This review for 102 Ways to Save Money for and at Walt Disney World by Lou Mongello is part of a Magical Blogorail sponsored campaign. Copies of the book were received free of charge for a review. Opinions are those of the reviewer and do not represent those of the author. Your opinion may vary.
Lou Mongello is a pretty big deal, at least when it comes to Disney. To many Disney fans, his name elicits the same excitement as Mickey Mouse.
He’s the host and producer of WDW Radio, has written two volumes of Walt Disney World trivia. His newest book, 102 Ways to Save Money for and at Walt Disney World details a comprehensive list of ways to make a Walt Disney World vacation more affordable for you and your family!
About the Book:
“By purchasing and reading this book, you will learn how to maximize your vacation dollar without sacrificing the quality of vacation experience that Walt Disney World has to offer.” – Lou Mongello
It’s a bold statement, and Lou Mongello meticulously backs it up by covering ways to save money for a Walt Disney World vacation through every stage. From planning and booking, to traveling and touring the theme parks, the savings for individual tips range from as small as saving a couple of bucks, to as much as saving $1,000 or more! As a bonus, it includes a section on “40 free things to Enjoy, Eat, Do, and Collect”.
What We Think:
There’s a lot to know when planning a Disney vacation, and this book touches on just about everything. It’s an excellent resource for first-timers or people who haven’t been to Walt Disney World in a while. The book is well organized and easy to understand, and appeals to a wide range of guests.
While it would be impossible to utilize all 102 tips (some require membership to select groups, while others are at opposition to one another), we feel that many novice Disney-goers will find this book to be an invaluable resource in not just saving for, but also in planning their Walt Disney World vacation.
As seasoned Walt Disney World vacationers, we were still able to glean some useful information, especially in the bonus section on freebies. We’re always looking for ways to spice up our Disney vacations, and we found plenty of new ideas that we’re excited to try on our upcoming trips.
As Lou points out in the introduction, Walt Disney World is constantly evolving, and we found a couple of sections, such as one on Disney’s PhotoPass service, to already be out-of-date. (PhotoPass+ is no longer sold as an option and has been replaced with the new “Memory Maker” package as part of MyMagic+) These are few and far between, but it’s still best to double check on any of the offers before you make plans based on their availability.
Our Favorite Tips:
# 79 Make Lunch Your Big Meal of the Day
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| Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant is an Experience |
We’re big fans of getting out to the parks early, which often means grabbing breakfast on the go. By the time the crowds, heat, and humidity are peaking in the afternoon, we’re ready for a break and a good lunch. Then later, we can have a light dinner or perhaps just enjoy some snacks!
#88 Establish a Souvenir Budget
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| At $13.95, Ear Hats for the family can really add up |
Souvenirs are often a budget-buster. We loved that Lou included a helpful graphic of the prices of the most popular Disney souvenirs to give you an idea of how much you should budget for them.
#92 Bring (or Make!) Your Own Autograph Books
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| Make a Personalized Autograph Book for Each Child! |
We love this tip because not only can it save you money, but it can make for a unique keepsake of your trip! Making your own autograph book is extremely easy and there is no limit to how creative you can get with them!
102 Ways to Save Money for and at Walt Disney World is bursting with ways to make the “Most Magical Place on Earth” more affordable! Lou Mongello leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to save you money on your next trip!
This review of 102 Ways to Save Money for and at Walt Disney World by Lou Mongello is part of a Magical Blogorail sponsored campaign.
Disney expert and podcasting pioneer, Lou Mongello, shares 102 ways you can have the most magical Disney vacation without breaking the bank in this comprehensive, detailed, 197-page guide. 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World guide is a MUST HAVE for any family planning toward a Disney vacation.
Purchase the Book Here
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Beth Green
Saturday 5th of July 2014
This is great. I love your photos! I think this is a great book for all WDW guests too- first timers and veterans.
Jodi Whisenhunt
Sunday 29th of June 2014
Great review! I definitely agree that setting the souvenir budget--and sticking to it--is very important (but hard to do, lol)! I'm a seasoned WDW visitor & I still found lots of great info in 102 Ways!
Lindsey Leffel
Saturday 28th of June 2014
I totally agree that there are tips for even the most seasoned Walt Disney World traveller! I know I found several! We have been doing the gift card for souvies thing for years, and it really is a huge help, but a chart that shows some of the prices makes it way easier to plan from home and know how much we need to allot for!
Dr. Disnology
Saturday 28th of June 2014
Yeah, I should use the tip about having a souvenir budget, but... I DON'T WANT TOO! I'm just too into collectibles! But the rest of the book I can use. Nice review, James.
Melissa Knight
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
Love your review. That lunch tip is a great one. We do that too so we can regroup and rest! And I love your autograph books too. I may have to make some for my upcoming trip with my nieces. I hope you guys have a great time!