7 Ways To Save At Disney World So You Can Splurge On The Parts You’ll Enjoy Most
No matter how you slice it, taking a trip to Disney World is expensive. Park tickets are the most expensive they've ever been, with single-day passes to some parks exceeding $200 on select days.
Then add in a place to stay, meals and snacks, souvenirs, and actually getting there, and it's easy to see how a trip to the most magical place on earth can be a budget buster. Disney also has a number of great add-on experiences and convenience options, but these, too, will set you back a pretty penny.
Most of us aren't going to be able to spring for the best-of-the-best for everything at Disney (if you can, please take me with you next time?), but it is possible to splurge on some aspects of your trip while saving on others.
Everything involves a trade-off, but here are some ideas for how to both ball and budget on your next trip.
Stay off property but spring for preferred parking at the parks.
Most Disney lovers aren't going to agree with me about staying off property, but having done so it is worth it, especially if you're considering staying at a value or moderately priced hotel inside the parks.
Save by staying at a property just outside of Disney World, like the Grove Orlando . You can often find a similarly priced hotel room as a value or moderate resort with more space, which means you don't have to go to bed when your kids do. Driving to the parks takes about 20 minutes, but honestly, waiting for the bus and riding from one of the less expensive Disney properties can be the same amount of time or longer.
Splurge by paying for preferred parking when you get to the parks. It'll cost you between $50–$60 a day, but means you'll be as close as possible to the parks. This also means no waiting for a bus at the end of the day when you're tired!
You could also use what you save by staying off property to spring for Lightning Lane passes so that you don't have to wait as long in line for rides!
Spend less on your hotel but pay for a special experience.
Ashley Blankenship , a travel agent with We Do Travel Right , says she will often recommend an "experiences" trip for her clients. To do that, though, she says spending less on your hotel is the way to go.
Save by staying at a value or moderate hotel, like the Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter . Rates are typically between $300–$400 a night, which can be several hundred dollars cheaper than staying in a deluxe resort.
Splurge by using your hotel savings to book the Fireworks Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom. You'll get to enjoy sweet treats and alcoholic beverages before, after or during the fireworks and have reserved viewing spots for the show. "If you don't do a fireworks party you're likely losing anywhere from 1-2 hours of your day for a similar fireworks view," Blankenship says. "Plus the number of people in the roped off area is limited so you'll never be as closely crowded as you would on Main Street."
Spend more on your hotel but skip a park day or two.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, upgrading to a deluxe resort can be both a splurge and save, say Kayla Ball and Savannah Koon, owners of Simple Magic Travel Company .
Save by spending fewer days in the parks. "Park tickets are really going to take up the majority of your resort and ticket budget when you are booking your vacation," Ball and Koon say.
"Pricing can be all over the place but for my family of four, we could save almost $700 upgrading from a moderate resort to a Crescent Lake resort and downgrading our tickets from five day Park Hoppers to three day base tickets in one scenario."
Splurge by enjoying the perks and amenities of a deluxe resort. Staying somewhere like Disney's Beach Club Resort will put you walking distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, a major plus if you want to rope drop or go back and forth between the parks and hotel during the day.
When you're not at the park, you'll still have a blast in the pool, playing tennis or playing mini-golf.
Bring souvenirs from home but opt for Memory Maker.
Disney is tricky because there are souvenirs everywhere that your kids are going to want, but having professional photos from the trip will last longer.
Save by bringing souvenirs from home for "Mickey" to gift your children. Buy things like bubble wands, autograph books, lightsabers or giant lollipops at home and bring them in your suitcase. Then, each night after your kids have gone to bed, leave one of the souvenirs out. They'll be just as excited by the surprise and present as they will be getting something in the park, and it'll be significantly cheaper.
Splurge by purchasing Memory Maker for your trip. You can buy a single day's of photos for $85 or pay $185 for your whole trip if you pay in advance. Camera photos are great, but the quality of the PhotoPass photographers is better, and you'll get pictures with the most popular attractions and locations.
Eat breakfast in your room but do a character meal.
Food is not cheap at Disney, but there are a number of options across a wide range of price points, which makes it easier to stay on budget.
Save by eating breakfast in your room. All Disney resorts have complimentary coffee, and you can either pack things like granola bars, cereal and peanut butter or get groceries delivered once you arrive. Even quick-service breakfast options can run $10–$20 (or more) per person, which will quickly add up over multiple days.
Splurge by taking your breakfast savings to book a character meal. Morning experiences are typically slightly less expensive than lunch or dinner, and you'll want to book ahead as these can easily sell out. Blankenship also points out that doing a character meal means you won't have to stand in line for character meet and greets.
Eat a quick service meal but take a Minnie Van.
Unless you are staying at a deluxe resort with monorail access, you'll need to take the bus back to your hotel at the end of your park day. At peak times, you may need to wait for several buses.
Save by swapping a table service lunch for a quick service meal one of your days in the park. You'll easily save at least $10 a person, and can still choose options like Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe that have plenty of seating and air conditioning for a mid-day break.
Splurge by ordering a Minnie Van at the end of the day. Each ride will run about $45, Ball and Koon say, but it's worth the splurge at the end of the day.
"Have it pick you up after a long day at Magic Kingdom so you don't have to wait for the bus when everyone is exhausted," they say. You'll get taken straight to your hotel, so it'll be the fastest way to get back to your home base.
Read the original article on Southern Living
