These days, the cost of visiting the Happiest Place on Earth might just bring you to tears.

As Disney increasingly ties its fortunes to theme parks while introducing new rides and attractions, families are breaking the bank to make the pilgrimage.

Even some inside Disney are concerned about the the lack of affordability. 

For a two-parent family with two young children, the typical four-day visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, now costs a whopping $4,266. 

And that’s before Disney squeezes its guests even more by rolling out ‘surge pricing’ for tickets, which causes costs to fluctuate in real time based on demand.

To combat the sticker shock, a top Disney expert is on a mission to help families trying to pay the mounting costs.

Gavin Doyle launched the website Mickey Visit to offer helpful tips to cash-strapped travelers, including sharing discounts at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and beyond.

Below are Doyle’s best bets for maximizing savings during a Disney vacation while still ensuring a magical visit.

Gavin Doyle launched the website Mickey Visit to offer helpful tips to cash-strapped travelers 

Doyle has formulated cost-saving measures from his hundreds of trips to the parks

The cost of a Disney trip has continued to increase in recent years, pricing out many families 

Save on park admission by choosing the right ticket type 

Potential savings: $69-$109 per person

Selecting the right ticket for your family can save more than $100 per person 

You can save the most by purchasing tickets through discount providers that have a relationship with Disney, Doyle says. Though, this depends on the dates you’re looking to visit – it’s always a good idea to do your homework compare third-party sellers to Disney sales side-by-side.

Doyle’s company links out to some of these third-party retailers on its website. 

Regardless of where you shop, ticket prices are based on the number of days you spend there and the amount of parks visited in a given day. So opting for 1 Park Per Day tickets rather than Park Hopper tickets can save you some cash.

Park Hopper tickets are good if you are squeezing all of the highlights into a short visit, though they’re not completely necessary if you are visiting for multiple days, Doyle explains. 

For example, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, you can save money with a 3-day 1 Park Per Day ticket by spending two days touring Disneyland Park and one day at Disney California Adventure.

You can likely catch all of the highlights without a Park Hopper ticket if you visit during a slower month like January or February, Doyle notes. 

These are some of the best times of the year to visit because of the smaller crowds and less frequent special events.

Save on your Disney hotel stay by booking a cheaper option

Potential Savings: $2,563-$5,340

The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is Disneyland’s most expensive on-site hotel

Making savvy choices on hotel rooms can save a family thousands 

Disneyland has three on-property hotels and dozens of hotels in the surrounding area, while Walt Disney World has more than 25 resorts divided into pricing tiers of value, moderate, and deluxe.

Knowing which hotels to book can help you save a significant amount, Doyle says.

Some off-property hotels within walking distance of Disneyland are just as close to the action as the rooms at pricier on-site offerings. 

But, you’ll still want to be strategic about your accommodations, even if you’re staying off-site. 

Planning for a parks-focused trip? Skip the fancy amenities – all you really need is a clean and comfortable place to sleep for the night.

At Disneyland, you may consider the advantages of paying a little more to stay at a hotel within walking distance. Staying father away requires taking a taxi or the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) Shuttle, which will add an extra cost. 

In Florida, though, Doyle doesn’t recommend staying off-site unless you have hotel points to redeem at some of the chain options that still get Disney perks. 

He loves the on-property value resorts and actually finds the amenities to be quite comfortable, with the All-Star Sports Resort typically the coming in at the cheapest of all the options.

Wherever you are, consider a hotel with free breakfast as a smart way to lower your food budget.

Avoid parking at Disney destinations

Potential Savings: $120-$140

Parking can be a an unforeseen expense, so avoid paying for it if possible 

Parking is a cost Doyle recommends avoiding altogether.

Don’t drive to and from the parks at Disneyland unless you have to, he says – it will save you both money and time.

Standard parking at Disneyland, for example, is priced at $35 daily for a car or motorcycle (it’s more for oversized vehicles). For a four-day trip, you’re looking at paying $140.

At Walt Disney World, parking starts at $30 daily per vehicle. 

Instead, Doyle advises you opt for complimentary resort transportation, walking, or take a taxi if needed.

Walt Disney World offers free transportation around the resort via bus, boat, Monorail, and Skyliner, but you’ll want to budget some extra time when using these.

Save money on dining by bringing food into the parks

Potential Savings: $3,100

Prices at The Cake Bake Shop on the famous Boardwalk at Walt Disney World in Florida recently left fans fuming

Meals are a part of the Disney budget that many tend to overlook. But the costs can quickly add up, Doyle says, especially amid spikes in food prices in recent years. 

Visitors are allowed to bring outside food into the parks under Disney’s guidelines (restrictions include no glass containers or foods that require additional heating or preparation).

Take advantage of grocery stores nearby and pack lunches or snacks.

If you do decide to pay for food at the parks, avoiding table-service restaurants will help keep the cost down. 

Don’t get Skip-the-Line service for every day of your trip 

Potential Savings: $78-$216 per person

Line-skipping passes are only worth it at some locations and times of year

Disneyland and Walt Disney World both offer a line-cutting service called Lightning Lane Multi Pass. 

The cost varies per park and fluctuates depending on the date.

Doyle says this is a worthy purchase for certain parks at Walt Disney World, but not for others.

You’ll get the most value out of the pass at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, which feature the most rides. At EPCOT and Animal kingdom, though, he says you can get away with skipping the service if you strategize. 

Consider purchasing Lightning Lane Single Pass entry instead, he says – you’ll pay for individual access to the most in-demand rides. 

In California, he says, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is actually a great deal because it includes so many rides. But, that doesn’t mean you’ll need it for every day of your visit. 

Doyle advises buying the pass for a single day and then showing up to the park early for the rest of your trip to beat other visitors to the most popular rides you couldn’t get to with your pass.

Save on Disney merchandise by buying ahead 

Potential savings: $400

Buying merchandise before heading off on your trip can be a great way to save

Setting a strict budget and buying some items ahead of time, could ultimately save you hundreds of dollars.

Buying items like glow sticks from the dollar store can help you avoid pricey purchases inside the park.

As for that Mickey Mouse T-shirt? You can find cheaper Disney merchandise to wear at big box and local retailers near home.

Skip shopping and dining centers Disney Springs and Downtown Disney, where it’s easy to overspend, Doyle adds. Your kids will be just as happy at the hotel pool, which you already paid for.

If you can’t resist buying souvenirs on the spot, get your kids a gift card so they understand their spending limit.

Keep an eye out for Disney deals throughout the year

Different Disney deals can crop up throughout the year so Doyle recommends checking frequently

Disney offers deals throughout the year, and taking advantage is one of the best ways to save money on different parts of your trip.

The best deals will typically correspond with a time of year – for instance, deals from January through May are better than the ones you’ll find around the winter holidays. 

These savings opportunities are often featured during times of cheaper airfare, making these months some of the best for a Disney vacation.

For Walt Disney World, Doyle suggests keeping an eye out for deals that focus on overall savings versus specific offers for things like free dining – which does provide value, but doesn’t put money in your pocket.

For Disneyland, look to third-party ticket resellers for the best hotel discounts. The hotel deals offered by Disneyland tend to focus on its three on-property hotels, which are the most expensive options.

All in all, if you stay vigilant and make smart choices, you’ll see the savings add up.