Planning a Disney World trip is an investment of your time AND your money. Between park tickets, your hotel, food, souvenirs, and more, a Walt Disney World vacation can get pretty pricey. But, it doesn’t have to break the bank! There are a lot of ways to save money on your Disney World trip.

Yes, you can still have a memorable vacation to the “most magical place on earth”…you just have to know how! With some expert tips, tricks, and secrets, you might find that a Disney vacation is actually a lot more reasonable than you think.

From insider secrets to getting Disney World tickets for less, how to eat in the parks for half the cost, and more, we’re bringing you the best ways to save money on your next Disney World trip!

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How to Save Money on Disney World Tickets

One of the biggest expenses you’ll face when planning a Disney World trip is the cost of tickets. In an age when Disney is almost always in the news for increasing ticket costs, you might think that saving money on park admission is out of the question…but it’s not! There are still several ways you can save money on tickets without sacrificing any of the magic.

Visit During The Off-Season

One of the most effective ways to save money on Disney World tickets is to visit during the off-season. With fewer people traveling to the parks, Disney wants to attract more guests, so ticket prices are at their lowest – no discount code needed!

Typically, the “slow” season falls during the months of January, February, August, and September. So, you’ll be able to get park tickets at their cheapest plus you won’t have to face heavy crowds around the holidays or school break periods. A win-win!

Invest in Multi-Day Passes

Disney World ticket prices vary by day and by park, so the actual cost of your park ticket will change a bit depending on when you’re visiting. But, Disney has a built-in way to save – the longer you stay, the less you pay per day!

Currently, you can save $20 per ticket when you purchase 3-day or longer tickets. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to buy your tickets online in advance to qualify for the savings.

Check For Ticket Discounts

Disney World offers several ticket discounts for certain groups, such as military personnel and Florida residents throughout the year. So, you may be able to save some extra cash on theme park tickets, water park tickets, or more.

You may also find special offers on tickets depending on when you’re traveling. For example, in the past Disney has offered a 4-Day, 4-Park ticket for $99 per day (which is a MAJOR savings). All of the current special offers and ticket deals are available on Disney’s website, so be sure to check before you buy!

Don’t Park Hop

Park hopping, or visiting multiple parks in one day, can be expensive. Disney World park hopping tickets start at $188 per day, which is $80 more than the base price of a one-park, one-day ticket.

To save money, plan to visit one park per day. This will also give you more time to explore each park and fully enjoy all the attractions.

Consider Purchasing an Annual Pass

If you plan on visiting Disney World more than once in a year (or for 10+ days in one year), it may be worth considering purchasing an annual pass. Disney World Annual Passes are priced at a flat rate, which means you can visit the park essentially for free if you visit frequently.

Plus, annual passholders receive discounts on hotels, merchandise, and dining so you can unlock even more savings on your overall trip.

How to Save Money on Walt Disney World Hotels

Park tickets aren’t the only expensive aspect of a Disney World vacation, your hotel can also increase your overall budget by a lot. Luckily, there are three easy ways to save on your next Disney World Resort hotel stay!

Check For Special Offers & Discounts

Before booking your hotel, be sure to check for any special offers or discounts available. Disney frequently offers promotions that can save you money on your hotel stay, such as discounted room rates or free dining plans. You can also check with third-party travel sites or travel agents to see if they have any exclusive offers or discounts available.

If you end up finding a discount for a Disney World hotel stay during your trip after you’ve already booked your stay, contact Disney to see if they can apply the offer to your reservation. If they can’t, consider canceling your current reservation and rebooking your stay with the new deal. Just note that the same resort and room type may no longer be available, so check online before doing so.

Visit During The Off-Season

In the same way that Disney park tickets are cheaper during the “slow” season, Disney Resort hotel rates are at their lowest too! Avoid visiting during peak travel times, such as the holiday and summer months, and you’ll find that the room rates are lower.

Consider Staying Off-Site

You don’t have to stay at a Disney World Resort hotel to have a great trip! In fact, staying at a nearby off-site hotel can actually be a great way to save money.

There are many hotels and vacation rentals located just outside of the Disney World property that offer lower rates than the on-site hotels. Plus, many of these off-site accommodations offer free shuttle service to the Disney World parks, making it easy to get around without a car.

How to Save Money on Food at Disney World

When visiting Disney World, another expense that can add up quickly is food. However, with a little bit of planning and some smart choices, you can save money on everything you eat during your visit too.

Check for Vacation Package Offers

From time to time, Disney will offer a vacation package that includes a free Dining Plan or promotional Disney Dining Card.

