TOP 10 Disney money saving ideas

[Lilly's Dad]

1. Drink water. At meals it costs you less. The concession stands will give it to you free (with ice!) 2.Stay at DVC room (the rent price is good, and fridge/microwave are moneysavers) 3. take snacks to park 3. character buffets save money & 1 of these meals a day is plenty 4. buy souvineers on ebay or even big lots/wal mart 5. go to groceries off property 6. phonecards can cost as little as 4 cents /minute long distance 7. take your own foldable jogger stroller (you can easily sell it to someone your last day so you don't have to drag it home 8.Rent your car at the airport and return it the same day at the Dolphin beats Mears shuttle charge 9. take in a DVC timeshare presentation and get incentives like free meals , just for listening to thier half hour schpeel 10. Don't go the park everyday...save with resort bike rides, swim at pools, go exploring, lego land

 

[mad4themouse]

My Top Ten:

• Use frequent flier miles for your airfare.
• Go during the off-season.
• Never pay rack rates for a room. Get a code, use DC discounts or AP rates.
• Buy your tickets in advance from a reputable online broker.
• Eat breakfast in your room.
• Eat a big, late lunch and then a snack for supper.
• Consider splitting entrees when portions are large.
• Spend a day relaxing by the pool or resort hopping.
• Give the kids an allowance and once it's gone, they're done spending.
• Save all shopping until the last day.

 

[csmommy]

These are some great ideas.


Lilly's Dad........................1. Drink water. At meals it costs you less. The concession stands will give it to you free (with ice!)

I didn't know this. Will all concession stands do this?


TIA

 

[BethR]

I am not Lilly's Dad, csmommy, but I can confirm that this is true. Nice, huh?

 

[welovedis]

Great ideas and I didn't know that about the water at the stands either! As I read the first post a couple of things stood out at me though from someone who has BTDT:

7. take your own foldable jogger stroller (you can easily sell it to someone your last day so you don't have to drag it home"

I have done this and really recommend a different kind of stroller as the jogging strollers can be cumbersome on WDW transportation with that big front wheel. An umbrella type stroller works great though!

9. take in a DVC timeshare presentation and get incentives like free meals , just for listening to thier half hour schpeel

They have, in the past, given our meal vouchers and fast passes but it is not guaranteed. Don't confuse this with some of the other area timeshares that offer incentives, DVC makes no up-front offer of anything except information.

10. Don't go the park everyday...save with resort bike rides, swim at pools, go exploring, lego land

The surrey bikes at the Epcot area hotels are a great way to see things and have a neat experience at the same time. If you are paying for a deluxe resort, use the amenities they offer. Many resorts offer lots of children's & adult's activities throughout your stay. Not sure what the OP mean about lego land, but the Lego store in DtD is terrific --just want the kiddos about a spending limit-lol!!!

I can only add that the best money-saving tip is to plan, plan, plan ahead for everything you want to do & then addon a bit more! We always plan on spending about $500+ in meals, souveniers, etc than we actually spend and are happy to come home with some money in our pockets!

 

[shovelhd]

LillysDad,

Regarding 8), renting a car at the airport and dropping off at the Dolphin the same day

A round trip towncar is around $80. I'm sure I can find a rental full size or minivan for $40/day. Which rental agencies have a counter at the Dolphin? Do you need to be staying there to use it? Or do certain rental agencies pick up a one-way rental at the Dolphin, and rent cars from there one-way to the airport? Which ones? Any details would be appreciated.

This is intriguing, as it would allow us more than 1/2 hour to shop at the supermarket.

TIA,

Chris
Catherine's Dad

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
My Top Ten:

• Give the kids an allowance and once it's gone, they're done spending.

• 
  
  My problem is no one monitors my allowance

 

[crisi]

Have to disagree with number 10. I go to Disney for the parks. I can ride a bike, go horseback riding, take a boatride, swim, etc. at home - without having invested in airfare and a hotel room. Because I'm fortunate enough to live close to the Mall of America, I even have a Legoland and a lot of DTD type stuff at my disposal. Park tickets ARE expensive - but a bike ride or swim or day shopping that you've paid to fly to and spent the night in a hotel to take is no bargain.

