How Can I Afford Disney?
Depending on who you are and what you value in a vacation, Disney has it all. I always hear “How are you able to afford to go all the time?” I will share my secrets with you!
Tip #1
Plan far in advance.
Every time I plan a Disney trip, I do it far in advance. I normally book my trip 6 to 8 months in advance. Look ahead and see how much you can put aside per month. After so many months out, see what your total is. From this point, you can see how long or short of a trip you can afford to take. I average a 4 to 5 day trip. Some people like to take a 7 to 8 day trip, but I would rather split that in half so I can go ahead and plan my next trip. I think of Disney as a monthly bill. I always set money aside in an account. Nothing is worse than planning a trip with a short notice making you feel pressured to save.
Tip #2
Use a Disney Travel Agent
If you are new to Disney, or are looking for the cheapest time to go, a Disney Travel Agent can easily help you with that. Jimmy Horne is the official Disney Travel Agent for our podcast. Reach out to Jimmy to figure out what deals are going on at the moment and which best fit you and your budget!
Tip #3
Free Transportation
If you are flying, Disney offers the Magical Express. This service will pick you up from Orlando International Airport and it can also take you to the airport on your last day! There is also complimentary buses to and from each park and Disney Springs. This saves you some cash versus renting a car. As long as you give yourself enough time when planning, this is a great resource to use! Keep in mind, during the busy seasons the bus lines can be time-consuming. Make sure to give yourself an hour from leaving the hotel to whenever you need to be at the park.
Tip #4
Not every day has to be in the parks.
Sometimes taking a slow day to soak up some sun and play in the pool at your resort is a must. You can also enjoy the night of dancing, live music, shopping, and incredible food at Disney Springs. While going from one attraction to another at the parks is so much fun, Disney has a lot to offer outside of the parks. A personal favorite of mine is to take a bus to Magic Kingdom and hop onto the monorail. You can ride around and visit the Polynesian Resort and have a drink or two. Make a stop by the Contemporary Hotel and eat at Chef Mickey’s or take a look at the gift shop. The hotels on the monorail route are absolutely amazing!
Tip #5
Take advantage of freebies!
Let’s talk food. You can bring your own food or purchase food at the park. If you cannot decide, look up the menus ahead of time. Some menu items are large enough to split between two people. Also, when you go to a quick service restaurant, you can ask for a cup of water instead of spending $5 on bottled water. Do remember that their tap water is not the best, so purchase flavoring packets to bring to the parks with you. If you are just CRAVING soda, swing by at Club Cool in Epcot for free popular Coca-Cola samples from around the world.
If you are choosing to bring your food, certain counter service locations like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe have free topping bars (pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, etc). You can add things to your lunch for free. Lastly, some quick service locations like Sunshine Seasons, Electric Umbrella, and Tortuga Tavern have free self-service sodas. Just make sure to bring a refillable cup to the parks!
I hope these tips help you get closer to your next Disney Vacation! Stay tuned for more tips!
