Let’s not dance around the main problem with Disney World — the cost. No matter how fun or memorable a trip may be, we’re always a little depressed when we look at our bank account post-trip. If you’re like us, then you’ll try to save wherever you can!
Saving money at Disney World may seem like a laughable idea, but it’s totally plausible! From being mindful of a dining budget to finding the best hotel deals, we’ve managed to save quite a bit of money at Disney World over the years. Here are some tips that will help you keep your costs down considerably!
We’ve put together a list of 10 things you can do that could wind up cutting your Disney World trip cost in half! Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Disney Gift Cards
Getting Disney gift cards as gifts is probably THE BEST way to save money on a Disney World trip. It goes without saying with the right amount, you could actually end up paying very little for your trip. You can use gift cards to buy a lot of things at The Most Magical Place on Earth, including park tickets and hotel stays!
Pack Essentials
Plan for the unexpected when you go to Disney World. Make sure you pack all of the essentials, such as ponchos and sunscreen, as well as water bottles and other necessities you’ll likely need during your vacation. You can wind up saving hundreds of dollars if you come to Disney World already prepared. For packing tips, check out our planning guide!Â
Use A Travel Agent
Travel agents are amazing at finding the best ways of saving you money. If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!
Take Pool Days
Take one or more pool days! Pool access is included in your hotel stay and the alternative is spending money on park tickets, spending money in the parks, and/or spending money at Disney Springs. Pool days can be relaxing, fun, and, most importantly, don’t cost you anything extra!
Stay At A Value Resort
We’re not going to sugarcoat it — staying at Disney World is expensive regardless of where you stay. With that said, if you’re on a tight budget, lodging at a Value Resort is the best idea. While these hotels aren’t as nice as the higher tiers, they still have their charms and some really great perks. To learn more about the Disney World Value Resorts, click here!
Don’t Buy Souvenirs At Disney World
I know this one will break many of your hearts, but if you must save money, then you must resist buying souvenirs at Disney World. This one broke our hearts too, but it makes a bunch of sense. After all, you might be able to find similar or the same souvenirs online at MUCH cheaper rates on websites like Amazon or even the Disney Store!
Don’t Park Hop
While the park hopping rules at Disney World are back to normal, the cost of the park hopper add-on will still skyrocket your ticket prices. Â Those numbers look worse and worse depending on the length of your vacation and how many are in your party. Disney World is still incredibly enjoyable without park hopping (and less chaotic), and omitting that feature will save you quite a bit of cash.
Bring Your Own Snacks
We know Disney World snacks are tasty, but bringing your own can save you a lot of money! Even with the Disney Dining Plan, costs to chow down at Disney World can get EXPENSIVE. Bringing your own food will rob you of some tasty treats, but it definitely won’t rob you of money.
Check the Calendar
Without a doubt, Disney World uses surge pricing during certain parts of the year. It’s financially prudent to do a bit of homework in advance to find which days will likely be cheaper than others. We recommend the best days to visit Disney World all the time and you can check out our “Cheapest Days to Go to Disney World in 2024” list right here!
Keep Searching for Discounts
Even if you’ve felt your Disney World trip is completely planned months in advance, never stop checking for discounts! We have a discount guide that is updated frequently and you can also find current discounts on the Disney World website. If you ever find something that can be applied to your current Disney reservation, you can still add that discount so never stop looking!
There you have it! We hope your next Disney World trip is loads of fun and much, much cheaper! In the meantime, continue to follow us here at AllEars for the latest Disney World news, tips, and reviews!
The CHEAPEST Days To Go to Disney World in 2025
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Value resort? NO. How about NEVER stay on property. There are many nice mom and pop hotels and AirBnbs in the Four Corners area minutes from the gates at 1/3 the price. The biggest $ saver (for Fl Residents) is the $399 Pixie Dust Seasonal Annual Pass. Weekdays only, and blocked for most school holidays – in other words, good on the lowest-crowd, best weather days.
You left out some other ways to save money. Eat breakfast in your room as you can have groceries delivered using any number of grocery delivery services (or mailed using Amazon). It used to be you could request a mini fridge in your room. Not sure if that is an option now. Go to the parks with food like PB and J sandwiches and a refillable water bottle. Or eat at counter serve places instead of sit down. That also saves time. And only buy 1 souvenir like a t shirt, ears, or a hat for the trip as a remembrance.
DVC and Annual Passes are good ways to save as well. Obviously not for everyone, but if you going regularly then it certainly helps.