yr-old plan on visiting WDW in the spring. We were looking at last week in March, to take advantage of dining plan, or the ween beginning April 15th. We are staying 8 nights and going to WDW 5 days and Universal 2 days. Which is a better week to go and is staying on property worth it or would we be better off property? We are driving from PA down to Florida and plan on driving to the parks ourselves.
Hi Stephanie!
I think the week of 4/15 is much better, as crowds will be much lower. You may not be able to get any deals, though. List hotel prices are lower on the April dates, but unless you are staying in an expensive hotel, your net costs with free dining will be lower in March. For more on crowds at this time of year, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/11/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-spring-break-2012/
Your family size is hard to affordably fit. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/
You can only get free dining if you stay in a Disney World hotel. Otherwise, off site hotels are cheaper, less fun, and less convenient. For more on off vs on-site, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/27/the-tightwads-guide-to-staying-off-site-at-walt-disney-world/
Hope this helps, and get back to me if they raise more questions than they answer!
Hi Again,
2nd question from me and I’m only in the beginning planning stages..I promise I won’t hound you the whole time : ) I think we are settled on our dates Feb 12-15th and our resort Pop Century (thanks to your suggestions!) I read above in a previous question that a stroller can kind of be a pain at the value resorts and buses. We have a smaller umbrella stroller we’ll be using. I know Pop Century has its own bus line. Still a huge pain? Doable? Or do we rent one once we get to the park? Thanks so much!
Hi Logan–I’d definitely bring your own stroller. This saves you time in the parks at the begining of the day (the least crowded, and thus most important time), and also saves you money. Moreover, there can be a fair amount of walking at Pop itself–it’s a big hotel!! Keep the questions coming!
As a last minute trip and an add on to a conference I’ll be attending in orlando, my husband, mother-in-law and 2 year old son will be visiting disney. we only have saturday, sunday and monday evening to visit the parks. any suggestions on which parks to visit and when? I was thinking magic kingdom on saturday, then sunday animal kingdom and the halloween parade sunday night. monday we may just visit downtown disney. does that sound doable? Also, do you need admission to magic kingdom AND the parade? Or can we just purchase a parade ticket?
Hi Krissie! What exact dates are you talking about–e.g. the Halloween Party is not happening this Sunday….(there’s no halloween parade except at the Halloween Party. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/27/halloween-2011-at-walt-disney-world/ )
Hi Dave!
Me and My wife are going to disney Nov. 16-21 of 2012 and we are in the beginning stages of deciding where we want to stay and what we want to do. We want to do at least one day at Islands of adventure and the other 4 at the Walt Disney parks, I was wondering if you think it would be cheaper for us to do the WDW Resort/dining package/park tickets or do something outside WDW and pay for all meals and tickets individually?
Hi Will–It’s always cheaper to stay and dine outside WDW. But not as much fun…
We are going to Disney World Nov. 21-26, 2011! Any suggestions fora memorable Thanksgiving Dinner? We heard Sanaa might be fun! Also, any chance they will change dates and open the park that week for Mickey’s Magical Christmas?
Hi AJ–the most memorable dinner would be at the California Grille. Regarding your other question, do you mean Mickey’s Very Merry Xmas Party? The Magic Kingdom is open that whole time, and it is open too late at night for them to add an Xmas Party….
Hi Dave,
We will be flying into Orlando on 11/23/11 and staying until 11/29/11. My husband and I are traveling with our 13 yr old and 7 yr old. Can you let me know the best day to go to WDW during the week? This will be the first visit to WDW for the kids. The last time, my husband and I were there was in 1995! I’m sure things have changed quite a bit, such as prices and attractions. Also, what would be the best attractions for a 13yr old? Thanks for your help.
Hi Marcy, yup its changed!
You’ll face massive Thanksgiving crowds until Sunday the 27th, so I’d target the WDW days of you trip for the 27th and later.
If you want to spend more days than those, the key is getting to the parks well before they open and avoiding the parks with morning extra magic hours. Noodle over your dates and let me know your intentions, and I’ll see if I can guide you to which parks which days..
For rides for “older kids” (which I define as 8yo through 100+) see the right side of the image on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Hi Dave My family and I are going to Disney April13 th- April 19 th 2012 any specials you see this week in April. Also how busy would the parks be this week since it is after Easter week thanks Ralph
Hi Ralph, I expect the 13th and 14th will be quite crowded as they are still in the Easter peak. The rest of your dates crowds should be great. There likely won’t be a deal for your arrival date for the same Easter week reason.
