Okay, y’all- no gatekeeping here! As a former Cast Member, people are always asking me Disney questions. So today, I am here to spill allllll the Disney-tea about experiencing the magic of Disney- without breaking your budget!
Embarking on a journey to the happiest place on Earth doesn’t necessarily mean you have to empty your life savings. In fact, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, a dash of clever planning, and a healthy dose of humor, you can experience the magic of Disney World without your wallet taking a trip to Neverland! So, buckle up your seatbelts & fasten your mouse ears. It’s time to dive into the ultimate guide on experiencing Disney World on a budget, laughter included.
Disney on a Budget | Tip #1: Lets Talk Tickets
Firstly, let’s talk tickets. Buying tickets to Disney World can feel like you’re funding a small moon landing. However, there are ways to shave off some of the costs. For starters, be on the lookout for special offers directly from Disney. They occasionally offer discounted tickets for longer stays, or for specific groups like military families. Another pro tip is to avoid peak times like holidays and summer vacation, when prices skyrocket faster than Space Mountain. Instead, opt for the less crowded, and less expensive, off-peak times. You’ll save money and won’t have to elbow your way through a sea of people just to catch a glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle.
Pro Tip: Plan your trip in the post-Christmas/pre-Spring Break window (the second week of January through the end of February!) The weather is IDEAL, the crowds are smaller than normal (since everyone is coming off of that Christmas hype and/or prepping for Spring Break), and the prices are some of the lowest of the season.
PS: Just a word of warning: Beware of a crowd surge around Super Bowl Sunday… Football die-hards love to visit the Magic Kingdom on the Monday after the Super Bowl knowing they may just catch a glimpse of their favorite QB!
Disney on a Budget | Tip #2: Lodging & Accomodations
Now, onto accommodations. Staying at a Disney hotel can be as expensive as buying a small castle in Arendelle. Fear not, for there are a plethora of budget-friendly hotels and resorts nearby that won’t require you to sell a kidney. Many of these offer free shuttles to the parks, which means you can save on parking fees (because, yes, Mickey Mouse also charges you to park your carriage). By staying off-site, you get to explore more of the Orlando/Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee area, including dining options that are significantly cheaper than those in the parks. Just imagine enjoying a hearty meal without the fear of Goofy judging your spending habits. “Gawrsh!”
Some of our favorite off-property resorts include:
Disney on a Budget | Tip #3: Food & Beverage
Let’s talk food. Inside the park, a single bottle of water is going to run you close to $5. But fear not, there is a totally free way for you to smuggle in your own liquid life-sustainer. In fact, you don’t even have to smuggle it! Disney is completely cool with guests bringing in their own food and drinks into the parks. Yes, you heard that right. Packing your own snacks and water bottles can save you a pirate’s ransom over the course of your visit.
We always bring refillable water bottles. All Quick-Service Food & Beverage locations that offer fountain beverages have free cups of ice water! Note: carts and locations with bottle beverages do not offer free water. We use these complimentary, filtered waters to refill our bottles and it saves us soooo much money. Just note that glass containers of any kind are prohibited. I have heard that baby food in glass jars is an exception to this rule, but I would confirm with Guest Services before your trip to be sure!
Pro-Tip: If you are traveling with a friend, consider snack-sharing! One of the best parts of Walt Disney World is all of the fun and delicious food. Save your Disney budget (and your daily calories) by sharing with your pals. We find it easiest to just alternate who buys and we share each item. It is great!
Disney on a Budget | Tip #4: Magical Extras to Consider
Celebration Buttons
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, don’t be shy about mentioning it! You might just find yourself with a magical moment, like a complimentary cupcake, making for a sweet mouse-shaped treat without the bitter aftertaste of buyer’s remorse. You can get one of these celebration buttons completely free at Guest Services (or most merchandise locations). If there is a little wiggle room in your Disney budget, I suggest having some personalized buttons made before your trip! They certainly add to the excitement as you countdown the days until departure, and make for great accessories to your magical celebration.
If you want to get some made for your crew, Alex, over at ClubhouseCreates is the best of the best at creating these buttons! She has made several for me and every time they are absolutely perfect. My little sister got engaged at Walt Disney World back in October, so I had Alex and her crew make some celebration buttons for that trip. Here is a picture!
That whole trip was so magical and fun. Read all about it here.
Resort Hopping
This is one of my favorite ways to spend a Disney day! Did you know that you can visit the various Disney resorts? It’s true, even if you’re not staying on property or at that resort! In some cases, you may have to make a dining reservation to be able to get in. Just check in with guest services before your trip. Touring the resorts is such a fun way to explore even more of the intricacies of Disney’s magic!
Pro-Tip: Try parking at Disney Springs and utilizing Disney’s complimentary buses to get around! OR, you could also consider Disney’s other complimentary modes of transportation:
- The Monorail can take you to:
- The Magic Kingdom
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- The Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC)
- The Skyliner can give you access to:
- Hollywood Studios
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Carribean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Water Taxis will transport you to: (Note, there are several different launch points)
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter
Gingerbread Resort Tour
Want to know one of the BEST times to resort-hop? Christmas time! The holiday season begins November 1st at WDW. This is when the Deluxe resorts are finalizing the installments of their annual gingerbread creations! Each year, the deluxe resorts create their own gingerbread creations out of REAL gingerbread. They smell absolutely heavenly and majorly “up” that whole “Christmas Magic” factor. My favorite gingerbread creation is at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
This life-size gingerbread house is actually used as a retail location during the holiday season! Yes- you can actually go INSIDE of this one. They even sell gingerbread shingles! Just like the ones used to create the roof! In addition, you can purchase gingerbread mix, gingerbread mickeys, and more inside of this location! While we were there at the end of October/beginning of November, they were just starting assemble the gingerbread house! We go to taste-test some of the gingerbread and it was to die for!
Honestly, these gingerbread creations are so incredible. I could do an entire Disney trip just touring the gingerbread houses. Yep- I am saying I could go without going to a single theme park! That’s a big statement.
Disney on a Budget | Conclusion
In conclusion, experiencing Disney World on a budget is entirely possible. With some strategic planning and determination, Disney on a budget is as easy as “bibbidi, bobbidi, boo”! Remember, the true magic of Disney World doesn’t come from how much you spend, but from the memories you create. So, pack your bags, your snacks, and your sense of humor. It’s time to prepare for an adventure that’s as kind to your wallet as it is magical.
