I’m a Frugal Mom: These Are My Favorite Ways To Save Money at Disney
According to Lydia Storks of AllEars.net, the price of admission to Disney World has increased 32% in the last decade. In fact, Disney's official website shows a one-day, one-park ticket currently hovering around $160. For a family of four, that’s $640. For one day. And that’s before travel, lodging and food.
What is a family on a budget to do?
Patricia Curts, co-owner and managing director of The Mexican Collection, is a mother who has spent years figuring out how to cut back on travel expenses without her children noticing any difference in quality.
“Disney is a place that I’ve had to get very smart about very fast,” Curts said. “As a mom who enjoys traveling, I personally know how fast a holiday budget is gone the moment you walk through those gates.”
Here are a few ways Curts manages to save money at Disney.
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Timing Is Everything
Disney offers significant savings on ticket prices during what the park unofficially calls “Value Seasons.” This is the period from mid-January to early February, as well as a brief period in late August. (When kids are back in school after holidays and summer and demand is low).
Per Curts, prices are typically 30% cheaper than they are at peak season. Therefore, these are the dates she books. And, since the parks are quieter, Curts and her family wait in shorter lines and ride more rides.
Stay Off Site
“The most crucial tip I can give if you’re on a budget is to stay off site,” said Curts, who explained you don’t have to stay on the Disney property in order to have a fantastic experience. Plus, many off-site locations provide access to free shuttles that will take you to the parks.
“My family stayed at the Hampton Inn Lake Buena Vista, which provided us with a clean, comfortable place to stay for an affordable price,” Curts added.
According to their website, rooms average $170 per night. Compare that to a Disney resort which ranges from $250 to $600 per night for a standard room.
Book in Advance
When it comes to saving money on hotels, Curts said you should make sure to book at least six months out. This is because booking early secures your rate before demand spikes. If you wait until the last minute and availability is low, your rates will be higher.
Keep Checking for Price Drops
Occasionally, both off-site hotels and Disney resort hotels will unexpectedly offer promotions or rate reductions. This is because, if occupancy is low, hotels will slash rates to increase bookings. The key is to keep refreshing the official websites to see if hotel rates have dropped.
“I still remember the excitement I felt when I refreshed my screen and saw the price drop overnight; the kind of win that gives you two more days’ worth of meals inside the park,” Curts explained.
While this can be unpredictable, it’s still worth exploring. And even if you booked your hotel six months ago (as Curts advocated), many properties offer free cancellations or re-bookings at lower rates.
Have Groceries Delivered To Your Hotel
Amanda Reed, mom of two young kids and professional Disney vacation planner at White Gloves Travel Company, offered an additional, money-saving tip worthy of honorable mention: upon arrival, get groceries delivered to your hotel via Amazon Fresh.
“I’ll typically get a crate of bottled waters, fresh fruit and other breakfast items — plus, our family’s go-to snacks to take with us in the parks,” Reed explained. Because food is much more expensive inside the parks, this move easily saves $50 to $75 per day for a family of four. If your family stays for four days, that’s a savings of anywhere from $200 to $300.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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