Plan a disney vacation on a budget

Where to go this summer? This can be a tough question when you’re deciding on a vacation. Whether it’s to the beach, a national park, or somewhere in between, there are a few different factors that need to be taken into consideration before you book your trip.

Sure, you want to spend some time away from home — but you also want your vacation to be something that the entire family will enjoy. To help make this decision easier, consider the following factors: How many people are going? Cost Budget including flights and lodging Do you have kids? Will your kids have fun? Is the destination kid-friendly? Age

When choosing a vacation destination and planning family trips, many parents and grandparents have in mind relaxing at the beach or going to fun theme parks and other attractions.

Tips to plan a disney vacation on a budget

1. Spend some days at the park and some days at the pool.

You guys—this isn’t a popular opinion, but you don’t have to spend every day of your vacation in the Disney parks! Trust me, your feet will thank you for breaking up the week with one day at the park and the next hanging by the hotel pool. If you stay on property at a Disney hotel, the pools make you feel like you’re still at the park! They’re themed, they’re huge, and they’re just incredible.

There are also plenty of other places you can go on your “off-park” days and still be immersed in Disney magic. Head over to Disney Springs for shopping, restaurants and free entertainment. Go to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for dinner and stay to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the beach—for free! (The boat dock is a magical place to catch those fireworks too.)

This one tip will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in Disney park tickets, depending on how many people you’re going with and how many days you’re staying.

2. Skip the Park Hopper and visit one park per day.

It might seem like a good deal to buy the $174 Park Hopper ticket and get access to all four Disney World parks in one day. However, if you’re staying for multiple days, you can make your budget go even further if you forego park-hopping for a day or two and just visit one park per day. The average price for a single-park ticket per day is $109 (for ages 10 and up), saving you $65 per person, per day.* (Single-park tickets for kiddos ages 3 to 9 are about $104.)

Keep in mind though, Disney will lower the price of your daily ticket when you buy for three or more days. And always look at their calendar when you’re booking your trip—prices change depending on the day too!

When you purchase your tickets, you need to make sure to reserve your spots at the theme parks you want to visit. It’ll be a bummer to buy tickets for a park that doesn’t have any reservations left. Plus, those tickets are nonrefundable, so be sure to triple check before you press “Submit.”

It’s important to be realistic about how much you can and want to get done each day. Moving from park to park is time-consuming and can be exhausting, especially with little ones. But if you’re only going for a couple of days, maybe do the Park Hopper ticket one of your days and spend another whole day at Magic Kingdom—which, believe me, is entirely possible and amazing and worth it! 

3. Buy Disney gift cards at a discount.

Always try to buy Disney gift cards at a discount! If you’re a member of a big-box discount store like Sam’s Club, you can buy Disney gift cards at nearly 4% off! And if you use your Red Card debit card at Target, you can get 5% off! Sure, it doesn’t sound like much, but anything helps when it comes to saving money.

You can use these gift cards to pay for your park tickets, Disney hotels, food on property and more. While it’s not a ton of money, it will save you $40 to $50 for every $1,000 you spend—and that’s, like, eight Mickey Mouse ice cream bars!

4. Don’t buy the dining plan.

I love the food at Disney. Seriously—just give me all the food! But what I don’t love? The dining plan. It’s a way to prepay for your meals on Disney property, but it’s definitely not a money-saver. In fact, in order to make sure you don’t lose money, you’ll have to do some math on-site (as you wait in line for your Dole Whip). For example, if you get too many ice cream sandwiches during the day, you’ll probably have to forfeit your fries at dinner. And who wants to do that?

Here’s the solution: Just pay for your food with cash as you go. That way, you know how much you’re spending throughout the day. And if you use the Envelope System in the parks, you know exactly how much you’re starting with (and how much you have left to spend) after each purchase. Plus, you don’t have to waste time trying to figure out if you’ve met your quota for the day. That sounds exhausting! Pro tip: If you do decide to dine out, Disney gives you the ability to book your dining reservations early using the new Disney Genie service in the Disneyland app.

5. Bring your own food.

Did you know Disney allows you to bring food into the park? This is potentially huge savings in your budget! You can pack a nice picnic lunch with sandwiches, fruit, water bottles, cookies—whatever your family likes—and store it in lockers inside the park for either $10, $12, or $15 per day, depending on what size you need. There are no coolers allowed, so only bring things that don’t need to be kept ice-cold. Instant savings!

