Chances are, you’re not a millionaire — and you didn’t win 2016’s record-breaking Powerball drawing. But prices at Walt Disney World are getting so high that it seems as if millionaires are just about the only people who can afford a vacation that includes an on-preoperty stay. Tickets typically cost more every year, and prices for rooms, food and souvenirs are constantly on the rise as well.
Luckily, there are some tips and tricks that can help make a trip to the World much more affordable. And even though a one-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom now costs a staggering $105, it’s actually possible to take a Walt Disney World vacation where you visit all of the parks and stay on property for around $100 a day. How is that possible? Read on to find out.
1. Optimize your ticket options
While it now costs more than $100 a day just for one adult to visit the Magic Kingdom alone (and $97 to enter Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom), prices dramatically drop when you stretch out your visit into multiple days. A two-day ticket, for any theme park, costs $96 per day, but a five-day ticket drops the price to enter any park to $63 a day. And if you can manage to stay even longer, a 10-day ticket will get you into any park for only $36.50 a day. These prices apply only to single-day, single-park tickets, which means that Park Hoppers aren’t included, and the days must be used within two weeks of their first use. But if you’re looking to save money and don’t mind staying in a single park all day, these tickets are definitely worth the lower prices.
2. Don’t be afraid to rough it
Walt Disney World has no shortage of accommodation choices, but the price of a room at one of its Value Resorts, such as Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music and Sports, will cost you around $89 a night — which will quickly eat up your $100-a-day budget. Thankfully, there’s a much cheaper option, and it’s still on Disney property (and is extremely convenient to the Magic Kingdom!).
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort provide a place to stay for only about $52 a night. The catch is that it’s just like its name suggests — a place for a tent or a pop-up campsite. If you bring your own RV or tent, you’re good to go, but if you need to rent a tent, that will cost you about $30 more a night. (And don’t worry about things like bathing and going to the bathroom — there are more than a dozen “comfort stations” around the campground that have private showers, restrooms, laundry facilities and more.)
Fort Wilderness also has no shortage of fun things to do to keep you occupied when you’re not at the parks. At the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, you can visit Cinderella’s Ponies and the horses that are seen on Main Street U.S.A., or ride in a carriage or a wagon. You can also watch movies underneath the stars and participate in Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long. There’s also plenty of other outdoor activities to choose from, such as fishing, bike rentals and jogging trails.
3. Pack a lunch
Another item that can quickly kill a budget is food. You might be tempted to cut down on the number of meals you need in order to save money, but the fact is that you will definitely need extra calories in order to handle all the walking that you’ll do all day. And while Mickey Ice Cream Bars and souvenir-bucket popcorn can be hard to resist, your wallet will thank you when you pass by all of those treats.
Guests are allowed to bring food into the parks, though Disney suggests that the food not require heating, and they request guests to inform security castmembers about the food items as they’re entering a park. Plan to stuff a backpack with power bars (which are good for breakfast and quick snacks), a refillable water bottle and sandwiches that can be eaten for lunch or dinner. Fruits and vegetables (like baby carrots) are also a good (and healthy!) choice. Or, if you don’t want to bring your own food, you can try venturing off of Disney property, where food is considerably cheaper.
4. Buy your souvenirs before or after your trip
Have you been to a dollar store lately? If you haven’t, you might be surprised to see lots of Disney-themed items there. These stores are also a good place to stock up on trip essentials. Instead of paying nearly $10 for a poncho in the parks, you can grab one there for only a buck. You can plan to steer clear of the souvenir shops in the parks, but if you’re anxious to make a purchase, you can try waiting until after your trip. DisneyStore.com features a lot of the same park-exclusive merchandise for sale online, and you might prevent a lot of frenzied in-park shopping decisions, which will save you lots of money.
There are also two official Disney Outlets off property that sell official Disney Parks merchandise for as much as 70% off. Though these outlets require a 20-30 minute drive off property, it’s possible to get t-shirts, MagicBands, collectibles, pins, plushes and more for a fraction of their original price.
5. Forgo the extras
Sure, Disney’s PhotoPass Service is nice, but you’ve probably got your own camera. And the Disney Dining Plans save some hassle when paying at restaurants, but you might not normally spend that much money on food (and you may have tons of food and credits left over at the end of your trip). These — and other amenities — aren’t necessary for an awesome vacation. You don’t need them and you’ll likely find that you don’t even miss them. Plus, the most important part of a Disney trip — the memories you make — are free, and priceless. So if you start saving a little money now, you could be at Walt Disney World in no time, even if you’re not a millionaire.
