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How to Save Money on a Disney World Trip

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I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Disney theme parks multiple times. So, here are my tips to save money on a Disney World trip!

Save Money on a Walt Disney World Trip

How to Save Money on a Disney World Trip

Most people know how expensive and complicated it can be to plan a Walt Disney World trip. However, not everyone knows these tips to save money on a Disney World trip! This post will be similar to my general theme park saving tips post, but it’s filled with more specific info on WDW. Some of these are super easy to implement, while others may require a few steps. It just depends on your needs and time/money available.

Save on Disney World Rooms

My first piece of advice to someone looking to save is to consult the special offers page on the WDW website. On that page, you can see the official specials Disney is currently offering to entice people to visit during certain times of the year. Years ago, you could count on certain promos running like clockwork. However, since the pandemic, those offers are fewer and far between. Still, it’s best to consult that page as it’s easy to book the promo and save money by just looking at dates in the listed range.

Another way to save on lodging is to rent DVC. DVC is Disney’s timeshare program. So, you are essentially renting someone’s timeshare at a deluxe resort. You can rent from an individual DVC owner directly, which can be cheaper but has more risks involved. Personally, I’ve used the DVC rental program linked above twice without any issues. I stayed at the Polynesian Resort in 2018 and at Old Key West (as seen in my Instagram post below) in 2019 thru them. I also recommend taking a look at their confirmed reservations for an even bigger discount.

You can also save on a room by booking thru a third party website. I used Orbitz back in 2013 to book a room at Pop Century around the busy Christmas holidays because Disney’s site showed no availability.

Both of these options (DVC rental and third party sites) comes with some tradeoffs. For instance, their cancellation policy is typically stricter than Disney. Also, you may not have the option to make payments prior to the trip. You will also have to link your reservation to your Disney account in order to book other things, it won’t automatically link like it does when you book direct.

Lastly, you don’t have to stay on Disney property when you visit. Personally, I enjoy the included free bus transportation to the parks and have never stayed off property. However, I know that there are loads of good neighbor hotels that are usually a good bit cheaper. Some include breakfast and/or a free shuttle. However, word of advice on the free shuttle: most of those are pre-scheduled times, not whenever you want like Disney’s transportation is. Also, taking an Uber/Lyft to/from the parks can eat up savings real quick. You can also rent a house nearby from individuals. There again, consider the transportation costs.

Save on Tickets

I hesitated to include a section on tickets because I don’t have a lot of experience with it. However, I want this to be a complete post. I’ve heard (never used) good things about purchasing discounted tickets from Undercover Tourist. I always just purchase my tickets directly as I tend to book packages and prefer the ease that comes with booking directly.

You may also save on tickets with an annual pass, if they are available. However, passes have gotten so expensive, that it takes more days/trips to make them worth it now. I had one from 2018 to 2020, but then let it go during the pandemic. It was nice to be able to go whenever I wanted and always have a room discount (as well as food/merch discounts).

Save on Food

There are a couple of ways to save money on food. You can save money by cooking meals in the room/house. Generally speaking, quick service restaurants are cheaper than table service. The BBQ pictured below is from a quick service restaurant in Epcot and didn’t require an advanced dining reservation! You can also share some meals (particularly flatbreads) at quick service restaurants. Additionally, Walt Disney World is one of the very few theme parks that allows you to bring in outside food, as long as it’s not in glass containers or requires microwaving/refrigeration.

Save on Souvenirs

While the ShopDisney website does not offer everything you can find in the parks, it does sell quite a few items you may want for your trip. Plus, they offer sales from time to time. Additionally, if you (or your child) won’t know the difference from a Disney plush/shirt/ears to a WDW branded one, you can find Disney branded items at Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Those items are typically much cheaper than what you would find in the parks. However, they won’t say the parks on them.

Save on Gift Cards

This one is a bit more complicated and sometimes not worth it. If you have a Target RedCard, you can save 5% on gift cards, including Disney ones. Then, you can use those gift cards to make payments towards your trip or to buy food/merch in the parks. Personally, I buy my gift cards at Kroger to get Fuel Points and save on gas. You can also earn gift cards on various websites online.

Conclusion

Shew. This is a long post. However, I wanted to provide readers with a detailed list of ways you can save money on a Disney World trip. So, have I missed any tips/tricks you like to use to save?

Spring in Orlando Theme Parks

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I know that lots of people plan trips to align with school breaks. So, I thought I would do a post highlighting the various festivals happening during spring in Orlando theme parks!

Spring in Orlando

Spring in Orlando

March and April tend to be very popular times to visit the theme parks since lots of kids have school breaks. So, many of the theme parks have special events to give the crowds more to experience as well as to draw more people in. Here’s a look at those special events happening in spring in Orlando in 2023!

