20 Ways To Save On Your Next Disney Trip

Stay Offsite…Eat Offsite

This will be a hard one for some. It’s hard to pass up the hotels and food offered at Walt Disney World and Disneyland alike. But consider this…How much time will you be spending in the parks as opposed to your hotel? If you plan on spending more time enjoying the parks, there is no sense spending top dollar for accommodations you aren’t going to use. Would you buy a park ticket to only see one show and leave? We would hope not! Better to spend more money towards the activities you plan on doing the most. If you are planning on spending your vacation split between the two, consider staying at a moderate or value resort or choose an offsite hotel with grander amenities.

If you’re set on wanting to experience a little extra magic by staying on property at one of the Deluxe resorts, you can always rent and book using DVC points. DVC (Disney Vacation Club) is Disneys timeshare for the veteran Disney adults and some of these families will rent their unused points from their annual allotment. DVC members benefit by being able to stay at these Deluxe resorts which saves them money over the span of their contract. So they are basically passing on these savings to you 😊.

Eating offsite can also save you some money. It may be hard to resist with all the magnificently themed restaurants and food options available in Disney. Enjoying the themed dining is part of what makes Disney so appealing. But if your family is more geared towards the attractions and shows, maybe consider seeing what’s available outside the parks. Both Orlando and Anaheim have a plethora of restaurants that will fit anyones budget. If you didn’t drive, simple! There are lots of available delivery services directly from the restaurants and there are options like Doordash and Uber Eats.

Buy Your Own Groceries 

This is an extension of the above. But if you want to save even MORE money on dining, consider bringing or buying your own groceries. Just try not to overdo it by buying more than your family can eat during your trip. Packing a bunch of leftovers or throwing them out when your trip is over is no beuno and counterproductive to the whole saving money thing. Plus, you can always get more if you find yourself running low.

If you are driving, there are plenty of options within close proximity to the resorts where you can grab all of your provisions. If traveling by any other means where you won’t have your own vehicle or rental, there are still options that will save you money. You could opt for grocery delivery services like Amazon, Garden Grocer, Walmart and Instacart that will shop and deliver your supplies to your hotel. If you prefer to pick out your own food like meats and veggies you could also use taxi or drive-share services like Lyft and Uber.

It’s also good to know ahead of time what amenities your hotel/timeshare/rental unit have to offer. If your rental only has a microwave and a mini fridge, you may be better off making sandwiches and choosing cold food options. If we stay somewhere with a full kitchen and go the route of cooking, we tend to use one of our resort days to meal prep and make multiple meals to heat up later so we aren’t constantly cooking and cleaning on our vacation. Disney also allows you to bring in your own food to the parks but there are some limitations to keep in mind.

Skip Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes…Sometimes

If you’re not sure what the Genie+ and Lightning Lanes are, you’re not alone. This system has been one of the most confusing and controversial additions to join the Disney parks since its debut in late 2021. For a complete breakdown of the Disney Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. If you are already up to speed on these systems, please continue.

So why does it only save you money sometimes Chris? Well I’ll tell you…Choosing when and where to use this system can make a Disney vacation or unnecessarily break your wallet. I have seen times a lot of frustration and anger amongst those that have purchased these add ons only to find that they still ended up waiting in long lines and sometimes found that the standby queue was just as short as the Lighting Lane. Now, this system may benefit users who are going during peak times of the year and wanting to hit a good majority of the attractions, but thats never a guaruntee as the brief history on these options has already shown.

*Keep in mind that all the rides are not included when you buy the Genie+ and some of the newer or more popular attractions may require an individual Lightning Lane pass. The Genie+ service allows access to one attraction per guest per day and the individual Lightning Lanes are up to 2 per day. You can find the Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes on your My Disney Experience or Disneyland App. Please reach out to your travel agent if you need assistance with setting up and using your Disney account. Don’t have one? Feel free to contact us and we would be happy to help!

Buy Base Tickets

By avoiding the park hopper options you can end up saving both time and money. Park hopping may not be such a bad idea for Disneyland and California Adventure which are within walking distance of each other. But visiting Walt Disney World is another beast entirely. With Disney World taking up nearly 40 square miles, the distance between parks is a lot greater. If driving, you have to make it back to your car, pack up, drive to the next destination, unpack, walk back to the entrance, go back through security and ticketing. This could waste up to an hour depending on the day and even more if visiting Magic Kingdom which requires utilizing Disney Transportation to take you back to the Ticketing and Transportation Center or paying extra for taxi services. 

