How to Save on Disney Hotels

It seems as though one of the biggest debates amongst Disney travelers is the choice between staying on the Disney property or not. In the past, is made more sense to stay off property as it almost always resulted in less expensive rates. But today, the tides are turning! Because of the many perks Disney properties offer such as early park admission and free transportation to parks, travelers are starting to find some great value in booking at on site properties. If you are planning a Disney Vacation you are probably asking yourself the same question; should I  book a Disney hotel or not? Well take a look below at how to save on Disney hotels and you will quickly find that the entire Disney experience is well within your budget.

While you can still stay off property for a great price, if you want the full Disney experience via a Disney Hotel, take a look at how easy it is to rest your head in one for less.

How to Save on Disney Hotels:

1. Visit during the off season.

If you can be flexible, plan your trip during the fall months or right before a major holiday. This is the time of year that attendance drops and as a result, prices drop too. Choose a time when the kids are typically in school and you can save a bundle on your Disney hotel. Even better, the parks and hotels will be less crowded allowing you to experience more, thus getting more bang for your buck

2. Know your discount status,

If you are a AAA member, a Disney Pass holder, or a Disney Visa Cardholder, you may be entitled to reduced room rates. The best way to find out is to contact the hotel of your choice and ask if you qualify for a discount when part of one of these groups. You can easily save at least 20% if so! There may be additional groups that are entitled to a discount as well not mentioned here, so you won’t know until you ask.

3. Scour for coupon codes.

Visit www.Mousesavers.com where coupon codes valid on your Disney hotel stay are often posted. These codes are typically valid for everyone, not just Disney Pass holders. Head over to the site regularly and see what codes you can dig up. You will also find a slew of tips to help you save on other Disney related purchases and deals so it is worth checking out.

4. Compare prices of various properties.

Not all Disney properties cost the same. For example The Grand Floridian Hotel can run you as much as $400 a night during peak season while Disney All Stars costs around $150. This is a huge difference! Compare the prices and perks of each (Grand Floridian would be ideal for adults and older children while All Stars is great for little ones) and decide what works best. If you are not going to be on the hotel property much, a less expensive option may work well.

5. Visit online booking sites for a great deal.

You can always book Disney properties at online booking sites such as Orbitz.com and Priceline.com. This is also a great way to compare prices of the various Disney hotels as they will lay them out for you with no commitment to buy. Plus, some of these sites offer lowest price guarantees so if someone books a better deal than  you, you get a refund.

6. Book through a rewards program.

You can always shop discount booking sites through your Swagbucks account or use your credit card that offers point perks for your purchase. This way you can earn points on your stay which you can redeem for gift cards that can easily be used on your trip. For example go through Swagbucks to book your Priceline.com hotel deal and earn so many points per dollar. Suppose you earn 1000 Swagbucks for your purchase. You can redeem those points for a $10.00 gift card that can come in handy during your stay!

7. Find reduced Disney Gift Cards

You CAN use Disney gift cards to pay for your hotel stay. You can buy Disney gift cards at a discount at various gift card resale sites such as Plastic Jungle and eBay. For example, you can purchase a $50.00 gift card for $40.00, netting you a free $10.00 to apply towards your stay. Always be sure you are buying from a reputable seller at a reputable site such as one of the two listed above.

Disney hotels are a great place to stay while enjoying Disney Parks, as they are just as full of magic and imagination as the parks themselves! Plus, you can enjoy earlier park admission, free shuttles, and tons of free activities on site to make it worth every penny you spend. If you plan on experiencing Disney soon, give some of these tips a try and see how easy it is to save!