How to save money (and time) at Disney World

Disney celebrates its 100th birthday this year — here’s how to get the ultimate Orlando holiday for less

For most people, a holiday to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. But booking the trip can challenge even the most organised planner. Walt Disney World Resort covers a leg-aching 43 square miles — so big it has its own postcode — and includes four parks, two water parks, the dining and shopping complex Disney Springs, and more than 25 hotels. 

Factor in the added complications of resort transportation, restaurant bookings, virtual queues and park reservations, and arranging a Disney holiday can leave you frazzled before you’ve even laid eyes on that famous pink castle. Here’s what I learnt on my own recent trip to help you enjoy every magical moment instead.

Main photo: Goofy, Donald, Mickey and Minnie at the Magic Kingdom, Disney World Resort (Alamy)

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Face painting at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
Face painting at the Magic Kingdom (Alamy)

What’s the best age to take kids to Disney?

Although under-threes enter free, I’d recommend waiting until they’re old enough to remember the trip and can cope with the long-haul flight, jet lag and queueing, as long days in the Orlando parks can be exhausting. Mine were ten and 14 so could manage the biggest rollercoasters, late nights and endless walking without (too much) moaning — we generally averaged around 20,000 steps a day in 33C heat. It’s worth nothing that good-value children’s meals intended for under-nines can actually be ordered for anyone at quick-service counter restaurants and cost about £7 including two sides and a drink. 

What month is best for Disney World?

For the shortest queues and cheapest hotel prices, September and October are unbeatable and still hot, but expect occasional tropical rain showers — pack your own poncho so you’re not forced to buy one there. January and February see the best deals at on-site hotels alongside pleasant sunshine and cooler nights, though it may be too chilly to enjoy the waterparks. If you need to stick to school holidays, the end of August is the quietest time as US schools start to reopen. Search Disney’s online calendar to check which dates offer the best value.

The new Toy Story-themed Round-up Rodeo BBQ restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
The new Toy Story-themed Round-up Rodeo BBQ restaurant

Book everything in advance

Booking up to a year in advance will guarantee the best prices and bonus extras. Disney’s own early booking offer for 2024 at disneypackages.co.uk includes dining credit, cheaper park tickets and a gift card. Remember that you’ll also need a park reservation for every day of entry, and these can sell out at busy times — so decide in advance when you want to visit each park. Park Hopper tickets do allow guests to move between parks after 2pm but you must visit the reserved park first. Reservations for most table-service restaurants open 60 days in advance and Disney hotel guests can book then for the duration of their trip. Nab meals with characters first as these sell out fastest. However, keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app, as cancellations mean last-minute bookings can become available. I snagged a lunchtime table at the brand-new, booked-solid Toy Story-themed Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant at Hollywood Studios with half an hour’s notice. 

Is Disney World expensive?

A Disney World holiday is never going to be a budget break but there are ways to cut the cost, especially with food and drink. A bottle of water costs about £3 but all quick-service restaurants offer free iced water, so always carry refillable bottles, plus your own snacks. Amazon, Instacart and Garden Grocer will deliver groceries to your hotel for in-room breakfasts or even packed lunches in the parks, while meals from UberEats, Dominos and DoorDash can be collected in the lobby to save on restaurant costs. 

The retro jukebox building at Disney's Pop Century Resort in Orlando
The retro jukebox building at Disney’s Pop Century Resort (Alamy)

Is it cheaper to stay off site?

Not necessarily, as off-site hotels may charge resort fees and you’ll need to pay transport costs or £16 per day to park at Disney. Calculate extras and then compare to Disney’s cheapest options, particularly if booking in advance. Stays at Disney’s Pop Century Resort with its food court, 1960s-themed pool and outdoor movie screenings start from £1,166 per person, including flights, park entry, gift card and dining credit when booked at disneypackages.co.uk. Room-only rates at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort with its two pools and nightly campfires start from £126 per room per night. 

Tron Lightcycle/Run is a popular ride at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
Tron Lightcycle/Run is a popular ride at Walt Disney World Resort

Don’t sleep in

Parks are noticeably quieter before mid-morning. Disney hotel guests can enter half an hour before everyone else — but should arrive half an hour before that to clear security and maximise those early entry benefits. Virtual queues for the newest and best rides — Magic Kingdom’s Tron Lightcycle/Run and Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — also open on Disney’s app at 7am and often fill up in seconds. You’ll be messaged when it’s your turn to ride, but check progress on the app every half an hour anyway. My estimated time for Tron moved forward several hours and I missed the notification so had to rejoin the queue another day.

How do I travel between parks?

Disney’s buses, boats and monorails are free and easy to use. However, the sheer scale of the place is staggering for first-timers, so leave an hour to get anywhere. Don’t forget Uber either. I used it several times and cars always arrived within moments and took around 15 minutes to reach even the furthest corners of the resort — a godsend if you’re racing to get to a park for opening time.

Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom

Which Disney World park is the best?

It’s impossible to choose. The Magic Kingdom has classic Disney charm, with its fairytale lands, fireworks and princesses aplenty. Epcot is more adult-friendly, with countries of the world recreated in meticulous detail, evening pyrotechnics and some of Disney World’s best dining. Hollywood Studios focuses on films, with regular live shows, mock movie sets and the unmissable Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area, while the vast wildlife-centred Animal Kingdom has its own safari drive and the astonishing Avatar Flight of Passage ride. You’ll need at least a full day at each one to really do it justice.

Take me there

A 14-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida costs from £2,864 per person with Walt Disney Travel Company International. This includes accommodation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, direct return flights with British Airways, £1,680 dining and merchandise credit, Disney 14-Day Magic Ticket for the whole party and a £320 Disney gift card. Visit disneypackages.co.uk or call 0800 169 0737.

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