My husband and I are planning to visit in April 2012. Both of us are in our 60′s. I read the 4/21/12 is a good week to stay. I’m not sure which hotel would be the most convenient for us to stay at. I thought of the Carribean but is the Port Oleans French Quarter better than the Carribean? We are interested in Epcot, Blizzard Beach, Magic Kingdom. We plan to stay 7 to 9 days.
Aloha from Hawaii. . .Eileen
Hi Eileen!
For adults with no kids, POFQ is the better choice of these two for most–it’s lovelier, more compact, and more convenient.
For more, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/10/23/review-disneys-port-orleans-french-quarter-resort/
Hi Dave –
Great site. Thank you for posting.
We are a family of 5 looking to take our first DW trip in late April/early May (to avoid crowds). I am ready to book, but hesitant because I would hate to see a deal released for those dates just after I do.
In your opinion, am I better off to book or hold off a few weeks to watch for deals? We are flexible on dates, just want to catch the best price and lower crowds.
Thanks!
Gina
Hi Gina and thanks!
It depends on whether you have your heart set on a particular hotel–the more you do, the better to book early. Note that you can convert a regular trip to a discounted one, so long as your hotel and dates are in the deal. This is easiest to do through a travel agent–tell them your goals and they’ll set you up so the conversion is easiest and most likely. Try the form on the lower right side!
Dave,
Great site by the well as it is very helpful. We are planning a trip to Disney World from May 20-June 1, 2012. We already have the plane tickets and car rental booked. Now we need to book the disney part. We are looking for a resort that has a great pool(s), is very clean and easy to find food (i.e. food couts and restuarants), My question is should we wait to book the disney part until a deal comes out or book now and what places would you recommend we stay at with the above requirements. Also I have a son that has a foot issue and may get tired during the day so we may need to take breaks to let him rest. Please consider moderate resorts and higher.
Thanks
Eric
Hi Eric! First, a discount for your dates came out today–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/11/30/new-walt-disney-world-discount-extending-into-june-2012/
Any of the monorail resorts would meet your criteria–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/11/08/the-monorail-resorts-at-walt-disney-world/
At the moderate level, POFQ is the most compact, but has limited food compared to the others. All the moderates (and all DIsney hotels) have bus or other transport service to and from the parks every 20 minutes or so. The best moderate pool is at POR, but any moderate but POFQ would meet your criteria. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/10/28/the-moderate-resorts-at-walt-disney-world/ (Ignore the cabins at Fort WIlderness- they are a special case and won’t work for your criteria.)
Hope this helps and have a great trip!
Dave,
Thanks…..Also a friend of mine said to book a value resort for 5 daya and the polynesian resort for the other 6 to lower costs. How do you feel about this and if you like the idea where would you suggest? Will check-in and check-out cause to much headache and how does that affect the dining plan?
Thanks
Eric H
Hi Eric. See the “Moderate Resorts” section of this page for what you are thinking about– http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/where-not-to-stay/
I do split stays all the time as it lets me review two hotels in one trip. You’ll have to book the dining plan for each reservation, but if your total nights don’t change, it has no effect, as you get credits by the night.
Being without a hotel from 11a til 3 or 4p is the biggest pain, and getting your luggage over if you are not renting a car the second biggest–you need to cab over, and drop it off…when I can afford it I double book the changeover night…
For which hotels to stay at, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/
Dave,
I need one last bit of help and ADVICE. We have booked everything but now I have a concern about the cost from my wife. Here is what we have booked: We are staying at the Polynesian resort from May 23 -May 28. Then we booked the garden suite at the Boardwalk Inn from May 28 – June 3. We have book the disney dining plan that gives you 1 table, 1 quick-service and one snack. We used the discount that you posted on this site and it did save some $$$. However my wife has done some more checking and found that we can book the entire stay at either Old Key West or Saratoga Springs in a 2 bedroom villa for $1,500 less. There are psoitve to both scenerios. We could also just book the entire stay at the Polynesian and save a little bit of money as well. Can you give the your thoughts on the positives and negatives of each scenerio and what you would recoomend.
I believe what we have booked now (Polynesian and Boardwalk Inn garden suite) gives us easy access to everything we want to do. The downside is the price. The Saratoga or Old Key West would give us much more room and a bed for everyone in the two room villa. Just booking at the Polynesian would give us a standard hotel style room for the entire trip.
Please give me yoru analysis and opinion.
Thanks
Eric
Eric–OKW and Sara always play at a discount, as they are hard to fill.
