Social Media Users Swear By This Budget Food Hack When Staying At Disney World Resorts

A trip to the most magical place on Earth is not cheap. For a family of four, a 2026 trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando costs about $7,000, according to Mouse Hacking. This includes everything from domestic flights and local transportation to hotel rooms, park tickets, meals, and more. It's a small fortune for an average family, but a few smart hacks can help you shave off a few hundred bucks. TikTok creator @meganmoves shared a budget-friendly hack for families to save money on a Disney trip: Order groceries to your hotel or Disney resort instead of paying for food in the parks.

One of the biggest wastes of money at Disney World is food, which can cost a family of four about $200-$300 per day. But you can find similar (if not the exact same) snacks at local grocery stores for a fraction of the cost. And you don't even need to leave the Disney bubble — most grocery delivery services are able to drop your order off at your resort. Why pay $6.50 for a single Mickey-shape ice cream bar when you can order a box of six from the local Kroger for less than $10? And if your room at the resort has a kitchen, you can pack whole meals and bring them into the parks as long as you follow park guidelines. 

You can use delivery services offered by individual grocery stores, like Kroger or Walmart, and use delivery apps like InstaCart or UberEats. Some Reddit users also suggest using Vacation Grocery Delivery, a service owned by Disney cast members that doesn't mark up prices like other services do.

Another great way to do Disney on a budget is to never pay for water in the parks. Sounds like an impossibility considering you're probably walking tens of thousands of steps in the Florida heat and probably don't want to pass out from dehydration. But the average cost of a water bottle in Walt Disney World is $4 to $6. That adds up if you have a large family. Luckily, there are some ways you can stay hydrated for free. 

The first way is to bring a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day at the various water stations throughout the parks. This is also more eco-friendly! The second way is to ask for free cups of ice water offered by quick service locations. Use them to refill your reusable water bottle or stop infrequently for water breaks throughout your day. Trays of water are usually already set out when you get to the counter to order your food and, in my experience, cast members don't typically care how many cups you grab. While you can drink the free water available, make sure you avoid touching the water on the rides — a dangerous and disgusting mistake tourists often make at Disney parks.

Buying food in the parks can be unavoidable at times, especially if you're with a big group of people with various tastes and preferences. If this is the case, it might be worth looking into the Disney Dining Plans. This service allows guests to pre-pay for meals and snacks in exchange for dining credits that they can spend throughout their trip at select locations. It includes one quick service meal, one table service meal, and one snack or non-alcoholic beverage for each night of your stay. It also comes with a refillable drink mug that you can use at self-service beverage stations at any Disney hotel quick-service location. 

It may seem like a splurge, but you can get a lot out of it if you're smart about spending your dining credits. Plus, in 2026, kids ages three to nine get a free dining plan when you purchase a Walt Disney Travel Company package. It's not for everyone, but it's worth looking into especially if you're traveling with a big group. Here's a full guide to the Disney Dining Plan.