15 Tips to Plan a Disney Vacation on a Budget

There are two issues I like doing: going to Disney World (the place else can you have got such a magical expertise?) and saving cash. And consider it or not, there are some nice methods to avoid wasting critical money when planning a Disney journey.

For a household of 4, the typical value of a Disney World journey is wherever from $4,500 to $10,000 or extra.¹ However you can do it for much less. There are many methods to avoid wasting in your Disney dream trip—as much as 1000’s of {dollars}.

Planning a Disney trip on a budget isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, but it surely can be executed. I do know as a result of I’ve executed it. Now, who’s prepared to start out planning a Disney journey?

Tips on how to Plan a Disney Trip

The easiest way to plan something is with a lot of analysis, proper? The identical is true for a Disney trip. Fortunately, there are 1,000,000 completely different sources on the market specializing in learn how to do Disney World “the proper manner.”

However in the case of holidays, the one proper strategy to do it’s to ensure your funds are so as. Nobody needs to enter debt for trip—not even for Disney World.

So, the very first thing it’s good to do when planning a Disney journey (or every other cheap vacation) is make a finances. EveryDollar is my favourite budgeting app. Not solely is it free, but it surely helps take the guesswork out of making a finances—particularly once you’re questioning how a lot does it value to go to Disney World?

Your finances will assist you save, present you the place you need to cut spending, and really provide the freedom to spend. And with a visit to Disney, you’ll actually wish to spend.

15 Methods to Do Disney on a Finances

So, you wish to do Disney on a finances. However how a lot does it value to go to Disney World within the first place?

In the event you’re in a great place financially (and it’s the proper time for your loved ones to go), these 15 ideas for Disney World will assist you stay on budget and kick your expertise up a notch (at no further value). Prepared?

Let’s get began.

1. Spend some days on the park and a few days on the pool.

You guys—this isn’t a well-liked opinion, however you don’t must spend each day of your trip within the Disney parks. Belief me, your ft will thanks once you break up the week with someday on the park and the following hanging by the lodge pool. In the event you keep on property at a Disney resort, the swimming pools make you are feeling such as you’re nonetheless at the park. They’re themed, they’re big, they usually’re tremendous enjoyable.

In the event you take a time without work from the parks, you’ll be able to go to loads of different locations and nonetheless be immersed in Disney magic. Head to Disney Springs for procuring, eating places and free leisure. Go to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for dinner and keep to look at the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the seaside—free of charge! (The boat dock is a magical place to catch these fireworks too.)

This one tip will prevent lots of or 1000’s of {dollars} in Disney park tickets, relying on how many individuals you’re going with and what number of days you’re staying.

2. Skip the Park Hopper and go to one park per day.

It’d seem to be a great deal to purchase the $174 Park Hopper ticket for entry to all 4 Disney World parks in someday. Nevertheless, in the event you’re staying for a number of days, you can also make your finances go even additional in the event you simply go to one park per day. The beginning value for the standard park ticket (the place you go to one park per day) is $109 (for ages 10 and up), saving you $65 per particular person, per day.* (Single-park tickets for kiddos ages 3 to 9 are about $104.)

Take into accout, Disney will decrease the worth of your each day ticket once you purchase three or extra days. And all the time take a look at their ticket calendar once you’re reserving your journey—costs change relying on the once you go. (Charges are sometimes larger throughout weekends, summer time months and holidays. So in case your schedule is versatile, attempt to work round these instances so it can save you some further money.)

Once you buy your tickets, reserve your spots on the theme parks you wish to go to. It could be a bummer to purchase tickets solely to understand the park you wish to go to doesn’t have any reservations left. Plus, these tickets are nonrefundable, so be sure you triple-check earlier than you buy.

Attempt to be real looking about how a lot you’ll be able to and wish to do every day. Transferring from park to park is time-consuming and will be exhausting, particularly with little ones. However in the event you’re solely going for a few days, perhaps do the Park Hopper ticket one among your days and spend one other entire day at Magic Kingdom—which, consider me, is completely attainable and value it.

3. Purchase Disney reward playing cards at a reduction.

At all times attempt to purchase Disney reward playing cards at a reduction. In the event you’re a member of a big-box low cost retailer like Sam’s Membership, you should purchase Disney reward playing cards at practically 4% off. And in the event you use your RedCard debit card at Goal, you may get 5% off.

Positive, it doesn’t sound like a lot, however it should prevent $40 to $50 for each $1,000 you spend. That’s, like, eight Mickey Mouse ice cream bars! Or in the event you’re not into ice cream (I see you, dairy-free individuals), you should use these reward playing cards to pay on your park tickets, Disney accommodations, meals on property and extra.

