Angela just left a great comment on my post about Disney’s Armed Forces Salute ending this year, she mentioned how pricey a disney vacation can be and it got me thinking. There are so many ways to save on a Disney vacation, I just want to throw out a couple.
One thing I’ve done for more than ten years is I that when I pay for something with cash I always use bills, I never pay with exact change. Even if it’s only a few cents over I’ll pay with a 5,10, or 20. Then at the end of every day the change from the day goes in my Disney Fund. This can add up! It depends on how long it is until your next Disney vacation, but one year I saved over three hundred dollars for our trip using this idea. The extra cash really came in handy during that year’s trip to Disney! I did recently buy one of those battery operated coin rollers, but when the kids were younger it was fun for them to help count out the coins.
A way to save once you are at Disney is while dining. Disney portions are often very large, so share your meals. You don’t want to get too full anyway because you’ll need room for those great Disney treats (Mickey bars, popcorn, churros, etc.). Buy one large soda and share, it’s cheaper that buying several mediums and Disney restaurants will give you a cup of ice for free to divide the soda into. Or just opt for a water served free in a soda cup instead of paying for a bottled water.
Angela mentioned it can be hard to make reservations and get into Shades of Green based on not knowing when you’ll be able to take leave. So if you find yourself in the situation where Shades is full, you’re going to have to try to find the best deal that you can at a Disney resort or elsewhere. Shades of Green does offer Overflow Rates (reservations made through Shades of Green for Disney World Resorts at a discounted rate), check what price they are offering and compare it to the best rate you can find through Disney. If you are trying to find the best Disney rate you might want to consider using a fee free travel professional like Amy at Ears of Experience, travel agents are on top of all the latest deals. Or you could stay off Disney property. Every hotel chain imaginable is located close to Disney World and they are often a cheaper option than Disney resorts. Many hotels have their own shuttles to get you to Disney. Or do you have any hotel points saved up for free nights? The amount of points required to stay near Disney are high but, every free night is one less to pay for.
Well those are a few of my ideas for helping save for and make a Disney vacation more affordable. How about you? I’d love to hear some of your favorites. Leave a comment on this post with your favorite one or two ideas. I’m sure there are lots of great ideas out there!
Thanks, Steve
Related posts:
- How to get the cheapest WDW vacation with all these packages?With all of the Disney deals that have been coming...
- The Ultimate Post Deployment Orlando Vacation – Orlando Military Discounts SeriesTrying to plan the Ultimate Post Deployment Vacation Getaway? A...
- Universal Orlando Offers Military Vacation Packages For 2010As part of their Military Salute Offer Universal Orlando has...
- Stay Fit During Your Disney Vacation at Shades of Green’s GymWhenever I head to Disney I go with the resolution...
- Disney World Food SavingsWith the end of Disney's 2010 Armed Forces Salute looming...
I have purchased gift cards each pay day from various restaurants that I know will be in the area that way we can save on our dining each day .
Great idea! You are spreading out your cost. check out restaurant.com they have some restaurants in the Disney area and their certificates are discounted. Also I just saw this today on the Disney Food Blog, Orlando’s Magical Dining Month (September) a three course meal for $30, some restaurants are in/near Disney.