Disney on a Dime: Money-Saving Secrets for Your Walt Disney World Vacation

by Chris Carlson, Kristal Carlson

You can afford the Disney World vacation of your dreams--if you know how to save for it, save on the way to and from Orlando, and save while you're there. The Carlsons, parents of four young children, know from repeated, firsthand experience that you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to have a Walt Disney World vacation. They share their money-saving strategies for accumulating the necessary funds and then getting the most for the least on travel, tickets, food, resort hotels, and souvenirs for the kids.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2005

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be the least helpful of all the ones I read prior to our visits to Disney. Most were common sense ideas (make a budget, start saving for the vacation in advance, etc). I really did not like the el cheapo ideas like buying a double hamburger and a second bun and then transferring one hamburger patty to the second bun and loading up on the condiments at the condiment bar. Or, bringing in a cooler of food when Disney forbids it. And, lastly, what parent gets to Disney and tells their kids, sorry, no souvenirs?

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the authors did present a few valid tips to save money on a trip to Disney World, not all of their ideas appealed to me. It all comes down to what you are willing to sacrifice and what you need to experience to make the trip worthwhile. In my opinion, I would rather go only once or twice to Disney World and stay at the resort, than go more often and be forced to give up those items. However, we are all different and other people might find all of the authors' suggestions helpful.

[Theresa F.]

This edition comes across as noticeably outdated, referencing websites that no longer exist and Disney resort services that are no longer offered, among other shortcomings. While some of the generalized money-saving tips still appear valid and useful, the specifics on purchasing tickets and accessing services seem largely obsolete, due to the book relying on information that is no longer current.
Did I like it? Not as much as I expected to, although there were still a few nuggets of useful information.
Would I reread it? No.
Would I recommend it? If there is an up-to-date edition of this title currently available, I might be willing to reconsider the book's usefulness.

[Kevin Magpoc · Rating 2 out of 5]

My complaints pretty much echo what the other reviewers have said. Very few of the "secrets" are secrets at all. Is there anyone who doesn't know that a packed lunch is cheaper than a restaurant meal?
To say something positive, the breakdown on comparisons between different types of tickets is well laid-out, though yes, you'll surely want to check with another source rather than relying solely on these 2005 lists.
But when it comes down to it, it's hard to find any information in this book that you couldn't find in a more up-to-date WDW book like, say, The Unofficial Guide(s), which presents even more information too.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some great money saving ideas. However unless you are really strict and sticking to a budget, some ideas are unrealistic. Like buying souvenirs and bringing them along. Great idea but my kids want a souvenir they picked out at given park to remind them of their day. Not something I picked out and packed ahead of time. Plus with all the baggage restrictions when flying, who has room for that? Asking for a complimentary upgrade in room is a great idea, had no idea that the desk folks can do that without manager approval. Double hamburger idea was great except getting two of my three kids to want to eat the same thing at the same time on vacation is hard.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The timing of me finding this book was a little off, as the trip we were planning was rather close and most of the tips and tricks for this book involve longer planning/saving times - at least 6 months if not a year.

That being said, the book was a great source of ideas to make a Disney vacation affordable on any budget, and several of the tips can be applied to other amusement park destinations, not just Disney.

I will probably get this book from the library again in about 6-8 months, because I am planning a Disney trip sometime during 2013.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really felt there was no value at all to this book. Additionally, I felt the authors were very repetitive throughout the book and gave tips that were basic to life not necessarily to visiting Disney, like don't forget to drink water when it's hot outside. Really? You need a book to tell you that???

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really helpful for money-saving tips at Disney World.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only great money saving ideas, but also ideas for fabulous fun on the cheap!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of it was basic sense, but I did get a few new ideas from the $$aver Tips.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Melissa Willis]

Full tips to save for and during your Disney Vacation.

[Tonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is some good information but this book is very outdated even from 2006!

[Melinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking for more specific tips than "pack a cooler". Phooey.