How to Pay for a Disney Vacation

Co-authored by Stef Katz

Last Updated: November 20, 2022 References

A trip to Disney World is an excellent way to let loose and have fun with friends and family! While it’s expensive, saving up early and choosing the right payment option for you is essential so you don’t break the bank on a single vacation. There are lots of little ways to save here and there if you plan ahead and stay persistent in shopping for the best deals. With a little time and pre-planning, you’ll be gazing at the Magic Castle in no time!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Taking a Cost-Conscious Trip

1
Start saving small amounts 1 year before you plan to take the trip. Put away $10 to $20 a week into a special account or physical cash jar to save up for your trip. Ideally, start saving up 1 year before you go so you can book the flight, accommodations, or any other necessities at least 3 to 4 months ahead of time. Make a point to toss any spare change into a change jar to give you a physical reminder to keep saving.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you have kids, let them keep track of a spare change jar. They’ll have fun doing it and they’ll get to practice their math skills!
- If you already have money set aside for family trips, dip into that and save a smaller amount each week to match your budget.
Tip: Make a budget for your stay to see exactly how much you need to save up. For instance, a 7-day stay at Disney World for a family of 4 (including accommodations, passes, and food) costs around $5,075 total ($1,268 per person). That means you should plan to spend around $211 per person each day.^{[2]
X
Research source}
2
Apply for a Chase Disney Rewards Visa or a Disney Premier Visa card. If you're a Disney fanatic and plan to go to Disney parks every year (or even every 2 years), get a special credit card that will rack up reward dollars on every purchase. Once you’re approved, use the card for everyday purchases so you can use the reward points to pay for your hotel reservation, admission tickets, or nearly anything on Disney property!^{[3]
X
Research source}
- To apply, go to disneyrewards.com.
- You can also get 10% off of dining at Disney Resort restaurants, so it's a great option to cut back on food expenses.
- Be sure to check in special rewards rates every month because you may get 3 to 5 times the amount of rewards for spending a certain amount in various categories like groceries, dining, or gas. If the threshold isn’t too high, use the card to pay for those things to rack up extra points.
Warning: Pay attention to the minimum amount you have to spend before you go about trying to meet the spending threshold for a certain amount of points. For instance, if you and your family spend nowhere near a $1,000 spending threshold on entertainment, you’re better off using another card that might rack up airline mileage or cash-back bonuses.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Set a monthly or weekly spending allowance at least 1 year in advance. To help you save, look at your current monthly or weekly expenses and cut it down by 20-30%. Pay close attention to how much you spend on food, entertainment, and gas. Set goals each week to spend less and less of that allowance so you’re saving the more money over a longer period of time.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For instance, if you tend to dine out 2 to 3 times a week, cut it back to 0 or 1 times a week. Or, make your own lunch at home instead of going to a cafe during your lunch break.
- It’s best to start doing this 1 year before you plan to take your trip. However, if you already have some vacation money set aside, you can start saving a few months before your trip.
4
Buy a discounted Disney gift card to pay for any Disney-related expense. Purchase Disney a gift card at grocery stores or from superstores like Sam's Club, Target, and other big-box vendors. Before your trip, use the gift card to pay for your park admission or resort expenses. Once your trip rolls around, use the card to pay for souvenirs, food, or anything else on Disney property where credit cards are accepted.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- You can also buy Disney gift cards online from Amazon or eBay.
- If you currently have a credit card with a cash rewards program, use that to buy gift cards at a discount.
- Be wary of buying gift cards from unrelated vendors and random people. If you see Disney cards posted on Craigslist or any other site, it’s usually best to leave it alone because you’re not protected if the card is actually empty.
5
Use any credit card loyalty points and frequent flyer miles. Book your airfare (if you need it) and accommodations using any special perks from your existing credit card plan. Check your card’s special travel and hotel benefits online on your account management page or by speaking with a benefits and services agent. If you travel frequently with a certain airline and have a frequent flyer account with them, spend the miles you’ve accrued towards the cost of your airfare.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- For instance, if you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, you’ll at least 1 mile for every dollar you spend. Those miles can be put towards the cost of airfare by selecting “redeem miles” when you book your flight.
- Keep in mind that you may only be able to use miles on certain flights, so book the flight well in advance and be flexible with your dates. Book it before or around the same time that you make your reservations with a Disney hotel and purchase admission tickets.
6
Go during the slow months of January and February. If you’re looking for the best deals on lodging, plan to go around the start of the new year. Just be sure to avoid holiday weekends like the weekend before MLK day and the 3rd week of February (when kids have a break from school) because those can be popular times at the parks. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- September, October, and November can also be pretty slow since children are in school. However, avoid holiday weekends because those are definitely popular times for themed attractions.
- Keep in mind that if you have kids in school, they may need to miss a day or 2 for the trip—they probably won’t mind!
- Keep in mind that some rides and attractions might be shut down for their maintenance, refurbishment, and repairs during slow months like January and February. If you have a certain attraction in mind, check online to make sure it’s open a few months before your trip.
7
Stick with “1 Park Per Day” passes to save some money. “Park Hopper” tickets are typically around $55 more expensive than single park per day tickets. Instead, purchase a “1 Park Per Day” ticket that covers the number of days you’ll be there. These options range from 1 to 10 days. You’ll have less flexibility on any given day of your trip, but you might be too tired to visit more than 1 park per day anyway!^{[9]
X
Research source}
- For instance, a 4-day “1 Park Per Day” ticket during the slow season starts at $434 per adult and $416 per child (aged 3 to 9 years of age). A 4-day “Park Hopper” ticket is $525 for each adult and $506 for each child. For a family of four, getting the single park per day tickets instead of the “Park Hopper” tickets will save you $362!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Paying for a Vacation Package

