Want to SAVE on Your Next Disney Vacation? Here Are 17 Things NOT To Do…
If you’re planning a magical trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland in the near future, you are likely looking for ways to save and make your money go further. With that said, check out our list of 17 things NOT to do – and what you should do instead to save the most…
1. Don’t forget to plan ahead.
Not sure where to start in planning your trip? Head on over here to watch free Disney Parks Vacation Planning videos for a complete tour of the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs and 20+ Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, as well as a tour of the Disneyland Resort in California (including 2 theme parks, the Downtown Disney District & 3 hotels).
Plus, they’ll show you affordable ways to play and stay during your Disney vacation, with personalized tips and information on special events. If you’re interested in a guided travel trip, you can also go here to request a free Adventures by Disney Destination Guide brochure.
Hip Tip: Print a free Countdown to Disney image (use cardstock paper if you have it on hand). Then just cut the sides of the paper to fit into an 8×10 photo frame. Each day, use a white board marker and write on the glass frame to indicate the number of days left in your countdown.
2. Don’t be afraid to use a travel agent.
Using a travel agent to plan a Disney vacation is a great way to save money & time as they’re free to use (Disney pays them!). Agencies like Small World Vacations & Mouse Fan Travel specialize in travel to Disney destinations, so they know how to find great deals for you.
Hip Tip: If you’re a Costco member, be sure to check out Costco Travel for various Disney vacation package deals!
3. Don’t ever pay full-price for tickets or hotels.
Did you know that Undercover Tourist offers deals for discounted Disney tickets, Disney hotels, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, ski vacations and more? They provide authentic attraction tickets at discounted prices, as well as insider planning tips and excellent customer service.
They are authorized by Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood Resort, SeaWorld Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld San Diego, along with other top attractions and major dinner shows to sell discounted attraction tickets that are new & genuine.
Also, MouseSavers.com is a popular site devoted to saving money on Disney and other theme park vacations – whether you need a Disney ticket discount, Disney World hotel discount, a Disneyland vacation package discount OR any other Disney discount, deal or offer! Plus, if you sign up for their free newsletter before the 15th of the month, you’ll get a special discount code in your inbox that you can use for buying discounted tickets through Undercover Tourist.
4. Don’t travel during peak season.
This may seem obvious, but busier seasons have higher prices, so you’ll want to avoid booking your trip during those times if possible. Also, Disney recently changed tickets to date-based pricing (instead of by park), but you can still save by knowing which “seasons” generally offer the lowest prices and to book during their off-season.
Hate crowds? Check out the Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar to browse the yearly, monthly, and daily crowd levels.
According to Undercover Tourist, the best days to visit Disney World in 2019 are…
- Jan. 7-11, Jan. 23-Feb. 14
- Feb. 25-March 8
- The second half of August until Aug. 29
- Most days in September*
- Most weekdays in October*
- Weekdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
- Weekdays in December (minus the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve)
5. Don’t plan the shortest stay possible.
If you’re able to plan a longer vacation, you’ll save more money per ticket. According to Disney.com, you’ll save $20 per ticket when you purchase 3-day or longer tickets online as compared to the price at the ticket window! Plus, if you book through Undercover Tourist, you’ll save even more!
However, you’ll want to make note of the ticket expiration dates:
- 1-day – The ticket expires on the selected start date.
- 2-day – The ticket expires 4 days after the selected start date.
- 3-day – The ticket expires 5 days after the selected start date.
- 4-day – The ticket expires 7 days after the selected start date.
- 5-day – The ticket expires 8 days after the selected start date.
- 6-day – The ticket expires 9 days after the selected start date.
- 7-day – The ticket expires 10 days after the selected start date.
- 8-day – The ticket expires 12 days after the selected start date.
- 9-day – The ticket expires 13 days after the selected start date.
- 10-day – The ticket expires 14 days after the selected start date.
Also, on UndercoverTourist.com, be sure to check out the Undercover Savings section at bottom of page where you can save off each qualifying ticket combo whenever a select 2-Day, 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day Disney ticket is combined with a select 2-Day, 3-Day or 4-Day Universal ticket.
6. Don’t buy the Park Hopper add-on unless…
If you are traveling with younger kids or older grandparents, your family is going to tour at a slower pace as they will get tired easier, so ditch the Park Hopper add-on and enjoy all that the park has to offer. The Park Hopper option allows you to visit multiple parks in the same day (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios), but there’s already so much to do in each park.
However, if you’re planning an adult trip or with teens, have visited Disney before and know which rides you want to do, are visiting during a less busy time of year, or just want more flexibility with FastPass+ or advance dining reservations, a Park Hopper add-on might be worth it for you.
Check out this tip from a Hip2Save reader:
“The one feature I purchased that I wish I hadn’t was the Park Hopper option. I thought we would use it, but I think we only ended up using the Park Hopper one time. If I’m blessed enough to be able to take another Disney vacation, I think I’ll save the $250.”
7. Don’t forget to subscribe to Disney emails.
Sign up for emails from your favorite Disney park to be sure you don’t miss out on any deals as they offer several promotions throughout the year on hotel discounts, dining plans and more. You can also go here to find special offers and promotions for Disney Parks and Destinations.
Whenever you register for a My Disney Experience account, be sure to check the box to receive updates and special offers from the Walt Disney Family of Companies.
8. Don’t venture out without the My Disney App.
If you’re wanting to get actual wait times for attractions and showtimes for fireworks & parades, be sure to download the My Disney Experience mobile app. It also includes an interactive, GPS-enabled map that will help you navigate your way around the park. Other features include:
- Find Character greeting locations and times
- Browse restaurant menus and make dining reservations
- Select and modify your party’s FastPass+ experiences
- Share your itinerary with others through Family & Friends
- Manage your Disney Resort reservations, tickets, MagicBands and cards
- Preview your Disney PhotoPass photos on your mobile device throughout your vacation
- + MORE!
