5 Disney Points & Cashback Tips You Don’t Want to Miss in 2025

Disney vacations are magical — but they can also be one of the most expensive trips a family takes. Between park tickets, hotels, food, and extras, costs can skyrocket fast. The good news? With the right mix of credit card points, cashback strategies, and planning tips, you can bring those costs down dramatically — and in some cases, cover them entirely.

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Enjoy meeting the Evil Queen at Storybook Dining while visiting Disney World on a budget

At Points to Magic, we’ve spent years perfecting ways to stretch every point and dollar for maximum value. In 2025, the landscape has shifted with new hotel rates, park ticket changes, and evolving cashback opportunities. Here’s our updated list of guides to help you save on your next Disney trip.


1. Discount Disney World Tickets with Points and Cashback

Tickets are often the biggest non-negotiable expense of any Disney trip. A family of four can easily spend over $2,000 on multi-day park passes — before adding Lightning Lane upgrades or special event tickets.

Meet Mickey at Garden Grill while saving on your Disney World vacation

With the right strategy, you can cut that cost significantly:

  • Book through cashback portals to earn rebates on ticket purchases.
  • Redeem credit card points (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards) for statement credits to offset ticket costs.
  • Stack Disney gift card deals to save even more.

When we purchased our 2025 tickets, we used a combination of cashback stacking and gift card discounts, shaving hundreds off the total without sacrificing park days.

➡️ Learn exactly how to get Discount Disney World tickets with points and cashback.


2. Best Marriott Hotels Near Disney World You Can Book with Points

Hotels near Disney vary wildly in cost, and some of the best-located options can top $500+ per night. That’s where Marriott Bonvoy points shine.

Our top Marriott picks not only put you close to the magic but also include perks like free shuttles, spacious rooms, and sometimes even club lounge access. For example, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve has rates over $700/night during peak season — but we’ve stayed for under $50 in resort fees by using Bonvoy points.

Full Kitchen at Imperial Palm Villas Hotel
Marriott Imperial Palms Villa hotel kitchen Disney vacation rental booked with credit card points

Inside our guide, you’ll find:

  • The best Marriott properties within walking or short shuttle distance to the parks.
  • How many points each one costs on average.
  • Insider tips for maximizing your points for longer stays.

➡️ See our picks for the best Marriott hotels near Disney World on points.


3. How to Use Cashback Apps to Cover In-Park Spending

Even if your tickets and hotel are free with points, food, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs can still add up quickly. That’s why we use cashback apps year-round — not just before a trip.

By running everyday purchases through apps like Rakuten and TopCashback, we accumulate a stash of rewards we can cash out for Disney gift cards. On our most recent trip, that meant paying for character dining, Mickey bars, and even some resort merchandise without spending new money.

Epcot Globe from Japan, Epcot, Disney World
Epcot Globe from Japan

In our guide, you’ll learn:

  • Which cashback apps work best for Disney expenses.
  • How to stack cashback with credit card rewards.
  • When to cash out for maximum value.

➡️ Discover how to use cashback apps for your Disney World vacation.


4. Pet-Friendly Disney Hotels You Can Book with Points

Bringing your dog (or even your cat) on vacation? It’s more doable than you think. Several hotels near Disney welcome pets, and some even waive fees if you book with points.

We’ve stayed at pet-friendly Marriott properties within minutes of the parks like Townplace Suites- Flamingo Crossings. Traveling with our dogs meant saving on pet boarding costs and enjoying evenings together after the parks.

Sitting area at TownePlace Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings which you can book for free using Marriott points
Sitting area at the pet friendly TownePlace Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings

Our pet-friendly hotel guide covers:

  • The top properties near Disney that accept pets.
  • What pet fees to expect (and how points bookings sometimes waive them).
  • Tips for making your pet comfortable during your stay.

➡️ Find the best pet-friendly Disney hotels you can book with points.

➡️ Find the best pet-friendly Disney hotels with free breakfast you can book with points.


5. Our Real-Life Disney World Trip Review

We don’t just write about saving on Disney trips — we live it. This trip review walks you through a real family vacation, from planning and booking to park days and resort downtime.

Magic Kingdom Castle view from Main Street which can be enjoyed on a budget

Inside, you’ll see:

  • How we booked our hotel with points.
  • What we paid for in cash (and how we offset it with cashback).
  • Our honest take on dining, rides, and navigating the parks with kids.

➡️ Read our full Disney World trip review.


Keep Saving on Every Disney Trip

Whether you’re planning your first Disney vacation or your fifth, using points and cashback strategically can save you thousands without giving up the magic moments.

We’ve refined these strategies over years of travel — taking multiple Disney trips annually while keeping out-of-pocket costs low. You can learn our full system in one place:
➡️ See how we save thousands on every Disney trip.

Meet Danielle

CPA & Travel Points Strategist, Points to Magic

As a CPA, I bring the same analytical approach to travel planning that I use in finance. I specialize in maximizing travel rewards, optimizing point strategies, and finding the smartest ways to make Disney dreams affordable. My goal is helping families experience Disney magic without breaking the bank through strategic planning and points optimization.

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