All kids dream of going to Disney World. Even Super Bowl players proudly announce after winning the big game, “I’m going to Disney World!” 

But because Disney World is steadily getting more expensive, families are desperately looking for ways to make their kids’ dreams come true without breaking the bank. 

Experts claim that the average Disney World vacation this year costs between $4,710 and $7,435. Or, put another way: $235 to $372 per person per night. [source]

The base ticket prices rise every year, with 2022’s starting price now nearly $448 for 4 days with the cost increasing to as much as $597 on high-traffic days.

Now factor in the 2022 introduction of the Genie Plus fast pass system. Starting this year, a family of four can expect to pay an additional $60 to $240 per day in addition to the ticket price to ensure they get to ride their favorite rides.

The former FastPass system was free to use. Let’s just say it – Disney is expensive. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your family to the most magical place on earth.

Instead, you should use these tips to plan a budget-friendly Disney vacation. 

1. Use Disney World Discounts 

Before you purchase any tickets or hotel rooms, check to see what discounts Disney World is offering. They do run special offers from time to time that add up to substantial savings, such as free meal plans for booking a room at an on-site hotel. 

For example, at press time, there is a special offer to save up to 25% on rooms for Disney+ subscribers and discounts for U.S. military members. You’d hate to book a hotel and then discover you could have gotten a better deal directly through Disney World. 

Grab the Dosh App and Earn Cash Back When You Subscribe to Disney+

Spending less isn’t about giving up all the things you enjoy. It’s about leveraging easy opportunities to earn and save. Dosh is one of those opportunities.

Dosh is a free app that pays you cash back when you shop, dine, and travel.

All you have to do is link your cards and shop as you normally would. 

Dosh has more than 100,000 partners that pay, so you’re bound to score some free cash.

Guess what, Disney+ is one of those brands!

So, if you plan on subscribing to Disney+ to save on rooms at Disney World, sign up for Dosh first.

Download Dosh (grab your $1 welcome bonus when you connect your card) and start earning cash back effortlessly on everyday purchases.

Once you’ve earned $25, redeem through Paypal or Venmo. 

2. Work with Disney Travel Agent 

Don’t have hours to spend searching for the best Disney deals? Find yourself overwhelmed by the number of options? You need to book a Disney travel agent. 

A travel agent that specializes in Disney not only knows the parks inside and out but also knows when and how to score the very best deals. 

For instance, Disney travel agents are well aware of when special discounts will drop and are well connected.

In addition to planning around these discounts, they can apply these discounts to already booked trips saving you time and money.

Get 40% Off Your Flight to Disney

Don’t book your next Disney vacation without first checking out Scott’s Cheap Flights.

Simply input your home airpot, select your top vacation destinations (Choose Orlando for Disney), and you’re done.

You will receive daily deals straight to your inbox with cheap flights out of YOUR airport.

Please note: we’re not talking “good” deals. Scott promises to only send you amazing deals. Most deals are 40-90% off. The average member saves $550/flight when they book with Scott’s Cheap Flights. 

Try Scott’s Cheap Flights 14 days free.

Then grab 20% off your one year SCF Premium membership with promo code BUDGET20. See for yourself how easy and convenient it is to save money on all of your upcoming vacations. 

3. Avoid Popular Times 

Disney operates on a sliding scale for base ticket prices depending on the expected foot traffic. This means that the most popular days will cost more.

What this means for you is that a 7-day park hopper can increase from $582 to $785 just because of popularity. 

Hotels in the Disney World area operate the same way. One of the most effective budgeting tips for Disney is to avoid these popular times. 

Plan your Disney trip off-season or during the week. You’ll experience smaller crowds and enjoy lower prices.

4. Buy Disney Gear Online & Ahead of Time

Disney knows a thing or two about selling merch. The parks have souvenirs galore, and you are going to want to buy something. And, if you have kids, you know they will.

Instead of spending top dollar and paying those theme-park prices, look for Disney gear on Amazon before your trip. Build excitement for the trip with your kids by shopping with them online.

Use Amazon to purchase:

And don’t forget to stock up on other gear, like ponchos, before you head to the park. It is significantly cheaper to buy the things you will need and want before you arrive.

Vacations are Expensive, so Teach Your Kids Money Management Lessons with Greenlight

When you enter a Disney park, your kids are going to be excited, and they will want to buy everything.

With a Greenlight debit card for kids, you can teach them valuable money lessons (Disney gear costs a lot more when you’re at Disneyland!)

Greenlight is called the “debit card for kids and teens,” but it is so much more. Greenlight offers secured debit cards that are connected to a bank account. 

Through an app (available in the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore), parents have complete control of how their children use the cards, where they can use them, and how much they have to spend, save or give.

While on vacation, you let your kids be in “control” of their spending by setting a limit on what they can spend each day with their Greenlight debit card.

Teach your children sound financial literacy and rest easy knowing their money is secured when you get them a Greenlight debit card.

Sign up today, get your first month for free, and start building a firm financial foundation for your kids.

5. Don’t Buy the Dining Plan 

Quick service meals at Disney cost around $15-$20 for adults and $9-$12 for kids. Snacks cost between $5-$9. Meals add up fast.

A family of four could easily spend $120 for lunch and dinner in a Disney park each day, and we are not even talking about snacks. 

But you don’t have to buy the dining plan or even eat in the park! Pack a cooler and eat outside of the park as often as possible.

Additionally, a bottle of water at Disney costs $3.50 and sodas cost $4.00.

Avoid paying for water by taking in your own water bottle. You can fill up a water bottle for free in the park!

6. For the Most Savings, Stay Off-Site

Disney is home to a variety of resort hotels, but you pay significantly more for the perks of staying on property. Even their value resorts are pricey.

Instead, book a hotel or Airbnb off-site. In addition to being cheaper, many of the off-site hotels offer perks like pools, transportation to the parks, and free breakfast.

Since you will be staying most of your day at the park, it doesn’t matter all that much where you sleep at night as long as it is safe, comfortable, and cool!

Free Workshop – Join our free Simplify Money Workshop

The *only* way to save money is to spend less than you earn. That means you need to decrease your expenses or increase your income.

We want to help you do both.

Join our FREE Simplify Money Workshop to learn the fundamentals of growing wealth. Because when you can spend less than you earn, your money has no choice but to grow. You will build your savings and pay down debt. 

What’s more? We’ve got a bunch of free money-hacks to share with you:

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This workshop has everything you need to accomplish the cardinal rule of personal finance: keep your income over your expenses.

Join our free 5-day Simplify Money Workshop, and start growing your wealth today.

7. If You Must Stay On-Site, Choose a Disney Value Resort

If you are set on staying on a Disney property (understandable given the perks of Extra Magic Hours and on-site transportation), choose to stay in one of Disney’s value resorts.

These resorts are the least expensive, but they are still filled with all the Disney charm guests have come to love.

You can expect the same type of Disney décor, entertainment, and on-site resort perks as the more expensive-tiered Disney properties.

Your room may be smaller, but again, you likely won’t be in it long enough for it to matter.

Up Next: 9 Travel Savings Hacks (that work)

travel savings hacks to budget on vacation

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