9. Don’t wait to make FastPass Reservations.
Disney’s FASTPASS or FastPass+ service allows you to reserve access to select Disneyland or Walt Disney World theme park attractions, entertainment and Character Greetings in advance. There is no additional cost to use the FASTPASS service―it is included with your theme park admission.
BUT be sure to make your FASTPASS or FastPass+ reservations as early as possible! Whenever you get your MagicBands, you can create an account and link all your FASTPASS times and reservations with other family members. You’ll be able to use your MagicBand or card to enter the FastPass+ line any time during the 1-hour arrival window and avoid having to wait in lines for that ride!
Note that with a ticket or pass, you can make your selections up to 30 days in advance. Or if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the entire length of your stay. You can lock in up to three FastPass selections for each day.
Hip Tip: Get to the park early or right when it opens to ride other rides that aren’t scheduled on your FastPass with the least amount of wait time! Check out this tip from Hip2Saver Angie…
“When we went, FastPass was a life saver. At Disneyland you are only able to have one FastPass ticket in your hand at a time. We would hurry to grab a FastPass ticket for one of the popular rides that would have a long wait time, and then you have an hour window (sometime during the day) that you are able to return to this ride. Instead of waiting in the long line, you are able to get in the FastPass line and get on the ride MUCH faster. While we were waiting for this time, we would go ride the rides that didn’t typically have much of a wait and then return to the ride that we had the FastPass for during the appropriate time. As soon as we had ridden that ride, we would then go grab another FastPass ticket for the next ride.”
10. Don’t pay for expensive souvenirs.
Before forking out a lot of money on overly priced souvenirs at the park, be sure to hit up the Dollar Tree where they carry a lot of Disney licensed items for just $1 each, as well as glowsticks, trinkets, reusable bags, toys and more.
Target also has fun and inexpensive Disney items in Bullseye’s Playground (i.e – their dollar spot). Buy your own and pack them in your suitcase for fun treats for the kids!
Hip Tip: Instead of paying for an autograph book, be sure to check out these free Disney character autograph pages designed exclusively for Hip2Save readers to print.
They can be used to make a fun autograph book to take along with you on a Disney vacation or for scrapbooking your favorite Disney photo memories!
11. Don’t buy Disney apparel (Instead DIY!).
Instead of paying for expensive Disney T-Shirts or apparel, consider making your own before you go (check out Lina’s tutorial here) OR head to stores like the Disney Store, JCPenney, Old Navy or Kohl’s with a coupon or during a sale when you can purchase Disney apparel on the cheap!
If you do purchase items at a Disney World park, be sure to keep your receipts from your purchases. On the bottom of some receipts, you may find a money-saving coupon valid for specific stores at select times during your stay (like 10-20% off merchandise etc).
12. Don’t pay for drinks & snacks in the park.
One way to save money on food and drinks is to bring your own into the park. Yes, you are allowed to bring a soft case cooler and food into the theme parks (note that the cooler or bag can be no larger than 24″ x 15″ x 18″ and you can no longer bring your own ice into the park). Also, to save on dining out expenses, consider buying groceries at the store when you arrive and prepare as many meals yourself as you can manage.
Do you drink a lot of soda? Since buying soda can add up really quickly, consider purchasing a refillable mug at your Disney Resort for $14.95 and refill as much as you would like at the beverage station at your resort. This mug will also be a fun souvenir from your trip.
Also, if you’re heading to the park on a hot summer day, be sure to pack a small reusable water bottle and refill at water fountains or in restaurants throughout the day to avoid the cost of bottled water. And, if you’re able to fit rain ponchos, baby gear and other things you may need in your luggage, you’ll save a bundle than having to purchase them in the park.
Hip Tip: If you are planning to dine at the park, go here to check out ALL of the Disney World menus with prices (note that menus and pricing are always subject to change).
Also, if you’re a fan of Disney’s Pineapple Dole Whip, check out how easy it is to make your own delicious version of the famous frozen Dole Whip. YUM!
13. Don’t wait until your child is older than…
If you have a child under the age of 3, now might be the perfect time to plan a trip to Disney World. You might be thinking it’s not very cost effective to take a small child to Disney, but when they are able to eat free on the Disney Dining Plan, enter any of the Disney World theme parks for free (including the two water parks!), and experience any of the attractions (as long as they meet the height requirements for the attraction), well it really seems like a great time to plan a trip.
But do consider bringing your own stroller as rentals can add up quickly and those little legs may get tired easily. Also, if you do choose to rent a stroller while in the parks, pre-paying for the duration of your vacation will save a few dollars. Go here for more tips on using a stroller.
14. Don’t pay for expensive photos unless…
If you don’t like having to carry around a heavy camera or worry about taking pictures yourself and IF it’s in your budget, you may consider the Memory Maker service to capture fun memories.
However, if you own a camera or mobile device that takes quality photos, consider passing up the Memory Maker service as it costs between $169-$199. Once you download the first photo on MyDisneyPhotoPass.com or the My Disney Experience Mobile App, you only have 30 days to capture more photos. Be sure to download your photos before they expire.
Instead or purchasing the Memory Maker service, consider asking a PhotoPass photographer to take a photo of you and your family with your device.
15. Don’t pay full price for Disney gift cards.
Consider saving a few dollars by purchasing Disney Gift Cards before you go. You can purchase discounted gift cards on sites like Raise.com and eBay OR even cash in your reward points for Disney gift cards on sites like Disney Movie Rewards, Kellogg’s Family Rewards, etc. Occasionally, some stores like CVS, Walgreens, Target, Kroger, and Safeway will have promotions on gift cards.
These gift cards can be used online at shopDisney.com, Disney Store locations in the US and participating locations at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line (includes most shopping and dining locations). If you want to be able to use the card at Walt Disney World, be careful that you are purchasing a Disney Gift Card, not a Disney Store Gift Card, which can only be spent at Disney Stores (there are NO Disney Stores at Walt Disney World).