4. Pay for meals as you go—with money.

I love the meals at Disney. Significantly—give me all of the meals. Nevertheless it’s greatest to pay on your meals as you go—with money (or reward playing cards). That manner, you understand how a lot you’re spending all through the day. And in the event you use the envelope system within the parks, you’ll know precisely how a lot you have got left to spend after every buy. (Disney used to supply a pay as you go eating plan, they usually’re bringing it again in 2024. However I nonetheless advocate paying as you go so you’ll be able to keep away from paying for lots of meals forward of time that you simply gained’t really wish to eat within the second.) Professional tip: In the event you determine to eat on property at one of many parks or resorts, e book your eating reservations early utilizing the Disney Genie service within the My Disney Experience app.

5. Carry your personal meals.

Do you know Disney permits you to carry meals into the park? This could possibly be a big finances saver. You may pack a pleasant picnic lunch with sandwiches, fruit, water bottles, cookies—no matter your loved ones likes—and retailer it in lockers contained in the park for both $10, $12 or $15 per day, relying on what measurement you want.² There aren’t any coolers allowed, so solely carry issues that don’t have to be saved ice-cold. Prompt financial savings!

One other strategy to save on meals is by making your own meals at your lodge. Making your meals is price it even in the event you do it just some instances throughout your keep. The Backyard Grocer is an Orlando-based grocery retailer that delivers your groceries to your resort. You may even order your groceries as much as 120 days prematurely (which can qualify you for a reduction). You do must pay a supply charge in case your order is lower than $200.³

6. Arrive simply earlier than the park opens.

Now, in the event you’ve been to Disney earlier than, you understand how a lot of a luxurious the FastPass was for skipping these lengthy strains. However FastPass (which was free) has been discontinued and changed by the brand new Disney Genie+ service. Genie+ helps you intend your day and permits you to skip the lengthy strains . . . but it surely’s going to value you. Pricing begins at $15 per particular person per day and fluctuates primarily based on how busy the parks are. And, based on Disney, visitors solely get to skip the strains two or thrice a day with this function.⁴ There’s additionally an choice to buy particular person Lightning Lane entry for a selected trip, however that may value you too.

In the event you don’t wish to shell out the cash to avoid wasting time on these lengthy strains, you’ll wish to get to the parks as early as attainable. Strains get lengthy quick, however in the event you get to the gate earlier than the park opens, you’ll be able to e book it straight to your favourite rides when the rope drops.

7. Use PhotoPass photographers (however don’t purchase the bundle).

What’s a household trip with out the reminiscences to show it? For $199, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will take skilled pictures of you everywhere in the parks. You get entry to the pictures on-line, however that’s a reasonably large hit to your journey finances. The cool factor is, you’ll be able to simply ask Disney’s photographers to take your image along with your cellphone or digicam. They’ll nonetheless wish to take your photograph with their digicam too, however you don’t have to purchase it. This manner, you’ll save $200 and nonetheless have a fantastic footage. Rating!

8. Purchase private objects and souvenirs forward of time.

How a lot it prices to go to Disney World depends upon how properly you put together forward of time. In relation to saving cash, stocking up on private objects and souvenirs earlier than you get to the park can save lots of of {dollars}. Listed below are some issues I like to recommend shopping for forward of time as a substitute of on the park or your lodge (as a result of these costs will likely be tremendous jacked up):

• Sunscreen (you’ll pay as much as 40% extra for sunscreen within the park)
• Band-Aids
• Ponchos or umbrellas
• Refillable water bottle (there are tons of water stations across the park—and quick-service stations provides you with cups of water free of charge)
• Snacks
• Toiletries
• A spare jacket and pair of footwear

And in the case of the enjoyable stuff, you will discover some actually cute souvenirs, like Mickey ears, pins and costumes, on-line. I discovered a deal on Amazon that included two pairs of ears for $8.99. That’s lower than $5 per pair. (Within the parks, Mickey ears will value you $35.) A pal of mine orders souvenirs on-line and leaves one toy on their youngsters’ lodge mattress each evening, prefer it’s a present from Mickey or Tinkerbell. How cute is that?

9. Lower your expenses on accommodations.

Once you’re making your Disney trip finances, you may marvel if it’s price staying at one among Disney’s lovely on-property resorts. There’s no denying it can be costly, however in the event you go together with one among Disney’s worth resorts, it’s about the identical as (and generally cheaper than) staying off-site. For one factor, Disney is all the time operating limited-time specials (like 25% off room charges for Disney+ subscribers) or reductions once you keep 5 nights or extra.

