10 Money Saving Tips When Visiting Walt Disney World
A trip to Disney World would probably be in everyone’s list of places to visit in one’s lifetime. After all, Disney is part of everyone’s childhood fantasy. The number of movies churned out by Disney has captured the imagination of kids and adults alike. Disney World is a place to make all that fantasy a reality. There is no vacation like a trip to Disney World with its magical backdrop and heart-stopping rides. You get fun and adventure in every corner of Disney World, making for a terrific experience. Plan your Disney World adventure now and also consider how you can get the best time of your life without breaking the bank. There are many ways to cut costs on your Disney World vacation. All you need is to prioritize and stick to the essentials.
You Can Save on Hotels
You can expect your hotel rate to eat up at least half of your budget. You really don’t have to pay for highly priced hotel suites when there are alternatives all throughout Disney World and nearby establishments. A top choice of most people but not the most practical is booking one of Disney’s deluxe suites. It is not worth it because you can have a comfortable stay without the deluxe suite’s add on amenities. A little down the tier, you can consider booking on a moderate resort, like Port Orleans Riverside which is a “deluxe minus” resort hotel. You can even save more if you go off-site and book at third-party Swan and Dolphin. This establishment is convenient and is just a few walks from Disney’s Epcot.
Get Your Groceries Delivered
For a small fee, you can get your groceries delivered to you. Having a grocery delivery service may be counter intuitive to saving money but the service costs less overall. Consider the amount of money you would be paying for groceries on Disney’s gift shop and you’ll realize that grocery deliveries are a better option. Think also of the time you will be saving. Going around Orlando City for your groceries requires getting a rental car and that will cost you time and effort. Get a phone and dial the grocery delivery service. Save time to do what you actually went to Disney World for: to have some fun!
Use Credit Cards for Rewards
Using credit cards responsibly can give you perks and privileges that can help you in your Disney vacation or in other purchases. The more you use your credit card the likelier you are to get reward points that can earn you free meals or even free miles. You can even get free hotel rooms by simply using your credit card. You may not benefit from the reward points during your vacation but you can make use of rewards at some future time. You can earn tens of thousands of rewards on credit cards which you can use for future vacations. Eventually, the rewards you get by using your credit card will offset any annual fee.
You May not Need the Disney Dining Plan
Disney offers its meals to vacationers which basically consists of steak in every meal. Come to think of it: do you really need that amount of food? This is a source of debate for many folks but you can consider getting off the meal plan and getting affordable alternatives. You don’t need expensive entrees and steaks for every meal. If you prefer to save money, you can get economical meals off the Disney Dining Plan. Choosing what you spend for and skipping the Dining Plan can still guarantee you tons of fun since there are many alternatives and stuff to do in Disney World.
Park Hopper Option
Park hopping in Disney-speak means you will be visiting more than one of the many parks in Disney World which includes Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Upgrading to a Park Hopper ticket is a small fee but if you have a big family that can add up to hundreds of dollars. Consider if park hopping is something you can do without especially if you are on a budget. You may not be park hopping around that much so this add-on may just be a waste. Families with kids usually call it an early night instead of hopping to parks that are open late into the night. For these guests, park hopping is an option that they can pass.
Plan a Free Day at Disney Park
If you are on vacation for at least a week, you should plan a free day when you can get some rest and relaxation. Plan some time to be off the Disney theme parks and enjoy the free amenities. You can plan a day relaxing at your hotel’s swimming pool. You can even go on a walk or tour Disney Springs since this part of the grounds doesn’t require an admission fee.
Skip the Souvenirs
It is tempting to buy souvenirs but the best items you can take away are photos and videos. Have your camera or smartphone always ready and collect moments instead of things. Souvenirs are just extra junk you may one day find yourself getting rid of so better skip the souvenir shops.
Skip the Soda as Well
Soda costs can accrue to a small fortune at Disney World and you would be surprised at the amount you have spent. Large drinks can cost you $3 per serving. If you need a caffeine fix, fill up at your hotel or at restaurants offering it for free.
Don’t Order Combo Meals
If you want more economical meals don’t order combo meals. Entrée only is your best option and you won’t be forced to buy something you are not going to eat anyway. You can skip the extra fries and chips and stick to the main menu at half the cost.
Get a Disney Travel Agent
Disney pays its travel agents so you don’t have to! Travel agents know all about the best deals in Disney World, getting you tons of saving on your Disney trip. Get in touch with an agent now and build on your Disney World knowledge.
Disney World is the trip of a lifetime and you can enjoy it while saving tons of money. Don’t fall into traps that cost you money and save your resources for the essentials. Always deliberate if certain products or services are worth purchasing so you will only get the experiences that are within your budget so you won’t have regrets later.
