Do not use credit cards. The first no-no when doing Disney on a budget is to put your entire trip on credit cards. If you are not able to pay for the vacation immediately after you get home, you will have automatically upped your Disney vacation by the percentage of your interest rates. Use cash, traveler's checks or debit cards.
Consider driving to rather than flying. A family of four who live within a day or two's drive from the park will save money by driving and spending one night in a motel rather than purchasing four airline tickets and shuttle service to and from the airport.
Visit during the off season. Rates at the Disney hotels and other area hotels are cheaper. The best times to get the cheapest rates are in January, February, October and the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Peak season includes the time between Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, spring break and other holidays. You will also want to avoid the weekends, since hotels and airlines up prices for guests traveling between Friday and Sunday.
Stay in a local hotel. A nearby local or chain hotel will have lower rates, and the further you are from the theme parks, the cheaper the rates will get.
Consider your options. You might be able to get a better deal when purchasing a Disney package that includes the hotel, theme park tickets and a dining plan. Calculate the cost of staying in a hotel off Disney property and buying your tickets and meals separately, then compare that to the Disney package.
Buy multiday tickets. They are cheaper per day when broken down, but make sure to buy only what you need, because the tickets expire after 12 months. However, if you are planning on coming back within 12 months, buy tickets for the total number of days for the year to take full advantage of the lower per-day rates.
Seek out cheaper meal options. Bring lunch and leave it in a locker outside the park entrance to enjoy a quick bite just outside of the gates, or go back to your room to eat and spend a few hours at the pool. A local restaurant or chain will offer similar meals as inside the park at a lower price. Skip the buffets, unless you know you will eat a lot. Those traveling with kids should consider buying meals that can be shared. Though food is not allowed in the park, you can bring in small snacks, such as gummies, pretzels and granola bars and bottled water, which are all cheaper when purchased outside.
Skip the gift shops. There are many free activities where kids can put together their own crafts as mementos. If you are interested in souvenirs, have just one adult go into the store and search for what fits in the budget. You can also buy Disney-themed souvenirs at local superstores and non-Disney gift shops.
