We have season passes for Walt Disney World in Orlando - one of the perks of living an hour away. As a result, we go over there a lot! When you make as many trips as we do, and you live so close, you learn a few tricks about saving money. Yes, it’s easier for us because we can bring a cooler or supplies from home, and people who fly in and don’t rent a car can’t do the same. But if you can hit an offsite grocery store for supplies, you can save a bit of cash too. You can even buy a few things at the resort - the gift shops sell some food and gallons of milk, etc.

We usually bring doughnuts and cereal for breakfast each morning. It saves time AND money to eat quickly in the room before we head out. The moderate and deluxe resorts come with a fridge, but you can request one in the value resorts for $10 a day. We also bring water, lunch meat, peanut butter, jelly, etc. If we’re out of the room early, we buy a snack at Disney (popcorn or pretzels) and come back to the room around 1 for lunch and a rest. We also take our own water bottles into the park.

One thing that’s a great value at Disney are the kids meals. For $4 you get something like chicken or macaroni and cheese, plus fruit, crackers, and a drink. It’s cheap AND healthy.

One thing that’s NOT a bargain are the fixed priced character meals. Anyone over the age of 9 is an adult, and most kids don’t have an adult sized appetite. If you’re willing to fib, say that your 10 year old is only 9, and you’ll pay half price. Charging a 10 year old for a $28 dinner is just insane!