The only time I say park hopping is beneficial is if you are taking breaks mid day to relax at your resort and going back out for the evening and want to check out a different park or if you only have limited time and just want to hit up your favorite attractions at a few of the parks. I only ever do park hoping during the food and wine festival at EPCOT where I can hop on the monorail after Magic Kingdom and grab some eats. But to each their own. By only doing one park per day, you can end up saving about $50-100 per person depending on number of days and focus solely on one park at a time.

Credit Cards

While my younger mindset was that credit cards only get you into trouble, I have since realized the benefits of owning a credit card can be very…well, beneficial lol. Seeing too many debt consolidation commercials growing up left its mark and I didn’t want to end up with debt I couldn’t get out of. I lived by the motto, if I can’t afford it, I don’t need it. 

When I started taking more trips, I quickly realized I needed to jump on the bandwagon. I was already using my debit card for everything but that offered no incentives or perks for the money I was already spending. So I found one with no yearly fees that offered points that I could redeem towards things like travel and dining. 

Like anything, a credit card can be a bad thing in the wrong hands. If not utilized correctly and maturely, it can leave you in a world of hurt later on. I still use the mindset that if I can’t afford it, I don’t need it. Now I just use my credit card instead of my debit card and just pay the balance off every two weeks so I never have to pay interest while still benefiting from the rewards. Normal use for things like gas, groceries, household items, etc. will typically yield me one or two plane tickets a year, which is one less expense I would have for my Disney trip.

Enjoy a resort day

Gotta say, this is a big one for me. After all, you are paying all this money for a place to stay that oftentimes offers great amenities on their own. This goes for people stayin on and off property because a lot of the surrounding hotels and resorts have a lot more to offer than just a place to lay your head down for the night. I cannot speak for all the resorts in Orlando because there are a TON!!! I tend to stick to Disney Resorts for the convenience and spend equal amounts of time between the resorts and the parks.

With a variety of different theming comes a laundry list of different cultures, activities, dining and shopping for you to explore. If your kids are in love with Moana and Lilo & Stitch, The Polynesian Village may be right up your alley. Have a soft spot for animals and want to learn more about the African culture? Animal Kingdom Lodge is where you want to be. I could easily spend an entire vacation just resort hopping without even stepping foot in any of the parks…and I have, many times.

There are a lot of things that set these resorts apart but they do have some activities that are alike or shared across many of the resorts like Movies Under The Stars, pool parties, activities for younger kids, walking paths, fitness rooms, dining, shopping and more! I could go on  and on but you would be here all day and I want to see where else I can save your family some moola.

Buy Disney Apparel BEFORE Your Trip

This is one thing I do A LOT. Especially for the kids. Many of your local department stores like Kohls, Target, Walmart and Macy’s have licensing with Disney and can offer you some of your favorite character t-shirts for less than you would find in parks. Before our last trip to Disneyland, we hit up Kohls and I snagged myself a Pizza Planet shirt that was actually very similar to the ones they were selling at the World of Disney store for about a third of the price. This can save you money that would be better spent on items you can only find at the resorts and theme parks.

Another idea is DIY Disney themed apparel. While Disney may go after you for selling copyrighted or trademarked clothing, they do not prohibit homemade Disney themed apparel from being worn in the parks. Recently we decided to wear shirts that had a picture of the Disneyland map and legend stamped on the back in case we ran into any lost souls while making our way around the parks and some of the cast members loved the idea. I also see a ton of matching outfits that are Disney themed for family reunions which make for fun pictures and helps keep everyone together.

Skip The Sodas And Extra Carbs

This can benefit both your wallet and your health. Buying drinks in Disney and the resorts will end up costing you 3-4 times the amount as if you bought them in the store. That can add up quick for a family, especially if it’s hot and you are drinking a lot to help cool you off. What you may not know is that you may be contributing to your own demise since things like coffee, tea and sodas contain diuretics. Diuretics promotes urination which will actually make you more dehydrated and quenching more to drink and pulling more money out of your vacation funds. Also, dehydration increases your blood sugar levels which also increases urination and sugary drinks add to those increased blood sugar levels which may have a bad effect on you if you’re a diabetic.

