1. Be Flexible
Okay, maybe not that kind of flexible...
Picking dates and being set on them is the worst thing you can possibly do when planning a vacation on a budget. Peak times to travel by air are on holidays and weekends, so try to switch your trip to leave in the middle of the week. The cheapest day to buy airfare is Tuesdays at 3PM (seriously, that's what every article I have read has said).
When it comes to WDW, resort prices are more expensive on the weekends, as well as during peak seasons (see the WDW season calendars on MouseSavers, click here for 2011 and here for 2012). Also the added benefit of going during a non-peak season is that the parks will typically be less crowded.2. Buy your park tickets according to when you'll be in the parks
Yes, I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but a good way to cut money off of your trip cost is to avoid purchasing park tickets for your first and/or last day at Disney. There are lots of things to do that don't require a park pass and on your arrival/departure days, it's not like you'll have much time to really enjoy the parks anyway. Now this won't necessarily save you a lot of money, unless you are participating in the Disney Dining Plan. The dining plan is linked to your park passes and cutting some days off of that will make a big dent in the final cost.3. Watch for deals
For 2012, Disney recently announced their free dining plan deal on their website. Keep an eye out for these specials throughout the year and don't be afraid to call Disney and rebook your trip. It could save you a lot of money. (click here for Disney's special offers page)4. Use a travel agent
There are many Disney-themed travel agencies and subsidiaries and a lot of them do not cost a dime extra on your trip. Your agent will watch for those Disney deals for you and will be able to book or rebook the trip for you. It's like the mice in Cinderella, they didn't cost her a dime but they were always in her corner. (I can't guarantee that your agent will be as cute as Gus-Gus.)5. Plan your food
If you decide to go with the Disney Dining Plan, then set up your reservations in advance for any sit down meals and be sure to use up as much of that dining plan as possible. Since you pay in advance for that food, make the most of it. If you are taking the non-dining plan route, including the cost of food in your budget. The websites for each of the Disney restaurants tells you the average cost of eating there. Estimate to the highest for each person and plan on that.6. Bring the little things with you
It's tempting to just pack some clothes and go off on your adventure, but you can save a lot of money by bringing some things with you, rather than buying additional things when you get there. You can bring food and drinks (non-alcoholic unfortunately) into the parks, so think about refillable water bottles (there are plenty of water fountains in every park) instead of buying water or buying a box of granola bars and snacking for cheap. Also think about smaller things that you may need while in the park. On the Disboards, I got the best tidbit of bringing dollar store ponchos from home in case of inclement weather. Medicines (ibuprofen, allergy meds, etc.), are going to be cheaper (if not free out of your medicine cabinet) if you bring them with you, too.7. Avoid souvenirs
Again, another no-brainer, but if you are someone with kids, then this will not be an easy task. One thing I read from some parents is that they buy Disney merchandise before they go, and then bring it out at different times during the trip. Then the kids get their stuffed animal fix without the adults having to deal with the souvenir stores.
Those are some really basic rules to Disney on a budget. If there's any others that you know of that you'd like to share, please comment and help your fellow penny pinchers. :)
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