We all know how expensive Disney World can be…but if you’re like me, you just HAVE to go as much as you can, right? But if you’re also like me and have a strict budget for your trip, you also need to know how to afford that trip to Disney World, am I right?

Well, there are actually a LOT of ways to save money in Disney World, and we’re not just talking about taking advantage of free water at counter service restaurants and bringing your own water bottle. There is one BIG hack that could save you hundreds of dollars PER DAY…and I’m going to tell you about that, along with some of my other favorite ways to save money on a trip.

Let’s talk about some of the easiest ways you can save a lot of money in Disney World.

Know where to shop for souvenirs

Souvenirs in Disney World are going to be kinda’ pricey, but there’s a better way to buy the souvenirs you want. You can always visit the Disney Character Warehouse to stock up on some of the most popular souvenirs for far less than what you would pay in the theme parks. You’ll find two stores in the Orlando area. This is especially easy if you have your own transportation while visiting the parks.

However, you might also want to check out The Disney Store before you buy an item in the park. There’s often a chance the item is cheaper if you buy it directly from The Disney Store online. You might catch a sale that will get you the same souvenir you’d find in the parks for a much lower cost.

Get Minnie Ears From Amazon

Don’t spend $30 or more for a pair of Minnie Ears in the parks! You can get ears for half that (or less) by shopping on Amazon. Sometimes, you’ll even find great deals on Loungefly ears that would cost way more in the theme parks. Again, this is about shopping smart, even if it means buying some things before your trip.

This is also true of many Loungefly bags. Shopping online might get you a better price than if you buy it in a store in the park (believe me, I’ve checked prices on some bags and I was shocked at how much cheaper they can be when you catch them on sale online).

shop for Loungeflys ON AMAZON

Buy bubble wands and bubble mix before trip

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen kids’ eyes light up when they see their first bubble wand in Disney World. They will want it, and they might bug you the ENTIRE trip to get it. Now, those wands are PRICEY in the parks. But you can get a Disney bubble wand pretty much anywhere, including Walmart and Amazon.

Also, be sure to stock up on bubble mix, too, because that can be a bit pricey if you run out and have to buy it in the parks.

shop for Bubble wands on amazon

 

Order grocery delivery to your hotel

I almost always get bottled water and snacks delivered to my Disney World hotel room to save money on those things. Water, in particular, is SO expensive in the parks that every time I even think to look at a menu in Disney World and see the price for bottled water, I internally cringe.

You have quite a few options for having groceries delivered to your Disney World hotel room, including Garden Grocer, Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart, and more. Note that you will probably have to meet a minimum amount to have groceries delivered, and you may have to pay delivery fees. However, you’ll still likely save money over what those items would have cost in Disney World.

Order groceries from Amazon fresh

Use a travel agent

I didn’t always use a travel agent when I booked my Disney trips, but in 2020, I learned the value of working with a travel agent. I’d planned a trip to Disneyland for April 2020, but then Disneyland closed, and I had it re-booked for November 2020. When we knew Disneyland would remain closed, my travel agent was able to re-book it all as a trip to Disney World. But here’s the best part: when Disney World released a discount, my travel agent automatically applied it to my trip, and I got the money that discount saved me BACK (and it was a considerable amount).

Now, you can do this yourself, but trust me, it’s a hassle, especially if you want to grab a discount: you have to cancel your trip and then rebook it. A travel agent can do it all for you seamlessly, and can help you with other aspects of your trip, too — and their services are 100% free. We recommend contacting our friends over at Small World Vacations to help you with your next Disney World vacation. They can help you with booking Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line and Universal vacations, too!

Buy Kids’ Meals

There is NO shame in my game. Many Disney World meals are TOO much food for me (I tend to eat a lot of small meals and then snack throughout the day). Why spend money on a meal you’re not going to eat all of? Instead, order the Kids’ Meal, and save money PLUS prevent food waste.

For example, if I’m visiting Pandora over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I always get the Kids’ meal of the Cheeseburger Pods for about a $5 savings, and it’s enough to fill me up and keep me going until I’m ready to grab a little something sweet at Zuri’s Sweets Shop.

Rent DVC Points through a reputable agency

I’ll admit that I was a little nervous when I first rented DVC points online, but the agency that I used had come highly recommended — David’s Vacation Club Rentals. But I ended up saving about $200 per night on a room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and by the time I split the room with a friend, I got to stay in a deluxe hotel on a value hotel budget.

There are some caveats, of course. First, you’ll need to book those rooms WAY in advance because they go quickly (I booked 11 months before my trip). Also, you’ll have to see if the agency has a refund policy in case you need to cancel the trip. However, if you’re looking to stay somewhere you might not be able to afford to stay at otherwise, this is a great way to do it.

I hope these savings tips help you plan your next trip, and we’ll keep sharing our best tips and tricks for visiting Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

Click Here To View All Current Disney Discounts and Deals

What’s your best money-saving hack for Disney World? Share with us in the comments!