Plan a trip to Disney World on a Budget
Your Ultimate Guide to Planning a trip to Disney World on a Budget
The Magical World of Disney does not come with a magical price tag. Although, you can't really complain because there is so much to experience and enjoy at Walt Disney World. I have been to Disney World three times in my life and only really enjoyed the most recent visit. The first time I went to Disney, I just turned 1 and do not remember anything. The second time I went to Disney, I was a teenager. My family and I went in August when it was 99 degrees outside, so no one was in the mood. The third time I went to Disney, I was an adult and took my two-year-old daughter. We went the week of Thanksgiving and the weather was perfect. It was pretty crowded and the lines were long, but she was able to get on most rides and visit all of her favorite characters. She was able to experience all the magic of Disney and it was the best! Her reaction to all of the character greetings and rides made it all worth it. Personally, the experience was worth every penny and I would definitely go there again.
If you have never been to Disney World and are looking to plan a trip, please continue reading for cost effective ways to enjoy your trip!
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Disney World on a Budget
Planning a trip to Disney World does not need to cost thousands of dollars, but can cost that much very quickly if you're not mindful. When planning your trip, I would recommend making a list of your "must-do" experiences. For us (mostly me), it was having dinner at Cinderella's castle. Whatever you or your kids really like or want to see/experience, make that a "must-do" and work on cutting costs around those items. I made a list of ways we cut costs during our trip to Disney World, which we greatly enjoyed because we were not financially stressed when we got back home.
How to Cut Costs at Disney
Disney World on a Budget? What does that even mean?! Tickets are like $150-$200 per person. I know. I understand the tickets alone are expensive and if you're flying in, that can also get pricey. Down below I listed the best ways to minimize the cost of your trip to Disney, while making the most of your time there.
Best to go when Kids are FREE
If you have small children, this is great. All kids 2 and under are FREE. However, if your kids are older than 2, they do offer discounted tickets. This is the best time to see if your toddler even enjoys theme parks, character greetings, rides, long lines, and crowds - not all kids enjoy Disney. Kids 2 and under also eat free at some table service restaurants. When we ate at Cinderella's castle, they served Luci a complimentary chicken finger and fries, which was perfect because that is all should would have eaten anyway.
The Best Parks for Kids 2 and Under
There are four theme parks; Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. If you're going just for the day, I would recommend Magic Kingdom because it has a little bit of everything for the little ones. There are minimal height restrictions, so there are many rides the whole family can enjoy. There are a few shows throughout the day at Cinderella's castle, where you will see Mickey Mouse and friends. There is also a parade. All the shows and parade times, as well as many other awesome features, are on the My Disney Experience App, which I will talk more about down below.
At Magic Kingdom, there are character greetings with Winnie the Pooh, Minnie Mouse and Daisy, Mickey Mouse and Donald, most of the princesses, and Mirabel. Some of the other princesses are located in Epcot, like Belle, Mulan, Anna, and Elsa. Epcot is your trip around the world. There are so many places to eat and drink for adults, but so many fun rides and shows for the little ones. You will also find Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Frozen rides there.
Hollywood Studios is also great for kids 2 and under, but there are more height restrictions on some of the rides. There is an entire Toy Story Land, which is awesome! There is a slinky dog ride, food, and shops with all the characters from the movies. You will also find some of the Disney Junior characters at the Disney Junior Play and Dance party.
Animal Kingdom is a good option if your kids 2 and under love animals. There is a safari ride, rhinos, and other animals to see. There are not too many rides, other than the safari ride, the little ones can enjoy. It really depends on what your kids are into and what rides they will actually be able to enjoy.
Go to Disney During Off-Season
Avoid the chaos and higher prices by going to the parks during the off-season. January through February is slower. May and August through September, when most kids are in school are also slower months. Depending on Spring breaks for schools, sometime in March and April can get busy. Of course, October through December are busy because of the holidays. Check the calendar when purchasing tickets. If you're flying in, also check airfare prices. You can also hire a travel agent that specializes in Disney trips to get the best pricing.
Save Big by Lodging out of Park
This is a big one. It's hard because another part of going to the parks is also experiencing what the resorts also have to offer. Though, they cost a very pretty penny (even the cheaper ones). Your best bet to cut costs is by lodging out of the park and taking advantage of the resources those hotels offer you. The hotel we stayed at offered free breakfast between 7am and 10am. The breakfast didn't include character dining, but we thoroughly enjoyed our Mickey Mouse waffles with all the toppings we could ask for. Some hotels outside of the park also offer free bus shuttle services, which you can reserve at least 24 hours in advance. There are only two drop-off and pick-up times, and the reservations book quickly. If you miss out on the shuttle service, Uber is another less expensive alternative to renting a car and paying for parking.
Download the My Disney Experience App
The My Disney Experience App is a MUST. Everything you need to know about the parks is in the app, including park hours, height restrictions for rides, wait times for each ride, virtual queues for certain rides, restaurant information, and maps. You can even have an itinerary created for your trip, so you can make sure you hit all your "must-do" items. The app is completely FREE. You can purchase your photos taken at the parks through the app, but everything else is free in the app and extremely convenient.
Avoid Table Service Meals and Dessert Parties
Opt for quick-service meals while at the park. If you're up for it, splurge on a meal for lunch or dinner. Keep in mind table service throughout the trip can add up. All after hour events, such as Mickey's Halloween and Christmas parties, are just as costly as a day at the park for only a few hours (6pm to midnight) - another splurge event, but not necessary. We chose to go to Mickey's Very Christmas party rather than another full day at the park. We did not need to go to any of the dessert parties to have a nice view of the show and fireworks. Get to a good spot early and wait. All show times are located on the Disney app.
Disney Springs is FUN and FREE to Enter
You can opt to go to Disney Springs for the day instead of one of the parks to cut costs. There are great restaurants, shops, and some rides. The T Rex Cafe is very popular there. I would recommend to put your name down early because there is always a long wait (at least an hour). The kids love it because of the atmosphere and food is moderately priced.
Plan Your Trip!
What are you waiting for? Click the link and start planning your Disney World trip on a budget! There are many different ways you can cut costs for your Disney trip. Staying at a hotel out of the park can cut costs, as well as, avoid the crowds heading back after a long day at the parks. Going to Disney during off-season can reduce the prices of hotel stays, airfare, and park tickets. Check the calendar when purchasing your theme park tickets. Try to avoid table service meals, dessert parties, and after hour parties. Enjoy a day or night at Disney Springs and don't forget to download the My Disney Experience app for all your theme park needs. Don't be shy, leave a comment down below if you have any questions or recommendations of your own!