Another way to save on food is by making your own meals at your hotel! Making your meals is worth it even if you do it just a few times during your stay. The Garden Grocer is an Orlando-based grocery store that delivers your groceries to your resort. You can even order your groceries up to 120 days in advance! You do have to pay a delivery fee if your order is less than $250.³

6. Arrive just before the park opens.

This is a huge time-saver, because if you’re right there and ready to go when they open the park, you can book it straight to your favorite rides. Lines get long later in the day, but if you get there early, you won’t have much of a wait.

Now, if you’ve been to Disney before, you know how much of a luxury the FastPass was for skipping those long lines. But the FastPass has been discontinued and replaced by the Disney Genie service, which helps you plan the day you want while you’re at the park. Not only does it give you a map of the park—but you can also use it to view wait lines for rides. You can upgrade to Genie+ (the new version of the FastPass) to skip the long lines . . . only it costs $15 to use per day and you can only skip the line once each day. But if you don’t want to shell out the money to save time on those long lines, you’ll definitely want to get to the parks as early as possible!

7. Use PhotoPass photographers (but don’t buy the package).

What’s a family vacation without the memories to prove it? For $199, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will take professional photos of you all over the park. You get access to the photos online after your trip, but that’s a pretty big hit to your travel budget. The cool thing is, you can actually just ask Disney’s photographers to take your picture with your phone or camera. They’ll still want to take your photo with their camera too (but you don’t have to buy it). This way, you’ll have the picture instantly and save $200. Score!

8. Buy your Mickey ears ahead of time.

You can find some really cute Mickey ears online. I found two pairs on Amazon for $7.99—that’s two pairs for $8—compared to the nearly $30 you’ll pay in the park. And while we’re on the topic of souvenirs, you can save a bunch of money by ordering all of them online ahead of time! A friend of mine did this and left one toy on their kids’ hotel bed every night, like it was a gift from Mickey. How cute is that?

9. Bring your own sunscreen.

You guys, it’s Florida—the land of heat and sun. And the only thing I want you to bring home from your Disney vacation is amazing memories and maybe a cute souvenir, not a sunburn! But you’ll pay up to 40% more for sunscreen in the park, so be sure to pick some up at the grocery store before you go.

10. Don’t waste money on water.

Now, I’m not telling you to go thirsty, but buying bottled water at the park all day will drain your budget fast! Bring your refillable water bottle with you instead. There are tons of water stations around the park to fill up at. You can also stop at any quick-service restaurant and ask for a cup of water. They’ll happily give you one . . . and it won’t be a Dixie cup, either. Easy savings right there!

Places to go for summer vacation

Monterey

The No. 1 reason to book a vacation in this coastal town: the aquarium. Yes, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is that good. It levels up the typical touch tank experience by letting little kids crawl through tunnels surrounded by tropical fish displays and use squirt toys to learn how animals stand up to big waves. There’s even a padded zone with eye-level exhibits for toddlers!

And the whole family will be wowed by the aquarium’s newest exhibition, “Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean.” Some of the creatures in the 21 live exhibit areas are newly discovered and haven’t even been named yet. Mind blown! Stay at the hotel next door, InterContinental The Clement Monterey. Rates start at $343 per night.

Los Angeles

Tweens and teens won’t roll their eyes if you suggest a vacay in L.A. — where, trust us, they’ll ask you to eat at In-N-Out-Burger. (Look cool and say you already had it on the list.) Some more must-dos: the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where anyone 17 and under gets in free. 

Visit the Griffith Observatory for the out-of-this-world exhibits and a stellar view of the Hollywood sign. Some outdoor shopping at The Grove L.A. and a beach day in Santa Monica with a spin on the iconic wheel at the Santa Monica Pier will get you more well-deserved parent cred. The new Thompson Hollywood exudes a laid-back California chic vibe — don’t be surprised if your teen wants to make TikToks from the rooftop pool. Rates start at $289 per night.

Disneyland Resort and California Adventure (Anaheim, California)

For a Disney trip with young kids, the Disneyland may edge out an Orlando vacay. Here are some reasons why: You can get on more rides without as much walking in California, so that means less tired and cranky kids. Summer weather is usually better in Anaheim than hot and humid Florida. And rides like Radiator Springs Racers, which looks like it’s right out of the movie Cars, is a Cali-exclusive. You can walk to the parks from the new Westin Anaheim, especially if little ones are in a stroller. Rates start at $330 per night.

Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz, New York

With its jaw-dropping location on the shores of Lake Mohonk, Mohonk Mountain House is the perfect New York vacation destination for families who love swimming, kayaking, and row boating. Surrounded by thousands of acres of woodland, this all-inclusive resort is an especially beautiful fall family vacation spot for hikes and picnics when the weather is crisp and the leaves are changing. 

Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, Michigan

In the Upper Midwest, a stay at the nearly all-inclusive Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has been one of the most popular family vacation ideas in the country since its opening in 1887. These Midwest family vacations at “America’s Summer Place” are only reachable by ferry (no cars allowed), and the historic island hotel offers family vacation packages that typically include meals (breakfast and dinner) and resort amenities. 

Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa – Oahu, Hawaii

On the island of Oahu in Hawaii, family vacations get a decidedly Disney spin at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, where the resort’s mostly all-inclusive rates include nightly bonfires, character experiences, live entertainment, walking tours, ukulele lessons, a kids’ clubs, and a game room—to say nothing of its many kid-friendly pools, lazy rivers, and splash pad.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort – Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico is another passport-free tropical family vacation idea. Located on the northeast side of the island of Puerto Rico, this sprawling resort borders El Yunque rainforest and is home to three lagoon-style swimming pools featuring a waterslide and waterfall. Its inclusive meal plan package includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, three meals per day, and use of the tennis courts.

Woodloch Pines Resort – Hawley, Pennsylvania

With bumper cars, go-karts, splash pools, and a jungle gym just for starters, you’d be forgiven for thinking the kids club at Woodloch Pines Resort is an actual theme park. At this family-run resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, the kid-friendly amenities go way above the ordinary. But don’t worry, adults will have plenty of fun too—family-friendly experiences here include hayrides, pony rides, and bowling.

C Lazy U Ranch – Granby, Colorado

Not far from Rocky Mountain National Park, the world-famous C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado, is an all-inclusive guest ranch that features both classic dude ranch activities (like trail rides) and modern kid-friendly amenities (like zip lining and a ropes course). A seasonal children’s program for ages three to 17 makes it an especially great pick for family vacations where the adults can use a little alone time while the kids go off and play. 

Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa – Vieux Fort, St. Lucia

The Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa on St. Lucia is home to Splash Water Park, the island’s largest water park with two giant water slides and a lazy river. But what makes it truly special are the separate family (“Splash”) and adults-only (“Harmony”) accommodations areas and pools. 

In addition to its five resort pools (two for adults only), there’s an on-site paintball facility, a kitesurfing and windsurfing center, a kids’ club, nine restaurants, and seven bars. And with adjoining rooms that sleep up to six and feature sitting rooms, sleeper sofas, and private balconies, Coconut Bay is a great vacation idea for larger families.  

Club Med Punta Cana – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

At Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, kids ages 11 to 17 get their own space called Club Med Passworld, which offers activities like horseback riding, water sports, archery, and even learning to swing on a flying trapeze. It’s a great vacation idea for families with hard-to-please teens and tweens.

Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

The kid-friendly Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen (about 30 minutes from the international airport and a host of other Cancun family resorts) brings SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life in a five-star all-inclusive resort setting where every room is a swim-up oceanfront suite.

Family vacation highlights at this resort include character breakfasts, live Nick-themed shows and entertainment, and a six-acre outdoor water park with slides, rides, and splash pads.

Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort and Waterpark – Runaway Bay, Jamaica

At the all-inclusive Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort in Jamaica, it’s all about the water. The resort’s Jewel Lagoon Water Park boasts water slides, raft rides, and a lazy river with rock grottos and waterfalls. Kids and parents alike love the pool and beach, and in the evening the family fun includes live entertainment and drive-in movies. 

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort – Culebra, Costa Rica

With its movie memorabilia, walk-of-fame, red carpet, and Stars Kids Club, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Costa Rica is a family vacation favorite for younger kids and teens alike. Other popular amenities at this Costa Rica family vacation hotspot include multiple swimming pools, a splash zone, a spa, and seven onsite restaurants. The all-inclusive resort also curates special experiences such as zip lining, canopy tours, horseback riding, and water sports like snorkeling and sailing excursions.