Skip Saratoga Springs–rooms are too cramped and resort is too distant. OKW, while almost as distant. has huge, very livable rooms. What you lose is convenience (though less so than at Sara) and, compared to Poly, kid appeal…
See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/17/review-disneys-old-key-west-resort/
I am planning a trip with my parents both are 60 myself and my son 8 years old. was looking at taking advantage of the free dining plan offered in Feb 11-16 will it work with my family of four with 3 adults and one child? Or is it better to wait till April 21 for the better weather.
Hi Ann! It depends a bit on where you intend to stay–the more expensive the hotel, the better off you are taking a room rate discount instead of free dining. All else equal I’d pick April 21 for the weather..
Hi Dave,
My family and I are on an everyother year plan for disney..The last two times we went the last week in September. We got free dining last time…n it was awesome. we are ready to book again. But we really wanna go for christmas time. When in dec. do you think the best week would be for 2012? And if we book now and a deal comes up can we still get the deal???
Hi Erin
See the first three weeks on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
Note that the third week rarely has discounts offered.
If a deal comes out, and your hotel and dates are eligible, you can re-book into the deal. This can be easier if you set your initial booking up with a travel agent (see the form on the lower right) and tell them that you are hoping to re-book into a deal!
My family of 3 (2 adults and a 17 year old) will be arriving at Disney on December 31, for one day. We have been many times but not at this time of year. What would you suggest we do to be able to enjoy the most of your New Years Eve Celebration? Thank you for your help!
Hi Bobby, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/05/30/new-years-eve-20112012-at-walt-disney-world/ Epcot is your best bet…
Great site! Still trying to work my way through everything.
My questions are. I am going to WDW at the end of this month for a week
My daughter will be turning 4 and my other daughter will be 2. They are really excited about going. I read your guide to rides and wanted to know based on the kid’s ages, what rides/attractions for each park would be good for them. Based on your site I am trying to do our own itinerary.
Hi Gene! The bottom row of the guide is where to start– http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ Some of these will be too much for a four year old, though…you might want to pick up a guidebook and use it to filter more–see the first and third items on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/about-2/recommended-books/
First off, great website! We have a unique situation, and I am aware that it’s not nearly enough time but it’s all we have. We are going to Orlando on a Sunday in March. We are going to go to Harry Potter at Universal on Monday, Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and leave on Wednesday. I believe from your site we should stay at Universal on Sunday night and then head to Disney to stay on Monday and Tuesday night. In your opinon, is a meal plan worth it for such a short trip? I would love to hear any feedback (other than we need to stay longer)!
Hi JKB, and thanks. Skip the meal plan, because you don’t want to dedicate that much time to sit-down meals on such a short trip! Grab and go…
Hey Dave! I just booked out 2012 Disney Vacation for May 11-20th! Very excited as I haven’t been to the world since 2003, and we are staying at Ft. Wilderness where I haven’t stayed since I was 9. Do you have any suggestions about the cabins, are there any locations better than others? Also, as there is such a distance from the cabins to the Disney Transportation system, would you suggest driving to the parks?
Hiya Denise! For my review of the cabins, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/10/26/review-the-cabins-at-disneys-fort-wilderness-resort/ Personally, I would never stay at Fort Wilderness without a car, and would use it for all parks except MK. Going without a car will cost you an hour or two per park day of extra transport time…
Hi Dave. Looks like you provide great info. We have a family of 6 and are planning our 3rd Disney trip in spring 2013. love low crowds and low prices, so I don’t mind taking the kids out of school for a better experience. Can you give recommendations on where we could stay if our kids will be ages 10, 7 and twin 2.5 yr olds who can sleep anywhere?? We’ve stayed at Riverside before but would like something closer but still not overly expensive. I imagine the twins could even sleep in pack-n-plays still at that age. Since they are under 3, do you even need to tell the Disney agents about them if they don’t cost to get into the parks??
Matt, there’s not much that’s closer (to MK) but not more expensive. The Wilderness Lodge is closer, and the elast expensive of the deluxe resorts, but its roms are small–the bedroom space is even smaller than the bedrooms at Riverside. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/08/25/review-disneys-wilderness-lodge/ but also http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/walt-disney-world-resort-features-by-price-category/how-many-square-feet-in-a-square-foot/
Re the twins, DIsney says you can have one kid less than three in a room in addition to its normal capacity (which at WL is 4.) I don’t know how strictly this is enforced…especially if you choose not to mention it…
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