GREENVILLE, S.C. -- If the weak economy has made you reluctant to fork out money for a Disney World vacation, we can help.

News 4 has discovered a way to "do Disney" on a budget.

Beth Haworth, a travel writer and former Disney cast member, is the author of The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide eBook. The eBook is for sale on Haworth's website, DW Secrets, and it contains strategies for saving big bucks.

"I actually used to work for Disney, and I watched all kinds of families at Disney spend all kinds of money, so I kept my eyes and ears open, and learned all the different tips and tricks to make a Disney World vacation affordable," Haworth told News 4's Tim Waller.

Her money-saving secrets begin the moment you arrive in Orlando, and need to get from the airport to your hotel. Haworth said if you're staying on Disney property, the Magical Express Shuttle Service will take you there for free.

The alternative is spending $112 with private shuttle service for round-trip tickets for a family of four.

Haworth also offers tips on saving money on Disney park tickets.

"Instead of actually waiting to buy your tickets at the park and pay gate prices, you can purchase them in advance from what's called a Disney Authorized Tickets Discounter, where they take their three-day and higher tickets and sell them at a reduced cost," Haworth said.

In her savings guide, Haworth has negotiated with two online ticket discounters, who give readers an additional discount over already-reduced prices.

The Disney Dining Plan is another great money-saving, said Haworth. Like the shuttle service, the dining plan is available only to Disney resort guests.

"For a set price, you get one table service meal, one counter service meal and one snack for each night of your stay," Haworth said. "Usually your sit down table service meal covers your entire dining plan for the day. It's like being able to eat your counter service meal and your snack for free."

The dining plan can be booked 180 days in advance. The cost is $38.99 per night per adult, and $9.99 per night per child.

Haworth said large families or groups headed to Disney World can save money by staying off property. Because Disney resort rooms only accommodate up to four people, larger families would be forced to book two or more rooms.

"In the Orlando area, there's private vacation homes, and many of these homes, some of them are up to six bedrooms and sleep up to fourteen people," she said. "You have your own private pool. The kids will love it. And you'll usually have your own kitchen to keep your food costs down."

If you have ever bought souvenirs at Disney, you know the prices can be less than magical. So Haworth recommends that you shop before you get there.

"Right by Disney, there's actually several discount Disney outlets in the Orlando area. It's a great place to go and shop and pick up a souvenir for 10% to 75% off what you'd pay at the theme park," Haworth said.

In Haworth's eBook, she also offers tips on how to move through lines more quickly. She said when given the choice, choose the left line instead of the right. The left line tends to move quicker, Haworth said.

And for Disney rides, Haworth said you can save time by using the Disney FastPass.

"Insert your ticket into a little machine and it spits out a card, and on that card it tells you what time to return to your attraction. When you come back during that time, and you enter into a separate line, and actually skip the entire regular que line and basically go right to the front," Haworth said.

News 4 tested the Disney FastPass, and found that it can shave 45-60 minutes off your wait for Disney rides.

One of Haworth's favorite values is the Disney PhotoPass CD. For $125, professional photographers will take your family's pictures and load them onto one CD.

"A lot of people shy away from getting their picture taken thinking it's going to cost them a fortune to have one picture printed. But at Disney, the best thing to do is have as many pictures taken as you can by these professional photographers," Haworth said.

Haworth said with these tips and others (contained in her eBook), a family can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on their dream trip to Disney.

"Disney has a feeling about it," she said. "It really is the happiest place on earth."

Links:

Haworth's website, DW Secrets:
www.dw-secrets.com

Silly photos of reporter Tim Waller and photographer John Hendon at Disney World:
www.flickr.com/photos