073 How to Do Disney on a Budget

Let’s face it. Going to Disney Parks with your family is expensive. The good news is that there are ways to save significant amounts of money when heading to Disney Parks. Beth Vermillion joins Lisa and they discuss practical ways to save money when planning a Disney trip, how to find great accommodations at budget-friendly prices, bargain ways to enjoy lots of delicious food in the parks, plus many general tips that will help your Disney days run smoothly. Ready to plan an amazing Disney family vacation and save a lot of money while doing it? Join us to learn about these parent-tested, money-saving ideas.

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“You can save money on lodging and then use that cash for other Disney experiences.”

— Beth Vermillion

How to Use Credit Card Rewards

I know! Using credit cards can seem a bit intimidating but if you choose the card(s) that is right for your family, pay it off in full every month, it really can be a great way to gather Disney gift cards and money back on things you were going to spend anyway. Commit to using your cash rewards as a great money-saving Disney trip funding technique.

Disney Chase Card: If you spend $500 in the first three months of having this card, you will receive a $200 gift Disney card. You can refer your spouse, spend another $500 in the first three months, and get a second $200 Disney gift card. (No annual fee.)
American Blue Cash Reserve Card: Save 6% off at grocery stores. When you spend $1000, you get $250 back in statement credit. Annual fee $95 which you will make that back from grocery and gas purchases. Use the 6% savings and move that amount into a Disney savings account.
Buy Disney gift cards at Kroger affiliated stores and get 6% off, with the American Blue Cash Reserve Card (it counts as a grocery purchase!) PLUS do it when the cards are 4x fuel points and get even more off because of the gas savings you will receive! This is better than discounts at Target or Sam’s Club.
Capital One Venture card: Get $500 towards travel forgiveness when you spend $3000 first three months. The $500 cannot be used directly at a Disney Park, but you can book Disney trips through a travel agent or tour company like Undercover Tours or Get Away Today. That will allow the $500 credit to be applied. $0 annual fee the first year. 2% cashback on everything.

Other creative ways to pay for Disney

Sold trash for a year and went to both Land and World (listen to the episode to get all of Beth’s details on this.)
Have kids earn money by doing odd jobs for neighbors
Create a side gig from a talent for vacations only.
Teach a summer craft/dance/art class in your home.
Have your teens run their own neighborhood summer camp.
Set up a savings account at the bank that is only for travel. Put all of this extra money you earn right into that account and watch the cash grow.

How To Find Affordable Disney Lodging

Look on eBay. Beth purchased a stay at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for $300 for the week
You can also rent Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points through eBay. Owners list their points and you can buy directly from them.
Look on Priceline for Disneyland hotels.
You can stay on-site at Disney World with discounted hotels. Search on Hotwire. Then use Revealhotels.com to tell you which hotel it is so that you know where you will be staying before you book it. Hotwire will not say the name of the hotel, only the amenities.
If visiting Disney World, consider camping at Camp Wilderness. Great facilities, shuttle to the parks, quiet getaway from crowds. You can arrange to have an RV delivered to your campsite.
You can rent DVC weeks from people on various Facebook pages.
At Disneyland, stay away from Disney hotels if you want to save money. Look for hotels on Harbor Boulevard right by the main gate entrance. Hotel Guides has a good interactive map so you can see the locations of the hotel options.

How to Eat on a Budget on a Disney Vacation

Book a hotel that includes breakfast
Buy Disney gift cards at Kroger to use on food in the parks. (See above in the credit card section about how to save on the gift cards.)
Order groceries and have delivered from Walmart or Amazon Prime Now, Instacart (Publix) for Disney World. Use the groceries for breakfast, snack, and maybe even pack a lunch.
You can bring any food into Disney Parks. No glass is allowed.
Outline your menu plan before your trip so everyone has a clear expectation. Example: Breakfast at the hotel, pack a sandwich for lunch, eat dinner at one of the park restaurants. Plus make a plan for what snacks you will enjoy.
Give a gift card to each kid to use on their own snacks. Great way to teach about budgeting.
Subway is close to Disneyland. You could pick up sandwiches there to enjoy in the park.
Free ice and water at every counter service-fill up Brita bottles instead of buying drinks
Walt Disney World: Buy a popcorn bucket. Refill as many times as you want for $2 per refill. Even special popcorn in Epcot (does not include Werther’s Carmel Popcorn from Germany.)
Pack easy Mac for kids and use baby center microwaves to warm it up.
Bring oatmeal in disposable bowls with water from the microwave.

Tips to Make Your Disney Days Run Smoothly

Stroller rental: Save time and have the convenience of renting a stroller you keep with you for the duration of your stay at the parks. Kingdom Stroller at Disney World and City Strollers at Disneyland are good options.
Go to Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Collect the card packs and play!
Complete two missions at Pirate’s Adventure and get Fastpass+ for Pirates of Caribbean for everyone in your party at Walt Disney World.
Buy cheap shoe holder and cut off bottom rows, attach to stroller with zip ties for storage. It’s easy to access all of your gear, water bottles, sunscreen, and snacks.
Buy a large carabiner to hang stuff on stroller/fanny packs.

This is all great advice from Beth and we are grateful for her sharing what works for her family. You can pick and choose what you feel will work best for your family when planning a budget-friendly trip to a Disney Park.

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