Budget Disney Vacations for the Holiday Season with These Tips
There is no place like Walt Disney World for the holidays. I'm pretty sure that's how the song goes. A Walt Disney World holiday vacation is the best time of year to experience the magic of Disney with your family. Of course, it isn't cheap, so before you do any planning, you should budget your trip. When you budget Disney vacations, it's essential to consider all angles from discounts to earning cash and rewards. Here is a look at some easy guidelines that will help you budget your Walt Disney World holiday vacation and save money while you are there!
Make sure to check out some of our other Disney travel tips like our Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge Pro Tips: Conquer Black Spire Outpost
Look For Promotions
When you're budgeting for your Holiday Disney World vacation, the first thing you should do is try and get the cost as low as you can. The first way to lower expenses on vacation is by looking for promotional packages. Walt Disney World has a special offers page on the official website that contains package deals for a specific number of days.
Another way to bring down the cost of your vacation is to purchase your tickets in advance. Advance tickets cost less than buying at the ticket booth. You can even save on discounted multi-day tickets when you purchase through an authorized seller online.
Gift Cards
Reduce the cost of your holiday vacation by giving Disney gift cards to your family instead of other gifts. They can spend the money while on vacation and cut down on additional out of pocket spending. You can even request gift cards for yourself to help cut down on the overall price of the holiday. Another way to earn Disney money is by converting rewards points when you have a Disney Visa card.
Earn Money in Summer
The summer before a holiday trip is a great way to work on the other end of your budget. Instead of just trying to keep the cost down, why not try to add to your budget Disney vacations by earning more cash during the summer months. Try having a few garage sales. Consider other buy sell and trade groups to clear up clutter and earn extra money to use for your holiday vacation.
If you have another side hustle you would like to try, now is a perfect time. Anything you make should go to your vacation fund. A good roll of cash is always the best way to start budget Disney vacations, especially a holiday trip to Walt Disney World.
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Happily Ever After Fireworks at Cinderella's Castle
Price out Hotels
Disney conveniently lays out price ranges for different budgets. You can choose the type of accommodations you want based on what your budget allows. One tip is to purchase a little bit lower than what you think you can afford to give yourself some room. The hotel is the highest cost, so any money you can free up from saving on the value of the room can be used toward having more fun in the shops and restaurants, or on special tours and events. Don't forget that some non-Disney owned hotels are still on Disney property.
Plan Your Meals in Advance
Walt Disney World has all of its restaurants and Menus available online. You can see the prices and plan where to eat well in advance. Since you have to do this anyway to secure reservations, why not calculate the cost of each meal and see how it fits into your budget Disney vacations? It's a good tip if you are considering paying the price of the Disney Dining Plan. See how your spending compares before you purchase the package.
What are some of your favorite tips to budget for a Disney trip during the holiday season?
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Want to make your next vacation even more spectacular? Check out our list of cheap and fun Christmas vacations for families!
Looks like a fun time!
if i had one wish
I’d love to take my son to Disney!!
These are great tips. I'm hoping to go to Disney World within the next couple of years and these tips will really help with costs.
I use to live in Florida and miss it and attractions like this. My kids miss it as well.
Nice tips
WE are so lucky to live within two hours of Disney World and go ALL the time.
Our aunt and uncle even have a time share for all of us.
Someone is their every week.
My goal is to take my kids in 2020 during October for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party & so my husband & I can attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. It will be out 14 year wedding anniversary so this article really really helps. I'm for sure pinning it for reference. Thank you.
I have never thought about going in the off season. I’ve only ever gone on spring break or summer time and the lines are extremely long. This is a great idea, shorter lines and the weather isn’t so hot.
Thanks for the info on Disney..We love Disney but it’s a tad expensive so any advice helps..
Planning the meals in advance is a great tip to help keep the trip affordable. Also, that money you can earn during the summer might seem small, but it definitely adds up and helps with the expenses of the trip!
So helpful! Can't wait to plan my own Disney vacation!
These are great ideas, we took our 1st Disney trip last year. It was amazing.
These are great tips! We do a few of these but I always find a little more researc could have saved us even more. Planning our meals is the best tip! We try to eat breakfast at the hotel if they offer it or buy bread, sandwhich meat, eggs, and make our own meals!
I think there are discounts for military at DisneyLand. I know my friends get discounted tickets to give at Christmas.
Love to visit here looking good
We love going to Disney but our budget is really tight lately. I really appreciate this great article and all the suggestions. Thank you so much for sharing
It is nice to know those can be done in a budget
Have always wanted to take my kids and visit Disney (World or Land, doesn't matter which). One day I am hoping to be able to budget it, but most likely still going to be a few years from now.
Yes! Great tip to plan meals in advance, it leaves out the guess work and makes not only meals go faster and smoother but stay on budget. My family plans to go on our first Disney vacation this coming summer so I appreciate the advice.
I went to disneyworld years ago and it was a great time. i know a lot has changed since then and your pictures make me want to go again. it was kind of expensive, but i'd rather spend money on experiences than stuff i have to dust....
We have gone to Disney once and spent some time checking out prices and promotions during their off season times. These are good tips to think about when we go again.
Disney vacations are incredibly expensive. We went years ago and decided to stay outside of Disney.
I've never been to Disney. Thanks for sharing the savings tips.
I haven't been to Disney in years. I always preferred going during the "off" seasons.
This kind of vacation is always expensive...thanks for the tips on saving!
I would love to visit Disney World at Christmas time!