But I will add "Make the most of your park days." Arrive early. Do some planning to know where you are going. Have at least a rudimentary plan (even if you don't plan down to the minute).

 

[barbnbrian]

If you return your rental car after one day at the Dolphin, how do you get back to the airport at the end of your vacation? You'll end up having to pay for a shuttle or van service anyway.

True you can get a rental car for a day for about $40, but a reservation with a company like Tiffany's or Your Ride will run you about $80 total roundtrip.

 

[QuickGold]

Here's my Top 5 ways to save money...

1). Stay off site! - If you really want to save money, stay at one of the nice resorts off Disney property. I love WDW as much as the next person but when it comes down to dollars and cents, you just cant argue with staying offsite, especially when you can use the saved money for souvenirs, food, etc.

2). Bring kool-aid packets - Expanding on the free ice water tip, bring kool aid or any other packet of drink that you dissolve in water to give a better taste.

3). Bring George on vacation with you - Bring a George Forman grill with you and save $$ by having snacks/dinner with the foreman in your hotel room.

4). Go on timeshare presentations - They feed you and give you free WDW tickets. Nuff said.

5). Eat meals off site - There's a plethora of great, cheap food to be found right outside Disney's realm. You can save big $$$ by eating out.

 

[Teri1]

Hey, if you didn't eat at some of the restaurants in the parks or resorts you would miss out on part of the experience! I'd rather save on the hotel(All-Stars) and souveniors than give up the food!

 

[crisi]

Which brings us to the Number 1 money savings method:

Don't go at all!

(I'm kidding)

 

[Alice28]

* If Southwest Airlines flies out of your airport, start checking their online prices 6+ months in advance and book as soon as you spot a good deal. I knew that sometimes SWA has $99 deal to anywhere they fly...so every week I would check their website, waiting for our trip time to become available (they only book 6 or so months out..) My goal was to get the $99 each way flight as soon as it came up. I exceeded my goal---the first day our dates were available (in late September I think for a March trip) the price was $82 each way! I whipped my credit card out in a frenzy and booked our 4 seats within 5 minutes. That saved us quite a bit of money...I had budgeted $1200 for airfare in case I couldn't get the $99 rate, and came out spending $762 after taxes, etc.

*Bring snacks & water bottles

*Have kids earn money before the trip and exchange the $ for Disney Dollars. I actually did that both for my kids and for our fun money. I have quite a bit saved- about $200, and it was fun counting the change, and seeing it add up dollar by dollar. This is money I don't even have budgeted- just extra..

*Get the Orlando Magic card, esp if you plan on eating or staying off-site.

*Don't forget- and this is probably obvious to anyone in the military- if you are a reservist, Nat'l Guard, retired active duty, or active duty, you can stay at Shades of Green for cheap! And you can sponsor two rooms at a great price as well (if you want family or friends to tag along). We got our room for $66 a night at the Contemporary and $89 a night for both sets of parents.

*Check Mouse-Savers

 

[alisbarc]

My top ways to save money. Is a little long and some ideas are already mentioned above.

David's Top Ways to Save Time & Money on your Disney Vacation

PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING. I know this goes against some folks basic nature but I cannot emphasize its importance to a more enjoyable Disney vacation/experience. I have talked to many folks who have just headed down to wing it and wish they would have done more planning. This does not mean you have to be inflexible, just a little Disney-wise. Many of the suggestions below relate to planning. The single best resource to planning your trip is to purchase the "Unofficial Guide to Disney World" by Bob Sehlinger and/or "Beyond Disney" by Bob Sehlinger & Chris Mahney.

VERY IMPORTANT ! Disney as just instituted a new park ticket policy and pricing scheme. All the details are not clear yet but it appears that Disney has discontinued all discounts of any kind for tickets purchased at Disney World park and resort location (even for Disney club card holders or Disney Vacation Club members). Best places to buy tickets in advance are ticketmania.com, AAA, or The Disney Store. Also, if you are going more than once in a year (if you go once every year and can plan so that your second trip is within 12 months) you should look and see if an annual pass (AP) makes $$$ sense.
MORE ON TICKETS: We are not big fans of the LOS (length of stay tickets). We lean towards the parkhopper plus. The reason is that with 6 of us we do not do a whole lot of park hopping. We always go in the off season when the park hours are shorter. After the day at the park we are ready for the resort and relaxation and sometimes a off premise dinner show. Also we always spend at least one whole day at a water park. Admission to he water parks is approx. $30 adult / $23 child, yet the average price per day for a LOS is approaching $50. We also almost always spend a day at Sea World. The parkhopper plus unused days never expire and therefore make more sense for us.

