Let's be honest: Disney holidays [1] with your family can get pretty expensive pretty quickly. From adding on extras like the Disney Dining Plan, buying souvenirs for your kiddos, and planning out activities the whole family can do together, your budget could take a beating. But, there's plenty of magic you can make at Walt Disney World [2] or Disneyland [3] without totally overspending — if you know how to hack it. Luckily, we do! We've rounded up fifteen of our best budget-saving tips for families going to the Disney parks [4] that don't sacrifice an ounce of family time (or fun). Read on to see them all!
Bring Your Own Snacks
Even without a handy kitchen nearby, you can still purchase snacks from outside the park to eat during the day. Disney does allow guests to bring in their own food and drinks [6], which is a great way for your family to save some money. This is especially true if one of your children is a picky eater and only likes certain types of snacks — no hunting for toddler-friendly PB&J when a meltdown is imminent.
Use Gift Cards to Pay For Things
Target allows shoppers to purchase Disney gift cards [7] with their Target Red Card and get five percent off of the total gift card amount. This can add up to a huge savings [8] when you're shopping in the park. Disney gift cards can be used like cash in the parks when buying food, souvenirs, and more.
Consider Buying an Annual Pass
Buying an annual pass is something you're going to need to calculate out for your family, but the price could be worth it — passholders get discounts on dining and merchandise, free parking at the theme parks, and a whole year to enjoy the Disney parks (especially great if you live nearby). There are different levels of annual passes for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, so be sure to look at all of them to see if any might work for your family.
Go Camping While at Disney
The cheapest place to stay at Walt Disney World [10] is the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds [11], where the typical campsite is about $75 a night. Not only do you still get all of the amazing amenities that Disney offers — including free transportation to and from the park, and the ability to book FastPass+ options before non-resort guests — you can save some money and have a unique experience with your family!
Consider Taking Your Kids Before They Turn 10
If your kids are still under 10 years old, their ticket to get into the Disney parks [12] are cheaper . . . even free, depending on age! Tickets for kids age 3-9 are a little less than adult tickets (considered ages 10+), and kids three and under get into the Disney parks for free — making for a great savings.