I’ve been there before. Looking at my calendar, smiling, and wondering when I’ll meet my good friend Mickey Mouse again. Sometimes, though, I have to postpone my travel plans because I open my wallet, and all that falls out are spiderwebs and a few nickels.
It’s okay, friend, we’re here to help you. Earning money is hard; spending it is easy. Sometimes you need to spend a little extra in a month: your car broke down, you bought that extra special present for your boyfriend, or maybe you decided to drop a few hundred bucks on Fortnite.
It’s fine. You can still have an amazing time at Disney World, even on a budget, if you plan well in advance and spend your precious money wisely. And you know what? Famvia is pretty good at helping you save some of that money.
This guide is all about helping you enjoy Disney World while spending as little as possible. We’ll cover topics like transportation, hotels, park tickets, and more.
How to Save Money at Disney World
Step 1 - Contact Famvia!
We’re here to help you plan the perfect trip. Sounds like the ideal first step, doesn’t it?
A travel agent can provide valuable insights, creative ideas, and smart options to help you save money at Disney World. We know every Disney resort inside and out, we’re experts in transportation options, and we’re committed to helping you have an amazing time.
We can recommend hotel options tailored to your budget or suggest great alternatives like hotels and townhouses outside the Disney Bubble. If you’re traveling with a large group and prefer staying in a house, we’ve got you covered. Whatever your needs, we’re here to lend a hand and make your Disney trip, well, Disneylicious.
Step 2 - Plan your trip well in advance.
If you’re flying, aim to book your plane tickets at least six months in advance, or even a year if you already have a set schedule in mind. If your travel dates are flexible, consider visiting in mid-January, February, or September, as these months are among the least crowded and most budget-friendly times to visit.
September is an especially great time to go since the parks are less crowded, and hotels often offer some of the lowest rates of the year. While it’s the middle of hurricane season and you might encounter some rain, the savings and lighter crowds make it worth considering. January, on the other hand, can be chilly, but it’s also a fantastic time to visit.
For a detailed look at the best times to visit Disney World, check out our in-depth Disney World Weather & Crowd Calendar guide.
Step 3 - Choose the right Hotel for you
We can assist you with finding the perfect place to stay. If you’d like to stay inside the Disney Bubble, consider the Pop Century Resort or the All-Star Resorts. Staying at a Disney hotel brings a lot of benefits, like a 30-minute early entry period before anyone else and free transportation to the theme parks. Every hotel has complimentary buses that can take you to all theme parks. This is a convenient and a good way to save money on parking, which costs $30 per vehicle.
The Pop Century Resort is often considered one of the best hotels at Walt Disney World, even if it’s still a Value Resort. Prices here start at $185 for a room for up to 4 guests. The great news is that the Pop Century Resort has access to the Skyliner system, which lets you get to Hollywood Studios and Epcot in a rather stylish way. For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you can board the complimentary bus provided by the resort.
The Disney All-Star Resorts are actually three different resorts located right next to each other, and connected by a jogging trail. They are the All-Star Music Resort, the All-Star Movies Resort and the All-Star Sports Resort. Prices start at $135 per room, and you get a free bus service to the theme parks. There isn’t a skyliner service available at these resorts.
My recommendation would be the Pop Century Resort, since the skyliner makes it easier and it’s often a less crowded resort than the All-Star, but go with the All-Star if you want to save extra money.
What about a house outside the Disney Bubble?
That’s a common question. A house might be a good option if you want to save money, but only if you are travelling in a big party - that means, if you won’t need to book more than one room, or if you are travelling with friends and everyone can share the expenses.
The problem with a rented house is that you won’t have complimentary transportation to reach the parks. This means grabbing an Uber or driving there. If you drive there, you will need to pay $30 per day for parking, and that cost can easily pile up.
Step 4 - Choose Your Park Tickets Wisely
Opt for either a 3-day or 4-day park ticket. With a 4-day ticket, you can experience all four Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. If you choose a 3-day ticket, you’ll need to skip one park. In that case, we recommend skipping Animal Kingdom.
Here are the current starting prices, per guest, for tickets in 2025. Keep in mind that prices vary depending on the dates you choose; for example, dates near Christmas will be more expensive than those in mid-September. Kids ages 3–9 receive a small discount on tickets, while children under 3 do not need to pay:
- Single-Day Ticket: $119 per guest
- 2-Day Ticket: $125 per day (total of $250 per guest)
- 3-Day Ticket: $124 per day (total of $372 per guest)
- 4-Day Ticket: $120 per day (total of $480 per guest)
- 5-Day Ticket: $104 per day (total of $520 per guest)
Is a Park Hopper Ticket Going to Save Me Money?
That’s a great question to ask. A Park Hopper ticket allows you to visit multiple theme parks in a single day at Walt Disney World. For example, you could explore Magic Kingdom in the morning and Epcot in the evening. In theory, this could save you both time and money: with a 2-Day Park Hopper ticket, you could potentially visit all four theme parks.
However, Park Hopper tickets aren’t cheap, especially when purchased for multiple days. Trying to experience everything in multiple parks on the same day can also feel rushed and overwhelming. The goal of this guide is to help you save money while still enjoying your time at Disney and experiencing its amazing attractions without feeling stressed.
Here are the prices for Park Hopper options:
- Single-Day Park Hopper Ticket: $249 per guest
- 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket: $419 per guest
- 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket: $566 per guest
Step 5 - Saving Money at the Theme Parks
If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, take advantage of the 30-minute Early Entry period. While it does mean waking up early, this allows you to access some of the most popular attractions with minimal wait times. With this perk and the right ride strategy (check out our guides page for tons of tips), you can experience nearly every attraction a theme park has to offer in a single day.
By arriving early and making good use of Early Entry, you can also avoid purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass or Single-Pass. Be sure to take advantage of the Virtual Queue system, since it’s free and available for select popular attractions.
Currently, Virtual Queues are offered for:
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park (join the queue at 7:00am. or 1:00pm).
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT (join the queue at 7:00am or 1:00pm).
Saving Money on Food at Walt Disney World
Dining at Disney World can be pricey. Some character dining experiences have fixed prices around $70 per guest, while quick-service meals can cost about $20 per guest. Add in drinks, and your food expenses can quickly add up.
One money-saving tip is to visit a Publix or Wal-Mart to pick up sandwiches, cookies, and fill a water bottle. You can also bring a Gatorade along! There’s nothing like a homemade sandwich, even if you’re not eating it next to Mickey Mouse. Bringing food from home is an excellent way to save money at Disney World, and it can also save you time as you enjoy a snack while moving between rides.