GETTING THERE. If you are flying to Disney World and you do not live in a city that is serviced by a discount airlines to Orlando look at flying in to Tampa (will need to rent a car - discussed in next paragraph). We live in Memphis, hub city for Northwest, and advance tickets to Orlando run $60 - $70 more than to Tampa. There are 6 of us so the savings are big. Tampa airport is only 75 miles from Disney World; a little over an hours drive and mostly expressway. Orlando flights fill up faster so sometimes the better times are gone but still available into Tampa. Check out into Tampa and out of Orlando. There is no one-way drop off charge for most car rentals in Florida and it is often the incoming leg that creates the higher round trip price. (Haven't quit figured it out yet, you would think if someone is coming in they must be going out - stopped trying to figure out airline pricing years ago). Also, if you are flying in to Tampa mid-day there are several nice attractions to see. The Tampa aquarium, Busch gardens, etc. An added extra bonus is that the Tampa
airport is smaller and usually less crowded than the Orlando airport. You can SOMETIMES save as much as 30 - 45 minutes between luggage retrieval and car rental (or transportation wait) because of the smaller size making the overall trip for airport to Disney World almost equal (Disney World is about 30 minutes away from the Orlando airport).

VEHICLE RENTAL. Do I need a vehicle or not? This is probably the most controversial and hotly debated of all Disney transportation subjects. I could write a short book on this topic but won't (had you worried?). WE have 4 kids and ultimately need more than one trip to the grocery store, like hitting an off premise dinner show occasionally, and always hit Sea World (kids like feeding the dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, and seeing the sharks and Shamu). So the money we save flying into Tampa just about covers our minivan rental. But here is the true math. It will cost you around $25 dollars per person for round trip transportation from the Orlando Airport. If there are 4 or more you are looking at around $120 (with tip) for a minivan taxi service. Transportation at the resort to the parks is great. Busses, boats, and walking. But if you are pinching the pennies (with 4 kids in private school we are) you can save a bundle by eating breakfast, a dinner or two, and snacks in the room. You need a vehicle to get to the grocery store (the onsite prices are
high). You can save a small fortune by eating breakfast, a few dinners, and snacks in the room. There is no charge for parking at the resorts or parks for resort guests. You will need to tip the valets a few bucks each time and that could add up to $25 - $30 for the week if you use the valet service. I have been parking the van in the lot myself (its free) lately and making the short walk back. Then I leave a few minutes before the family and pick them up in front. Check internet for best deals. There is a National car rental facility on Disney grounds for shorter term rentals.

GROCERY SHOPPING: For those of you with a one or two bedroom who do not mind doing a little cooking while on vacation (I know, not for everyone). Your vacation home has a complete kitchen. I estimate that we save around $600 (for 6 of us for a week) on food by eating breakfast, a few dinners, and have some snacks prepared in the room. We are an ice-cream family. I buy two or three 1/2 gallons at the grocery store and a box of cones ($10 total) and several nights we make a cone and head out for a stroll on the boardwalk or boat ride or poolside. A cone at the boardwalk shop runs about $3. We save $50 on ice cream alone. STAY AWAY from Goody's outside the North gate (Downtown Disney - exit 27). Pricing is high. Best place in Publix on 192 (exit 25), go West about 4 miles. More like real grocery store pricing and a good selection. Keep it simple. Cereals and such for breakfast, simple to prepare dinners. You can save a bundle on Juice, milk, soft drinks alone. It is extremely important to make a list before you head to the Publix.
(and before you head to Orlando). Look under the grocery tab for a sample of our list. Without a list you will buy way to much and wind up throwing it away or trying to stuff it in your suitcases.

PARK VISITING: Again planning is the key (I know, starting to sound like work). The book referenced above is invaluable for park touring planning (believe me I am not on commission). Outlines every ride, best time to ride, major traffic flow etc. You can easily save 2 - 3 hours a day in line wait time by taking their suggestions. Some basics: Stay away from Magic Kingdom on Monday. Stay away from the waterparks on Tuesday. Get to the shows 30 - 45 minutes early. Need to be at Fantasmic at least 1 1/2 hours before show (or gate opening, whichever is sooner).

