Disney on a SUPER budget - advice please.

[dnickels]

There's also free water from the drinking fountains. Cheaper and better for the environment than bottled, and much much better for your teeth and body than soda.

[Goofy Pluto]

I haven't done this in a while, but I used to buy one bottle of water, keep it, and then refill it in the water fountains. Worked great for me!

[eeyorepoohfan]

We always take a Camelback with us to Disney. We fill it with a lot of ice and some water before we head out in the morning. This helps us to stay hydrated all day, even in lines! Plus, the pack allows us to store snacks and other misc items in it.

Since you will be driving, packing lunches will be helpful.

If you head to Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwhich is very yummy and very reasonable on prices! Freshly made salads and sandwhiches for just under $6 each. Portions are large, especially for me and hubby, and could have shared. And there are free refills!!! We would share at some of the counter service restaurants because we just couldn't eat all of the food. If you eat at Animal Kingdom, go to Flametree BBQ. The portions are huge and very good. We made the mistake of getting our own meals here and had so much food left. Hubby got ribs and I got chicken, both were wonderful though!

If you need soda, try eating at a place with free refills. Electric Umbrella at EPCOT. Backlot Studios at Hollywood Studios.

[momofdisneyprincess]

Check out orlandocoupons.com. Since you are staying offsite, you will find many useful coupons here.

[NewDVCowner]

I have to agree with the pin trading idea. A couple of years ago I was going to Disneyland with my sister and she decided she wanted to try it. She went onto ebay and bought some pins and gave me half of them. Not only can you get them for $1 or less, but you get a great keepsake when you trade the not so great one for one you fall in love with. I also noticed that I spent so much time in the stores looking for castmembers with lanyards that I wasn't looking at all the stuff they were selling. I hardly bought anything in those stores because I just wasn't looking at it.

Also in terms of pictures any cast member will take your picture for you with your own camera, even the photopass photographers. Just let them take your picture with theirs and then hand them yours.

[MoreMickey]

Our last trip we also didn't purchase the hopper option, y:

This is the first thing I tell family and friends when they come down to visit. If you can commit to one park a day you can save a lot of money.

My kids press coins instead of buying toys inside the park. That way they are fullfilling that need to get something new and it's a lot cheaper and it's something they can do several times.

I also make cookies before we go, wrap them in parchment and seal with a disney sticker from the dollar store. My kids still haven't caught on that these are not "disney' cookies.