Best way to save a ton of money at Disney

[NightGuardianAngel]

Since the Magical Express is gone and there are hardly and perks left for Disney hotel guests and prices have skyrocketed plus charging for parking, here is the best way I believe to save money. Plus, 30 minute early park entry (if you manage to get your behind out of bed very early) ain’t worth paying thousands of dollars per night.

1. Take an Uber or Lyft from airport to Motel 6 if flying, or drive to Motel 6 and check in.
2. Take an Uber or Lyft to Disney World and use the tram to get to what park you wish.
3. Have fun. When done, take Uber or Lyft back to Motel 6. They will always leave the light on tor you even after a fun day at Disney.
4. For souvenirs and Disney plushes, they sell them at Walmart, or even Pilot or Love’s truck stops for a lot less expensive

As far as food goes, a 20 piece chicken mcnuggets or a filet-o-fish (if craving seafood) at McDonald’s taste a whole lot better and a lot more gourmet than food at Disney and is a lot less expensive. Also, Long John Silver’s is another option (everytime I eat there, I always pass a lot of gas).

 

[supersnoop]

I feel like this post was intended to be sarcasm, but this plan is legitimately how many people afford to travel to WDW. Depending on the number of people and the duration, a rental car might be less expensive than so many Uber trips, and you could work in a grocery run so you could pack sandwiches to eat in the park.

 

[MillauFr]

Disneyland is far cheaper.

 

[barkley]

and you could work in a grocery run

with so many stores having online ordering available this is SO much easier to quickly accomplish these days. last time we went i did an online order and had dh pull up to the area where my order was in the car within 5 minutes, i then ran into the store to grab the fresh stuff i wanted to pick out myself so the total time spent was less than 30 minutes. we always feel that price wise it's worth it to stay at a place that either has microwaves in the rooms or offers them to rent for a nominal cost.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Disneyland is far cheaper.

It is.Even if we could’ve afforded the GCH it would’ve been cheaper than WDW

 

[MillauFr]

I can stay offsite at Disneyland and get to the front gate faster than staying onsite at the Poly and taking the monorail to Magic Kingdom.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I can stay offsite at Disneyland and get to the front gate faster than staying onsite at the Poly and taking the monorail to Magic Kingdom.

We stayed at the Fairfield Anaheim Resort on Marriot points. The best "free" hotel I've ever had on a Disney trip.

 

[DCLMP]

It is.Even if we could’ve afforded the GCH it would’ve been cheaper than WDW

Its cheaper because you can do it 2 days not 4 or 5.

 

[DCLMP]

I can stay offsite at Disneyland and get to the front gate faster than staying onsite at the Poly and taking the monorail to Magic Kingdom.

That’s true but WDW and Disneyland are very different vacations. I would not call the poly and Marriott comparable nor is harbor blvd comparable to the seven seas lagoon.

 

[DCLMP]

We stayed at the Fairfield Anaheim Resort on Marriot points. The best "free" hotel I've ever had on a Disney trip.

Im staying at the Dolphin for free in January. Free can be done at WDW too.

 

[DVCjj]

Adult DD & I usually do an ADR at the very least, every dinner. This trip was different with the weather getting ominous and the hurricane coming in the middle of our trip. We found ourselves getting QS online ordering for several days and keeping in the Villa frig. Couple times we were drenched walking....I mean running...to Yacht Club Marketplace from BWV for the pickup. Also BW Bakery was great but then closed down.

It was actually not only cheaper but peaceful and calm eating in the room surprisingly. This trip was with an adult daughter but DH and I also did it a few years ago when we wanted to be in the room more and watch something special on TV we chose to follow. Again, we actually enjoyed the whole slower, quieter (MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE) experience. I know we would have saved more money had we had a car but with the latest storm trip, wouldn't want to be anywhere near driving....that's for sure.

The funny thing was, saving money wasn't the motive, but it was very nice to come home with money. We definitely try to spend less and less each trip yet don't feel deprived.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Im staying at the Dolphin for free in January. Free can be done at WDW too.

I've looked at that but we have never had enough points to allow it. Someday

 

[hsmamato2]

Im staying at the Dolphin for free in January. Free can be done at WDW too.

I've stayed there for cheap (the cost of the daily fee) but never free....

 

[DCLMP]

I've stayed there for cheap (the cost of the daily fee) but never free....

I was referring to using hotel points. I kind of thought was understood. I guess not.

 

[DCLMP]

I've looked at that but we have never had enough points to allow it. Someday

I found a sweet spot where it was only 35k a night. That is rare though.

 

[afan]

I was referring to using hotel points. I kind of thought was understood. I guess not.

Points don't cover the resort fee so it's not actually free. Other chains do cover resort fees on award bookings so that's the reason for the comment.

 

[DCLMP]

Points don't cover the resort fee so it's not actually free. Other chains do cover resort fees on award bookings so that's the reason for the comment.

There's plenty of cash back reward cards that can cover the resort fee if you want it to be "free". It's only 45.00 a day and does include some benefits. I'll take that over the cost of the Disney neighbor resorts.

I've also stayed at CSR with cashback rewards. My point was it is possible to get a free hotel stay at WDW just like at DL it wasn't to turn it into a debate. I'll agree it's more difficult and It does take a lot more points or cashback rewards at WDW. DL is without a doubt easier.

 

[afan]

There's plenty of cash back reward cards that can cover the resort fee if you want it to be "free". It's only 45.00 a day and does include some benefits. I'll take that over the cost of the Disney neighbor resorts.

I've also stayed at CSR with cashback rewards. My point was it is possible to get a free hotel stay at WDW just like at DL it wasn't to turn it into a debate. I'll agree it's more difficult and It does take a lot more points or cashback rewards at WDW. DL is without a doubt easier.

No debate to it, not everyone is going to be aware there's a resort fee. As you said, more involved to get it totally free. Just explanation so people understand.

 

[DCLMP]

No debate to it, not everyone is going to be aware there's a resort fee. As you said, more involved to get it totally free. Just explanation so people understand.

If believe Marriott is the only only one that doesn't include resort fees in their point redemptions. I know Hyatt does. I think Hilton does too, but not 100% sure on that.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Its cheaper because you can do it 2 days not 4 or 5.

True but we did three park hopper and regret not doing 4! Plus if you do other activities in CA you can get the fun pass I think it’s called-wish we had known about that!