1. Rent a stroller from an outside company
The Disney stroller just isn’t it. They did just redesign them but, they are still a low, hard plastic stroller that looks really uncomfortable. If you are not bringing your own stroller (Be careful Disney has size restrictions on strollers.) I would suggest renting one from an outside company (Orlando has a ton of options.)
We used Kingdom Strollers for our trip. They deliver and pick up the stroller right at the resort which makes it super easy. And their price was great. Also, keep in mind that if you rent a stroller from Disney you can’t leave the park with it. That means when your kids fall asleep on the bus back to the resort or are just tired after a long day they still have to walk (Or you have to carry them) all the way back to the room.(Which at most Disney Resorts is a hike on it’s own.)
There is also the price point to consider. Here’s some quick math for you:
Disney Double Stroller: $27 per day x 10 days = 270 Kingdom Strollers: $118 for a 10 day double stroller rental (it worked out to be about 12 per day.)
2. Use a car service that allows a grocery stop
The Magical Express is no more! Which means you have to find your own way from the Orlando Airport to your Resort. Or, use Mears Connect, which is essentially the Magical Express without any of the magic.
I highly recommend using a car service instead. And if they allow for a grocery stop even better! (This goes along with tip number three.) And it was still less expensive than the comparable Mears Connect option. We used Tiffany Town Car Orlando and I can’t say enough good things about them. They sent a photo of the driver ahead of time and were on time and waiting for us when we arrived and have car seats and boosters if you need them.
I like the grocery stop option because with some grocery stores and grocery delivery options the price is way higher for delivery or pick up than what you would pay in store.
Now, onto the price difference. The comparable option from Mears Connect (which would be the express service) is $250 round trip. Our Tiffany Town Car total was $175.
3. Buy Groceries (snacks, breakfast, etc.)
Whether you get your groceries delivered to your resort or pick them up (Bell Services will hold them for you until your room is ready!) get some basics to pack snacks for the parks, have breakfast before you leave, and most importantly wine for when you get back.
We are up and out early in Disney. (Have to make the most of that early entry perk!) So, we eat breakfast before we leave and then do a park snack later in the morning. (Gaston’s cinnamon roll is a must!)
Here are some grocery list ideas:
- apples, bananas, strawberries
- string cheese
- yogurt
- popcorn
- fruit snacks
- peanut butter
- jelly
- bread
- bottled water/gallon jug of water
- apple juice
- protein bars
- granola bars
4. Get the resort mug
If you are staying at a Disney Resort for at least 4 days and drink more than one coffee or soft drink per day the refillable resort mug is worth it. It is a one time fee of $19.99 per mug for the length of your stay. With this you get coffee, tea, and fountain drinks included at your resort.
We get the resort mugs because we get a coffee first thing in the morning (Big thanks to my husband for doing the early morning coffee runs this trip!) and then stop one more time before we hit the parks for a second coffee. This alone makes the resort mug a great deal for us. The only time I would say you maybe don’t need the refillable mug is if you are staying at a Disney Vacation Club Resort where you have a full coffee pot (and most of the time larger fridge) in your room.
5. Buy things in advance/as you find them
As you already know this trip was planned very far in advance but, because of that I was able to buy a lot of stuff I knew we would want for our trip on sale. I was able to buy the same bubble blowers they have in Disney Parks on sale on Shop Disney for half price during an annual sale. (6 months before our trip.) I found great deals at Old Navy, Kohls, and Dollar Tree too.
My advice would be that as soon as you figure out when you are going to go to Disney, start keeping your eyes open for sales. Then designate a box to store everything in as it comes in so you don’t lose track of anything. And then when you get there you have some great surprises planned for your kids already!
