15 Ways to Save Time & Money at Disney

More Magic, Less Spending, Let’s goooo!

As a certified Disney Travel Advisor and life long fan of all things Disney - I have gathered my top tips, tricks and hacks to save money - both before your Disney vacation and while you are enjoying the magic! Here are 15 ways to save time and money when planning and visiting Walt Disney World.

And just to make it fun - we are going to do a countdown!

15. Open a dedicated vacation savings account.
Set aside a specific savings folder for your trip. Figure out a set it and forget it method where you automatically are depositing a specific amount in this account/folder every week. Even just $20 per week = $1,040 for the year! Save, and pretend it doesn’t exist - until you have booked your Disney Vacation (with Adventures By Roberta, of course).

14. Buy discounted gift cards ahead of time.
For example, purchase discounted Disney gift cards (Target, Sam’s Club) and use them towards your hotel, food or souvenirs.

13. Bring your own snacks or meals into the park.
A lot of people don’t know that you’re allowed to bring food/snacks into any of the parks, which helps keep the kids from asking for every snack they see.

12. Use free resort transport instead of paying for private rides (if staying on-site).
It saves money and time - no parking fees or traffic headaches! I always think it’s fun to strategize how to get from one location to another. Fun fact: there’s no direct resort-to-resort bus service. To travel between resorts, take a bus to one of the parks or Disney Springs, then transfer to that hotel’s bus. With so many transportation options—bus, boat, Skyliner, or even walking - it’s easy (and fun!) to mix and match your routes.

11. Stay at a hotel close to your favorite park to reduce commute time.
Less time traveling means more time in the park enjoying the magic. If you aren’t sure which hotel would work for you - send me a message and let me know what your favorite park is, I’ll figure it all out for you!

10.Compare whether the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your group.
Sometimes paying as you go can be cheaper than pre-paying for meal packages. However, if you have children ages 3–9 and book a Disney Resort Hotel Package (with me!) that includes a room in the Disney Resorts Collection, park tickets, and a dining plan for each guest age 10 and up, you’ll receive a FREE dining plan for your child in 2026! For example, a family of four with two adults and two children ages 3–9 would receive two complimentary dining plans - a huge savings and a great reason to book early for 2026.

9. Designate Bucket List experiences and skip the rest.
Focusing on what your group will truly remember helps avoid scatter-spend and wasted time on filler. Before every trip, I ask each person in my group: “What are two things you MUST do this vacation.” Then I make a list of these items and make sure they are the priority.

8. Bring a few inexpensive “prizes” from home for your kids rather than buying every souvenir on site.
A $5 surprise from home can feel just as magical as a $30 park item. Or you can order some of these great Mouse Ears on Amazon and stash them in your suitcase for when you arrive at your hotel! Or if you are checking your luggage, pack a Mickey Bubble Wand and some solution

7. Utilize Rider Switch if you have young children.
If you’re traveling with little ones who can’t or don’t want to ride certain attractions, Rider Switch is a huge time-saver! Here’s how it works: one parent with child (Party A) joins the standby line as usual, while the other parent (Party B) waits outside with the child who can not go on the ride. Before entering, let a Cast Member know you’d like to use Rider Switch —they’ll set it up for you. When Party A finishes the ride, Party B (up to two guests) can board the attraction without waiting in the regular line.

Pro Tip: If Party B has only one guest, someone from Party A can ride again with them - meaning one lucky kid (or adult!) might get to enjoy the attraction twice.

6. Visit During Off-Peak Times
Timing is everything when it comes to Disney magic! Traveling during slower seasons means you’ll spend less on tickets and hotels and more time enjoying the parks instead of waiting in lines.

Peak times tend to cluster around major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, and spring break), plus those summer vacation months of June and July. You’ll also see crowds spike during three-day weekends, runDisney events, and the opening weeks of festivals like EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival.

