Awesome Money Saving Disney Vacation Hacks
Anyway, you cut it, a Disney vacation package is EXPENSIVE. Most families save for years before heading to the happiest place on Earth. If like my family, you plan on doing Disney on a fixed budget, there are lots of little steps bound to shave a bit off the overall cost of your trip. Here are some of my favorite money-saving Disney vacation hacks.
Stock Up at Theme Park Essentials In Advance
It will come as little surprise that costs at Disney for everyday items are at a premium. You can avoid having to shell out for items by heading to the Dollar Store before your visit. Instead of paying $20 for a poncho at Disney when it rains, pick up a handful of disposable ones and bring them with you. Don’t pay $20 for one of those misting bottles at the theme parks when you can pick them up for a $1 at home. You can also avoid those expensive glow items they sell during the nighttime show by stocking up on Glow Sticks and bringing them with you- the Target bargain bins are great for this!
Stock Up on Souvenir Essentials in Advance
Etsy and eBay are brimming with low-cost Disney items that can help you save a ton on souvenirs. You can order up lanyards, pins, mouse ears, t-shirts and more at a fraction of the cost and bring these items with you. I am also a huge fan of scouring the Sale section of the shopDisney website. You can often find sunglasses and swim goggles for under $5!
Make Your Own Autograph Books
I’m always looking for fun and affordable ways to get my daughter excited about her Disney visit! One of the things we love to do is stock up on cheap journals and create autograph books and trip journals! Not only does this add a personal touch to our Disney keepsakes but it means you aren’t shelling out for the more expensive varieties available at the parks!
Leave the Car at Home
With parking costs continuing to soar, the advent of premium parking as well as Disney’s new parking fees for onsite guests, your budget can really take a hit if you bring the car. Instead, forgo that rental and take advantage of Disney World’s complimentary transportation to and from the airport. If staying onsite each of the resorts offer transportation links to and from the theme parks making it easier than ever to get around without your automobile.
Bring Your Own Strollers
If you’re staying onsite at Disney, you’ll find all transportation links to and from the parks to be stroller friendly. A great way to save some money is to bring a stroller with you on your vacation to avoid shelling out nearly $20 a day for rentals. When my daughter was little, I used to pick up a cheap simple stroller at garage sales going into our visit. If they got damaged or lost, it meant I wasn’t out a ton of money. However, when opting to purchase a stroller to bring to Disney they have recently imposed restrictions you’ll want to be aware of so do a bit of homework first. Check out this article for details.
Order Groceries
Save on the amount of money that you shell out on food by having some essential items delivered to your room using one of the many grocery companies specializing in Disney World deliveries. Our favorite is Amazon Prime Now. The service is cheap for Prime Members and you can stock up on snacks, water, breakfast items and more and have them delivered as quickly as 2 hours from placing your order!
For a closer look at grocery delivery options for Walt Disney World check out this article.
Keep your Eyes Peeled for Discounts
Disney has a great policy in that discounts can be applied to your vacation package even after you’ve booked! You can save quite a bit of money by scouting for discounts that can reduce the cost of your stay! A great way to do this is by enlisting the services of an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (like MickeyTravels) who can do a discount watch for you and is on hand to make sure that you are always getting the best rates out there!
Go During the Off Season
If there’s flexibility in your schedule, consider visiting Disney at times where crowds are lower. Heading to the theme parks during months that aren’t as popular means you won’t be shelling out for premium resort and ticket prices and it also makes for a less crowded more easy-going trip.
For a list of some ideal times to visit Disney World in 2020 check out this article.
Consider a Disney Visa
I get asked a lot by clients about whether or not it’s worth it to take out one of Chase’s Disney Credit Card options before your visit. I do have one and use it regularly if I’m planning a visit to the parks. By making charges to your card you’ll accrue Disney Rewards Points that can be redeemed in the lead in to your theme park visit and can be used on everything from souvenirs, gratuities, tours and more! VISA cardmembers also do on occasion have access to priority booking for discounts and events and there are also meet and greets with your favorite Disney and Star Wars guests that only cardholders have access to.
Take Advantage of Under 3s Go Free
Though many families may worry about bringing your children to Walt Disney World too young, I am a firm believer that there is NEVER a bad age to enjoy Disney. One of the things that may incentivize you to take your little ones early is the fact that Disney does not charge a fee for children under the age of 3. They do not require theme park admission or a dining plan. If you’re looking to save, cash on this discount while it lasts. Once your child turns three they are charged at the children’s rate which these days at Disney is just a small price break from paying full adult prices.
Thinking about a visit to Disney? There are still great 2019 discounts to be had and 2020 packages are no open for booking. Fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook
