Ways to save?

[MeganMango]

Hey everyone!

I'm wondering if there are ways to save. I'm heading to Disney soon for a solo road trip. It's a 14 hour drive but I plan on splitting it into two days. I'm from Pittsburgh, PA. I want to see the beach (never seen a real beach) which is part of my reason for driving. And renting a car is super expensive for me since I'm 22 years old. I'm probably going to stay off site but I'm tempted to stay on because I love Disney's bus system.


I wanted to know if there are things I can buy ahead of time to save money. Is there such thing as buying Disney gift cards ahead of time for less cost than the value? Signing up for things? Things like that.


I'm planning my trip but leaving June 23 for 1/2 the drive.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

You can get disney gift cards at a discount to through sams club, or use target red card for 5% rebate.

Staying off site will save you tons.

 

[MeganMango]

You can get disney gift cards at a discount to through sams club, or use target red card for 5% rebate.

Staying off site will save you tons.

Can I use Disney gift cards for food in the parks then? Just want to make sure. Good suggestions!

 

[robinb]

I just booked the Red Lion Hotel in Orlando for $57 ($65 with taxes) on agoda.com for about the same time period. There is another $9 per day in "resort fee" once I get there. I've read very good reviews of the place.

I also buy Disney Cards at a discount to use for food.

 

[Marionnette]

Hey everyone!

I'm wondering if there are ways to save. I'm heading to Disney soon for a solo road trip. It's a 14 hour drive but I plan on splitting it into two days. I'm from Pittsburgh, PA. I want to see the beach (never seen a real beach) which is part of my reason for driving. And renting a car is super expensive for me since I'm 22 years old. I'm probably going to stay off site but I'm tempted to stay on because I love Disney's bus system.


I wanted to know if there are things I can buy ahead of time to save money. Is there such thing as buying Disney gift cards ahead of time for less cost than the value? Signing up for things? Things like that.


I'm planning my trip but leaving June 23 for 1/2 the drive.

Yes, you can use Disney GCs for food in the parks. You can purchase them in Giant Eagle and earn fuel perks. Then use the fuel perks to get gas for your trip.

Have you checked prices for flights? The reason that I ask is because it can be just as expensive for one person to drive as it is to fly when you consider gas, tolls, hotels and meals on the roads - plus the price of a rental car for the trip?. Your 2-day trip there will also mean a 2-day return trip. If you're willing to deal with connecting flights, Southwest has fares as low as $110 each way PIT<->MCO. Stay at a Disney Value Resort and get free transportation from the airport to your hotel and back. You might be able to find a discount under the Awaken Summer deal that is being offered right now. And if you want to see the beach, you could rent a car for one day to drive to any of the Florida beaches for a single day. There are rental locations in the Swan/Dolphin plus some of the Disney Springs area hotels.

 

[danielw888]

Pack a small cooler before you leave with enough food/snacks/drinks to make the drive down. Again before you leave Orlando stop at the super market and buy enough food/drinks/snacks to make the trip back. This should save your a considerable amount of money over buying food on the road.

Another saver for the food budget is to eat outside the parks. Take or stop at the super market on arrival and buy breakfast food/drinks, and some snacks to take into the park. You can take your own water in, or get free water at the counter service restaurants.

Start looking for deals on hotels now. If you plan on stopping halfway through the trip you will be better off shopping for a deal ahead of time, then you would trying to pull up to a hotel and book a room.

 

[Shmily1]

It is probably cheaper for you to stay offsite but don't forget you'll have a $20 a day parking fee for each of your Disney days. It really depends on if you want the convenience of being onsite. By staying offsite, you'll miss out on extra magic hours, charging to your room, transportation system, and the option of having the dining plan if you wanted that. Since you are driving, you can buy whatever snacks you like and carry them down with you. I'd take enough for the drive down and back and for while you are there.

Definitely get Disney gift cards at a discount if you can. Places like Target using a red card (debit or credit), Sam's, and some grocery stores also offer discounts on them. You can make purchases at any place that is Disney owned with them.

Have fun on your trip!!

 

[Shmily1]

I also meant to add you might want to get on Swagbucks and see how much you can get on there before you go. Any little bit helps!!