5 Tips to Plan a Disney World Vacation on a Budget

mickey mouse and walt disney statue at magic kingdom in front of the castle

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It’s no secret. Disney World is expensive! But how expensive depends on how you plan your trip. There are a few steps to planning a Disney World vacation. With these 5 tips, it’s possible to plan a Disney World vacation that fits into almost any budget.  

Tip #1: Park Tickets

The price of a one-day ticket to Disney World is what it is. There are no sales or discounts. This is why park tickets are going to be your largest hurdle. There are four parks at Disney World. To make this the most affordable Disney trip, let’s pick one. My suggestion would be to visit Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has the iconic castle and fireworks. It’s the park people think of when you say Disney World. Some may argue that one of the other parks is better, but if you can only visit one, I think it should be Magic Kingdom. Have you even been to Disney World if you’ve never been to Magic Kingdom? 

disney world one day one park ticket prices

Disney tickets have to be reserved in advance and the price depends on the date you choose. The image above shows the lowest priced ticket to Magic Kingdom during April 2022. The prices ranged from $119 for an adult to $149 for that month. With these prices, for a family of 4 with two adults and two children, you will pay $466. If that does not sound affordable to you, my suggestion would be to save up for it. It’s perfectly acceptable to begin planning a Disney vacation a year in advance. To see ticket prices for a different month visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/admission/tickets/

Tip #2: Airfare

If you are lucky enough to live within driving distance of Disney World, congratulations you’ve already jumped this hurdle and may move to the next. For the rest of you, you’ll be happy to know that airfare to Orlando International Airport (MCO) is not as expensive as you may think. Below are some airfare examples from major cities across America. If you don’t see your city listed, CLICK HERE to search for deals leaving from your home airport.  

Tip #3: Hotels

If you’re planning the most affordable Disney vacation to one park, I think a two night stay is reasonable. Orlando and Kissimmee are the most popular places to stay when visiting Disney due to their proximities to the parks. Between the two cities, there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. You can easily find a budget hotel to stay at for under $100 a night. Try to find one with a pool so your vacation doesn’t have to end at Disney. 

468*60

Tip #4: Transportation

This one is easier than you may think. Don’t want the expense of renting a car at the airport? There’s no need. Many area hotels have free shuttle service back and forth to the parks and some of them may even have free shuttle service to and from the airport. Look for these perks before choosing your hotel. Other transportation options include rideshare like Uber and Lyft, and local cabs. 

Tip #5: Food

One easy way to go over budget at Disney World is buying food and snacks. Did you know that Disney World allows guests to bring food and drinks into the parks? If you really don’t want to spend the extra money, pack sandwiches, snacks, juices, and water, just like you would on a trip to the zoo. Most hotels offer free hot or continental breakfast and for dinner, there are plenty of fast food options in walking distance or available through UberEats or DoorDash. 

disneyland, fireworks, castle

You may have heard that a trip to Disney World costs thousands of dollars. While this can be true, it doesn’t have to be. A trip to Disney World can be done on a budget that most families can afford with time and careful planning. If it has been your wish to take your child to Disney World, I hope that I have made it seem more possible than you may have thought. Remember, money returns, time doesn’t. 

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2 Comments

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