Disney on a Budget: Real Tips from a Single Mom
Planning a Disney vacation but feeling overwhelmed by the cost? You're not alone. As a single mom, I know exactly how stressful it can be to balance your budget while trying to create magical memories. But here's the good news: you can do Disney without draining your bank account—I've done it, and I'm here to share how.
Whether you're planning your first trip or looking for ways to stretch your dollars even further, these are my honest, real-life tips for how to travel to Disney on a budget—as a single parent, or really any parent trying to save smart.
🎯 How I Saved Before the Trip
The savings started before we even packed our bags.
✅ Disney Gift Cards at Target
If you're a Target RedCard holder, you can buy Disney gift cards and get 5% off every purchase—even on gift cards. I used these to pay for food, tickets, and even souvenirs.
✅ Chase Disney Rewards (Use Responsibly!)
I also have a Chase Disney Visa, and over time I built up rewards points. I used these for food and sometimes tickets. I even was able to use them on my hotel stay on Disney Property. I always remind people: use credit responsibly—only charge what you can pay off each month.
🚗 Driving + DIY Meals = Big Savings
Since I drove to Disney, I packed a cooler full of frozen homemade meals. One trip, we stayed in a Cabin at Fort Wilderness, which came with a full kitchen—fridge, freezer, stove, and microwave. I was able to find a really good deal that year on the Disney Website.
I brought:
Lasagna (pre-frozen)
Hot dogs & hamburgers
Popcorn and s’mores fixings for movie nights
This saved us a lot on dining out—and gave us the comforts of home. I must admit, who wants to cook on their vacation, but I'll do it in order to be able to afford to make magical memories with my family.
🏕️ Free Fun at the Resorts
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: you don’t need a park ticket every day to enjoy Disney magic.
At Fort Wilderness, we:
Swam at the pool
Attended free resort crafts & games
Watched Disney movies under the stars - Each night is a different movie
Watched the water pageant from the Fort Wilderness Beach
Saw Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Fort Wilderness beach!
Resort days are just as magical as park days—and way more relaxing.
🛶 Budget-Friendly Exploring
We also used Disney transportation (which is free!) to explore other resorts:
Took a boat from Disney Springs to Port Orleans (You will need to start at Disney Springs and return to Disney Springs)
Walked around the French Quarter & Riverside
Enjoyed the atmosphere without spending a dime
Pro tip: Pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or make subs in your cabin or room to bring along!
You can also hop on the Monorail from the Contemporary Resort and explore the Polynesian and Grand Floridian—beautiful and totally free.
🎟️ Park Days Without the Pressure
When we went to the parks, I skipped expensive extras like character dining. You can still meet your favorite characters throughout the parks (and it's included in the ticket price).
Another affordable highlight: spending a day at a Disney water park, then relaxing at the cabin with popcorn and a Disney movie. It was just the right mix of magic and downtime.
💰 Start a Sinking Fund
One of my best long-term tips? Start a Disney sinking fund. I opened a high-yield savings account and added a small amount each month. Even just $25–$50/month adds up over time and makes your trip feel so much less stressful when you're ready to go.
✨ You Don’t Have to Do It All
You don’t have to go every day. You don’t have to eat at every restaurant. You don’t have to buy every souvenir. Choose what works best for your family—and let the little moments be the big ones.
📺 Watch the Full Video
👉 Want to hear all my real-life tips in action?
Watch my full video on YouTube:
🎥 Disney on a Budget: Real Tips from a Single Mom
🎒 And check out my curated list of budget-friendly Disney must-haves:
🛍️ My Benable List of Disney Essentials
💬 Let’s Chat!
Have your own budget tips? Questions about planning your trip? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below—or come say hi on Instagram or YouTube!
This is not my design, but you can customize these tees for your family vacation:
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| Personalized Family Disney Travel T-Shirts |
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