Before you know it, school will be out with summer vacations in full swing. Families with kids or even kids at heart will, at one time or another, dream of visiting the magical kingdom. Unfortunately, Disney trips can be expensive but there are ways to cut the cost and make it affordable. According to Mary Poppins “Everything is possible, even the impossible!” So let’s follow Mary’s advice, sprinkle some magical pixie dust, and plan that affordable Disney trip with these tips to make it happen!

The Best Parts of Disney You Don’t Want to Miss

According to Visit Orlando, some of the original attractions are still considered the best. When paying for a top-dollar trip, you don’t want to miss the best, so here they are! The top five favorites at the Magical Kingdom Park are It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The top five attractions at Epcot are Spaceship Earth, Soarin’ Around the World, Mission: SPACE, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After. The favorites at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Slinky Dog Dash, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.

Moving on to the treats category, don’t miss out on the favorites which include a Fruit and Nutella Waffle Sandwich located at Sleepy Hollow Inn, the Dole whip float which is a combination of pineapple ice cream and fresh pineapple juice from Aloha Isle, and the yummy Cheshire Cat Tail from Cheshire Cafe. If you are really hungry, try the Loaded Buffalo Tater Tots at Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland. Last but not least, no indulgent snack is complete until you’ve had a funnel cake which you can get at Sleepy Hollow Inn. Save some serious cash by snacking and sharing until the big dinner meal. Delicious grab-and-go foods are truly endless, so once you’re in, don’t miss out on trying these unique delicacies and attractions found only at Disney!

Fun, Inexpensive Activities 

Free is always fun and the following are a few of the ways to save some cash! The Lego Imagination Center has a FREE 3,000-square-foot outdoor play area filled with thousands of LEGO blocks, plus some incredible and huge Lego sculptures. The cost at the Marketplace Carousel is only $3.00 per person. Children under 42 inches must be accompanied by an adult, but the adult is not required to pay. Catch a free concert from around 7:00-11:00 pm. From solo singers to full band performances, this is a great way to wind down and enjoy your evening. Split a large $15 specialty sundae from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop or a $7.00 banana hazelnut crêpe from Amorette’s Patisserie where you can also check out the details of the Imagineers for free! These together will create a full yet inexpensive experience.

Affordable Accommodations

No place at Disney is a cheap stay. But you can look into ways to save, such as switching your credit card and earning points that can ultimately score a possible free stay or at least a free night or two depending on how many points you have. One option is a Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card. Try to take your trip during the off-season or on less busy days by googling and searching for the current best options! If you’re willing to stay three or four miles away from the resort, the cost of hotels will begin to drop. Staying off location has its perks as does staying in Disney itself. Sometimes a higher cost is worth the extra benefits, coupons, and more that come with the on-site experience.

Ways to Save 

Every souvenir at Disney is going to be many times the price of a regular store. Before your trip, stock up on your child’s favorite plush character. Hide them in your suitcase and when the opportunity feels magical, have these replicas of the larger-than-life heroes waiting for the return to the room or your car. The kids won’t know you saved a fortune or that they didn’t come straight from Disney. They will be thrilled to return home from the kingdom with their famous best friend by their side. Next, be sure to take a good clear photo with your favorites as well. When you return home, frame them, turn them into ornaments, keepsakes, or even duplicate them for birthday party invitations. Use these ideas to get the magic wand waving and the ball rolling toward other ideas and ways to save some serious cash!

Deals on Flights

First of all, book your flight as far ahead as possible! Booking at the last minute means a far more expensive flight. Do your homework on all airlines. Also, make sure your bag is included without an extra fee. With booking ahead, it often comes the inevitable change of plans so investigate the cancellation policies. For example, with Southwest Airlines, if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking it, they will refund any fare back to the original form of payment. You can also opt for travel funds instead and use them toward future flights with their partner airlines! Another secret, booking on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday will usually land you a cheaper flight!

With a little planning and a touch of Disney magic, you can create affordable memories and the trip of a lifetime for your family!

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