1
Do an online search for Disney World Vacation Packages. Type "Disney World vacation packages" into your browser's search bar and click on the first option (the headline will read: "Discover Disney World Vacation Packages). Click on the link that reads: "Start Planning Your Vacation Package" to view all of the different hotel and transportation options. Enter your dates at the top and the number of adults and children in your family to narrow your search results.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- If you know you want to stay near a certain park like the Magic Kingdom, filter your results by clicking "Resort Location" and putting a check next to "Magic Kingdom Area."
- Filter the results by price range to only show the packages that fit your budget.
- A package includes both your hotel and theme park tickets. You can also add a meal plan if you don’t want to have to worry about paying for each meal while you’re at the park.
2
Find a no-fee Disney travel agent to book your reservations. Give the agent a range for your budget and let them know how many people are in your party, the dates you’d like to go, and the type of experience you’d like to have. If you have small children, let them know you'll need a hotel with certain amenities (like cribs, kid-friendly playrooms, or twin beds).^{[11]
X
Research source}
- As far as the experience goes, let them know if you’d like to have easy access to the park or if you’re okay with spending some time on a bus (no charge!) to get to the park entrances.
- If you want a “FastPass+” or “Advanced Dining Reservations,” your travel agent can book that for you ahead of time as well.
- Agents are a great way to plan your trip because they're up-to-date on the most recent deals, saving you lots of time spent researching. If a better rate comes along, they’ll even switch your booking to save you some money!
- TheVacationeer.com or Smallworldvacations.com are great places to start booking with a Disney agent.
3
Start planning your trip and book it at least 6 months ahead of time. Disney World has a lot to offer, so start planning as soon as you've decided to go. A lot of packages sell out months in advance, so book your reservations as soon as possible! In addition to booking, make a daily itinerary for each day of your trip to help guide your decisions about where you should stay, where you'll eat, and how you'll get around.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- It may seem like overkill to create an itinerary for each day, but it'll save you a lot of stress once you're there!
- For instance, you might plan to spend most of your days at Epcot and Animal Kingdom Theme Park, so you might aim to pick a hotel or resort closest to those two (like Coronado Springs Resort or Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel).
- Be sure to include different attractions you want to see in each park so you have a game plan for each day. That'll help save time trying to decide where to go next once you're in the park.
4
Pay the required deposit of $200 within 3 days of booking your reservation. Put down a $200 deposit for your vacation if you plan to pay it off in smaller payments. Check the rates in mid-June when they’re released so you can book your reservation for any time through October of the following year. You can book your reservation up to 499 days in advance.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- For example, if you want to go to Disney World October 1-6 of 2021, check the rates and set up the package in June or July of 2020. You’ll need to have it paid off in full by September 1, 2021.
5
Submit installments of at least $20 as often as you like. Check your budget to see what amount you can afford to make and when. Plan to make payments of at least $20 monthly, bimonthly, or however often you like.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- To help you save up, log in to your bank account online and set up an automatic transfer each month or so that moves $20 from your checking account into your savings account.
6
Pay off the package in full 30 days before your trip. Set a calendar alarm on your phone so you don’t miss the 30-day due date! Your entire package must be paid by the day that’s 30 days before the start of your reservation. Balance due dates can’t be extended, so make sure you have enough funds to pay it off in full by that cutoff date.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- If you want to switch your reservation dates or change the resort you're staying in within 45 days of your trip, you'll need to pay a $50 service fee.
7
Pay your balance online via your account. Log in to your account from the Walt Disney World homepage. Click the button that reads, "My Disney Experience," select "My Reservations," then click on "Tickets." Follow the prompts, entering your credit card information and billing address.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- If you don't see your reservation or tickets under the tab, click "Link Resort Reservations" and type in the confirmation number that was sent to you when you booked your reservations.
- You can also call the Vacation Package Booking department at 407-939-7675 to pay over the phone. Keep your credit card handy and a pen and paper nearby so you can write down your confirmation number.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Booking Your Hotel Only

