Welcome to planDisney, Barbara! We are so glad you stopped by to ask your question about a Walt Disney World Vacation package.
Part of what you have heard is correct. When you visit the main
Walt Disney World website, you can reserve your vacation package with just a $200 deposit, which is charged immediately. This locks in your rate, and you have until 30 days before you travel (not 45) to pay off the balance. You can make payments at any time in your MyDisneyExperience online, essentially creating your own payment plan. Since it looks like you plan to travel in November, your final payment would be in October 2022.
One of my favorite Disney vacation budgeting tips is to purchase Disney Gift Cards as often as you can. I typically purchase my Disney Gift Cards at a store where I get a slight discount. Then, I combine the cards into $1000 values online at the
Disney Gift Card website. You can use these cards to pay off your balance online or bring them along on your vacation to pay for all your food and souvenirs. You can even use a Disney Gift Card on the
MyDisneyExperience mobile app to pay for quick service mobile orders.
When you book your vacation package, be sure to add
Memory Maker. This option will allow you access to all the professional photos taken by photographers inside all four WDW theme parks, plus thirteen attraction photos, “magic shots”, and any photos taken inside dining locations. By purchasing this at least three days before you travel, you save $30, too! (I am ALL about saving money!) My favorite attraction photos at the four theme parks are on Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom, Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Test Track in EPCOT, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
I hope this helps with planning and budgeting for your fall vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Happy Traveling,
Tracy