How to Plan a Disney Vacation on a Budget

The costs of a Disney vacation can add up quickly. By the time you pay for theme park admissions, accomodations, food and souvenirs, you may be well over your budget. However, it is possible to do Disney World on a budget. If you can make compromises and plan ahead, you can save money. Here are some tips to help you plan a Disney vacation without blowing your budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

How to Plan a Disney Vacation on Budget

Things You’ll Need:

Money Groceries Multi-day passes
Money
Groceries
Multi-day passes

Step 1

Stay as close as possible to Disney World. Orlando is the biggest city near Disney World but staying in Orlando can cost you more money on transportation as your travel time will be longer. Consider camping or lodging in Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee and other small towns near Disney World can save you both time and money. The Tropical Palms Resort and the Orange Grove Campground are both within six miles of Disney World.

Step 2

Consider staying at a Disney Resort. The accommodations may take a big chunk out of your budget but you will also get free parking and free shuttle service. For campers, Disney World has its own campsite, Fort Wilderness Resort, with reasonable rates and free transportation to and from the parks. Fort Wilderness also has hoe-downs and barbeques with Disney characters throughout the year. If you stay at Fort Wilderness or another Disney Resort, consider a vacation package with a combination of theme park admissions, lodging and dining plans. If you plan to spend multiple days visiting several different parks, a Disney vacation package may save you money.

Step 3

Save money on food by going to the grocery store. You can bring snacks and sandwiches in a backpack to Disney World and drinks in a cooler. If camping out, you can save money by eating breakfast before you venture to the parks and grilling out at night. If you want to experience Disney food, eat lunch at the park as it is generally cheaper than dinner. Disney also offers Disney Dining Plans that will save you money if you plan on eating all your meals at the theme park.

Step 4

Take advantage of Disney World's other recreation options besides theme parks. Disney World Resort has two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, which can offer a great respite from hot weather. Try your hand at miniature golf at Disney World's Fantasia Gardens, inspired by Disney's Fantasia, or the Santa Clause-themed Winter Summerland miniature golf course. Disney World Resort also has basketball courts, jogging trails, bike rentals, a marina with watercraft rentals and fishing, beaches for sunbathing or building sand castles, horseback riding and several golf courses.

Step 5

Travel in the off-season. The cheapest times to visit Disney World are August and September when school starts back and the winter months, except around the holidays. The resort hotels are significantly cheaper and other hotels in the area offer great deals during the off-season. Disney World also provides perks such as free meal plans during slower periods which can save you hundreds of dollars.

Tips & Warnings

If you're a AAA member, purchase your park tickets through them as they offer a generous discount to members. You will also receive perks on parking that will enable you to park closer to the theme parks.

Resources

Walt Disney World Resort

Article Written By Kristi Gray

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Kristi Gray has been writing for over fourteen years with extensive experience in legal and business writing. Her articles have appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and trade newsletters. She has won several awards at the annual Arkansas Writers' Conference. Gray holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Arkansas.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...