Yup! You read that correctly, there are actually ways to SAVE money at Disney World!
Disney gets a bad rep for its pricing, and although I can't say it isn't warranted, I also know there are a LOT of different ways to save money at the parks!
TIP NUMBER 1:
BYOS- BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS!
I know, I know, this is pure blasphemy coming from a Churro Lovin', Dole Whip eatin' Maniac.
But I'm talking mostly for Kids here HAHA Seriously, does your toddler NEED a $6 churro every day? Nope!
Does Momma? HE** YES! LOL I give my daughter a few bites of mine and call it good for her.
Some of our favorite things to bring for my daughter are the fruit pouches from Costco, Goldfish, Veggie Straws, fruit snacks, Annie's Bunnies Snacks, etc. A lot we will bring from home and put in our check bag.
We also would pack lunches for her! It is not my intention to spend $10 or more on a kids meal for every meal when I never have any clue if my kid is actually going to eat what she says she "wants".
And now you are probably asking yourself, okay but what if I don't want to pack en entire loaf of bread and jars of peanut butter & Jelly in my checked bag?! LOL
I don't either! So we use Amazon Prime Groceries! YES! You can have your grocery order delivered to your Walt Disney World Resort and they will keep them up front until you return to get them! It is truly wonderful. So we get bananas, apples, bread, breakfast snacks, water bottles and more! Enough to feed ravenous toddlers and kids without spending our life savings on snacks and food in the park!
*** YES, we still order my daughter a few fun meals here and there. Don't worry she isn't completely deprived of Disney Treats and she loves every minute of her snacking life in Disney! See Below:
If you don't have Amazon Prime, you can use Instacart and a whole bunch of other grocery delivery services!
Tip Number 2... MERCHANDISE...
This one is tough, outside almost EVERY SINGLE RIDE you exit into the cutest little gift shops specifically meant to catch the eye of your child and your inner child. My husband has an extreme talent of finding the exit as soon as possible, I think he can feel the bank account emptying the minute he sets foot in a Disney Store with me Ha Ha!
But, give yourself a specific allotment, and stick to it for your kids AND for yourself. (It takes training, but it is possible)
Once I have a trip booked I start looking for the sales and deals on ShopDisney.com at my local target, kohls, walmart, etc. often times you can find the cutest toys for your kids (PS. amazon.com also has some really amazing Disney Merch that you can Prime ship to your hotel and once again save precious baggage space!) Sneak them in your bag and have a Disney Fairy (Tinker Belle) set it out before you leave your hotel room. The kids will come back from a long day at Disney to a surprise in their room! Saves you money and your kids will be excited to come back to the room instead of screaming and crying like mine!
Now you're looking at me like I'm crazy because i said to do this every night. I'm not talking a $50 dollar toy a night. I mean a Disney coloring book and crayons (which they can also take with them to the park and play with while you wait for shows, food, rest etc.) small stuffed animals, bubbles (for the inevitable bubble wand you are going to give in and buy... you will. Pictured above is the most obnoxious bubble wand possible... it sings... it lights up... it foams... Save yourself and DON'T buy this one HAHA)
Then on the very last day take your kids to Disney Springs and go to the BIGGEST Disney Store EVER! Let them see everything there is to see and let them spend their/your budgeted money however they choose!
Tip Number 3: GIFT CARDS!
Let's talk Credit Card Reward Points... Most rewards have the option to cash in your points for Disney or even Visa Gift Cards- this is such a great way to use those points!
But if you don't have credit card reward points but still want help saving money. Buy Disney Gift cards! In the months before travel you can buy Disney Gift cards to help you save the money and not spend it on other things. Once you get to the parks, hand out gift cards as snack money, merchandise money etc.
BIG TIP: IF you are an avid Target Shopper and have the Target RedCard you can save 5% on Disney Giftcards purchased at Target! WOOT WOOT
Tip Number 4: Choose your travel dates carefully!
Disney Ticket prices vary depending on the low or high travel times. Sadly there seems to be less and less of an "off season" with Disney, however checking the calendar pricing before you go will always save you!
Tip Number 5: Buy Base Tickets-
In Disneyland I always recommend a park hopper because it is so easy and close and connected. This is NOT the case in WDW. Leaving a park, hopping on the bus, monorail, Skyliner, boat etc. going through security and bag check again can sometimes take up to a full hour if not more! back in the day Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom used to be considered "Half Park Days" But not any more! With the addition of Pandora in Animal Kingdom and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land, All four WDW parks can easily take a full day if not more! So, unless you're DYING to start in EPCOT, and Finish in Hollywood Studios, you can save a TON of Money by sticking with a Base Ticket.
Tip Number 6: Stay on Property
Now although a TON of off site hotels have shuttles, often these shuttles cost money. OR if you stay even further away from resort property not only will you need a rental car, but you'll also have to for parking DAILY. Last I checked it was $20 a day. OR there is always the Option to Uber.
When you stay on Disney Property or at a Good Neighbor hotel you save money AND the hassle of driving to the parks, riding the tram to the front of the park, only to come out after a long day... realize you forgot where the heck you parked and spend the night wandering the parking lot trying to set off your car alarm. (been there, done that. Not fun haha)
Tip Number 7: Plan for Accidents
Most likely, you will get blisters, headaches, sunburns, etc. DON'T Pay resort prices for sunscreen, moleskin, baby powder, and Tylenol. Pack a small first aid bag and bring it with you. My Mother in Law saved the day by having bandaids when my daughter got blisters on her feet.
Tip Number 8: Take your kids While they are FREE, or at least within the Child Rate!
Kids 2 and younger are FREE! And they can ride sooo many rides! (more on that in another blog post later) Children age 3-9 will still get the special LOWER PRICED child rate as well.
Tip Number 9: Stay More Days
Now you're thinking WHAT?! Aubry, I want to SAVE money not spend more! BUT the more days you visit the parks the cheaper your tickets per day become. Staying an extra day at the Disney parks is cheaper than trying to squeeze in one day at Universal Studios FL!
Tip Number 10: Use a Travel Agent
Okay, Okay you knew I was going to throw this one in right? BUT FOR REALS!
As a Travel Agent it is my JOB to make sure that you not only get the best price possible, but also continue to as Disney adds promotions! Did you know that if a promotion pops up that includes your travel days you then have it applied to your trip?! No? Well now you do! but do you really want to be the one constantly looking out for that, and the spend long wait times on hold trying to get it applied? No? Didn't think so!
When you use a travel agent, you save time, money, and your sanity! Haha
Oh BOY! And Travel Agents are FREE! Your vacation price won't ever go up by having me help you book your stay!
I hope these 10 tips help you out in saving and planning for your next trip! Message me if you're interested in a FREE Quote!
XOXO Aubry
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