5 Ways to Save on Your Next Disney World Vacation

Yikes! Disney World recently raised its admission rates, from $79 to $82 for adults, and from $68 to $74 for a child under 10 years of age. That’s per day! With the economy struggling, many families are looking at that and wondering, how can a family afford a Disney vacation without breaking the bank? The answer lies in these money-saving suggestions.

 

 

Saving on the ticket price is step one. An annual pass is way too expensive for most, but you can buy a “park-hopper” pass for a set number of days. You can also buy passes for the number of days you will be visiting, getting a multi-day discount. Discounts are also available for AAA and AARP members.

 

Consider volunteering a day at Disney to earn a day. You must preregister for the program, but Disney's Give a Day Get a Disney Day is a great way to save. As with any vacation, going off-season can save you a lot of money, but only if you can take the Florida summer heat.

 

 

You don’t have to pay for everything you do at Disney. There are plenty of free family activities too, such as the Boardwalk, Wilderness Preserve or Downtown. Kids can meet and greet characters at Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom Park instead of going after the breakfast with characters. This can also be a better option for some younger kids who may be uncomfortable in close quarters with six-foot mice, dogs and ducks. You can also find special discounts in local area magazines. Pick one up on your way to the park. 

 

 

Some Disney World restaurants are cheaper than others. Go over brochures to find the best dining prices and food choices before you go to Disney. Cutting down on eating expenses will go a long way towards stretching your Disney dollars. Know that breakfast is cheaper than lunch and lunch cheaper than dinner. Plan your meals accordingly. A big lunch may save the cost of dinner. You could opt for a late snack instead. Also, don’t buy beverages at Disney. Water is freely available at fountains throughout the park. 

 

Another option is the Disney Dining Plan (DDP), which can save many families hundreds of dollars. Take advantage of kids’ meals whenever possible since they are the most affordable. Entrees are often huge, so consider sharing or taking the remainder with you to eat later. If family members each order a different lunch entrée, you can swap leftovers to have a different meal for dinner at no extra cost.

 

 

The cheapest way to eat at Disney, however, is not to eat at Disney. If you have access to a car, use it and go to the supermarket or an affordable restaurant instead. The same is true for lodging. If you can find a place off site, especially a house to rent, you’ll save a bundle. You’ll be able to cook at home with groceries from the supermarket. Parking, however, will  cost you an extra $12 a day.

 

The downside of staying off site is that you will lose some Extra Magic Hours offered to those who stay at Disney World. You can save some money and take advantage of Extra Magic Hours by renting a Disney Vacation Club from someone else. 

 

 

Save souvenir shopping for the last day of your trip. It’s easy to buy up every little bauble in the beginning, but by the end, you will know what you really want and what you can live without. You can also pick up Disney merchandise at discounts by shopping area outlets before heading home.