Flower and Garden Festival

Walt Disney World hosts the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival every spring and it’s one of the most beautiful times to visit this park. In years past, I have loved walking around the park and viewing the topiaries. Disney brings out some of the same topiaries every year, however they also refresh a few and add a couple new ones every year. So, it never gets stale. This year, they added a Princess Tiana and Encanto topiaries! Plus, there’s loads of beautiful landscaping around every corner!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the food at this festival. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much experience in eating food at this festival as I do with Epcot Festival of the Arts. However, in 2019 I really enjoyed the grilled street corn and would love to eat it again! This festival does a great job of highlighting fresh, in season fruits and vegetables.

Not to be out done in the entertainment category, Disney also hosts the Garden Rocks Concert Series during this festival. Some of the performers I’d be quite excited to see. Others, I’m not as familiar with, but I’d be happy to give them a listen. Note: the last concert is on July 3rd.

If you are heading to Walt Disney World between now and July 5th, I highly recommend spending at least half a day at Epcot just for this festival.

Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

I already wrote an entire Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2023 Guide. So, you know that I’m a huge fan of this fun spring event. I also wrote a review of the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine add-on last month. If you are planning to visit Universal Orlando Resort between now and April 16th, then you too can experience Mardi Gras at UO! Unfortunately, the last concert has already taken place here. However, there’s still the awesome parade and great foods to try!

Spring at SeaWorld Orlando

Lastly, SeaWorld Orlando is hosting the Seven Seas Food Festival on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 7th! If you are visiting this weekend or next, then you may also catch their St. Patrick’s Day Celebration as well! The park will also be celebrating Cinco de Mayo during the last weekend in April and first weekend in May. Both of those events will add some food and entertainment to the park.

Last year, I tried some tasty food at the Seven Seas Food Festival and really liked it. Unfortunately, we missed the Seven Seas Concert Series as we were tired from a full day in the park. The concert series is a mix of well-known artists, smaller bands, and tribute bands! I recommend looking up the schedule if you are heading there before May 7th.

Orlando Theme Parks in Spring

As you can see, all three theme parks celebrate spring with a special festival. So, which is your favorite spring in Orlando festival?

You can check out my other seasonal theme park guides here:

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Review

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I just got back from a very busy trip to Orlando on Wednesday. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Having attended the party a few times in the past, I feel like I can give a fair review of the event and provide a few tips.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Just in case you don’t know, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an add-on ticketed event held at the Magic Kingdom after normal park hours to celebrate the holiday season. Typically, it’s held from early/mid-November until right before Christmas. The party includes special character meet and greets, a Christmas parade, holiday stage and fireworks shows, ride overlays, as well as free cookies and drinks!

Party Entertainment

One of the main draws of the party is the unique entertainment options. One key difference between this party and the Not So Scary Halloween Party though is that these shows will eventually be included with the regular park admission as you get closer to Christmas. However, if you are visiting before that time, then you can only experience the holiday parade, stage show, and fireworks show at the Christmas Party. Personally, I absolutely adore seeing the toy soldiers marching down Main Street, USA!

Food

During the Halloween Party, you can trick-or-treat for candy. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can go around the park for free cookies and beverages! These treats are only available at the party. However, this year they were pre-packaged Cheryl’s cookies. So, if you want to try them outside the party, you can order some for yourself.

Now that you have an adequate understanding of the party itself, allow me to share some tips with you!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tips

  • Arrive early. The party starts at 7 PM, but your ticket allows you to enter the park at 4! Use this time to eat dinner or get in line for any big characters you want to see.
  • Get a spot for entertainment early. Stake out your spot for the parade early. In previous years, the second parade was less crowded. However, this year it appeared that this advice has been read by everyone and it’s no longer the case. My mom and I sat on Main Street for the first parade and it was less crowded than the second parade! So, just know that if you want a prime spot, you need to get there at least 30-45 minutes early.
  • Pick up an event guide. When you first enter the park, pick up an event guide that features a map with treat locations as well as times guide. I highly recommend picking one up to reference throughout the night.
  • Make a list of must-do’s. You aren’t going to be able to see and do everything at the party. It’s just too short/too crowded. So, do your research and know the things that are priorities for your group.
  • Enjoy the ambiance. You could be annoyed that you have to stake out a spot for the parade so far in advance or that you have to be so close with so many people. You can also choose to enjoy just being in the park while it’s decorated for the holidays and snowing! I truly believe your attitude impacts your experience. Make the best of it and you will enjoy it.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can be a delightful holiday addition to your Disney World trip. I promise that there’s nothing else like it!

