Planning a Trip to Disney World on a Budget
I get a lot of questions about my Disney World trips to Orlando including… “How do you pay for all of it?!” So I want to break down just how I manage to go to the happiest place on earth so frequently without breaking the bank!
If you have viewed my Disney World stories or blogs, you’ll see I love to do it all when I’m there in Orlando, Florida! Rides, snacks, parks, experiences… plus, there’s always something new to see. Pointing back to the original question, Walt Disney World (& Universal Orlando theme parks) can be quite expensive and prices seem to always be on the rise. So let me preface this, because if you want to achieve it all and not spend a fortune, you’ll need to hustle and be ready to be on your feet. Don’t worry! I’ll hook you up with tips for that too!
Also one more quick side note before jumping in… these quick trips, at this capacity, are really built for & tested by adults only! So if you want to bring your kids along, this may not be the best plan for you :)
01. Visit on a weekday if you can
First things first, you may want to view ticket/hotel prices before you decide on dates, since they do fluctuate depending on the week or season. With that being said, my typical trip is Monday - Thursday. Yes, just a few quick days! I originally had started with this itinerary because of my busy weekend work schedule, but quickly noticed some other benefits to it… Flights tend to have tons of time options to Orlando (MCO), which makes it easy to get the most out of my days, even with travel time. That means a very early flight in and heading straight to the parks once I land. The Disney World parks during the week are usually a bit quieter because locals have work or school. This is a major plus because when you have limited time, you can really benefit from avoiding crowds for things like waiting in line, getting around the park, seeing shows, etc. Hotels can also be cheaper during the week, even if it’s a small difference… that’s one more snack or souvenir you can treat yourself to while exploring!
02. Don’t underestimate the value of having a plan
I always write up an itinerary and include must-do’s for anyone traveling with me. You’ll want to build your plan around those must-do’s first to ensure you get them done and then remember to stay flexible for anything else. Because I like to go at least once a year, I’m usually going with a particular event in mind, like EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival, or just to see the newest attractions. So that may be the focus of my trip, while everything else is just a bonus!
Keep in mind, Disney World Orlando has 4 theme parks and Universal has 2 (not including water parks) so make sure you’re locating where your must-do’s are within the parks and what may take the most time so that you can consider that in your itinerary! With a Disney “Park Hopper” ticket, you can visit multiple parks in one day. Universal Orlando also has this option for both of the parks located there. We always take advantage of this to be able to see and do the most, plus, it allows us to stay flexible and get the best dining reservations.
03. Consider staying at a Disney World Hotel!
Typically, I spend 12+ hours in the parks each day (Think of it like a wedding day, haha)! This can include breakfast reservations, which may be before park hours, as well as late dinners, or even staying late enough to close out the parks while shopping or taking photos. I spend very little time in my hotel room so I always opt for the cheapest option BUT you may still want to consider staying on Disney World property and here’s why… When staying at a Disney World Resort or affiliated hotel, you get the perks of “Magic Hours” (or “Early Entry”) which can be an earlier open or close time for the parks. There’s also free shuttles that will get you to any Disney World park and even Disney Springs. Because I have a lot to achieve in a small time frame, I benefit from those extra park hours and, as always, I’m thinking about beating crowds. I also love the free shuttles because it saves money on Uber rides, car rentals, or parking fees which can add up quickly!
When you think of staying on Disney property, you probably imagine the resorts like All-Star, Pop Century, Art of Animation, or even the fancier ones like Polynesian or Grand Floridian BUT there are hotels outside of these resorts that still see the perks of being “Disney World affiliated,” so make sure to check the surrounding area for the best price option!
04. Don’t forget about Disney snacks!
Shifting focus just a bit to my favorite part of any Disney trip… SNACKS, duh! There is truly so much to eat and drink at each Disney park, not only will you empty your wallet quickly but you’ll be too full to move through the parks. A few quick tips are:
Split snacks with a friend so you’re able to try a little bit of everything and save some money!
At sit down meals, you can usually order from the kids menu with no questions asked if you’re not quite up for a big meal.
If something comes with a “souvenir cup,” you may be able to get it without for a few dollars less. Never hurts to ask!
If you’re not a foodie like me, you can bring your own lunch and snacks instead of spending at all!
I hope you’ve seen how I make it all come together and know it is possible to visit often without breaking the bank. In another blog post, I’m sharing my must-have essentials to survive what may seem a little like a theme park bootcamp!
Additional Disney World Tips:
Book one sit-down meal a day. This will give you time to sit in some cool air conditioning and recharge a bit. This meal for me is typically dinner, which is when I need that moment of rest the most. And don’t forget to grab a coffee with dessert for a boost of energy before continuing your night at the parks!
Rest when you need to. There’s plenty of benches along the way. Anytime you get a snack or need to drink some water, take a seat and enjoy it if you need to! Your feet will thank me later.
If you need to sleep in, do it. The parks will be there when you wake up, I promise! If it’s not going to be fun because you’re exhausted, it’s not worth it.
Eat real food too… trust me, I say this from experience! Too many sugary snacks or drinks will cause you to crash before you’re even halfway through the day. Along with water, make sure to give your body some real fuel like protein to keep your energy up.
Stretch! As silly as it sounds, moving and walking all day, you’ll be using muscles you don’t normally use. Before you’re feeling achy, stretch for 5 minutes at the beginning and end of each day.
Add an additional day if your itinerary is overflowing with must-do’s OR add an additional day in between parks for a day to sit at the resort pool or explore the area and recharge! There can be deals on multiple night stays and ticket prices.
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If you’ve ever visited Disney World Orlando, you know the days can be long and exhausting! I make it a point to visit the Disney Parks a couple times a year and here are my must-have essentials I always bring along with me!