Free ice water at every Disney quick-service — just ask at the counter. Don't buy $4 water bottles. Bring refillable bottles and refill all day.
Mobile order food at Disney — Use the My Disney Experience app to order before you're hungry. Skip the line, walk up and grab it. Filter by "Gluten/Wheat" for celiac.
Ziploc bags for phones on water rides — Kali River Rapids (AK) and Infinity Falls (SeaWorld) will soak you. Phones in ziplocs.
Buy ponchos at Dollar Tree or Publix — Don't buy $12–15 Disney ponchos in-park. Dollar store ones work fine. 5 for ~$5 vs. $60+ in-park.
Pack GF snacks aggressively — Every GF snack bar from home or Publix saves $6–8 vs. buying in-park.
Memory Maker is included — Don't buy individual ride/character photos. Tap MagicBands at every photo op. Download them all free in the My Disney Experience app.
Money Savers
Buy a SunPass Mini at Publix ($4.99) — FL-528 to KSC is all-electronic tolling (no cash). Load $10–15 and stick it to the windshield. Way cheaper than Alamo's PlatePass ($3.95/day fee even on days you don't use tolls). Saves ~$11.
Gas up before returning the rental car — Fill up at a regular station near MCO Sunday night or Monday morning. Alamo charges $8–10/gallon if they fill it.
Skip SeaWorld Quick Queue — Your schedule hits the big coasters at 9 AM opening when lines are 5–15 min. By the time lines build, you're at the Penguin encounter and Sharks lunch. Saves $125–250 for the family.
KSC SAVEMORE code — Try code SAVEMORE on Undercover Tourist for ~$64/person vs. $67. Saves ~$15 total.
Practical
Screenshot everything — Boarding passes, VRBO door code (when you get it), confirmation numbers. Cell service at KSC can be spotty.
Portable battery packs — Phones will die by 3 PM with LL/maps/photos running all day. Bring 2–3.
Refillable water bottles — All Disney parks have free water stations. Florida in late April is 85–88°F.
Rain plan — Afternoon thunderstorms are almost guaranteed in late April Orlando. They blow through in 30–45 min. Duck into indoor rides/shows.
Park day bag — Phone, charger, GF snacks, water bottle, poncho, light jacket (for penguin/AC), sunscreen. Leave everything else at hotel/car.