Spring Break at Disney World on a BudgetHeading to Disney World in Florida for spring break, but want to stay on budget? Get the Disney Dining Plan, stay at a value Disney resort, and take the free transportation. I've been going to WDW for 10+ years, and we also lived there. Here are my recommendations to make Disney more affordable!Authorsparksworthy
DestinationsOrlandoItinerary

Free Things To Do

Disney’s Boardwalk
The BoardWalk is situated behind Epcot (between Epcot and Hollywood Studios), and comes alive with free entertainment at night! It's also a free place to catch a glimpse of Epcot fireworks. There are also free boats you can ride to or from Hollywood Studios from the BoardWalk.
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Disney Springs
You can visit Disney Springs for free. Parking is free or if you're staying at a Disney resort, you can take the free transportation. It's basically an outdoor mall on Disney property and it's packed with shops, dining, and entertainment options. There are often free concerts going on here at their main stage.
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Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
You don't have to stay here to enjoy this resort. Update: Walt Disney World has updated its free transportation options for guests not staying at Disney resorts. If you are not staying here or at another Disney Resort, you may not be able to access the Grand Floridian anymore, where you used to be able to take the monorail from Epcot (change at the Ticket and Transportation Center) or from Magic Kingdom to get here. (Same with the water taxi from MK.) Now, you will need a dining reservation to get to the Grand Floridian if you are not staying at the resort (or another Disney resort). The best budget-friendly dining option with reservations will be Disney's Grand Floridian Café. But it's still quite pricey. After dinner, though, stay and watch Magic Kingdom's Happily Ever After Fireworks at night and the Electric Water Parade. Completely free to do.
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Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Everything I just mentioned about the Grand Floridian, you can also do at the Poly...for free! However, you may not be able to access this resort due to free transportation changes at Walt Disney Resort. To ensure you can visit, you will need to be staying at a Disney resort, or you will need a dining reservation here. I recommend getting a reservation for a late lunch at Kona Cafe. One of the main attractions at this hotel is Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. If you don't want to stand in line for 2 hours to get inside, you can enjoy the exact same drinks without the show on the Tiki Terrace. Tip: We sometimes order food to-go from the resort's walk-up (Capt. Cook's) and eat at the Tiki Terrace while enjoying a cocktail there. I recommend the Spicy Korean Chicken Bowl ($13). It's one of my favorite things to eat in all of WDW!
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Walt Disney World Monorail Transportation
It's totally free to take the monorail if you are staying at a Disney resort. Due to transportation changes, you may not be able to ride from Magic Kingdom with stops at the Contemporary Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center, the Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian anymore. It may depend on whether you are staying at a Disney resort and if you have a ticket for Epcot. The monorail goes in a circle, so if you're a Disney resort guest, you can hop off at any resort to explore then, hop back on to go to the next one. You can change monorails at the Ticket and Transportation Center to get to Epcot, as well, but you may need a ticket to that park now.
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Disney Skyliner at EPCOT (International Gateway)
Like the monorail, you can ride the Skyliner for free! There isn't parking, however, so you'd need to take the free bus transportation to Hollywood Studios or Riviera Resort to board the Skyliner. You may now need reservations at one of the parks, dining at the hotel, or you may need to be a Disney resort guest now. You can also board from the Boardwalk area or if you are staying at the Disney Animation Studios or Pop Century resorts.
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Seven Seas Lagoon
If you are staying at a Disney resort, you may still be able to take the boats from Magic Kingdom or from one of the resorts connected around the lake. Due to changes to Disney's free transportation, this may not be available to do unless you have a dining reservation at the resort you are sailing to or if you are a Disney resort guest. Board at the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness. At night, watch the free electrical water pageant that goes around the lake to the resorts.
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Affordable Disney Hotels

