Disney On A Budget - Michaela Mertz
It’s no secret that although Walt Disney World is the most magical place on Earth, it’s also one of the most expensive.
For most guests a Disney World vacation is a once in a lifetime experience. If that’s the case then there’s a serious need to stretch your dollar and get the most out of the parks without overspending. Planning a trip to Disney can be super stressful - there is a ton to do and only so much time in a day. So how can you justify the costs while still getting the full experience? Hopefully the following tips can not only put your mind at ease, but also your bank account.
Stay at a Value Resort Hotel
Walt Disney World Resort has an overwhelming amount of hotels to choose from. Fortunately, the list can be broken down into three categories: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. Each category speaks to the location, theming, dining, travel options, and general vibes. You definitely get what you pay for. That’s not to say Disney’s value resorts are less than ideal, because they most certainly are not. Value resorts offer a more classic hotel atmosphere: small rooms, standard pools, and quick service dining options. However, they still fully represent the magic of Disney with their amazing theming.
All-Star Movies, Music, & Sports
In the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, guests can find the main three Value Resorts. This is what most people think of when they think of Disney value. These three resorts sit side by side and are each uniquely themed. Rooms come standard with one King or Queen sized bed and one Queen sized table bed (wall pull-out). The interior of these rooms are pretty basic, but it’s what’s on the outside that will blow you away. All-Star Movies is the most recently renovated of the three and will likely cost a bit more than Music or Sports. The larger than life theming here is great for kids who just want to run around and explore or for the more nostalgic traveler. The only on-site travel option available for these resorts is the bus, which is really my only gripe. Lines can be really long in the mornings and are especially rough during the hotter and busy seasons, but that’s the trade off for staying at the most affordable hotels on property.
Pop Century Resort
The next step up from the All-Star Resorts is Disney’s Pop Century. Of all the value resorts, this one is my go-to. Conveniently located between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, guests staying at Pop Century have free access to the Skyliner (a gondola-esc travel system). This is my favorite way to travel in Disney World and beats the buses by far! Guests staying at Pop Century are transported back in time, where the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s are happening all simultaneously! The layout and rooms at Pop Century are similar to that of All-Star, but there’s just something about Pop that’s altogether better. The massive foosball players, Walkman, Lady and the Tramp, and Yo-Yo’s make this place unforgettable.
Pictured: Lady statue in the 1950’s section of the Pop Century Resort
Art of Animation Resort
Last, but not least is Art of Animation, the newest Value resort. Being the newest, it is also the most expensive of the value options. The theming here is absolutely insane. Each section of this hotel revolves around a different Disney film and it’s just incredible how the Imagineers brought these movies to life. Guests can stay in one of four different areas here: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Pixar’s Cars. This hotel also has Skyliner access, adding to its Value resort superiority. Even if you choose not to stay here, it’s just a quick walk from Pop Century and it’s definitely worth exploring and taking advantage of the amazing photo opportunities.
Pictured: Taking advantage of the free and speedy Skyliner Transportation
Bring your own food
Believe it or not, you can bring your own food into the parks. The food in the parks, while I highly recommend enjoying, is pricey. If you have the opportunity to go grocery shopping or schedule an Amazon delivery to your hotel room, you can bring your favorite food items into the parks. This is great not only for saving money, but also if you have picky eaters in your group or those with food allergies. You can bring prepackaged snacks like chips, fruit, or granola bars, or even homemade sandwiches. Disney recommends putting food in clear plastic containers to make getting through security easier, but glassware is no-go. Just make sure to let the cast members know as you go through security to make the process easier on everyone.
Use Disney Visa Gift Cards
This is by far my favorite money saving hack in Disney World. Every time I go to the parks, I never ever use my debit card (unless I’m calling an Uber or something like that). Before my trip, I estimate how much I plan to spend on food and souvenirs. I then save up that amount weeks ahead of time and use that money to purchase a Disney Visa Gift Card. In doing so I know exactly how much I’m spending and I don’t have to see a thousand different transactions on my account statement at the end of the month. This is also great for teaching kids responsibility and money management in an appropriate manner. Kids want everything they set their eyes on while in Disney. If they know they have their own gift card to use throughout the trip with only a certain amount of money on it, then they might hesitate before committing to that bubble wand or light up Mickey balloon. While both are cool, they’re not nearly as cool as character themed Ear Headbands or Shoulder Pals.
