Money Saving Tip

[LeahA]

What is your best money saving tip once you are at the parks?

 

[LeahA]

How do you all save money in the parks, whether it be for meals, snacks, tickets or souvenirs????

 

[wbstrs1]

Hey, LeahA.....we used to live in Aurora, but moved to sunny FL 2 years ago. THAT saved us alot of $$ on our Disney trips...(Resident's Rates, and living within driving distance are the two biggies!) Of course, I know that's not an option for everyone. When we made the trek from Illinois, we found that renting a car saved us alot of $$ in food expenses. We would leave the property, and eat at one of the many restraunts off-site. Many places offer "kids eat free" on certain nites. Also, if you have a rental car, and the time, be sure to check out Character Warehouse for souveniors. There are now 3 locations in Orlando.....2 at the Belz Factory Outlet, and one at the new outlet off I-4 near SeaWorld. They offer tremendous savings on official Disney merchandise!

 

[Rhonda]

We usually eat our "big" meal at lunchtime at one of the sit-down restaurants, then eat at counter service places for dinner. We usually eat breakfast in our room (or campsite if we're staying at FW). You can buy cartons of milk at the resort gift shops and bring boxes of cereal with you!

If we see something we want to buy at a park sourvenir shop, we'll remember what it is, then buy it at Downtown Disney instead with the Disney Club 10% discount!

- Rhonda
Camping Board Co-Moderator
rhonda@wdwinfo.com

 

[CherylA]

We go during the "off season" we look for discounts on lodging and descide if the Disney discounts make it cheap enough to stay onsite. We book a car far in advance and then look for better rates (but usually the advance rate is best). We stop at the grocery store to pick up waters and quick breakfasts. We try to minimize food waste and share meals whether at counter service or sit down. We plan our meals around available dining discounts. We plan a trip when we see "can't resist" airfare! We buy our tickets using the MKC discount or get them at AAA or if you are friends with a Disney Store cast member have them get them at a discount for you (this is okay to do) We spend our first and last days outside of the parks so we don't "waste" those days on our hoppers. We don't drink alcohol (big vacation money saver! ) we don't buy many souveniers. "Do I really need this?" and in one year will I care that I never bought this" are good questions for me to keep asking myself. I visit the DIS often especially the resort board, transportation board budget board and rewards board. I try to take advantage of some of the easier reward programs and gift certificate earning opportunities.

 

[LeahA]

Thank you everbody!!!

Keep them coming!!!!!

 

[FergieTCat]

My money savers were (and I'm a single adult travelling alone) --

Carrying a Brita water bottle. I can't see spending $2.50 every time I get thirsty, and the fountain water was icky. Even if you only fill up the water bottle at the fountain and then empty it, it was worth it!

In Epcot, eat lunch at the World Showcase restaurants. Eat a lighter dinner or just wait until you leave. Dinner at ASMu was cheaper than a dinner in the parks.

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">

Donna

 

[darceyg]

If you have time, apply for the Magic Kingdom club. It is a great club! You get 10 - 20% discounts on food, souveniers, hotel and tickets!

I booked a trip for 7 people for 10 days and saved tons of money!

Hope this helps!

 

[Belle2000]

We booked our Hotel rooms through AAA (20% savings, in September), and our passes using the MKC card. We took breakfast fixings and ate in our room each morning! We also took snacks to carry in our backpack, gummie treats, crackers (although they could get smushed!), juice boxes (these freeze and defrost well). If you do have the occassional alcohol drink, take your own in your room. We used ice from the ice machines to refresh our coolers. Hope this helps!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...

78/Off Site, 81/Off Site, 87/Off Site,88/The Hilton Disney Village, 95/Dxl, 96/Dxl, 9-8-00 Dxl

 

[Robinrs]

I always bring or send by Netgrocer, boxes of Capri Suns. These little juices are flexible and you can fit them just about anywhere and they are invaluable for a quick drink on line or to take a pill, which I have to do regularly. It sure beats paying premium prices for drinks in the parks...

On my last trip we stayed at the Holiday Inn Family Suites which had a wonderful free breakfast buffet. We would load up on stuff before 11am and stuff things in the refrigerator in our room. You'd be surprised how a bagel or a donut, or in my son's case, a cup of cereal, can comfort you for a late night's snack. We also stocked up on orange slices and apple juice.

My biggest money saving tip is very long in the making, my son does not ask for or require souvenirs. I've had people beg me for how I managed this but I can only say that my son has learned from a baby that nothing good comes free. The trip costs his Mommy money and that's his gift. He is just grateful to be there. I remember being the same way as a child. My Mother recalls at my 10th birthday me asking for knitting needles because I didn't want her to spend much money on me. I felt already blessed by what they do for me year round...

I'm doubly blessed because my son is now the same way...

-------------------------

MOM
Mother of Michael
Proverbs 3:5-6

<font color=purple>Co-Moderator of the Community and Universal/IOA Boards</font color=purple>

 

[Captain America]

Ladies and gentlemen ,
Here are some of the ways I save time and money in the "World" :
- if I am only touring the Disney parks I do not rent a car , Disney transportation system while not perfect is the way to go - FREE-O
- take Tiffany Towncar from the airport directly to your resort , it costs the same as Mears but it saves you time (and time is money , especially when you visit ...)
- off season ( late Oct. -Nov.) when the crowds are smaller and the parks aren't open as late but the rates are cheap (it is well worth the kids missing a day or two of school)
- oh , did I mention that Tiffany will stop at a grocery store(no extra charge) so that you can stock up on FOOD that way you can eat as many meals as possible in your quiet comfortable room (make sure you request a fridge in your room)- especially practical for breakfast , lunch, and snacks to carry with you around the parks
- buy one refillable mug at your resort and share , the refills are free at most of the resorts -we buy two one for my wife and I to share and one for the kids to share
- "do I really need another Disney souvenir to collect dust on a shelf or in a drawer?"only buy souvenirs that have a practical use (t-shirts,watches,pens etc. )
Think about how much you could save and still have a wonderful vacation !
Just my opinion , take it or leave this bit of wisdom comes ABSOLUTELY FREE !
Captain America

 

[LeahA]

Thank you so much everyone, this information is definitely helpful!