Disney's Art of Animation Resort
This is one of Disney's on-property value resorts, meaning you get early access to the parks. PLUS this resort has access to the Skyliner, which can take you to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. If you stay at any Disney property resort, I recommend getting the $23 Refillable Mug. You can refill it as many times during your stay as you want for up to 14 days. Resorts have soda stations with Coke products and Joffrey's coffee.
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Disney's Pop Century Resort
This is one of WDW's most popular on-property value resorts! It's a little cheaper than Art of Animation, but more expensive than the All-Star Resorts. Because you're in a Disney resort, you get to enjoy early entry to the parks. You can also take the Skyliner from this resort. We stayed here a few years ago when our son was in elementary school and it was the perfect resort for kids. There are different themes based on the era, giant toys, fun-shaped pools, and lots of activities. The beds were not as comfortable as I would've liked, but Disney upgrades hotels every 5-7 years, so those may have been improved by now.
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Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's most affordable on-property value resort. There are two other All-Star Resorts (Sports and Movies). Just be aware the All-Star resorts tend to be busier and noisier. Again, the advantage of staying on WDW property, is that early entry perk!
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Walt Disney World Swan
If you want to be close to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, then the Swan and Dolphin resorts are a good option as they are within walking distance of both! The Dolphin is the cheaper resort. It's a bit pricier than the other hotels mentioned, but for some it's worth it to be so close two parks. It is considered a "good neighbor" resort, so you get Disney's on-poperty perks like early access to the parks, as well! The downside here is that it doesn't have the fun Disney themeing.
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The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Not a hotel, but a unique way (and cheaper) to stay at Disney World! You book a space and you can stay in your tent, trailer, or RV. A lot of guests here decorate their campsite and bring or rent golf carts (also decorated) to get around at the campground. Plus you can bring your pet! The campground has its own pool, just like a hotel, and there is boat access to Magic Kingdom. And don't forget early park entry because this is on property.
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Where to Shop

Target
Stock up on food and drinks before you get to your resort here. This is a Super Target...which also means it can be super crowded because it's close to the parks. But I'd recommend this spot over the nearby Walmart (which is insane inside). They have Disney merch here, too!
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Disney's Character Warehouse
If you have a car, head to the Orlando Premium Outlets on I-Drive to get out-of-season Disney merch here at a discount! This one is closer to Universal Studios, so it may be less crowded and better stocked. It's best to get there early as it can get busy.
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Disney's Character Warehouse
The Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Avenue near Disney Springs also have a Character warehouse with cheaper (discounted) Disney merch that is out-of-seaon. Go early; it gets busy.
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Target
This is the newer Target in Flamingo Crossings. It’s not a Super Target, but it may be less busy because it’s not on the main highway.
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Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom Park
You are not required to buy food at Disney World's parks, but if you want to, here are my recommendations starting with Magic Kingdom.
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Main Street Bakery
The Starbucks is in here. You can use your pre-loaded Starbucks app, but you can't mobile order. The line can get long—especially in the morning or right before fireworks—but it moves pretty quickly.
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Columbia Harbour House
Our family usually goes here or to Pecos Bill's for lunch. Not gonna lie, I like to get the Chicken Platter (it's chicken strips and fries) and it's only $11. I always order a "cup of water" with my meals. Bottled water is expensive, but a cup of water is free and most restaurants use filtered water so you don't get that Florida water taste. I recommend mobile ordering here.
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Casey's Corner
Iconic and affordable, Casey's Corner on Main Street is popular for a reason. Luckily, you can mobile order! You can get a foot-long dog here for $13 and it comes with fries!
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Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
This has been another favorite affordable place for lunch for our family, although they recently changed the menu. You can eat a lot for under $13. Mobile order here!
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Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
My teenage son swears this place has the best Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich he's ever had. It's about $13. Mobile order recommended.
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Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Again, feel free to bring your own snacks and food. But if you plan to eat at the park, here are my budget-friendly suggestions.
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ABC Commissary
This is our family's favorite lunch spot at Hollywood Studios. I love their $13 Mediterranean salad with chicken—it's big and it comes with hummus and a pita. You can mobile order here, but it's not usually too busy because it's tucked away behind Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway.
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The Trolley Car Cafe
This is the Starbucks at Hollywood Studios. Use your pre-loaded Starbucks app! You cannot mobile order. The line can get long, but it moves quick.
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Ronto Roasters
Find Ronto Roasters over in Galaxy's Edge. This is a good spot for breakfast or lunch. You can get the Ronto Morning wrap for under $13 or the famous Ronto Wrap for lunch for $14. They have mobile order, and I'd recommend it. Seating tip: If you can't find seating at breakfast, just head next door to the outdoor seating area at Docking Bay 7.
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Woody's Lunch Box
You can find breakfast for under $10 here or lunch or dinner for under $14. In Toy Story Land!
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Epcot

