Magical Memories on a Budget: budget friendly things to do at Disney World

       Welcome to the enchanting world of Disney, where dreams come true and unforgettable experiences await at every turn. As much as we all yearn for that perfect fairytale getaway to Disney World, we know that the cost of creating such magical memories can sometimes feel overwhelming. But fear not! You don’t have to break the bank to experience the wonders of the most magical place on earth. In this guide, we’ll reveal a treasure trove of budget-friendly activities and insider tips to help you make the most of your Disney World adventure without sacrificing the enchantment. So, let’s embark on a magical journey all within a budget that will leave you smiling from ear to ear!

     So maybe you’ve decided the parks are just a little outside your budget right now. Fear not because there are still cool ways you and your family can experience the magic of Disney World without even setting foot inside the parks. We will do a whole other post on budget friendly things to do inside the parks, so stay tuned! Below is a list of budget friendly ideas down to absolutely free for you. 

  

    I mention these first because a lot of people I know are on a budget and become so overwhelmed with what they think Disney will cost. Most people ask me how they can do Disney without breaking the bank with park tickets. To answer: There are still so many things to do even if you aren’t able to afford going to all or any of the parks! 

Disney Water Parks

    True this isn’t exactly the cheapest option. However it is less likely to hit your wallet harder than a day park pass for most of the parks. The water parks are still a really neat experience and very well themed. I made the mistake of overlooking the water parks when I was new to Disney World, which was a big mistake because the Water parks can be just as magical as the parks themselves. There are two water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Depending on which time of year you visit does decide which water park will be available to you as both are not open at the same time of year unfortunately.

      Typically the water parks are open from 10 am to about 5 pm. There are after hours, however that is another post for another time as these are completely separate tickets. I have been to both water parks and I honestly can say I like them both for different reasons. Both have fun things for the whole family from wave pools, lazy rivers, slides, and even an area for toddler to play. 

     You may want to bring your beach bag and beach towels to make this an all day affair for the whole family. There is plenty of space to lounge in sun chairs and soak up the rays. You can even rent a cabana for the day. You can also rent towels! 

Disney Miniature Golf

     Disney Miniature golf is one of mine and Kelly’s favorite things to do in the Disney bubble as a family. This $14 per adult and $12 (3-9). Typically you can expect to spent an hour or two playing Miniature golf. There are two miniature golf locations in Disney world and two 18-hole options per park. 

        The first is winter summer land. This is a Christmas themed miniature golf course that is perfect for any time of year. The first course is The Summer land, which features more summer related activities like sand castles, surf boards, and melting ice. Winter land features a snow castle, sledding, and an ice cold good time. Both are a lot of fun for the whole family. Keep in mind that during Christmas time this park can have a bit of a wait. Normally in the middle of January, the traffic slows down. 

       The second is probably my favorite, Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf! Fantasia gardens has many picturesque scenes from Fantasia that are actually part of the courses. Fairways is one of the more challenging courses, in our opinion, as it resembles a real gold course in a miniature scale. 

Disney Springs

    Disney Springs is one of our favorite places to go when we just feel like walking around and window shopping. If you don’t know what Disney Springs is, it is basically a really nice outdoor mall but Disney themed. And parking is completely free here as well as shade from being in a parking garage! Shade is a must here in the Sunshine State! 

     Disney Springs is really great for those who enjoy the night life. Especially if you enjoy fine dining and live music. Let’s just say Disney Springs Definitely comes alive at night. 

      The springs is full of all kinds of things to do in the day time as well, from just walking around and enjoying live music to restaurants and shopping. Shopping isn’t your thing? That’s okay! There is a movie theater, a bowling ally, air balloon rides, and amphicar rides! There is even Resorts close by that you can explore, which brings us to our next topic… Resort Hopping! 

Resort Hopping 

     If you don’t know what resort hopping is, then you are missing out. This means going from different resorts to explore. Disney actually doesn’t mind that you do this. Disney Resorts are individually their own magical experience. When the parks are packed, we really enjoy resort hopping. It’s free and there is so much to explore. 

     The best time to resort hop is during Christmas. each park decorates their own Christmas trees, each even have unique things such as a real gingerbread house where they sell bits of gingerbread and coffee, or a Disney Christmas carousel made of gingerbread (and yes it actually spins!). I’ve heard even Easter is unique at the resorts, however we keep missing it. 

      Each resort offers different types of merchandise that you may not find in the parks. Such as loungefly bags or clothing. 

Each resort offers Unique foods and beverages as well. There are even free activities such as s’mores in the evening or movies at night!

Transportation 

       So one of my favorite Disney World perks is that it has transportation to pretty much everything in Disney, this is free. The busses are probably the most convenient as they go everywhere. The monorail actually goes through the Contemporary Resort, which is really cool especially for first timers. There are even ferries that take you to or across parks.  My absolute favorite mode of transportation is the Skyliner. 

    The Skyliner is a ride on its own that takes you from Hollywood Studio’s to right behind Epcot. There are a few Resorts stops in between that you can explore before hand. It’s definitely worth it! 

Disneys BoardWalk

     The Disney BoardWalk is really great for quick foods and I’ve heard they have amazing margaritas! Our absolute favorite Italian restaurant “Trattoria Al Forno” is located there. They have an amazing breakfast menu. The Boardwalk is overall a great area to walk and enjoy the view. You can even explore the resorts around it or relax in a hammock and the beach area. 

    In conclusion, there are so many fun cheap and free things to do at Disney World. There’s more than enough to explore without even stepping foot inside one of the parks. I really hope this helps, especially for those of you who are on a budget but still want to give your family a magical moment they will never forget. 

      We are Jess and Kelly, from Those Disney Freaks! Don’t forget to subscribe and share! Please share your questions and comments below!