Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
Disney Done Right: When to Go, What to Skip, and How to Save at Disney Parks
21 May 2025
Get the most out of your next Disney trip with tips for saving on tickets, spending less time in lines, and finding legitimate discounts. When is the cheapest time to go to Disney parks? How can you save money and avoid long lines once you're there? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle talk all things Disney, including when to go, how to find legit ticket discounts, and the best ways to save time and money once you're inside the parks. But first, producer Tess Vigeland joins Sally to break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Orlando theme park Epic Universe, Southwest’s upcoming baggage fee changes, Delta’s shift from cabin classes to “travel experiences,” and lower airfare prices in 2025. Then, Meghan and Sally talk about how to maximize your Disney trip, with strategies like where to buy discounted tickets, how to use multi-passes to skip the longest lines, and options to save on food. They also share when you might find fewer crowds and how to take advantage of those hours, what to eat (and skip), and how to enjoy Disney magic without even entering the parks, from scenic hotel views to free rides on the monorail and Skyliner. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Target Red Card: https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/target-redcard Resources discussed in this episode: Universal Epic Universe: How to Plan Your Trip for the Opening https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/epic-universe Southwest Ditches Free Bags, Adds Basic Fares https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/southwest-announces-bag-fees-and-other-negative-changes Delta’s New Fares Hint at Bigger Changes Ahead https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/deltas-new-fares-hint-at-bigger-changes-ahead Travel Inflation Report: May 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/travel-price-tracker The 8 Best Ways to Buy Disney Tickets https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/best-ways-to-buy-disney-tickets In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: cheapest time to visit Disney World, Disneyland ticket prices, Disney World discounts, how to skip lines at Disney, Lightning Lane vs Multi Pass, Disney Premier Pass cost, Disney dynamic pricing, Delta travel experience, Disney World September prices, Disney World summer discounts, Disney credit card perks, Target Disney gift card trick, Disney ticket resellers, Undercover Tourist tickets, Get Away Today Disney tickets, Disney dining plan, Disney dining deals, Disney rope drop strategy, Disney World hotel benefits, Disneyland mobile ordering, Disney World free activities, how to save at Disney, Disney character meals without ticket, Disney gift cards at Target, when to buy Disney tickets, Disney crowd calendar, Disneyland Lightning Lane explained, Disney World 3-day 3-park pass, Disney World kids ticket offer, and how to eat cheap at Disneyland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Full Episode
Everyone is talking about inflation these days, but I have the wildest inflation example for you.
Wait, I thought you and Megan were going to do an episode of Disney.
Tess, we are. Okay. So I first got my Disneyland annual pass in 1999. At the time, the deluxe pass was $129. Slightly more expensive today? Ooh. Slightly? Well, adjusted for inflation, $129 in 1999 would be $245 today. Imagine getting an annual pass to Disneyland for $245 today. Tess, you thought Disneyland was crowded now.
Imagine if it was only $245 for an annual pass today.
To give some context, I will say Disneyland now consists of two parks versus in 1999, there was just one park. But roughly that same pass I had now today with similar blockout dates costs $1,400. Yikes.
Now, Sally, I think that would make Pluto's ears stand on end.
I love that, Tess. Okay, so on the flip side, I think, well, if Disneyland annual passes were only $245 now for the whole year, that would seem like a steal.
Welcome to Smart Travel, a deep dive into the tips, tools, and tactics to maximize your travel dollars.
I'm Sally French.
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