Disney can be very expensive but it does not have to be! Here are some of my tips for saving money while going to Disney World. We have annual passes and live in Florida so we go quite often!
Some links to products on this site are affiliate links. Affiliate links are links that provide me with a small commission if you choose to purchase from the link. I only recommend products I personally use and love! You can read my full affiliate disclaimer here.
Food & Drinks
- Disney allows you to bring your own food and drinks into the park with very few restrictions (no alcohol and no glass are a couple). Here is the link to Disney’s website for the most up-to-date food/drink information.
- We usually eat breakfast at the hotel, whether that’s included with our hotel stay or we bring our own from home (oatmeal, breakfast bowls, and yogurt).
- We bring snacks and usually lunch to the park. Some items we have taken include: frozen grapes, PB&J sandwiches, regular sandwiches, chips, granola bars, apples, bananas (be careful not to squish them), to-go tuna packets, and I’ve even brought salads before!
- We try to bring a refillable water bottle with us, but if we forget, you can always request a free cup of water from any place that has fountain beverages. You can also bring drinks in a bottle or can.
- With that being said, we almost always buy at least one snack while we’re there! From the churros to Mickey pretzels to ice cream, you’ve gotta get something during your trip!
Clothing
There are so many cute clothes and headbands at Disney but they come with a Disney price. If you know your little ones will be begging for some Mickey/Minnie ears, you can always bring some from home. There are many cute ones out there on Etsy. Same with shirts. Buying some matching shirts ahead of time to wear will help you resist the urge to spend a lot of money on matching shirts at the park. Some Etsy shops will have sales and you can get custom shirts for even less! Here are some of my favorite Disney shirts from Etsy!
(Clicking the pictures will bring you to the Etsy listing through my affiliate link. It does not raise the price of the shirts.)
Souvenirs & Toys
- Disney has gift shops at the exit of a lot of their rides and attractions. And if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll want something from every single one! I usually give Elexious a budget of what she can spend on a toy or souvenir during our trip (usually $20-$30 depending on how long we are there).
- I recently learned about a place called Character Warehouse which is basically a Disney outlet store! They sell official and authentic Disney merchandise at a discounted rate. There are two locations, one on International Drive and the other on Vineland Ave. I have not been to either yet, I hope to go later this month, but I have read very good things about them. I will update after we go!
Places to Stay
- For us, staying off property is the way to go! We have annual passes so we don’t have to worry about parking fees at the park (although, you do get free standard theme park parking if you stay on-site at a Disney resort but you have to pay for parking at the resort. In addition, you also get to utilize their free transportation options. You can view Disney’s most up-to-date parking information here). I almost always pick a hotel that includes parking as well, depending on the price. I have only stayed on Disney property one time and it was early during the pandemic when rates were low. We’ll be staying on Disney property again soon so I’ll update with my experience of it!
- I like to stay off of West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway or very close to it. There are plenty of options for affordable places to stay as well as restaurants and grocery stores. One of my favorite hotels to stay at is Red Lion Lake Buena Vista South. The furthest park is only a 15-20 minute drive away, depending on traffic. They have a pool with a water slide, complimentary coffee (it’s good too), a playground, and plenty of parking. They offer breakfast for an upcharge but we’ve never tried it since we bring our own.
- However, most recently we stayed in the Flamingo Crossings Town Center area and it was very pleasant! Very quiet, low-traffic area with a mini Target, Starbucks, and a few places to eat within walking distance of our hotel. We stayed at the Homewood Suites and loved it! They include an awesome breakfast and a pool with a water slide. The rooms are very spacious as well! There was still construction on some of the buildings in the area so I know there will be more stores and food options soon!
- We rarely stay in an Airbnb, unless my husband or siblings come as well. I feel much safer at a hotel if it is just the kids and me. I always pick a hotel with our room door inside the building versus the outside. However, an Airbnb is usually a better price (when splitting with my siblings) and a much more comfortable stay. It is also nice to have a full kitchen, especially if we are staying for more than just the weekend. With that being said, there is an abundance of Airbnb options in the area!
Random Extras
Florida is hot and sunny so do not forget essentials like sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a fan! Disney will have all of the above but at a much steeper price than you can buy and bring from home. Here’s a list of everything I bring with me to the parks!
