7 Ways to Save Money At Disney Parks

It's official, Disney has priced a lot of people out. It's definitely not a budget-friendly trip, but I know many of you are still looking forward to going sometime in the future. The last time I visited Disneyland was in 2018 and the same tickets I bought then are a full $100 more now. Unless you're visiting for 5 days, there's not really a decent savings on admission, so let's talk about other ways you can save, so you can, you know, eat food...or pay for Genie+ (the new system that has replaced Fastpass).

I know we just went to Disneyland Paris, and the entire 3-day package deal I bought with accommodation at a Disney hotel was almost cheaper than what it will cost us for two days in the California parks. Crazy. 

Bring a reusable water bottle

We drink a lot when we're out doing things and even bottled water can add up quickly. I fill my water bottle with ice and water before I leave for the day, and the ice stays for much of the day, keeping my water cold each time I fill up. You can fill up throughout the day at water fountains, but most food establishments are happy to fill up your bottle for free (some will only give you a cup of ice water). That way you save money and stay hydrated.

Pack snacks in your day bag

Food and snacks in the parks can be outrageous. I love a good churro, but I try to limit myself to a snack a day. I also can get pretty hangry, so I make sure I always have things to eat in my bag. It's nice to have granola bars or carrots or jerky when you get a little hungry before it's time for your dining reservation. You can also skip breakfast this way and do an early lunch (easier to get in when the restaurants aren't busy). 

Visit during off-peak times

Is there anything worse than standing in endless lines? I mean, you're going to do that anyway, but hopefully they'll be shorter when you go when kids are still in school (if you can), on weekdays, and not not NOT during the summer. You can check crowd calendars to see when it's forecasted to have lower crowds if you aren't sure when a good time to visit is. Generally, mid-January to mid-February, early March before Spring Break, mid-late April after Spring Break, the first 3 weeks of September, and the first week of November are good times to visit the parks.

Stay in surrounding hotels/vacation rentals

I'll be honest, I will probably never be able to stay in a U.S. Disney hotel. Even the "budget" ones are way out of my price range. Truthfully, you aren't in your room enough to enjoy it much, so spending $250+ per night seems like a waste. There are plenty of hotels even within walking distance to the parks that are budget-friendly and have shuttles to the front gate. If you're traveling with a group, renting a car (r driving your own car) and staying in a vacation rental, like Airbnb, can be a great option, because you can make your own meals there and accommodate more people.

If there are only a few of you and you stay in a place that doesn't have shuttle service or isn't close enough to walk, consider using a ride-share like Uber, because it can end up being cheaper than parking. 

Buy souvenirs outside of the park

We all want stuff. The parks are full of awesome things at endless shops, but there are many similar things at stores that aren't inside Disney. In fact, you can get cheaper branded merch when it goes on sale on Disney.com. Search ebay, Poshmark, Mercari, and Etsy for cool merch, so you don't have to buy them on your trip.

Be there before the park opens

Get to the parks early, so you can get in as soon as the park opens and you can get in several rides before the crowds really amp up. This helps you make the most of your dollars and you can skip Genie+ if that's too much of a strain on your budget. I get it. Make a game plan for when you get into the park and head straight to the must-ride attractions first.

Use your memberships

If you have a AAA or Costco membership or belong to a credit union, check out their deals for packages or tickets. This usually is only available for those going multiple days (3+). You may not save a ton, but every little bit counts. 

Helping the Local Economy When You Travel

When I travel, I like to make sure I visit local businesses and restaurants, so my tourist dollars go where they are needed most. Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why your money may not stay local. This concept has been dubbed tourism leakage, which sounds kinda gross, but there's not too many better names for it, because your dollars, literally, leak out of the local economy.

Most of your travel budget is going to go to big things, like airfare and accommodations, and you can't possibly travel on a family-owned airline, and if you're staying in a hotel, you're most likely giving your money directly to a big corporation. It sucks, but it is what it is, especially when you're traveling on a budget. 

A study shows that something like only 5% of an average tourist's money stays where they spend it. I know that many places thrive because of tourism, so why would I want some bigwig in an entirely different country to get my money? This doesn't help to preserve culture, history, or the ecosystem. In order to make sure the maximum percentage of your funds actually benefit the local economy at your destination, here are some things to do and to look for:

Choose a local tour company

You may pay a bit more by going with a smaller company or individual, but chances are that you will get more personal trip and a higher percentage of your fees go directly back into the community. They are more often going to be hiring people who live in the area who are going to know more about your destination than anyone else. 

G Adventures has started Ripple Score, which can show you where your dollars go. A higher Ripple Score, the more money stays local. While they are the only tour company that uses this scoring system, with a little bit of effort, you can research other company's impact on the community you're visiting.

Dig deeper on your hotel's ownership

Even many boutique hotels are owned by a big conglomerate and your rate is put in a bank account elsewhere. They may not employ locals, or pay them a living wage, and they might import food for their restaurant(s) and products used in the room or for sale in the gift shop. If you're going to spend the money anyway, you might as well do a little bit of work to check out the About Us page on their website, and maybe email the general manager or owner to ask them these questions. If more people do that, hotels might see more people want to know where their money goes.