Pictured: Me with my Orange Bird Shoulder Pal
Skip the Magic Band
Magic Bands are your key to the kingdom, worn on your wrist. You can sync your Disney account information to your Magic Band and use it to access your hotel room, your park tickets, Lightning Lanes, and even your credit card. They come in pretty colors and even feature some of your favorite characters. They’re awesome, but not needed. They’ll also run you at least $40 - yikes! Instead of using a Magic Band to access all that, well, magic, you can use the My Disney Experience app on your phone or pick up a card from Guests Services once you arrive at the first Disney park you plan to experience. Magic Bands are a cute and fun accessory, but definitely not a must have.
BYOP (Bring Your Own Poncho)
You may not have known this, but it rains in Florida. A lot. Disney does sell branded ponchos in the parks and at the resort hotels, but they’re expensive for a piece of plastic! Even if there’s no rain forecasted for your trip, or you think you can tough it out, save yourself the trouble and get one on Amazon or from your local Walmart. You’ll thank me later.
Take advantage of the free stuff
Yes, I said free.
Water
While there are water fountains and bottle filling stations around the parks, they’re not as easily found as the many many trash cans. That being the case, you can pick up a free cup of water at any quick service dining location. You’re going to want all the water you can get walking ten miles a day in one-hundred degree Florida humidity.
Celebration Buttons
Disney offers these really cute celebration buttons for all guests. You can ask for a button from any cast member at your hotel’s front desk or inside any gift shop. There are four different button options: First Visit, Happy Birthday, I’m Celebrating, and Happily Ever After. You can write your name, special occasion, or date on your button and wear it around the parks, then save as a great souvenir. When I go for my birthday, I like to count how many cast members wish me a “happy birthday” upon seeing my button (I once got up to 42). Sometimes, you may be offered a special perk when wearing your button, like front row seats to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular or a free dessert.
Pictured: Free Disney Celebration Button from my first 4 parks / 1 day trip
Crafts
At the resort hotels and in the parks, you may find opportunities for crafting. Once, in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot, I came across a cast member teaching guests how to make origami and guests were able to take home their creations. During the Festival of the Arts, guests can contribute to a paint-by-number mural in Epcot. In Animal Kingdom, guests can hop on the train to the Conservation Station, which not only has a petting zoo, but also The Animation Experience. Here, guests can learn from a real animator how to draw beloved characters. This class is 25 minutes long and follows a strict schedule which you can find posted outside of the Conservation Station or on the My Disney Experience app.
Pictured: My drawing of Daisy Duck at the Animation Academy in Disney’s California Adventure
Scavenger Hunts
While some scavenger hunts in Disney World are not free (like the festival scavenger hunts in Epcot), there are other options. In Magic Kingdom, guests can take part in five different pirate treasure hunts with A Pirates Adventure - Treasure of the Seven Seas. Each one takes about 20 minutes, but it is so fun and totally worth it. The treasure hunt is only in Adventure Land, so you don’t even have to travel far. Additionally, over in Fantasy Land by the Tangled themed bathrooms (yes, I know, that movie deserves better than a bathroom) guests can search for 10 different hidden Pascals. In Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Explorers of all ages can collect up to 25 badges (stickers) as they learn about different animals and wilderness skills. Lastly, in Hollywood Studios, guests can experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on a whole new level. After downloading the Play Disney Parks app, guests can use their smartphone as a Data Pad, translating various languages, collecting cargo, helping Outpost residents, and choosing to be a part of the First Order or the Resistance.
Pictured: One of the five maps for A Pirates Adventure - Treasure of the Seven Seas
Hidden Mickeys
This last one is a classic. There are about 1,000 hidden Mickeys across the Walt Disney World property. They’re all over the parks and the hotels, but you won’t find any in Pandora - The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom. The Disney Company does not have a compiled list of hidden Mickeys, so it’s up to you to keep track of them all. This is a great way to keep kids busy or create a little competition amongst your travel group.
There’s no right or wrong way to do Disney World.
Everyone has their own vision for what a magical Disney vacation looks like and that’s okay! It can be stressful and confusing, but don’t be afraid to ask the cast members for assistance upon arrival (their help is free, too), they want you to have a magical experience just as much as you do. Even though Disney is a huge expense, it is possible to make it all a bit more bearable. Hopefully you found these tips helpful, or at least insightful.