I found this post on smarterliving.com and linked over. I have used my Hilton points for park hopper passes to Disney several times. Perhaps the $/points ratio isn't the highest, but since we visit WDW (Walt Disney World) frequently, it is the very best use of our points. FYI, the pass you receive is called a 4-day Park Hopper Plus Pass. That means you can hop from park to park on the same day and it only uses up that one day on the ticket. Plus, you get a 1 time 'plus' benefit which you can use for a day at the waterparks or a night at Pleasure Island. This is an extra and if you take a day for the waterparks you actually get 5 days of usage out of your ticket. There is also a little known fact where you can trade up on your ticket. What do I mean by that? On arrival at WDW you can take your ticket to Guest Services at the entrance and trade your 4-day pass for a 5, 6, or 7-day pass for the difference in price of the value of the 4-day ticket. You can also trade it in for an Annual Pass for the price difference. An annual pass pays for itself with 8 visits, so if you're thinking of an extended trip it is worth the extra money. Also, if you were planning on coming back again the following year, if you would come back a week or two sooner than the first trip, you could still use your AP and it's like a free trip inside the parks. An AP also has free 'park' parking, so you save $7 a day in fees if you drive yourself or use a rental car. I agree with the poster who said to research your Disney trip before you go. There is so much to learn and know to save money and make the most of your time. Two great places to start are www.mousesavers.com and www.wdwig.com. You will find discounts and codes on each, information about making PS's (Priority Seating reservations) for popular restaurants and tips for just about everything you can think of in and around the parks, from the best hotels to coupons for restaurants. On the second site are specific menu listings for all the WDW restaurants, so you know which ones you want to try and how much you'll spend.

I have also used my HHonors points for free car rentals when at Disney. Orlando is one of the few places where hotels don't offer shuttels to and from the airport. There are pay-shuttels, buses and limo service, but we always rent a car. Even if you don't use it but for to-and-fro of the airports, it can equal or save you on the amount of a shuttle or limo.

Hope this helped some, and check out those sites. You will be surprised at the 'dedication' of many WDW travelers.

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