9 Tips to help you save at Disney and Orlando

Do you want to take a trip to Orlando but your budget is a little tight? So check out 9 tips for saving money at Disney, with ways to save on food, accommodation, transportation and more!

The first time I went to Disney I didn't do any kind of planning.

I ended up spending half my money in the first few days of the trip, and was holding out for the rest of the days. I was one of the only ones to return home with dollars, but also one of the few who didn't buy stuffed animals or ears.

It's okay that at the time I was only 13 years old and on a tour, but several of my friends had elaborate shopping lists with prices and brands that I had never heard of. OutletSo I couldn't even imagine what it was.

When I got home, I thought a lot about the mistakes I made with my budget and what I would do differently if I ever went back home. Magic land.

Not only did I return a few times to the place where dreams come true, as I also did a work exchange at Epcot. These trips allowed me to learn several tricks to save money at Disney and in Orlando in general.

The best tips are listed below, from things that can be purchased in Brazil, with tickets and accommodation, to intelligent choices that can be made during the trip. If you still have questions about how much the trip costs, I suggest taking a look at this post with all the prices!

9 Tips to save money at Disney and Orlando

The tips in this post are, in general, independent of policy changes at Disney and Universal complexes. Anyway, this post is already updated with all the changes from recent years, including parking prices, hotel benefits and more.

1. Buy tickets in Brazil

This tip can save you money, but it can also just help alleviate your credit card bills. By purchasing tickets in Brazil from a travel agency or specialized website, you can pay in reais and in installments. If the dollar rises between your purchase and your trip, you won't need to worry about the price difference either.

On my last trip, we bought Disney tickets for four days and got one day free. I like to use this day to replay Magic Kingdom and enjoy the magic, without worrying about the more popular rides. If you still don't know what to do in Orlando, take a look at this post: 10 Things you need to do on your first trip to Disney.

For Universal this tip is even more important, as you need to buy a ticket park to park (which entitles you to enter two parks on the same day) to walk in the Hogwarts Express.

I recommend buying with a travel agency, but you can also buy through websites with Decolar.

Attention! In 2021, Disney implemented a park reservation system, that is, in addition to having a valid ticket for that day, you must have made a reservation through the app to be able to enter the park. Therefore, it is even more important to buy your tickets in advance, as there is now a risk of leaving to buy them on the spot and not being able to get in.

2. Fly to other cities instead of Orlando

As it is a much sought after destination by Brazilians, tickets to Orlando are usually more expensive than to nearby cities, such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale. One option to save money is to fly to one of these locations, rent a car and drive to Orlando. To buy tickets at even better prices, you can use the Passagens Promo website, which offers tickets with up to 35% discount.

However, it is necessary to put it on paper to see if this savings is really worth it, as you and your group will “This” a day trip or they will need to pay an extra night for accommodation. Sometimes you even save money, but waste precious time.

I like to opt for flights to other destinations when I want to explore them. I already spent a few days in Miami and, after visiting the region, my family and I took the route from Miami to Orlando by car, which takes around four hours.

If you have any questions about planning your trip, I recommend reading the post How to plan a trip to Disney.

3. Choose between hotels within the complexes or cheaper hotels

Hotels within the Disney and Universal complexes tend to be more expensive than those on International Drive. Even so, they offer several advantages such as exclusive hours in the parks for guests, a free meal plan depending on your reservation, and even Express Pass complementary in the case of Universal.

In 2021, Disney changed several benefits related to those staying within the complex. There is no longer free parking in hotels (but guests do not pay to park in parks), and the old extra magic hours now they allow all guests to enter the parks some time in advance of the rest of the visitors. Those staying on site can also purchase lightning lane (part of the paid queue-skipping system) from 7 am, instead of just at park opening time.

If you prefer to stay inside the complexes to enjoy the magic, the way to save is as follows:

Don't rent a car, and separate your days into “Disney days”, “Universal days” and “shopping days”. Stay inside the Disney complex for the first few days and get to know all the parks, using the free transportation between the hotels and the parks. When you're done, head to the Universal complex, stay inside, and explore the company's parks in the following days. This way you have free transport almost every day, which compensates for the slightly higher price of hotels. In recent days you can shop using apps like Uber or, yes, rent a car.

Now, if you prefer to alternate between Disney and Universal parks, the suggestion is to stay in cheaper hotels and rent a car. In these cases, I suggest staying in a hotel partner from Disney, those that are close to Disney Springs. These hotels have almost the same price as those on International Drive, and due to the partnership, have the benefit of early entry to all parks for guests. My recommendation is Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista, with a swimming pool, restaurant and you can walk to Disney Springs.

Other great cost-benefit legal options outside the complex are:

• Celebration Suites: With rooms for families, the accommodations also have a full kitchen for those who want to cook and save money. The place also has a games room, sports courts and 3 swimming pools, and is just over 3km from Walt Disney World. Booking rating: 8,1.
• Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista: With transfers to Orlando's main parks, the property also has two swimming pools and two restaurants, as well as a children's playground and video games room. The rooms have a microwave, refrigerator, television and air conditioning. Booking rating: 8,2.

