So you're planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, but tight on money? It may be expensive to visit the most magical place on Earth, but it doesn't have to break the bank! Here are some amazing money-saving tips for you and your group to enjoy Disney to the fullest!
1. If you're staying on property and flying, take use of Disney's Magical Express!
The Magical Express is a free round-trip transportation service from Orlando International Airport to your Disney resort! It's no ordinary bus, as it plays Disney videos and will send your luggage directly to your room, so you can check in and go straight to the parks! Using the Magical Express will save you on costs of having to taxi to and from the airport, and they will always make sure you're at the airport with plenty of time to make it through security. Unfortunately, unlike the photo above, Mickey will not be there to greet you.
2. Split drinks and food with other members of your party.
Both quick service & table service in Disney have HUGE portions, and it will cut down on costs if you share meals with others! I always get the kid's meals at Disney, as it comes with 2 sides and a drink, saving money & saving food by not wasting what I'd throw away anyway! Of course, this is not an option at buffets, family style restaurants and dinner theater shows, but is allowed at any other quick service and table service restaurant on property!
3. Before opting for the dining plan, calculate if it would be worth it!
Most of the time with a dining plan you end up spending more than you would out-of-pocket, and to avoid that there are various (non-Disney affiliated) websites that will help you determine what the dining plan would cost vs what out-of-pocket would cost based on what restaurants and quick services you'd go to each day.
4. Look at ALL ticket options!
Make sure you are looking at ALL the best deals for your tickets for the parks! An easy way to save money is to do one park at a time and not get the park hopping option. Not only will it eliminate time spent traveling from park to park, but you'll also have a better time by not worrying about how much time you have left and you can just enjoy the one park you're at! If you have some free time, you can use that to re-visit a favorite attraction of yours or go back to the hotel for some pool/nap time! Another way to save money is to look into an annual pass to see if it would save you money -- if your party or just one person from your party has it, it can give you discounts on merchandise, food, and free parking! Additionally, you can also look into authorized ticket resellers and Florida resident deals if you live in Florida!
5. Buy your souvenirs off-property.
There are plenty of places both at home and in Orlando where you can buy the same quality items Disney sells at cheaper prices! Wal-Mart and Target have some great prices on Disney merchandise, and the store Disney Character Warehouse in Orlando sells Disney merchandise at discounted rates!
6. Take advantage of the free amenities at the Disney resorts!
You don’t need to go to the parks to have fun in Disney - sometimes all the fun you need is at a Disney resort! You could ride the monorail loop to visit Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village and Contemporary Resort, go to Animal Kingdom Lodge and visit the animals, ride horses at Fort Wilderness, and at every resort there’s daily pool activities and a free Disney movie night!
I hope you enjoyed these tips and have an amazing time at Walt Disney World this summer!