Magic Kingdom on a Budget

A few years ago, some single friends and I decided to visit Walt Disney World together. All 4 of us worked retail, so keeping things on the cheap was a big concern. But you can be a minimum wage worker and afford a tremendously fun Disney vacation with your friends. The trick is information and budgeting. I spent less than $1000 on my trip, and this is how my friends and I did it.

Step 1: Book On the Property
We traveled in July (the week of July 4th) and booked the hotel in January. We stayed at one of Disney's "moderate" level hotels for 5 nights. Staying on the Disney property gave us several cheap ticket options and saved us daily parking fees. Our car stayed parked at the hotel and we utilized Disney's transportation options. The four of us shared a double occupancy room and our entire hotel stay cost each of us about $180.

Step 2: Low Cost Travel
If it's possible and cost effective, drive. At the time of the trip, my friends and I lived in southern New Jersey, which is around a 15-hour drive to Orlando, Florida. Depending on where you're coming from, who you're traveling with and when you're traveling, you might be able to drive straight thru. We stopped off in Georgia and stayed at a good, but inexpensive hotel, which cost $44 ($11 per person). The cost for gas, hotel, tolls and food on the way down to Florida and back cost around $150 each.

Step 3: Ticket Options
Ask what ticket options are available to you and only buy what you need. When my friends and I went to Disney World, they had what they called a Length of Stay Pass. Which was a ticket valid from the moment you checked in until midnight of the day you checked out. It allowed unlimited access to all of the Disney parks, it also served as your hotel room key. I don't think that the Length of Stay Pass is available anymore, but their Park Hopper is a good option. Just remember to adjust the number of days. If you're checking in on Monday, and checking out Friday morning you only need 4 days--unless you plan on spending a day in the parks before you head back home. Save yourself a day's worth of admission. My Length of Stay pass cost me $200 for 5 days in the parks.