10 Tips for Doing Disney on a Budget

By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com

A trip to Disneyland (California) or Walt Disney World (Florida), or sailing on a Disney Cruise, is a dream come true for kids. Planning the ultimate family vacation is another story. There are thousands of "tips and tricks" and "secrets" to visiting a Disney property. The challenge is sifting through them and figuring out what actually saves you money and works for your situation. We've assembled 10 best tips that can help you plan your next magical vacation.

1. Go off-season. Here at Cheapism.com, we preach saving money by buying or going in the off-season, and Disney attractions are no different. Both Disney parks have "off" or "value" seasons that generally run January through February, October through November, and the early days of December. Walt Disney World is cheaper all around when you go during the off-season. Spring break, Christmas, and New Year's are peak times at both parks, as are the summer months. Everything is marked up, including accommodations and food within and surrounding the parks.

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2. Start planning up to six months in advance. Abbey DeHart, a mother of two from in central Ohio, estimates her family spent approximately $1,500 for three nights and four days, including one day at the Magic Kingdom, a meal plan for three, and lodging at a value resort. It was worth every penny, she says. "It's not cheap any way you look at it, but it was the best vacation ever."

Planning in advance, as DeHart did, can save you a few pennies. There's time to shop around and find deals on admission into the parks, hotel accommodations, and even dining opportunities. One blogger tells of searching for free dining offers and booking them as soon as she finds them. A "character" meal for her family of four costs more than $100, so free dining deals are invaluable.

3. Don't pay full price for tickets. Prepare for sticker shock if you pay full price. Daily admission into the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is $99 for ages 10 and up and $93 for ages 3 to 9. Disneyland is slightly cheaper at $92 for the older set and $86 for those under 9. Any way you cut it, this is a huge outlay for a family of four.

Relax -- discounted admission is available. Buying tickets for multiple days upfront is cheaper than one day at a time. The AAA sometimes offers members discounted tickets to Disney, and military and their families also qualify for cut-rate tickets. "There is no frugal side when it comes to Disney," cautions Jonathon Rinehart, a father of two from Columbus, Ohio. "That being said, my Dad is retired USMC and they have pretty nice discounts for military (and extended) families if you qualify." Now through September, for example, service members can buy a special Military Salute Ticket (four-day ticket to Walt Disney World with a Park Hooper (see below) ticket or Water Park Fun and More ticket) for $168 plus tax that can be used by the military member, family, and friends. Large companies, government organizations and big groups like unions also have occasional access to discount tickets. Do some research to see if you qualify for cheap entry into a Disney park.

4. Don't buy a Park Hooper pass unless…. you definitely know you will visit more than one park in a day, advises Courtney Neri, an Ohio mother who has visited Walt Disney World upwards of 15 times with her two youngsters, taken two Disney Cruises, and visited Disneyland once. It's a needless expense if you don't make it, and with so much to see at each park, it's worth spending an entire day.

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5. Bring your own food. In-park meals and snacks are pricey at Disney, and it's way cheaper to bring your own food. According to Mouse Savers, Walt Disney World has foresworn its "no outside food" policy to let visitors brown-bag it, with the exception of a few items (e.g., glass bottles, alcohol, food that needs heating). Disneyland still operates under a "no outside food" policy, but the rule is largely ignored unless you're really obvious about it. Hard-sided coolers are always forbidden, but carrying in a small lunch or dinner is fairly easy and lighter on your wallet.

If you plan to buy food in the parks, hit up the cheaper options. Walt Disney World operates several stands that sell fruit and giant pickles at lower prices than other snack choices elsewhere in the park. Cups of water are always free while milk, apple juice, and orange juice are all $1 cheaper than a soft drink, coffee, or bottled water. Full meals are less costly at counter-service or cafeteria-style sites. And as noted above, free dining deals or discounted character meals occasionally surface online. DeHart and Neri both recommend a dining plan (part of a lodging and admissions package) if you find a discount deal and the agenda includes eating at any of the "fun" restaurants.

6. Consider the "value" accommodations. In-park accommodations are available at several levels. The "value" level is the most budget friendly, and booking a value room during the off-season is the best bet for doing Disney for less. Discounts are offered throughout the year and change often. We found the best advice about resort discounts at Mouse Savers, which recommends searching for deals early and often during the planning process and being flexible about where and when. "We stayed at the budget resort and it was perfect for us," DeHart says. "The room wasn't spectacular, but it was a reasonable price and the pool area was amazing." Neri agrees, adding that her family spends an entire day at a park, so pricier hotels would be a waste of money.

7. Forget the souvenirs. Do not, we repeat, do not buy the overpriced souvenirs sold in Disney theme parks. Bring your own instead. Head out to a local store or shop online before the trip and load up with Disney memorabilia at prices far below park prices. Stash them in your bag and hand out as you go along. The Southern Plate blog suggests telling the kids that Mickey left them a surprise at the hotel (place something brought from home on their pillow before heading out for the day), which helps motivate them to leave quietly and soothes the "want" of a high-priced keepsake.

8. Make the most of your visit. A trip this costly means you should milk it for all it's worth. Neri offers a few tips:

  • Take advantage of the extended park hours and stay for the parade and fireworks. Ask a cast member for the best view spots (these folks are a wealth of knowledge).

  • If you need a break, ride the train or people mover in the Magic Kingdom.

  • Plan the visit by making a map of everything you want to see and do inside the Disney theme parks. Do this on Disney.com and the company will mail it to you before your trip.

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9. Bring your own beverages on the Disney Cruise. And that includes alcohol. Mouse Savers says sealed alcoholic beverages packed in your carry-on luggage may be brought on board. (Neri thinks the limit is two bottles per person, but check with the cruise operator.) Be sure to bring bottled water, which is expensive on the ship and handy for day excursions. Soft-sided coolers may be carried onto the ship upon boarding.

10. Get the most out of the Disney Cruise. Insider tip alert: Neri notes that free activities, including movies and shows, are available throughout the ship. This gives the little ones a varied experience, keeps them well-occupied, and wears them out. When planning your day, Neri also recommends using the Navigator (a daily on-board newsletter) or free Navigator app, which detail activities, the daily schedule, hours of operation, and characters available for autographs and pictures. Take the Navigator everywhere you go for easy reference.

More from Cheapism:
Best hotel chains under $100 a night
Best cruises for under $75 a night

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