Are you planning a Disney Trip any time soon? Yes, it is the most magical place on earth! But sometimes the cost of a trip to Walt Disney World puts people off. So today we are going to talk about and will be sharing our top tips on How To Save Money Going to Disney World in 2023.
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How To Save Money Going to Disney World
A Disney family vacation can be affordable with a little research and planning. Thus I wanted to share a few tips for how to save money when going to Walt Disney World, tips that I have learnt along the way. Because it’s all in the planning and detail. Having planned many family trips to Disney World, I have picked up a few useful travel hacks that just might help you get the best deal on your Disney World trip.
Booking Your Hotel For Your Disney Vacation
Get Disney Resort Hotel Deals
If you book in advance you can get great deals on Disney World Hotels, some offering free nights and dining credits. And if you are travelling to Disney World on a budget? Offers such as this makes a huge difference, however it all depends on the resort you book and time of the year. The offers vary, at the moment the offer gives you a $200 resort credit included in you hotel rate. It really does pay to monitor offers to save extra money.
Is It a dream to stay at a Disney property? Then the great news is Disney offer Disney Resort Hotels at varying price points to suit Disney guests on all budgets. The Disney Value Resorts offer just as they promise, wonderful value with Disney Pop Century coming out as the best value Disney Hotel onsite Disney World Resort.
The Disney Deluxe resorts come at a higher price point but are super magical, however a great way to enjoy this resorts is to plan a twin centre trip. A week in Disney and a week offsite at a more affordable hotel.
Benefits Of Staying In An Onsite Disney Hotel At Walt Disney World Resort
- Mickey Mail (A Personalised letter from Mickey)
- Free Transport Around Walt Disney World
- Vouchers and Disney Discounts
- Complimentary WiFi In Guest Rooms
- Early Theme Park Entry
- Extended Evening Theme Park Hours On Certain Nights
- Early Access to Dining Reservations
- Complimentary Parking at the Resorts and Theme Parks For Disney Resorts Guests
Stay In A Disney Partner Hotel
Disney partner hotels are all located around the Disney Springs area such as the Disney Swan and Dolphin, Hilton or Wyndham and many offer resort transport to the parks. However these partner hotels are mostly walking distance to Disney Springs, have great facilities and also offer extra time in the parks which is exclusive to partner hotels.
Some hotels also offer packages with breakfast included. Breakfast can be a big expense with all the all you can eat buffets, so free breakfast is a great way to save.
Prices vary, but you can get some great deals and still be right in the heart of Disney, thus able to access the Disney Transport System.
Book A Villa Or Condo
Villas and condos offer great value, there are many resorts in the Disney Area but you do need to drive it staying at a villa or condo so factor parking costs into your budget. And at $25 a day those parking fee’s add up.
However the benefit of a villa is you can head to the grocery store and stock up on meals and snacks and eat breakfast and evening meals in your villa. You can also take pack up lunches into Disney World, taking your own food will be a huge saving on food costs.
How To Save Money Going to Disney World, Travel In Term Time
This is easier if you are travelling without kiddies, have pre school children or your children have left school. But term time, special event times and peak holidays seasons are more expensive. To get the best price at Disney plan your travel dates around the quieter times. These are not only less expensive, but also hotels and flights are cheaper and you are more likely to find special offers and deals. You can save a lot of money, planning your trip this way.
If you have school age children? Study the school yearly calendar, some schools offer bonus weeks of that are in term time! This is a great time to book, you would possibly need to tag it on to a peak time. However this would enable access to some quieter days and trust me the difference is huge.
It’s also important to note that children under 3 do not require Disney passes, entry for under 3s is free with a paying adult.
How To Save Money Going to Disney World, Food Tips
Dining is a big deal in Orlando food is part of the vacation. The good news is there are ways to do food on a budget.
- Its a good idea to pack up lunches for yourself and family members into Disney World, however be aware you are not permitted to take glass items or alcohol into the parks.
- Stay in accommodation or a hotel room with a kitchenette, this way you can head to the store ands stock up on food.
