If you have plans to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort in 2026, you may know that if you stay on-property, even one night, you become eligible for the Bounce Back discount — one of the most affordable Walt Disney World resort room rates on select dates in 2027 between January 11 and October 31 (I feel it is likely they will add November and December dates later).
There are two catches: you have to book within 7 days of your check out date (you can book while you are still at the resort) and there are a limited number of rooms available at the Bounce Back rate (and they do sell out). Here are some things to consider when contemplating 2027 vacations…
A Note about Epcot’s Garden Rocks Concerts
Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 10-May 31 in 2027 and bounce back dates for that time period include March 10-April 14; April 18- May 27 and the last day of the Festival, May 31. A big perk are the performances by bands that are included with Epcot admission, so you may want to time your trip with a concert you wish to see. However, the dates for the bands have not yet been announced. Expect that announcement around January 21 and mark it on your calendar so you don’t miss it. Book your rooms the minute the concert schedule is released! You can even obtain a Bounce Back rate for a date when your favorite concert is playing if you book a stay at Walt Disney World in mid-January (even if it is only one or two nights) Here is the line up from 2026 — it is a safe bet that Flock of Seagulls and Rick Springfield will return but perhaps not on the same dates.
A Refundable Deposit Holds Your Reservation
Keep in mind that you only have to put down a deposit equivalent to the cost of your first night’s stay to book your room-only reservation. You can cancel the reservation up until 8 days before your stay and receive a full refund of your deposit. So, even if you are not 100% certain about your plans, it’s worth it to lock in a room deal while it still available.
Below, I’ll list the most affordable rates, along with a few more expensive options, beginning with the least expensive rooms.
My 7 Picks for the Very Best Dates to Go
#1 Mid-January Getaway. Monday, Jan. 18 (MLK)-Thursday, January 21. Room rate: $115.30, All Star Sports. Total room price with tax: $393.63. Perks: Low crowds, cool temperatures, little to no rain. A great time to explore Animal Kingdom. Epcot’s Festival of the Arts begins January 15 and runs through February 22. The catch: winter weather historically worsens during Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend in the Northeast and may interfere with airline flights to and from Orlando. The same discount rate is also available for January 11-14, until sold out
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- My tip: Book this trip now (or whenever you stay from now through the end of 2026), then when Epcot’s Garden Rocks concert line up is announced around January 20, use the additional Bounce Back discount you’ll obtain for your January stay to book your bounce back stay in March, April or May to see your favorite Garden Rocks band.
#2 Early May Vacation. Monday, May 3 to Thursday, May 6. Room rate: $123, All Star Sports. Total room price with tax: $418.83. Perks: Low crowds, warm but pleasant temperatures. Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival will be in full swing. Star Wars fan? Tuesday, May 4 is a huge (and crowded) Star Wars celebration at Hollywood Studios. Bounce Back rates are available for stays during almost the entire month of May (except May 28-30), until sold out.
#3 Late October “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” Trip. Monday, October 25 to Thursday, October 28. Room rate: $125.25, All Star Sports. Total room price with tax: $420. Perks: If you want to go to Magic Kingdom’s Halloween Party, this is the very best time to go — perfect temperatures and little to no rain. Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival will also be going on. Book your room now, pay the balance when you arrive, and as a room reservation holder, you’ll be first in line to get your ticket for the Tuesday, October 26 Halloween party ticket when they go on sale around May 5, 2027.
#4 Mid-April “Post-Spring Break” Break. Monday, April 12-Thursday, April 15. Room rate: $128.25, All Star Sports. Total room price with tax: $436.71. Most of the spring break crowds will have cleared out and most kids will be in school, thanks to Easter coming early in 2027 (March 28). Perks: Warm but pleasant weather; Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival will be in full bloom; Garden Rocks concert series. Cons: there may be residual crowds from the RunDisney race that ends on April 11. And it’s allergy season! Note: Bounce Back rates are available for stays for almost the entire month of April (except April 15-17), until sold out.
#5 Celebrate the First Day of Summer. Monday, June 21 – Thursday, June 24. Room rate: $140.25, All Star Sports. Total room price: $477.57. Perks: You’ll get free waterpark admission on your check-in day! Magic Kingdom After Hours on Monday would be a fun way to celebrate the first day of summer. Note: Bounce Back rates are available for stays during the entire month of June (until sold out).
