Disney World on a Dime
How to get more magic for less money, Want to bring your family to Disney World? Here’s how to do it without breaking the bank, and where to squeeze out more value for your money.
1. Time it right.
While Disney World ticket prices stay the same all year, prices at Disney resorts and Orlando hotels fluctuate according to school breaks and seasonal holidays. The first rule in landing an affordable getaway is to come during a time when prices are at their lowest.
2. Save big with deal.
You’d be surprised how often Disney World has a great offer on the table, often with savings of up to 30 percent or more. If you follow no. 1 and time your vacation for slow periods, you’re more likely to find a money-saving deal.
3. Stay for four days or more.
It may seem counterintuitive, but you can get more value out of your vacation if you stay longer. For one thing, Disney World is a big place—about twice the size of Manhattan—so it’s impossible to see more than a sliver of it in a couple of days. Second, consider ticket prices. A one-day Disney World park ticket costs about $100 for adults and kids 10 and up. Afterward, the per-day ticket price begins to fall, with the biggest drops happening after the third day. Your fourth-day admission costs 25 percent less than the first day’s admission, the fifth day costs 40 percent less, and so on. Staying longer allows you to slow down and stop rushing.
4. Pass on the park hopper.
The park-hopper option lets you visit more than one Disney park in the same day. It also adds a flat $60-per-person upcharge to your overall spend. Instead of ponying up $240 for the add-on, a family of four would be wiser to stick to one park per day and plan their time efficiently. If you do no. 3 and stay at least four days, you can focus on one park each day.
The exception to this rule is if you visit during a peak time such as spring break or Christmas. During these periods, the park-hopper can be a valuable tool for saving time in lines.
5. Make time for free fun.
Don’t buy theme park tickets for your arrival and departure days. Instead, take advantage of the many ways to have free fun around the Disney World resorts. Likewise, consider skimming back on theme park days in favor of a day filled with more low-key fun. Here are many favorite ways to have fun at Disney World that don’t require a theme park ticket.
6. Make the most of Extra Magic Hours.
Getting value at Disney World means spending less time in line and more time having fun. For guests staying Disney resorts, that means taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours. Every day, one park opens an hour earlier than the others and another stays open an hour later. During the morning Extra Magic Hour, even the most popular attractions have virtually no line. This is your chance to ride Expedition Everest or Space Mountain twice in a row without waiting, so go for it.
7. Take a free ride to and from the airport.
Yet another reason to stay at a Disney resort is that you get free transportation to and from the airport aboard the Magical Express.
8. Consider turning to a specialist.
If you’re overwhelmed with the trip-planning process, consider turning to a Disney vacation specialist. Many families don’t realize it doesn’t cost anything extra to have a travel professional help you book your trip, but it’s true. Finding an expert who knows the ins and outs of Disney resorts and how to get the most bang for your buck can be indispensable.
9. Save up in advance.
Looking for an easier way to save for your trip? The Disney Vacation Account may be just the answer. The new tool helps you budget and make automatic contributions into a designated Disney savings account.
10. Arrive armed with insider tricks.
How can you save time using the new My Disney Experience app and Fastpass+? How can you meet the Disney characters without waiting a long time? What if it rains? Check out the Smart Parent’s Guide to Disney World for more tips on getting even more value out of your stay.
11. Find cheap souvenirs your kids will love.
Planning an affordable Disney vacation means being thrifty when it comes to souvenirs. On a budget? Limit your time in the gift shops and turn on on your kids to these less expensive options.