- Book your vacation as a package deal and look for free breakfast offers.
- If you are planning to do Disney character dining for a little Pixie Dust? The best times to get a great deal is breakfast which is cheaper than the full price lunch or dinner options which are an extra cost. Check out which restaurants offer Character Dining.
- Quick service restaurants in the parks always offer great value, the salads are huge and always delicious. You will always find a variety of choice from burgers and chicken to healthy options.
- Get a diners card such as the Landry’s Card, Carries explains how it works in this post.
- Some planning guides have have discount vouchers, check out Birnbaum’S 2023 Walt Disney World Guide its fabulous and has vouchers at the back.
Do Children Under 3 Eat Free At Disney?
Children under the age of 3 may eat for free at buffet restaurants onsite at Disney. Restaurants such as Chef Mickey’s and Garden Grill Restaurant serve shared platters. children are able to share at no charge! And restaurants with a traditional menu that features multiple entrée options, children under the age of 3 may share from an adult’s plate at no charge, or order something from the children’s menu and be charged for the cost of that entrée.
2023 Disney Character Dining By Price
All prices for each character meal are plus gratuity. Some restaurants offer a soda fountain included but not all. Children prices are aged 3-9. Bear in mind you will need Disney World Park Tickets to dine in any of the parks but not in the Resort Hotels.
| Restaurant | Park Or Resort | Price Band | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Fairytale Dining | Epcot | Adult Child | $53 $41 | $63 $41 | $63 $41 |
| Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast At Cape May Cafe | Beach Club Resort | Adult Child | $45 $29 | ||
| Chef Mickey And Friends | Contemporary Resort. | Adult Child | $45 $29 | $59 $38 | |
| The Crystal Palace Dine With Winnie The Pooh And Friends | Magic Kingdom | Adult Child | $45 $29 | $59 $38 | $59 $38 |
| Be Our Guest Beauty and the Beast | Magic Kingdom | $67 $39 | $67 $39 | ||
| Garden Grill Restaurant Chip N Dale Harvest Fest | Epcot | Adult Child | $55 $36 | $55 $36 | |
| Breakfast With Disney Junior Stars Lunch and Dinner With Minnie At The Hollywood and Vine | Hollywood Studios | Adult Child | $42 $27 | $59 $38 | $59 $38 |
| Ohana with Lilo And Stitch | Polynesian Resort | Adult Child | $45 $29 | $59 $38 | |
| Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White | Wilderness Lodge | Adult Child | $65 $39 | ||
| Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera With Mickey & Friend | Disneys Riviera Resort | Adult Child | $45 $39 | ||
| Tusker House Restaurant With Donald Duck And Friends | Animal Kingdom | Adult Child | $45 $29 | $59 $38 | $59 $38 |
Use Discount Vouchers To Book Your Hotel
Watch out for voucher discounts when you are booking your Disney accommodation this is a great way to Save Money Going to Disney World. Especially as many hotels offer reward points which you can safe for discounts.
You are also able to use your Tesco points as vouchers on Hotels.Com, turn every £5 in vouchers into £15.00 to spend on hotels and many hotels at Disney Springs are available to book through the site. The maximum amount of club card vouchers you can use is £250, this translates to a £750 discount.
Is It Possible To Get Cheap Disney Tickets?
There are often 14 days for the price of 7 Disney ticket offers available, it’s just a case of keeping your eyes open for these deals. There are also many more deals available such as free memory maker and Disney gift cards to spend on site.
Save Money On Parking By Using The Walt Disney World Transport
The on site Disney transportation system offers so many options and is very efficient. Using the Disney transport is as much a part of the adventure as the parks. The days we wanted to venture further than Disney we hired a car from Downtown Disney this was easy and cost-effective. Its also very easy to book a transfer or Uber from Orlando International Airport.
The onsite transport is free to all guests, thus if your offsite hotel offers transfers to Walt Disney World you are able to travel arounds between all parks and water parks free of charge.
Ways To Save Money Going To The Disney World Parks.
