If you plan to go to a Disney park for only one or two days, the Magic Your Way Tickets are cheapest at the gate entrance. No advance purchase discounts are available for those tickets. Park hopper tickets or multiple-day tickets can be purchased in advance at a discount. Many trustworthy locations sell discounted Disney tickets, including the University of Central Florida, the Kissimmee Walmart, AAA and the Y.E.S. program.
Some hotel packages offer free dining, and certain Disney credit cards offer a 10 percent discount at Disney restaurants. Disney policy states that visitors cannot bring outside food or drinks into the parks; however, this policy is not strongly enforced. Snacks -- including sandwiches, juice boxes, crackers, granola bars and fruit -- are ignored. Disneyland offers a designated picnic area as well as lockers to hold your cooler outside the park gates.
Inside the park, counter-service restaurants are cheaper than table-service restaurants. Meal portions are often large and can be shared. Look for coupons for further discounts on area restaurants as well as "kids eat free" promotions.
Staying in a Disney resort can be cost-effective, if it includes meal deals, Disney gift cards or park tickets. To save more money, consider staying in one of hundreds of non-Disney hotels near the parks. Some area hotels start at $50 per night. Another inexpensive lodging option is camping, including Disney World's Frontierland or other area campgrounds.
Check frequently for inexpensive flights to Disney, as prices are constantly changing. Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air offer competitive prices when flying to Orlando, especially when traveling mid-week. Rental car companies also have fluctuating prices, so search for dropping prices even after making your reservation. The most inexpensive way to arrive at Disney is to drive your own car, especially with several people in your party.
