To put it simply: If you stay up-to-date on the latest Disney World trends and tips, you’re gonna wind up saving some money.

While we spend every day at Disney World every day, we often stay overnight, as well! Over the decades, we’ve gotten pretty familiar with ALL of the Disney World hotels over the years — their pros and cons, who they’re right for, and how to save at one. Understandably, we’ve picked up some great tips during our stays, and we’re giving you ways to save money during your vacation!

I’m not going to bury the lede. Staying at a Disney hotel is expensive — at least generally speaking. You should be ready to shell out a MINIMUM of a couple hundred dollars per night. Of course, what you pay will always depend on the length of your stay, but there are actually several ways you can save a few bucks and — sometimes — much, much more.

Stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel

What’s the best way to avoid overspending at a Disney hotel? Not staying at a Disney hotel! While Disney owns MANY hotels on property, they also partner with local hotels in the area — also known as Good Neighbor Hotels.

I can pretty much guarantee you that you’ll get better rates at these hotels, and many of them still give you park perks like Early Entry and transportation. Best of all, these hotels are usually part of a chain and rewards program — and if you’re a member, you could theoretically stay near Disney World FOR FREE if you cash in points and rewards.

Swan & Dolphin Hotels

Another great option is staying on property but in a non-Disney owned hotel!

One of the best hacks is to stay at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, which offers a prime location near the parks, some of the best dining options in all of Disney World, park perks, and a deluxe experience that a majority of the Disney-owned hotels either don’t have or charge way more for.

Never Stop Looking For Deals

Even after you’ve purchased a vacation package directly from Disney, your price doesn’t necessarily have to be locked in.

If you have an existing Disney World reservation, you can still add on new Disney-offered deals! Keep up-to-date on what’s being offered (that’s where following DFB helps), and you might end up paying less than you originally expected.

Check the special offers on the Disney World website regularly, and then follow the prompts to apply the offer to your reservation. You will likely need to log in to your My Disney Experience account to modify the reservation.

You can also CLICK HERE to view our list of current Disney deals!

We do have to warn you, however, that adding a deal could affect what you initially wanted to do with your reservation. Some deals apply to certain rooms or hotels, so if you have any questions or concerns, contact Disney World, and a Cast Member can assist you.

Consider Location

Before selecting a hotel, it’s important to do a little bit of homework and see which hotels are close to the theme parks you care about most. Disney World is the size of San Francisco, so location definitely matters.

You should also get familiar with the transportation offered at each resort. If you’re spending more time at the parks and less time getting there, you’re getting more bang for your buck.

Time is money, and you will get the most out of your vacation if you — ya know — are actually getting what you paid for.

Take Advantage of the Disney Visa

If you’re a Disney Visa Cardmember, you can get hotel deals, among other types of savings on things like food and merch. Cardmembers can use the Disney Rewards Redemption Card at select restaurants, retail, and hotel locations at Disney Resorts all over the country — not just Disney World!

Disney Visa Cardmembers can also get discounts on room rates — so if you’ve been thinking about signing up and want to go to Disney a lot, it’s not the worst idea in the world.

At Disney World, Cardmembers can save up to 30-35% on select rooms. At Disneyland, they can save 30% on select premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or the Disneyland Hotel during specific booking periods. Cardmembers can also save 35% off select rooms at the Aulani Resort & Spa.

Time It Out

While Disney World is almost always busy, there are times of the year when rates DO drop.

Typically, you may see lower prices in January, early February, and September. If school is in session or the weather is cold, you may get lucky. However, if you want to visit during the holidays or when families generally travel, get ready to shell out some cash. As always, keep up with travel trends months and years before you book for the best pulse on price fluctuations.

What are some ways you save money on your Disney World hotel stays? Share your tips in the comments below and continue to follow us here at DFB for more Disney World tips, hacks, reviews, and updates!

The Secret to Save $500+ On a Deluxe Disney World Hotel Room with a Fireworks View

What are your favorite cost-cutting Disney World hotel hacks? Let us know in the comments!