How to go to Disney without Spending Your Kid's College Fund

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When I was younger, I never truly appreciated the appeal of Disney. But now with three kids, Disney certainly is the most happy place on Earth. Granted there is a lot of walking, I mean a LOT of walking and it isn't always the most relaxing trip, but we love going and we always have fun. Of course, we are super cheap and refuse to spend an arm and a leg to go to Disney so here are the ways we have a great vacation without spending a fortune.

Book a Budget Airline and Fly on Weird Days

There are a number of budget airlines (and traditional airlines) that fly direct to Orlando. We have had good success with Frontier. I'm not a fan of Spirit, but if it's a short flight I may make an exception. I also like tracking the prices a few months before the trip. I've had success checking the website Kayak.com. I also monitor flights with the Hopper app. We have found great deals if you can fly Wednesday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Tuesday. Those days seem to be the cheapest days to fly. I realize those days don't fit everyone's schedules, but when you fly at less busy times, it tends to be cheaper and you typically aren't fighting the large crowds. You need to keep in mind with most budget airlines you pay for each item ala carte. For a family of 5, we are able to keep to two checked bags and we each get a personal item (think diaper bag or backpack) so we've never needed to pay for a carry on bag. We also always bring our stroller. This is free and you are able to bring it directly to the gate which is helpful when you are corralling three little ones.

Stay at a Disney Property

Okay, I know. I'm crazy, but hear me out. You can definitely stay a lot cheaper off Disney property, but in the end you may wind up spending more. When you stay on Disney property, they have a bus (Magical Express) that takes you from the airport directly to the hotel. So there is no need to rent a car, no need to worry about bringing or renting car seats, and no fees for parking. If you stay at a budget property (All Star Sports, Movies, or Music), the prices are surprisingly reasonable (from $97 per night) and the accommodations, while modest, are clean and convenient. I also tend to book the airline and hotel room myself and directly through the website to avoid any middle man fees or hidden charges.

Limit Your Days in the Parks

I think the most expensive part about Disney is the ticket for admission. The best way to cut down on this expense is to spend less days in the park. My kids were thrilled with being at the hotel and playing in the pool. We have found that for a week - two days at Magic Kingdom and one day at Epcot - were plenty of park time. We have little kids so those are the parks we prefer. I also strongly suggest avoiding the park hopper pass. There is no realistic way to go to more than one park in a day so unless you have reservations for dinner or you are only there one day and need to see the fireworks in another park, I do not recommend getting the park hopper tickets.

Get the Freebies

As already mentioned, staying at a Disney property offers some advantages. First, you get the free transportation from the airport, to the parks, and generally around the Disney properties (Disney Springs and Disney Boardwalk). The buses come at convenient intervals and other than after the fireworks display, we have not had any trouble getting a bus when we want to return to the hotel. If it's your birthday or another special event, get a free special occasion pin. Go to the Guest Services desk and tell them what you are celebrating. We got a birthday pin for my daughter. They wrote her name on it and wherever we were in the park, cast members said Happy Birthday "Jane". At some restaurants it also entitled her to a free dessert, which she was very pleased to get. Also, don't forget to ask for water or a cup of ice. It's free and if you bring your own drinks in you can keep the drinks cool or split them up among your family members. Enjoy the free samples at the Ghiradelli store and play Legos at the Lego store in Disney Springs. Also, make sure to enjoy all of the entertainment. The parades, the fireworks, the music, and performances at all of the Disney parks and at Disney Springs and the Boardwalk (which are free to visit).

Do NOT Get the Dining Plan

I repeat do NOT get the dining plan. Unless you have teenagers going through a growth spurt or a family that eats a ton of food, the dining plan is not worth it. I've heard a number of people complain that there is no way to eat all of the meals and snacks on the plan. You would spend your whole time eating and never get on a single ride. So you say - food is expensive - what should I do? First, there is no restriction on bringing outside food into the parks and for more tips - read on.

Order From Amazon Pantry

Before I leave for the trip (about a week prior), I place an Amazon Pantry order that is delivered directly to the hotel in my name. This is great for non-perishables and liquids that are impossible to bring on the plane. Drinks - bottled water, iced tea, juice boxes. Snacks - granola bars, fruit snacks, chips. Peanut butter and jelly. Individual mac n' cheese cups. Don't forget to add other trip essential like sunscreen and wipes. There was a $5 surcharge at the hotel, but it was worth it to have everything I need there and waiting when we arrive.

Go to the Grocery Store

When you arrive, plan to go to the grocery store that day. Take an Uber, Lyft or taxi to the closest grocery store. Make a list ahead of time so you know exactly what to get. This is where I get bread, bagels, cream cheese, milk, etc. Most hotels have a mini fridge, but be sure to check and consider its size before you go on your grocery store excursion. The great thing about Disney is there is no restrictions on the food you can bring into the park. I saw someone with an entire loaf of bread, cold cuts, and cheese. Make sure you get or bring zippy bags to package up your snacks and meals for the parks. I also recommend a stroller even if your kids are older. It's the easiest way to bring your haul into the park.

Eat at the Counter Service Restaurants

So you bring in all of your snacks and lunch goodies into the park. Then you need dinner. While I do recommend splurging on one special meal (we actually like to do breakfast at the Castle), the rest of the time we rely on the counter service restaurants. At Disney World, I'm a big fan of the Starlight Café and Peco Bills. You never need to wait that long even when they are busy, and we have found that one or two meals can typically be shared amongst the family. Also, be realistic about what the kiddos will eat. Oftentimes, they only want French fries and ice cream so I will indulge them since we are on vacation.