Kindred, a home-swapping community, revealed in a recent study that the average vacation now costs $259.20 more per person. This trend resulted in the vast majority of travelers — 90%, according to the survey — wanting to cut back on their travel spending this summer. Saving money on travel remains a top priority for many families, but this desire especially rings true for pricier getaways like Walt Disney World.
As the Most Magical Place on Earth prepares for a busy summer season, budget reigns supreme. The lineup of new summer offerings includes a brand-new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, a re-imagined version of Test Track at EPCOT, and added character interaction opportunities for kids across the resort. These attractions will attract a large number of visitors to the parks, many of whom will do so while remaining mindful of their budget.
Travel experts offer a range of strategies to help keep the cost of a Walt Disney World summer vacation in check. These cost-saving measures range from large-ticket items, such as hotels, to smaller expenses that add up quickly.
On- Versus Off-Property Resort Benefits
Hotel accommodations represent one of the biggest line items in a travel budget, particularly regarding Walt Disney World vacations. Avid fans pay a premium to book Disney World’s on-property hotels and stay close to the theme parks, which Megan duBois, Senior Theme Park Editor at Family Vacationist, says adds up to savings elsewhere.
“One of the benefits is 30 minutes of early entry into each park, each day of your stay,” duBois shares. “If you use your time wisely, you can do at least two attractions before other guests are let in, and you already have a head start on the day.” This strategy helps cut the cost of other time-saving measures, such as Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a tool that allows its purchasers to bypass standby lines.
Another benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World hotel this summer involves free water park admission on the day of check-in for all guests whose names appear on the reservation. “Instead of buying an extra day of park tickets, which can add hundreds of dollars to your overall vacation cost, head to the water parks for a day of free fun,” duBois adds.
Kimberly Fidler, Vice President of Marketing of Get Away Today, points out how spending a little more to stay on Disney World property feels counterintuitive to saving money overall. “You get extra perks, and the transportation is all included. You’ll save a lot of time, and when you’re paying so much to be there, that is valuable.”
On the contrary, travel writer and owner of Delish Knowledge, Alexandra Caspero, argues that families must prioritize their budget when thinking of hotel accommodations. Saving the most money means looking into off-property options.
“Many off-property hotels are often more budget-friendly than staying at the resort, especially when you factor in the dining options available,” says Caspero. “Many close hotels offer transportation to and from the parks.” If a family wants to prioritize staying on Disney World property, the lower-priced Value Resorts offer the best of both worlds: lower prices with the on-property perks described by duBois.
Skip Costly Add-Ons
Families keep the cost of a Walt Disney World vacation in check by staying aware of sneaky add-ons. Many of these purchases appear like a convenience, but they ultimately do not move the needle and only cost visitors more money. Experts cite Park Hopper tickets, which allow guests to visit more than one park on the same day, as one of the biggest culprits.
Fidler emphasizes that skipping Park Hoppers results in a less expensive and more stress-free experience. “You can save a lot of money by doing one park per day instead of park hopping. Zero in and focus on that one park experience,” she says.
Marjolein Dilven, founder of Spark Nomad, echoes the sentiment that skipping Park Hopper tickets results in significant savings – roughly $65 to $85 per person per day. “Single-day park tickets are much more economical,” Dilven notes. “Skip the Park Hopper tickets unless you’re certain you’ll park-hop. In my experience, one park per day still offers plenty to do.”
Dining represents another high-cost area of spending on a Disney World vacation. While a necessity, food and beverages do not need to break the bank. “I highly recommend packing your snacks and refillable water bottles, which can save a lot of money,” Caspero shares. “You can bring your food to the parks. I like to pack sandwiches, snacks, and beverages, and then we buy ice cream or another novelty treat at the park.”
Opting for sandwiches and pre-packed snacks, for example, cuts the cost of lunch by approximately $15 to $20 per person. For a week-long vacation, that money adds up to the cost of an extra night at the hotel or, if a family wants to visit multiple parks in one day, those aforementioned costly Park Hopper add-ons.
Making the most of a Walt Disney World vacation means planning one that remains fiscally responsible while allowing for a family’s top priorities to shine. Crunching the numbers in advance while deciding what matters facilitates a successful, cost-effective vacation.