4. Does First Aid have what you need for free?

Image: Jett Farrell-Vega

Many a family has found themselves at Walt Disney World needing an urgent trip from Tomorrowland to Walgreensland. Maybe you forgot pain medication, contact lens solution, band-aids, or even a sewing kit. Rather than scouring gift shops for these items, check to see if Walt Disney World’s First Aid stations can help you out.

With locations in each of Disney’s parks, Walt Disney World First Aid keep a wide stock of items you might normally pick up at a drug store on hand for guests for free. While you should not necessarily expect to use First Aid the same way you would a CVS Pharmacy, they are the first place you should check if you need drug-store sundry items (especially if you get a blister). We were shocked to learn all the things they keep on hand for guests, and we no longer feel the need to carry a giant survival kit of OTC medications, bandages, and odd toiletries with us when visiting Walt Disney World.

On a similar note, if you need mosquito repellent, track down one of Walt Disney World’s mosquito control desks. Ever since the Zika scare in 2016, Walt Disney World parks and Disney Springs have stations set up where guests can lather up in free picaridin mosquito repellent. Rather than rushing to the gift shop to buy your own last-minute sundries, it can’t hurt to see if these Disney resources can off you help for free.

5. Skip the combos and research your snacks

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With most quick service dining locations offering no discounts, it’s easy to assume that there aren’t good ways to save money on Disney counter service dining. However, there is one very easy way, particularly if you aren’t a heavy eater.

Always ask if dishes can be done outside of combos.

Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn’t, but Disney has a habit of usually listing quick service items as combination plates. In many circumstances, you can skip drinks or side items to get the dish for slightly cheaper.

As for snacks, while the best way to save money is to bring some of your own before your trip (so you are only splurging on the snacks you love most), do a little research before purchasing snacks. While there are some legitimate cases where you can get a snack cheaper at one location than another (one example would be some of the odd candies you can find in World Showcase vs. standard Disney gift shop candy), the main thing to double check is to see if you can get something better quality for the same price. Peruse menus ahead of time or while waiting in line to get an idea of prices. You’ll often realize that for the same amount you were going to spend on a pre-packaged ice cream bar or a box of popcorn, you can get a school bread, a curry chicken pocket, or a delicious cup of Dole Whip!

6. Double check if you have credit card perks

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While avoiding crippling debt is one of the most important habits a Disney parkgoer needs to maintain, there are some perks that guests with credit cards should always double check when visiting Walt Disney World.

The most obvious is if you have a Chase Disney Rewards credit card. While it isn’t the best travel rewards card on the market, many cardholders don’t realize just how many perks they have while visiting Walt Disney World. Always double check to see if you have access to discounts, special character greet experiences, or if your rewards points can be used at locations you didn’t realize.

If you have a travel rewards card of any type, before you book your vacation see if you can put points towards airfare, a rental car (if you need one), or even a hotel stay. While rewards points don’t help much with Disney-owned resorts, Starwood rewards can be applied to Disney Swan and Dolphin hotel near Epcot.

The easiest way to build up small discounts on a Disney trip is to use a credit card that gives cashback. Particularly if you have rewards for using it at restaurants, these small amounts add up and can give your park budget some unexpected padding. Just be sure to always pay off your balance on time so you don’t lose that cashback to interest.

What are some things you always double check when visiting Disney World?