Kilimanjaro Safaris; Animal Kingdom; AA
  • On Dec 10, 2014
    Ashley from GA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I have a family of 9 3 adults, 6 kids. We are planning our first trip for next year. What is the least expensive way as far as tickets and a hotel room? What is the best time of year to visit? Is it better to purchase the dining package?

    Ashley:

    The least expensive way for your family to stay at Walt Disney World is to consider the Value Resorts. Because you will be coming from Georgia and most likely bringing your own car, upgrading to a Preferred Room near the buses does not have to be a priority either. For families on a budget, I recommend the Magic Your Way Ticket that gives you one park per day. Not purchasing the Park Hopper option will save a family of 9 significantly. 

    The word 'best' means a lot of things to folks, but I'm going to guess that 'best' in your book is aimed at the least expensive time of year. Lucky for you, the Law of Supply and Demand also means that the least-expensive time of the year also sees low crowds, another benefit for guests. Look at Disney's Value Season months to book your trip and get the best rates: January through mid-February, September, and mid-November through mid-December except for Thanksgiving Week. Additionally, Florida's weather is mild during Value Months, except on the front-end of September. If I had to narrow the choices, I'd look at November because of its Christmas decorations.

    Unless your children are between the ages of 3 and 9, I don't recommend the Dining Plan. Our family has found that paying the adult price for a junior high child is not worth it and the amount of food we must eat to justify it doesn't work for our family. However, we have found that the price of the Basic Dining Plan that includes one table service meal is a good value if all of your children are in the 3- to 9-year-old range because the cost of a Character Meal can almost pay for the child's daily rate on the plan and those are typically the meals you will seek for that age.

    Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
    Whitney
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Meet the Panelist: Whitney, Mississippi

My family of 6 appreciates Disney's value! Although Ft. Wilderness is our second home, we've enjoyed the resorts for business, reunions and romantic getaways. For me, Disney also means dining: last count, I'd eaten at 55 restaurants around the World! Learn More About Whitney

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