Saving Time and Money

Tips to save Money on your trip

Bring food in knapsacks-
Contrary to popular belief, Disney does not rummage through your bags

Share sodas
For four people, ask for two sodas without ice. Ask for four cups of ice (free)

Only buy souvenirs that you can only get at WDW
Pressed pennies are a great idea-you can get one from nearly every attraction, land, and hotel and they don't cost a lot!!

Purchase refillable mugs from WDW resort
Not only will you get free drinks, but they're a great reminder of your trip when you get home

If you plan on staying for a while, try to get a hotel that has a kitchen.
You save money on food--Wilderness Lodge is great

Limit each person in the group to one novelty food item per day
They are hard to resist, but churros, ice cream, and lemon whips are $$

Bring film and batteries and aspirin!!
You do NOT want to have to spend your money on this stuff

Eat your big meal during lunch hours
The menu is less expensive but the entrées are about the same

Bring ponchos and sweatshirts
If the weather changes, you won't want to purchase accomodating gear for everyone

Plan your route before you go
Try to alternate between shows and rides to rest and escape the heat

USE FASTPASS
This new system is awesome! It's like a reservation--you go to the attraction and get a pass that tells you when to return. When you go back, your wait is less than 15 minutes
WARNING: You can only hold one FASTPASS at a time. When that time has expired, you can get a new one. Do not be surprised if you go to Space Mountain at 10am and your return time is 4pm. At some attractions, all FASTPASSes for the day will be issued within a few hours of park opening.

Attend Magic Mornings
WDW rewards its resort guests by opening parks early for them. You will have a head start over the rest of the crowd

E-ride nights
You can purchase a special pass on certain nights that allows you to stay in the park after it closes to the public. Check which rides stay open and wait to those during E-ride

Go to Guest Services to make priority seating for restaurants
The earlier you make the reservation, the better chance you have of getting that time.

Nap in the afternoon heat so your kids will be awake at night when lines are shorter

Plan around the parades
Know that pathways will be closed at least 30 minutes prior to a parade--stay in areas far from the parade route. If you can miss a parade, the lines will be way shorter. When there are two parades, see the second one--most people will have left by then

Save popular rides for later
If your children can stay awake, the reduced wait is worth it

Do a character breakfast or dinner
You will meet them at the same time without having to stand in line at scheduled times

Go in the off-season
If you go between January and April, you will be happy with the size of the crowd