16. Don’t apply for a Disney credit card unless…
Disney has two co-branded VISA cards offered by Chase – the Disney Rewards VISA Card and the Disney Premier VISA Card. Both cards offer a rebate in the form of “Disney Reward Dollars” that can be redeemed towards Disney merchandise or toward Disney vacations (Disney Theme Park tickets, Resort stays, shopping, dining at Disney restaurants and more).
Disney Rewards VISA Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Sign-up bonus: Get a $50 Disney Gift Card after first purchase
- Earn 1% in reward dollars on all card purchases
Disney Premier VISA Card:
- Annual fee: $49
- Sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Disney Gift Card after spending $500 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations. Earn 1% on all other card purchases.
- 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations and 10% off select dining locations
- 10% on select purchases at Disney Store and shopDisney.com
If you spend a lot of time at Disney parks, consider getting a Disney Rewards VISA Card as it doesn’t have an annual fee. However, if you spend more than $4,900 annually on the categories which accrue bonuses, then the Disney Premier VISA Card might make the most sense for you.
17. Don’t be afraid to venture outside of the park.
Check out this awesome list of all the free things to do to celebrate the magic of Disney World without actually entering a Disney Park so you can save yourself some money!
How do YOU save on a Disney vacation?
Mary (mary@hip2save.com) is a stellar content creator who runs on chocolate, caffeine, and clearance deals.
If your family is looking for a Disney travel agent, I’d be happy to help you! My services are completely free! We will work together to plan you magical trip! Facebook.com/mickeyworldtraveljenniferdanaher OR jenniferdanaher@mickeyworldtravel.com.
I never buy drinks at disney. We always bring our own to last everyone throughout the day. Asking gor cups of ice/water here and there. Some of the snacks are totally worth getting though. Many are unique to Disney. I would never bring a child younger than 3 to Disney unless it was really the offseason. Many of the babies look so hot and miserable and overwhelmed. I also feel like staying on-site at Disney is overrated unless you just have to be immersed in all things Disney at all times or if you are staying at one of the super expensive resorts. For the price you pay at some of the value resorts, you can stay in more spacious or luxurious suites/condos offsite. Many of which have free breakfast and shuttles to Disney included.
Hope, can you recommend any place off site that is reasonable and spacious? I’m always skeptical of places that claim to be nearby or claim to have a shuttle. Thanks!!!
There was a place called little tiki village about 10 mins from wdw and all the attractions. Full size condos 1 or 2 bedroom. Complete with kitchen and everything. Costed $40 a night when you stay 3 or more nights. Very nice place.
Shuttles are overrated. They have limited travel schedule and being able to make plans and checking out other sights can be a hassle.
We took a trip mid jan for a week for 3 people and had a blast.
Recommendations-
magic kindgom for firework show is a must see. The other parks were not as good.
Animal kingdom- pandora ride MUST fastpass in advance- 3 hour wait was horrible.
Definetly plan ahead. Try to avoid making actual time sensitive plans as thry usually go out the window as soon as you arrive.
Wear a fitbit is great. Especially for the kids as they can compete with everyone and see who gets the most steps
I have gone twice and stayed offsite at Windsor Hills resort. The first time we rented a three bedroom condo, and the second a 3 bedroom townhouse (with pool). The resort was beautiful and the playground/community pool were amazing. The resort is literally only 10-15 minutes from the park entrances. There is no shuttle, but the parking was reasonable compared with the cost of staying onsite.
The individual units at Windsor Hills are privately owned, and you can rent through an agency or directly through the owners, depending on the unit. Most are highly themed out with Disney rooms! We ended up paying around $110/night for accommodations for our family of 6 the first year and just slightly more for 8 total the second trip. Totally worth it! We also saved by eating breakfast before leaving in the morning, packing lunch and snacks and even cooking most of our dinners at our place. Disney on a budget for sure, but we loved every minute of it!
I love Windsor Hills. I highly recommend it! With a family of 5+ adults it was great having our own rooms! Could never afford all of us to stay on Disney Properties,
Extended Stay we stayed for $30 per night with coupons in off season. (Right after school started)
Kim what kind of coupon? Thanks!
Just google extended stay coupons they offer coupons all the time they change every month or so.
Orange lake country club and resort is a fantastic place to stay! It has its own water park area with a lazy river, very clean and lots to do! The property is on the backside of animal kingdom. It’s always clean and close enough that it’s worth it. You can also save money because you don’t have to go to Disney every single day. We always stay at the resort a few days to just relax and recoupe from a long Disney day!
Amy, the Best Western on Celebration drive (I think) is a good budget option. They have free breakfast and shuttles to both Disney and Universal. There shuttles are scheduled so you do have to plan a bit.
We have been going to Disney for about 12 years we love staying in any Disney World hotels but a couple of years I discover Bonnet Creek from Wyndham. They offer shutters to and from any Disney Parks daily and Bonnet Creek is inside Disney World property.
We stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 12 days for under $2000.00. It is a timeshare resort in the heart of Buena Vista (Where all the Disney Hotels are). Carribean Beach resort as well as many other Disney hotels are right in the same mix as Wyndham. We rented a 2 bed/2 bath condo, full kitchen with all appliances and kitchen accessories you could ask for, washer/dryer, living room with 3 tvs in each of the bedrooms and LV. Balcony, many pools with slides at some, game room, and lots of other free amenties. Even a jetted tub with vanity, and another vanity and glass shower in separate room. Loved the tub after a day at the parks with my aching feet and body!