Water and electrolyte containing drinks may be your best bet for many reasons. For one, it’s oftentimes cheaper. Even if you buy a pack of bottled water at the store and bring them to the parks you’ll be saving a decent amount from your food fund. I typically just fill my Yeti Tumbler with ice and water and stop by any quick service restaurant that will give you complimentary tap water all day long. There are also multiple water bottle filling stations around the parks too. This will help keep you hydrated, healthy and happy. Water will also help your energy level stay more constant than the alternative that will end up giving you energy peaks followed by a decline.

Rethink the Souvenirs

I know this may be hard for a few of you, but this is another great way to save money. If there’s something I see at one of the stores that I absolutely must have and know I will get good use out of it, then I will probably get it. But for those items that you think are kind of cool now, may end up in next years yard sale. I prefer to spend money on things that will stay with me forever. That’s right, I’m talkin’ bout memories. I would prefer to go see the new Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life than some Christmas ornaments that have my name on it that I’ll see for one month out of the year. 

Now I’m not saying don’t buy anything in the parks, just to rethink your options and if you really need it. We typically buy Disney artwork or stuff that retains or gains value over time that we can still enjoy while in our possession. Another option if you are crafty is to DIY some things. We get a ton of inspiration from our visits that leave me transforming our house into a Disney themed resort. You can check out a few of my DIY creations under The Magic At Home tab.

The Meal Plans…Yes and No

This one can go either way. I have gotten The Disney Dining Plans (DDP) multiple times in the past. Although I was able to benefit from the system, I felt hindered in other aspects of my trip. Hopefully a little insight will help you determine if this will help save you and your family money.

In my experience, you can save money one of two ways. The first is easy yet not always available. Disney has offered DDP’s before as a FREE offer for select vacation packages booked with them. Oftentimes Disney will entice customers to book select vacation package with things like free dining plans, discounted or additional park tickets and discounted rooms. I would say that if the free dining plan is offered as an add on, take it. This can save your family a lot of money in the end and you dont have to worry about cooking or packing meals for your trip.

If the free dining is NOT offered, you can still save money by purchasing a dining plan IF you were already planning on eating at Disney property restaurants. Those meals would also have to include a soft drink, entrée and dessert/snack at every meal, PLUS 1-2 snacks a day. This could potentially save you up to 30% on meals.

Honestly, I felt more hindered with the DDP than anything. I felt like my entire trip revolved around restaurant planning instead of enjoying more of the parks. If choosing a lot of table service restaurants, you will also be taking a lot more time out of your trip for these sit down meals. It all depends on your families budget and interests whether you are more focused on dining/cuisines, attractions or shows and entertainment.

Take Your Own Pictures

This one is hard for me to say. Although I do love it when I capture a nice picture myself that isn’t blurry and doesn’t have someone inattentively walking into my shot. Which is something that I usually don’t have to worry about as much when using Disney Photographers.

The caveat to using them is that you may be wasting more time waiting in line especially the more popular scenic areas. You’ll also be paying extra for these photos. Sometimes a lot extra if  decided to purchase the Photo Pass without utilizing it like you planned. I do like the pictures they take where they sprinkle a little extra magic in them and the fact that you can get photos on some of the attractions. 

But once again, if you’re looking to save some green, opt for taking your own photos. Just make sure you’re up to date on what is and isn’t allowed in Disney Parks. Things like selfie sticks and even some camera stands may not make it through security so save yourself the hassle beforehand and plan accordingly.

Refillable Popcorn Bucket

THIS!!! This right here is one of my favorite hacks. I love theme park popcorn and this is a cheap and lighter option for saving calories and money. Popcorn is one of our go to snacks for the kids too because it doesn’t get them all hopped up on sugary snacks, yet keeps them content enough between meals. If you buy the refillable souvenir bucket, you will be paying for it upfront, but will make up for it in the end since its only $2 to refill them. There are even flavored options you can find at certain locations like the Canada Pavilion in Epcot that offers a maple flavored refill. Disney does have a variety of bucket options which is nice too if you want a certain character or theme so be on the lookout.

What’s even better is you get to keep the souvenir bucket to use at home. We use ours to fill with our own popcorn and throw a Disney flick on or watch some of the Disney firework shows on Youtube. Unfortunately they refills are only good for the length of your stay for refilling, so older buckets may not get you the $2 refill price. I suggest getting the bucket on your first park day so you can take advantage of the refills as much as possible.

Stick to A Budget

This can go for just about any vacation but it is not always that easy to adhere to. Especially with the challenges of inflation the ever changing prices to contend with. What you planned for just 6 months prior could end up costing an extra couple hundred bucks depending on when you go. So its always a good idea to plan for a little extra before your trip just for any unexpected expenses.

