Tips to cut cost at Disney?

[vacation4me]

We are planning on booking 1 of the resort villas. My sister is giving us her DVC points. Need cost saving tips, since we will be on a budget. We are planning on cooking meals at the villa, since they have full kitchen.

Thanks,

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

Wait until the last day to buy anything.. that way you will not keep buying because you find something you like better.
Also get a case of bottled water... Drinks are sooo expensive!
Also you can skip out on park hoppers and just get the basic tickets.

 

[cmckenna]

can you bring food in?

 

[Princess April]

yes you can! (no alcohol)

 

[torinsmom]

Shoot, forget buying the bottled water. All the restaurants and kiosks will give you free ice water just for asking. Bring the flavor packs if you don't want plain water. We saved a bundle last trip with the free water. They give it to you in a regular cup with a lid. With a soda, I would carry it around trying to get every last penny's worth,but with free water, I would trash it and get another(or two) when we were thirsty.

Bring in snacks. Go back to the room for lunch/rest. You will save money and also be rejuvenated to return in the afternoon.

If you're eating at the table service restaurants, lunch is cheaper than dinner and breakfast is cheaper than either lunch or dinner. Book the latest seating(10:30) and you will be full until mid afternoon.

Give your kids a set amount of money to spend. If they are too young to hold it, just put it in an envelope in your bag. When it's gone, it's gone. Encourage them to make a list of things they think they want and then decide on your last day.

Go to the DIsney outlet stores if you can. Stuff is so much cheaper there!

Enjoy the free stuff! Ride in the front of the monorail. Tour the other resorts. Take pcitures of the kids with the crazy hats on(but don't buy them) Watch the candy lady in Japan at Epcot(you might get a free lollipop out of it)

Have fun!

Marsha

 

[scoobndolliesmom]

One way we save money is by bringing a gift bag full of Disney goodies that we give the children on the first day. We can ussually find clearance items at the Disney store and the Dollar store . Then they save for that one or two items they really want to get.
Also we have always called and asked if there is a pin code associated with our name.(You should have everyone in your party do this) We found we had one for free dining,kids stay free ,and 40% off room. It just depended at the time of year.
I hope you have a great trip!!

 

[dyna]

Buy the glo necklaces/bracelets an spinny toys at home before going to disney an pull them out of the bag when kids starts asking for the ones in park.

We do enjoy bottled water for the room an usually take a bottle with us to drink on way to parks in hot weather. With every meal we order free water an sometimes between meals to but all the water not created equal often I pour the water out an eat the ice. Not gonna carry those drink mix things around tho as I don't like those either esp for what they cost.

 

[torinsmom]

I get my drink mix sticks at Dollar Tree 10/$1. I just can't stand to drink plain water, even when it's not the nasty Disney water. If I do drink it plain, it has to be ice cold, and it's impossible to keep those bottle waters cold unless you freeze them; then they are heavy and sweat in your bag, LOL, can you tell I've BTDT?

Anyway, you just reminded me of another tip which is to bring your favorite drinks with you. If you don't have a fridge, use one of the trash cans as a cooler to keep your drinks cool. Drinks are $2 at the Disney machines.

Marsha

 

[buzz5985]

We carry a cheaper version of a camelback back pack that we bought at Target for about 29.99. We had it at least 7 years, straps gave out last trip. It has a 2 liter bladder. I would fill the bladder half full with spring water (we would water by the gallon or the 2.5 gallon fridge bottle) stick it in the freezer overnight. the next day add water to it. When the ice finally melted we would ask for cups with ice at CS, or snack carts. There is a long straw that came out of the bladder for a quick drink.

We carried a back pack anyway for cameras etc, so it was a no brainer for us.

 

[exbjd]

If you are going to a counter service restaurant in the parks - order a double cheeseburger and ask for an extra an extra bun ( .79 ). Then take off one of the meat patties and put in on your extra bun. The park's fixin' bar are loaded with great toppings - I like the sauteed mushrooms and oinion.

