5 Ways to SAVE Now that Disney Is More Expensive than Ever

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This week we saw plenty of price increases at Disney World. From food to merchandise, to Genie+, it will cost more to take a trip to Disney than ever before.

We saw a ton of price increases this week!

To help combat the rising prices, we’re sharing our tips and tricks for saving money so you can still enjoy your time at Disney!

Read through and check out some of our favorite ways to stick to your budget!

Bring Your Own Food – Lifewit Large Lunch Bag

Did you know Disney World allows guests to bring in their own food? As long as it fits under their bag size limits (24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high) you are good to bring in a lunch box with whatever food or snacks you wish. This can easily save a family of 4 at least $60, even if you just pack one meal!

The only other rule you need to know when packing your own food is that you are not allowed to cook or reheat food inside the parks, so stick to things like sandwiches and snacks. This lunch box is big enough to fit enough food for an entire group. There are plenty of places to sit in the Disney parks — make a picnic out of it!

Click here to buy the Lifewit Large Lunch Bag!

Pack Your Own Water Bottle – MEITAGIE 32oz Leakproof Motivational Sports Water Bottle

Another item we recommend you bring with you into the parks is a water bottle. Staying hydrated is so important, especially when you are spending many hours outdoors in the hot weather. Many food service locations around Disney World have water stands available where you can go and replenish your water bottle for free!

It’s easy to fall into a habit of purchasing a drink whenever you get thirsty, but that can quickly add up! Many individual beverages will run $5-$15. Cut down on that cost by sticking to water most of the day, plus your body will thank you for it! This water bottle by MEITAGIE can hold 32 ounces and has hours marked on the exterior so you can easily keep track of your water intake. It also has a convenient clip so you can attach it to the outside of your park bag which will remind you to drink water.

Click here to buy the MEITAGIE 32oz Leakproof Motivational Sports Water Bottle!

Use Gift Cards – Disney Gift Card

Spending money to turn it into a currency that can only be used on Disney items and at the parks might seem like a waste of time, but there’s a method to our madness! When you use your debit or credit card for purchases on your trip it’s easy to lose track of how much you spent. It’s even more difficult if you choose to attach your card to your MagicBand or My Disney Experience app.

By purchasing gift cards ahead of time you can easily assign budgets to different categories where you feel you might overspend, like drinks or souvenirs. You can even give your kids a set budget to spend on items they want by giving them gift cards to use. Another bonus is sometimes you can find discounts on the gift cards themselves — Target RedCard members receive 5% off any purchase of Disney gift cards, so you’re basically getting free money!

Click here to buy these Disney Gift Cards!

Buy Souvenirs Ahead of Time – Buzz Lightyear Plush

Again, the thinking here might seem a little backwards but you really can save money with this tip. If there are specific merchandise items you are looking for or you have children on the trip, take advantage of deals online and purchase your souvenirs before taking your vacation.

You can pack them along with you, especially if it’s a t-shirt or hat you wanted to wear in the parks. Another trick is to purchase items on sale, like this Buzz Lightyear Plush, hide them away in your suitcase, and present them to younger children once you arrive in the parks! On shopDisney there is an entire clearance section full of toys, pins, shirts, and more, and much of this merchandise you’ll see at Disney World.

Click here to buy the Buzz Lightyear Plush!

Pack Your Own Essentials – Hagon PRO Disposable Ponchos

Our last tip also has to do with packing. If you want to really cut down on miscellaneous spending create a packing list and make sure to include things like pain medication, bandages, ponchos, and other contingency items. You might not end up using them, but they cost a lot less at your local pharmacy than at Disney World!

One item we often remind people to pack is a poncho. Florida weather can be temperamental, particularly during the spring and summer, and days that start out without a cloud in the sky can quickly give way to a rainstorm. To avoid getting drenched or paying Disney prices for a disposable poncho, order some ahead of time and just keep a couple in your park bag. This set from Amazon comes with 5 ponchos for under $13. Trust us, when it starts pouring you’ll be grateful to be able to walk around without getting totally soaked!