For many people, a Disney World vacation ranks high on the travel bucket list. But Orlando’s ultimate amusement park can also be expensive, especially if you’re traveling with the whole family. While some costs are unavoidable, there are ways to save money at Disney World.
It can be challenging to get discounts on park tickets themselves, but there are a few tricks you can use to cut costs overall. Read on for the full rundown on how to save money at Disney World.
Key Points
• Travel during off-peak times to save on Disney World vacation costs.
• Choose affordable off-site hotels or Airbnbs for lodging.
• Utilize credit card rewards to offset travel expenses.
• Take advantage of a free Disney Dining Plan if available.
• Bring your own food or shop outside the park for low-cost souvenirs.
Tips for Saving Money at Disney World
For many kids and adults, a trip to Disney World is a dream vacation. Many parents look forward to the day they can take their kids to Disney just to see the looks on their faces when they walk into the Magic Kingdom.
Here are a few ways that you can save money at Disney World.
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Take Advantage of a Free Disney Dining Plan
One of your biggest expenses at Disney World is meals. Food can be expensive in the park, since the company knows that you’re a captive audience.
You can bring your own food to Disney World, which can help you spend less on meals and snacks inside the park. However, this isn’t always easy or convenient. Occasionally, Disney runs sales where a Disney Dining Plan is included in the cost of your stay. While it may not make sense for every situation, it’s worth checking out in order to save money on food.
Travel Off-Season
The cost of Disney World park tickets is the same no matter when you go, but flights and hotel rates vary throughout the year. You may find cheaper deals if you travel in January (after New Year’s Day), the first half of May, from mid-August to just before Thanksgiving, and after Thanksgiving week until mid-December. Disney offers a “Crowd Calendar” that can help you find up-to-date information on the best times to visit their theme parks.
Another option is using credit card rewards to pay for flights and hotels. Some rewards credit cards offer a signup bonus that can help you save a significant sum on your Disney World trip.
Stay off-Site
Hotels near Disney can cost significantly less than Disney-owned properties, and some offer free shuttles. In addition, you might find more room options, such as rooms with kitchenettes or large suites that can accommodate a large family, along with “extras” like free breakfasts. For even more savings, look into Airbnbs or budget chains in nearby Kissimmee or Lake Buena Vista. Just be sure to factor in the cost of transportation to the parks when calculating how much you will save.
Stick to Your Budget
It’s a smart idea to set a budget in advance for your Disney World vacation and to create a separate travel fund. Not only can this help you save the money to afford your trip, it can also keep you from splurging too much while you’re there.
Saving money on a trip to Disney World doesn’t have to mean cutting down on the fun. Just make sure you budget appropriately and identify what is and is not important to you. This will help you stick to your budget and avoid running up a credit card balance that you can’t pay off in full when you get back (interest charges can add significantly to the cost of your Disney trip).
Recommended: Travel Tips and Hacks: Planning, Budgeting, and Booking
Choose Low-Cost Souvenirs
Like in-park food, souvenirs are another area where you’ll pay for convenience. If you have extra days in Orlando, consider shopping off-property for Disney souvenirs — like at the official Disney’s Character Warehouse store. If you’re traveling with kids, consider giving them an upfront “souvenir budget” and letting them choose how they want to spend it.
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Buy Discounted Disney World Park Tickets
Because Disney World park tickets are usually in such high demand, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to buy them at a discount. One way to snag Disney World savings in this area is to buy discounted Disney gift cards from participating retailers (like Warehouse clubs) before you visit. You may also be able to buy Disney gift cards at Target and use your RedCard debit card to get 5% off.
The Takeaway
A Disney World vacation can be costly, especially if you’re traveling with a family. This makes it important to learn all the tips you can to save money at Disney World.
Traveling off-season, staying off-site, cashing in on credit card rewards, and getting discounted Disney gift cards can all help cut costs. It’s also a good idea to set a Disney vacation budget well in advance of your trip, then start saving up for you trip in a dedicated savings account. Choosing a bank that pays a competitive rate, and setting up a monthly automated transfer into the account, can help you reach your goal — and get packing – sooner.
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FAQ
How can I spend less at Disney World?
There’s no denying that Disney World is an expensive place, but you have a couple of options if you’re trying to spend less at Disney World. One is to use your credit card points to help offset the cost. The other is to set a budget for the necessary costs that are important to you. Having a budget can help prepare you mentally to spend less.
How can I get airline miles to cover my flights to Disney World?
Airline credit cards are great for earning airline miles to help pay for flights. Look at the cost of airline tickets to Orlando from where you live, and see how many airline miles it would take to fly there. Then, look at signing up for an airline credit card to help get you the miles that you need.
When is the best time of the year to visit Disney World?
The best time to visit Disney World will depend on your schedule, priorities, and budget. Typically, Disney World will be more crowded (and hotels more expensive) during peak travel periods like summer, spring break, and holidays. Conversely, you may experience smaller crowds and lower prices if you travel in the off-season.
How can I save on souvenirs at Disney World?
To save on Disney World souvenirs, consider buying ahead of time online (and letting your kids open them throughout the trip), shopping at stores outside the parks, and using discounted Disney gift cards (available at some warehouse clubs). You might also give your kids a souvenir budget and let them choose how to spend it.
Photo credit: iStock/miniseries
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