 

[justplaingoofy]

We bring the single serve drink mixes to the parks with us. Then go to counter service and ask for a glass of ice water.

 

[TiffanyK]

We rented a house last year and packed food on dry ice. It was easy to do and quick to make at the house. I tell about it here, on my blog. (I hope it's okay to link to it)

 

[brymolmom]

Things that save the most money:

1) Buy base tickets (really don't NEED to hop or water park)
2) Bring food to parks (you might think you're heading back to the room for lunch, but then at 1:00pm when everyone decides to stay for the afternoon parade and is HUNGRY...pull out sandwiches out of a backpack (in a cooler in there with frozen water bottles). Also - fruit, snacks and 'treats' (cookies or pudding - our kids consider a treat so we don't buy as many mickey ice cream bars).
3) Buy kids meals at CS places - and/or split meals
4) Don't go overboard on souvies - not necessary - one or two small things will be good for the trip.
5) Since you have a kitchen - you won't need the refillable mugs - skip it.

 

[whitneytheninja]

When I was a kid, I loved pressed pennies from anywhere I went. I love the fact that Disney has these around the parks, and that for just a few dollars a day, you can get something for the little ones (or yourself) that's a perfect collectable: cheap, representative of a specific attraction that you particularly liked, and SO easy to transport. If you had given me a bag of pennies and quarters in the parks, that plus the rides and other attractions would have made for a VERY satisfied little girl. Heck, I think I'd like it now, too.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

If you do decide to get to get lunch in the parks, kids meals are the way to go! They include an entree, 2 sides, and a drink! You can get all of that for less than an adult order with one side and no drink. And, if need something bigger than a kid's drink, get a free ice water! If you want to be super frugal, have your kids order one side and the ice water to eat with their meal, and save their drink (apple juice or whatever) and one side (carrots, grapes, pudding) for a snack later.


Here's a funny example...

This past Friday, I got lunch at the All-Star Movies Food Court. The guy in front of me ordered a kid's grilled cheese and a regular grilled cheese...and of course, they were both the same sized sandwich! So I ordered a kid's grilled cheese and got fries and grapes, plus a small soda, and of course you can refill while you're eating!

Soo....LOL there's a way to save some money!

 

[Debbie-TN]

If you are going to a counter service restaurant in the parks - order a double cheeseburger and ask for an extra an extra bun ( .79 ). Then take off one of the meat patties and put in on your extra bun. The park's fixin' bar are loaded with great toppings - I like the sauteed mushrooms and oinion.

I was just thinking about this on our last trip(who needs a double cheeseburger anyway). I thought if you had something to carry them in, you could actually bring your own buns. I guess .79 isn't too bad though. And of course, they give you enough french fries for 2 people.

 

[keltic]

Also we have always called and asked if there is a pin code associated with our name.(You should have everyone in your party do this) We found we had one for free dining,kids stay free ,and 40% off room. It just depended at the time of year.

Please forgive me, I should probably know what you mean, but what number do you call? And what do you mean by a pin code associated with names?

 

[whitneytheninja]

This past Friday, I got lunch at the All-Star Movies Food Court. The guy in front of me ordered a kid's grilled cheese and a regular grilled cheese...and of course, they were both the same sized sandwich! So I ordered a kid's grilled cheese and got fries and grapes, plus a small soda, and of course you can refill while you're eating!

Soo....LOL there's a way to save some money!

Oh, for sure. If we end up going nuts with the sandwiches/snacks we packed and we just HAVE to buy something, I'm going to order a kid's meal from a counter restaurant. Even the boyfriend will probably be satisfied with one if he can eat it in addition to some pre-packed goodies, and he's an eater!

 

[englishrose47]

I make up snack bags to take into the parks with me so if I am a little hungry I have something without having to buy any meal !! I shop the sales and use coupons so get the snax really cheap !! Another thing pick up umbrellas at the dollar store and ponchoes .These cost way more in th Parks!!

 

[vacation4me]

Thanks so much for the tips!