The Best and Worst Deals at Disney

 
If you are budget minded like we are, you want to get the best deals possible while on vacation. I'll bet even if you want to splurge, you still don't want to waste your money! We think these are the best four, and worst four deals at Disney. 

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The Best Deals


Refillable Mugs

We've told you before here, and then again later here why, and how much we LOVE the refillable mugs! We even did the math of how many times you need to fill up in order to break even or, come out ahead. Word has it, there's an extra special refillable mug coming for Mickey's 90th, and we are so excited!! 


Photopass

Our last trip, we bought the Photopass for the first time. In our 6 park days, we had over 900 photos taken by Disney photographers! Wow! We never went out of our way to find them, and while I still used my camera, I felt like it was nice to be able to enjoy the character experiences in the moment, instead of later at home, through what I captured on the camera. 


Quick Service Meals with topping bars or refillable drinks

We love Quick Service, for the speed or ordering, and the budget friendly options that taste great, but we especially love the places that have the topping bars and FREE drink refills! At $4 a soda, isn't it nice to take one for the road, or hydrate yourself fully before you move on? 

Kids meals

Every kids meal we've gotten at Disney has been filling enough an adult could eat it if they wanted! Kids meals come with two sides, and an entree and drink. At Pop, the pizza slice was so big, it didn't get finished, or the two sides touched. That makes for two snacks later!! 



The Worst Deals

What is the best, without the worst? We think these things aren't really deals at Disney!


Photopass

Wait! Didn't we just rave about the Photopass? We did, but if you aren't going to be at Disney for several days, or you aren't into meet and greets, then the Photopass just isn't a good deal. There is a middle ground though, you can look into a one day pass, or buy just a picture or two if there is something special you wanted to have captured. 


Snacks

While we love Disney snacks, not all snacks are a good deal. $2 for a banana? $3 for a small bag of chips? $4 for a bottled water? Ouch! Why not stock up ahead of time on the exact same brands Disney sells, but at Grocery store prices? I'd rather splurge with that Mickey Money for something I can't get back home! 


Forgetting your _____

Ohhh there's not much worse than forgetting something on vacation. Once, I didn't realize that in"helping" pack a suitcase, the youngest was tossing clothes out! The result was the big brother had NO shorts or pants other than what he was wearing when we got to our destination. That was stressful, and an unexpected expense. Same thing when we ran out of sunscreen at Magic Kingdom, and I paid nearly double what I'd originally spent at Target. You can get most anything you need in a Disney gift shop or resort, but doing that, isn't  deal. Convenience costs! 

In room celebrations

I totally get wanting to make a special trip even more special, but the in room celebrations that are offered are just too much, for too little! You can go here to see what is offered, but it's a better deal, and more personalized, to surprise sometime by doing it yourself! A few balloons, some themed surprises like plushies, snacks, towels or toys, and you'll have an awesome surprise, with better gifts than the price of the delivery service. 


What do you think is a great deal at Disney? Anything you'd advise a first timers to skip or pre plan for?