05 Jul 12 Tips to Save Money Going to Disney World
It’s practically every kid’s dream to go to Disney World at least once in their lives, right? But it sure comes with a hefty price tag. How can a regular family on a regular budget make Disney World happen?
With some planning and researching, you can give your family a great Disney vacation that will help you make some lifelong memories. We’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to save money going to Disney World. You may not be able to do them all, but implementing as many as possible will help you not break the bank on your vacation.
TIP #1 – Start planning early!
The sooner you start saving up for your Disney vacation, the more you’ll enjoy it, and the more time you’ll have to research the deals! Check out sites like Follow the Orange backpack which is designed for first-time Disney vacationers. Lots of great tips here.
TIP #2 – Go during a lower-priced season.
This is where your early research will pay off. You’ll find that prices are usually lower during the school year as opposed to summer. Plan your trip during a lower-priced season.
TIP #3 – Drive instead of fly.
Although this tip isn’t possible for everyone, driving is usually a whole lot cheaper than airfare for most people. And then you don’t have to rent a car or take a cab or bus around town because you have your own vehicle. However, if you’ve racked up frequent flyer miles and can use them to fund your trip, go for it.
TIP #4 – Research accommodation options.
While it is cheaper to stay in a hotel or at a rented vacation house outside of Disney rather than on the actual Disney premises, you have to take into account all the extras/freebies. If you stay off-site, then you can count on getting stuck in very long lines (90 minutes or more) waiting to park, having to walk from the resort to resort, and possibly paying for parking. Staying at Disney saves on gas, time, and stress (and what’s that worth to you?). Also, if you stay on the Disney property, you get free transportation to and from resorts; this can save you lots of money.
On the other hand, if you happen to have hotel points from previous stays, you could save money by using them to stay outside of Disney itself. Either way, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of staying on-site or off-site because, in many ways, it’s a wash.
TIP #5 – Use a travel agent.
Authorized Disney Travel Planners like Glass Slipper Concierge are fantastic because they can keep an eye out for promotions, find the best accommodations for your family, and help you plan everything for your trip. They can tell you about getting a free night in a hotel if you are staying during a birthday or anniversary or about when the Free Disney Dining Plan is in effect. They have the inside scoop, so it’s often worth paying a small commission to take advantage of the special deals they know about. Again, between the fee you pay the planner and the amount you save, it could be a wash, so why not utilize the help in planning your big trip?
TIP #6 – FOOD!
The “food plans” are where Disney really “gets” people. The cost is enormous! Instead of purchasing a food plan, limit yourself to eating out one meal per day, and then bring or buy your own snacks and foods to avoid purchasing overpriced park food. This can save a family a lot of money over several days. Most hotels provide a refrigerator and a microwave, so you can make all kinds of simple meals and snacks with a little planning.
Once you arrive, visit the grocery store. Some popular and easy snacks to bring are nuts, protein or granola bars, yogurt, raisins, cheese sticks, crackers, hummus, popcorn, canned meat and soups, fruit and veggies, boiled eggs—whatever is easy and your family enjoys. You can even get bread, peanut butter, and jelly; prepare sandwiches, and take them with you into the park. If you have a wagon, why not bring a small cooler for your lunch, snacks, and refillable water bottles with you? If the kids whine about bringing their own snacks and meals into the park rather than eating out, remind them that they’ll have more money to spend on souvenirs!
TIP #7 – Have a souvenir budget (and stick to it!).
If you have kids, they will probably want a souvenir for everything they see and do! Of course, this isn’t possible (or even feasible), so consider giving each person his or her own souvenir budget, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. This will save a lot of money in the long run and make it easier to say no when little Johnny starts begging for his umpteenth souvenir.
TIP #8 – Make payments over time.
If you choose to purchase a package and stay on the Disney property, you can book early and make payments each month until the final payment date. This beats paying it all at once (or putting it on a credit card) because you can break it up over time and have it all paid for before your vacation even begins. Again, this tip assumes that you’re planning in advance and not looking to go to Disney next month.
TIP #9 – Beware of hidden fees and add-ons.
Ask lots of questions. Some hotels charge $25/night for parking and $25/day for “access” to their spa (even if you don’t use it!). If you eat out, be sure to pay with cash because some restaurants take a huge tip if you pay by card.
Add-ons, like the Park Hopper, can be very convenient, but they also increase the cost of your vacation quickly; by skipping this option alone, you could save $250 or more.
TIP #10 – Buy multi-day tickets.
It’s cheaper per day if you buy a three- or five-day pass instead of buying several one-day passes. So consider this when deciding which resorts you want to visit and for how long.
TIP #11 – Join Disney’s email list.
You can be informed about hotel deals, free dining dates, and other discounts directly from Disney when you join their mailing list. Don’t neglect this easy tip.
TIP #12 – Plan a free day.
Rather than spending every single day at Disney (which can be exhausting, I might add), plan a day where you just stay at the hotel or vacation home and enjoy the pool. There are lots of free to low-cost activities and perks that everyone can enjoy that are outside the parks too. Check out this site to discover free things to do at and around Disney World.
As you can see, with a little planning and research, you can plan an enjoyable Disney World vacation that won’t bust your budget. Start planning and saving today!
This newsletter was prepared by a third party company to be used on the Russell & Company and Simple Money Tips for Women websites.
