Plan a Free Trip to Disney World Using Reward Points
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.Disney World—the mere mention of it conjures images of enchanting castles, thrilling rides, and beloved characters. Everyone knows the iconic castle in Magic Kingdom, parades, and epic rides. However, the cost of a trip to the most magical place on earth can often seem daunting.
But what if I told you that with careful planning and strategic use of rewards, it's possible to experience the wonders of a Walt Disney World Vacation without spending a fortune? In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to plan a free or heavily discounted trip to Disney World, allowing you to make your dreams come true without breaking the bank.
It is possible to have a free or low-cost Disney vacation. You can have a great time and enjoy a magical experience for cheap. Check out our insider tips to learn how to have a magical free Disney vacation.
Hotels on Points Near Disney World
Many blogs talk about the perks and benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. However, Disney resort hotels cannot be booked using travel reward points. One of the best ways to get a free hotel stay and some of the perks of an on-property hotel is to stay at the Marriott Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, or Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotels which can be booked using Marriott Bonvoy points.
Marriott Bonvoy points can be earned by holding an array of Marriott credit cards or general travel rewards credit cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Gold, among many others. American Express and Chase both have co-branded Marriott Cards, which have large sign-up bonuses when signing up for new credit cards.
Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Travel Rewards can be transferred to Marriott points. Marriott free nights can also be earned using Free Night Certificates, offered through some Marriott co-branded credit cards.
On-property Marriott hotels offer many of the same perks as Disney hotel guests get, such as early access to the parks. Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin Hotels are a great way to get Disney property benefits without the cost of Disney Hotels.
There also is a wide variety of off-property hotels close to Disney World offered by the main hotel chains (Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, etc), which usually require fewer points than Swan, Swan Reserve, or Dolphin. Many off-property hotels offer perks like free breakfast, a kitchen, free parking, or shuttle service to the parks. Most recently, we stayed off-property at the Marriott Palms Villa (using Marriott points) and it was a 7-minute drive to Disney World. The Marriott Palms Villa was a full apartment, with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and free parking. Using credit card points for a hotel stay near Disney is a great way to cut down travel expenses on your Disney Vacation.
Set a travel date:
Prices for Disney tickets will vary significantly depending on when you travel. Check Disney World’s website to determine when the cheapest time that you are available to travel to Disney World. Check different dates and number of park days to determine the cost of theme park tickets. Figure out how many days you want to spend in the Disney parks.
The more days spent in Disney theme parks, the cheaper it is per day. So costs will vary based on when you travel and for how many days you are in the parks. Later in this post, we will discuss how to get free tickets using various credit card reward points. Based on the price of Disney World tickets, determine the best time for you to travel.
Travel dates will have a cost effect on your ticket purchase, as well as the number of points needed for hotel rooms and airline costs.
Determine How Many Points Are Needed:
The first step is to determine how many points or rewards you'll need: Whether it's airline miles, hotel points, or credit card rewards, having a specific target will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the planning process.
Pick a hotel and find out how many points you will need for the dates. If staying off property, keep in mind transportation to and from the parks. Some hotels offer free shuttles, and for some, you may need rental cars.
Determine which airline flies from your hometown to Orlando International Airport. Figure out how many points you will need to fly for free with that airline. Many airlines such as Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines fly to Orlando. Each of them offers co-branded credit cards which you can use to earn free flights. Sometimes they have special offers such as free companion passes which could be a great deal.
Start Early and Set a Goal:
Planning a free trip to Disney World requires time, dedication, and a clear goal. Start by setting a realistic timeline for your trip. It will take time to earn the points needed for a trip of this size.
The key to a free Disney World trip lies in accumulating enough points to offset the cost of flights, accommodations, and park tickets. Some tips to accumulate points are:
Apply for a co-branded travel rewards credit card with the hotel you selected in the above steps. Make sure you use your rewards-earning credit card for everyday spending to earn your free hotel stays as quickly as possible. Make sure you have enough charges on the card to meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the sign-up bonus.
Once you meet a minimum spend requirement for your travel partner should consider applying for your next travel card, to keep earning sign-up bonuses. Search around for the best credit card sign-up bonuses at the time.
Once you accumulated enough hotel points, the next step is to move on to a new card for the airline you selected. Sign up for a co-branded airline card or a new general rewards credit card partnered with the airline you want to use. Make sure the card has a welcome offer that you can meet (minimum spending requirements). The best way to earn a large amount of points is through welcome bonuses. In addition to welcome bonuses, move all your everyday purchases to your new cards to earn award seats faster. Expenses that are not being charged to a travel card you are missing out on valuable points.
Accumulate points for Disney World Park tickets: Several websites offer discounts on park tickets which may be less than Disney's website. If you want to limit the cash spent for your trip, consider using credit card reward points to cover the cost of your park tickets. I have used American Express Membership Rewards points earned from my American Express Gold card sign-up bonus, and my husband’s American Express Gold card to buy 2 of our park tickets. Keep in mind that this is not the best use of points, however it can cover your tickets.
If you have an American Express card that earns travel reward points, you can use your points to pay at check out for vendors that offer to pay with Paypal. Other travel rewards cards offer to use travel rewards as a statement credit towards travel charges. Disney World park tickets purchased directly from Disney do not code as travel. However, park tickets purchased via Undercover Tourists do code as travel.
Minimize Expenses While at the Parks:
While rewards may cover your flights and accommodations, there are still plenty of other expenses to consider when planning a trip to Disney World. Look for ways to minimize costs by bringing your own snacks and drinks into the park, opting for budget-friendly dining options, and taking advantage of free entertainment and attractions.
Consider buying Disney gift cards to spread out the cost during your planning period (and you can buy them at a store that earns you bonus points on your travel rewards card). When I have an upcoming Disney trip, I purchase Disney gift cards whenever I am at the grocery store for a few months ahead of my trip.
Since I use my Amex Surpass card, I earn extra points for eligible purchases at grocery stores. Just make sure they are Disney gift cards and not Disney+ gift cards.
A Disney trip doesn't have to drain your bank account. With careful vacation planning, strategic use of rewards, and a bit of creativity, it's possible to experience a free or low-cost Disney World vacation. By starting early, accumulating rewards, optimizing redemption, and minimizing expenses, you can plan a free or heavily discounted trip that will create memories to last a lifetime. So go ahead, and start planning your dream Disney vacation today—because the only thing better than a trip to Disney World is a free trip to Disney World!
