Disney World is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, but unfortunately it’s quite expensive, especially for a family. The cost doesn’t have to be so prohibitive, however. There are ways to make a Disney World trip more affordable and thanks to a few expert bloggers, it’s fairly easy to find advice on how to save at Disney World.
We’ve made it even easier by doing the extensive research for you and picking out five of the best money-saving tips for going to Disney World. Take a look at what we discovered below and click on the blog links for even more information about how to make the most of your Disney World holiday.
Bring Your Own Snacks
At first glance, this might not seem like it would make much of a difference, but when you look at how much a bag of chips or a box of popcorn costs inside the resort, it quickly becomes evident how much you can save by bringing your own snacks. Disney World allows you to bring your own backpack and supplies to the park (it is checked by security for hazards), so if every member of the family brings a backpack filled with small snacks like nuts, crackers, pretzels, etc. then you can trim a lot of daily expenses, especially the longer your stay.
Even if you aren’t hungry when you head out to the park and don’t expect to want any snacks, you are better off taking some just in case. Walking (or running if you have little kids), through the vast expanse of Disney World quickly causes an appetite to build. If you are flying into Disney World, it probably makes sense for you to dedicate one of your carry-on bags exlclusively to snacks.
Use Amazon to Order Non-Perishable Groceries
Most tourists want to check out at least a few of Disney World’s famed theme restaurants. The opportunity to eat out at interesting new restaurants is one of the most exciting parts of a vacation, after all. By no means is it being suggested that travelers stick to eating a bunch of TV dinners or canned food to save some money. That said, if you are on vacation for a week, buying groceries and eating a couple of meals inside your hotel room is at least worth thinking about, especially when you consider the exorbitant prices at Disney World restaurants.
The tricky part used to be figuring out how to get groceries, since it meant leaving the park and venturing into Orlando. Not any more. Now you can buy groceries and have them delivered directly to your hotel. If you have Amazon Prime, then Amazon is your best bet (for non-perishable foods) as 2-day delivery is free, but if you want a bigger selection, you can use GardenGrocer.com, which has a $14 delivery free.
Get Around With Uber
Rental car costs can quickly spiral out of control, especially if you factor in parking fees for attractions you might want to visit outside Disney World like Universal Studios. Throw in the hassle of having to go pick up and return the rental car and the stress of deciding whether or not you should purchase insurance and it quickly becomes a chore. Enter Uber. The fast-growing ride-share service is an excellent alternative for transportation outside Disney World and if you are a first-time customer, you can even get a discount.
Two caveats to remember are that Uber does not support car seats, so it’s not suitable if you have young children, and that if you plan on doing a lot of daily traveling outside the park or going a long distance away from Orlando, then you are better off renting a car.
Rent a Stroller from an Off-Site Company
It’s quite shocking, really, when you think about it, but renting a stroller at Disney World is quite pricey. To rent a single stroller for multiple days is $13 per day and if you need a double, it’s a whopping $27 per day. Spread that over a 7-day or 10-day or 14-day vacation and the cost starts to make your head spin. Luckily, there are other options. The alternative that Kristin from Couponing to Disney recommends is called Theme Park Strollers. She gave them a glowing review and said they even have the stroller waiting for you at your hotel’s luggage services.
A double stroller for 7 nights will cost you only $82. Compare that to the $189 you’d spend at Disney World and that extra $100+ you save can get the family a nice dinner. The savings isn’t as much for a single stroller ($70 vs. $91), but is still worthwhile. Another option is to simply buy a cheap stroller from Amazon and have it shipped to your hotel, but the affordable ones may not withstand the rigors of a week at Disney World.
Take Advantage of the Walt Disney World Magical Express Bus for Free Airport Transportation
The cost of getting a cab to and from the airport to Disney World is prohibitive. Even an Uber will cost you a pretty penny, especially if its during surge pricing. Fortunately, Disney World provides free transportation via the Magical Express Bus. It will pick you up at the airport and drop you off right in front of your Disney World hotel. Likewise, it will take you from your hotel right to the appropriate airport terminal.
There are a few key things to remember when using the Magical Express Bus, however. Like the fact, you have to reserve your spot ahead of time both ways. Read Julie from Saving Up for Disney’s outstanding review on the site Traveling Mom for more information.
