Hi Wendy
How exciting your first trip to Disney World. There are lots of great things we do to save money on our trips. Staying in a timeshare, you will most likely have a kitchen facility to use. I suggest shopping at a local grocery store if you have a car and if you do not, then order food online prior to your trip at
www.gardengrocer.com. Plan on having breakfast in your villa before heading out and carry snacks with you to the parks. I often carry sandwiches, chips, fruit and other munchies, in my bag. Consider having your larger meal in the late afternoon. Most restaraunts feature a higher price on their dinner menu so we find if we eat just before the switch, we save money and often beat the crowds. Many snacks purchased on property are quite large. My kids never finish all of their popcorn or pretzel so now we buy one and share. If we are still hungry we can get more but this way we are not wasting money or food.
There are a number of organizations and groups that offer discounts on dinners and shows in the Orlando area as well as park passes to Disney World. My favorite place to check is
mousesavers as that have a long list of current promotions and savings. Be sure to check with your employer, credit union, AAA membership and even your credit card company as they may also have discount programs with Disney World.
The other tip that we try and use to help with our costs is to plan with the children prior to your trip. Explain to them what budget you will have for all those extras that they will see and want. Let them earn their own spending money and make them responsible for budgeting how they will use it. Good luck with the planning and be sure to ask for your first time visitor button and wear it proudly!