Cons: School will be out so expect lots of families and kids. it will be hot and it will likely rain for a short while each day, but usually the intense thunderstorms pop up later in the summer.
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- My tips: Ready to upgrade? You can stay at Port Orleans French Quarter for $218/night during this period! Or choose Caribbean Beach for $284/night. I anticipate Disney will announce a summer rate deal that will be a little lower than these rates for All Star Sports and Port Orleans Riverside around April 1. See the post-script below for more details about that potential room offer.
#6 Mardi Gras At Disney! Monday, February 8-Thursday, Feb. 11. Room rate: $145.35, All Star Sports. Total room price with tax: $494.91. This was one of my favorite trips last year. Port Orleans French Quarter hosts a Mardi Gras parade of six to 8 golf carts, dressed up as floats by their staff. There is also a DJ and an outdoor party. The festivities go from about 10:30 am to the evening. Tiana makes an appearance at the parade and typically also shows up at the evening celebration to meet guests. Don’t forget to have some jambalaya, gumbo or beignets! On Wednesday, visit the parks (Festival of the Arts will be at Epcot). I used a Park Hopper ticket for my short stay. It is also still the Lunar New Year and you will be able to buy a “Year of the Goat” souvenir or t-shirt in the China pavilion. Note: Bounce Back rates are also available February 15 to 18 and February 21-24 stays.
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- My tip: Ready to save $200? Book off-property at the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista for $72/night or $243 for your total stay. Then take a ride-share from the hotel to Port Orleans French Quarter on Mardi Gras.
- My tip: Ready to save $200? Book off-property at the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista for $72/night or $243 for your total stay. Then take a ride-share from the hotel to Port Orleans French Quarter on Mardi Gras.
#7 March “Ready for Spring” Fling. Monday, March 8-March 11. Room rate: $147.45, All Star Sports. Total room price with tax: $503.13. Weather is not great in the Northeast in early March so if you desperately need some sunshine, this is the time to go. Great weather and moderate crowds. Perk: While it is spring break season, you will be a week ahead of Orange County’s school system scheduled spring break (March 15-19). Many school systems, including in Virginia, will have spring break from March 22-28. Con: Your visit will coincide with opening day of Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival and that day is typically a bit crowded. Note: Bounce Back rates are available for stays during the entire month of March, until sold out.
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- My tip: If you don’t care about the festival, book your room for Monday, March 1-Thursday, March 4 for the same room discount, nice weather, much lower crowds and some early Epcot flower displays and topiaries. If you can handle crowds, would like to see the Flower and Garden Festival and go to Raglan Road’s St. Patrick’s Day Party at Disney Springs, book your room for Monday, March 15-Thursday, March 19 for the same room discount. Just be sure to also purchase Lightning Lanes 7 days before your stay!
I hope you enjoy your bargain stay! Remember, when you stay during your Bounce Back date, even for one night, you’ll earn another Bounce Back date to use later! Oh and I have one more tip for you that may save you even more money…
P.S.! Even Cheaper Rooms: Summer Disney+ Room Deal (maybe?)
There is one notable exception when rates drop even lower than Bounce Back rates and you may want to start looking for this deal around April 1, if it is offered again in 2027.
Last year, Walt Disney World offered a special rate on summer rooms for Disney+ subscribers around the beginning of April. The Summer Disney+ deal was good for reservations from June 21 – August 15 and required a 2-night minimum stay. Room rates started at $99/night for All Star Sports, $169/night for Port Orleans Riverside and $279/night for Saratoga Springs.
Those rooms went fast! If you are thinking about a summer vacation, mark April 1, 2027 on your calendar and keep checking to make sure you don’t miss any announcements from Disney. These were the lowest rates I saw all year for these properties. I was able to get rooms at All Star Sports for $109/night during the 4th of July holiday weekend.
In addition, they offered a partial day park ticket that was around $100 for admission after 2 pm.
Hopefully, they will offer both those deals again in 2027. Keep a look out for that promotion if summer travel is on your wish list.
More affordable options to consider:
- Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
- Priceline hotel room deals