Epcot
If you're heading to Epcot for the day and there's a festival going on, you probably plan to just grab little bites from the different festival booths. That's fine, but just be aware that the bites you get at the booths are smaller servings for the price. There is so much to eat at this park, you will never be hungry!
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Connections Cafe
The Starbucks is in here! It's a big one, so the line moves relatively fast. You can use your pre-loaded Starbucks card on the Starbucks app to pay, but you cannot mobile order.
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Sunshine Seasons
This walk-up is located in The Land near Soarin'. You can find lunch options between $10-$14 here.
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Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie
This French bakery is located in the France Pavilion (in the back of the park), but it's one of our family's favorite options for breakfast. They open at 9 (so earlier than a lot of other places in the World Showcase), and you can get a Pain au Chocolat for just over $4. If you want something a little more filling, I like the Croissant Salé, which is about $10. Tip: Come back before fireworks start to get a dessert!
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Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
You can grab a huge Mezzo Metro pizza to split here in the Italy Pavilion! It's around $58, but it feeds 4-5 people. Tip: You can also order individual pizza slices from their walk-up pizza window—perfect for lunch.
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Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Grab large beer-battered fish and chips to-go here in the UK Pavilion for under $14. You can eat by the water, too. Just be wary of the seagulls and ibis (basically Florida seagulls with longer legs and beaks).
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Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Our family's strategy at Animal Kingdom is to arrive early and leave when it gets too hot. Grab breakfast at Creature Comforts—it's the Starbucks, so you can use your pre-loaded card. Just be aware that you can not use mobile ordering here.
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Pizzafari
This is an affordable spot for pizza fans. You can find personal pizzas for about $13 or get a salad with chicken for about $11.
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Flame Tree Barbecue
Eating at Disney parks can be expensive, but this walk-up near Discovery Island is one of the more affordable options. And it has mobile ordering through the Disney app. Lunch and dinner available.
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Satu'li Canteen
Located in Pandora, this is our family's favorite lunch spot in AK. They have some more unique dining options if you're tired of pizza or hamburgers. My favorite is the Chopped Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl. It has mobile ordering or walk-up. You can get breakfast or dinner here, as well.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Want to see more animals for free? Take Disney's free bus transportation from Animal Kingdom to Animal Kingdom Lodge. (Due to updated free transportation rules, you will now need to be a Disney resort guest or have a dining reservation at AKL. The dining here is on the more expensive side, but you could get a reservation at Sanaa and just enjoy the famous bread service.) There are two resorts, but Jambo House has the larger animal viewing area. Enjoy checking out the beautiful lobby in the hotel, and then go outside to view and learn about the animals. There are zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and more! Note: There is a walking path between the two resorts. The hotel also has an affordable walk-up dining option: The Mara.
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The Mara
Grab a snack or dinner while you're over at Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Mara is AKL's walk-up. We stay quite often at AKL, and this is a good, less expensive dining option. They have a really good cheeseburger (it's not your typical American cheeseburger) for about $14. You can mobile order here, too.
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Sanaa
If you have FOMO when you think about the famous Indian-Style Bread Service here, you can just go and split it. It comes with several types of naan bread and about 9 different dipping sauces. Tip: Go to the Sanaa Lounge and order the bread service there. Seating at the lounge is first-come, first-served, so no reservations needed there.
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