We rented thru VRBO.com (vacation rentals by owner) from a place called Shelby Resorts. They are out of Golden Oak,FL and the largest Wyndham owners with availablity to rent many. In fact my sister in law and her family also stayed too! This place is beautiful and no longer drive than driving to the Disney hotel right next to us. They had a shuttle, but not convenient times as my husband had a scooter for medical reasons, and $8 pp, per day! However, I skipped the desk to sign up for a presentation for timeshare! I was told not obligated because we rented from an owner, and were their guest. Could if we wanted to but we are not interested in being timeshare owners, and wanted to start our vacation. Shelby Resorts also has their own site: http://www.shelbyresorts.com. We contacted many Wyndham owners, who all had same rooms, but Shelby Resorts was the best deal, and wonderful to deal with!
We had breakfast at timeshare, and packed lunch and water bottles with crystal light packs too! We carried sunscreen and all essentials for parks. We saved money by only buying one full meal a day, usually dinner, and occasional snacks when we got tired of what we had in backpack or ran out! Really helped save money, because Disney can be rather expensive! We paid to park because of the scooter, and cheaper than shuttle! Usually back to resort before Disney buses got to Disney resorts too! We also took breaks from parks too! We went to Universal, and stayed at resort and enjoyed what that had to offer for some downtime!
I never had so much space when staying away from home! This place is beautiful, and for the prices of Disney rooms and you are cramped into a small space! This place lets you spread out, and even get laundry done without going to a laundry mat. Our washer and dryer was in the room!
This place is technically on Disney property, but will not give you the same privileges as staying at actually Disney resorts! The property was part of the original land purchase from the families that were bought out for the expansion years ago. Disney then sold part of this land to other business too! This property is not even a good neighbor property either, so if looking for those amenties you may want to stay at an actual Disney resort! The resort will confirm they are not part of Disney, but owned by Wyndham exclusively.
If you are looking to do Disney on a budget, but with some luxuries, this place is for you! Check them out!
No tips for Disneyland? You reference WDW, but you use pictures of Disneyland as well.
I was thinking the same thing. Particularly since the “don’t buy park hoppers” is bad advice for Disneyland.
I think it’s bad advice to make a blanket statement that Park Hoppers are bad for WDW as well. Many of my clients like the flexibility it provides, ESPECIALLY those with young kids since they tend to take a mid day break and like to hit a different park in the PM. A good travel agent will ask clients specific questions that allow them to tailor their vacation to his/her specific needs. It’s not good advice to assume one way works for everyone.
This exactly what we do with our kids! I love park hopping for this reason but then again we have platinum annual pass because we live in south florida and visit frequently.
I noticed all the Disneyland pictures too! Personally I’m not a fan of park hoppers at Disneyland too. I realize that the parks are very close but I would rather pay the one park per day price and upgrade to Maxpass then buy park hoppers. Maxpass is exclusive to Disneyland and currently is an extra $10 per person per day. It is well worth the cost, plus it includes photopass.
I go every year! Use to take my kids now I take my grandkids! I would never go in Hurricane season! We like going the first part of Nov. Then we get out of the cold where we live plus enjoy all the Disney Christmas festivities!
My husband and I brought our daughter for their first time in September when that bad hurricane happened. We had to cut our vacation short two days so we can get out before t he hurricane started. There was issues with our plane to top it off and we ended up sitting at the airport with a two year old for the whole day. Worst experience ever
What is the best price off-season Disney Cruise you’ve seen? Wanting to save up but also wanting to get the best deal possible! TIA😊
We use Disney travel agent debi@wishuponastarwithus.com to get best value for the best trip. Disney cruises take reservations 18 months in advance maximum, and that’s best price you can get. Pricing in summer months jump up, we’ve been on Christmas cruises and it was still warm at Castaway Cay. HTH
Thank you! Any other tips?
Look for repositioning cruises. Last year my family of 3 took a 4 day cruise in April on the Disney Magic for $320 per person plus taxes and fees. We had a balcony room too. Also prices fluctuate keep checking on the dates your interested in. There’s also a website call vacations to go where you can find deals on cruises. If your flexible last minute cruises have the best rates in the off season.
Is vacationtogo.com a reliable to place to book cruises? Thanks
Yes, Mary! I’ve booked through vacationstogo on several occasions with no issues! HTH!
The best price we ever got was our first cruise. It was on the Magic right after the Fantasy was launched. We got a military discount on a Bahamas 8 day cruise out if Galveston with a FREE day at Disney World. It was only $1,700 for a deluxe family with verandah room for 3 of us. It was a military discount, but usually the military discount is about the same as a guaranteed stateroom rate. Those are typically released a month or two out and the best rates are in April/May and Sept. I definitely recommend the smaller ships as the service and atmosphere is so much better. The Fantasy was overwhelming and we felt lost in the crowd and stressed compwting with so many people to get what we want.
Please keep in mind that this cost does not include tips(about $500 for our family)which you should consider as mandatory because it is basically the pay of your servers and host who work exceptionally hard to make your vacation magical.
Thank you all!
We stayed in an AirBNB for our last trip to Disneyland. Much cheaper and just as close as some of the Disney Resorts. Also, if you plan on renting a stroller, rent it from an external company. We used City Stroller Rentals when we went with our then 4 year-old and their rate was much cheaper than Disneyland’s. They also delivered/picked-up to/from our hotel, and we were able to take the stroller out of the park which is a plus with a tired toddler at the end of the day.
We always get park hoppers bc we stay a whole week. We like to jump from park to park when there are extra magic hours. We get the free dining promotion as much as possible bc disney food is expensive. We make our own shirts(with a cricut, iron on vinyl, and an iron). Not a money saving but feet saving tip is to wear worn in comfortable shoes. We walk close to 15 miles a day! We love Disney vacations!
