Disney on a Budget with Kids!

 

Go Now or Keep Saving for Later?

It is no shock to anyone that Disney can be quite expensive. Nevertheless, you might be surprised to learn there are ways to save money and still have a great trip! Not all of my suggestions will work for everyone. I know that some people have certain expectations and sometimes cutting corners can cut out that magical feeling of pixie dust. However, hear me out. Sometimes those little cuts here and there can make a trip possible much earlier than you thought it could be! 

Travelling with Kids 

You can quite literally go to Disney and not bring any of the things that I am about to suggest and purchase what you need along the way. However, it will cost you much more than it would if you purchased these things at home and brought them with you! You also may not need all of these items depending on your children’s ages, but give it a read through just in case!

·         Clothes for any weather. Florida is known for being hot at any time of the year, but I have been there when it was suddenly quite chilly, even in June! You do not need a whole suitcase of warm clothes. Just a pair of long pants and a jacket or something with long sleeves, just in case.

·         Shoes- multiple pairs that are relatively new and very comfy! Why multiples? Changing to a different pair of shoes can help with foot fatigue! Consider bringing one pair that is waterproof or will not be ruined if they get wet.

·         Rain gear of some sort

·         Hand sanitizer and/or baby wipes. Keeps everyone neat and pretty for those pictures! Also, a small hairbrush!

·         Cooling towels or personal fans if you are there in June-September. Hot, hot, hot is what to expect!

·         Phone Chargers: Both for the room and on the go! Charging rods are portable, but you will also need a cord and block for your room.

·         If you are staying 4+ nights, I recommend purchasing resort mugs to save money on beverages. They have a wash station, but no soap. I recommend washing them in your room and bringing a little dish soap to keep everything nice!

·         Snacks and small water bottles you can pull out anywhere to keep the kids happy! You can also get free water at counter service restaurants in a cup, so no need to bring a lot of water.

·         Breakfast items: This can save a family of four around $50/day!

·         Hats and/or sunglasses and lots of sunscreen!

·         Small medicine kit for your room in case anyone starts to feel sick. Include a thermometer and possibly a Covid Test kit. These can save you tons of time and help you decide what you should or should not do.

·         A purse pack of tissues or you can grab a handful from your room if you need more.

Suggestions for Snacks 

So, you might be thinking snacks will ruin everyone’s appetite. They sure could! However, if they are meeting some of the nutritional needs of your family, who cares. At least they aren’t $8.00+ a pop!

You might consider these: packets of chicken/tuna with an individual packet of mayo not already mixed in (you can get a spoon at a quick service); frozen Uncrustables; string cheese; nuts; fruit; veggie sticks and dip; cereal; bread; peanut butter and jelly/honey; pop tarts; muffins; boiled eggs; Slim Jim’s; juice boxes; AND straws (many places do not have them and if they do, they are most often paper. Good for the environment, but tough for a tot!

Dining on a Budget

Disney will allow you to pack food in your backpack and/or stroller. Once we all took a small pack in and had our lunch in there! Rule of that trip was eat what was in your pack before you ask for something more. The point is, that security check is not looking for lunch or waters or juice! You can bring it with you! No glass bottles or alcoholic beverages of course!

There are many quick service restaurants you can garb food relatively cheap. This is also the quickest way to get back in the action and ride other than bringing your own and eating in line!

If you are someone who wants a nice sit down meal, know that some places are cheaper than others are. Each of the resorts has multiple restaurants, some less expensive than others. The parks also have a multiple level price structure for food. Everything from a quick snack to a fine signature meal and everything in between. If you are looking for something in the middle, consider these:

·         Magic Kingdom: The Plaza

·         Epcot: La Creperie de Paris (It does have a Prix Fixe menu, but you can also order a la carte.)

·         Hollywood Studios: Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre (Gourmet Burgers plus the best fries and onion rings on the property!) or The 50s Prime Time Diner (Food like mom would make and she just might tell you to get your elbows off the table!)

·         Animal Kingdom: The Yak and Yeti (American/Asian/Seafood Cuisine) features small plates and sharables amongst other things. In addition, Restaurantosaurus Burgers and Sundaes is not open at the moment. It used to be a quick service, but appears to be under somewhat of a conversion to a sit down meal that features hand crafted burgers and build your own sundaes! There are other items for non-burger people!

Still Too Expensive? 

Consider eating at a quick service for your main meal and making a dining reservation for desert! Just make sure the restaurant is not an exclusively Prix Fixe place. There are a few places that will not sell a la carte, but many will!

Questions?

I am happy to answer questions about today’s blog topic as well as anything else Disney vacation related! Simply type your questions in the comment section below! Please remember, I am not a Cast Member nor do I receive any compensation from Disney, but I am more than willing to spread my knowledge of what I have learned over the years. Oh, and most importantly, it is your vacation and you should plan it your way!