My family, like most others, books it's trip more than a year ahead of time. We begin stashing away $10 a week in Disney Dollars as soon as we make our vacation ressies. This in additon to whatever other money we budget or save. The Disney Dollars go in an envelope and remain there until trip time. Based on a 52 week calender year that gives you $520, enough to cover most of your meals budget and it's money you hardly even missed from your weekly budget!!