Whether you’re heading to Disneyland Paris on the Eurostar or jetting off further afield to Disney World in Floria or Disneyland Tokyo, the cost can begin to add up. Ryan Ogilvie, a self-proclaimed Disney park expert who has visited Disney parks around the world over 50 times, has teamed up with eurochange to reveal some handy tips that can slash the cost of your big Disney holiday.
“I’ve been to Walt Disney World 30-35 times and have been going since I was three years old,” said Ryan. “I’ve been to Disneyland Paris around 15-20 times, with plans to visit Disneyland next year and Tokyo Disneyland in 2026 or 2027.”
He explained that one of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking their spending is done when they’ve booked the experience.
“When it comes to travelling to a Disney Park, many people are mistaken in thinking that once you book your hotel and tickets, you’re done,” he said. “This is the biggest misstep I see people take and it results in a poorer experience.
“Every detail of your Disney trip needs to be planned in advance to make the most of your trip.
“This includes planning on what days you’ll be at which parks, what table service restaurants you’ll be dining in and, of course, what attractions you’ll be experiencing and when (especially if you’ll be using Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi-Pass or Lightning Lane Singe Pass). Unless you’re visiting regularly, long gone are the days when you could just ‘wing’ a day at Disney.”
Buy tickets in advance
Ryan said buying your tickets in advance could “save you a small fortune”.
He explained: “Buy tickets online beforehand to avoid long lines at the park and to take advantage of discounts. This is especially true in the UK, where you can purchase a two-week ticket that will save you a small fortune vs trying to source tickets when you land in Orlando.”
Don’t forget about the taxes
Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at eurochange also reminds tourists to remember that select Disney parks might be subject to taxes. For example, in the USA, taxes usually aren’t included.
“You can expect to pay between six and seven percent on top of ticket prices and purchases you make when you’re there, so take these extra costs into account before announcing your Disney trip to the family,” she said.
Get your travel money in advance
Holidaymakers can also ensure they get the most bang for their buck by getting any travel money in advance of their trip.
“Make sure you get your travel money in good time, and don’t leave it until the last minute to buy your euros, dollars or yen,” explained Laura.
“Buying them in the airport or inside the Disney parks themselves could result in you paying over hundreds of pounds more, and you’ll get a much worse rate than if you purchased them on the high street or online beforehand.”
How to save money at Disney Parks
Stay off-site
Disneyland has countless hotels in its parks, but the convenience of staying on-site can come with a high price tag.
Laura said: “Consider looking for other accommodation options in the surrounding areas for a better deal, whether it’s a hotel or a rented villa.”
Take snacks with you
Once inside the park, there are plenty of delicious food options, but to help stick with a budget it’s worth taking in some snacks of your own.
Ryan said: “As great as Disney restaurants can be, buying meals inside the parks every day can get incredibly expensive. When you arrive, either head to a supermarket or get a delivery sent straight to your hotel or villa with all the snacks you’ll need and use these to munch on during the day.
“This will cut down on how much food you need to buy in the parks each day.”
Consider a Disney Dining Plan
Disney also offers dining plans which can help to cut costs rather than just purchasing food as you go.
Ryan explained: “If you don’t fancy taking food into the parks, consider a Disney Dining Plan.
“We’ve found that the dining plans (free as part of a package or not) have been the best thing to suit our family, as all our food requirements have already been paid for before we arrive in Walt Disney World.
“This means you know that any dollars you have can be spent on extras like souvenirs, and you also know (if going with the standard Disney Dining Plan) that you have a quick service, table service, and snack sorted every day.”
Don’t always say yes to the kids
Disney is all about magic, but with so many fun treats and souvenirs on offer, things can soon add up. Ryan suggests giving your children a budget to spend while in the park.
“Despite how tempting it might be to purchase everything for your kids, they’re already in Disney,” he said,
“On a recent trip with our children, we gave each $100 and allowed them to make decisions on what they wanted to buy.
“We made it very clear that once their money was spent, that was it. There were additional treats throughout the trip, but these weren’t expected and we weren’t constantly being asked to buy something from the parks, as they were making their own minds up on what to get and when.”
Ask for ice water instead of buying bottled water
In certain Disneyland locations, especially in the summer, the weather can heat up. Couple that with lots of walking and excitement and you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of water within reach.
But rather than shelling out for bottles of water, Ryan has a clever tip.
“I still see so many guests purchasing bottles of water when in the parks and it’s not needed,” he said.
“Take your own bottles, or use your Disney ones if staying on-site, and ask for ice water. It’s free and you can transfer it to your refillable cup. It sounds obvious, but if you’re buying multiple bottles of water at more than $4 (approximately £3) a day, you’re going to be spending into the hundreds by the end of a trip.”
Make use of free activities
“As well as the rides and sights, Disney Parks have free entertainment options, like parades, fireworks shows and character meet-and-greets,” said Laura.
“Take advantage of these to fill your day without spending extra money.”
Budget for parking costs
If you are driving or staying off-site, then it’s worth considering the cost of parking – especially at parks in the USA.
“If you’re not staying on-site, expect to pay at least $25 per day for parking at a Disney theme park,” said Ryan. “My advice: Don’t drive. Disney’s vast transportation network in Walt Disney World includes a fleet of buses, monorails, boats and cable cars (Skyliner), and there are many more options available too.”
Factor in tips
“Tips are not included in the price of meals at table-service restaurants – expect to add 18 to 20 percent for gratuity, which adds up. If you’re a party of six or more, this is automatically added to your bill,” added Ryan.