10 Ways to Save Money at Disney World and Around Orlando
Technology1. Free admission to Walt Disney World on your 2009 birthday: All you have to do is register online for free and they’ll send you a reminder 2 weeks before your birthday. Please bring this confirmation and proper identification to obtain free admissions. Free admission only applies to the birthday person, to a park.
2. Buy 4 Nights Get 3 Free: Walt Disney World Resort offers buy 4 nights get 3 free. This also includes 7 day theme park tickets. This offer is available most nights from 03/17 to 04/04 and from 04/19 to 08/15. If you travel between 03/17 and 03/29/09, you get a $200 Disney Gift Card. All tickets must be reserved by 03/29/09.
3. Walt Disney World Value Resorts: For a lower cost at value resorts, you can still enjoy some benefits of staying at a Disney Resort, with free transportation to/from the airport, enjoy extended hours to a theme park every days exclusively for Disney Resort guests, complimentary transportation to all theme and water parks, enjoy a parent night while kids ages 4-12 have Disney Cast supervised rides at the resort. Rooms start at $82 per night plus tax, per stay most nights during economy season, for up to 4 people in a room, with no more than 2 adults.
4. Orlando Magic Card: Offered through the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. You register for free and print a card. With the card, you can start saving right away on lodging, attractions, dining, golf, vacation rentals, and transportation. Some examples of savings: 20% off Gatorland tickets for up to 6 people, $5 off $30 food bill, $10 off Central Florida Academy of Ballet performance tickets , etc.
5. Go Orlando Card: If you plan to stay 3 days or more and want to visit many other attractions besides the theme parks, this card is worth it. The option is to buy a 3, 5 or 7 day card. Starting at the discounted online price of $139.99 for adults and $118.99 per child (3-12), for a 3-day card, you can visit any of Orlando’s 50 locations. Some examples of attractions are: Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Kennedy Space Center, Wet n’ Wild Adventure, Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, etc.
6. Kids Eat Free Card: Each card costs a flat fee of $19.99. 1 child, under 11, receives one free meal for each card for 1 full-price adult meal purchased, at over 50 Orlando restaurants. If you purchase a Go Orlando card, 1 Kids Eat Free card is included with each card. Card expires 90 days after first use.
7. Coupons: While planning this trip, be sure to check soda cans, grocery store programs, cereal boxes, you’ll occasionally find different deals and discounts on Disney ticket prices. Disney Rewards Visa Cardmembers can enjoy different benefits and discounts at the Theme Parks. AAA members also get some discounts.
8. Florida Residents: If you are a Florida resident and can show valid ID, with proof of residency, you can receive various discounts at many attractions, hotels, etc. You should ask if they offer resident discounts before purchasing tickets.
9. Drinks: The Parks do allow you to bring bottled water and soft drinks, but do not allow any type of cooler, glass bottle or alcoholic beverage. You can refill these bottles or purchase a refillable insulated bottle. Otherwise, you’ll pay $3 for bottled water, which can add up to a lot, when you have to stay hydrated all day.
10. Food: Some parks have a fruit stand where you can buy an apple or a banana for $1. Try to avoid character breakfasts, they are quite expensive. The children already have a full day of excitement and adventure in the park, so it is better to have a quieter breakfast, more relaxed. Instead, plan to meet the characters in the park, times and locations where the characters will be are posted throughout the park. If you want to eat at one of Disney’s nice restaurants, plan on having lunch, which is much cheaper than dinner. Also, some Orlando McDonald’s offer 1 free kids meal with the purchase of 1 regular full price meal.