NON DISNEY ATTRACTIONS: (I know heresy, but we've been every year for the past 6 and like to do & experience everything.) Best place for tickets is Ticketmania.com. Once again the book (Beyond Disney) above is a great resource. Also Ticketmainia.com's media package at $9.95 (including postage) is a bargain. Lots of good stuff to help you PLAN and SAVE. For the ultimate bargain hunter (we do not even do this one). You can sit in on one of the high pressure timeshare presentations (about 2 hours) and they will reward you with a couple of free tickets to the park of your choice. BE STRONG, DO NOT BUY! If really interested you can get for 50 - 75% of Developers price by buying a resale. Call Me, I'll help. I know the ropes. Own 4, purchased 3 through resale. All at huge discounts.

MISC:
Before you leave town on your trip buy everyone in the party a fanny pack or belt bag. Each morning before you leave for the parks put a frozen juice box or bottle of water, a snack or two of your choice(purchased at the grocery store), and some wipes or napkins. This will get you through that mid morning hunger urge before lunch and save you some $$ ($2.50 for water or soda). Also allows you to munch on a light snack while waiting in line. Another time saver.
For the eyeglass wearers. Get an eyeglass holder or sportsband. I have seen several pairs of glasses fly off on some of those rides.
If, possible, save your souvenir shopping for later in the day or when at the resort (if at BWV or BCV). Or take a trip over to Downtown Disney (has the worlds largest Disney Souvenir shop). Try not to waste valuable park time shopping.
Pack swimsuits (towels available poolside), goggles and swim stuff in a separate suitcase. That way if you get there before the 4 pm check in or your room is not ready yet (happened to us once) you can check in all your other suitcases with the bell staff except for your swimming one and head on down to the pool. Our kids always want to hit the pool first, anyways. We usually hit the pool around 2 ish and let them swim while I go to the grocery store, them I am first in line at check in time at 4 pm.
START WALKING NOW. You will walk your feet off while in Orlando. Even the walks from the bus stops to the parks can start to seem long after the 3rd or 4th day. Do not bring new shoes. I suggest buying everyone an inexpensive but comfortable pair of walking shoes a month or two before the trip and break them in on your daily walk. Try to work you way up to two miles a day or every other day. Believe me, you will be glad you did.

MOST IMPORTANT. Don't stress out or worry. You are going to have a great time.
You are going to meet one or two grumpy people or park workers but do not sweat it.
99% of the folks and workers are remarkable and happy to help.
ENJOY, and when you get home take a nice nap.

ttfn

 

[The Sweetness]

** where to stay... IMO, as long as there is a clean bathroom and clean beds in a populated area, find the cheapest rate that will include the most extras. (($50 per night for a Hojos on the Idrive including 2 free adult breakfast buffets and free trans to the parks is a good deal (imo) Dis, transportation isnt too special in an *honored guest* kinda way. a bus is a bus, and they all get crowded as he**

The parks have plenty of waterfountains. Use them. Explain to the kids before you go that you will not be buying soft drinks other than at meal times.

Eat meals in full service restaurants for lunch rather than supper if at all. (a 1 or 2 hour break for a leisurely lunch can be nice durring the hottest most crowded time of the day)

If you forget things such as sunscreen and film, get them before you go to the parks. Once inside, you are at their mercy and they know it.

If the kids seem to be constantly hungry (or you ) try having a drink of water, and telling them (or yourself) to wait until you do 1 or 2 more things (unless it really is time for lunch or a ice cream etc). I find that the constant sight and smell of food tends to make us think we are hungry when we arent.

