Hi!
Haven’t been to Disney since 12/2014! We are Disney people celebrating our 25th & 30th anniversaries! We have our room at the Pop and our 3 day park tickets. We will be driving from Austin, TX. Besides eating in our room, sharing quick service meals, going to he Disney outlet stores how can we find more budget friendly things to do on non park days?
Staying onsite absolutely has its perks, but Pop isn't all that special in and of itself. Since you have a car, perhaps consider half the week at the Pop /choose carefully what days will benefit your park days most -- then spend the rest of the week in an off-site. Your money goes farther off-site ... we're getting a 4-bedroom townhouse just off the property for $200/night.
Skip the outlet stores. What's the point of souvenirs anyway? They just clutter up the house until they become next year's yard sale fodder.
Since you're two adults, I'd plan to pack the park days and "Go Commando". Do as much as you can and get as much mileage out of those tickets as possible.
Activities & ways to save money:
- Be sure you pack basics like good socks, Tylenol and sunscreen. These things are quite expensive at Disney.
- Watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Polynesian beach.
- Ice cream at Beaches & Cream.
- Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge are worth a walk-through.
- Lots to do for free at Disney Springs.
- Consider ordering children's meals. They're considerably cheaper and all I really want in the heat.
- Carry snacks with you in the parks.
- The cheapest purchased meal you can have at Disney is pizza delivered to your room.
- Do sit down for lunch and dinner in the parks. You'll benefit from the rest and air conditioning ... but make your meals quick and cheap. Inexpensive in-park meals aren't special, and they take you away from the park activities (for which you've paid so much).
- Pools and hot tubs at your resort.
Chicken Guy and Earl of Sandwich are the best deals at DS IMO. I'd skip the outlets.
Join the online Earl of Sandwich loyalty club for a good discount.
Same thing: Join the Sprinkles Cupcakes loyalty club for a free cupcake.
Don't drink alcohol or soda/water only.
Since you're driving, bring your own sale-purchased drinks from home.
Don't carry heavy bottles of water in the park; instead, ask any counter service restaurant for a free cup of ice water.