The Item You Should Always Pack If You Want To Save Money At Disney World

A Disney vacation is a magical experience for kids of all ages (because yes, adults love donning a pair of mouse ears and living out their childhood fantasies as much as the little ones do), but it can also cost a pretty penny. If you still want to bite the bullet and go for one of these pricey vacations, saving money wherever you can is key to easing the heavy price tag that comes with a visit to Walt Disney World. You don't want to spend more than you can afford on your vacation, so money-saving tips and hunting for great deals can really help you save, but slipping one little thing in your suitcase can help eliminate a very avoidable expense.

Florida, home of the world-famous Disney World, is known for its year-round beautiful weather — it isn't known as the Sunshine State for nothing — but visitors to the Happiest Place on Earth may still want to pack an umbrella. Orlando sees an average of 114 days of precipitation a year, and if you aren't prepared you could find your highly-anticipated Disney vacation getting rained out — unless you shell out some cash on-site for rain gear. Umbrellas are lightweight and easy to pack and carry. They are one of those items you may not need when you travel, but not having one is something you may regret. Sure, you can always buy one at the park, but with adult umbrellas going for $12 (and $10 for smaller kid-size versions), the expense can add up for a family.

Visiting Disney World is far from cheap. Transportation to and from Orlando and the park itself, admission tickets, accommodations, food, and of course, the must-have souvenirs, all add up. Especially when you consider that most of the guests are families and park visitors seldom spend just a single day at the park. According to sites like Magic Guides, a website that specializes in all things Disney, a family of four visiting Walt Disney World for a week in 2025 can expect to spend approximately $6,785.

While this estimate accounts for a full seven-day stay (and, understandably, not all guests will stay that long), it does include park fees, hotel expenses with taxes, dining packages for four plus additional food expenses not covered by a pre-purchased meal plan, and lightning lane access for four (this special access, which needs to be purchased in addition to your park ticket, allows you to bypass the regular line for popular park rides). This estimate does not, however, account for airfare or any other transportation expenses to reach Orlando or Disney World. It also doesn't account for souvenir expenses, which can run the gamut in price depending on the item.

Disney capitalizes on marketing a full experience to families with numerous accommodations available that are connected to the park and, with Walt Disney World welcoming more than 40 million guests annually, these hotels, resorts, and campgrounds are designed to offer a wide range of affordability. Taking the time to search for the accommodations that best suit your budget will pay off in the long run — and don't be afraid to book your stay (or at least part of your stay) outside of the Walt Disney World Resort family so you can put more money toward other things like transportation, food, or souvenirs.

Visiting Disney isn't like going to your local carnival. There is a lot to consider and a lot of details to arrange. And for many devoted Disney fans, months of planning often go into these vacations, with families saving and pouring over every detail well in advance. As the preparations get underway, you can employ some handy tricks, like getting a Disney Visa card that will nab you discounts within the park, or you can plan your trip around certain days and months that are less popular so you can score better airline and hotel deals. The extra time and care spent planning things ahead, packing well for unexpected surprises like bad weather, and making decisions that work best with your budget, you can enjoy a Disney vacation the family will always remember.