Disney Vacation on a Budget: DVC Resale Listings and More!

Planning a trip to the most magical place on earth doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s easy to get caught up in the magical experience that Disney provides! But with a few insider secrets, you can plan a cheap trip to Disney on any budget. 

Whether you’re looking for exclusive DVC resale listings or packing your own food for the in-park adventures, there are tons of ways that you can save money and still have the time of your life. 

Stay on the Property 

You might look at the average cost of a Disney hotel by night and think that they’re too expensive to justify the cost. But when you stay on the property, you get so much more than just a room. 

Disney shuttles guests back and forth between the hotels and the park for free. You’ll save money on a rental car and parking fees! Plus, you’ll get access to the park during Extra Magical Hours. 

Disney also has some less expensive, “value,” hotels. Pop Century and All-Star Movies are both less expensive options that let you still reap all the benefits. 

Look for DVC Resale Listings 

DVC, or Disney Vacation Club, lets you save money every time you visit Disney by collecting points. When you buy into the DVC, you essentially get a timeshare at one of the 15 different DVC resorts. 

This is a costly option. 

However, some families choose to sell their DVC spots and points through third-party listings. These timeshare buyouts can save you $9,000 or more, depending on what is available at the time. 

Buy Tickets Ahead of Time 

Every year, Disney raises the price of their tickets. Currently, a standard theme park ticket costs $109 per person, but keep in mind that if you plan to stay in the parks for more than one day, the cost starts to decrease. 

You can buy tickets to Disney at least a year in advance. If you know you’ll visit Disney within the next year, invest as soon as possible before the ticket prices go up. 

Visit During “Down” Times 

Without a doubt, some of the most magical times to visit Disney are Halloween and Christmas. Unfortunately, everyone else thinks they’re magical too. These are some of Disney’s peak times, and with those peak times comes peak crowds and peak fees. 

If you can avoid going to Disney during times that are typically considered school holidays or vacations, you’ll save tons of money. Visit during the week instead of on the weekend. 

Shop Around 

You can find lots of discounts when you shop around for sales. There are loads of websites designed to do the searching for you. Sometimes, Disney offers limited-time sales on tickets, hotels, and even total vacation packages. 

Check-in with the company you work for to see if they are partnered with any companies that can give you benefits when you take a trip to Disney World also. 

Take Advantage of Free Stuff 

A Disney World vacation takes you to another universe of its own. You don’t even need to enter a park to experience it. Many of the Disney resorts are open to the public to walk around the property. 

Can you find all the animals hiding in the Animal Kingdom resort? Are you interested in some campfire songs with Chip’n’Dale and a screening of a Disney movie at Fort Wilderness? 

Plus, there’s always Disney Springs. Disney Springs is full of eateries, shops, and shows for everyone. 

There are free boat rides too! Don’t forget a visit to the Lego Store which has hands-on tables full of legos to play with, completely free. 

Plan Out Everything (Including Meals!) 

A Disney vacation is not something you can “play by ear.” If you’re the kind of person who enjoys vacations that don’t require a lot of advanced planning, or you like to take things one day at a time, it may not be the best vacation experience for you. To squeeze every last drop from the experience, you have to plan ahead for everything. 

For each day of your vacation, decide ahead which parks you want to visit, which rides are your top choices for that park, where you’re going to eat, and roughly what time you want to have it all done by. 

It’s especially important to plan your mealtimes out if you’re planning on eating at the dining establishments in the park. Many of them start booking six months in advance and sell out immediately. 

Stay Late! 

The fun keeps coming after dark! At the end of each day, there are fun light shows or fireworks to see at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom’s firework shows are always magical and tear-jerking, so make sure you bring your tissues! 

These events are included in your ticket price, so it’s worth it to stay late or even head back to the park later to catch them. 

Skip the Park Hopper 

The Park Hopper is an extra fee that allows you to jump from one park to the next on the same day. But keep in mind that Disney parks are huge and you’ll likely need more than one day to truly experience the entire park. So pass on the Park Hopper.

The one benefit is that you can get into the water parks. But you have to ask yourself if you really came to Disney for the water parks. 

Planning a Cheap Trip to Disney 

There you have it, our top tips for planning a cheap trip to Disney. From browsing DVC resale listings to being on the lookout for extra sales, there are countless ways you can save a little extra cash on your next trip to the most magical place on earth. 

Just remember, it’s okay to say no! You don’t have to add every extra expense to make your trip magical. The fun is in the adventure and when you choose Disney for a vacation spot, the adventure never ends. 

For more tips on how to have fun with your family this summer, keep reading!