Don’t overlook to issue transportation into your finances. In the event you’re flying, do you want transportation between the airport and the lodge or resort? How do you intend to get to and from the parks? One main profit to staying on property is having free Disney public transportation. However in the event you’re staying off property, examine with the lodge to see what choices they provide.

So, let’s break it down so that you perceive learn how to discover the most affordable Disney lodge.

Staying Off-Website

The WorldQuest Orlando Resort is true subsequent to Disney World, and the bottom price I discovered was $143 per evening. For 2 adults and two youngsters staying 5 nights, the whole involves $1,023 (with taxes and charges). And also you gained’t must drive to the Disney parks and pay for parking as a result of a shuttle service is included .

WorldQuest additionally gives Disney packages that may prevent cash. Only for enjoyable, I put collectively a WorldQuest Disney bundle, and it got here out to about $3,240 for a five-night stick with 4 five-day park tickets. By buying the lodge bundle, you save nearly $200 on park tickets!

Staying On-Website

The bottom price I may discover at Disney’s All-Star Sports activities Resort was a promotional price of $159 per evening (plus taxes and charges). With that low cost, staying on-property on the All-Star Sports activities Resort totals about $903 with taxes and charges for a five-night keep. The important thing to creating your Disney resort rely is discovering promotions that assist reduce the price. Plus, Disney resorts provide free shuttle transportation to and from all of the parks (by bus, monorail, boat or Skyliner). And in the event you select to drive, staying at a Disney resort will get you free parking as properly.

In the event you determine so as to add 4 five-day Disney park tickets to your bundle, the whole involves about $3,310 with taxes and charges. And never solely is it extra handy to remain on-site, you additionally get all of the magical moments that include staying at a Disney resort. Simply make sure that to recollect your finances once you’re hankering for a Mickey-shaped pretzel.

If staying off-site at a lodge or on-site at a Disney resort doesn’t go well with you, check out an area Airbnb or VRBO. You may discover offers there too.And don’t overlook to name round to different accommodations off property. You’re not restricted to those choices—there are loads within the Orlando space.

10. Search for built-in admission reductions.

You don’t must hunt too arduous for reductions in the event you’re a Florida resident or a former or active-duty U.S. army member. Florida residents can save 40% on 4-day park tickets, and army personnel should purchase a 4-day ticket (with the Park Hopper possibility) for $349 plus tax.^5,6 Y’all, that provides up to some hundred {dollars} in financial savings, so be sure you make the most of these perks in the event that they apply to you.

11. Get inventive at eating places.

Identical to in “regular” life, meals will be the simplest place to bust your finances in the event you’re not cautious. Listed below are some methods you’ll be able to assist curb the price of meals on the resort and park eating places.

• Order a youngsters meal as a substitute of an entrée. You’ll nonetheless get loads of meals for a portion of the price.
• Break up an entrée between adults or order an appetizer as the principle dish.
• Restrict how typically you purchase comfortable drinks for the entire household. Persist with waters for many meals to avoid wasting a lot of cash.
• Purchase a refillable popcorn bucket for $13. This makes for an inexpensive snack later as a result of refills are simply $2. (And you may maintain the bucket.)
• Plan one or two sit-down restaurant meals and DIY the remainder. It solely prices a couple of dollars to purchase a loaf of bread and the makings for PB and Js, yogurt cups and fruit . . . plus, you gained’t have to fret about carrying leftovers across the park.

12. Try free youngsters actions throughout the property.

Wish to get monetary savings by shopping for one much less park ticket—or just take a time without work from the rollercoasters and strolling for hours on finish? Benefit from your resort by trying out the free youngsters actions. (You may even go to different accommodations.) Your concierge can advocate actions which are tons of enjoyable for the children and gained’t value a factor, like:

• Watch a Disney film at evening with a campfire, on the seaside, or within the pool (climate allowing, resort visitors solely).
• Try the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
• Watch the road performers at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.
• Resort hop and journey by monorail, boat and Skyliner.
• Search for Hidden Mickeys on the Wilderness Lodge.
• Watch the Electrical Water Pageant parade of lights and sea creatures at Seven Seas Lagoon.

13. Discover low-cost airfare.

Okay. You’re satisfied {that a} Disney journey is on the horizon. Now it’s time to determine: When is the most affordable time to go to Disney World? Identical to the price of park passes fluctuates all year long, so does airfare. Guys, do your analysis to search out out which days are the cheapest to fly . Timing actually does rely. I might not advocate flying throughout holidays or any college break as a result of costs are going to be by means of the roof. And be sure you e book your flights properly prematurely. Relying on the season you’re planning to go to Disney World, it’s greatest to e book your flights a couple of weeks to some months forward of time. And don’t overlook to take a look at value trackers like Kayak, Scott’s Low-cost Flights and even Google Flights to search out one of the best offers and nail down the most affordable time to go to Disney. (And you may all the time drive. Loads of individuals, particularly within the south the place I stay, pack up the children and drive to Disney to avoid wasting on flights.)

