If you are looking for orlando disney vacation information start here! Walt Disney World is one of the premier vacation destinations in the United States. The Disney experience provides a unique and thrilling vacation for visitors of all ages. As a seasoned veteran of Walt Disney World vacationing. I have extensive knowledge of orlando disney vacation information. I have amassed hundreds of tricks and tips for enjoying a Disney Vacation while on a budget.

The best time to visit Walt Disney World is during the value season. The value season includes the following dates: January 1, 2008 - February 13, 2008, August 3, 2008 - October 1, 2008 and November 30, 2008 - December 18, 2008. Advantages of travelling during the value season include reduced room prices and the theme parks tend to be less crowded.

Flying

Most people travelling to Walt Disney World will arrive by flight at Orlando International Airport. If you are flying I would recommend spending some time looking online for airfare. It's important to remember discount airlines such as JetBlue and Southwest. You can also download Ding from Southwest airlines and get desktop computer alerts when discount airfares are available. Compare flights at Kayak. I'd recommend checking several airports near your departure city to ensure you don't overpay for airline tickets. I'd also recommend signing up for ebates. It doesn't cost you anything to join. Ebates is a website that gives you cash back for shopping online! This includes purchasing airline tickets. Earn 2% cash back on Priceline purchases, and 2% cash back on Hotwire purchases just to name a couple. Also, you get 4% cash back at Disneyshopping.com. The most expensive days to fly are usually Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday so try to schedule your travel days for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Should I Rent A Car?

If you are flying to Orlando don't bother renting a car. It's an unnecessary expense and you won't need it. Make sure you sign up for the Disney Magical Express. The Disney Magical Express is a free roundtrip transportation service for Disney vacationers flying in and out of Orlando International Airport. It's free for travelers staying on Disney property. It's important to make your Disney Magical Express reservation at least 30 days in advance of your vacation. An added benefit of the free magical express transportation services is the luggage service. After you sign up for the magical express you'll receive special luggage tags in the mail. Make sure you attach them to your checked bags at your home destination before checking your bags for your flight. Don't worry about collecting your bags after you land. Disney will do that for you and deliver them right to your hotel room!

Driving

For anyone driving to Disney World I'd recommend checking out Gas Buddy for the cheapest gas stations along the way.

Definitely stay on Disney property. There are many advantages to being on Disney property. First the ability to use the Disney Magical Express to and from the airport. Second you get access to extra magic hours, where select theme parks either open late or early for people staying on Disney property. Third, you do not need to rent a car because of the fabulous transportation system available to all guests staying on Disney property. There are busses, boats, and a monorail system to transport you from your hotel to all of the amazing Disney theme parks and attractions. All at no cost to you. Do not bother to rent a car. Parking at the Disney theme parks is expensive. If you drive to Disney World consider leaving your car parked at your hotel during the day and using Disney transportation to avoid parking fees. Staying on Disney property is more affordable than you think. If you stay in one of Disney's Value Resorts, during the value season (January 1, 2008 - February 13, 2008, August 3, 2008 - October 1, 2008 and November 30, 2008 - December 18, 2008) the cost per night Sunday - Thursday is just $82 plus tax. Sometimes the price goes up slightly for Friday and Saturday nights to approximately $99 a night plus tax. Don't spend the extra money to stay in a preferred room, just go with a standard room. The room size is virtually the same. Walt Disney World currently has four value resorts; Disney's Pop Century, Disney's All Star Music, Disney's All Star Sports, and Disney's All Star Movies. I've stayed in each of these resorts. They are all fairly similar. A great value for the money. The rooms are clean and comfortable.

To learn more about these resorts click here. .

To make hotel reservations click here: .

You'll need to purchase Magic Your Way Tickets to get into Disney's theme parks. I would recommend purchasing the Magic Your Way Base ticket only. Magic your way base tickets give each member of your travel party entry to one theme park each day that your ticket is valid.

You will save money by bypassing the available add on's to the Magic Your Way Base Ticket. There are currently three add on's available; the park hopper option, the no expiration option, and the water parks and more option. The park hopper option adds significantly to the price of the ticket and most people don't use it. Just plan to visit one theme park a day. The no expiration option is really not necessary. Just purchase tickets for the days you plan on visiting the parks. Finally, the water park fun and more option basically gives you admission to the Disney water parks and some clubs on Disney's Pleasure Island.

