Considering the various expenses associated with Disney World vacations, including park tickets, accommodation, flights, meals, and other potential unforeseen costs, it’s clear that Disney vacations can quickly become costly. Fortunately, Disney travel planning experts MagicGuides have compiled their top tips on how to get the most magic out of your 2024 Disney vacation without breaking the bank.
1. Never buy water at Disney
Spending your day walking around Disney World in the Orlando heat means you’ll need plenty of water to stay hydrated. However, the expense of purchasing bottled water and sodas throughout the day can add up quickly and produce needless plastic waste. The solution is to bring your own drinks into the park or bring a reusable water bottle per person to fill at water fountains.
Also, one top tip is that ice water is totally free at Disney World quick-service restaurants. Therefore, skip the pricey bottled water and ask for a free glass of ice cold tap water instead.
2. Buy discounted Disney gift cards
One tip when planning your Walt Disney World vacation is to buy discounted Disney gift cards beforehand. These cards can be used to pay for park admission tickets, souvenirs, food at dining locations, or just about anything on Disney property where credit cards are accepted. This Disney hack is an easy way to save a little money on your trip to Disney World.
Purchase discounted Disney gift cards from legitimate retailers, grocery stores and other participating retailers. For example, if you have a Target RedCard, you can buy Disney gift cards at a 5% discount, allowing you to save money even before your trip begins.
3. Use online crowd calendars to avoid peak times
Room rates are almost always higher during the busiest times of the year, such as the summer months, school vacation periods, and around holidays.
Rates and crowds tend to be lower after the first of the year, in the first half of May, from mid-August to just before Thanksgiving, and after Thanksgiving week until mid-December. If your schedule allows for flexibility, you can save money and steer clear of crowds by planning your visit to Disney World during these off-peak times by referring to online crowd calendars. See our Disney World Crowd Calendar for up-to-date crowd information: https://magicguides.com/wdw-crowd-calendar/.
4. Pack essential items for your trip
When on a budget, it is essential to focus on practical and cost-effective items for your Walt Disney World trip. Here’s a list of a few critical things to take while keeping budget constraints in mind:
- Toiletries including medications such as ibuprofen, as these can be costly on-site
- Snacks, including reusable Ziplock bags to bring food to and from the parks
- Weather-permitting items, like umbrellas, rain jackets, and sunscreen
- Portable phone chargers
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Arriving well-prepared with essentials like the ones listed above is crucial, as purchasing them at the parks can be more expensive compared to buying online or back home. To cut costs, consider stopping at a convenience store or utilizing online platforms like Amazon before your visit.
5. Pack plenty of weather essentials
Speaking of essentials, don’t forget to pack plenty of weather essentials for your trip. Rain or shine, you’ll be at the park, but if you need an umbrella, rain poncho, or sunscreen, the cost of buying them at the park will add some considerable extra costs to your budget. Instead, come prepared by bringing affordable rain ponchos from the dollar store or Amazon, ample sunscreen, hats, fans, and other essentials to ensure comfort regardless of the weather. This is especially crucial considering that umbrellas or single adult ponchos within the parks can cost over $12 each.
6. Keep an eye on your food budget
While the food at Disney World is fantastic, it comes with a hefty price tag. It’s advised to consider the pros and cons of the Disney Dining Plan vs. a pay-as-you-go method before you book your trip.
Disney Dining Plans are now back as of 2024. Some guests find that the Disney Dining Plan will save them money throughout their vacation while others find that they save more money without any plan at all – it merely depends on each guest and their individual priorities and preferences.
One way to save money is to purchase food at local grocery stores and make your own meals, or even buy snacks on Amazon and schedule your package to be delivered directly to your hotel. For example, services like Orlando Grocery Express will bring food straight to your on-site resort, so you can make sandwiches and bring snacks for your big day in the park. Disney World allows guests to bring food into the park, so you could conceivably buy no food inside Disney parks at all.
7. Enjoy non-park days
Allocate a day away from the theme parks during your vacation. This not only reduces your admission expenses but also provides an opportunity to unwind and recharge.
Use this day to explore Disney’s Boardwalk or Disney Springs, take boat rides, embark on a monorail resort tour, visit other Orlando attractions, or simply relax by the pool. There are numerous enjoyable and cost-effective activities around Disney World that won’t strain your budget.
8. Book your vacation through a Disney travel agent
Contrary to a common misconception, booking your Disney World vacation through Disney travel agents often turns out to be a more cost-effective option, provided you choose a reputable no-fee agency. While some may think it adds to the expense, Disney actually pays these agencies to plan and book Disney trips. So, as the client, you benefit from the personalized services of a Disney World expert completely free of charge.
Disney travel agents can help you plan and book most aspects of your vacation. This includes giving you expert advice and making informed recommendations, purchasing your park tickets, booking your hotel, dining, and transportation reservations.
They stay updated on the most recent Disney World discounts and promotions, ensuring these are applied to your trip. If a better deal arises after your initial booking, they proactively re-book your trip to take advantage of lower rates. Additionally, they have the capability to establish a Disney payment plan, allowing you to manage the cost of your trip through installments rather than paying for it all at once.
Our recommended Disney Travel Agency is Vacationeer.com.
9. Consider staying off-site
Choosing a non-Disney hotel can come with several cost-saving benefits. Firstly, these accommodations typically come at a lower cost compared to Disney-owned resorts and provide a broader range of room options, including spacious suites ideal for larger groups and families. Many of these larger rooms are furnished with kitchenettes, allowing you to prepare meals in your accommodation rather than dining at expensive Disney World restaurants. This simple adjustment can result in substantial savings, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars.
The obvious downside of staying off-site is that you are situated further away from Disney World and will not have access to free Disney transportation services. Therefore, you will have the additional expense of renting a car (unless you bring your own) and parking charges or relying on taxis/Ubers to reach the parks.
Disney Value resorts are the least expensive in-park lodging and offer competitive rates to rival off-site resorts. We encourage guests to book this tier if you want to be close to the action without costing you an arm and a leg.
Another Disney budget hack is to search online for room or house listings near Disney World. Websites like Airbnb and HomeAway, for example, offer these types of short-term vacation rentals, most of which can be a considerable discount to staying at a resort.
A spokesperson from MagicGuides adds: “”In our experience, we understand that a trip to Disney World is a dream vacation for many. Our mission is to make sure that people can fulfill these dreams without breaking the bank. When booking a Walt Disney World vacation on a budget, prioritize early planning to take advantage of discounts, consider off-peak seasons for more affordable rates, explore bundled packages for accommodations and park tickets, and leverage loyalty programs or memberships for additional savings. By using this strategic booking approach, we aim to make the magic of Disney World accessible to all.”
These expert tips were given by MagicGuides, the ultimate source for the best Disney vacation planning advice online.
ENDS
