4 Disney Food Hacks That Will Save You Money
A trip to Disneyland or Disney World is not a cheap one. Depending on where you live, you will have to account for the cost of travel, lodging, park tickets and more all to have a memorable time.
Then there is the price of food, which is expensive everywhere you go these days. However, there are a few strategies to do Disney on a budget and advice you can follow to keep some extra money in your pocket to spend on Mickey ears at one of the gift shops.
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Here are four Disney food hacks that will save you money.
Download the Disney App
One of the best ways to save money at Disney parks and resorts is by planning ahead with the company’s app, according to Justin Hermes, the founder of The Mickey Wiki and a longtime Disney World fan.
“If you want to reduce the cost of your visit to the Disney Parks, figure out where, or what, you want to eat beforehand,” Hermes said, noting that the app can help connect you with food from quick service stands all the way up to five-star meals.
Using the app can help you strategically plan ahead so you can know what you’ll be spending ahead of time and budget accordingly.
“Disney makes researching, finding and even ordering easy with the My Disney Experience app. Both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland versions of the apps allow guests to read through menus, see nearby dining locations, make reservations and even mobile order!” Hermes said.
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Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
Whether you are in Florida or California, no matter the time of the year, you’ll find yourself getting thirsty during your day at Disney. But you could spend a lot of money paying for multiple plastic bottles of water. To save, bring your own refillable water bottle instead.
“Disney offers free ice water at most of their quick service dining locations,” said Lauren King, a travel advisor with Key to the World Travel. “You need to stay hydrated, and this is a free and easy way to do it!”
Opt for the Disney Dining Plan
You can also opt for a Disney dining plan, which is available when you stay in a resort hotel. “The dining plan included in your vacation package depends on which Disney Resort hotel you are staying at,” Hermes said. “The Quick-Service Dining Plan is a great option for families as it comes with two quick-service meals and one snack or nonalcoholic drink credit per day.”
As Mollie Davies wrote in Business Insider, the plan helped her with budgeting, as everything was paid for upfront. She explained that while she didn’t quite break even on her trip with the dining plan, there are opportunities to get the value back and it’s still worth it.
In fact, as WDW Info reported last year, if you’re planning to eat at buffets or have character meals, you could save up to $25 a day.
“With a Disney dining plan, you do not have to worry about budgeting out your meals,” Hermes said. “Instead, Disney gives you Dining Plan credits that are redeemable at over 200 restaurants and locations across Walt Disney World.”
Bring Plenty of Snacks
“When visiting the parks, you will do a lot of walking, and your family will get hungry,” Hermes said. “If you can tide everyone over with snacks you brought, you will save a lot of money in the long run. Stopping by a Walmart or Target once you arrive at Disney World can be a great way to save money [during the course] of your trip.”
King shared that her family avoids buying prepackaged snacks at home, but they make more sense on Disney trips. “When we are at Disney, those things seem like a treat! We pack those into our day bag and then just pick one treat to purchase in the park to make it more special and economical.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Disney Food Hacks That Will Save You Money
