Planning a family trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Florida? You probably already know it’s going to be expensive—more expensive than it should be. Accepting this reality early on can help preserve your mental health for the duration of the trip.
However, there are ways to minimize some of the costs, including theme park tickets. Here’s how you can save money without compromising your experience.
Avoid Free Theme Park Ticket Scams
When driving around Orlando, you’ll likely see signs offering “free theme park tickets.” Beware—many of these are scams. While some places do give you free tickets, it’s often after you’ve endured a six-hour timeshare presentation that you probably don’t want or need.
A Legitimate Way to Save: Undercover Tourist
During one of our trips, I decided to check out UndercoverTourist to compare ticket prices against those offered directly by Disney. To my surprise, the tickets were slightly cheaper. Given my skepticism toward online deals, I was hesitant. However, the potential savings were worth a shot, so I decided to give it a try.
I’m happy to report that it worked flawlessly. I don’t know how they manage to offer lower prices—perhaps they buy in bulk—but it was a legitimate way to save a few hundred dollars.
Price Comparison: Disney vs. Undercover Tourist
To illustrate, let’s consider a hypothetical family of four—two adults and two kids—planning to visit the parks in the first week of October. Here’s how the prices compare:
- Disney’s Website: For a 4-day, 4-park Magic Ticket, the total comes to $1,686.96 with tax.
- Undercover Tourist: The same tickets cost $1,625, including tax.
While the savings of around $60 may not seem substantial, it adds up. That $60 could cover a meal during your trip.
Hotel Savings with Undercover Tourist
During a recent trip to Universal Orlando, we stayed at the Aventura Hotel. Initially, I planned to book directly through Universal’s website, but I noticed that Undercover Tourist also offers hotel bookings. Curious, I compared the prices:
- Universal’s Website: A standard two-queen room at Aventura for four nights in the first full week of November costs nearly $700.
- Undercover Tourist: The same room costs $485 for the same dates.
That’s a savings of over $200, which could significantly impact your overall budget.
The Process: How Does It Work?
You might be wondering what the difference is between buying theme park tickets through Undercover Tourist versus directly from Disney or Universal. When you purchase through Undercover Tourist, you receive your tickets via email, digitally.
The tickets come with a barcode that you can either print out or scan into your Disney World Experience app or Universal app. Once scanned, the tickets will appear in your app as if you had purchased them directly from the theme parks.
For hotel bookings, checking in was a breeze. I simply went to the front desk, presented my ID, and found that I was already in the system, thanks to Undercover Tourist.
Final Thoughts: Is Undercover Tourist Worth It?
There are many websites out there offering discounted tickets, but I can’t vouch for most of them. Some may be legitimate, while others could be shady. Based on my experience, UndercoverTourist is accredited, professional, and offers genuine savings. If you’re looking to save money on your next trip to Disney or Universal, it’s a legitimate option that won’t compromise your experience.
This review is not sponsored in any way—just my honest attempt to help you save some money on your next family trip. If you found this helpful, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If you have other questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future posts, let me know below. Happy travels!