14. Ask about bounce-back offers and secret specials.

Once you’re within the strategy of reserving your journey, it can save you cash by asking your Disney customer support knowledgeable about particular gives and restricted time offers. These perks—like including on a free meals bundle or discounted room—aren’t marketed, so the secret’s to ask. The identical goes for a bounce-back deal, which is a reduction in your subsequent Disney journey once you e book throughout your keep.

15. Give your youngsters a spending finances.

Identical to you’re planning to finances for Disney so you’ll be able to have all of the enjoyable with out going into debt or draining your financial savings, you’ll be able to assist your kids practice spending responsibly too. In the event that they’ve by no means used the envelope system earlier than, this can be a nice time to allow them to attempt it out. Every day, give them a set sum of money for snacks, treats or toys to allow them to perceive if that cotton sweet or further pair of mouse ears is basically price it—or in the event that they’d reasonably splurge on a flowery t-shirt. How does this prevent cash? It’ll assist your youngsters perceive the restrict of what they will spend . . . and by giving every child a finances, it helps you plan forward so impulse buys are saved to a minimal. And as a bonus, you don’t must spend all day telling your youngsters no after they ask to purchase stuff. When the cash’s gone for the day, they’re executed spending.

What’s the Most cost-effective Time to Do Disney?

When is one of the best time to go to Disney World? The perfect instances are from early January to President’s Day in February, or throughout late August into early September.⁸ These are the seasons when tourism slows down, which means extra alternative so that you can hit all one of the best rides and points of interest with out battling the crowds (particularly in the event you do Disney throughout the week, as a substitute of the weekends). As all the time, be sure to value examine ticket dates and airways to get one of the best offers.

When Is the Proper Time to Plan a Disney Trip?

There’s no proper or flawed time to do Disney, however there are issues to contemplate once you’re planning a visit so it can save you cash. If I needed to boil it down, I’d say one of the best time to go to Disney World (moreover the sluggish season) is when you’ll be able to afford it. So in the event you’re making an attempt to determine whether or not or to not e book a visit, right here are some things you’ll wish to take into consideration earlier than committing to spending cash on a visit:

1. Are you out of debt?

In the event you’re in Baby Steps 1, 2 or 3, Mickey should wait . . . for now. There’s no room within the finances for Disney as a result of any extra money is both build up your starter emergency fund, paying down debt, or constructing out your totally funded emergency fund. Yep—that $2,000 to $3,000 you had been hoping to spend on a Disney journey will do wonders on your debt snowball.

However don’t give up on your Disney dream simply since you’re not debt-free. Truly, I encourage you to make use of that dream as motivation to repay your debt shortly. Simply placed on some Disney music as you do your finances every month and take into consideration how enjoyable it is going to be once you’re debt-free!

2. How previous are your youngsters?

I’m all for going to Disney with out the children. However if you wish to take the entire household, there are some professionals and cons to contemplate, relying on how previous your youngsters are.   

An enormous professional of taking anybody below 3 years previous is their park admission is free. That’s a financial savings of $174 per day for the Park Hopper ticket. And I can let you know from expertise: Once I took my daughter to Disney round this age, there was nothing like seeing her meet Cinderella for the primary time. That second was priceless. The draw back is, she could not keep in mind it when she’s older—however we’ll all the time have the images.

I hear the candy spot is between the ages of 6 and 10. At that time, they’re sufficiently old to benefit from the anticipation of planning a Disney trip (and also you gained’t be caught pushing a stroller or altering diapers). Plus, they’re taller, to allow them to go on extra of the rides. And let me let you know: They’re going to wish to trip the rides.

As you’ll be able to inform, I’m fairly captivated with saving cash with out sacrificing expertise on a Disney trip. And like I stated earlier, planning a visit to Disney World on a finances is feasible. You simply must finances for it. Be sure that to obtain our free model of EveryDollar now so you’ll be able to stay fortunately ever after later.

_{Neither Rachel Cruze nor the producers of this content material are in any manner affiliated with or sponsored by The Walt Disney Firm or its subsidiaries. All marks and goodwill of Walt Disney World or associated manufacturers are that of The Walt Disney Firm and/or its associates. Nothing on this article is a paid commercial or endorsement of Walt Disney World or any affiliated model.}

_{*Costs on this article had been pulled from disneyworld.disney.go.com on 5/1/23 and are topic to alter.}