A Disney vacation is almost like a right of passage, but it can seriously drain your bank account. After dropping hundreds on airfare, park tickets, accommodations, and all that Disney park food — it’s enough to stress anyone out regardless of finances.
You’re in luck! There are plenty of ways to save money and cut costs if you’ve got these savvy Disney insider tips:
Find a new savings tip that isn’t on this list or one that doesn’t work anymore? Email us and let us know; we want to make sure we are sharing the most up-to-date information.
Tickets
Visit During the Off-Season
Consider visiting Disney during the off-season (usually mid-January through March) when the parks offer lower ticket prices. Not only will you spend less, but you’ll find the parks less crowded and shorter wait times on the more popular attractions.
Mid-Day Tickets
Not a morning person? Take advantage of the Mid-Day Magic Ticket and enjoy an afternoon and evening in the theme park (admission begins at noon) for a lower price than a full-day ticket.
Base Tickets -vs- Park Hopper Tickets
Tickets are one area where most Disney World first-timers make an expensive mistake. Here’s the difference between the two options:
- Base Ticket: Visit one park for one day with a single ticket.
- Park Hopper Ticket: Visit as many of the (4) Disney World parks as you want in one day under a single ticket.
Walt Disney World is enormous, and unlike Disneyland, you can’t just exit one park and walk right into the other. When you park hop, you’ll waste a lot of precious vacation time waiting and transferring from one park to the next. Unless you are a seasoned Disney World vacationer and park-hopping around a shortlist of things you plan to do, we always recommend avoiding the park hopper tickets and saving money (and transportation headaches) by planning a single day at each park with the base ticket.
Disney Vacation Packages
Take advantage of Disney’s special offers by booking a Disney Vacation Package. Even if you find a better offer after you’ve booked, you can always contact Disney to switch offers and get a better deal.
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
There are many misconceptions about using a Disney Vacation Planner, but the truth is that using one can add a lot of extra value and savings to your vacation without any additional cost to you for the service. There are lots of options for travel agents, but we recommend using only Authorized Disney Vacation Planners to ensure that you have everything done correctly and by an agent who knows the ins and outs of optimizing a Disney vacation plan.
Here are a few Authorized Disney Vacation Planners that we recommend:
Shop Discounted Tickets
Undercover Tourist and Get Away Today provide a variety of discounted tickets and inventory leftover from previous lower prices. These savings don’t usually last long, so we recommend picking up deals when you see them.
Word of Caution: It’s very easy to get scammed buying discounted Disney tickets. Ensure you are dealing with a reputable vendor, such as the two we listed above, or you can end up ruining the magic of a Disney World vacation otherwise.
Undercover Tourist and Get Away Today are reliable options for discounted tickets, but we still recommend doing your research and contacting the vendor directly if you have questions or concerns about the tickets you are purchasing.
Book Through Costco
If you are a Costco member, you can find savings on Disney packages up to 25%, sometimes on packages that include gift cards and other perks.
Use Rewards Cards or Loyalty Programs
Check into any credit card points, airline miles, or loyalty programs you belong to that might offer discounted pricing, points exchanges, or % cashback on Disney World tickets.
Accommodations
Rent Disney Vacation Club Points
Disney Vacation Club, usually called DVC, is Disney’s version of a timeshare. DVC properties are generally integrated into typical Disney World Resorts but some have their own dedicated buildings. Most DVC rooms offer larger space, kitchens, and even a washer and dryer.
While limited access to these rooms are available via the Disney website, you’ll need to rent points from a DVC owner to get the best rates. Unless you know a DVC member you can trust, you’ll want to use a reputable service that rents out points at a fixed price. We recommend David’s Disney Vacation Club Rental if you are looking to go this route for your Disney vacation.
Head’s Up: If you plan to rent DVC points through David’s Disney Vacation Club, you’ll need to be ready to pay the full amount upfront. They don’t offer payment plans like booking through Disney directly or through a travel agent.
Stay Off Property
There are hotel options for every budget available in the Orlando area. Just make sure you select one with a free shuttle service to and from Disney Parks, and if you can find one that has a complimentary breakfast, you’ll save even more.
Camp at Disney in an RV
Fort Wilderness offers a unique campground setting where you can set up an RV and camp right on Disney resort property. Don’t have an RV? RVshare not only has plenty of options to rent but will also deliver your RV directly to your campsite with it stocked full of everything you need.
Consider the Swan or Dolphin
Even though Marriot and Westin manage them, the Swan and Dolphin are a part of the Walt Disney Collection of resorts. It is through this partnership that these hotels not only offer the same perks you get staying on other Disney properties, but guests can also use discounts and access packages that are not available at other Disney resorts. Such examples are AAA discounts and special discount programs for Teachers, School Support Staff, and Nurses.
