In the summer of 1989, my wife and I took our two preschool boys on their first Walt Disney World trip.
We drove from New York to Orlando, cooked most of our own meals and camped at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. The entire vacation cost us under $800.
More than 20 years later, my wife and I returned with our two grown sons, a new daughter-in-law, her sister and mother for our most recent Walt Disney World getaway. We still drove from New York and prepared the majority of our meals, but this time we rented a four-bedroom vacation house for $69 per night.
6 Ways to Save Money at Disney World
Over the years we’ve picked up numerous tips to cut costs and save time while getting more value from our trips. Here’s how you can plan a Disney vacation without overspending.
1. Plan Well Ahead
Organizing a Walt Disney World vacation can be overwhelming. With four theme parks, two water parks, nearly 30 resorts, and about 70 dining spots, your plans can quickly become complex — and pricey.
To reduce expenses, start planning your trip early. Consider the best time to visit, where you’ll stay, which tickets to purchase and how each decision impacts the total cost.
Disney resort prices fluctuate by season, sometimes dramatically depending on when you go. To help choose the right timing, check Disney-focused planning resources like AllEars or this first-timer’s guide from Touring Plans.
2. Use a Travel Agent
It might seem odd, but working with a travel agent can actually save you both money and time on a Disney vacation.
Why? Typically their service is free to you — Disney compensates them, not the customer.
Agencies such as Mouse Fan Travel and Small World Vacations focus on Disney travel, so they’re adept at finding discounts on hotels and airfare.
3. Rent a Vacation Home
Disney resorts can be costly. Fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly lodging choices off Disney property.
My go-to option is renting a vacation house or condo. A rental gives families more room — often multiple bathrooms — and a kitchen, which translates into additional savings.
We usually book through VRBO, though some travelers prefer Airbnb, FlipKey or HomeAway.
These platforms can yield excellent bargains if you time your reservation. On our last visit I found a four-bedroom, three-bath house with a private pool listed at $200 per night but I secured it for $69 per night!
The key is to look about two weeks before your intended stay and search for available listings. Owners with last-minute cancellations often prefer to rent at a reduced rate rather than leave the property empty.
4. Opt for a Multi-Day Ticket
At the time I’m writing this, a one-day ticket for Magic Kingdom costs around $105. Disney’s pricing, however, rewards longer visits with a lower daily average.
A five-day ticket averages $74 per day, while a 10-day pass drops to $44 per day. It can be smarter to take one extended vacation every few years rather than many short ones.
Disney ticketing offers add-ons like “Park Hopping” and “Water Parks Fun and More,” which complicate choices. A helpful tool for comparing options is the Ticket Calculator.
5. Prepare Your Own Meals
Shop at a local supermarket after you arrive and make as many meals as you’re comfortable preparing. (Use usual grocery-saving tactics to get the best prices.)
Cooking is simplest if you’re in a rental with a full kitchen, but you can use similar ideas in a hotel room. If you didn’t bring a car, try grocery delivery services like Instacart or Garden Grocer.
You’re allowed to bring your own food into the parks. We pack sandwiches, snacks and drinks in a small soft cooler for a quick midday meal at the parks. After eating, we collapse the cooler and tuck it into a backpack or shoulder bag for the remainder of the day.
By mid-afternoon you’ll often want to head back to the lodging for a break, especially with young children. That’s a good time to start dinner preparation, avoiding long waits at restaurants.
These approaches keep expenses down and make dining out feel like an occasional treat rather than an everyday, costly habit.
6. Visit Parks Smartly
To maximize a park day, get there early.
We try to reach the gates at least 45 minutes before the posted opening. Parks often open a bit early, which helps reduce long lines at entry.
The main benefit of arriving early is enjoying the most popular rides with minimal waits. We’ve sometimes walked straight onto Space Mountain with no wait — even more than once. At peak times the same attraction can have wait times of 90 minutes or longer.
To minimize line time, consider building a custom touring plan with Touring Plans. Its mobile app, Lines, predicts wait times for attractions. Premium membership is $12.95; in my experience it’s worthwhile (and comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee).
Want more tips to trim costs on your Disney trip? Take a look at Couponing to Disney and Mousesavers — or join the conversation below!
Your Turn: What are your top tactics for saving money at Disney World? Share your advice in the comments so we can all keep more money in our pockets!
David Mercer is retired from the NYC Department of Education, where he worked as a Laboratory Specialist. David and his family have been visiting Walt Disney World since 1989, continually finding fresh ways to stretch their vacation budget.
