As Disney lovers, we are often divided regarding opinions, but there is one fact about a Walt Disney World vacation that we agree on: it is not cheap. We might not all have the same interpretation of its value, but I rarely come across someone who doesn’t acknowledge the rising costs of this family experience (and, granted, the costs of living in general). No amount of discounts, coupons, and hacks will make this holiday destination an inexpensive option; however, some tricks can make your credit card bill a little less paralyzing when you get back home. Here are five ways to save money this October at Walt Disney World.
Take Advantage Of Kids Eat Free
Throughout October, several Disney Springs restaurants offer Kids Eat Free dining on certain days of the week. While kid’s meals won’t be the bulk of your expenditure, having them taken off the bill as a complimentary inclusion can add up to some pretty decent savings over the course of your stay. And the good news is there are a few fantastic dining locations to choose from, like Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian.
If you are visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom on October 2nd, 2024, make your reservations now at the Rainforest Cafe to enjoy a special Kids Eat For 99c offer that is being shared once a month all year long in honor of the restaurant’s 30th Anniversary year.
Give Your Kids A Budget
One of the things I always find adds up on our Disney vacations is the merch spending. Now, obviously, a lot of this is my fault; I think we all know by now that I have a slight problem when it comes to turning away from my beloved new Disney merchandise. (If not, don’t miss our weekly Monday Merch Meetings for a curated list of what’s new and hot every week) One thing I found helpful to stop my kids from grabbing at everything they see is to set them a budget with cash! My kids are teenagers now, and one thing I’ve noticed that sets their generation apart from mine is that with every tap of a card, they never had the chance to experience a sense of value in spending money. Parting with physical cash is quite emotionally challenging, rather than tapping away invisible numbers on a card.
Over the years, I started setting them a budget with money that I held for them, but they had to experience seeing it deplete as they spent. It didn’t take long before I started to see a change in how they used their money, making decisions more difficult to think about. Do I want to invest my last $20 in this thing? The kicker with this one is not giving them more. That rigid boundary of running out of money is a hard lesson the first time, but it is much more valuable than the extra thing they are convinced they need. Keeping a budget in control will help you save money on all those frivolous purchases that aren’t required.
Fuel up With Breakfast in Your Room
I swear by this one for more reasons than just saving money. Your food bill at Walt Disney World can be horrendous some days. With three meals a day and, of course, those must-have snacks we pass by along the way, those dollars can add up to significant numbers that you can’t pre-pay in advance. To save myself the horror of such a huge bill, I always serve my family (and I use the term serve loosely) breakfast in our room or around the resort. A few picnic bowls to take with you and some supplies from a local store can last you all week at a fraction of the cost of stopping for breakfast. My family opts for cereal, bagels, and fresh fruit. Cereal with milk and berries is easy to manage in the room if you have a resort room with a fridge, and in the cooler months, you can make some instant oatmeal in your room for that warm feeling before you head out for the day. Protein bars are also popular with my teenagers.
Overall, eating breakfast in your room can serve three purposes. It allows you to start your day with controlled nutrition, not just another serving of waffles or pancakes because they are there, and why not? A good, healthy breakfast can set you up for better energy throughout the day and save that calorie expenditure for later when the good stuff comes along. Unless you take it to a weird place and create your own in-room buffet each day, it’s going to save you money. Lastly, my real motivation for doing this on most occasions is that it will save you time! After long Disney days, waking up an hour later and still making that rope drop morning at the next park is like a gift from the Disney gods. A complete, sit-down breakfast is time-consuming and often eats into time I don’t have to spend waiting for a meal. I like to fuel up and get moving!
Take Advantage of Happy Hour
The cost of alcohol can have a huge impact on your budget, and, unfortunately, the more we drink, the more likely it is to get away from us. As you become relaxed and that chill feeling takes over, thoughts of responsible spending tend to drift away. Some Disney Springs restaurants, like The Edison and City Works Pour House & Eatery, are offering Happy Hour food and beverage specials that can save you money on a relaxing afternoon where there might be a few drinks involved. In some cases, arriving for meals just a fraction earlier in your afternoon/evening can be all it takes to knock some significant numbers off your final bill.
Think Twice About Park Hopper & Lightning Lanes
Unless your trip to Walt Disney World is a short whirlwind trip where your main focus is to shove in as much action as possible, I would suggest thinking twice about Park Hopper tickets. If you can spare at least one day in each park, I often find that there is no need to hop between parks, not to mention that the distance between them can take a time-consuming chunk out of your day. If you want to enjoy some in-park dining or entertainment experiences, get those locked away before planning your park time. That way, you can work around the park you already are in and eliminate the need for the Park Hopper Pass.
When it comes to Lightning Lane Multi Passes (Genie+, FastPass, or whatever you want to call them), I’m all in. I’m a huge believer in getting as much value out of that experience as possible. However, they aren’t necessary, and if you are looking to spend more than one day in a particular park, I wouldn’t add it for both days. Remember, not all rides are included in the pass, meaning you can’t experience the entire park using it. Sometimes, you might find it better to consider a one-off Lightning Lane purchase rather than the pass, depending on the time of year you will be visiting.
Another tip I will leave you with, not specific to October, is always to consider using a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent to help you arrange your trip. You can read more about my personal experience using Dreams here, including the huge savings that were made on my behalf, literally while I was sleeping!
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
