Disney World is a quintessential vacation destination. Couples, families with children, and even groups of adult friends can have a great time at this showstopper of an amusement park. The trick is, Disney World can be expensive. Luckily, with a bit of planning and a keen eye, you can head to the park without breaking the bank. Here are some Disney World savings tips.
Disney World Savings Tips
Buy Discount Tickets
You can buy Disney World tickets in a lot of places. Military members can get them from the on post or on base ticket office. Additionally, Shades of Green, the military Disney World resorts, sells entry tickets for less.
Costco has Disney packages available that come with tickets that can help members save. If you have AAA, you can get lower-cost tickets there, too.
Ultimately, there are plenty of authorized retailers that sell Disney World tickets for less. Don’t assume you have to buy directly from Disney (either online or at the gate) as you can usually find a better deal elsewhere.
Don’t Add the Park Hopper
When you buy Disney World tickets, you’re going to see an add-on called Park Hopper. It gives you the ability to visit more than one park in a single day, which sounds like a great perk. However, there’s a decent shot you’ll never use it.
Each Disney Park can easily take a full day to explore. Plus, you might not feel up to journeying to another one after you’ve spent hours in the first, especially if you are with young kids or seniors.
Ultimately, Park Hopper is an upsell the majority of visitors just don’t need. As a result, you can skip it and save yourself some cash without harming the quality of your vacation.
Check All of Your Options for Accommodations
Disney World markets it resorts as the ideal option for those wanting to visit the park. While Disney properties do come with some nice perks – like free parking, shuttles, and early entry days at the parks – they aren’t your only option.
There are plenty of hotels outside of the Disney property, and they represent a wide array of price points. Plus, you can find plenty of listings on sites like Airbnb and VRBO to choose from as well, which might be better for larger parties.
Ultimately, make sure you shop around when selecting accommodations. That way, you can compare prices and amenities, allowing you to choose the most affordable option that meets your needs.
Consider Using a Travel Agent
Usually, heading to a travel agent isn’t going to help save you money. However, Disney compensates travel agents for their services, so you don’t have to pay to use one if you are heading to a Disney property.
Travel agents are adept at finding deals. Plus, they can save you a lot of time by handling most of the planning.
Get on Disney’s Email List
Like nearly every other company on the planet, Disney reveals sales and discounts through its emails. If you sign up, you might find deals on hotels, dining plans, tickets, and more. Just make sure that you sign up for the Disney World emails specifically. Otherwise, you might see discounts for other Disney properties, and those won’t help if that is not where you are planning to go.
Bring a Water Bottle
Let’s face facts; Florida gets hot. Staying hydrated while you are at Disney is critical. Otherwise, you or your traveling companions could face some serious health consequences.
Disney is pretty flexible about allowing people to bring a range of items into the park. Having a water bottle with you is a great idea. That way, you can refill it throughout the day at water fountains and avoid the cost of bottled water or restaurant drinks.
Think Snacks Over Meals
Eating at a restaurant inside the Disney parks is usually pretty expensive. In some cases, you can keep your food costs down by snacking throughout the day instead of sitting down for meals.
For example, the giant turkey leg isn’t expensive based on what you get. Plus, this approach lets you have some variety in your meals, and you can select fun options you won’t find anywhere else, like the Disney Dole Whip.
Get Discounted Disney Gift Cards
Gift card resale sites and can help you save on your Disney trip. These sites allow you to get more than what you pay for, offering a discount based on the card’s popularity.
While eBay might have some available, there is a risk when you deal with a seller directly. They might be lying about the value on the card, so you could get ripped off.
If you want to play it safe, try Gift Card Granny instead. The company guarantees that your gift card amount will be correct, so you get some additional security by heading there instead.
Retailer discounts on gift cards are also available. Sam’s Club, Safeway, and a variety of other stores discount certain gift cards during various points in the year. If you are planning well in advance for your trip, keep your eyes open. Then, if you spot a good deal at a store, you can scoop up some Disney gift cards and stash them away until you head to the park.
Do you have other Disney World savings tips that families can use to reduce the cost of their vacation? Share yours in the comments below.
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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