If anyone is looking for a travel agent please feel free to message me! I specialize in Disney vacations and I also offer my own special promotions when booking with me! My services are 100% free to you. Facebook.com/LaurenMouseHuntersTravel or Lauren@MouseHuntersTravel.com
We go every year, although we find villas to rent throughout the Kissimmee area….we usually find a house for a great price that has our own private pool and also have high chairs and strollers in the garage for you to use so you don’t have to bring your own stroller. And we feel that it keeps the price down because we are making our own food. We do one big haul at Aldi, and we all know how much we can save when marketing at Aldi! We purchase Disney gift cards at Target and use those when we go to Disney Springs. We purchase little disposable Ponchos from our area in Michigan, because I can never find them once I’m in Florida and they are only $1. Last year I had to purchase them from Target when I forgot them at home and it costs me $5/each and we’re a family of 5. We also purchase the water fans at Walmart for $5/each and bring them to the park (I think they are $20/each there) for when it gets really hot. As for souvenirs, we hit a Target store and let our kids pick shirts and mugs and Disney theme candy because it’s cheaper than Disney Springs/Disney World and you can save 5% with your Red Card! Now we always take the kids to Rainforest Cafe and if I could just find a way to save money there…..that’s our one expensive meal out ($100-$110 for a family of 5)
I pay for Rainforest Cafe with Swagbucks gift cards.
Have you signed up for the rainforest cafe rewards program? It does cost $25 but you get the $25 back on the card to use on your next visit plus $25 every year for your birthday. I also redeem my MyPoints for rainforest cafe gift cards.
For Orlando: DO NOT BE LURED INTO TIME SHARE PURCHASES! I saw an article describing how the timeshare secondary market in Orlando has collapsed, and time share owners are finding them nearly impossible to get out from under. Some are being given away for nothing on the secondary market because people want out from under all the ever-rising annual fees you have to pay when you own one.
As a time share owner I have to agree with this. We have thought about giving away our timeshare several times but we can’t even seem to do that! However, this issue works out fantastic for people who DON’T own a time share because there are so many of them in the area you can rent someone else’s for dirt cheap. Every time we use ours in Florida we remember why we purchased it in the first place. Way better than a hotel at a fraction of the price. Look for one to rent just don’t rent one that you have to go to a presentation to get that price. They say it’s 90 minutes but it’s at least 3 hours of high pressure sales
The week before thanksgiving 2017 my cvs did not mark what gift cards were included in the buy $50 gift card get $15 bucks back. Since nothing was marked I took a $50 Disney gift card to the register to the worker and asked him if Disney was included. He said I have no idea but if it’s not I will over ride it or whatever has had to do to say I qualified for the bucks and when it didn’t print he did just that so I got $50 Disney card for $35 in a sense! Go mee!!
Smart Moms Planning Disney is a Facebook page that offers great tips and resources for planning a Disney vacation. I highly recommend it.
Stay away from that group! Lady tries to sell a book and the information is inaccurate and can be found online.
When we went a few years ago, I was able to buy Disney gc at Target with my red card and get 5% off. I used them to pay off my balance online (tedious as they are only 50 each but good savings) and then got more for spending when we there.
We are now looking at a disney cruise, any tips for saving on that?
We use Disney travel agent debi@wishuponastarwithus.com to get best value for the best trip. Disney cruises take reservations 18 months in advance maximum, and that’s best price you can get. Pricing in summer months jump up, we’ve been on Christmas cruises and it was still warm at Castaway Cay. HTH
Thanks for the tips!! We are planning our first trip as a family for next spring when my daughter will almost be 3 and son will almost be 1. I feel partly crazy but know we will save so much! And hopefully be fun esp for my daughter!
We took our children the first time when my oldest was 2 1/2 and my youngest had just turned 1. It was a great time! They were good and were able to ride alot of rides especially at magic kingdom. It will be a great time for your family.
Aww, how exciting! You’re SO very welcome! Hope you have an awesome trip!! 😉
The refillable mugs are $18.99 now.
Another way to save on gift cards is that if you have a Target Redcard, you can purchase them online and get the 5% discount. You can pay off your hotel with gift cards, so it is like getting an extra 5% off.
One of the best things I did before a Disney trip was get a Disney Chase Card. They sent me a $200 gift card after I spent $500 in the first 3 months. I used the card for everyday purchases and the points add up pretty quickly. The card has no annual fee and I earn Disney dollars through my referral link. There are even special discounts and cardholder character meet and greets. My husband got one too. If you want to get one, would you please consider clicking through my link?
Thanks in advance! Lauren
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/DSSIGF7YQD
I believe with my link, you can still get the no annual fee and the $200. Win-Win!!! I think it’s special for card holders.
Any tips for universal studios Orlando?
If you are Harry Potter fans, definitely get the park hopper pass! It’s the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express!
I second this- at Universal ALWAYS get the park-to-park Ticket!
For Disney, my best tip is spend the extra and stay on property. The perks cannot be beat! You save so much time not driving and parking, and the extra magic hours are the best thing EVER!!
If you have AAA, try checking out their prices. When my family went 2 yrs ago, we got three days for the price of two. Just another tip to help!
You can ask for free ice water at every quick service food location in WDW.
2)If you use an agent, your agent will have to apply a promo to a new or existing reservation. People that book directly can do it immediately when the promo starts. Plenty of people have missed out on their preferred resort during the free dining promo because they had to wait for their agent to wake up and go to work.
3, 10, 11, 12, 14)If you go to WDW every year around the same time, buy an annual pass voucher and then wait until your first day to activate it. You can get two once-a-year trips in on one pass if you time it right. It gives: 20% discount on merchandise from Disney owned and operated stores on property, other discounts at some non-Disney owned stores, discount on mini-golf, 10% discount at all Disney owned and operated table service restaurants(except Victoria and Albert’s), Memory Maker(365 to download photos), and discounts on tours.