Switch to Better Deals
One of the best things about booking a Disney vacation is when you find a better deal through Disney, they will almost always let you apply it or change to your current package. (There are some limitations, so be sure to check with Disney directly.) Keep an eye out for offers such as hotel discounts or free dining plan and upgrade to save extra on your Disney vacation.
Don’t Book a Room with a View
Unless you stay at a Deluxe resort, and sometimes not even then, booking the room with the view isn’t worth the extra expense. Consider the added cost for the view and compare that with how much time you plan to spend in your room to enjoy it.
Use Rewards Cards or Loyalty Programs
Check into any credit card points, airline miles, or loyalty programs you belong to that might offer discounted pricing, points exchanges, or % cashback on hotel accommodations.
Transportation
Scan Airline Deals
Use websites like Skyscanner, Airfare Watchdog, and Momondo to search flights for the cheapest tickets and compare multiple airlines at one time. If you are planning your trip with plenty of time to spare, create a flight alert so that you can track price drops as they happen.
Take The Magical Express Bus
If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort, Disney World provides free transportation to Orlando. As an added perk, you can use this service to skip baggage claim. You’ll receive special luggage tags in the mail before your vacation, and Disney will retrieve your bags from the airport and drop them off in your room free of charge.
Free Shuttle Service
If you decide to stay at an off-property hotel, be sure to select one that offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from Disney Parks. Those transportation and/or parking costs really add up, so don’t fall into this trap.
Use Rewards Cards or Loyalty Programs
Check into any credit card points, airline miles, or loyalty programs you belong to that might offer discounted pricing, points exchanges, or % cashback on flights, shuttles, or rental cars.
Food
Master the Disney Plan -or- Don’t Use It
Disney World offers three different dining plans for those staying at a Disney resort that fit different appetites and traveler preferences. Think of Dining Plans as packaged dining credits (prepaid meals) that make it easy to manage dining around the parks. If you pick the right package for your party and plan your dining credits right, you can save 20% to 40% on the cost of food. Here’s a free handy calculator that can help you master your dining credits and maximize value.
If you are looking for the ultimate savings level at Disney, we suggest you skip the dining plan. Instead, consider ordering resort-delivery grocery service from Garden Grocer and packing your food in a cooler pack for each park day. Every Disney park has convenient keyless lockers that can be used throughout the day for a one-time charge, so storing your small cooler is a breeze.
Experience Trade-Off: While we recognize the savings of packing your own food, you are trading off the experience of Disney Dining. If you can’t swing the entire dining plan, try to budget enough to experience a character meal or your favorite dining location in EPCOT’s World Showcase. You won’t regret it.
Free Disney Dining Plan
Disney World periodically runs promotions to get a free dining plan when you book a Disney vacation package (resort and tickets) for a specified number of days. Even if you’ve already booked your trip, don’t forget that you can call Disney and switch offers so that you can take advantage of the free dining plan.
Keep in mind that discounted tickets purchased from an authorized seller won’t be applicable for free dining plans and that some room types are excluded from these offers. Be sure to check exclusions and restrictions.
Guests staying at Value and Moderate Resorts receive the Quick Service Dining Plan during the Free Dining promotion but are able to upgrade to the (standard) Disney Dining Plan or the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan if they pay the difference. Guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the standard Disney Dining Plan and may upgrade to the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan by paying the difference.
Disney Foodie Pro Tip: You can use dining plan credits for the various food festivals at EPCOT to save on food and drink at the kiosks. Worried about having too many snack credits? You can use snack credits to purchase souvenirs like Pez dispensers, boxed treats, and mint tins.
Tables in Wonderland
There’s no better way for Disney foodies to save on Disney Dining than the Tables in Wonderland program for those who are eligible to purchase a membership. The membership cost is currently $150 for DVC members with Annual Passholders and Florida residents for $175. The program’s perks include a 20% discount offered on food and beverage, including alcohol, at participating restaurants that is valid for a party of up to 10 guests.
Refillable Popcorn
Disney’s popcorn buckets are not only a great souvenir; they are a great way to save money on snacks. (As long as you love popcorn!) Buckets range from $10+ and can be refilled for the duration of your vacation at any park for $2, no matter which type of bucket you purchased. Considering that a single popcorn is $5, that’s saving money on a sharable snack at Disney.
Reusable Water Bottles
You’ll be doing a lot of walking (sometimes in extreme heat), and you’ll want to stay hydrated. Save money by bringing your reusable water bottle. You can ask for ice water for FREE inside the parks, and there are even water bottle filling stations.
Stay hydrated in style with a sleek bottle that takes care of your favorite drink. Simple Modern bottles are made of stainless steel and have double-walled insulation, which means your beverage will stay hot or cold for hours.
