3 Tips How to Hack a Disney World Trip on Points

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How to Save Money on Your Next Disney World Vacation

Planning a trip to Disney World can be expensive, but with some creativity and smart planning, you can enjoy the Magic Kingdom without breaking the bank. 

Are you dreaming of a magical Disney getaway but worried about the cost? Don’t worry! With a little planning and some travel rewards hacks, your Disney dream vacation is more affordable than you think. Here are three tips to help you plan the cheapest way to a Disney vacation using rewards from your everyday spending.

Trick 1: Use Points for Free Hotel Stays and Airfare to Disney World

One of the easiest ways to cut costs on your Disney vacation is by using hotel points earned from your travel rewards credit cards. Consider Marriott's Dolphin, Swan, and Swan Reserve hotels if you want a Disney property experience while using points.  They are also technically on Disney property, making them close to the theme parks.

These properties offer many of the same perks as Disney deluxe resorts but can be booked using Marriott points, making them a sweet spot between a non-Disney hotel and staying on property.

To maximize your savings, consider signing up for a Marriott credit card to earn free night awards and sign-up bonuses.  Keep in mind these 3 Marriott hotels do have an extra cost, such as a resort fee and a parking fee. 

In addition to on-property options, there are several off-property hotels near Disney World where you can redeem points, including Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt properties.

Off-property hotels often waive resort and parking fees when booking with points, which is helpful if you are on a tight budget.

On our last Walt Disney World Vacation we stayed at Marriott's Imperial Palms Villas, booked entirely with points. This property does not charge a resort fee when booked with points, and parking is free! However, this location does not offer a shuttle to the Disney Parks, so you will have to pay for the parking lots at Disney. 

Many hotels in the Disney Springs area are close to Disney World, offer early access to the parks, and have shuttles providing easy access to Disney attractions. These hotels can be booked using hotel points making your hotel stay free. 

If you're new to travel hacking, choose a hotel chain you’d like to stay with during your trip. Look for a travel rewards card for that chain that offers a generous sign-up bonus. After you earn your first bonus, consider getting additional cards within the same hotel chain until you have enough points for your stay. 

Once you’ve secured free hotel stays, focus on earning miles for your airfare. Choose your preferred airline and find its co-branded credit card. Use the card for your everyday expenses and pay it off in full each month to accumulate points or miles, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and even Disney tickets!

Trick 2: Save on Meals at Disney World

Meal costs can quickly add up on your Disney trip, but there are ways to keep food expenses down. One option is to bring your own food and drinks into the park. Staying at an off-property hotel with a full kitchen can also help you save by stocking up at the grocery store. Many grocery stores in the area deliver right to your hotel room.

For our budget-conscious vacation, having a kitchen was a must. We plan to have one meal a day in our room, bring snacks into the parks, and splurge on just one sit-down meal in the parks per day to enjoy the dining experiences.

On our last trip to Disney, we were able to limit ourselves to one meal in the parks, which allowed us to splurge for character meals. It's also a great idea to bring a reusable water bottle with you, Disney has many fill stations. 

A note that the Disney dining plan is only available to on-property Walt Disney World Resorts guests (Marriott Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin cannot have a dining plan).

If staying in the Disney bubble or having a dining plan is important to you, but you want to save some money, consider value resorts. On occasion, Disney will offer a free dining plan for kids in vacation packages. 

Trick 3: Save on Disney World Park Tickets

Learn how to use credit card rewards to pay for your Disney World park Tickets at Credit Card Reward Points for Disney Park Tickets.

You can often find discounted Walt Disney World tickets on websites like Expedia, Undercover Tourist, or Get Away Today, which may offer a better deal than Disney’s official site. Plus you can get bonus Amex membership points if your partner Expedia and Rakuten.

Traveling during off-peak times is another great way to save on tickets. Check Disney’s website for ticket prices during different seasons—prices vary significantly depending on the date and number of park days you purchase.

It is a good idea to pay around with the ticket calendar on Disney's website to find the best time and cheapest option for your vacation.  Find the cheapest times that work with your schedule.

If you want to minimize how much money is spent, you can also use credit card reward points to cover the cost of park tickets. While this might not be the best use of points, it’s still an option.

For example, if you have an American Express card that earns travel rewards, you can use points to pay at checkout through PayPal. Undercover Tourist and Expedia allow PayPal as a payment option, and I was able to use Amex points from my and my husband’s Amex Gold cards to cover two park tickets last Disney World Trip

For more on how I planned my entire Disney World trip for just $1,400, check out my post, How I Used Points To Score A Disney Trip for $1,414.

Planning a cheap Disney vacation is possible with the right strategies. By leveraging credit card rewards programs and airline miles, you can significantly reduce the cost of your trip. Being flexible with your travel dates and booking early can also help you take advantage of lower prices.

With a little effort and some strategic planning, anyone can enjoy a magical Disney vacation without the hefty price tag. So start earning those reward points and get ready to experience the magic of Disney World without the financial stress!