When I book through Airbnb, I rent from individuals who live in the area. I've often rented from people who live in their apartment until they have a renter, then they stay to check you in and then go stay elsewhere (a friend's or with family). They genuinely need the money and you aren't taking an accommodation away from locals who need it and you're not contributing towards rents being raised, because there is more demand for the limited supply of homes/apartments available.

Spend locally

Instead of running to Target or Walmart at your destination, as easy as those can be, try to hit up locally-owned and operated shops and grocery stores. As much as I love Sainsbury when I'm in London, I like to shop co-ops and little bodegas for groceries. I am a big fan of the farmers' markets and outdoor markets that sell vintage items and books and other souvenirs. 

On vacation is when we buy the majority of our holiday gifts, and I'm always on the lookout for unique items at one-off shops and things made by local artisans. It makes me feel good knowing I helped the economy a bit and also my gift recipients won't be able to buy the same thing at home. It's a win-win. When dining out, I almost never eat at a chain restaurant and instead look for highly-rated locally-owned establishments. I will often ask staff where we stay or at attractions where they like to eat, because they will generally point you to some delicious places that aren't that expensive and are unique to your destination.

Don't forget to tip

There are usually a lot of people behind the scenes that you don't see, whether you're staying at a boutique property, eating in a cozy pub, or getting amazing service in a yummy little eatery, leave a proper tip to let them know you enjoyed their service and they continue to enjoy working there and giving the same level of service to everyone else. If people love what they do, and are properly compensated (I know you are just one small cog in that machine), then they make it a place you tell people about, so more people visit and they can continue to flourish. 

Even if our dollars still end up outside of the communities we visit, we can at least try our best to keep as many as possible inside them, helping people, preserving the culture, and enabling them to thrive for generations to come, so more tourists can enjoy the places you did and you can enjoy places others did.

Of course you're going to want to do some generic touristy stuff. It's fun and inevitable, but there are a lot of ways you can "shop small" when you travel and it only takes a little effort to do so.

Do you try to spend locally when you travel, or have you never really thought too much about where your money goes once it leaves your bank account? Honestly, knowing who I'm supporting at home has helped me to think more about it on vacation.

Budget Summer Travel Tips

Summer is creeping up on us and before you know it, it’ll be sunny and the kids will be out of school and you’ll realize you haven’t starting planning a summer getaway yet. Don’t wait until the last minute, because that’s when you’ll pay the most. Airfare alone can jump as much as 40% during the summer months, so here are some tips to help keep you in the black this year and have an amazing time:

Shop for airfare on Tuesday and Wednesday and look for flights that depart on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday for the lowest fares. New fares are posted every Tuesday and Wednesday are the perfect time to get the best deals, and when you fly on less popular days, you can pay less and have a better chance of not getting bumped off your flight due to overbooking. One thing that'll make you happy is that this summer, flights will be the cheapest they’ve been in seven years. Of course, that doesn't mean you should slack and leave booking until later. You still need to get on that ASAP.

Go early. If your kids get out of school sooner the rest of the country, take advantage of your good fortune and vacation before the second week in June. Many schools have release dates in May, so if you can take time off before Memorial Day weekend, you can save a ton. The middle of June through the middle of August is going to be the most expensive time to travel almost anywhere, and the most crowded.

Go somewhere different. Your kids are always going to want to go to theme parks or the beach during the summer, but by changing up your destination, you can actually save a little or a lot of money. If they insist on going to the beach, look for lakeside resorts near where you live. Most still have a beach and everything that goes along with it, unless surfing is on the agenda. Other ideas are to visit cold-weather destinations or South America. The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter during our summer, making it a less desirable place to vacation. Less desirable equals more affordable. South America is close, but there are so many different places to choose from that are amazing, tropical and super budget-friendly.

Drive. Airfare can become a costly burden if there are many of you traveling. If you can spare the extra travel time, take a good old fashioned road trip to get to your destination. Make sure to plan fun stops along the way, like to see the world’s biggest ball of yarn, ghost towns or museums. It makes the whole trip seem like an adventure if you don’t just drive straight through. 

A pic from our boat tour of Portland

Plan a staycation. If everything just seems too far out of budget this time of year, opt to do things around your own town and take your vacation over holiday break. Prices will be lower, most destinations will be less crowded and you will be able to see and do more than in the summer. Need some ideas for your planning? See my staycation post and check out my staycation board on Pinterest.

Don’t forget your cash back! Help keep a little money in your pocket or stretch the dollars you have by using Rakuten to book your flights, hotel rooms and rental cars. You can even get cash back for buying essentials like sunscreen and shorts! It's totally free to join and it's super easy. In fact, they give you a gift just for making your first purchase. How can you beat that?

Plan ahead. Start planning for a cheap summer trip next year by picking up my Secrets to Summer Savings ebook. I give you all my travel saving tips to make summer travel cheaper and packed with more fun.

Where will you be going for your Summer vacation?