Where else can I cut my WDW budget?

[shopn24seven]

Family of 2 , here, needing to cut costs.

I BB to CBR and saved 30% during value time (leaving in 5 months), those bounce back deals are so hard to resist.....

Not doing Park Hoppers (saving 120.00 total)

Buying food OOP, Its just too much food on the DDP. I rarely finish my meal and don't get me started on the desserts. I take like one bite.

We may SHARE some of the larger CS meals. Flame tree comes to mind.

Buying DISNEY GC with my Target debit card for tix and dining, to save 5%. Its cheaper then Undercover tourist, even with a mousesavers link...

I will buy $ store glow in the dark necklaces and WM water bottle sprayers.

Can anyone else suggest ways to cut costs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nic98omo]

Save on food by eating breakfast in your room. Bring oatmeal, granola bars, fruit, etc. if you do any TS meals, do lunch. It is generally cheaper than dinner. You can also save $$by drinking water. Bring your own water bottle and refill it. You can also get free ice water from any CS.

 

[FLLDYTRKR]

Not into all water--bring along a refillable water bottle and some of the flavored water packets that can be found at the dollar store. The aluminum ones have clips to hang from belt loops so no need to carry and/or loose. Wash out well.

As you are paying OOP for meals --bring in extra snacks for in between-- eat a hearty lunch and a lighter dinner. You mentioned the Flaming Tree--at Epcot the Sonshine has many good offerings of shareable meals..the 1/2 chicken comes to mind.

 

[Iloveeliot]

I was told on top of the 5% with your target debit card you can get another 5% off with a prescription coupon. If you fill your scripts there after a certain amount of scripts you get a 5% coupon you can use toward your Disney Gift card and other stuff you purchase in that transaction. If you combine the coupon and debit card discount that is 10%.

 

[Iloveeliot]

Maybe have groceries delivered and have breakfast in the hotel or make something to bring into the park for lunch like a sandwich and fruit. Then enjoy a Disney dinner?

 

[merbobear]

The first and most obvious that comes to mind is to switch your resort to a value.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

The first and most obvious that comes to mind is to switch your resort to a value.

That's what I was going to say. Especially with only 2 people.

 

[bruhl1j]

Bring a small collapsible ice chest to the park. Pack a picnic lunch. You can rent a locker and store the ice chest or carry it on a stroller. We did this when the kids were younger and did not eat much at a CS place. Grab a park bench and enjoy the view.

 

[Elleshoodat]

That's what I was going to say. Especially with only 2 people.

And especially since CBR has doubles instead of queens.

 

[pocomom]

how many days are you going for?
I ask because we have really enjoyed skipping the parks one or two days on our trips, there is so much to do, and it gives us a more relaxing vacation. Savings would depend on how many days you are going and how many you cut out ... not for everyone I understand ... but a thought. We sleep late, visit the other resorts, play in the pool, go to Downtown Disney. One of our favorite days ever was a no park day. We like to end the night with watching the fireworks from the fort wilderness beach or riding the monorail from MK to Epcot at night, which is just beautiful, or enjoying performers at dd, and then hitting bed early for an early morning the next day to beat the crowds!

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Set aside a Disney GC for souvenirs, and stick to only spending that amount. (Avoid other costs that spring up). And I too, vote for a non-park day. Tons to do beyond the parks. Especially if you are staying at a mod... enjoy the pool & slide, walk around and explore, relax in a hammock, go to DTD, visit other resorts.

This isn't really a tip to save money while there, but to distribute the costs of things u buy before you leave. Don't wait until the last minute... each week grab 1 small thing... sunblock, any new clothes you may need, flip flops, sunglasses, etc. That stuff adds up if you buy it all the same time right before you leave.

Also... are you flying? If ur airline charges for bags, try to do carry-on only. Don't get a rental car and just use ME and Disney transportation (maybe you are already planning that)

 

[Disneychix]

Cut the length of your trip.

