The ultimate guide to having a great Disney World vacation on a budget

• Insider has rounded up the top tips for planning and taking a Disney World vacation.
• Planning which season you want to go and what you want to do most is a good starting point.
• There are lots of ways to save money on your trip to Disney, including staying off-property.

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is a popular vacation destination, especially for families with kids. But without the proper planning and prep work, the trip can be expensive and stressful.

Fortunately, we've rounded up some of the best tips from former employees and seasoned fans alike to help you make the most of your trip.

Start by deciding what time of year you want to visit

Disney park tickets don't cost the same all year. If you're trying to visit around the holidays, spring break, or when a new attraction is opening, you'll likely have to shell out a little more.

That's why it's important to think a little bit in advance about when you want to take your Disney vacation. You can also decide if you want to try to attend events like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, or Epcot's Food and Wine Festival when they're running.

Read More:

• The best times to buy Disney tickets to save the most money
• 12 secrets behind Walt Disney World's magical holiday decorations
• How Disney parks have celebrated Halloween over the years
• Don't waste your money on a Disney World vacation this year, especially if you've never been before

Figure out which theme parks you're most interested in and what your top priorities are

Within Walt Disney World Resort, there are four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom - and two water parks - Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

Each park has plenty of activities to fill up a day of your trip, but you can also buy Park Hopper tickets that allow you to visit multiple parks in one day.

The parks are very different from each other, so make sure to do a little bit of research about the rides, shows, characters, and dining options before you buy your tickets and plan out your days.

Read More:

• 49 interesting things you didn't know about every single ride at Disney World
• 19 things you probably didn't know about Disney's Hollywood Studios
• 16 things you probably didn't know about the Disney water parks
• 15 things you probably didn't know about Epcot
• 16 of the most underrated things to do at Disney World

You won't be able to do everything, but there are ways to maximize your days

With nearly 50 rides alongside shows, parades, character meet and greets, dining experiences, and nighttime fireworks, you probably won't have enough time to do everything at Disney World. But there are a few ways that you can maximize your time.

For example, you can book FastPasses to help reduce the wait times for your favorite rides, and you can place mobile orders to expedite your mealtimes.

You can also consider making use of the more relaxing experiences outside of the parks that will help you recharge in between busy days.

Read More:

• 15 hacks for maximizing your time at Disney World
• Former Disney employees reveal 13 attractions that aren't worth waiting for, and what to do instead
• 20 relaxing things you can do on a Disney World vacation outside of the parks
• I have an annual pass to Disney World - here are my best tricks for tackling the park
• 24 underrated foods everyone should try at Disney World, according to someone who worked there

It's never going to be a cheap vacation, but there are ways to stick to your budget

Disney World isn't the cheapest place to visit. Once you add up park tickets, accommodations, food, and souvenirs, it's easy to lose track of your budget.

Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can cut down some of the more unnecessary costs, including packing your own food and water, staying off of Disney property, and visiting in the off-season.

Read More:

• The best times to buy Disney tickets to save the most money
• 13 easy ways to save money at Disney World
• A family of 4 will spend a whopping $6,033 on a typical Disney World trip. Here's the full breakdown.

Prepare yourself for the heat and crowds at the parks

Planning your Disney vacation is only half of the battle. Once you're in the parks, struggling with the crowds and the Florida heat, things can get stressful.

Former Disney employees told Insider that some of the top things they wish tourists knew before their trip are to pack plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated - which they can do by asking for free cups of water at dining locations.

Read More:

• Former Disney employees reveal 15 things you should never do in the parks
• Former Disney employees share 14 things they wish everyone knew
• 11 things you're doing wrong at Disney World that could be ruining your vacation