Disney World may be the “most magical place on earth” but it certainly isn’t the cheapest. So, the good news is, there are plenty of ways to save a dollar or two if you follow our handy tips.
Get shopping delivered to your Disney hotel
Snacks are not cheap in Disney World. A Mickey pretzel can set you back $7.79 in the parks and if you want to indulge in a famous turkey leg, that’ll be $13.49. Now, a few Disney treats are a must on holiday but forking out for theme park snacks for a two-week long trip is going to be an expensive business, so our tip is to book a grocery order straight to your Disney resort before you fly out.
The process is really easy, and you can open an account with a US grocery store like Walmart in the UK ahead of time and choose your items and book a slot. It’s worth remembering most Disney rooms have just a small cooler rather than a full on fridge, so space for storing chilled food is limited but you can get in some quick breakfast options, snacks and drinks, which will save you a small fortune in the parks.
Don’t buy water in the parks
If you don’t plan ahead, with the Florida heat and the sheer amount of steps you’ll be doing, you could find yourself shelling out a lot on bottled water in the parks. A bottle of water is around $3.75 – so $15 a time for a family of four, if you do that every day on a two week holiday, that’s $210. So be smart, take your water bottles into the parks and when you need to fill them up at the water stations around the parks or ask for water, which is available for free at self-service food locations.
Buy kids meals
Don’t forget that adults can buy kids meals at self-service food joints in Disney World. This is a real money saver, particularly if you’re not super hungry, or have a special dinner planned later in the day. You can pick up a meal of chicken tenders and fries for around $8 at somewhere like the Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios or a grilled chicken bowl at Satu’li Canteen at Animal Kingdom is a similar price if you’re looking for something a little different.
Bring your fans or ponchos with you
Keeping cool in the Florida heat is a must in the parks but if you wait ’til you’re in the parks to buy your fans, it’s gonna cost over double the price. You can pick up handheld fans, neck fans and mist fans at a fraction of the cost on the internet and pop them in your case. The same goes for ponchos – you can get some good quality ones on the internet that will be way more use and value for money than the thin plasticy ones you’ll get in the parks.
Buy your Disney ears and clothing before you arrive
Now we’re not saying you have to wear them on the plane (although you’re coming to Disney, so why the hell not) but buying your Disney ears in the UK is definitely the cheaper option. You can pick up a pair of Minnie ears at Primark for £6 in the UK but in Disney World they can be $35 (£27.50).
And with t-shirts it’s a similar story, they are an awful lot cheaper in places like Primark or George at Asda. Obviously there are special Disney ears and clothing that are only available in the Parks, so you might want to splurge a little but bringing a few Disney items in your case with you can get you in the mood from day one and avoid racking up a huge spend on merch.
