Disney World—so much magic encapsulated into two small words. But for many parents hoping for a vacation, and for many millennials looking for a getaway with friends, these words also carry the hollow, yet heavy weight of an empty wallet. Don’t be discouraged, though; there are plenty of ways to save on a Disney World vacation on your trip to the Magic Kingdom.
Search for Special Offers
Like all businesses, Disney has its high seasons and its low seasons—and it will try to make the most out of its low seasons with special deals. Head over to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ to find what kind of bargain you can take advantage of! It’s true, though, that many special offers have certain stipulations in order to use them. This means that you’re more likely to find something that suits you if you’re pretty flexible with your timetables and room conditions.
Watch What You Order
Theme park food is notorious for disrupting all dreams of having an accurate vacation-cost estimate, and Disney is no exception. While we can’t lower the costs of food for you, we do have two pieces of advice. First, recognize that many orders are automatically made into combos. However, you can order many items à la carte, skipping the sides to save a few bucks here and there. Secondly, curb your soda cravings. Many people in the U.S. are accustomed to three sodas per day, but this can run you an extra $10 per person in the park.
Bring Your Own Stroller
It’s possible to find a cheap, portable, fold-up stroller for just $25 or $30—outside of the park, that is. If you forget one, the park will rent them to you for $15 per day. These strollers are not collapsible however, which makes them cumbersome when your youngster wants to stretch their legs or when you sit to eat. If you’re going for more than one day, invest in a stroller.
What’s in Your Wallet?
If you use your credit card often—responsibly, we hope—you may have racked up some reward points. Look into your rewards program and see if any of these points can be put toward your vacation. Even if none of them can be used for free tickets, see if they can be used elsewhere to cut the vacation’s overall cost, such as airfare, car rental, groceries, and the like.
Don’t Stay with Disney
Second only to perhaps number one on this list, this advice will make the biggest budget difference. While “value” rooms in Disney hotels can cost as little as $85 per night in September and January, they can run upwards of $180 per night during the summer—and this is for the cheapest, bare-bones room.
Instead, look around for a place to rent! Check out Tropical Escape Vacation Homes’ many luxurious condos and simpler abodes—not only can our prices rival those of Disney’s, they also get you way more bang for your buck! If you’re going to spend over $100 or $150 per night on lodging, why not spend it on a place where everyone gets their own room and you don’t need to share your pool? If you check out Disney’s deals and ours, we think you’ll find there’s a strong argument that not staying in a Disney hotel might be the best option for a Disney vacation!