4)If possible, I recommend visiting WDW in September during the Food and Wine Festival. You can make shareable meals when buying a few snacks from the festival. There is an annual passholder line after bag check at each park that is almost always shorter than the regular lines. Also, go to a Halloween party in the Magic Kingdom. The party is from 7:00pm-12:00am, but you can get in starting at 4:00pm. That is 8 hours. You wouldn’t have to use a regular park ticket that day. The parties have regular and allergy-friendly trick-or-treating, rare character meets, parade, stage show, fireworks, and shorter lines(around 30 minutes for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). A party ticket is less than a regular single day park ticket.
5)Take breaks in your hotel(mainly if onsite) during the day. Your feet will thank you.
6)We frequently used Park Hopper when I brought my then-65 year old mother with me. We were there for 10 days/10 nights and took 2 hour breaks in our room at Coronado Springs each day.
7)It is thought that signing up for emails and doing every survey given(email and in-park) gives you a greater chance of getting pin code offers. Pin code offers are actual offers as opposed to the general public promos. It can be hit or miss.
9)When making Fastpass+ reservations for multiple days, make reservations for days with extremely popular rides first(Flight of Passage, Frozen, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). You can use the Fastpass+ up to 5 minutes before the window and up to about 15 minutes after. Most cast members are pretty lenient when you are a little later than 15 minutes due to traffic/weather problems. After the initial three Fastpasses(where do I put the + when plural) which have to be all in the same park, you can book one additional Fastpass+ at a time while supplies last. The additional Fastpass+ can be in a different park than the first three.
12)The mug is $18.99 for the entire stay(no smaller durations anymore) and is good at any Disney World hotel, not just the one you are staying at.
15)Sam’s Club also has discounted Disney gift cards.
16)Other credit cards have better rewards that can be used on other aspects of your vacation that aren’t owned by Disney(offsite hotel and restaurants, plane tickets, etc).
Another tip: If you or someone in your party has a disability, go to Guest Relations in one of the parks and sign up for the Disability Access Service. You don’t have to show a note from your doctor, but you do have to explain why you need an accomodation and how it would help you. The accommodations vary. I get shorter attraction DAS return times in addition to regular fastpasses. I am given a return time that is 10 minutes shorter than the standby line. Up to 5 other people can come with me. When returning, I use the fastpass+ line.
I love the Disney credit card! When you are referred you can get NO annual fee! After you spend $500 within the first 3 months you get a $200 Disney gift card. I use my gift cards for parking at the Disney parks, souvenirs, food and snacks at the park. I always go through undercover tourist for tickets because there’s no tax. My family normally stays in a timeshare on Disney grounds which is very spacious. If you’d like the Disney credit card link, please email me at rainyangel175@yahoo.com thanks!!
I live 2 hrs south of WDW and have been there dozens of times. Stayed onsite and off. Had Parkhoppers and single-park passes. Actually spent the turn of the Millennium at Epcot during a family reunion. And my brother proposed to his wife while SCUBA diving inside the The Living Seas aquarium, getting married a year later at Fort Wilderness… I could practically write a book about all my experiences there, lol.
At any rate, the biggest tip I can give is to stay HYDRATED & WEAR SUNSCREEN! People tend to underestimate the heat and the sun here… and in addition, it’s extremely draining, so please remember to be gentle with yourself and others– everyone there is hot, tired, possibly sunburnt, mentally drained / overstimulated, and likely dealing with sore feet! (Over 21,000 steps on my last visit –that’s TEN MILES of walking!!!)
I like to fill bpa-free bottles 1/3 full of water and freeze em, allowing there to be enough water to actually drink while keeping it cold, and they’re not too heavy in my backpack (I def wouldn’t carry a cooler all day!) If I’m going for a full day with no park-breaks, I also bring some that are 3/4 full/frozen so that by nightfall, they’ve melted and are still cold.
I also bring a pair of thick socks because even the most comfy high-end athletic shoes and sandals start to rub, especially if it’s hot and/or you (and your shoes) get wet on any of the rides/in rainstorms…. it’s a nice relief, even with sandals (& by that point, I don’t care how I look haha ;->).
Ditto on bringing one’s own rain ponchos (or large trash bags, if you’re really cheap, er, thrifty ;-D) because rain storms whip up quickly, sometimes more than once a day (particularly during summer & fall).
One last place to check for all the best tips / ideas : mousesavers.com
The Memory Maker was well worth it for us as it was our first Disney trip, we spent 5 days at the parks, and we have two little ones. I was able to record all of the character meet and greets with my camera and enjoy them rather than trying to snap the best pic of my kids. My daughter also loved the special effects that certain photographers around the park added like her holding Tinkerbell, Lumiere, and Sebastian in her hands in front of various attractions.
I completely agree that the Memory Maker is well worth it, especially if you have young kids. My husband and I are both in many of the pictures, which can be pretty rare! Very special memories, and I was able to be 100% present and in the moment when my kids met their fav characters, not worried about getting my phone out.
The meal plan is good except don’t buy 1 per person. The main meals include a dessert. So we would eat breakfast and that would include the dessert so we picked something that we can take with us to the park like a muffin. That became our mid morning snack. We did the same for lunch. The dessert from dinner ended up for breakfast in the room. So we never used snacks and unfortunately ended up with a lot of leftover snacks so we had to buy a lot of snacks before we left. So reduce the amount of meals you buy for each family member.
You can’t actually do that. When you purchase the dining plan at Disney World, you have to buy the dining plan for every person staying in the room that is 3 or older. Snack credits can be redeemed for drinks if you are having trouble using them on food.
My goal is to go on vacation this year, but I can’t figure out where to go. If you do not like going on rides, would it be worth it to go to Disneyland? I’m closer to it than Walt Disney World.
