Best Bargains at Disney World

[DisneyKingpin]

We all know there's a built-in premium cost of everything at Disney. But what's your (relatively speaking) best Disney bargain?

I'll start: I think the $120 advance-purchase PhotoPass CD is a bargain if you're there all week. That's not a bad price to have photographers take unlimited, high-quality pictures all over the parks. On my recent trip, I had about 400 pics - coming out to about 25 cents a picture. Especially a good deal if you don't like taking pictures yourself or simply not good at it.

 

[kmb584]

The silhouettes in MK. I get DD's done every trip and it's only $8, $17 if I get the silhouette and frame.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

It depends on the time there, but I go with the refillable mugs. We generally get them with the dining plan but even if you pay for them, they are a bargain over a week long trip. We will use them for breakfast each day, ant pool time we have, every lunch or dinner that we are at the resort (if we are on the DDP this lets us stock up on bottled water to take to the parks with us) and then usually a few times for mixers. I usually have a nightcap on vacation so I will bring a bottle of liquor then fill my mug. It definitely pays for itself for us.

 

[DisGirl819]

Memory Maker is now $150 advance purchase, $200 in parks, but yes, we find it to be a great deal for us and use it every time.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

The mugs are a great bargain, $20 for two weeks and I took them everywhere, on a roasting hot day on the Boardwalk I spent an afternoon in the shade and probably had near enough $20 value just that day with the refills at The Boardwalk Bakery, especially when I toddled over to Epcot with a full mug. The memory maker is good value, but, not all photos are high quality, I am going to contact Disney because several photos were over or under exposed, but, the attraction photos are always good, especially when you can zoom and crop them so you can see your silly expressions in glorious close up with the logo on them.

 

[glassslippergirl]

The first haircut at MK was only $18, and DS got first haircut mouse ears and a certificate as souvenirs included. Really a good bargain.

Also, the purchase with purchase throws and fleece blankets are beautiful, durable, easy to store, have many uses-- some of our favorite souvenirs for less than $20.

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

The magical tears I get in my eyes when I see the Castle. I didn't realize they were included in my vacation package.

No in all seriousness I like the mugs. Something that I can take home and has multiple purposes. I can put coffee in it, cuddle and eat ice-cream out of it. Sit on my desk and use it as a pencil jar and stare at it when I wish I was at WDW.

I think I may have a love affair with Disney mugs.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

This may sound silly, but having stayed in a Disney value resort for the first time last year, I have to say I found them to be a great bargain.

Sure, the room wasn't huge or fancy. But it was clean, and everything was in good working order. I often consider staying off site - after all, you can get a bigger/nicer room, with breakfast included, for the same price of a Disney value.

But once you factor in MDE and the Disney transportation system, meaning I didn't need to rent a car, it really was a good deal. A clean, well kept room, free airport transportation, free, and frequent on site transportation...I'm sold!

 

[ArwenMarie]

The magical tears I get in my eyes when I see the Castle. I didn't realize they were included in my vacation package.

No in all seriousness I like the mugs. Something that I can take home and has multiple purposes. I can put coffee in it, cuddle and eat ice-cream out of it. Sit on my desk and use it as a pencil jar and stare at it when I wish I was at WDW.

I think I may have a love affair with Disney mugs.

Me too. I had to cut myself off because I was running out room in my cabinet

 

[I-4Bound]

We like the sand pail ice cream at the water parks. For $10, you get a huge sundae in a sand bucket, and it's more than enough for the 4 of us.

I also think adding the Water Park Fun & More onto the tickets is a good bargain. I buy the 10 day passes with no expiration, and adding the WP option is only about 56 bucks per person. That gives us 10 extra days of fun that don't expire even after the theme park passes are used up. We usually do a summer trip of just water park and DisneyQuest

 

[Radiorox]

At Magic Kingdom:
If you like Corn dogs, Casey's has minis for 4.99 + tax. Not sure how many come in a cup (10 maybe?) but, for a snack it's quite a bit and shareable.

Eating at either Cosmic Rays or Pecos Bill with their self serve toppings bar.

I like the taco salad, with the toppings it can stretch into a major meal. You can get plain fries and go wild with the toppings.

 

[Radiorox]

Also free soda at Epcot Club Cool.

Free movies at the resorts at night

Under $15 for large pizzas at the resorts.

 

[CantSwim63]

(Note: I use the word free knowing that some sticklers might say that it is part of the golfing fee. I ask you to not flame me and leave me to my Disney bargain buzz.)

Fore bargains:

Free round trip cab ride (tips included) from resort to WDW golf course and back. This includes just having a tee time at the Oak Trail nine hole walking course. (Which works out nicely while the little ones are napping or at the pool after lunch).

Free WDW branded tees at the driving range and golf cart.

Being able to leave your clubs at the course instead of having to bring them back and forth to the room.

Getting a free locker and sometimes getting one that was used by a previous PGA winner at WDW. (Don't know if they give out Tigers' but I think I am going to ask in October lol).

Enjoy!

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

Me too. I had to cut myself off because I was running out room in my cabinet

I have a whole cabinet to myself and my mugs. My mom wanted room for her own cups.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

The Marketplace Fun Finds store in DTD!

I always get kitchen stuff, flip flops, and even christmas ornaments from that 5 for $20 wall. LOVE IT!

 

[poooh]

The silhouettes in MK. I get DD's done every trip and it's only $8, $17 if I get the silhouette and frame.

Only 8 dollars for the silhouettes? I so would have gotten one by now if I knew they were that cheap. Usually I just walk by the artist places.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Meals at Flametree in Animal Kingdom.

 

[digiMom]

Here's some things I found. We're going to try some of these for the first time...

• Boardwalk entertainment
• Visit some resorts we're not staying at.. Esp FW. Were going to check out the horses and some creek fishing
• Watch Electrical Water Pageant from beach
• Free resort tours (hopefully still going on): Wonders of the Wilderness Lodge Tour, Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Culinary Tour, and Sanaa Cultural Tour
• Letting kids play with Legos at DTD
• Like the mugs
• Gotta add the Mickey Bars..

 

[dzneelvr]

Here are my contributions: 1) Value Resort stays 2) Deluxe resort "hopping". be sure and take in the grounds and shops 3) frozen bananas 4) tables in wonderland dining plan --straight 20% off with no menu restrictions, credit counting, or overeating 5) The Plaza in MK. Great sandwiches, salads, and ice cream concoctions from the storefront on Main Street. 6) evening park parades and shows 7) breakfast poolside every morning

 

[AllieBoo]

The popcorn buckets! I can't remember exactly how much they were on our last trip ($6, $7??), but they are reasonable and they always have cute designs. We have gotten one or two on each of our trips, so we have a nice collection. We have an air popper, and we love to use the buckets to have our popcorn in.