The magical world of Disney Orlando may seem like that distant dream holiday that you’ll get around to one day, when you’ve saved up enough money. However, there are many ways to discover and enjoy the wonder that is Disney World on a budget. Read on to find out how you can explore Disney without breaking the bank.
Plan! Plan! Plan!
It comes as no surprise that purchasing your tickets well in advance will save you some serious coins. The Disney parks raise their prices every year, so be sure to grab them before they increase. Try to plan your trip outside of the peak tourist times, this will save you tons of money on park tickets, flights and accommodation, not to mention it’ll be a lot less busy and a lot more enjoyable! Create a table of the quietest times of the most popular rides and get these out of the way so you can make the most of your day. You should also download the Disney app so that you can track wait times for rides, manage your FastPass+ reservations and have a map of every park on hand.
Packed lunch vs Eating Out
A fun fact that many visitors are not aware of is that Disney World actually allows guests to bring in their own food and drink to all parks and resort hotels. This will stop you from having to constantly eat out every day! Disney has many great restaurants ranging from amazing fine dining spots, to exciting themed restaurant experiences. No matter where you eat you will find that portion sizes are often very generous, so you might find it easier and more cost effective to share a meal between two or three people, rather than one large meal each. Whatever you decide on be sure to make reservations – you can book up to 180 days prior to your visit. Disney World is extremely busy, so you want to ensure you don’t miss out on the great food spots!
Where to Stay
Staying on Disney property when visiting is not only super fun, it can also save you money in the long run. Some of the advantages of staying at one of the many Disney resorts are: complimentary shuttle rides to and from the theme parks, no car parking fees and extended park magic hours. You will also receive magic bands, which are convenient electronic bracelets that serve as your tickets to parks, rides and your hotel room. Staying outside of the resorts can save you money if you aren’t bothered about all of the extras.
Take Advantage of Free Activities
There is far more to be discovered than just the theme parks at Disney. Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the nicest places to stay, however non-hotel guests are free to explore this intriguing property to see if they can spot any giraffes, flamingos, zebras and more! Every night at Fort Wilderness you can catch an outdoor screening of a Disney movie, along with campfire singalongs and s’mores! Take a trip to Epcot, which comes alive in the evenings, complete with magicians and entertainers that you can watch free of charge!
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