Taking a big family to Disney World is an unforgettable experience—but it can also be very expensive. As a mom of six, I know firsthand how those costs add up fast. But over the years, we’ve figured out money-saving tips for Disney that help us make the most of our trips without blowing our budget. Here’s how we keep costs down while still having an incredible time!

1. Book Your Stay with DVC Points to Save Money on Your Resort Stay in Disney

One of the biggest expenses of any Disney trip is accommodations, especially when you have a large family. The debate is whether you book multiple rooms or one large room.

Instead of booking directly through Disney, we used Disney Vacation Club (DVC) rental points to score a two-bedroom villa that sleeps nine! This saved us thousands compared to paying the “rack rate” (or the rate directly through the Disney website) for a Disney resort. You do not have to be a DVC member, you can rent points through reputable third-party sites and still stay in a deluxe resort for a fraction of the price. Personally, I love David’s Vacation Club Rentals. Booking was easy, and their customer service was top-notch.

2. Use Airline Miles and Companion Fares for Budget-Friendly Disney Travel

Flights are another big-ticket expense, but we cut costs by using airline miles and companion fares. If you travel frequently, sign up for a credit card that rewards you with miles or look into airline loyalty programs. It will depend partly on where you are located for which airline is best. As Seattle-based family, we love Alaska Airlines. We use their rewards credit card to save on flights. With a big family, every free or discounted ticket makes a difference. On our last trip, we covered half our flights using points alone!

3. Travel During the Off-Season for the Best Disney Savings

I get it—taking kids out of school isn’t ideal. But hear me out: traveling during peak times, like spring break, can cost thousands more than going in the off-season. For example, our trip would’ve been an extra $3,000 to $4,000 just for flights if we had gone over spring break. Instead, we worked with teachers to make sure our kids stayed on top of their schoolwork and saved a ton of money while enjoying lighter crowds and shorter wait times.

4. Use a Free Travel Agent for Extra Money Saving Tips for Disney

Did you know that using a Disney travel agent doesn’t cost you a dime? Good travel agents help you find the best deals, make sure you’re booking at the right time, and even take care of things like dining reservations and room requests. Our travel agent found us better pricing and availability for the rest of our stay, and it took all the stress off my plate!

5. Get an Annual Pass (It Pays Off!) for Disney Discounts

I know what you’re thinking—an annual pass sounds expensive. How is this a Disney money-saving tip?! But hear me out. By having just one annual pass in our family, we saved on hotel stays, dining, and souvenirs. With discounts up to 20% on food and merchandise, plus room discounts throughout the year, the savings added up quickly. If you plan to visit Disney more than once in a year, this is a game-changer!
Of course, check the math for your family. Should getting an annual pass not be a money saving tip for disney, check out the next tip.

6. Buy Discounted Tickets Safely to Save Big at Disney

Theme park tickets are a non-negotiable, but you don’t always have to pay full price. There are authorized resellers that sell discounted Disney tickets—just make sure they’re legit! This small step can help you save hundreds on tickets for the whole family. Every dollar counts when you’re paying for multiple tickets!

My family used Undercover Tourist for our tickets. They had adult tickets at child prices. For our family, we have 4 “adults” so that savings was nice to have. Remember, according to Disney, ages 10+ are considered adult pricing.

7. Order Groceries and Bring Food to the Parks for Major Savings

Feeding a big family at Disney is no joke. We always order groceries to our hotel and pack snacks, breakfast items, and even lunch for the parks. Some of our go-to items include:

• Bagels & cream cheese
• Snack bars
• Fresh fruit
• Oatmeal packets (easy to make in the hotel room)
• Bottled water to fill our stainless steel water bottles (Florida water tastes… interesting, so trust me on this one!)

Bringing our own food easily saves us hundreds of dollars over a week-long trip. Plus, picky eaters are happy, and we’re not constantly shelling out for pricey park meals that the kids won’t even eat. Then we are only spending money on special meals or snacks.

8. Make Kids Responsible for Their Souvenirs to Save on Disney Spending

It’s easy to go overboard on Disney souvenirs—everything is so tempting! To keep spending under control, we give each child a set budget for souvenirs. Once their money is gone, that’s it. This not only saves money but also teaches them to make thoughtful choices instead of impulse purchases.

9. Off-Season = Lower Costs on Everything for the Ultimate Money Saving Tips for Disney

Beyond just flights, traveling in the off-season means lower costs on hotels, tickets, and even Lightning Lane pricing. For example, if we had traveled during mid-winter break, our flights would’ve been an additional $200 per person EACH WAY—that’s $3,200 saved just on flights! Yes, it meant pulling the kids out of school, but with good communication with their teachers, they stayed on track, and we saved a small fortune in the process.

The Bottom Line on Money Saving Tips for Disney: Smart Planning = Big Savings

Taking a large family to Disney doesn’t have to break the bank. By planning strategically, using DVC points, flying with miles, traveling off-season, and making small adjustments like bringing in food, we’ve managed to make Disney affordable for our family of eight.

I hope these money-saving tips for Disney help your family plan a magical, budget-friendly trip! For more tips and inspiration for your vacation, check out the blog. Watch The Lee Crew vlogs to keep your family excited and give you a dose of Disney in between trips!