1
Find a hotel on Disney's website. Go to Walt Disney World's website and click on "Places to Stay" to view all of the hotels on the premises. Filter your results by the location, price, and size using the tabs at the top of the results page.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- To narrow your search based on what's available, type in your check-in and check-out dates as well as how many adults and children are in your family.
2
Select a hotel based on your budget, needs, and desired amenities. There are a ton of hotel options to choose from, so scroll through your filtered results and select which one meets you and your family’s needs and desires. Click on "Resort Overview" to see pricing options, pictures, and all the amenities the property has to offer.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- If you have a large family and want to save on food, opt for a villa, cabin, or large suite—these come with a full kitchen and all the utensils you'll need to prepare meals.
Tip: If you don’t want to cook your meals in the hotel, stick to quick-service meals from Disney hotels and in-park restaurants to save some money. On average, these cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a day per person. If you want a sit-down dining experience with table service, note that entrees are at least $15 a pop (which adds up!).
3
Stay at an on-site value resort hotel to save on food and parking. Research some of the Disney value hotels near the park entrances. Look at all the themes and decide which one you think you and your family will enjoy the most. Note that value resorts are typically located a little farther away from the park entrances, so you'll need to take a bus to get there. The Disney bus is free, but it will add some time to your commute. Here are some of the cheapest (and festively themed) hotels Disney has to offer:^{[19]
X
Research source}
- All-Star Music Resort - Themed around music genres like jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, country, broadway, and calypso—a great one for a family of music lovers!
- All-Star Movie Resort - The hotel is decked out with some of the most beloved Disney characters from classic movies like Toy Story and Fantasia. It even has outdoor movie screenings every night!
- All-Star Sports Resort - Perfect if you or your family members are big sports fans. There’s even an arcade to keep you and your kids entertained when you’re not exploring the parks.
- Pop Century Resort - The hotel and rooms are decked out to be reminiscent of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. It’s a good choice if you’re into funky-retro decor.
4
Pay a deposit on the room equal to the cost of 1 night. If you don't want to pay for the reservation all at once, you can pay for just 1 night and then pay off the rest in small increments. Once you get to the hotel, you can pay off the remaining balance.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- If you want to pay in small increments, go to "My Disney Experience," "My Reservations," and then follow the prompts to make a payment.
- Once you're on the hotel's page and have made your selection, be sure to select "Room" instead of "Package."
- Keep in mind that hotel reservations don't include a meal plan or tickets to any of the parks.
- If you plan to visit Disney, decide how you want to experience it. Do you want it to be value, moderate, or deluxe.
- Call your travel agent to put together a trip for you. Let them know your and your family's favorite characters or franchises.
- Get your deposit in as early as possible. Your travel agent will be watching for promos that may drop between your deposit and final payment and reprice it for you.

Warnings

Only buy Disney park tickets or packages from Disney directly or a Disney travel agent. Don't peruse deals on Craigslist or any other non-reputable seller site.^{[23]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0