If you are a low-key adult who loves visiting Walt Disney World but are on a budget, this post is for you! In this week’s series of blog posts, I’m going to reveal many ways to save money on your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Airfare has been increasing in price because of fuel costs, but you can still get bargain flights to Orlando, if you plan well and book at least a month in advance.
Timing is Everything
The most expensive fares will be Thanksgiving week and Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day weekend. Spring break (early March through mid-April) and mid-Summer (late June through early August ) fares tend to be higher, as well. If you want to visit Walt Disney World at these times, book as far in advance as you can to save money — 3 months in advance is not too early.
The best airfare rates are typically during these periods:
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Late October to Mid-November: The lull between Halloween and Thanksgiving week offers low fares and moderate theme park crowds.
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Late November to Mid-December: The window immediately following Thanksgiving weekend up until about December 18 features some of the absolute lowest fares of the entire year. Crowds are also lighter at the theme parks during these times.
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January to Mid-February: Aside from Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, the weeks following New Year’s Day through mid-February see significant fare drops. These are also the times when Walt Disney World hotel rates are at their lowest and is a good time to try Walt Disney World’s moderate resorts for a quick trip, such as Port Orleans French Quarter and Caribbean Beach (as Value resorts and the Coronado tend to fill up with visiting cheer and sports teams).
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Late April to Mid-May: These weeks after Spring Break and Easter before school and colleges let out is typically a more affordable time to fly, although the temperatures will begin to be hot and humid in Florida.
Choosing the Airline Best for You
Flying with an ultra low-cost carrier like Frontier works best for an adult solo/pair traveler as long as you can be flexible with departure times (the cheapest fares are early in the morning and late at night). It’s possible to get a one-way flight to Orlando for as little as $33.
However, Frontier also cancels flights more often than other carriers. If you can be flexible that way, that would help you.
Breeze airlines and Allegiant offer affordable fares, as well, but these airlines fly out of mostly regional airports and have a limited number of flights. If you are near a regional airport, choose Breeze or Allegiant over Frontier for a better flight experience at a slightly higher price point.
I fly with Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, United and American. To get the best fares on these more expensive flights, as a solo traveler, I book on value days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are typically less expensive).
Fly with a Personal Bag
For most of my short trips, I travel with a personal bag in “Basic Economy.” I can save up to $100 each way just by bringing a personal bag that holds almost as much clothing as my wheeled carry on.
Southwest, I believe, may be the only domestic airline that still permits a wheeled carry on bag for free.
If you are checking bags, I think Southwest is really the way to go because of their special relationship with Walt Disney World which permits you to have your luggage delivered to the airline from your on-property hotel.
Making Space When it Counts
There are times when upgrading to better seats is worth it and for me, that is when I am traveling with my tall son. Upgrades with extra leg room are available for a fee on Southwest, Delta, Jet Blue and United. If you book these upgrades in advance, they are more affordable..
I feel he is more comfortable with extra leg room upgrades (although he never complains!) and I upgrade for him when I can, even to first class if I can get it.
Another trick we use to get a little more space on our flights is to purchase a lower fare but pay for seat selection. This way, I can book a window seat (for him) and an aisle seat (for me). That sometimes gives us more room because single middle seats are the last to go. If someone purchases the middle seat, I offer them my aisle seat (they always accept) so I can sit next to my son and he is not crowded by someone he does not know.
How do you save money on airfare? If you have any tips, please share them in the comments!
