9 Ways to Save Money On Your Next Disney Vacation

9 Ways to Save Money On Your Next Disney Vacation

Anyone who has attending a Disney park or plans to, is well aware of just how expensive this can become. Whether you are making a single day trip, or doing a full vacation, the prices are a bit shocking sometimes. We know that any vacation can be pricey, but Disney is one of the more expensive options when it comes to simply attending a theme park. While it is expensive, I can promise you that it is well worth the effort and money- it truly is a rewarding and magical vacation option. In order to make the trip a little easier, it can be beneficial to enlist certain money saving tricks for your Disney vacation. Even if you are someone with a larger budget, money saving tips can still be helpful in order to make the trip a bit smoother. While others might have a smaller budget and might be struggling to make this dream come true entirely. If Disney is something you truly want to experience, then finding ways to pinch your pennies is definitely going to help. Here are some of the best and most effective ways to save money on your next Disney trip.

 

Bring Snacks

While this might seem a little odd, it is definitely an important factor in saving money. If you purchase groceries ahead of time and bring them to your hotel, it will save you an incredible amount of money. Buying your food on Disney grounds can become extremely expensive, especially if you end up eating out rather often. Of course everyone enjoys eating out at Disney, but doing this for every meal is definitely going to drain your funds rather quickly. This is one of the better ways to be frugal, since you can simply purchase your snacks at your dollar store before heading down to Disney. Most hotels have a mini fridge, but we also advise bringing your own appliances since you won’t have a microwave or even a toaster. Obviously some hotels aren’t happy with you having your own microwave, so this is something you might have to check into ahead of time. Or simply make sure to be very careful with the appliances you do bring and make sure not to bring anything that can cause a fire. Other than that having your own means of making sandwiches or easier snacks is definitely going to save you a lot of money in the long run.

Soda is a serious expense at Disney, so if your family enjoys having a soda here and there- buy them ahead of time! The price of soda at Disney is insanely high in comparison to its regular cost, so we strongly advise buying your supply before attending and trying to avoid purchasing them when dining out.

Dollar Store Purchases

Any gear that you might need is best to purchase before attending the parks. Things like reusable ponchos, Band-Aids and any other toiletry supplies- you should absolutely buy at the dollar stores before heading to your hotel. These things become extremely expensive at Disney, and getting them for cheap is going to save you a lot of money.

Disney Gift Cards

This is definitely a popular way to save money, since purchasing many of these gift cards to make your Disney purchases can give you 5% to 10% back. It often requires jumping through a few hoops in order to redeem these extra bits of money, but it is definitely worth it, especially if you shop at the different retailers that carry them. Often places like Sams Club and Krogers.

Skip the Combos

When dining out you might want to skip the combos, which includes the sides and ends up costing you a couple dollars more. If you don’t need those extra food items then it can be beneficial to save your money on them. If you have an entire family eating out then having these combos can really become pricey after a while, and most people aren’t actually aware that you can skip the combo and just go with the main food item.

Mousesavers

Mousesavers.com can be a great site to visit for updates on different savings you can participate in. They give you constant updates on savings, discounts and special deals. Various coupons can really be helpful and having a full time site like this is going to make a huge difference in the amount of cash you can save. They also have some exclusive rates for hotels and others things that you can’t get anywhere else.

Refillable Water Bottle

Purchasing water at the parks is actually rather expensive. Having a refillable water bottle which you can just fill up at the fountains or restaurants, is going to really help you out. Something like this seems rather small but is really helpful in ensuring that you don’t spend unnecessary cash. Disney costs are very high for things like drinks and food, and with the heat you will definitely need to keep yourself hydrated. Making sure that you can refill without costing you a fortune, is going to add up to a lot of saved money.

Bring Your Own Strollers and Chairs

Most people figure they can rent strollers or wheelchairs at Disney, and while you can do this- the costs are a bit crazy. It can be over $100 daily for certain chairs and strollers, so you want to bring them yourself if you can. This is a major money saved and something everyone should do beforehand instead of spending hundreds to nearly a thousand dollars on something that they can make a one time purchase for.

Skip the Luxury Hotels

While official Disney hotels have incredible and immersing surroundings, they are also insanely expensive. The hotel costs are often the largest portion of your Disney budget, so saving what you can here is definitely valuable. Choosing to stay at some of the non-Disney hotels can really be beneficial for your bank account. Some of these hotels are actually still on the grounds and means you don’t have to feel disconnected from the parks. The rooms might be a bit smaller and you aren’t going to have those Disney decorations around you, but it does save a good chunk of money that in my opinion is well worth it.

Discounted Tickets

There are actually resellers who can offer you Disney tickets at a discounted price. These still work just as well and give you all the same access, they just aren’t officially sold from Disney. Undercover Tourist seems to be one of the best places for purchasing Disney World and Disneyland tickets at a discounted price.