If you’re anything like me, then you’re right in the middle of planning some of your big vacations in 2026. While that could mean going on a cruise, heading to a national park, or even a European adventure, for many families, vacations are spent riding rollercoasters and seeing beloved characters at the Orlando theme parks. And let’s be really honest, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort aren’t getting any cheaper. From hotel stays and tickets to meals and souvenirs, theme park vacations cost thousands of dollars for a family.
But if you’re a savvy shopper and planner, there are still plenty of ways to save money at Disney and Universal in 2026. And we’re not just talking about packing your own lunch to take into the parks with you. Think of things like using a travel agent (hello, free planning), getting discounted tickets, and even free park perks just by staying at the right hotels. These are my tried-and-true ways to save money at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, and where you shouldn’t skimp.
How to save: Use a travel agent
There’s a myth that flies around the internet that travel agents are expensive. But the truth is that using a travel agent to plan your theme park vacation is completely free. Yes, you read that correctly: free.
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Travel agents have a wealth of knowledge and can help you plan everything from the dates you want to visit Disney or Universal and where to stay, to helping you decide what tickets are best for your family and what extras you may want to add on to your vacation, to then actually booking everything on your behalf. Even better, the best travel agents will constantly be looking at ways for you to save on your vacation. For instance, when new hotel discounts are released, they can apply the deals to your hotel reservation so you’re getting the best price possible.
If you don’t already have a travel agent, I always recommend MEI-Travel. The travel professionals at the agency are top-notch and excel at building exceptional family vacations.
Where not to skimp: Skip-the-line passes
While we all have various vacation budgets, it’s important to be realistic about how much you spend. Inform your travel agent upfront about your budget and your desired activities at Disney and Universal. You can have a great theme park vacation on a budget, but know that some paid extras, like skip-the-line passes, are going to be worth the additional cost. No one wants to stand in line all day. Spending a few extra dollars to get on every ride in the park is worth it, I promise. Parks where the skip-the-line passes are most useful are Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort, and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
How to save: Find discounted tickets
Disney and Universal both offer ticket discounts throughout the year. If you do decide to use a travel agent, they can sift through all of the fine print to ensure you’re getting the best price on single- or multi-day tickets.
Currently at Walt Disney World, ticket-only deals include offers for military members and Disney+ subscribers. To stay up to date on the latest deals, I suggest bookmarking the Disney World special offers page and checking it frequently. New offers are added all the time.
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Over at Universal Orlando Resort, ticket-only deals include buy a day and get a second day free for Florida residents and special rates for military members.
Where not to skimp: Getting enough park days on your ticket to do everything
The biggest mistake I see people making when it comes to tickets is not getting the right number of days to ensure that your family gets to do everything they want at the parks. For Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll want at least one full day for Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe. And if you’re going to go to Volcano Bay, the resort’s water park, add on one more day to your park ticket.
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Families headed to Walt Disney World should spend two days at Magic Kingdom (especially if you have little kids who may not be able to do a full 12-hour park day), and a single day each at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is outside of any extra days you want to add on for a hotel or water park day.
How to save: Stay at an on-site hotel with park perks
While it may seem counterintuitive to stay at one of the on-site Disney or Universal hotels due to the price, the perks may outweigh the added cost. This is especially true at Universal Orlando, where some hotels offer free Express Passes, which can be hundreds of dollars per person, per day if purchased separately.
At Universal Orlando, all of the hotels come with different perks depending on the resort category. For instance, hotels in the Value Inns and Suites category, like Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, offer perks like early park admission, complimentary transportation to and from the parks, and complimentary merchandise delivery. But if you splurge for one of the Signature Collection resorts, like Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, your benefits also include free Universal Express Unlimited to skip the lines at major attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. (Just know that even though Universal Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel is in the Signature Collection, it does not include Express passes.)
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Perks at Walt Disney World, regardless of what on-site hotel you’re staying at, include 30 minutes of early entry at all four theme parks and free water park entry on your arrival day during the summer. Those staying at Deluxe resorts and villas can enjoy extended evening hours on select nights, too.
Again, these are things a travel agent can help you decide and make the right choice for your family.
Where not to skimp: Your hotel stay
Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the on-site hotels, it’s important to book a hotel that’s close to the parks so you don’t waste an hour on the interstate just trying to get into the parks. There are literally hundreds of hotels near Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. Some even offer transportation to the parks. A few of our favorites are here, but if you use a travel agent, they can also suggest some options that could work for your family in terms of proximity to the parks and budget.
How to save: Get groceries delivered to your hotel
Some Disney World and Universal Orlando hotel rooms offer kitchenettes or even full kitchens. Because of this, it’s easy to get some grocery staples delivered with services like Walmart+ and Instacart. I like to get things like cereals, snacks, drinks, and easy-to-eat fruit delivered to the hotel for pre-park breakfasts or post-park snacks.
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And if your hotel room has a full-sized refrigerator and freezer, getting a tub of ice cream to share is a pro move. There’s honestly nothing better than coming back from dinner at the parks and enjoying dessert while watching a movie in bed.
Where not to skimp: Iconic snacks around the parks
As you walk around the theme parks, you’ll see all types of snacks. And even though you brought snacks with you from your grocery delivery, you should still splurge on some of the most iconic treats around Disney and Universal.
A few of my favorites at Walt Disney World include the Pineapple Coconut Swirl Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle at Magic Kingdom, a Ronto Wrap at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich from any ice cream cart around the parks. Over at Universal, a Butterbeer from any of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands at the three theme parks is a must, as well as the Shrek-shaped pretzel at Universal Studios Florida’s DreamWorks Land.
