1. When To Go

Choosing when to go to Disney is not just about the weather, it is also about the cost. There are several types of “seasons” to consider:

Value Season: January-Feb. 13th and July 20-Oct. 1st (lowest rates and 73 degrees average temperature and very low rainfall).

Peak Season: February 4-March 29th (highest rates and 84 degrees average temperature and low rainfall)

Regular Season: March 30-July 19th (moderate pricing and 88 degrees average temperature and moderate rainfall)

Summer Season: May 22-August 2nd (mid-high rates and average temperature of 91 degrees and consistent intermittent rainfall)

Holiday Season: December 19-December 31st (Highest rates and lowest average temperature at 75 degrees and the least rainfall)

2. Resorts

Westgate Resort & Spa: This resort offers cheap Disney vacation package and is situated close to two major parks: Disney and Universal. You can take the resort shuttle that takes less than 10 minutes. You will enjoy all 85 acres with a lake and a boardwalk that leads out to an island that gives you a view of the entire resort. The whole family will be able to choose from seven outdoor pools. Other activities include courts for tennis and basketball and a volleyball court. There is also a club just for kids called the Wes. T. Gator Kid’s Club. Your choice of rooms are studios to four-bedroom villas, and you get a balcony seat in your room for the Disney fireworks that take place nightly. Rates begin at $399 for a package that includes a studio suite, and two Disney tickets during peak season.

Wilderness Lodge and Villas Resort: The rustic setting of this resort was designed by the same architect that envisioned and created Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As you enter the lobby, you will be greeted with a roaring fire from a stone-hearth fireplace and a multitude of frontier art and artifacts spread throughout the resort area. It has over 700 rooms with views either of a vast wooded area, pool area or another water view including the economical studio rooms. There are walking paths that connect this resort to the Wilderness Resort and Campground as well as boats or bicycles. The kids can enjoy themselves at the Buttons and Bells arcade and even swim in an actual creek. The entire family can enjoy watching the Fire Rock Geyser which spouts on an hourly basis and the Electric Water Pageant display each evening from the resort beach. There is a fast food court called the Roaring Fork and for adults, a choice between the Territory Lounge and the Trout Pass Pool Bar. Adults, as well as kids, can participate in the pony races available as one of the many scheduled activities. Value season rates are at $225 for a standard room.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas: This is considered one of the most unique resorts of any that Disney has designed. During your stay, you are virtually surrounded by all things African in culture, design, cuisine, and even wildlife. The resort itself is shaped like an African “kraal” which from the air makes it look like a horseshoe. On the 33 acres, there are three savannas that are filled with giraffes, gazelles, zebras, flamingoes, to name a few of the animals indigenous to the African region. This is a deluxe resort that offers two room sizes—standard and deluxe. Each room has African design and motifs and overlooks one of the savanna areas, the pool area, or the resort’s lake from the balcony. The two resort restaurants, Jiko and Boma, are the most vegetarian-friendly of any at Disney and also offer gluten-free and lactose-intolerant menu selections. There is an arcade as well as an opportunity to take a guided tour of the savannas with an animal specialist guide. The room rates during value season start at $225 for a standard room.

3. Disney Tickets

4-Park Magic Ticket: This is the most economical ticket which gives the purchaser entrance to all four main Disney parks—Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, and Hollywood Studios. These tickets can be used beginning the last day of April each year and expire on September 30th which is regular through the summer season rates.

The 4-Park Magic Ticket is the best way to experience Walt Disney World theme parks, with one admission to each of the 4 theme parks for 4 days. Tickets may not be used to enter the same park more than once. Tickets are valid for admission beginning April 30, 2017, and must be used within 14 days of first use or by September 30, 2017, whichever occurs first. 4 from $79.00

Water Parks: The Typhoon Lagoon offers a white-water rafting type of adventure complete with a beach and lazy river, while the Blizzard Beach is themed as a ski resort that is now a water wonderland. Kids will be able to slide down one of the highest water slides anywhere, Mt. Gushmore, and also enjoy the beach and lazy river as well.

Special Event Tickets: These occur all year round and vary depending upon current movie premieres like the Disney Star Wars Galactic Night or themed events like the Disney Night of Joy that combined acts from gospel, hip-hop, and r&b celebrating Christian music.

4. Getting There

If you want to save even more money, then plan on driving to Disney. You need to ensure that you are planning the best road trip possible in terms of safety as well as comfort for your whole family.

Emily Kil is a professional blogger that writes about travel, family, and digital marketing.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and two dogs.  When she’s not helping her husband with his bio hazard cleaning business, she’s RVing with her family around the USA.  She’s driven across the country five times, including an epic trip to Alaska.