Disneyland really wasn’t as good to us. There is really only 1 place to stay on property and all around there are literally just ugly motels and beggars. There is not enough room for upgraded experiences like the new interactive lines you can find at DW. I completely recommend Disney World over Disneyland. But the cruises are probably the best to be honest. ☺
We just got back on Saturday from taking our 2 kids (2.5-years-old and 8-months-old) and even though we have 2 very young kids, we were still able to parkhop because we stayed on property and went back to the hotel for an afternoon nap. By planning for the naps, that allowed us to go back to another park and catch some of the nighttime shows. The one day we tried to skip our daughter’s nap and by 3PM she was in full toddler melt-down mode! LOL! My 8-month-old son wasn’t a problem because he napped in the stroller without a problem. So my biggest advice is to keep the kids as much on their normal schedule as possible. If you have kids that still nap (and can’t nap in strollers), try staying on property if your budget allows for it… preferably close to the parks you’ll be focusing on.
This is for WDW and especially Florida residents…Staying at an on-site resort waives the $20/day parking fee at the park, so consider that in the hotel cost. Staying onsite also allows everyone in the party to get magic bands for free. Florida residents that can travel during the week might consider the weekday annual pass..it’s less than $300 for an entire year entry (minus blackout dates, but what Florida resident wants to go during peak seasons?). Annual passholders get hotel discounts, no parking fees, free magic bands and several other perks. Disney will sometimes offer a 13month annual pass instead of 12months for the same cost. We did this for last spring break and then will use the same pass for this spring break ending the 13months – along with a few couple day trips between. We go offseason and try to stay at a value resort for less than $85/night after taxes if for a few days or at a Bonnet Creek Condo if staying for a week $200/night during mid peak seasons. People say Disney is really expensive, but As a Florida residents it is about the cheapest vacation my family can do if you consider the cost of all the entertainment things you pay for on any other vacation! If your family does an annual pass, you plan on going often and you do the cheap pass, I recommend one person in your family getting the more expensive pass for a years worth of memory maker! The extra $200ish for the pass makes the memory maker worth it if you plan on going multiple times! We saw Santa at Disney springs at Christmas and those pictures were all included too! A Disney photographer using your camera just isn’t the same as their pictures! They are always perfect pictures and they are almost immediately available to share on the Disney app. Also keep in mind that the passes that include memory maker can be shared with anyone in your party or that you are “planning a trip with” on the Disney app! Just went to Disney last Wednesday and going back in March (2adults/3kids)! More often you go, the less you stress about cramming it all in and doing it all in a short amount of time. There is always something new we find to do or see each visit!
Ditto on memory maker being a good deal if you do it right. We have gone on a couple vacations with other family members and planned our trip together so we were able to split the cost of the memory maker.
If you sign up for the Disney Visa through this link there is no annual fee, and you get a $200 gift card for spending $500 in the first 90 days. My husband and I each applied separately and got $400 in gift cards and then for every $50 you spend in gift shops you get 10% off as well, in addition to dining perks. It was a great money saving tool. https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/DFUWD5ENL3
Bring Frog Toggs to help keep cool, ponchos (because you know it is going to rain), rain stroller covers since most stroller parking is uncovered, body glide and foot glide to keep from getting blisters, and a great pair of socks and good shoes. When in the WDW parks you can purchase a popcorn tub for around $10 and get refills for around $2, and you can take it to different parks during your trip and just pay for refills! We went this past summer and stayed off site. We ate breakfast at the hotel and as soon as we got to the park we headed straight for the popcorn refills. Most days it kept us full enough just to get a light lunch and small dinner.
My daughter and son-in-law are cast members so I’m always getting questions and requests from friends and relatives. I could write a book about all the do’s and don’ts. After reading the article and comments I know her advice is not to get the mug, it’s not worth it. Hit up a Target for much better deals for them and t-shirts, key rings, etc..
One of her biggest complaints are the people who abuse the Disability Access Svce. It was revamped in the recent past due to all the people who took advantage of it.
Don’t ever buy tickets from one of the roadside stands that offer “huge discounts.” She has many stories of people who buy them and then go to GR to complain when they don’t work.
If you are military, work for DOD, a veteran or know someone who is that can sponsor you then check out Shades of Green. It was the Disney Golf Resort once upon a time but was purchased by MWR. We have gotten rooms for about $50 a night on special before. It is located on Disney property only a 5 minute walk from the Polynesian and the monorail. The last time we stayed there we were able to get many of the disney perks still including Magic Hours(but not Magical Express so expect to pay $200 for a roundtrip bus to and from the airport.
There is also a shoppette with tax free snacks and Disney themed merchandise. They do provide regular buses from the resort to the main transportation area where you can go straight to Magic Kingdom or get on a Disney bus to one of the other parks.
I would also recommend renting points from a DVC member through one of the professional brokerages for very nice Disney resorts at a great discount.
Personally, for my family, I would never stay off Disney property. The travel time, hassle, cost of parking and being taken out of the Disney magic is not worth the cost difference. We had no choice but to stay at a local hotel at Disneyland and as a kid I stayed at a local hotel in Orlando for a Disney trip and it is REALLY not the same. I recommend careful planning to get the best accomodations you can because it gives you more bang for your buck. Remember that you can get a Disney room for as little as $150 a night. That includes Magical Express to and from the airport. You don’t have to worry about your luggage and can literally walk off the plane and onto a coach and head to the parks from your resort. You don’t have to figure extra for a shuttle(which is expensive), a rental car or parking at the park and maybe even your hotel. You also get free and quick transportation from your resort to any other Disney property and park almost 24 hours a day. On top of that you get Magic hours which can be up to 3 additional hours in the parks a day! You can even have your purchases sent right to your hotel so you don’t have to lug around that Cinderella Castle your little girl can’t live without.
Do skip the dining plan though unless everyone in your party is a huge eater. We usually will enjoy a sit down meal for lunch when it is cheapest and just share a meal with an extra side and dessert for my family of 4 and then jave quick service for dinner. And yes, it is plenty! We usually spend around $75-$100 a day on food and eat very well. ☺
Thank you! We will be staying at Shades of Green in March 2018 and we are looking forward to our first time at WDW for all three of us (my husband, my 9 y/o daughter and myself). I am trying to keep track of all the tips!! I wish the stay was $50 a night but the prices went up.
