$1550 (+ Airfare) 7-Night Budget Trip to Walt Disney World For a Family of Four

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2009

If you've read my "How Low Can You Go" article about taking a family of four to Walt Disney World on a budget of $1250, or even the article about the "upgraded" $1700 plan, you know the money doesn't go very far. Most people would not be willing to cut their vacation down to such a short visit and skimp so carefully.

Disney advertises that a family of four can do a 7-day vacation at Walt Disney World for $1600, but normally that includes ONLY hotel room and tickets, in the off season -- no meals or airfare.

However, there is one time of year when a family on a tight budget really can get a lot for a little money: during the "Free Dining" promotion. For the past several years this promotion has been offered for stays from mid-August through the end of September. In 2009, Free Dining was initially offered for stays August 16-October 3 and then through a later offer, from September 27-December 17. (The 2009 Free Dining offer is now expired, but it will probably appear again in 2010.)

The Free Dining package is the best deal of the year for a family on a tight budget. With the 2009 Free Dining package, a "typical" family of four (two adults, two children under 10) could do an all-inclusive 7-night/7-day vacation at Walt Disney World for about $1550, plus the cost of airfare (or gas to drive to Disney World).

Here's how: they simply booked the Free Dining package with a 7-night stay in a Standard room at Pop Century Resort (or one of the other Disney Value Resorts), including 7-day Base Tickets. The Dining Plan (one table service, one counter service meal and one snack per day, per person) was included at no extra charge. If you were flying, the package included Disney's Magical Express service, so your transportation to and from the airport was covered.

Your cost for the 2009 Free Dining package was right around $1,550 (plus tips on the free meals, which are not included).

Be aware that the price was higher if you:

• added travel insurance (recommended since you're traveling in hurricane season on a vacation package).
• checked in during Regular Season or during a holiday period, when there are higher room rates.
• added any extras such as Park Hopping, Water Parks or No Expiration to your tickets.
• had kids 10 and older (their tickets cost more, bumping up the package cost).
• had more than four people age 3 or older in your family (Value Resort rooms only accommodate four, so you have to move to pricier accommodations).
• had more than two adults (18 and up) in the room (there is an extra charge for additional adults).

Also, if you had big eaters in your group, you may have needed to supplement the Dining Plan with additional meals, but most people find the plan includes plenty of food even though you're "only" getting two meals and a snack per day.

If you book the Free Dining Package in the future, also be sure to budget a bit extra for incidentals such as bottled water (or you can use your "snack credits" from the Dining Plan for that) and souvenirs.

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