Hello and welcome to planDisney, Craig!
It looks like your visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth is almost hEAR! How exciting! You'll be just in time to experience
the 50th anniversary celebrations. I can't wait for the new nighttime spectaculars at
Magic Kingdom Park and
EPCOT.
Now, Craig, while a visit to Walt Disney World is often the highlight of our year it's also a trip that needs a lot of budgeting. Unfortunately there are
not any senior discounts available, but let me share some tips from my family that help us keep costs down. First, we always bring a water bottle from home and take advantage of the free ice water that you can find from Quick Service restaurants all around the parks. On hot days where we want to make sure everyone is hydrated, this definitely helps us keep our budget in check. Craig, you're also welcome to bring your own food and snacks into the park (as long as you adhere to a few regulations found
HERE). While we love dining around the Walt Disney World Resort, this is a popular strategy that keeps more green in your pocket!
My family's favorite way to budget is to purchase
Disney Gift Cards in advance of our trip, helping our trip feel "pre-paid." These can be managed online and consolidated up to $1,000 per card. Craig, I will often think about each day of our trip, considering the souvenirs we might buy and estimating costs for meals as I'm purchasing Disney Gift Cards. This helps me stay within a comfortable budget and relax on vacation.
Craig, while I know this likely wasn't the news you were wishing to hEAR, I do hope it's helpful as you're continuing to plan for your visit. Please come on back to planDisney with any other questions and a wonderful stay.
Lauren