The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money at Every Disney Park

04 March 2022

Planning a trip to Disney can be very exciting, especially if you’re doing it with your family. There’s so much to do, see, and enjoy for everyone, regardless of age.

However, if you’re planning a trip to a Disney park, then you must know how expensive Disney parks can be. The good news is saving money at Disney parks isn’t difficult at all. There are plenty of ways tourists can cut down on costs.

In this guide, we’ll discuss various ways how you can save money, including Disney Park ticket discounts, food, and lodging. We’ll also provide tips for avoiding unnecessary expenses.

So, whether you’re planning your first Disney Park visit or are returning for another adventure, read on for some helpful money-saving tips.

What Is a Disney Park?

Disney parks are theme parks located in the United States, France, and Japan. The original Disney Park, Disneyland, opened in California in 1955. The Walt Disney Company has opened additional parks in Florida, Paris, and Tokyo. The parks are popular tourist destinations, with millions of visitors each year.

What Does a Disney Park Ticket Include?

A Disney park ticket includes admission to the theme park and access to most rides and attractions. Some attractions, such as special viewing areas for parades and fireworks shows, require a separate ticket.

Additionally, the cost of a Disney park ticket varies depending on the park and the pass length. It’s important to note that tickets are non-refundable and expire 14 days after the first use. It’s also important to note that ticket prices are not the same for everyone. For instance, tickets are often cheaper for children and seniors.

How Can I Save Money on a Disney Park Ticket?

Below are a few hidden secrets to saving big on a Disney Park ticket that you should consider.

1. Get Disney Park Ticket Discounts

Disney occasionally offers discounts on park tickets. You can find the discounts for Disneyland Resort online using a ticket discounter or through a travel agent. For Walt Disneyland Orlando, there are recommended third-party sellers where you can get discounted tickets.

Do not buy discounted tickets on Craigslist, KSL, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, or OfferUp because it is very likely that they are scams.

2. Buy Your Tickets in Advance

One of the best ways to save money on a Disney park visit is to buy your tickets in advance. Every year in February, Disney averagely raises their ticket fees by $20. If you buy before this month, you can save anywhere from $20 plus per ticket. So, if you’re buying tickets for five people, you could save as much as $100.

If you’re planning to visit more than one Disney park, it’s usually cheaper to buy a multi-day ticket rather than individual tickets. Multi-day tickets include a certain number of days’ admission to the parks and are valid for 14 days after the first day of use.

3. Use Points to Purchase Tickets

If you have credit card points to redeem, consider using them to purchase Disney park tickets. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Citi ThankYou Points can all be used to purchase Disney tickets at no additional fee for this service.

4. Get an Annual Pass

If you plan on visiting a Disney park more than once in the next twelve months, an Annual Pass may be the best option for you. Annual Passes include admission to all four Disney parks in the U.S. and come with a host of other benefits, such as discounts on food and merchandise.

5. Skip the Park Hopper Option

The Park Hopper option allows visitors to move between all four Disney parks on the same day. If you’re only visiting one or two parks, it’s usually cheaper to forgo the Park Hopper option.

For starters, the park hopper is the most expensive add-on option. It also doesn’t include admission to attractions in the other parks, such as Epcot’s World Showcase and Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s safari.

6. Bring Your Food

One of the best ways to save money at a Disney park is to bring your food. Disney allows guests to bring food and drinks into the parks, but there are a few restrictions.

You should carry all food and drinks in a backpack or soft-sided cooler that’s no larger than 24 inches by 36 inches by 18 inches. Additionally, guests can bring in one empty water bottle per person. Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

There are a few places in the parks where you can purchase food, but it’s usually more expensive than if you pack your own. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re saving money while enjoying some of the most amazing attractions in the world.

7. Plan Your Trip Off-Peak Dates

Disney parks are busiest during the summer and around major holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If you can, try to plan your trip during less busy times. January, February, and September are usually less crowded than the peak months.

Additionally, many of the restaurants and shops in the parks offer discounts during off-peak times. So, if you can’t avoid peak dates completely, at least try to visit the parks during less busy times of the day.

8. Use a Travel Agent

If you’re not sure how to save money on Disney park tickets or looking for other ways to save on your trip, consider using a travel agent. Travel agents can often find discounts on tickets and hotel rooms that aren’t available to the general public.

They can also help you plan your trip and ensure everything is taken care of before you leave home. So, if you’re looking to save money on your Disney trip, using a travel agent is a great option.

9. Enjoy Partial Park Days on Holidays

If you’re visiting a Disney park on a major holiday like Independence Day or Memorial Day, consider enjoying only a portion of the day at the park. Most of the major attractions will be open, but the parks can be very crowded.

By only spending a few hours at the park, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the biggest attractions without having to deal with the crowds. Plus, you’ll have the rest of the day to do something else fun.

10. Stay off Property

Disney offers a wide variety of hotels on the property, but they can be very expensive. If you’re looking to save money on your trip, consider staying off property. There are several great hotels near the parks that offer excellent rates.

Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of being able to come and go from the park as you please. So, if you want to take a break from the crowds, you can easily do so without having to leave the Disney area.

11. Use a Credit Card with a Rewards Program

If you’re going to be spending a lot of money on your trip, it’s a good idea to use a credit card with a rewards program. Many credit cards offer points or miles for every dollar you spend.

You can redeem these points for cash back, airline tickets, hotel rooms, and more. So, if you’re planning on spending a lot of money on your trip, be sure to use a credit card with a rewards program.

12. Purchase Tickets from a Third-Party Vendor

If you’re not eligible for discounts or you’re looking to save even more money on your tickets, consider purchasing them from a third-party vendor. Some websites offer discounted tickets to Disney parks.

Just be sure to do your research before purchasing tickets from any vendor, as some of them may be scams. Note that you can’t buy tickets from any seller as Disney doesn’t allow ticket resale. If caught, you might not be able to use the ticket and end up buying another one, so always buy tickets from an authorized seller.

Disney uses a rigorous process to choose its partners to sell its tickets. Only a small number of companies are authorized to sell Disney tickets, and these companies must agree to certain terms and conditions.

These companies are often the only ones that offer discounts on tickets, so be sure to purchase your tickets from one of the authorized sellers on Disney’s website.

13. Military Tickets for Disney World and Disneyland

Disney offers a discount on tickets for active and retired military members. This discount is available at both Disney World and Disneyland parks.

Military members can purchase up to six tickets at a discounted price. You must purchase the tickets in person, and the member must present their ID card. The cards are tax-free, and members cannot purchase cards for their friends or family.

To Sum It Up

Disney parks are a great place to spend time with family and friends, but they can also be expensive. You can save money on every aspect of your Disney park visit by following these tips, from food tickets.

Moreover, you’ll still have plenty of money left over to enjoy all the amazing attractions and experiences that Disney parks have to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today.

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The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money at Every Disney Park

What Is a Disney Park?

What Does a Disney Park Ticket Include?