Planning a Disney World trip is tricky. Saving money at Disney World is even trickier.

When it comes to saving money, we’re always on the lookout for good Disney deals. With that said, savings don’t always have to come in the form of discounts and deals. Sometimes, taking advantage of existing Disney World offerings and programs can actually save you money in the long run.

We go to Disney World every day, and, in our experience, there are three offerings that have saved us cash over time — no discounts or deals required! With that said, if you can pair any of these three items with a discount, then you’ve hit the jackpot. Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Disney World Vacation Packages

At the end of the day, bundling really is the best way to save, especially at Disney World.

The pros of a vacation package are pretty obvious. In 2025, they’re even more magnified.

For starters, a vacation package with Disney World will maximize value, getting you more bang for your buck with park tickets and hotel stays. You can also apply special offers through Disney when booking a vacation package. For example, during the summer of 2025, Disney is running a promo where you can “save up to 30% on stays of 5 nights or longer at select Disney Resort hotels this summer—or enjoy other savings for shorter stays.” Deals like this can be common year-round.

Then there are the perks that come along with a package. Staying in a Disney World hotel means you get into the parks 30 minutes early each day of your trip — giving you a job on lines and saving you time to enjoy more of Disney World. (And time is money, right?) You’ll also be closer to the parks and other Disney World properties, and free access to a Disney water park on your check-in day.

Are there times when NOT bundling your hotel and tickets makes sense at Disney World? Well, yes. This can be especially true for Florida residents, because sometimes they are offered cheaper ticket deals — like the Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket available now for $240. It allows for four park days for $60 each — one at each park. But for the most part, bundling your hotel and tickets into a package is the way to go, and many Disney World discounts require it.

The best way to crunch the numbers on whether bundling your room and tickets makes sense for your Disney World vacation is to…NOT crunch the numbers! Let a travel agent who specializes in Disney do it for you. Their services are free to you, and they keep up with all the latest discounts that could save you money in the long run. We recommend reaching out to our friends at Small World Vacations — we’ve been using them for years!

And, with some vacation packages, you can EAT FOR FREE, which leads to our next point…

Disney Dining Plans When Offered as Free Dining

The Disney Dining Plan program consists of the Standard Disney Dining Plan and Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan (if you’re looking for something that mostly covers small meals and snacks). These plans will allocate you credits that you can spend at your own pace (unused credits roll over to the next day) at tons of Disney World restaurants and food locations, essentially giving you a set budget to play with.

Having a vacation package is the only way to acquire the Disney Dining Plan and the perks and pricing are as follows:

Standard Disney Dining Plan:

• Everyone in the travel party will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night and a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay—along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
• Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
• The cost of the Disney Dining Plan is per guest, per night, at the following rates:
  • $97.70 per adult per night ages 10 and up
  • $30.78 per child per night ages 3 to 9
  • This cost is added to the regular cost of a Disney World Vacation Package.

Quick-Service Disney Dining Plan:

• Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night, a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay – along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
• Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
• The cost of the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan is per guest, per night, at the following rates:
  • $59.14 per adult per night ages 10 and up
  • $24.70 per child per night ages 3 to 9
  • This cost is added to the regular cost of a Disney World Vacation Package.

Now, let me tell you…we have crunched the numbers OVER and OVER and OVER again on the Disney Dining Plan. And I’m here to say if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest way to vacation at Disney World, buying the Disney Dining Plan isn’t it. However, if you enjoy an “all-inclusive” vacation where you’ve paid for everything including your food in advance, it may be very worth it for you. If you want to crunch those numbers yourself, you’ll want to pick up our Disney Dining Plan guide!

While the value of the Disney Dining Plan ultimately depends on how you and your family decide to spend credits, there are some sweeteners that make purchasing the plan more worth it.

Several promos can often come up for the Plan, such as the ability to save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package.

In 2025, Disney World is also running a promotion where you can enjoy a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resorts Collection hotel and a theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option — for arrivals most nights from May 27th to June 26th, 2025 or July 7th to August 6th, 2025. 

Now, this might sound like an amazing deal…and it might BE an amazing deal for your trip. But it also might not, because you can’t stack the deal with other discounts that may be available. And depending on where you are staying and how many people you are bringing with you, something like a 30% of your hotel room may wind up being more savings than free dining. Again, this is why we tell you to have an expert at Small World Vacations check out all the scenarios and find you the best deal.

Prix Fixe Menus

A prix fixe menu is one that offers a multi-course meal at a set price. Many Disney World restaurants offer these and, more often than not, the entire dining experience is simply prix fixe rather than a menu option. They generally are pretty pricey, but they can ultimately save you money.

Prix fixe meals have a set price, so you can budget for them. No hidden fees, no last-minute changes — you know what you’re walking into. And if you want a multi-course meal, they can be a pretty good deal.

Prix fixe meals are generally on-par or a little bit cheaper than simply adding up each course separately. The prix fixe options bundle them and — generally speaking — you’ll find some slight savings, such as a discounted or on-the-house dessert or an appetizer that is slightly cheaper with the prix fixe menu. If you’re looking for a hearty meal at a predestined price, prix fixe meals are the way to go.

BUT, keep in mind that a prix fixe meal can be a lot of food! If you don’t normally order an appetizer and/or dessert, you will be paying more than just going with an entree at a different Disney World table service restaurant. For example, a 3-course prix-fixe meal at California Grill costs $89 per adult. On that menu, you can choose an Oak-Grilled Filet of Beef with a carrot side. OR, you can head downstairs in the Contemporary Resort to Steakhouse 71 and get a 6-ounce Filet Mignon with a side included for $41. Now, these are not the same experiences — California Grill is on the 15th floor with Magic Kingdom views and a terrace to watch the fireworks. It’s a signature restaurant with elegant surroundings and a dress code. BUT, if what you’re looking for is steak and no other courses, there is a large difference in those two prices.

With careful planning, smart money-spending practices, and staying up-to-date on the happenings of Disney World, you can win Disney World and make the most out of your dollar during your next visit!

All in all, we always recommend checking for Disney deals and saving tips frequently. You can count on us to bring you all the latest updates on that front, as well as all the latest news, tips, reviews, and more from the Walt Disney World Resort!

NEW 2025 Hotel Discount Announced for Disney World Fans

What are some of your best tips to save money at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!