19 Ways to Save Big at Walt Disney World

No matter how much money you plan to spend at Disney World, you should head to the park as early as possible to get the most use out of your pass . . . especially if your goal is to do it all in one day!

Do you really need those adorable yet oh-so-expensive Mickey trinkets? Consider taking pictures of the park to commemorate your trip rather than unloading your cash on souvenirs. Sometimes, a photo is worth a thousand words . . . or in this case, 30 bucks.

During the planning process, be sure to check out Disney Go, Mousesavers, and even Costco for special packages, offers, and deals.

At WDW, the price of hotel rooms and even meals are affected by seasons. In other words, if you go during the off-season (late August, September, and most of January, to name a few time frames), you'll be saving a bundle.

If you've decided you won't get the true Disney experience without saying on site, definitely filter the resorts by lower prices on Disney's site. Check platforms like TripAdvisor for the best hotel packages within the park. Remember, Value resorts are the cheapest!

Don't waste your dollars on outrageous parking fees or the cost to rent a car. Use the Disney World shuttle, aka Disney's Magical Express, which is available for guests who stay in a Disney-owned resort.

If you don't mind bunking in a hotel outside of Disney World, check out the park's surrounding lodgings. After putting in random dates on TripAdvisor, the Maingate Lakeside Resort (about three and a half miles from WDW) is showing up as $34 per night!

As a Disney Vacation Club member, you can save on select dining, merchandise, annual passes, golf course prices, spa treatments, and watersport rentals at Disney World.

Many park-goers don't realize the combo meal menu prices are just an option. Skip the fries, salads, or other sides if you don't need 'em — the cash adds up!

Stock up on soda at Epcot, which offers free samples at the Coca-Cola shop. It's no secret that food and drink is overpriced at theme parks, so you'll want to take advantage of this!

Disney's Visa Card program offers tons of perks at WDW, such as 10 percent off select merchandise, recreational activities, and dining locations and 15 percent off certain guided tours. The Disney Visa Card is great for diehard Disney park attendees.

Not every attraction at Disney World is a total money-sucker. In fact, there are many things you can do for free or cheap, such as Disney's BoardWalk, Disney Springs, and Celebration.

The Orlando Magicard is just what you think it is — a free card that works magic for travelers on a budget in the Orlando area. All you have to do is present the card when making eligible transactions, and your discount is given. Using the Magicard, you can save cash on hotels, food, rental cars, villas, and shopping items.

The water park or park hopper options add $64 to your ticket or $90 if you get both. That's a pretty hefty chunk of change — why waste the money if you'll be spending little to no time there? There are plenty of other things to see and do in the park.

This one's sort of a no-brainer: pack your own snacks and beverages from any convenience or grocery store, and your wallet will stay thick.

No need to buy an autograph book for the characters when you can just make your own for cheap. Check out these cute DIY ideas!

D23 is the official Disney fan club. Being a member requires paying an annual fee, but for superfans, a membership can mean big savings overall on merchandise, special offers, and exclusive discounts.

When your birthday, Christmas, or any other holiday rolls around, ask for Disney gift cards and allow them to stack up! This is a huge way to save big at WDW.

Before you even make it to the park, be sure to set a reasonable budget. Work your very hardest to stick to it, and you'll thank yourself once the trip is over.