step by step guide to help you plan your next Walt Disney World vacation
A trip to Walt Disney World is a dream for many, but the cost can often feel like a fantasy. I believe every trip teaches us something new, and a Disney vacation is packed with opportunities for shared experiences and unforgettable memories. What if I told you that you could make this dream a reality without draining your savings? It all starts with the magic of points and miles.
The full travel experience begins the moment you start planning. Learning how to leverage credit card rewards and loyalty programs can transform your trip from a distant wish into a booked reality. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to plan and book your dream Walt Disney World vacation almost entirely on points and miles. From finding the best time to visit to booking flights and hotels, you’ll learn how to make it happen.
Step 1: Researching the Best Time to Visit WDW
Timing is everything when it comes to a Walt Disney World vacation. Visiting during peak season not only means larger crowds and longer lines but also higher prices for hotels and flights. The goal is to find that sweet spot where the weather is pleasant, the crowds are manageable, and your points go further.
Finding Low-Crowd Seasons
Generally, the best times to visit for lower crowds are:
- Late August through September: This is when most kids have gone back to school. Be aware that this is also peak hurricane season, so travel insurance is a wise investment.
- January and early February: After the holiday rush and before spring break crowds arrive, you can find some of the quietest weeks of the year.
- The first two weeks of December: You get to enjoy all the festive holiday decorations with fewer people than you’ll find closer to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Conversely, try to avoid major holidays, summer vacation (June and July), and spring break periods (mid-March through mid-April). These times see the highest attendance and prices. A little research into crowd calendars can make a world of difference in your experience.
Pro Tip: My favorite resource for predicting theme park crowds is undercovertourist.com. It’s been quite accurate during my trips!
Step 2: Book Flights with Points and Miles
Finding Award Availability
- Seats.aero – fast searches across multiple programs to spot rare award space.
- Points.me – helps compare across programs and see the “real” transfer options from cards like Chase, Amex, or Capital One.
- Set alerts so you don’t have to constantly check.
Economy Options (Family-Friendly Value)
- Southwest: Transfers 1:1 from Chase Ultimate Rewards. Easy changes. Orlando (MCO) is one of their hubs.
- JetBlue: Great for families, with free Wi-Fi and extra legroom available. Can book with TrueBlue points or via Amex/Chase transfers.
- Delta/United/American: Look for saver award space (as low as 7,500–10,000 miles one-way from some hubs).
Pro Tip: Use google flights to see what your airline options are. Sometimes the cash price is an indicator of the amount of miles you’ll need for redemption.
First Class & Premium Options
- Delta One/First Class: Often pricey in miles, but flash sales do happen—set alerts.
- American Airlines: Occasionally 25k–30k miles one-way in First from the East Coast to MCO.
- One of my go-to methods is using British Airways Avios to book American Airlines domestic first-class seats. Since British Airways uses a distance-based chart, shorter flights can be a great deal.
- Alaska Airlines: Great partner bookings if you’re flying from the West Coast via connections.
- United Airlines: You can often find saver redemptions or flash sales.
- You can often use Turkish Miles or Aeroplan Miles to book the same United Airlines flight at a fraction of the miles.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to check nearby airports. Sometimes flying into Tampa (TPA) or even Jacksonville (JAX) with a rental car can save you 30–40% in points.
Step 3: Book Hotels with Points or Rentals
Disney Hotels (on Property)
Here are a couple of workarounds to stay on property with points or at a discount.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards → Disney via Travel Portal: Not the best redemption, but an option if you want the ease.
- Third-Party Rentals of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Points:
- RedWeek or DVC Rental Store let you rent points from owners at 30–50% less than booking direct.
- Example: A Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Polynesian might run $750/night through Disney, but under $400/night renting points.
- Staying at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve
- These are technically Marriott Bonvoy properties, which means you can use your Marriott points to book them! They offer many of the same perks as official Disney Deluxe resorts, including early theme park entry and extended evening hours.
Nearby Chain Hotels (book with points)
- Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Category 4, ~15,000 points): Free shuttle to Disney, huge pools, and Globalist breakfast perk.
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace (part of Disney Springs Hotels): Bookable with Hilton Honors points, often ~50,000 per night, walkable to Disney Springs with free shuttles.
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando (Official Disney status): Free shuttle to parks, Early Entry, walking distance to Disney Springs, suite-style rooms.
Pro Tip: Staying at an Official Disney Resort unlocks more than just Early Park Entry—you’ll also get perks like Extended Evening Hours, free Disney transportation, and a full dose of Disney magic. If you’re looking to stretch your budget, consider an Official Disney Partner Hotel, which still gets you Early Park Entry but at a lower price point.
Step 4: Lock in Park Tickets Strategically
- While park tickets aren’t bookable with traditional points, you can use Chase Pay Yourself Back, Capital One Purchase Eraser, or book through travel portals at ~1.25–1.5¢ per point.
- Warehouse clubs (Sam’s/Costco) and Undercover Tourist sometimes sell discounted tickets. Stack with credit card points for more savings.
- Disney Gift Cards can be purchased at a slight discount. Although not a major saving, if you’re purchasing tickets for a family of 4 this can really add up.
Putting It All Together
With some planning, you can fly your family to Orlando using points, stay at a Disney Deluxe resort for half the retail price, and enjoy free breakfast and shuttles—all without draining your bank account.
That’s the magic of points and miles.