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Walt Disney World is credited as being the most visited and biggest recreational resort in the entire world. The Magic Kingdom alone claims the number one spot on the world list of theme parks, clocking in at 17 million visitors in 2007. Droves of tourists flock to this magical wonderland year after year, contributing to the billions of dollars Disney spends on keeping up and expanding their appearances to give guests a truly spectacular and memorable experience. As with every other vacation, there are a few tricks and tips to saving a bit of cash the next time you visit the Land of the Mouse.

The first thing you want to do is pack appropriately. Bring along everything you need from home where it won't cost you $20 for a bottle of sunscreen. This includes cameras, extra batteries, sunscreen, rain ponchos (beware the afternoon Floridian weather!), toiletries and anything you might need for babies and toddlers such as diapers. Bring your own snacks for kids from home to avoid high-priced snacks in the parks. You can't bring a picnic lunch into the parks but if you've got kids they'll let you in with a couple of snack bags filled with fishy crackers and pretzels. Renting a park stroller is convenient, however costly. If saving money is your goal - bring your own stroller.

Park tickets and lodging are the biggest hit to your wallet. The first thing you want to do here is choose the time of your trip wisely. Disney has three seasons - off-peak, regular and peak. Off-peak season is when the lodging prices are the lowest of the year, the crowds are the lightest and the park hours are the shortest. Just after New Years until President's Day, the week after Labor Day until just short of Thanksgiving week and the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas are considered off-peak season, and obviously the best times to visit if you want to save money. If you are visiting during off-peak season you can stay at one of the Value resorts for only $80 a night.

Your best option is to stay on Disney property and purchase one of Disney's packages that includes the lodging and the tickets. If you think you can do better by staying off Disney property you'll have to consider the cost of parking every day at the parks and gas. Time may be free, but you'll be spending a bit of it your vehicle. A lot of off-property hotels offer bus service but they run sporadically and many run their last bus the moment the park is closed, not leaving you enough time to make your way to the Ticket and

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