We like to say that you can’t put a price on magical family experiences, but annual or semi-annual trips to Disney can be a bit, well, pricey.

Yes, family vacations to Disney are absolutely worth every penny!

…but it wouldn’t hurt to save a few dollars, maybe have a little extra to spend on world-class cuisine at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival or on out-of-this-world souvenirs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Many families have managed to do just that —  without cutting back on vacations or giving up their favorite Disney resort accommodations. In fact, they saved a lot more than a few dollars: they saved hundreds! And they found a more convenient way to budget for their trips.

Here’s how you can save big on Disney accommodations too.

Step 1: Find Your “Ballpark” Vacation Budget Estimate

 If your family is like mine, you just can’t wait to stay in the Boulder Ridge Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. A studio with 2 beds works just fine for the 4 of us, and we prefer to visit Disney in the Spring, shortly after the holiday rush and just before the Central Florida humidity rises to full force. May is perfect.

Not quite so ideal is the price tag: $3,795 with tax! That’s a sizable check to write each year.

Fortunately, we’ve learned that we can avoid such a large annual expenditure by paying just $254.37 per month instead. Doing the math, you’ll find that, multiplied by 12 months, those payments add up to only $3,052.44 per year — $743.31 less than the posted price of $3,795.75 (nearly 20% off)!

It’s made possible by joining Disney Vacation Club through the resale market and financing membership costs with Vacation Club Loans.

If you know how much you’re spending each year on Disney vacation accommodations, you’re ahead of the game. You can move right along to Step 2.

On the other hand, if you’re not sure how much you’re currently spending on accommodations, or if there’s been a recent change to your family’s needs, start by thinking about the appropriate number of beds for your family. You probably won’t need to think too hard about this one. Studio and one-bedroom accommodations are the most popular, but it all depends on the size of your family and how you feel most comfortable.

Next, think about which Disney resorts your family is likely to spend the most time at. If you’re familiar with the Disney Vacation Club program or you’re already a DVC Member, you might recognize this as the critical Home Resort consideration — but hold on! There’s no need to decide on a Home Resort quite yet, not if you’re going to do this right and save a lot of money.

For now, it might be easier for your family to narrow the choices down to your top 3 Disney resorts and do a quick web search to find out how much DVC membership will cost at each of these resorts. That information is all you’ll need for a ballpark budget.

 Step 2: See Your Monthly Payment Estimate and Get Pre-Approved

 With your budget estimate in hand, you can use this free rate calculator to see your vacation financing rate options or call 1-800-334-2334 for a more personalized service experience. Vacation Club Loans will give you at least 5 low monthly payment options that you can adjust based on rate and term length to meet your family budget.

Once you’ve selected the payment plan that’s right for you, it’s time to get approved!

This part is a bit counterintuitive to some buyers, but there are a number of reasons for securing your financing before making your DVC purchase:

• Demonstrate to the seller that you are a serious buyer and have the funds prepared for a quick and seamless sale. This is often an important factor when buying DVC points on the resale market.
• Establish a definitive budget that is reasonable, predictable, and enables you to purchase a more substantial DVC membership package than you might be comfortable paying for entirely upfront.
• Loan Officers at Vacation Club Loans have been working with the Disney Vacation Club resale market for years. They have the knowledge and experience to provide the financing your family desires and help you navigate the complexities of the resale market by working with brokers and title companies.

It only takes a few minutes to apply for DVC financing. Use Vacation Club Loans’ secure online portal to submit your application today before continuing to Step 3.

 Step 3: Shop for a Great Deal

 Knowing that you’re pre-approved empowers you to shop for DVC points with confidence, and it also assures the seller that the purchase funds will be handled securely!

To find that magical Disney Vacation Club package for your family, you can browse DVC resale broker websites online, or call 1-800-334-2334 to speak with one of Vacation Club Loans’ DVC consultants about broker recommendations. Our DVC experts know the resale market and can often assist you with finding the perfect point package for your family and budget!

• contributed by Paul Rotter