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6/10/2016 Taking 15 members of my family to Disney World requires some careful planning and budgeting! Here are ‘3 Disney Money Saving Tips’ I have learned along the way.
1. Open a Disney Vacation Club AccountOpen this account at least six months in advance of your trip. There is no charge and it is a great tool to help budget your trip. Disney donates a $20.00 gift card incentive for every $1,000 deposited.
2. Plan your trip during the ‘free meal plan’ datesThis is the best money-saving perk! During specific times, ‘free meal plans’ are offered when you book a total the package, including hotel and park tickets, at the various Disney World properties. Several plans are available and we chose the option of one table service meal, one quick service meal, and one snack per person, per day. A free souvenir refill cup to use at the resort was also included. Taking advantage of this benefit enabled our family to experience incredible food and delightful character dining that we would not normally be exposed to at home and saved about $100.00 per person, per day. Some of the dining experiences can cost up to $75.00 per person which was definitely NOT in our budget with fifteen people. We would not have spent the same dollar amount of food without the meal plan but the free dining adventures included in our package certainly enhanced our trip! Look for a future post announcing the free ‘meal plan’ dates and book quickly, as we did. Everyone agrees that we would leave December 19 and return on December 24 so the kids could be back home for Christmas with the rest of the family.
3. Purchase Disney gift cards from Sam’s ClubThe gift cards come in packets of three $50 cards and cost $142.98, for a savings of $7.02 per $150.00. You can then add funds to your Disney Vacation Club Account using these cards. Remember, you get a $20.00 gift card from Disney for every $1,000 that you add. Make sure to save the cards you buy from Sam’s Club in case there are any questions.
There are more than 3 Disney Money Saving Tips but look at these savings.Look at the possible savings! Your Disney package, for example, totals $5,000 for a seven-day stay. You would save: * $1,500 or more on food when you book during the ‘free’ meal plan dates. Grand savings total $1830! These savings require some advance planning but worth every penny when they turn into Disney dollars! The reservation fee is $200.00 per room at the time of booking. P.S. To prevent dad from a heart attack, keep reminding him how much money you are saving! “Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.” –Rapunzel (Tangled) |
I’m a storyteller, adventurer, and lifelong Disney fan who believes in making the most of every moment. Based in Branson, MO, I combine my love of imagination, exploration, and organization to inspire others to create magical memories and meaningful days.
As a children’s book author, I write stories celebrating family, creativity, and connection. I’m also passionate about time management and have developed tools and systems to help people stay organized while leaving room for adventure and fun—whether at home or in the parks.