There’s no denying it – Disney can be an expensive vacation. While there are ways to make it more affordable and save some money, you are probably going to want to save up for a nice trip. The great thing about Disney is that you can plan ahead to make sure you are saving for Disney!
Especially in these times it can be difficult to save money, but travel is still important to many people. Whether you’re thinking about going to Disney in 2021 or at some point in the future, here are some of my top tips to help you save money for your next Disney vacation.
Open a savings account
If you’re going to be putting money away for awhile towards a vacation, I highly recommend putting that money into a savings account. In fact, it may be smart to open a savings account just for your vacation fund. Not only can you gain some interest on the money you are saving, it also helps to have a place where money is put aside for that specific purpose. That way you won’t be tempted to spend that money towards something else.
Get price estimates
In order to start saving you really want to know what your savings goal is, and approximately how much money you’ll want to have for your Disney vacation. You can search on Disney’s website to see prices on resorts, tickets, dining plans, etc. However, for personalized help with this consider using a travel agent. Travel agents can get you price quotes on different options and come up with customized recommendations based on your budget and desires. Plus travel agents are free to use! If you’d like some price quotes and information about booking, feel free to email at beckyg@castledreamstravel.com.
Use a Savings Goal Calculator
Once you have an idea of how much money you need to save, it’s helpful to break it down to see how much you need to save each month. That’s where a savings goal calculator can be particularly useful. I personally like this one because it not only calculates how much you’ll need to set aside each month, it also recommends savings accounts with the best interest rates and gives other helpful savings advice.
Use a Disney Visa or cashback credit card
As long as you pay off your credit card on time every month, having one can be a great way to save a little extra money. The Disney visa card gives you points that you can use towards any Disney purchases, including vacations. You also get a merchandise discount, exclusive meet and greets in the parks, and the option of vacation financing.
Buy Disney gift cards from Target
If you have a Target red card, buying Disney gift cards from Target can be a great option. The Target red card gives you 5% off all purchases, and that does include gift cards. For an expensive vacation, if you buy gift cards to pay it off that 5% can add up! You can use these gift cards towards your vacation, either by contacting Disney yourself to make payments or through your travel agent.
Make one small change
Everyone has probably heard the old “give up your fancy coffee and save $5 every day!” This can feel a little silly because many people already do not splurge on expensive coffee drinks. But you could think about other small changes you might be able to make to save a few dollars here or there. Maybe it’s cutting back on a luxury, or maybe it’s going through your closet and reselling clothes in good condition that you don’t wear anymore. Perhaps you could try carpooling places instead of paying for gas, or just putting aside $1 every day. One small change can certainly add up in the long run.
Get the kids involved
If you have kids, get them involved in the saving too! Not only is it a good idea to teach kids to be smart about financial matters, they may have their own creative ideas about how to do it. If they normally get a little treat when you go out, tell them that money could be put towards Disney instead. Maybe they’ll start a lemonade stand, or save their allowance. You never know, they may surprise you!
How do you go about saving for Disney? What are some of the best tips you’ve seen?
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