They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

That’s might be especially true in Disney World because, well, breakfast usually means MICKEY WAFFLES. But it can also mean a fun character dining experience, or just some delicious Starbucks or Joffrey’s coffee and a snack. Whatever you prefer, though, it can get expensive to eat breakfast in Disney World. So here are our best tips to save on that first meal of the day!

Grab Breakfast the Day Before

This is a tip that will help you save on both breakfast and snacks because we’re combining the two. If there’s a snack you’ve really been wanting to try in Disney World, grab it as you’re headed out of the park and take it back to your hotel room for breakfast the next morning.

Then you can just brew up some delicious Joffrey’s coffee in your hotel room (most Disney rooms now have Keurig machines) to go with that snack, and you are all set! You can also do this with things like donuts from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew or Joffrey’s, muffins, and other baked goods if you have a preference.

Here are 19 Disney World Snacks That Cost Less Than $10!

Bring Non-Perishable Breakfast Foods From Home

You could also always pack some breakfast foods in your luggage. Things like granola bars, protein bars, instant oatmeal, and even cereal (you can always buy milk once you get to your hotel) are non-perishable and you don’t have to worry about them getting smushed in your luggage.

If you’re not averse to instant coffee (like Starbucks Via), you could even bring some coffee with you to enjoy before you leave your room every day for the parks.

Here are the BEST Snacks to Pack In Your Disney World Park Bag!

Order Groceries Ahead of Time to Be Delivered to Your Room

Did you know you could hop on Instacart and order up some groceries to be delivered to your Disney World hotel room? Well, you can! So be sure to order some breakfast items like cereal and milk, pre-packaged breakfasts, yogurt, oatmeal, and even pre-packaged iced coffee or cold brew.

This option will save you a lot of money, especially when comparing the prices of those items to the same in Disney World. If you prefer bottled water, be sure to order plenty of that, too — you’ll save a fortune on water alone (although remember you can get FREE water in the parks).

Here’s a Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering Instacart Grocery Delivery to Disney World

Have Brunch

You can go all out and combine two meals with one by just having brunch — fill up on breakfast and lunch foods and you won’t be hungry again until dinner! Our best suggestion is to hit up one of the Disney World breakfast buffets as late as possible — if you time it just right, you can get the breakfast buffet and then the lunch buffet, too, when it switches out.

Two meals in one? How could you say no? This is also a good option for character dining because you can justify the more expensive cost of a character meal when you’re just having one big meal instead of a separate breakfast and lunch.

Here’s Our Review Of One Of Disney World’s Cheapest Breakfast Buffets

Eat Off-Property

If you have your own transportation, you could choose to eat somewhere away from Disney property. Head on over to McDonald’s (and there is one on Disney World property!) and grab a cheap breakfast that’s bound to be a LOT less expensive for the same thing in Disney World. Or go to another restaurant where breakfast would be a little cheaper.

You could even save if you choose to Uber to and from a destination if it’s not TOO far from Disney World property. Remember, food just about anywhere is going to be cheaper at non-Disney World restaurants.

Here Are The Best Fast Breakfasts at Disney World

Get Mickey Waffles To-Go

Okay, so we get it. Sometimes, you just gotta’ have a Mickey waffle. We will CERTAINLY not judge you for that. But you can actually get them a lot faster — and cheaper — if you know where to go. If you’re staying at an EPCOT resort, you can get grab-and-go Mickey Waffles from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort!

These Mickey Waffles generally cost a little less than those you would get from Disney World restaurants AND you can just enjoy them in your room, or somewhere out on the BoardWalk if you want breakfast with a view.

How to Make Mickey Waffles at Home!

Stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

If you stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin or the Swan Reserve, you can use Marriott Rewards, and that includes credits for breakfast.

Not paying for breakfast at all? That could save you a lot of money, especially if you’re traveling with your family.

Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Our BEST tip for sticking with your budget at Disney World will forever be to plan ahead – especially for dining! When you buy our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World, you’ll get immediate access to our downloadable worksheets for planning your trip, as well as sample one-day dining itineraries! And as a DFB reader, you’re entitled to a discount! Use code WDW2022 for 25% off your purchase.

What’s your best tip on saving on breakfast in Disney World? Share it with us in the comments!