By Sinaiyouth 
If you’re like me, you’re in the process of planning some of your big vacations in 2026. While that might mean taking a cruise, heading to a national park, or even a European adventure, for many families, vacations are all about riding roller coasters and seeing beloved characters at Orlando’s 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 a family thousands of dollars.
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 with you to the parks. Consider 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 proven 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 is a myth circulating on the Internet that travel agents are expensive. But the truth is, using a travel agent to plan your theme park vacation is completely free. Yes, you read correctly: free.
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Travel agents have a wealth of knowledge and can help you plan everything from when you want to visit Disney or Universal and where to stay, to helping you decide which tickets are best for your family and what extras you might want to add to your vacation, to then booking everything on your behalf. Best of all, the best travel agents will constantly look for ways to help you save money on your vacation. For example, when new hotel discounts are released, they can apply the deals to your hotel booking so you get the best possible price.
If you don’t already have a travel agent, I always recommend MEI-Travel. The agency’s travel professionals are top-notch and excel at building exceptional family vacations.
Where not to skimp: skip-the-line passes
Although we all have different vacation budgets, it’s important to be realistic about how much you spend. Let your travel agent know your budget and desired activities at Disney and Universal from the start. You can have a great theme park vacation on a budget, but be aware that some paid extras, like skip-the-line passes, will be worth the extra cost. No one wants to wait in line all day. Spending a few extra dollars for each walk in the park is worth it, I promise. The parks where 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
Both Disney and Universal offer discounts on tickets throughout the year. If you decide to use a travel agent, they can sift through all the fine print to make sure you’re getting the best price on single or multi-day tickets.
Currently at Walt Disney World, ticket-only deals include deals for military members and Disney+ subscribers. To stay up to date with 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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At Universal Orlando Resort, ticket-only deals include buy one day, get a second day free for Florida residents as well as special rates for military members.
Where not to skimp: Have enough park days on your ticket to do everything
The biggest mistake I see people make when it comes to tickets is not getting the right number of days to ensure your family can do everything they want in the parks. For Universal Orlando Resort, you will need at least a full day for Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe. And if you’re going to Volcano Bay, the resort’s water park, add an extra day to your park ticket.
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Families heading to Walt Disney World should spend two days at Magic Kingdom (especially if you have young children who may not be able to do a full 12-hour day at the park), and just one day each at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is apart from any additional days you wish to add for a day at the hotel or water park.
How to Save: Stay in 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 benefits can offset the added cost. This is especially true at Universal Orlando, where some hotels offer free express passes, which can cost hundreds of dollars per person per day if purchased separately.
At Universal Orlando, all hotels offer different benefits depending on the resort category. For example, hotels in the Value Inns and Suites category, like Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, offer perks such as early park entry, free transportation to and from the parks, and free merchandise delivery. But if you splurge on one of the Signature Collection resorts, like the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, your perks also include free Universal Express Unlimited to skip the lines at the main attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. (Just be aware that while Universal Helios Grand Hotel, A Loews Hotel is part of the Signature Collection, it does not include Express Passes.)
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Benefits at Walt Disney World, no matter which on-site hotel you stay at, include 30 minutes of early entry to all four theme parks and free entry to the water park on the day you arrive in the summer. Those staying in luxury resorts and villas can also enjoy extended parties on certain nights.
Again, these are things that 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’re not staying at one of the on-site hotels, it’s important to book a hotel close to the parks so you don’t waste an hour on the highway 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 options that might suit your family in terms of proximity to the parks and budget.
How to save: have your groceries delivered to your hotel
Some rooms at Disney World and Universal Orlando hotels have a kitchenette or even a fully equipped kitchen. Because of this, it’s easy to get basic groceries delivered with services like Walmart+ and Instacart. I love that easy-to-eat cereals, snacks, drinks, and fruit are delivered to the hotel for pre-park breakfasts or post-park snacks.
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And if your hotel room has a full-size refrigerator and freezer, sharing a tub of ice cream is a professional decision. Honestly, there’s nothing better than coming back from dinner in the parks and enjoying dessert while watching a movie in bed.
Where not to skimp: iconic park snacks
As you walk around the theme parks, you will see all kinds of snacks. And even if you brought snacks with you from your grocery delivery, you should still splurge on some of Disney and Universal’s most iconic treats.
A few of my favorites at Walt Disney World include the Pineapple Coconut Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle at the Magic Kingdom, a Ronto Wrap at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich from any ice cream cart in the parks. At Universal, a butterbeer from one of the wizarding worlds of Harry Potter landing at all three theme parks is a must, as is the Shrek-shaped pretzel at Universal Studios Florida’s DreamWorks Land.