No matter what type of family vacation I am planning, cost is always at the forefront of my mind when I’m looking for accommodations as well as activities. Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is no different for me and since I’ve been several times in the last few years, I’ve become the go-to person for my friends, family, and acquaintances when it comes to a variety of planning questions.
Like any vacation, the price of a Walt Disney World trip can add up pretty quickly so some of my favorite tips to share with others have to do with ways to save money… but even more than saving money, getting the most bang for your buck. This is a post for another day, but one of my first pieces of advice is to go when kids are school. I know this isn’t possible for everyone, but remember that there’s more to education than classroom experiences. Going during school season not only costs less, you get more value because you can accomplish more and (for my family) it is less stressful.
The next tip I have is to remember that you must stay hydrated and that all quick service restaurants offer free ice water. Many locations also have a large refill station set aside from the regular line. You can either grab a disposable cup there or bring your own refillable water bottle. Don’t ever pay $3.50 for a bottle of water if you don’t have to!
We also love grabbing free button pins (see photo) from guest service either at the hotel or parks. There are several different ones available including 1st Visit, Happily Ever After, Happy Birthday, and a general “I’m celebrating” one that can be left blank or written on by a cast member. You never know what kind of magic will come your way when cast members notice you’re celebrating something special!
The Lego Store at Disney Springs has a 3,000 square foot outdoor play area for children; this is a place where we always spend a good chunk of time with our Lego-crazy kids. It is a nice opportunity to sit and relax with an iced coffee from nearby Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company while they entertain themselves for a few.
A new experience we are looking forward to checking out is the Animation Experience at Conservation Station, located within Animal Kingdom. You do need park access to enjoy this attraction, but it is offered at no extra charge once inside the park. My kids are big fans of animation and are becoming quite the little artists. I know this is something they will absolutely love to try. It’s a 25 minute class during which a Disney animator teaches you to draw a character with step by step instructions. Fastpasses are available and recommended.
We don’t normally get the dining plan because we’ve found it’s too much food for us. We like to get out the door pretty quickly in the morning so we have packed non-perishable food items as well as had these shipped to our resort. Examples include peanut butter and rice cakes, protein bars, and jerky to name a few.
Let us know some of your favorite ways to save at Walt Disney World in the comments!
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Candice was raised in east Tennessee. While in college, her best friend dragged her to a Walt Disney World College Program recruiting session at the University of Tennessee and the rest is Disney history. In the Fall of 1999, Candice became a quick service food hostess for Sunset Ranch Market and Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios – or what is now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While soaking up her time as a cast member, she met Ryan, a neighbor and a fellow college programmer who worked as a custodial host at Epcot. Four years later, Candice moved to the Midwest and married that boy from across the hall. They now live in Greenwood, Indiana with their two little boys. The Disney-loving foursome took their first family trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in 2013 and Candice is eagerly planning their return. Candice also works full-time at a community mental health center and enjoys taking photographs and blogging at Mommy in the Midwest.
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