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

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Before I became a frequent theme park visitor, I wasn’t sure there wasn’t anything for me to enjoy at a theme park. I definitely didn’t think my husband or mom who both get motion sickness could have fun at a theme park. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s definitely possible! In fact, here’s a list of theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who like to travel without needing to ride the most thrilling rides.

theme park tips for scaredy cats

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

Up until a few years ago, I assumed you had to be a thrill seeker to enjoy amusement parks. However, after visiting some great ones, I now realize that theme parks can be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age and ability! So, here are my theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who don’t want to ride the big roller coaster.

  • Experience the seasonal events. As I’ve posted previously, there’s so much to see and eat during the fall season at Dollywood. However, the same can be said about pretty much any festival at Epcot or SeaWorld Orlando. Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando is another seasonal event I highly recommend. Of course, the holidays at any amusement park are filled with special shows, décor, and food to enjoy!
  • See a show. Most amusement parks also have shows you can watch during the day. So, glance at a schedule for the day’s events at the park and catch a few! They can be a great way to escape the weather too!
  • Try out new food. Do some research before you arrive and see what food the park is famous for. For instance, you have to get the cinnamon bread at Dollywood or a Dole Whip at Disney Parks. Then, go and try as many of those foods as you can!
  • Ride a sight seeing ride. Most people can tolerate a train ride around a park (Dollywood) or on something like the People Mover at Magic Kingdom. So, be on the lookout for rides in the air to get a different view of the park. You might even spot a ride that looks less intimidating from up in the sky.
  • Do your research. I highly recommend checking out ride point of view videos on YouTube prior to going to any theme park, to get a feel for a ride and see if it might be tolerable for you or not. You can also read descriptions of rides on many parks’ websites, so if a roller coasters mentions inversions or a tall height requirement, it might not be for you.
  • Look for add-on events. Lots of parks have add-on events you can participate in for an additional cost. Often times this is not riding a ride. For instance, the Dine with Orcas at SeaWorld Orlando is an add-on event where you can eat lunch while watching a show with an orca! That is thrilling, but totally accessible to everyone! SeaWorld features tons of animal experience add-ons and Walt Disney World has several tours as well. Universal Orlando even has some free behind the scenes tours of their rides!

So, there you have my theme park tips for scaredy cats! Do you have any tips?

Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour #DisneySMMC

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If you are looking for a new experience at Walt Disney World or you are only visiting for a short time, then you should check out the Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour.

Disclosure: As an attendee of the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms, I received a complimentary tour for myself and a guest (my husband).

Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills

Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills

Last May, I was lucky enough to attend the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Following the conference, I was able to set-up a VIP tour for myself and a guest. So, I scheduled my tour to take place during my Disneymoon on a Sunday. I’m happy to finally report on our experiences on the Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP tour.

There are actually two options for the Ultimate Day VIP Tours. There’s the Ultimate Day for Young Families and the Ultimate Day of Thrills. We opted to go with the Day of Thrills as it is geared more towards teens and adults in terms of rides on the tour. Both Ultimate Tours involve you and a group of other guests being led around the parks with a couple tour guides. These guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. Plus, they act as a fastpass for you to get on the rides. The tour lasts around 7 hours and it includes lunch along with special transportation between the parks.

At a price of $299 on top of a park-hopper ticket, the VIP Tour services are definitely not for the budget conscious. However, if you have only a limited time to enjoy the parks and want to make sure to hit up your favorite rides, then this is a great option. It’s also a good option if you are wanting to experience Disney World in a new way. It was fun to be led around by the tour guides who knew so much about the place. Plus, you get to go backstage to between parks. Oh, and you don’t have to stress about planning ahead of time.

We started our tour at Magic Kingdom. Our group rode Splash Mountain first thing. However, I didn’t want to get wet that early in the day. So, we sat that one out (yes, you are free to sit out rides by waiting in a gift shop or by the ride exit). We also sat out Space Mountain. We rode Haunted Mansion and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

The site linked above outlines a typical tour, but they do say that tours can change based on attraction availability. During our particular tour, Pirates of the Caribbean was down. So, we got to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train twice to make up for it. I thought that was a nice trade-off.

Disney World Epcot Sunshine Seasons Lunch

After the Magic Kingdom, they whisked us away to Epcot where we enjoyed lunch at the Sunshine Seasons. Then, we got to ride Soarin and Test Track! Following our short trip to Epcot, we headed over to Hollywood Studios. There, we sat out the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. We also tried Toy Story Midway Mania for the first time and enjoyed Star Tours again.

All in all, it was a fun but busy day. The Disney World Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour is perfect for someone wanting to make sure they get to experience all of these fun rides in one day or visit.