With the free dining plan offer, you’ll be given a certain allotment of “dining credits” for quick service meals, table service meals, snacks, and drinks every day of your trip which can save you the entire cost of food. Whereas, with Disney Dining Card promotions, you’ll receive a gift card with a certain amount that you qualify for based on the Disney Resort hotel you choose. You are free to use this on any food you like, but it usually won’t cover the entire cost of dining during your trip.

All in all, if you are planning to stay at a Disney World resort and eat most of your meals on property, it may be worth looking into these packages to see if they can save you money. Just be sure to compare the cost of the package to what you would normally spend on food to make sure it’s a good deal for you.

Be Wise About What & Where You Eat

One of the easiest ways to save money on food at Disney World is to be smart about what and where you eat. For example, opting to eat at quick service restaurants instead of table service restaurants during your trip will save you a lot of money. And, you may even want to consider sharing meals with your family since the portion sizes can be large. Or, purchase a kids’ meal from quick service restaurants as an easy way to save some money and still fuel up for your park day.

Another easy way to save on food in Disney World is to opt for snacks instead of full meals since many of the snacks in the parks are large and less costly. Or, bring your own snacks and drinks so you don’t have to spend any money on these staples.

Consider if the Disney Dining Plan Makes Sense For You

While the Disney Dining Plan makes budgeting for your food in Disney World easy, it doesn’t always save you money. Be sure to carefully consider your dining habits and preferences before signing up for the plan.

Here are some things to consider before adding a dining plan to your vacation package:

• The Disney Dining Plan can save you money if you plan to eat a lot of table service meals and order expensive menu items.
• The plan can be restrictive if you prefer to eat at quick service restaurants or snack stands.
• Be sure to compare the cost of the plan to what you would normally spend on food to make sure it’s a good deal for you. All of Disney’s menus and prices are available online.

Have Groceries Delivered to Your Hotel

If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can have groceries delivered directly to your hotel room. This can be a great way to save money on snacks, drinks, and even meals during your stay. Just be sure to check with your hotel to see if there are any restrictions on what you can have delivered.

More Money Saving Tips

Purchase Discounted Gift Cards Before Your Trip

Did you know that you can purchase Disney gift cards for less at Sam’s Club and Target? It’s true!

Plan your Disney World vacation budget in advance and then head to the store! Target Red Card members can save 5% off Disney gift cards and Sam’s Club offers some discounts for members as well.

You can then use these gift cards to pay for your park tickets, hotel room, and food at the park which can add up to significant savings over the course of your trip.

Buy Souvenirs Before Your Trip

It’s hard to resist buying souvenirs to commemorate your trip, but Disney merchandise can add up quick. Instead of waiting to get your Minnie Ears, Mickey plushes, and tees when you get to the parks, shop online before your trip!

Both Target and the Disney Store sell most of the merchandise you’ll find in the parks and you can usually find discounts on them when you shop online. Plus, places like Amazon and Hot Topic have exclusive Disney collections that cost less than the souvenirs in the park.

Pack the souvenirs away in your suitcase before you leave and present them to your kids when you arrive. They won’t know the difference, and you’ll save both time and money by not having to visit the gift shops in the parks.

FAQ

How can I save money on parking at Disney World?

Parking at Disney World can be expensive, but there are a few ways to save money. If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, theme park parking is free for all guests. You can also save money by parking at Disney Springs and taking free Disney bus transportation to the parks.

What are some tips for budgeting for a Disney World vacation?

Budgeting for a Disney World vacation can be challenging, but not impossible! Start by setting a realistic budget for your trip and sticking to it. All of Disney’s ticket and hotel pricing is easily accessible online, and you can budget for food and souvenirs with careful planning. It may involve some extra planning, but you can go into your Disney trip knowing exactly how much it will cost you – no surprises!

When is the cheapest time to visit Disney World?

The cheapest time to visit Disney World is typically during the off-season, which is usually in January, February, August, and September. During these months, you can find lower prices on flights, hotels, and tickets. Additionally, the parks are less crowded during these “slow” seasons, which means you can enjoy shorter lines and more attractions.

We suggest that you avoid traveling in March, April, October, November, and December, as these are when prices are at their peak.

What are some things to buy before going to Disney World to save money?

There are a few things you can buy before going to Disney World to save money. First, consider purchasing Disney gift cards at a discount to use for food, souvenirs, and tickets.

You can also purchase rain ponchos, sunscreen, and other essentials before your trip to avoid buying them at the parks (as they’re heavily marked up in Disney World). And, you may also want to purchase autograph books, glow sticks, and other souvenirs before your trip to avoid buying them at the parks.

Comments

Do you have any other tips or tricks to save money on Disney World? Have you taken advantage of any of these money-saving tips before? Leave us a comment below to share how you visit Disney for cheap.