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A trip to Disney World can be a memorable experience for your family, but it can also be incredibly expensive. It can be easy to spend thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation, but there are ways to save money, too.
Here are the five best ways to spend your money at Disney World to keep your vacation budget in check. Just be sure to keep an eye on the three worst ways to spend your money, too.
Best Ways to Spend Time at Disney
First, let’s take a look at some of the best purchases you can make during your visit to Disney.
meal plan
If you’ll be spending the entire day at Disney World, you can save money by purchasing a Dining Plan. according to disney tourist blogThe standard Disney Dining Plan costs $97.79 per day for adults and $30.56 for children. This usually includes two meals and a snack each day, as well as a refillable drink mug to use at Disney Resorts.
If your family includes several older children and adults who eat a lot, meal planning can save you money.
Crystal Palace Dining
Many of the dining experiences at Disney World are expensive. Takumi-tei in Epcot has options ranging from $150 to $250, while GEO-82’s Fireworks Experience costs $179 per person. If you want to treat your family to a dining experience, the Crystal Palace, which overlooks Main Street and Cinderella Castle, is a more affordable option.
The Crystal Palace serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, and members of the Hundred-Acre Wood meet and greet dining guests. Prices start at $35 per adult for breakfast and more than $60 for lunch and dinner, and you’ll need to reserve your table in advance, as it’s a popular spot.
Value Disney Resort Stay
You can save money on the Disney Magic by choosing a price tier during your stay at a Disney Resort hotel. The Value tier is the cheapest Disney resort option, but it still includes half an hour inside the park each day before the park officially opens. Instead of purchasing a Lightning Lane pass, you can use that time to access rides that often have long lines.
Alternatively, you may decide to live off-site, which may help you get lower accommodation rates. Just keep in mind that if you’re off-site, you won’t be able to take advantage of Disney transportation.
Care of Giants Tour
The Caring for Giants Tour is an affordable option that’s perfect for animal lovers. This Animal Kingdom tour takes you behind the scenes to see how the park cares for its African elephants. You’ll also get a chance to ask questions, and learn information from the artists.
The tour costs just $39 per person.
free activities
While many Disney experiences cost money, you can still find some free experiences, like parades, character meet-and-greets, daily park shows, and nightly fireworks shows. Disney World is also home to Disney Springs, which has no admission fee. You can enter Disney Springs for free and enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment.
Disney World shopping should be avoided
If you want to keep the costs of your Disney World trip low, avoid these three common pitfalls.
Souvenirs and Clothing
It’s easy to overspend on souvenirs and clothing at Disney World. Consider shopping online instead of purchasing items at the park to save money. You can find popular items like Mickey ears on Amazon for about a quarter of the price at Disney World. You can also find Disney clothing online, so your family can wear them more affordably during your trip.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass
The Lightning Lanes Premier Pass can help you skip lines and ride faster so you can enjoy more of your day at Disney World. But this pass is also an extravagance that may not be worth the money.
Pass prices may be higher around weekends and holidays mouse hackingThey can cost more than $400. Buying a day pass for your family can add thousands of dollars to your trip, so it’s usually best to avoid this expense.
water and snacks
These Disney World extravagances can add up quickly, with water bottles alone costing $4 to $8. Although water and snacks are essential, you do not need to purchase them at the park and can instead bring them from home. Doing this can save you hundreds of dollars, especially on multi-day trips.