Planning Disney World with Rachel Cruze

Planning a Disney Vacation with Rachel Cruze: Tips, Tricks, and Financial Wisdom

In this episode of the Adventures of a Disney Dad podcast, we welcome Rachel Cruze, a financial coach, author, and mom. Rachel shares valuable insights on budgeting for Disney trips, managing family expectations, and balancing fun with financial principles.

The discussion includes tips on making Disney vacations cost-effective, handling marital dynamics while planning, and the benefits of different ways you can plan and pay for a Disney vacation long-term.

We also touch on favorite rides, resorts, and dining options at Walt Disney World!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:51 Disney Budgeting Tips for Families
04:02 Understanding Disney Vacation Costs
08:30 Balancing Money and Marriage at Disney
12:54 Parenting and Contentment at Disney
20:04 Rachel's Favorite Disney Experiences
23:58 Star Wars, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings
25:38 Universal Studios and Harry Potter Experience
27:06 Saving for Disney Vacations
31:23 Character Meals and Disney Dining Tips
34:49 Money-Saving Tips for Disney Trips
37:45 Handling Multi-Generational Trips
40:25 Disney Fireworks and Final Thoughts

See you in the parks!

[susalkasarahi]

Honestly, in this day and age where there are so many Disney Youtubers, there is no reason you shouldn’t enter into planning for a Disney trip uninformed. There is so much information and there are so many helpful channels out there that you just have to do the research in order to make your daughter stretch out, the wisest way possible.

[debbiehorvath]

This was awesome! Rachel Cruze has such great advice and gives it in such a down to earth way. I love that we share a love for Disney with her. I have so many tips from our many years of traveling to Disney with our kids on a budget but I'll spare you. I will say it really doesn't matter how much you spend for your kids to enjoy it and make memories. There is so much that is included with park tickets. By included I mean the rides, shows, parades etc. One tip we were given though and since you talked about strollers, definitely take them but buy one at a second hand shop, use it for the trip and sell it back when you return.

[jenb.]

Still lovin’ Disney and it’s great when you can save a buck or 2 while still having a magical time with family and friends or even solo !

[Jan-xpyi]

We drove to Disney, my mother in law had cooked a lot of food we packed a big cooler, stayed outside the park. We were there for a week, it was a great experience. You just need to plan for what you can afford

[cassandraduncan]

To save on cost each one of our children get a gift card to spend, however, and whenever they want while at Disney. That saves me having to say yes or no, and puts the decision on them. Going in February 🎉

[DocsGreetingCards]

I've been going to Disney World since the 70s and now I go every couple years with my family of 6. The last time we went 3 years ago, I wanted to see how inexpensively we could go there for a week. We drove from PA. We stayed at an off property condo we got on VRBO. It was nice, it was 5 minutes from the parks, and it cost $120 per night. It had 3 BR, 2 bathroom, and a full kitchen. We ate breakfast in the condo, packed lunches, and ate one quick service meal a day in the parks. Park tickets were the only thing we couldn't really get much of a discount on. and the kids actually enjoyed it more than being packed in hotel rooms on property.

[famleelife]

🍀🍀🍀🍀Disney lover usually travelling with 4 boys! When they were young I would give each boy $ 100 each to buy what they wanted! If they wanted the “frozen lemonade” mickey ears, pins, balloons, wands whatever it came from their money! Quickly they decided it wasn’t that necessary. Creating magical moments while being budget conscious is possible 😊

[Nick-]

I love Animal Kingdom! Unpopular opinion but it’s my favorite park! Glad to see it gets love with Rachel’s kids 😂

[ElisabetTX]

We’re on our second trip this year lol. First trip was in march with my husband’s cousins family. They talked us into going again (much protesting from my husband but he finally agreed) in sept and now they can’t go lol. But his brother and their family is going now so we’re pretty excited. But from 0 trips to 2 in one year lol!!!