 

[KELLY]

If you need to really save the most logical would be staying at a value.

 

[blessedby3]

I would switch to a value. You can also share lots of counter service meals and add another side to make it a larger meal. We did this on our last trip. Eat breakfast in the room and bring snack foods to take into the park. You can order from garden grocer or if you have a car bring or shop for some once you arrive.
If you do a TS, choose a late breakfast. Cheaper than lunch or dinner

 

[Marionnette]

The bounceback discount on the values is not as good it is for moderates, so it might not save the OP that much money to switch. The offer doesn't mention value resorts but people have reported that they were able to get a discount on them with the BB when they called to book a room.

OP, it sounds like you've done quite a bit to cut your costs already. The only other suggestion that I might add is that you might be able to get a slight discount from Disney for those tickets if you add them to your room reservation to make a package. I don't know if it applies to all packages of 4 nights or more, or if it is only select discounted packages like the current spring offer. Since you'll be getting your tickets from Disney anyway, it wouldn't hurt to call to check.

Even if you do not get a ticket discount, you will get the other package extras like the 2 Disney Quest admissions, the cute luggage tags and 2 rounds of miniature golf (before 4:00 PM), arcade credits and a $15 Planet Hollywood voucher. You can use your Disney GCs to pay for your package. People have posted that they have been successful paying with multiple GCs online and I know for sure that you can pay via phone. You could drop a day from your tickets and use the non-park day to do the mini golf and DQ.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Are you driving or flying? If driving look at off site options. I think the "values" are not really a "value" (They want what for a hotel with exterior doors, double beds etc... Cute only goes so far LOL! )

My last trip I got a deal with Marriott Fairfield for $75 a night with a king bed and free breakfast. Even with Disney parking at $14 a day I was saving $20 a day over Disney's "value"

For my "budget" trips I no longer even look at on site.

 

[bigmamimia]

I found on disboards that I could buy discounted tickets through orbitz. It is about $25 off. Combine that with the ebates promotion of 10.5% cash back and save another $25 on each ticket. These are only for 5 day myw tickets though. Of course if you want more days then just add them when you get them. We are planning on possibly upgrading to season passes when we get ours.

 

[Sagginit]

i agree that switching hotel rooms from moderate to resort may not be worth the lesser % discount. also dropping one day from your park pass may not be worth it, for us it never was so we always did all 6 days of our trip.

check orbitz and if you have access plum benefits for ticket deals. the one through orbitz seems pretty good. that is a huge cost and you should look at those first to save $$$.

the second is you did not mention how you are getting there. are you driving or flying? my mother and i were able to save a lot on flights by shopping for sales and flew discount airlines (spirit and tranair). we took early undesirable flights (one year it left at 6:30 am) but we saved over $150 each one year doing this. we were able to check in early or check our luggage once at the resort. since most people take an afternoon break you can just take a nap instead of hitting the pool. yes we had to pay baggage fees but with her spirit CC we scored sale tickets one year and even with baggage fees it was like $200 roundtrip a person.

if you are driving i would not drive around once there, i would use the free busses to avoid using gas and paying parking fees.

as for food we got free dining, it was the best deal, but was way too much food for us. i would pack snacks and breakfast food or just order a delivery online for food in the room. i dont know if they have upgraded the values yet but CBR will also come with a mini fridge and coffee maker.

 

[shopn24seven]

We are flying. Got a good deal, just 119 pp plus 2 free bags! It's about 150.00 more then driving costs (gas, tolls), but I would have to add in hotel costs to that. I'm the only adult so I have to drive and driving non stop doesn't work for me, PLUS, we would be in Disney in 2.5 hours, if we flew, which we are.

Thanks for ALL the tips,

 

[buzz2400]

we always carried around granola bars and sandwiches in our backpacks and always asked for free water which we would put our flavored water pack that you can got at walmart. There really isn't anything else you can cut out except that if you need souveniers go to walmart and buy them there.