Buy drinks from Walmart and carry in an insulated bottle or take a refillable water bottle and fill up at the free water fountains. This is a great way to keep cool and prevent having to keep buying water.
Take a pack a Mac or lightweight poncho, when it rains you will be prepared and not need to panic buy a park rain cover.
Buy Your Souvenirs From Walmart
Walmart have a Disney section in store which sells a huge array of souvenirs. Such a beach towels, mugs, crayons, costumes and more. Having a Disney shopping trip is a great way to spend an afternoon and you will be able to stock up on all the Disney goodies for a fraction of the price.
Disney Souvenirs To Look Out For
- Autograph Book
- Beach Towels
- Refillable Bottle
- Mickey and Minney Head Bands
- Tiaras
- Disney Costumes
Hope that rounds up of Walt Disney money saving tips and good deals has been useful? Part of the fun of Disney is the planning and the joy of seeing all of your plans coming together on a trip of a lifetime. Oh and it’s ok to do Disney more than once! I for one will never grow out of it.
Thanks Sarah, this is really useful as we’re planning a BIG trip soon. It’s a minefield trying to find the most cost effective ways to do Disney!
It is isn’t it, I think if you plan it correctly you can get some great deals x
Aww this is great timing as we have just booked flights to florida for 2019!
Ooh exciting times will have such an amazing time x
When we were first looking to go to WDW I never imagined we would be able to afford to stay in a Disney hotel. But booking with the free Disney dining made it a much more cost effective stay, plus we got to dine at some incredible restaurants around the resort x
It makes such a difference doesn’t it Tracey? I loved staying on site for us it is the only way to do Disney x
It’s a dream to take my children maybe one day but won’t be any time soon thanks for the tips on free places etc
I so hope you get there Jessica, if you do shop about there are some amazing deals x
Love your Disney money saving tipps – so helpful!!! 🙂 #MondayEscapes
Yes, it wasn’t cheap, and I visited a long time ago (Orlando). I’ve worked for Disney, so I’ve had the chance to visit Anaheim and Paris for free 🙂 #mondayescapes
I love reading these types of posts! I have been writing lots of Disney posts recently before our trip this year and each one is getting me SO EXCITED!!! Great tips lovely xx
You can also ask for free ice water at any counter service restaurant or food kiosk. We do this often because my husband hates the water from the fountains. #MondayEscapes
Really great tips – thanks! I’m looking at taking the step kids after GCSEs and have been trying to work out how to afford it. Great competition too! #MondayEscapes
Great post – bookmarking for later! Definitely want to visit Disney when my girls are older, I had no idea about the costs/logistics involved so these tips are really helpful.
#MondayEscapes
I’ve been dreaming of going to Disney World forever. But never thought I would ever read the words ‘Disney World on a budget’, but you made it totally doable.
#MondayEscapes
Wow, it’s a bit of a minefield isn’t it? I’ll pin this for when (if!) we make it to Disney! #Mondayescapes
I have to admit that we have been somewhat put off from visiting Disney because of the cost…will have to watch out for some of these deals to come around!
Great tips for saving money on a Disney World trip. It’s an expensive holiday so any money saving tips are useful #MondayEscapes
Great ideas for making a Disney World trip less expensive – sometimes I can’t believe how much it costs to go! It’s good that there are ways to defray the expense as it is such a special experience to have. #mondayescapes
Fab tips Sarah and a brilliant giveaway for Disney fans and first-timers!
My kids have always wanted to go to Disney but realistically it’s way out of our budget. Good to have the tips though! #Mondayescapes
Great tips. We are currently saving for Disney World so these will come in handy. #MondayEscapes
We hope to get to Disney soon! this is so helpful, thank you. #MondayEscapes
Some great tips here Sarah! We always carry bottled water it does definitely save the pennies. The saving on a hire car by staying at Disney is a good one too, how do you normally travel from the airport? Taxi or shuttle bus?
It really can be so expensive can’t it, some great tips here and fab comp
Amazing giveaway, I would love to win these, they would really help and give us extra spends while are away