I think that it may waste time to leave the park for lunch and return later. You can save precious time by just staying in the park and eating whats available. (If you plan on leaving early, keep eating light and portable(something you can eat while walking or online, or while the kids are in a paly are ie Honey we shrunk The Kids) you can sit down and have a civilized meal afterwards at Cracker Barrel, or Sweet Tomatoes for a reasonable price)

Carry snacks crackers, ind. packages of cookies, even a frozen juice box if hotel rm has fridge/ freeze. These will save you big money. If really pinched for cash, also make pb&j sandwhiches in room, and carry for later when you get hungry. Supplies can be purchased from local groceries. Remember the real fun isnt supposed to be the burgers and cokes... MAYBE the mickey bars

Eat breakfast really early and before you go to the parks. Dont be tempted by the sweet smelling time wasting bakeries early in the AM. Also, being early may be an advantage if park opens a few mins early, you can move into the park and be first on line for fave attractions

Also... not in regards to budget but... Everyone in fam should bring a book to read in long lines to fight off boredom.

 

[Coll0610]

Most of counter service restaurants in the parks and snackbars in the resorts always list sandwiches with fries or breakfasts with hashbrowns. You can order just the sandwich and it will be cheaper than the sandwich and fries. A lot of times DH and I will just get fries with one of our sandwiches and share them. That leaves room for Mickey ice cream bars later...

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by Alice28
* If Southwest Airlines flies out of your airport, start checking their online prices 6+ months in advance and book as soon as you spot a good deal.

Oh, how I love Southwest. Living in Southern California, I get great promotions out here. I frequently fly to Northern California and then also to Vegas. I can usually get a r/t ticket to NorCal for just under $100 and R/T to Vegas for me is $55. Both of those prices include all taxes, etc. So, a couple of trips up north and a couple out to Vegas net me a free R/T anywhere in the U.S.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

When you order, get the largest drink and ask for no ice. (If you notice they put a large scoop of ice then begin to fill.) The drinks come out ice cold. Also, ask about size portions, you can sometimes get 3 to eat off of 2 meals and a large drink.

 

[LIFERBABE]

If you signed up with Connections use it to order more than just the meal vouchers. You can get Gift Cards for Hard Rock Cafe, Bahama Breeze Restaurant Olive Garden, Blockbuster and more. If you think you'll catch a movie buy the $4.50 movie passes. Make the most of your membership. US/IOA has a Loew's Theater on site.

If you are driving and have In-car entertainment, use NETFLIX instead of renting from Blockbuster. With NETFLIX you can have 3 movies out at a time and not be charged late fees. We did this last year and kept our movies for the drive down and back for $20 month. It was cheaper than buying 3 DVD's or paying late fees to Blockbuster. Also if you have a Movie Trading Co. trade movies in for some fresh ones you can watch on the trip.
Another driving tip is to slow down or else budget for the speeding ticket.

Rent books on tape from the library.

Use disposable camera's. They take great pictures and no one will take it if you leave it behind. 4 pack KodakMax at Sam's is $13. Memories they create without the worry: Priceless!

I saw lots of families having picnics in the parks. There's not much choice at counter service so packing a few sandwiches should hit the spot.

I second the Foreman Grill. The owner of our Vac. Rental provided ours and it was great for Hot Dogs and Hamburgers and Fast. The kids loved having fun food for dinner and it was quicker than going thru the drive thru! I own one now!

Earn points! I use Mypoints and use my points for Pre-Paid gas Cards for the trip.

Mark your Strollers!! This is more of a timesaver but in Disney time is Money. The CM's may move your stroller and in a sea of strollers yours can be very hard to find. A pennant or flashy thing works best. Or cover it with a Poncho.

My most drastic Disney Savings come from not having cable, not buying canned soft drinks or candy watching the light bill and slashing everything off my phone but the dial tone!

 

[bandman322]

1) shop at the outlet malls on Vineland and at the Belz Outlets. The Disney Stores there sell you the EXACT same stuff at 50-70% off the Disney prices.

2) eat Breakfast in the room.

3) Drive down -- you save on airfare and you save on rental car fees. From Louisiana it takes 9.5 hours to drive there. It takes about 6 to fly. On my last trip I flew my daughter and wife down and back and I stayed two extra days to play golf. I drove both directions. I left int eh morning and was there to pick them up at teh airport that night. We had our own van for the week, and I didn't pay half the flight price in gas to get there.

4) BIG DRINKS save you a fortune if you ask for them with no ice, or very little ice. You can get two or three drinks out of one of those monster cups.

5) Take 2 days for Universal Studios. If you are a frequent visitor you can buy a bounceback ticket and get two days there for the price of one. Universal is not Disney, but it's close.