Disney Deals and Steals - Day 2

Food and Dining

Once you enter the Disney Park and Resort area, you know that you are no longer going to be paying normal prices for food until you leave. So, to get around the OUTRAGEOUS food prices you need to prepare before you arrive.

First, if you are staying at a Disney resort, the dining plan is a must. If you get the basic plan, you are able to receive a snack (pop, popcorn, ice cream, or fruit), a quick-service meal (combo and a dessert), and a table-service meal (entree, drink, and dessert) for each night you stay at Disney. With the table service meal, you are able to eat at sit-down restaurants or at the character buffets. Remember that you need to make reservations prior to travelling in order to get into these restaurants. Disney will run package specials throughout the year that includes the dining plan. You will have to budget for tips though, because they are not included. At table-service restaurants, the tip for a family of four will run around $22.

Remember to take a water bottle with you to the parks and then fill it up at the water fountain. I do not like the taste of the tap water in Florida (but you might), so I take a flavored drink packet to pour into the water. Drinks (bottled water, coke, sprite) are $2.50 at the parks and at the resort.

I saw a lot of families eating sandwiches at the park, so if you have a way to carry these items around park, this is a great idea was well.

Disney Deals and Steals - Day 1

Pin Trading

Disney Pin Trading is the trading of collectible pins and related items featuring Disney characters, attractions and icons. Pin Trading at Disney World is a great way for your family to save money on souvenirs while visiting the parks. My kids love trading pins and this is a fun way for kids to get a souvenir that they love without spending a fortune. Cast members must trade their pins with your kids (or you).


The rules for trading pins are:

1. To trade a pin with a Disney cast member, the pin must be made of metal and have a representation of a Disney character, park, attraction, icon, or other official affiliation.

2. Additionally, the pin must have a Disney copyright on its back.

3. Guests must trade with Cast Members, one pin at a time, with the pin back in place (pins have functional sharp posts)


4. Guests can make up to 2 pin trades per cast member per day

5. Refrain from touching another person’s pins or lanyard, ask to see the pin so they can bring the pin into closer view


6. The pin that is traded to the cast member cannot be a duplicate of any pin they already have on their lanyard.

7. No money can change hands on Disney property in exchange for a pin.


Where to Get Pins:

The best place I have found to get pins is on Ebay. Just do a simple search on Ebay for Disney pins and you can buy large group of pins. Don't worry about the characters/icons on the pins because once you get to Disney World you can trade the pins for the ones your kids like. If you opt to buy pins at Disney World, they start at $6.95 and keep going up from there.


With the price of souvenirs at Disney World, I would definitely call this is a Disney Steal!

Disney Deals and Steals

I will be taking this week to go over various Disney World vacation deals and even some steals. Check back each day for a new way to save precious pennies on your summer Disney World vacation!!