 

[aimeesmom2]

we saved a little money on our last trip by bringing some snacks from home.. We brought raisins, fruit rollups, fruit snacks, lollipops. cereal etc..

I carried a backpack to the parks and put a few of the snacks in it each day.. It saved a little money as we didn't have to stop and buy something in the park..

For our trip in March, I am bringing a collapsible cooler and putting it in my suitcase so we can have some cool drinks in hotel room. I am utilizing netgrocer and having some items shipped to our resort and have it arrive and waiting for us, so that way I don't have to cart the items on the plane with us..

**Just wanted to note that we found a really cheap snack in AK last year. They sell bags of mickey mouse shaped pretzels for .50 per bag!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you book your own airfare, check back frequently. If the prices go down, check with the airline about either a refund or a voucher. I did this with Delta and the airfare went down $80. Great for next trip!

Do the same thing with the hotel. Call back and shop for a better rate. I got a break in September, from a quoted rate of $150 to $110. Nice savings!

When shopping for souveneirs, we always look for the sale items. There is alwyas something on sale, either tshirts or sweatshirts. They usually go down to almost half price. And if you are staying in the resorts and use an AMEX card, then you get 15% off on purchases. Or 10% with the MK card.
Good luck and have fun!

Jody ºOº
AS Sports January 2001
DL September 2000
AS Sports February 2000
ASM February 1999
DL September 1998

 

[PrincessKay]

Hi everyone, it can get a little difficult to save while at the World sometimes but, overall a little planning helps alot! I freeze our water bottles the night before and always bring my bottle straps with me. I carry in my backpack snacks and I pack in my suitcase a box of unpopped microwave popcorn and buy the popcorn bucket on our first day at the park and I pop a bag in the micro every morning and then put popcorn in popcorn bucket and take to park.....that way it dosen't get crushed, soggy, etc. I also shop around and leave buying souvenirs for the last days. That way I don't impulse buy.

 

[marianne98]

This one works with, the little ones.....My daughter is three....she goes to the disney store and of course wants everything, but here's a money saving tip....Have them buy Disney Dollars. They think there buying something, and love to look at the different pictures on the bills, and your actually saving towards a purchase your going to make in disney anyway! I took this tip one more step...We took an oatmeal container and covered it with mickey paper and hot glued a mickey and minnie plastic figure to the top, by a cut slot. Everytime my daughter gets a reward for something done well, (Example-potty training) she gets a quarter to put in her bank, then every couple of weeks we count it up and make a trip to the disney store, she's so proud everytime we go, and it's a great way to save up! Hope this helps!

marianne

 

[Daisimae]

Our best money saving tip, was to get cubes of soda at during our TTC grocery stop and take cans into the park with us.

I bought one fancy cup with all the Disney characters on it. DH didn't want one. When we wanted something to drink, I would approach a cart and ask for a cup of ice. Some of the ice went into my cup with half of the soda. The other half went into the original cup that the ice came in for DH. This along with breakfast in the room, saved us a bundle! The cup also came in handy, when we had too much to drink at lunch. I just poured the rest into my cup for later. As an extra bonus, I still have my cup for this year!

Daisimae
Proud Survivor of the Space Mountain Morning-Mini Marathon and Splash Mountain Rapid Rampage
____________________
'73-Offsite
'86-Offsite
'87-Offsite
'89-CBR
'90-CBR
'91-CBR
'92-PO
'94-PO
'00-PO/3-day Wonder
'01-PO
'02 - Magic 7 day/PO
2003-Family Reunion-Probably at Safari Logde

 

[Jeafl]

My best tip was one someone else posted a while ago. Never order pop with meals. Ask for ice water and carry with you small baggies of pre-sweetened kool-aid or lemonade to add to the water. This saves us a ton of money. With a family of 5, and 5 pops per meal at $2.50 each, we saved around $20-25 a day. In my opinion, pop just makes you thirstier anyway, and the water keeps you hydrated.

Jill

 

[disney0928]

Our last trip, Oct 2000, we brought my inlaws. We stayed at FW in a cabin. Splitting the nightly cost this way was a great money saver, but a little cramped for space. Plus, you have a full kitchen, very handy for inexpensive breakfasts each morning, and almost every dinner. The cabin can sleep up to 6 adults plus 1 child in a crib. If your party size allows, I recommend booking this way. Also, if your park tickets include it, the flex feature can be used for a free character breakfast, a nice "splurge" meal, that pleases the kids, and ensures that you don't have to stand in any long character greet lines later!

[This message was edited by disney0928 on 01-25-01 at 09:30 PM.]

 

[n2mm]

Here's mine: my husband retired from his job and got a part time job for Disney. Now we save lots of money with the CM discounts he gets. OK, maybe not, since now, instead of going 2 times a year, we average about 4 times a year. LOL