What If You Could Do Disney on $100 a Day?

Disney tickets aren’t cheap, but your entire experience doesn’t have to be a splurge. If you’re up to the challenge, you can navigate Magic Kingdom — or any of the Disney parks — without spending hundreds of dollars per day.

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Plan Ahead Entertainment Food Souvenirs

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Being prepared and practicing mindful spending can allow you to have the time of your life, without overspending. Not counting the price of your ticket — which is likely to cost you close to $100 at the cheapest — here’s how to do Disney for $100 per day or less.

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Plan Ahead

There’s a lot of magic packed into a Disney park. To avoid overspending, Jakob Wahl, president and CEO at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) recommended conducting research prior to your visit and creating a realistic itinerary that includes a mix of a few popular attractions, smaller experiences and entertainment options.

He said this will allow you to avoid long periods of waiting in line and the temptation to spend extra money to avoid the wait — i.e., a buying Lightning Lane Pass, which allows you to skip long lines, but for a cost.

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Entertainment

Disney park tickets include a lot of free entertainment, Wahl said. Beyond just rides, he said to take advantage of shows happening throughout the day at various venues throughout the park.

“Enjoy the famous barbershop quartet Dapper Dans, enjoy a stage show at the castle during Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, complete an interactive scavenger hunt [at] A Pirate’s Adventure Treasures of the Seven Seas throughout Adventureland, and catch daily firework displays and parade spectaculars.”

Food

Haley Kohlmeir, a travel consultant at Briar and Main Travel Boutique, LLC, who specializes in booking Disney vacations, said you can bring your own food and beverages into Disney parks.

“I would recommend saving money by bringing a small cooler with sandwiches and snacks for the day, along with water or any beverages you prefer,” she said. “This would be perfect for lunchtime, which would allow you more leniency to splurge on breakfast, treats and/or dinner.”

For dinner, she advised opting for a quick service dining location, with several options throughout the park offering affordable prices and delicious food.

“For example, at the Magic Kingdom, my favorite quick service is Pecos Bill [Tall] Tale Inn and Café,” she said. “They have amazing American-Mexican cuisine that costs no more than $10-$20 per entree.”

To save even more money, she often orders a kids’ meal, as the portion sizes are similar to the standard adult fare, she said.

“This will run you $10 or less at most places,” she said. “I would even suggest two adults to share one meal and snack throughout the day.”

Souvenirs

Besides food, Kohlmeir said merchandise is one of the most common ways people overspend at Disney parks.

“I always buy my Mickey ears on Amazon,” she said. “They run about $10-$15 and are just as nice as the ones at the parks — which cost around $40-$50.”

She said she also looks for Disney clothing online, to find more affordable options than in gift stores at the parks.

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