6 Best Purchases the Middle Class Can Make at Disney
Written by
Madeline Duley
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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It’s no secret that a trip to Disney can be expensive. From ticket prices to dining, merchandise and accommodations, visiting the happiest place on earth comes with a steep price tag. Thankfully, with a little financial savvy, you can lighten the load on your budget while still sprinkling plenty of extra pixie dust on the experience.
Check out these seven purchases to keep the trip affordable while making for a memorable and magical day at Disney.
Handheld Fan
Merchandise at Disney isn’t for penny pinchers. Expect to pay premium prices on many things. While prices are steep, it’s hard to beat the magic of Disney gear, so finding items that are both fun and practical is the way to go.
One favorite? Handheld fans. You can find folding fans online before going. The Disney website has a folding fan with all your favorite princesses for $29. Or you can snag an exclusive motorized fans in person to stay cool while repping some Disney flair. Plus, look for misting fans during warmer months for an extra cooling boost.
Refillable Popcorn Bucket
Nothing beats watching a Disney movie with freshly popped, crispy kernels — except maybe exploring Disney with a fresh bucket of popcorn in hand. To keep spending low, opt for affordable snacks, like a refillable popcorn bucket from a popcorn cart. According to Disney Food Blog, these usually cost between $14.25 and $15.50.
“When you buy a refillable bucket at Disney, you get unlimited popcorn refills for like $2.50,” said Steven Griswold, owner of Pixie Vacations. “That’s a great snack for the entire family as you wait for your favorite attractions.”
Kids’ Meals
You can’t beat the value of a kids’ meal from Disney. Save some money and indulge your inner child by opting for kids’ meals at the park.
“Kids’ meals at quick service restaurants are a great value,” said Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert at MySavings.com. “For under $8, you can often score an entrée, two sides and a drink. If I’m not hungry enough for an adult meal, I go for the kids meal and save a lot of money.”
Dining Packages
Available at Disney World is the Disney Dining Plan, which allows travelers to prepay for meals during their stay.
“By buying the Dining Plan ahead of time, you can stretch food credits across Disney’s countless restaurants and get outsized value on your meals,” said Nick Burgess, editor-in-chief of Trip Trend Setters.
In Los Angeles, for example, California Adventure and Disneyland offer dining and entertainment packages that include a voucher for exclusive viewing of shows like “Fantasmic!” and “World of Color.”
Off-Season Tickets
As with any other vacation, going to Disney during the off-season can be much easier on your wallet — and a whole lot less crowded.
“Don’t book your Disney trip when everyone else is out of school or during holidays,” Griswold said. “Go in the off seasons or shoulder season.”
For Disney, these times are typically late August through September and January through early February. Right now, Southern California residents can also take advantage of the three-day Disneyland ticket for just $67 per day, while Florida residents can get a four-day Walt Disney World ticket for just $60 per day.
Strategic Splurges
If there’s room in the budget for a splurge at Disney, make sure it’s something that you can’t get anywhere else. One such splurge? The custom droids Disney-goers can make.
“Star Wars fans can create their own droids at Droid Depot for $120,” Cid said. “These aren’t just any Star Wars Droids but an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Your Droid will be fully interactive, even at certain locations in Star Wars land.”
For less expensive splurges, consider a Disney-exclusive Starbucks tumbler, custom hand-painted silhouettes, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie ears.
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