The Most Magical Money Saving Tip: Travel Before They Turn Three

Let’s be honest, Disney vacations are expensive! And as a travel planner (and mama!), I love helping my clients save money in every way possible.

One of my biggest cost-saving tips? Time your trip just before your little one turns three. Children under three are considered “Guests of the Mouse”, which means you don’t pay for their park tickets, dining, or even Mears transportation. Yes, completely free… nearly!

I took advantage of this myself just three weeks before my youngest turned three. I decided he and I needed a special trip together, just the two of us. He got to pick every ride, every snack, and even which park we hopped to each day. It was such a fun, magical adventure, and it didn’t hurt that it saved us hundreds of dollars! He was so excited to visit the water park and spend hours playing in the toddler splash area! He even went down some water slides all by himself!

Another thing that is free before kiddos turn three are Lightning Lane passes! This means you can purchase them for yourself and your toddler gets to go though the Lightning Lane free of charge! This trip was a big one for him because he was finally tall enough to ride a coaster he has been dying to try, Slinky Dog Dash! If you have ever been to Walt Disney World, you know the line for this ride can be absolutely massive, and I do not know any almost three year olds who can hold up in that line. Thankfully, I was able to get a great Lightning Lane time and walk almost straight onto the ride. He loved his first time and is so excited to go back and try it again!

Here’s the secret: as long as you check in the day before your child’s third birthday, they’re considered two for your entire trip.

I have so many little money-saving tips like this for my clients, but this one is truly one of the best. Whether you’re planning around your child turning 3, or before they reach “Disney adult” pricing at age 10, a little strategic timing can make a big difference in your Disney budget! If you’d like some help finding the perfect time to travel with your growing family, click the button below to be connected!