Disney can be a dream trip that turns into a tough reality when you see how much it costs.
The good news is there are several ways you can save some extra cash to go on that Disney dream trip.
Before you book your trip, check out these clever ways to save up so you can enjoy your trip to a magical place without worrying about a villain cleaning out your wallet.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Use Costco to supercharge your savings
A great Costco hack is to use your membership for items that are basic bulk purchases from the warehouse. But, there are also other ways to save money at Costco that you can use to save for your Disney trip.
For example, Costco Travel has great deals for vacations not only at Disney resorts but also on Disney cruises if you prefer to travel by ship on your next vacation.
Look for options that include a free Costco Shop Card to pay for Costco items and use the money you save for your Disney trip.
Set specific goals
It can be hard to save money when you have a generic goal like “Save money for a Disney trip,” so set specific savings goals that you can reach to get to your dream vacation.
You might want to set a goal for how much you plan to save each month to get to the amount you need. You could also declutter your home and create a goal to sell a certain number of items each month and put the cash toward your Disney dream vacation.
Start a high-yield savings account
A great high-yield savings account is one option to help you earn extra interest on the money you’re saving, especially if you’re saving an amount for a big purchase like a Disney vacation.
You can set goals to put a certain amount in each month to help build your savings for your vacation and keep tabs on how much additional cash you’re earning in interest.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Cancel streaming services (but not Disney+)
Streaming services may only cost $10 or $15 a month, but that can add up and be used for a Disney vacation instead. Reevaluate your streaming subscriptions and see if you can cancel some or rotate your subscriptions each month.
One thing you shouldn’t cancel, however, is your Disney+ streaming service. The resorts have offered discounts in the past for Disney+ subscribers so keep an eye out if they revive that discount.
Create a budget
A budget is an important part of any savings plan so set up a few different budgets to reach your Disney goals.
You’ll want to either create or revisit your monthly budget to see if there are extra ways you can save cash to reach your Disney trip. It’s also a good idea to build a Disney budget so you can make attainable savings goals to reach the amount you need.
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Get a rewards credit card
The best rewards credit cards are great options if you want to find ways to earn points and perks while spending money.
Check out the Disney® Visa® Card, for example, which can help you save money at Disney dining locations or gets you extra park perks as a cardholder. You can even pick your favorite characters to be on your rewards card and show off your love for Disney.
Buy Disney gift cards
You’re probably including souvenirs and other fun purchases in your Disney budget so get those costs covered now and put that toward your Disney trip savings at a discount.
Disney gift cards can be purchased for less than the face value at stores like Sam’s Club, or you can use your Target REDcard to buy Disney cards at face value but use your REDcard discount to get 5% off the purchase price.
Cook at home more
You’re going to love all the unique restaurants and tasty treats when you go to a Disney resort, so spend some time in your kitchen before you go to save money.
It could also be a fun way to get the family involved and have everyone pitch in on dinner nights to save enough for your big trip.
Download shopping apps
There are still plenty of everyday expenses you can’t avoid while putting cash in your Disney fund, but there are ways to save when you shop.
Check out the apps for places you visit regularly such as grocery stores or retail stores like Target and Walmart. You can find additional coupons or discounts that can help you save during each visit. The extra savings can add up over time for your trip.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Get a side hustle
Side hustles can be great options to help you earn and save extra money. Find a side hustle that fits into your schedule or pick an option that fits your talents such as a hobby you can turn into cash, or tutoring using your knowledge of a specific subject.
Get the kids involved
Sometimes you might want to surprise your kids with a Disney vacation they didn’t expect, but it can also be a good idea to get them involved in saving so they feel like they’re contributing.
If your kids are old enough, encourage them to help neighbors out with yard work or shoveling sidewalks to earn a little extra cash. You can also have them collect cans from family and turn them in for cash if you’re in a state with a can and bottle deposit.
Buy used instead of new
There are some great websites to purchase things you may need without spending as much for them if they’re used compared to if they’re new.
Check out sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist for items you need before you head out to buy them new or order them online. You may be surprised at how much you can save using online thrift shopping.
Use your tax refund
It can be exciting to find out you’re getting a tax refund after filing your tax returns in April.
Keep track of that refund when it arrives and earmark it specifically for your Disney fund to give your trip an extra savings boost.
Bottom line
Disney can be so much fun for your family, even if it is a very expensive trip.
But there are ways to save so consider planning and researching different options to help you keep cash in your pocket, especially if you’re trying to save up money for other things as well.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
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- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
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- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
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- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
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Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
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