5 Best Ways To Spend Your Money at Disney World — and 3 Worst Ways

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A trip to Disney World can be a memorable experience for your family, but it can also be incredibly expensive. It can be easy to spend thousands of dollars on a single Disney vacation, but there are ways to save money.

Here are five of the best ways to spend your money at Disney World to keep your vacation budget in check. Just be sure to also watch out for three of the worst ways to spend your money too.

Best Ways To Spend at Disney

Up first, let’s take a look at some of the best purchases you can make while visiting Disney.

Dining Plan

If you’ll be spending the whole day at Disney World, you may save money by buying a dining plan. According to the Disney Tourist Blog, the standard Disney dining plans cost $97.79 per day for adults and $30.56 for kids. It typically includes two meals and a snack each day, as well as a refillable drink mug to use at Disney resorts.

The dining plan may save you money if your family includes numerous older kids and adults who eat a lot.

Crystal Palace Dining

Many Disney World dining experiences are pricey. Takumi-Tei at Epcot features options from $150 to $250, while GEO-82’s Fireworks Experience costs $179 per person. If you want to treat your family to a dining experience, The Crystal Palace, which overlooks Main Street and Cinderella’s Castle, is a more affordable option.

The Crystal Palace features buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner meals, and members of the Hundred-Acre Wood meet and greet dining guests. Price start at $35 per adult for breakfast and over $60 for lunch and dinner, and you’ll need to reserve your table in advance, since it’s a popular spot.

Value Disney Resort Stays

You can save money on Disney magic during your stay at a Disney resort hotel by choosing the value tier. The value tier is the cheapest Disney resort option, but it still includes a half-hour inside the park each day before the park officially opens. You can use that time to access the rides that often have long lines, rather than buying Lightning Lane passes.

Alternatively, you might decide to stay off-site, which may help you get lower lodging rates. Just keep in mind that if you’re off-site, you won’t be able to take advantage of Disney’s transportation.  

Caring for Giants Tour

The Caring for Giants Tour is an affordably priced option that’s perfect for those who love animals. This Animal Kingdom tour takes you behind the scenes so you can see how the park cares for its African elephants. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, too, and can learn information from cast members.

The tour costs just $39 per person.

Free Activities

While many Disney experiences cost money, you can still find some free experiences, like parades, character meet-and-greets, daily park shows and nightly fireworks shows. Disney World is also home to Disney Springs, which has no admission charge. You can enter Disney Springs for free and enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment.

Disney World Purchases To Avoid

If you want to keep your Disney World visit costs down, avoid these three common pitfall purchases.

Souvenirs and Clothing

It’s easy to overspend at Disney World on souvenirs and clothing. Instead of buying merchandise at the park, consider shopping online to save money. You can find popular items like Mickey ears on Amazon for about a quarter of what they’ll cost at Disney World. You can also find Disney clothing online, so your family can look the part during your trip more affordably.

Lightning Lane Premier Passes

Lightning Lane Premier Passes can help you to skip lines and get on rides faster so you can make more of your day at Disney World. But these passes are also a splurge that might not be worth the money.

The pass pricing can be higher around weekends and holidays, and according to Mouse Hacking, they can cost over $400. Buying a single day pass for your family could add thousands of dollars onto your trip, so it’s usually best to avoid this expense.

Water and Snacks

These Disney World splurges can quickly add up, with water bottles alone costing $4 to $8 each. While water and snacks are essentials, you don’t have to buy them in the park and can instead bring them from home. Doing so can save you hundreds of dollars, especially during multiday trips.

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