Traveling to Disney is a dream, but let's be honest: the numbers can be scary sometimes! 😱 Between tickets, food, souvenirs and the hotel, the bill adds up fast. The good news is that there are plenty of little tricks to save money without losing any of the magic ✨.
Here is a complete guide, organized by category, with tips that will save you money and headaches 👇
🛍️ Shopping and Souvenirs
1. Outlets before the park
Stop by the Disney Character Warehouse at the Premium Outlets (International or Vineland). It's the official Disney outlet: everything that stops selling in the parks due to seasonal changes ends up there, with discounts of up to 70%!
👉 Tip: if you see something you like, buy it right then and there because the stock changes all the time.
2. Walmart, your best friend
An Orlando classic 😅. There you'll find cheap snacks for the park, rain ponchos for just a few dollars (at Disney they cost 10 times more) and even souvenirs. Walmart ends up being yet another tourist attraction!
🍔 Food and drink
3. Bring your own food
Disney allows you to bring in snacks and drinks (except alcohol and glass containers). Ideal if you don't have a dining plan.
4. Popcorn Refillable Bucket
The bucket costs between 12 and 25 USD (depending on the design) and refills are only 2.25 USD. It can be shared among everyone and it's also a great souvenir.
5. Free water
Instead of spending 4 USD on bottles, ask for free cups of ice water at any quick service location or use the water fountains.
6. Coffee and breakfast at your Disney hotel
Even if you don't have a dining plan, the food courts offer free coffee (made with the cup left in your room), toasters, microwaves and condiments available. With supplies from Walmart you can put together budget-friendly breakfasts.
7. Hotel refillable mug
Disney hotels sell a refillable mug that includes unlimited refills of soda, tea and coffee throughout your entire stay. You can share it among the group and save quite a bit.
🏰 Tickets and planning
8. More days, lower price
The price per day goes down as you add tickets. If it's your first time, it's worth buying several days to explore at your own pace.
9. Lightning Lanes: yes or no?
They cost between 20 and 30 USD per person, but they're not mandatory. My advice 👉 use Single Pass only for high-demand attractions (e.g. Avatar Flight of Passage or Guardians of the Galaxy) and do the rest with the regular line.
10. Shared Memory Maker or use your phone
The professional photo package costs approx. 185 USD if you buy it through your agent in advance. If you share it with other families, you split the cost and everyone gets access to the photos.
If you're traveling alone or in a small group, ask the photographers to use your phone—they do it too! 📸
11. Plan ahead
Booking in advance gives you access to promotions, more affordable dates, and interest-free installments. A Certified Agent (👋) can apply discounts as soon as they become available.
12. Pay in interest-free installments
With packages (hotel + tickets) you can lock in the price, pay little by little, and even cancel at no cost up to 30 days before.
13. Tickets vs. packages
Tickets alone are non-refundable. With packages you can make date changes or cancel if something unexpected comes up.
🏨 Lodging and transportation
14. Magical Extras Included
When you book a Disney package, you get little perks:
- Discounts at Disney Springs
- Free mini golf tickets ⛳
- Character luggage tags ✨
15. Free Parking
Staying at a Disney hotel gives you free parking at the hotel and at the parks. If you stay outside, parking at Disney costs approx. 32 USD per day, on top of what you pay at your hotel (do the math if you 're going for several days!).
🎉 In summary
Saving at Disney is totally possible. With planning, a few little tricks and smart decisions, you can live the trip of your dreams without breaking the bank.
👉 The key: anticipation, smart purchases and taking advantage of all the extras Disney already offers.
🚗 And if you're going to rent a car, make it with Rentennials!
If you're going to Orlando or Miami and want to rent a car without surprises, do it with Rentennials 🚗.
Final price with everything included: insurance, tolls and fees.
Book easily, quickly and in minutes from your phone.
Es Disney Time, By Carla.
Certified Disney and Universal Agent
Instagram: @esdinseytime
