If you’re planning a trip to the wonderful world of Disney, you’re likely thinking about how you can save some money.
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“Unfortunately, Disney World is not known for being a cheap destination, and you’re going to spend a lot of money no matter how you slice it,” said Billie Wasmer, former Disney World cast member.
But that doesn’t mean she didn’t have some insider tips to help you save money on the Magic.
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Download the My Disney Experience App
Wasmer recommended downloading the My Disney Experience App. Although it won’t save you money per se, she said, it can help you stay organized when it comes to Disney Resort hotel bookings, park admission tickets and planning ahead for meals, which can ultimately help you save money.
Go During Off-Peak Times
If you’re thinking of going to Disney during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break or the summer because your kids will be out of school, think again if you want to save money.
“The best time to go is off peak. Anytime kids are in school is a good time to go because there will be the least amount of people and lower prices,” Wasmer said.
Disney uses dynamic ticket pricing, which means admission tickets will cost significantly less during off-peak times.
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Stay in a Value Resort
Wasmer explained that there are different tiers of Disney resort hotels: value, moderate and deluxe. She said the value resorts are the cheapest, but all booked tiers offer guests an extra half hour inside the park each day before official opening time.
Having this exclusive time in the park will give you quicker access to the rides that usually have long wait times. This can help you save money if you were planning to purchase Lightning Lane passes that allow access to expedited queues for rides.
Wasmer also noted that the Disney deluxe resorts, which are the most expensive tier of resort accommodations, have the added benefit of extended evening hours inside the park after closing time.
However, she explained that paying for deluxe accommodations to gain the extra time in the evening may not be worth it, and you should weigh the decision against shelling out the additional money for Lightning Lane passes.
Take Advantage of the Water Fountains
Wasmer explained that, in the park, water fountains are available that you can use to refill your own water bottle instead of spending $3.75 or more on multiple bottles of water — or other more expensive beverages.
Both Disney World and Disneyland have multiple water refill stations throughout the park.
Book as Far in Advance as Possible
“The more in advance you book things like restaurants, the better,” Wasmer said. “Don’t wait. If you buy your tickets well in advance, you may be able to get a special discount.”
Wasmer also recommended watching the Disney website for special deals and discounts.
Opt To Stay Off-Property
“Another way to save money is to not stay on property,” Wasmer said. “The issue with this is not being able to take advantage of the park’s transportation.”
If transportation isn’t a big deal, check Hotwire’s Hot Rates and Priceline’s Express Deals for discounted rooms near Walt Disney World or Disneyland. You can get great deals on both sites if you’re willing to make a reservation without knowing the hotel’s name. The star ratings and general location are disclosed before booking, however.
Avoid Eating in the Park
If you’re staying on Disney’s property, Wasmer said you can plan to have one to two meals at your resort or hotel to save money.
During mid-day, consider taking a break and going back to your hotel to eat lunch rather than buying meals in the park, she suggested. She also noted that some hotel accommodations have mini fridges that you can stock with prepared or easy-to-prepare foods.
According to the Disney website, you also can bring in your own food and drinks for consumption: “Guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverage items into the park for self-consumption, provided they are not in glass containers and do not require heating, reheating, processing, refrigeration or temperature control and do not have pungent odors.”
However, Disney does have restrictions regarding backpacks, bags, coolers and ice: “Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Reusable ice packs are recommended.”
Choose Quick-Service Food Options Over Full-Service Options
If you’re planning on dining in the park, Wasmer said you can save money by choosing quick-service food options rather than table-service options. “Not only will you save money, but you will also be able to split or share meals,” she said.
This suggestion can be especially helpful if you have children who don’t tend to eat much.
Familiarize Yourself With Quick-Service Menus
Wasmer also suggested using the My Disney Experience app to check out the menus for cheaper quick-service food options. This can help you plan ahead where to eat, find the options you want and save the most money.
Consider the Dining Plan If You’re Staying All Day at the Park
If food is a priority and people in your party want to eat all (or most) of their meals and snacks in the park, you may want to consider purchasing a dining plan, Wasmer said. A dining plan could save you money if you are otherwise planning to purchase individual meals and snacks throughout the day while visiting the park.
The dining plan also comes with a resort-refillable mug for every person in your party age 3 and over. Although you can’t use these mugs for refills in the parks, they are eligible for refills from the self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel quick-service location. This can save you big if you have people in your party that balk at drinking water only.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Worked at Disney: 10 Insider Tips To Save Money on the Magic
