Making Your Family’s Next Disney World Trip Affordable (Without Sacrificing Fun!)

Earlier this year, Disney announced that it would again raise prices of its one-day admission tickets to as high as $159/person (depending on the time of year). Despite the frequent increases in park admission and hotel rates, well over 50 million people plan their trip to Disney World each year. If you and your family are looking for affordable ways to visit Disney World (without sacrificing any of the fun), check out these four top recommendations.

Split your trip up into payments

Those who are diligent with their money should feel comfortable in taking on a payment plan option to fund their next Disney World trip. Many travel companies (including Disney) allow you to put down an initial deposit, and pay the rest of your trip by a specific date. Additionally, if you are responsible with your funds, using a personal loan for a vacation can also be a helpful tool. Rather than having to quickly save up a large sum of money, you can spread out the cost of your vacation over the course of a few months.

Stay at an on-property hotel that isn’t a Disney resort

When staying at a Disney World resort hotel, it isn’t uncommon to spend upwards of $300-$1,000/night. Thankfully, there are numerous on-property hotels that can be found at a fraction of the cost. Wyndham, Hilton, and Best Western offer fantastic accommodations that are the same distance away from the parks as Disney-owned hotels. What’s even better? Many of these hotels offer shuttles to and from the parks, which means that you can also skip the cost of parking!

Buy discounted tickets

Disney World has created numerous ways for visitors to save on their admission tickets. Whether you plan to visit the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studies, Animal Kingdom, or all four, there are significant discounts that could be yours. If you are military or a Florida resident, you can purchase multi-day tickets at a major discount. Additionally, Sam’s Club began offering discounted Disney World tickets as of this year. If you are a club member, check with your local store for pricing and details.

Buy or make souvenirs in advance

One of the biggest expenses that families face at Disney World are the souvenirs. Rather than waiting to buy Disney shirts, toys, Mickey ears, and the like at the parks, buy or make your souvenirs in advance. As an example, Disney shirt makers on Etsy offer fun looks for the whole family at incredible prices. You can also get creative and make your own Disney flip flops, shirts, and ears to wear once you get to the parks.

Going to Disney World with your family on a budget doesn’t have to mean eating soggy sandwiches in the parking lot, staying an hour away from the parks, or missing out on fun souvenirs. By following the tips above, you can enjoy all of the same fun for a fraction of the cost.