The Best Ways to Save on a Disney Trip This Summer!

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A family trip to Disney is a dream come true for many, but it can also cost thousands and thousands if you’re not prepared. With careful planning and smart choices, you can save significantly on your Disney vacation — without compromising the magical experience. Let’s explore some of the best ways to make your Disney trip more affordable and budget-friendly.

Ways to Make a Disney Trip More Affordable

  • Plan and Research in Advance

One of the key steps to saving on a Disney trip is planning ahead. The idea of crowd calendars is a thing of the past. The busiest time to visit is during short school breaks: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. Some of the least crowded times over the past two years have been the week after those breaks. But never ever go to Magic Kingdom on a Monday. It’s SO BUSY no matter what week of the year it is.

If you see Disney offering a deal, this means they’re trying to sell more tickets. This could be a really great sign, or not so much. Additionally, booking your accommodations and tickets in advance can help secure better deals and discounts. Explore different lodging options, including Disney resort hotels, off-site hotels, or vacation rentals. Compare prices and amenities to find the most cost-effective choice. No matter what you do, book early!

  • Do You Need a Travel Agent?

If you talk to a Travel Agent, they will tell you yes. Disney pays them directly so it costs you nothing. There are many cases where you do need one, and there are so many awesome TAs locally. There’s really no reason not to use one, even if you know what you want, so don’t just write them off if you always book your hotel and tickets by yourself.

A TA can add a lot of value to you in many ways. The minimum they can do for you is book 3-day tickets. Anything less than that, Disney won’t pay a commission on. Depending on your relationship with a TA, they may do it anyway or charge you a planning fee. TAs will not tell you all of the options, they may not be allowed to depending on their agency guidelines.

For example, we used a TA for a surprise trip I planned for my husband’s 40th. I hadn’t been in over a decade, so I had no idea where to start. We had a great time but we spent more than we really wanted to. They didn’t tell me about renting DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points to stay on the property — probably because their agency doesn’t have a supplier. While it is no fault of theirs, knowing this would have changed things for me. But of course, they wouldn’t mention this, or else they would have lost my business. That would have saved us 50% of the lodging costs.

My favorite place to rent DVC points is through David’s Vacation Club Rentals, and there are many TAs who can book you DVC rooms through this supplier. It is a much lower commission though, so it is often not the first thing they recommend. They’re often up to 50% less than what is on the Disney website. Be sure to research all the details so you know the differences between DVC and booking directly with David’s Vacation Club Rentals!

  • Consider Ticket Options

Disney offers various ticket options, and choosing the right one can help you save money. Multi-day tickets often provide better value per day compared to single-day tickets. If you plan on visiting multiple Disney parks, consider the Park Hopper option, which allows you to visit multiple parks in a single day. Keep an eye out for special promotions or discounted tickets offered through authorized sellers or travel websites. Additionally, some credit card companies or membership programs may offer rewards or discounts on Disney tickets, so explore those options as well. Don’t forget some retailers sell discounted Disney gift cards too!

  • Bring Your Own Food and Drinks

Food expenses can quickly add up during a Disney trip, but there are ways to cut costs. Disney allows visitors to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages into the parks. Pack snacks, sandwiches, and refillable water bottles to save on meals. You can also take advantage of quick-service restaurants and food kiosks instead of pricier sit-down restaurants. Consider eating breakfast at your accommodation, or packing a picnic lunch to enjoy in designated areas within the parks. This way you can splurge on a special dining experience while still saving overall.

We take our time in the parks, but we go often so we don’t feel pressure to get there super early. We have breakfast either at the hotel or Airbnb, pack a lunch and either do a sit-down meal in the middle of the day and keep the snacks for later — or the opposite. Some days, the sit-down meal is more than enough that we only eat two meals and have lunch packed for the next day. Our kids are still young, so we bring a stroller and pack it with a cooler and water so we don’t have to buy much. We do bring a popcorn bucket and refill them throughout the day for a small snack for six.

  • Utilize Disney Transportation and Discounts

Disney offers complimentary transportation options for guests staying at their resort hotels, including buses, boats, and the monorail. Taking advantage of these services not only saves you money on transportation but also eliminates parking fees. But it won’t save you time — these do take much longer than driving yourself. Even with the parking fees, the time savings of driving yourself may be worth it financially to have more hours in the parks if you’re there for a short trip. Additionally, check the official Disney website, authorized travel agents, or discount websites for potential deals or promotions. Plus, again, some credit cards or membership programs may offer exclusive discounts or rewards for Disney-related expenses, so check if you qualify for any of those benefits.

  • Where to Stay

This really depends on the experience you want to have. When it’s only my husband and me, we stay on the property and rent the DVC points I mentioned above. When we bring our four kids, we either use Marriott points to stay at Swan or Dolphin (which is still considered “on property”), another Marriott that has a kitchen, or Airbnb. Pro tip: If you’re loyal to Delta, you can get miles using this website to book an Airbnb.

We actually don’t like Disney transportation because of how long it takes, so we prefer to drive. This means that added bonus for staying on the property doesn’t matter to us. But we do love Disney theming; there’s nothing like it. The activities the Disney resorts have do not compare to any other resort in Orlando.

A Disney trip can be an incredible experience for the whole family! By implementing these cost-saving strategies, you can make it more affordable without compromising the magic. Remember to plan in advance, compare prices, consider ticket options, bring your own food, and take advantage of available discounts. Happy saving and have a magical Disney adventure!

What other tips would you add for making a Disney trip more affordable?

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Jen Blanton
Jen Blanton was born into a musical family between Baltimore and Annapolis, MD. She studied classical voice at two of the top conservatories in the world, performing on stages in front of 3,000+ people at a time. A career-ending injury to her sternum forced her to pivot and lean into her other passion. She owns FAME Performing Arts and Encore Music Hall in Mt. Pleasant. Jen is a breast cancer survivor and a very determined person, constantly striving to get the most out of life. She prioritizes spending time with family, traveling, and business continuing education.