But with that world-class experience comes world-class prices. Everything is expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to save on your Disney World vacation. Here are some of our favorite ways to save a little money when you visit Disney World.
Tables In Wonderland
One of the best ways to save on food at Disney world is by purchasing the Tables In Wonderland card. This card provides a discount of 20% off the cost of most full service meals. It also includes the same 20% discount on alcohol. There are some dates, especially around holidays, when you can’t use the card. And to the card is available only to Disney Vacation Club members, Disney Annual Pass holders, and Florida residents. But if you are eligible, getting this card is almost a no brainer.
The card costs $75 but quickly pays for itself. If you purchase just $375 in food, you have paid for the card. Spending that much money on food is easy to do. Even a single meal for four people can quickly add up to $150. So it would not be surprising for you to pay off the card after just a few meals.
If you are planning to visit Disney World for more than three or four days, and if you enjoy a full service dining, you will almost certainly save money by purchasing the Tables In Wonderland card.
Other Discounts On Dining
If you are an Annual Pass holder or a member of the Disney Vacation Club, there are certain discounts available for a lunchtime meals. Be sure to ask your sever if the discount is available to you.
Also, some of the restaurants on Disney Property are actually run by a third-party organizations. This includes T-Rex, the Rainforest Cafe, and the Yak and Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each of these locations it is run by Landry’s, and Landry’s offers a loyalty club that provides discounts on meals.
Shopping for souvenirs at Disney World is fun, but it is definitely expensive. The quality of the merchandise is always very good. One way to save money, however, is to purchase your merchandise at non-Disney locations. It’s not quite as much fun, but you can get great deals on eBay and many other locations.
If you have your heart set on purchasing your souvenirs on Disney property, and you are an Annual Pass holder, ask whether you can get a discount. Some discounts of between 10% and 20% are built into the Pass Holder programs.
Discounts On Accommodations
It is not widely known, but people who are not members of the Disney Vacation Club can purchase stays, via “renting points”, from Disney Vacation Club members who don’t plan to use their allocation of points in a particular year. If you are looking for a large resort room, something that has two or three bedrooms, then you can save money by purchasing DVC points instead of booking directly through Disney. The great thing about this approach is that you still get to stay in a Disney Resort property, and enjoy it all the magic that Disney Resorts have to offer. There are many websites that sell DVC stays, including David’s DVC Rentals: http://www.dvcrequest.com/
Discounts On Tickets
There aren’t many ways to save big bucks on Disney World tickets. Purchasing used tickets either online or from shabby little shops in Orlando can be risky – the tickets may not be valid, may no longer have any available days to use, or maybe outright fraudulent. It is always best to purchased tickets directly from a Disney authorized reseller or directly from Disney itself.
However, it’s not a great idea to purchase your tickets at the Disney ticket booths when you arrive for your vacation. Doing so will guarantee that you pay the highest price – and you will have to wait in line for the privilege.
While this savings isn’t tremendous, you can save a few dollars by purchasing your Disney theme park admission tickets from the American Automotive Club (AAA). Perhaps even more importantly, you will save time when you actually arrive at Disney World because you already have your tickets in hand. Also, AAA can help you understand the best ticket package for your particular needs. Disney tickets can be a bit confusing, so you will want to have your approach figured out and have your tickets purchased before you show up in Orlando. That way, you don’t have to waste your precious vacation time decoding ticket options.
Every Penny Counts
No matter how smart you are or what tricks you employee, going to Disney World is inexpensive adventure. However, you’ll want to take advantage of every opportunity to save the wherever you can. And that makes an expensive vacation to Disney World just a bit more affordable, and a bit more magical.