How to experience Disney without spending a fortune is tricking. Visiting the happiest place on earth can be costly for a family, but it doesn’t have to be. Many people dream of visiting Walt Disney World in Florida but are held back by financial constraints. However, by using the right strategy, you can afford a Walt Disney World Florida package without breaking the bank. Read on for some top hints and tips so you can experience Disney without spending a fortune.
Planning to go to Disney World Off-season.
One way to save money is to plan your tour during the off-season. Keep in mind that prices for tour packages increase during peak seasons, so try to avoid planning or booking a Walt Disney World Florida Package on holidays such as Christmas, summer vacation, and spring break. Look for Disney World ticket discounts as well. Not only will this save you money, but it will also save you from the stress of traveling with large crowds. Although now in 2023 crowds are at an all time high so there are not many quiet times.
Set a budget for food and limit it to what you can actually afford
Another way to save money is to set a budget for food and souvenirs and stick to it. Don’t just save up for the holiday, you’ll need plenty of spending money too. So set aside some money for your food, drinks and merchandise as well. You will have a lot of options in the park, for these things but in truth the best value for food, drinks and your souvenirs will be outside of the parks. The kids won’t notice if you head to Wendy’s straight from the parks and get a burger and fries for around $5-$10 rather than $12-$20 in the parks.
Buy meals outside the park
Additionally, consider buying meals outside the park. While buying food inside the park may be more fun and Instagram-worthy, it can be more cost-effective to buy meals outside. This will also save you the hassle of going through crowds and waiting in long lines but will also be much cheaper.
As well as fast food options like Wendy’s and Macdonald’s you can also head to the supermarket. This works best when you have a Villa rather than a hotel but can work either way. A chicken from Publix with a big salad will cost less than $20 and will feed a family of four. Of course this is much cheaper than a Character dining experience in Magic Kingdom. So there are ways to keep the food costs down.
Using Water Bottles
Lastly, carry water bottles with you to save money on drinks and save time waiting in lines. The bottled water in Disney is expensive. In 2022 we were paying $3.50 for a 500ml bottle, it’s ice cold but still rather a lot of money. In Publix you can buy 24 bottles for less than $10. Or you can take water bottles into the parks and get them filled up for free. With a bit of thought you can stretch every dollar for your planned trip to the Disney World Orlando and still get the most out of your magical experience.
and Souvenirs…
A trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is not complete without the iconic Mickey Mouse ears or a Disney-themed t-shirt. While these items are readily available within the park, they can be quite expensive. If you’re on a budget, try decorating old shirts or making your own to emulate the official merchandise. If that sounds a bit lame then a great idea for us guys in the UK is Primark. They often have Disney stuff in at a cheap price. When you get to Disney World you will notice lots of people is all kinds of Disney stuff and to be honest no will know (or care) where it came from. For every family in top to toe Disney official merch there is probably ten that have done it another way. No one will judge you so don’t worry.
You can also try purchasing items at shops outside of Disney World, as they often have lower prices. Places such as Publix and Target as well as Walmart have lots of Disney products for much less money. You can even try the Disney outlet at Premium Outlets Shopping Mall.
Not everything in the happiest place on earth comes with a price tag. Although most of it does! There are plenty of activities and items you can do before you go in the parks without spending any money, such as face painting or making your own accessories. Some people, myself included don’t wear Disney clothes, I just rock up in my shorts and a t-shirt.
Remember that a trip to Disney World doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By being resourceful, plan ahead, and being creative, you can save money without sacrificing the fun. With these tips, hopefully you can experience the magic of Disney World without breaking the bank.
For more saving tips and advice, read also Saving Up For Florida.