I've found it's cheaper to simply purchase a single day entry ticket to the Disney water park I plan on visiting. For example, if I plan on visiting Disney attractions for 5 days. I will purchase an adult Magic Your Way Base Ticket for 4 days ($212.00) and 1 adult single entry ticket to Disney water park ($39.00). That's a total of $251.00. If I purchased a Magic Your Way Ticket with the Water Parks and More add on option it would cost me a total of $265.00. That's a savings of $14. It adds up when you are travelling with a large family.

To purchase Walt Disney World tickets click here: .

I'd recommend buying a book. Specifically, the unofficial guide to Walt Disney World (see the section at the top "Recommended Books." You can also visit Touring Plans. The do have some valuable free information including daily attendance for disney world. Some of the areas of this website are only available after purchasing a subscription. Don't bother to purchase a subscription just buy the book and take it with you into the parks.

Understand how to spend your time and what attractions to focus on is an important way to maximize your fun when visiting Walt Disney World.

Florida Weather

Florida weather can be unpredictable. Unexpected downpours are common in Disney World. You don't want rain to ruin your fun. Disney World involves a lot of walking outdoors from attraction to attraction while in the parks.

I'd recommend purchasing rain ponchos for everyone in your party prior to your Disney vacation. Carry them with you in a backpack during the day while your tour the parks. Rain ponchos can be purchased in the parks but they are very expensive. I have provided some links to the right for affordable rain ponchos.

The Disney rewards card from Chase is an option for those who have a significant amount of time to plan for their Disney vacation. You will earn 1 Disney dream reward dollar for every one hundred dollars in net purchases. Disney dream reward dollars can be used to purchase just about everything at Disney World and in Disney Stores. I'd recommend visiting chase's website to learn more before you sign up. You need to redeem your reward dollars within a certain time frame before you anticipate using them. You may also want to look into the More Card and the Open Road card from Discover. Both give you $5 cash back for every one hundred dollars you make in qualifying purchases. The More Card gives you 5% cash back on purchases made from four catergories (travel, home improvement, gas, and restaurants). The cash back bonus catergory changes four times a year. The Open Road card gives you 5% cash back on gas and auto maintenance purchases. It may be beneficial for you to earn rewards on a Discover card and simply save your cash back bonus until it's time to visit Disney world. Keep in mind you can purchase Disney Dollars at any Disney Store. Disney Dollars can be redeemed in Walt Disney World just like cash. It can be a useful way to put money for the trip for those who have difficulty saving.

It's up to you. You can purchase the Disney Dining Plan as part of a vacation package that includes your room and magic your way tickets. Often you are only given the choice of staying in a preferred (more expensive) room when you choose the Dining plan. Also, to utilize the Disney Dining Plan you must purchase Magic Your Way tickets for your entire stay, so the example I gave above regarding purchasing a 4 day magic your way ticket and a 1 day water park ticket would not be an option if you choose the Disney dining plan. The plan costs $40 per day for an adult. Your $40 buys you 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal, and 1 snack. Make sure you visit the Disney World website and confirm that the restaurant you want to dine at participates in the Disney Dining plan I have never found that the Disney dining plan is a great fit for people travelling on a budget. You can food from home and make picnic lunches each day to take into the parks. I'd avoid relying on the hotel stores for picnic supplies due to the cost. The food there tends to be overpriced. Most value hotels don't have refrigerators in the rooms, so keep that in mind when packing. You can also bring food to start your day from home to avoid expensive Disney breakfasts. I often bring bread, peanut butter, jelly, and cereal. Use the Disney dining finder to find the best priced restaurants in the parks. If you decide you want to dine at one of Disney's table service restaurants during your stay make your reservations in advance. Call 407-WDW-DINE and make your reservations as soon as possible. Dining reservations can be make 180 days in advance.

To learn more about the Disney Dining Plan click here: .

The most important ingredient for a successful Disney vacation is planning. You should have a schedule prepared before you start your vacation. Read your guide book, "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" to assist in preparing your itinerary. I'd recommend spending some time on the Disney World Official website. They have tons of great information to help you plan your trip including a free vacation planning DVD.