One thing Juliet likes to do is to purchase a $10-20 gift card every time she goes to the grocery store. Although this is not really saving us money, it is a good way to save up for your trip along the way so you have some extra spending cash on vacation.

Book Your Trip Through A Travel Agent

So this one might not directly save you money up front, but it can save you a lot of time and headache. A lot of agencies charge you nothing extra to book through them and may even offer you perks or a gift as a thank you for booking through them. These will most likely be offered as Disney gift cards for certain vacation packages which is actually just paid out of the commission that Disney gives travel agents for booking, similar to what real estate agents do. 

Did you know that you’re actually paying for a Disney Travel Agent, whether you book it or we do? Disney prices in agent fees on all vacation packages including cruises to pay commission to Travel Agents. Something that I never knew until we became agents ourselves. Utilizing an agent will sometimes get you more than just a thank you basket if you book. When Juliet and I book your trip, we will help set up your account, teach you how to use the app and give tips and recommendations along the way and hunt down any question you may have about your trip.

Disney Transportation

Take advantage of the Disney Transportation Services. Disney offers multiple modes of transportation to get back to your resort including the monorail, buses, boats and even the new skyliner. Even though we typically drive down for vacation, we still utilize the heck out of these services.

There’s many advantages to using their services. They are usually closer to the park exits which means less walking for you. The downside is you may be waiting around more if its busy or if you depart with the masses. 

The best perk is that you aren’t using your own fuel. People often underestimate just how big Walt Disney World is. You could easily run through half a tank of gas or more while you’re down there. Another benefit we like is that Juliet and I don’t have to choose who gets to be the DD if we choose to have a few libations over dinner. More so before we started having our own little crumb snatchers, but the option is still there to let Disney take the wheel while we nap on the bus with our little angels. Just remember to get off on your stop!

If you are staying off property, check with your hotel and see if they offer complimentary transportation services to Disney. A good amount of them do and will typically make a couple trips a day.

Amazon Prime One Day Delivery

Did you forget something along the way? No worries. Amazon Prime members can take advantage of Amazon One Day Delivery for a lot of everyday use items. This also includes groceries and produce which will help save money on food too. You must make a minimum order of $20 so please keep that in mind. Make sure to add the Disney resort address and resort name with the word “guest” plus your name after it and the package will be taken to the front desk and held for you there.

Buy Autograph Books, Toys and Trading Pins Ahead of time

Sometimes you can find good deals on Disney themed autograph books which may be a good item to procure now that character encounters are back and able to sign autographs again. If you’re looking for a fun project for the kiddos that will also get them excited for their upcoming trip, you could alway make your own autograph book too! This is a great way to spend some quality time together. 

Things like toys and trading pins can also be bought ahead of time to save some money. If your kids enjoy trading the pins more than the actual pins themselves, buying a bunch of used lots on eBay is the way to go. Then just trade out the ones you don’t want!

Make Your Own In Room Celebration

If you’re looking to add a little extra magic and surprise your kids with an in room welcome celebration, think about making your own banner and welcome basket with snacks, toys, family shirts or whatever you can think of. The trick is to keep the kids occupied with one parent while the other sneaks off to prep the room. If traveling with other friends or family members, you could also get everything set up if traveling separately. 

I did this the night I made Juliet my wife. We stayed at the Grand Californian on our wedding night and I had my sister grab a bottle of wine, some rose pedals and some chocolates and she stopped by while we were getting ready. She laid everything out after clearing it through my resort first and it saved me a ton of money I would have otherwise had to buy through Disney Floral and Gifts. Actually, come to think of it, I didn’t pay anything since my amazing sister bought everything and wouldn’t let me pay her back. If you actually read our blogs Meghan, know that you’re the best sister ever and I love you.

Be Flexible With Vacation Dates

This is not always an option if you have kids in school or have set vacation days for the year. But did you know that depending on the time of year you go could be adding hundreds of extra dollars to your trip? That’s right.

Typically prices surge more during the peak seasons and a lot of times with no savings incentives. Thats because Disney knows this is when most people are able to vacation and will pay those higher premiums to go, especially now with the more limited capacities. So if you are able to be a little more flexible with your vacation, try looking at off season options.

If you have your own money saving hack, we would love to hear about it. Let us know in the comment section below what you and your famly do to save a little extra green for your trip!