Is Disney Magical on a Budget?
A Walt Disney World Vacation is the kind of trip families can spend years saving up for. However, the actual cost can vary widely. Can a family of 4 spend $10,000-$20,000 on their vacation? Yes. Can another family of 4 spend $3,500-$5,000? Also, yes.
I want to assure you that both experiences are memorable, magical and worth booking.
In this age of Social Media there are a lot of things presented as “must do” that, frankly, aren’t. There are upgrades or add-ons that I would recommend, if they are in the budget. There are also going to be offerings that might not be worth it to your family, even if you have the money to spare. A magical time can be had across the spectrum.
With your park ticket, you can get on rides without purchasing Lightning Lane. You can meet Mickey and friends without paying for Character Dining. You can see Fireworks and Parades. You can watch shows. You can ride the Skyliner or Monorail, even if your Resort only offers bus transportation. You can wander a Deluxe Resort Lobby or dine there, even if you go to bed at night in a Value Resort Studio. Your little Princess (aged 13 and under) can enter the park dressed as her favorite Princess without booking a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
If you are looking to make Disney more economical or just trying to discover if it is feasible for your family at all, let’s strategize.
Consider Lower Cost Times of Year
If you are beholden to a School Calendar or don’t want to take the kids out of school…good news! Summer months have seen some incredible incentives as of late. School schedules not a factor? September sees the lowest rack rates for Ticket Pricing and Hotel Stays. In a similar vein, early May has lower crowds and can see discounts.
More costly times of year often coincide with school breaks, i.e. Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, Disney has had great hotel incentives for Spring Breaks, though flight prices will be higher. There are many layers to consider, if your travel dates are flexible.
Look into Lower Cost Accommodations
Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts come with a higher price tag. They may fit your budget and be worth it for your family. There are many benefits to staying Deluxe; proximity to Parks, more elevated dining options, Extended Evening Hours (when offered), some studios sleep 5, and the more subtle theming might appeal to your party.
However, there are benefits to Walt Disney World’s Value and Moderate Resorts as well.
Children are enamored by the giant representations of their favorite Disney Characters at Value Resorts. The slides at the Moderate Resorts are as nice as many of the ones at Deluxe Resorts. There are playgrounds for your littles to enjoy at Value and Moderate Resorts, but they are not as commonplace at the Deluxe Resorts. Maybe your family doesn’t need sit-down restaurants. The Food Court style dining at Value and Moderate Resorts is great for picky eaters, has staples kids love, and lets you enjoy food back in the comfort of your own room at the end of a long day.
What About Larger Families?
For Larger Families, consider the All Star Music Family Suites. These are the most economical option for a group of up to 6 adults (plus one under 3.) Price check the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, which sleep 6 (plus one under 3) and offer a Full Kitchen for food savings. The Art of Animation Suites are also a popular option for sleeping 6 (plus one under 3), but can be the priciest of these three options and only provide a Kitchenette.
For families of 5 who don’t want to split into two standard rooms, consider a Moderate Resort. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside have rooms that sleep 5. You might also consider a Deluxe Studio Room that sleeps 5 over the cost of two standard rooms elsewhere on property.
Regarding Park Tickets
Ticket Prices are the cost you have the least control over. There are third party sellers that may save you a little money, but only on tickets that are 3+ days.
The plus side to purchasing directly, which I do most often, is that you can add tickets to a Package and lock in their price with just a $200 deposit. If a ticket deal comes out (more likely for Summer travelers) you have the flexibility to take the tickets off your Package and access the deal. If ticket prices increase, you are locked in to the original lower ticket price. Historically prices increase once a year, usually in October.
One upcharge I frequently do not recommend for first time guests or those with small children is the Park Hopper. Of course, there are exceptions. Park Hopper is a great option in some situations. However, each park has so much to see, do, and experience. If you’ve never been before, a standard 1 Park Per Day ticket works for many families and saves some money.
There are 4 main Parks at Walt Disney World; Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. When deciding on how many park days are right for your family there are many things to consider. The budget is one of them. If 4 park days doesn’t work for your length of stay, budget, etc. I work with clients to help them decide which Park is most skippable for their family. We may also discuss which park they may want to do twice, skipping 2 others. That is a longer, more personalized, conversation than I can address in a Blog Post. Albeit to say, all the parks are magical in their own way and stepping foot into even one will be worth it.
Dining Considerations
Walt Disney World allows outside food (no loose ice, alcohol or glass) so one way to reduce your food budget is to bring your own. Grocery deliveries can be received at Bell Services at all Walt Disney World Resorts. If you are ordering alcohol, you will have to be available to receive the delivery.
Value and Moderate Resort studios have beverage coolers, which cool to 41-43 degrees. The Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation and Deluxe Resort Studios will have mini-fridges. Accommodations with a Full Kitchen will have a full-sized Refrigerator, so you can store more food and even cook meals.
Consider having breakfast in your room, and packing lunch and snacks for your park day. My family typically purchases only one meal a day.
Quick Service dining will be less costly than table-service restaurants. When it comes to sit-down dining options, you can find more budgetary offerings all the way to Signature Dining experiences with a dress code. I help clients navigate which locations make most sense for them.
But, will my Kids have a Magical Time on a smaller Budget?
I am from New England and we have a local Amusement Park here called Canobie Lake Park. You can’t bring in outside food. Anytime we went as kids we’d exit at lunch time and picnic in the back of our Suburban. Did I “miss out” because we didn’t buy pricey food and snacks in the park? I suppose so, but I thought the picnic lunches were a fun part of the experience.
Growing up going to Disney, we stayed Off Property some times. We would park at the Ticket and Transportation Center on our Magic Kingdom days. I remember the tram ride through the parking lot fondly. It was the first ride of the day and a sleepy way to save our feet heading back to the car in the evening.
When we stayed On Property, we were in The Cabins at Fort Wilderness. At the time, they were an economical option for a family of 6 and my mom made good use of the Full Kitchen. You couldn’t see fireworks from our window, we couldn’t walk to Magic Kingdom, there was no Character Dining at our location. And yet, staying there was so magical to me that, decades later, that is where I take my own family almost every time we go to Walt Disney World.
During my many trips to Walt Disney World with my own children, we’ve stayed in all three Resort Categories as well as one “Good Neighbor” Hotel. Our bonus June trips are done in a very budget friendly manner. They include stays at Value Resorts, and on one trip we only had 3 park days. My girls rank that trip in the top 2 of their 7 visits.
While I would not turn down a stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort (it’s on the bucket list) I can also say that I have had an absolutely fantastic time staying at Disney’s POP Century Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
My children have never done Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a VIP Tour, or a Fireworks Dessert party. We haven’t experienced Club Level or stayed at a Monorail Resort. These add ons and enhanced experiences are wonderful, but if they are not feasible for your family you can still have an incredible experience. You can make memories and have magical vacations without completely blowing your budget.
Your kids will remember the rides, the pool, the characters, the time with your family, and that “I went to Disney!”
Happy Planning,
Jody
jody.c@utmtravel.com