[unlocking_universal]

Fantastic interview, guys! Omagosh, I remember listening to Dave and first going through FPU when Rachel was still in high school. Love them!
Fun rumor...Lord of the Rings is supposedly one of the IPs on the block for an Epic U expansion world...

[nikkibracewell]

We have been as a family of four to Disney World 4 times starting in 2006, as a couple once in 2023 (as we are empty nesters now - it was so much fun!) and then with our son & his wife to Tokyo Disney (they live there) this past June (So much fun and so much cheaper but the flight is a lot!). We tried the first time staying off property but every trip to Disney World since has been on property at a Value Resort usually with some kind of discount as we have the Disney Visa card and they will often offer specials for the room which is huge! We aren't about the expensive resorts because we may do a pool day to rest but we generally just need a place to sleep and shower. And we are about the magic and the Disney theming at the Value resorts is so great! We also don't mind the buses. It's so nice to not have to worry about driving and parking. Hoping to go again in 2025 with our daughter, son-in-law and grandson who will be almost 3 (so still free!)

[Penguins]

Gift cards for kids can be great too. That way you don’t have to worry about the kids losing cash/change. Also you can take a picture of the card number and if the card gets lost (and someone else hasn’t used it) Disney can transfer the funds to another account.

Also this is a great way to teach your kids to budget and how to use money wisely!!

[Brix]

Eating at the Royal Table is great, as long as you get what you pay for. My family and I went with our 12 and 10 year old daughters. We were required to pay adult prices for them, which is fine. However when we got their, the cast members gave them the kids menus and said they had to order from those. The Manager had to come over and resolve the situation and at first he even insisted on them ordering from the kids menu. I explained that if a kid is required to pay an adult price, they should be given the adult menu and food. After about 10-15 mins of discussion, they finally agreed. But man it was a hassle.

[sharonreeves]

I love disney world... but when kids were surveyed they asked...what was your favorite thing at disney. #1 answer was staying in a hotel. #2 answer was swimming in the pool. Then they started to mention going to the parks.😂

[marialovesdogs]

I'm guessing that the numbers the media put out included flights, meals, and merch/souvenirs in their cost estimates for that family of four... Which I would say is pretty accurate for what the average family would end up spending.

If you cut that trip down from a 7 night(7 day park ticket) to a 5 night stay with 4 days in the parks then I think a family of four can do Disney on a "budget". Especially if you keep the meal cost lower by bringing your own snacks into the parks... And keeping the souvenir purchases to a minimum. This is what we do, as for us, it's more about the experience and family time. We eat cereal or something in the room for breakfast, just drink the free water at the parks, and we share meals sometimes(portions are big enough for us) and we don't feel that we want for anything.

That being said, Disney is definitely way more expensive than it used to be! We did a 9 night trip 7 years ago and it was just under $3, 000 total for everything for three adults and one child. That was when I scored free quick service dining for our trip though. I miss those days!

Our daughter is now really into Harry Potter so we've switched to being a Universal family... Going next month for a week! :)

[shanaeforee]

I got sick from the food at CRT and had to spend our first and only day at Magic Kingdom at the hotel.

[ebercasio]

The stroller saved MY life FROM my 5 year old!!! 😂😂😂

[Katsfl]

Kohls is randomly the BEST place to buy decent sized Disney stuffed animals pre-trip. $9.99 and a big selection

[brandonrosella]

Going to Disney on a budget begins with staying off Disney property. I went in June of this year stayed 5 nights in a Home 2 Suites type hotel for $800 and had a really good breakfast every morning (complementary) for a family of 3. You spend your days in the parks anyway…. Disney wants $2500 for 5 nights .

[ItsameBS]

If you have a young family with young children, or want to save, look at going to the Disneyland Resort. The two parks are near each other, so it’s easier on the little ones and it’s not necessary to stay at a Disney Resort as there are many non Disney hotels nearby and in walking distance.