Here on the blog there is a post talking about the best places to stay in Orlando, with options for hotels or houses.

4. See if it’s worth renting a car

As I mentioned in the previous topic, it is even possible to enjoy Orlando without a car, but then I consider the best option to stay within the complexes and use the free means of transport offered to guests.. This topic is only for if you stay in cheaper hotels, in places like International Drive.

In these cases, check if your hotel offers a shuttle service. space shuttle to the main parks in the region. Most of them perform this service, but at well-defined times, taking away some of your freedom. Either way, it's a good way to save money at Disney.

Without a car, it is also possible to use apps like Uber and Lyft. I used it once when my group left a park early and it was great. In the parking lots there are specific places to pick up and drop off passengers, so there is no confusion.

If you have room in your budget, however, I really recommend renting a car. In Orlando, public transport is bad, and there will be many days when you will want to take more than one tour. Sometimes a stop at Walmart after a park to buy dinner, shop at the outlet, go eat at a restaurant... Using Uber or taxi, these rides take up a good part of your budget.

Get a quote with Rentcars and rent your car with one of the main rental companies in the world, with a guaranteed best price. You can still pay in reais, without IOF and in installments!

When doing the math to see what is most worth it, remember to include the price of parking and gasoline. Currently, parking inside the Disney and Universal complexes costs around US$25 per day.

5. Buy a cell phone chip instead of a GPS

If you are renting a car, it is cheaper buy a cell phone chip that works in the United States than pay the daily GPS rental from the rental company. In general, they charge US$10/day for GPS, while you can get a SIM card with unlimited internet starting at US$35 for several weeks.

These travel chips work really well and, in addition to being used as a GPS, you can also use social media and browse as you please. Much more business, right?

Here on this page I talk more about the travel chip and show you how to use it, how much you will save and which chip is best for your adventure!

6. Don't buy all meals in the parks

One of the main ways to save at Disney is by taking food to the parks. Almost all types of food are allowed: Cookies, chocolates, homemade meals, fruits, boxed juices… What you can’t do are cans or glass bottles.

Stop by Walmart before starting the park marathon and buy some snacks. A Mickey-shaped ice cream at Magic Kingdom, for example, costs US$5, the same price as a box of cereal bars that can satisfy the whole family for a few hours.

I also recommend purchasing the packs of water bottles, which cost less than US$4 for 24 units! Take some with you to the park and refill them at the water fountains throughout the day.. In restaurants and kiosks, you can also ask for “glass of water” (glass of water) which, unlike bottles, is free.

You may also like this post: What to eat at Disney – Restaurant and dish tips

7 – Take out Travel Insurance

Although it seems like a expense, Taking out travel insurance can help you save money at Disney and on any other trip to the United States. As access to healthcare is very expensive in the country, a sore throat or any other emergency can cost US$300 or more. There's a post here on the blog showing how much medical care costs in the USA (the prices are scary).

To avoid spending your entire budget on an accident (and believe me, parks are perfect for that toss-up or the flu due to low immunity due to different foods and exercise all day), take out travel insurance and stay protected. When called, they direct you to the nearest hospital or medical center, most of them cover the full amount immediately and you You don't need to pay a dollar out of your pocket.

Get a quote with Seguros Promo and get the best prices among the most reliable insurance companies on the market. You can pay in installments via card and have specialized service to answer all your questions.

Using the code “ALYSSAPRADO5” you even have a special discount offered for blog readers! 🙂

8 – Don’t buy souvenirs in the parks

It's normal to want to gift your friends and family with travel souvenirs, but parks are not the best place to do so. buy them. A keychain or pen, for example, can cost more than US$5, an expensive item if you are giving gifts to many people, especially with the current dollar conversion.

Give preference to making this type of shopping at cheaper stores, such as Walmart or Target. Orlando units have a wide selection of merchandise from Disney, and you will find mugs, t-shirts, bottles, stuffed animals and much more.

9 – Shop at the Disney Outlet Store

In addition to stores like Walmart and Target, Disney stores in outlets They are also a great option to save a few dollars when buying official products. They usually have merchandise from previous years or items that have been sitting on shelves in the park.

My sister brought a Sully from Monsters Inc. from her trip in 2013. In 2015 we went to Orlando and came across the same plush at the Vineland Disney Store, but with a US$15 discount. 

Don't leave it until the last day, however, as you never know what will be in stock in the store and the most popular products may not be found there. Either way, they have a selection of photo frames, plushies, photo albums, costumes, keychains and other cute things. It's so worth it!

Here on the blog there is a complete post with the best stores, malls and outlets where to shop in Orlando. There are several store options for those who like to save money!

I think you can save money at Disney with these tips, huh? Who knows, with the difference you might even be able to start saving for a next trip?

For those who still have doubts about traveling to Orlando because of the price, the blog Hey, vacation! There is a post reporting What is it like to travel to Disney when the dollar is high?, with several tricks to save money!

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