Saving Tip: Are you dining at a table-service restaurant? Ask for that free refill and pour it into your bottle before you go. It will save you on purchasing something to drink later.
Quick Service Kid’s Meals
If you aren’t as hungry, you can save money by ordering a kid’s meal at Quick Service locations. This trick won’t work for Buffets or Table Service, but Quick Service locations (or mobile ordering) won’t ask if the meal is for a child or an adult.
Merchandise
Support Small Businesses
There are plenty of options for purchasing Disney vacation gear that are handmade by crafters and small sellers on Amazon and Etsy. Not only will you be supporting a small business, but you’ll have something unique that’s sure to earn you some compliments across the park.
Ears
A Mickey hat or Minnie ears headband completes any Disney outfit, but starting at $29.99 and ranging higher for specialty items, it’s one souvenir that can pinch your wallet. Disney fashionistas can save by shopping shopDisney Sale, Amazon, or Etsy.
Disclaimer: Ears sold on Amazon or Etsy are not always official Disney merchandise. Be sure to check the product description or with the seller if your preference is only to purchase official Disney merchandise.
Pins
Disney Pin Trading is so iconic that it’s almost a sub-culture between the more serious Disney pin collectors and those just having fun buying, trading, and collecting Disney pins.
If you are getting started with pin trading while visiting a Disney Park, it can be pretty expensive. To save some cash on pin collecting, consider picking up everything you need before you go:
- Lanyard
- Standard & Locking Pin Backs
- Pin Collections (Etsy, eBay, Amazon)
- shopDisney Sale
This officially licensed lanyard features 4 of Disney's most well-known villains: Maleficent, Cruella De Vil, Ursula, and The Evil Queen.
Approximately 22" from top of lanyard to metal clasp. Wallet/Coin purse measures 3" x 5.25" with zipper opening.
Shiny Silver Plated Pin Locks / Pinkeepers each pack will contain 30 pin locks and 2 wrenches. Very high-quality pin locks.
This mini-pin (Booster set; card) collection features seven (7) pins featuring the Disney villains.
Pin Trading Ettiquite: Do NOT assume that all your pins purchased from a 3rd party are legit and NEVER trade junk, damaged, or counterfeit pins. Pins must be official Disney pins bearing the “©Disney” mark and should be in good condition and undamaged. How to Identify Fake Pins.
To learn more about Disney Pin Trading etiquette, common Disney Pin Trading language, and where to start trading your Disney pins — check out this beginner’s guide.
Ponchos
Disney World can be a pretty rainy place, and the reality of on and off showers during your vacation shouldn’t dampen the magic if you’ve got the right raingear. Purchasing ponchos before your trip can save you some cash. Rain ponchos at Disney cost $9 each versus the packs you can buy on Amazon that price out to $1-2 per poncho.
Each disposable rain poncho packed individually in its own bag, ideal for pants pocket, handbag, purse, briefcase, car, luggage and backpack. Perfect for amusement parks, camping, hiking, tailgating, and any other occasions.
Disney Outlet
Shopping at a Disney Outlet for merchandise before your trip is another excellent way to save on those official Disney items that would typically tempt you while visiting the park. Click here to find a Disney Outlet near you.
Gift Cards
Target
Target REDcard earns you an automatic 5% discount on basically any purchase at Target, including Disney gift cards. This is a straightforward and easy way to save 5% on your Disney World vacation.
Disney Visa Rewards
Both Disney Credit Cards receive rewards at various rates—Disney Visa’s non-annual charge is 1% back on all transactions made by Disney Rewards Dollars that you can use at Disney. The Disney Visa Premier receives 2% back on sales at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney locations in Rewards Dollars, and 1% back elsewhere in Rewards Dollars.
Disney Visa Cardholder also save 10% on certain Disney merchandise transactions of $50+ and 10% on selected dining locations on qualifying dates.
Amex Offers
Amex Offers is a rebate program offered with American Express credit cards. When you spend a certain amount of money at participating retailers, American Express gives you some of it back.
Amex Offers is super easy to use. You simply need to add the rebate to your card before purchasing at a participating retailer. Then spend the amount required for the rebate on that specific credit card. When you do that, the rebate will automatically be applied to your account. Then use your Amex Offers for stores that sell Disney gift cards.
LEARN MORE: In-Depth Guide on Amex Offers
Chase Offers
Chase has some of the best rewards cards for Disney vacations through their Chase Offers program, where you earn cashback when you make purchases at select stores. These rebates are often 10% of the purchase price and a great way to save on Disney gift cards.
Stores that sell Disney gift cards that have been featured in the Chase Offers program have included Walgreens, Office Depot/Office Max, Staples, RiteAid, Michaels, Sam’s Club, and more.
LEARN MORE: In-Depth Guide on Chase Offers
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