How to Plan an Affordable Disney Vacation
Disney vacations can be enormously expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of hotel rooms, tickets, food and extra expenses. If you know how to cut costs, however, you can still enjoy a fun-filled Disney vacation without breaking the bank.
Whether you are heading to Disneyland on the west coast or Walt Disney World on the east coast, here are several ways to plan an affordable vacation.
1. Book an Off-Site Hotel
While on-site hotels can enhance the “Disney experience,” they are usually much more expensive than off-site hotels. In order to maximize your budget for the trip, check several travel websites for the most budget-friendly off-site hotels in the area and plan accordingly.
In some cases, many off-site hotels also offer similar perks to hotels that are on park grounds, including shuttle access to the theme parks, advance ticket purchases and other amenities. Alternatively, many off-site hotels in the Disney area are often within walking distance, which will allow you to enjoy easy access to the parks without having to pay for parking.
2. Travel During Non-Peak Seasons
If you’re willing to forego the peak seasons, a Disney vacation can be much more affordable. When you travel during an off season, hotel rates and theme park tickets are much cheaper – plus, you won’t have to deal with as many crowds.
In order to boost attendance during these seasons, Disney parks will often offer special discounts or promotions to make your vacation even more affordable, so check out the theme park websites to find the best deals to help you save even more money.
3. Stick to Cash Only Purchases
Before you head to the parks, it’s a good idea to have a firm budget in mind – and pay in cash for everything you buy in the parks. Using credit cards can be convenient, but costs can quickly add up if you aren’t paying attention to how much you are spending.
By setting a budget and only carrying the amount of cash you can realistically afford to spend, you can minimize impulse purchases and enjoy your Disney vacation without going into debt.
4. Purchase Tickets in Advance
One of the biggest mistakes tourists make when heading to a Disney theme park is failing to purchase tickets in advance. If you wait until you arrive at the parks, you’ll likely pay a lot more for admission than you would if you buy your tickets in advance. Additionally, purchasing tickets through the Disney theme park websites may not always be your best bet.
Verified ticket outlets, grocery stores and other retail establishments often partner with Disney to offer more affordable tickets than the park itself, keeping your costs down. No matter where you choose to purchase tickets, however, make sure you are buying from an authorized seller. There are many companies that will attempt to sell discounted multi-day passes that are not legitimate, and will not allow you entrance to the theme parks.
5. Minimize Food Costs
You have to eat, but the price of food at Disney theme parks can be astronomical. To help minimize food costs, bring non-perishable snacks in a backpack and empty water bottles you can fill up for free at any water fountain.
Disney employees will not prevent you from bringing food or drinks into the park, provided you are carrying them in a backpack or purse and not in a cooler.
While snacks can help curb hunger throughout the day, you’ll also need to plan accordingly for when you need to sit down to a meal. Look around for the best deals, and make sure to only buy what you can reasonably be expected to eat – you won’t be taking any leftovers back to your hotel room!
A Disney vacation will be a memorable experience you and your family will treasure for a lifetime, but the cost of such a trip can be exorbitant. Luckily, sticking to a budget, minimizing costs and looking for the best deals can help you plan an affordable Disney vacation without breaking the bank.