Want to dodge the crowds? Aim for mid-January through early March or late August through early October—those sweet “shoulder seasons” when the parks feel a little more relaxed. For the most accurate info, check unofficial crowd calendars or Disney’s own ticket price calendar—higher prices usually mean higher crowds. Smart timing can make your vacation feel like your own private Disney day!

5. Bring your own water bottle or simply ask for water.
You can get free water at Disney World by asking for a cup of ice water at any quick-service restaurant or food and drink kiosk. Additionally, you can use your own Disney Retro Vintage Stainless Steel Water Bottle and fill up at the numerous water bottle filling stations located throughout the parks and resorts to refill your own reusable bottle. Save the planet!

4. Set a Souvenir Budget (Before the Merch Madness Begins).
Disney has mastered the art of making everything feel like a “must-have.” Those mouse ears? Adorable. That popcorn bucket? Limited edition. That spirit jersey? Practically calling your name. To keep your wallet from waving a white flag, set a souvenir budget before you step foot on Main Street, U.S.A.

Personally, I give myself permission for one “big-ticket” item or three “small-ticket” treats per trip. Sounds easy, right? Until you spot something you have to have - but aren’t sure if you’ll ever see it again in another shop. Cue the mild panic. #DisneyProblems

3. Download the My Disney Experience App (a.k.a. your Disney BFF)
If you show up to Disney without the My Disney Experience app, it’s basically like going into the parks without Mickey ears. This little app does everything: it’s your ticket wallet, dining planner, and personal crowd-control wizard all in one.

Want to skip lines with Lightning Lane? You’ll need it. Hungry but don’t want to wait 45 minutes for a pretzel? Mobile order like a pro. Want to check ride wait times so you can plan your next move like a theme park ninja? Boom - it’s right there. Download it before you go so you’re ready to tap, scan, and snack your way through the magic.

2. I Can’t Believe I’m Saying This, But… Watch Disney Movies Before You Go
Pro tip: if your kids (or even you) don’t know your Ariels from your Aladdins, you might spend your whole trip explaining who everyone is instead of actually enjoying the magic. I realized my kids and husband didn’t know a lot of the classic characters from Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Peter Pan, so we had plenty of movie nights to make sure everyone was caught up.

Now, my kids are like mini Disney experts, making every ride and meet-and-greet ten times more fun. Bonus: watching these movies also gives you a perfect excuse to eat popcorn in your Disney pajamas as “trip prep.”

AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO SAVE TIME & MONEY AT DISNEY:

1. Let Me (A Certified Disney Travel Advisor), Be Your Fairy Godmother of Trip Planning!
Planning a Disney trip can feel like assembling a jigsaw puzzle with 1000 pieces, but with me on your side, it’s more like having a personal guide who knows where all the edge pieces go.

And the best part? My services are FREE - yep, you heard that right.

The price is the same as booking directly, but with a lot more magic sprinkled in.

I keep my eyes peeled for every deal that comes down the line, ensuring you don’t miss out on any savings. Plus, when you book with me, you get access to Magical Extras—exclusive perks that can include things like:

• Fun activities and entertainment: From mini golf to special recreational experiences, there are plenty of ways to enjoy extra fun during your stay.

• Dining perks: Enjoy discounts or special offers at select restaurants throughout the parks and resorts.

• Sports and leisure savings: Discounts on activities like bowling, bike rentals, or other recreational options at participating locations.

• Shopping deals: Special offers on merchandise and select stores to help make souvenirs a little sweeter.

These extras are included when I book a package for you that includes a ticket, and they’re valid for stays through 2026. Terms and conditions apply, so be sure to check the details on your Magical Extras Savings Card.

But wait, there’s more!

As your personal Disney guide, I can assist with:

• Crafting personalized itineraries that make the most of your time.

• Assisting with dining reservations.

• Developing ride strategies to minimize wait times.

• Offering insider tips and tricks to enhance your experience.

Think of me as your Disney sidekick - ready to help you navigate the magic with ease and a sprinkle of pixie dust.

Contact me today to have me start planning your next magical adventure!

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