Some of those snacks in the parks also work as a meal if you’ve had a big lunch!
I have the Disney Reward Visa, such the easy way to save for a Disney experience. If you use my referral link the $49 annual fee is waved and you can get a $200 Disney Gift Card if you spend $500 in the first two months that you have the card.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/SPYNCFL4B
if u need a condo in Orlando for ur trip to Disney send me a message Platinumprince7@aol.com
I love the autograph book! BTW – my daughter is a Princess at Disneyland Paris so I guess that makes me a Queen! Haha.
We are DVC (Disney Vacation Club) and the BEST THING TO DO IS…. RENT POINTS. DO not use a travel agent. Do a little research, rent your points… Davids rentals are great, we used them before we bought in. You can rent rooms for SOOOO much less and you’re in the DVC rooms. They are larger, have more amenities, usually have private areas, free laundry and most resorts have their own DVC pool/spa. Buy your tickets online for less than Disney cost and do a little research on your own and book your fast passes yourself. You can still do the dining (not worth it my opinion) because it so much food and snacks and you spend so much precious park time is restaurants. I always tell friends pick a few places you want to dine at and do quick service for the rest. Every time we go I pack snacks and breakfast bars. We get up early, get dressed and eat our bars on the way to the parks. We also buy our gift cards for food and souvenirs ahead of time. $50 here and there to budget! I buy them at Kroger when they have double fuel points!!!! I also get pjs and toys for the kids when the Disney store has a sale and I pack them!
DISNEY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE!!! Get a quote from an agent and then do your research or ask a seasoned friend. 🙂
This is what we’re planning to do for our trip – rent points. I’m a little nervous since I’ve never done it before but I hear David’s is reliable and they make it easy.
We used Davids until we bought our own, but we recommend to all of our friends that go to Disney and they are awesome and easy to work with. It CRAZY the amount you save for a better room!
Can you tell me more about David’s rentals? Can you still opt for a ticket package/dining through WDW by using David’s rentals?
So undercovertourist is a reliable site? I was gonna buy my tickets from Disney but I could save $90 if I buy from undercover tourist but I was afraid of getting fake tickets or something
We bought our tickets through undercovertourist. I got the e-ticket option, got them quickly and I had no issue at all linking them to My Disney Experience account.
I have a Disney Visa card through Chase. I love it. I got a $200 gift card after spending $500 in the first three months. It’s the one with no annual fee. Right now, they’re doing a promotion where you can get a $200 statement credit after spending $500. There’s no annual fee. Here’s the link if anyone’s interested:
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/AFGXWTD9DY
buy the popcorn souvenir bucket (i think it’s like $11) and then you can refill for $1.50 as many times as you want! disney popcorn is the best and a cheap refill is a great snack to keep everyone full! we go thru lots of buckets
If anyone is interest I make custom mickey ears 😊 http://www.etsy.com/shop/tinkstreasears and if you mention Hip2Save you can save 10% off a set ❤️
I also have a Disney Reward Visa Card offer link to share!! Receive a $200 statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is for “No Annual Fee” Disney Visa Card and only available by special link. You will enjoy discount at disney store and select restaurants in the parks, exclusive character meet and great opportunities and much more…
Here is my link 🙂
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/9MCJK5OE1A
Thanks, just applied!
Thank you. Hope you will enjoy the benefit as much as I do 🙂
Stay away from that group! Lady tries to sell a book and the information is inaccurate and can be found online.
I am having a hard time finding accommodations for 2 adults and 5 kids. I know large families are rare these days, but why is there no information on adjoining rooms or large family options?
Hello Jessica! I would be happy to help you! Message me at TriciaC@destinationsinflorida.com
Could someone please give me advise for Universal Studios. I am going for the first time soon. I know nothing about the parks.
If you have a Costco membership go to Costco and buy an annual pass. Usually much cheaper than Gate prices and can be used thru out the year for impromptu vacations. Just make sure to look out for blackout dates.
Hello ! I have a Disney Reward Visa referral where you can earn a $200 statement credit if you spend $500 within the first three months! Yay for free Disney money!! This card has no annual fee and you will qualify for a special meet and greet at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as merchandise and food discounts! Apply through my link if you are interested!!
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/H8YI83VAI4
As a travel agent with Destinations To Explore I can help! My services are free to you and I will assist you with as little or as much of the planning as you would like. I specialize in Disney World vacations, but I can also help with Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, etc… Contact me today for more information and to get started planning your next vacation!! triciac@destinationsinflorida.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/triciaDestinationstoExplore
If you’re considering a Disney Visa card, please use my referral link. No annual fee, and a $200 disney gift card after spending 500 in first 3 months (article says $50 but that must be a different card). Thanks!
Earn a $200 Disney Gift Card with the Disney® Visa® Card. No annual fee. I can be rewarded, learn more.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/QJTWGDKA2G
If you have a Target red card buy Disney gift cards there. You will get 5% off the amount, better some savings than none. My husband and I paid for our WDW trip using this trip!
Don’t forget all that entertainment in the park has to be paid for. Parades, musicians, dancers, staff, food service, fireworks, transportation, et al.
If you’re considering a Disney Visa, I earn Disney dollars with every referral. No Annual Fee (if you click on my unique link) and you still earn the $200 gift card with a $500 purchase in the first 3 months. I believe you can also get 6 months interest-free financing on your Disney trip purchase. Using the credit card on everyday purchases makes the Disney dollars add up! Thanks in advance for considering my link! Thanks to Hip2Save for letting us post comments!
Earn a $200 Disney Gift Card with the Disney® Visa® Card. No annual fee. I can be rewarded, learn more.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/200/WMUPK63XYG
We have a son who is autistic. Are there any special accommodations to be made to help families like ours have a smoother visit?