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4. Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut Butter and JellyPeanut Butter and Jelly

Disney Price: $3.50 Each

Store Price: $2.79 peanut butter/ $1.94 jelly

Markup: 125%/180%

Lesson Learned: If you’re buying peanut butter and jelly in the park because you want to make sandwiches, bring your own. If you’re buying it as a souvenir, just stop. This is the price for a regular jar of Jif or Smuckers, no Disney magic added.

As a fun added fact, the $1.94 price was identical for both an 18oz jar and a 32oz jar at Target, so you literally double your jelly without spending another penny if you go that route.

5. Dasani Bottled Water

Dasani Bottled WaterDasani Bottled Water

Disney Price: $2.50 per bottle

Store Price: $5 for 24 (or $0.21 per bottle)

Markup: 1190%

Lesson Learned: Buy water outside the park, and buy it in bulk. Bring at least one bottle for everyone in your party each day. If you don’t mind tap water, just bring a refillable water bottle and get your H2O for free. If you forget the bottles and you’re dying of thirst, it’s important to know that every restaurant on property offers cups of ice water for free. This is a great alternative to water fountains which aren’t always so refreshing when they’ve been in the sun all day, just like you.

6. Snacks

Disney SnacksDisney Snacks

There’s a long list of snacks you can purchase both inside and outside the parks, so I’ll feature just a few examples here. Since Disney lets you bring food and drinks into the park, you will always save money packing your own snacks, but this tactic can be something of an inconvenience.

If you have children, however, chances are excellent that you’re hauling around a diaper bag anyway. You’re also probably rolling it along in the stroller where a little extra weight won’t make nearly the same difference as it will to an adult who’s just carrying a purse or wearing a backpack.

Inside the park, you can get a piece of fruit like an apple or banana for $1.69. At a local store, you can get a whole pound of apples for less, at just $1.39. A pound of bananas is only $0.54. A Danimals SuperStars Greek Yogurt is $2.99 for a single cup, while a four pack runs only $2.69 in the store (that’s $0.67 per cup if you’re doing the math).

Peanut butter and jelly kids meals at nearly any restaurant on property are just a Smucker’s uncrustable sandwich accompanied by a cup of yogurt, some grapes, and a drink. The meal is $5.49. At the store, you can purchase a box of 4 uncrustables for $2.94 or 18 uncrustables for $10 (making each one $0.74 or $0.56 respectively.) Filling a small cooler with fruit, yogurt, and these easily portable sandwiches will keep kids fed all day for a fraction of the cost.

While many of these prices seem astronomical, it’s important to remember that what you’re paying for is convenience, and sometimes it’s worth it. Stack these prices up against your own experiences and you can balance your budget with your own vacation needs for an outcome that keeps everyone happy.

 
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Comments

I was just at Disney in July and we bought the squeeze breeze twice (on two seperate days) and they were only $10 a piece.

I also have not bought peanut butter in a store for under $6 since I don't know when.

The Disney ponchos are worth the 8 dollars. If it should rip, which can happen, they replace them for free. I dry mine and fold it up. It stays in my backpack while I am at Disney and it goes in my suitcase when I get home. I purchased mine 6 years ago. On my last trip in July, I was using a scooter and I got tangled up and tore my poncho. I drove into the closest store and they gave me a new one, no questions asked.

Mist fans are $5 at Walmart. My kids and I bring Camel-baks, being in the military I have a ton of them. We just refill at water fountains.

Where do you get peanut butter for under 3 dollars?

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

I have found peanut butter for under $3 at Aldi, Walmart, and Publix

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