Disney World Costs – Is the Magic Worth the Price?
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How much does a trip to Disney World cost? You might be surprised!
Disney World – a place where dreams come true, and enchantment knows no bounds. For many, a trip to this iconic wonderland is a cherished aspiration, but it’s no secret that planning a visit can be a significant financial investment.
I spent the greater part of three months researching and planning my first adult trip to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary Most Magical Celebration. And I am also celebrating my 35th birthday!
I didn’t splurge on anything other than food within the parks. The Disney World’s Most Magical Celebration includes special merchandise, sweets and treats, shows, and more. I even picked the cheapest resort with a $500 off discount for stay 5+ nights.
So how much does a trip to Disney World Cost? A lot! Disney World is the most magical place on Earth. And I believe that, but my bank account says it’s anything other than magical.
Don’t get me wrong, I had an amazing vacation. It’s just that I’ve gone on expensive trips to Europe that have cost less than this trip. So I’ve calculated every dollar I spent from flights to treats to souvenirs.
Disney World Cost: Resort
The magic doesn’t end when the park gates close, and choosing where to rest your head is crucial to an enjoyable vacation. Disney offers a wide range of accommodations, from value resorts to deluxe villas, each catering to different budgets and preferences.
Staying on-site comes with perks like extra Magic Hours and convenient transportation to the parks, but off-site options can be more budget-friendly. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each to help you find the perfect stay for your needs.
I first price out the trip in January, but I never booked anything. The next time I logged on to the Disney World website, I received a special offer to save up to $500 on a 5-night stay. And that did save us some!
Our resort check-in is Saturday, May 14, 2022 and our check-out is Friday, May 20, 2022. We stayed at the resort for a total of six nights. We also planned for one day at Universal Studios, otherwise we would’ve only stayed five nights.
Disney World Cost: Tickets
The foundation of any Disney World vacation is park tickets. Prices vary depending on the time of year and the number of days you wish to visit. With four theme parks to explore, you have the option to purchase tickets for individual parks or opt for the Park Hopper pass, which allows you to visit multiple parks in a single day. While park tickets can be a significant expense, they offer access to a world of captivating experiences and cherished memories.
I purchased a 4-day ticket with admission to 1 park per day and also ordered the Disney Genie+ Service (which is no longer available to buy ahead of time).
Disney Genie+ Service
The Disney Genie+ Service allows you to make the first Disney Genie+ experience selection at 7:00 AM on the date of visit and may only select the next available arrival window for an experience, one experience at a time. Guests may not select the same experience more than once per day. A Disney account and eligible mobile device are required to use the My Disney Experience app and the Disney Genie+ service.
Disney World Cost: Travel Protection Plan
The Travel Protection Plan is designed for and is available to US residents. For your convenience, they offer travel protection which can be added to your trip anytime until final payment for $165.
Honestly, I get nervous about big ticket expenses and generally purchase some kind of insurance. This is not required, so if you want to save that money you can skip it.
Disney World Package Cost
The Disney World package includes the items above: resort, tickets, Genie+, and travel protection. Only a deposit of $365 was required when booking.
The total Disney World cost is $2,197.12.
And we’re set!
Magic Bands
No, we’re not set. I thought that the cost of Magic Bands were included in the cost of the package, but they were not. There are many choices and styles when selecting your Magic Bands, but that means that the price will vary. I selected a silver glitter option, which was a little bit more expensive than the 50th Anniversary edition I picked out for Zack.
Total cost of Magic Bands: $37.90
Disney World Cost: Flights
We flew into Orlando’s MCO airport from DFW. American Airlines charged us $337.40 plus $60 in checked bagged fees ($30 fee for one checked back each flight).
I booked our flights for later in the morning so we wouldn’t have to rush. But we had a whole ordeal at DFW which involved boarding, un-boarding, changing terminals and planes. Our original flight was supposed to get in by 3 p.m., but we didn’t get to our resort until closer to 9 p.m.
Getting To and From the Airport
In January 2022, Disney announced that their complimentary Magical Express transportation service will be discontinued. So we just missed out on this option.
When I was booking the package on their website, I had an option to book a van service for $201.26. I booked it, but it was canceled by Disney and refunded.
Uber it is! The total cost of our Uber trips: $290.09
Disney World Food and Drinks
When I first started planning out our days at each park, I tried to make reservations for restaurants within the parks. And everything was booked. There were only a handful of places that I was able to make a reservation, but the times were not good for us. So I canceled those.
There were specific things I wanted to try, so we kind of mapped out each park by which rides we’ll be waiting in line and the nearest food or drink item that was on my list.
Total cost of Disney World food: $1007.47
Total cost of Disney World drinks: $244.50
Total cost of Disney World sweets and treats: $81.39
Other Disney Costs to Consider
Your trip to Disney World should also account for all the “extras” that you have to factor into your budget. You never know what’s going to happen, but there’s a cost associated. We didn’t need a stroller, but if you have a child you might rent one. And we didn’t attend any special show that required an additional ticket.
We did decide to do laundry halfway through our trip. It was very hot and humid. We sweated through everything! Zack also decided that he wanted to buy a pair of sunglasses when we visited Disney Springs.
We have two dogs that need to be taken care of while we we’re on this trip, so we chose to board them. We used Camp Bow Wow because we can count on the dogs not being bored there.
- Laundry: $8
- Souvenirs: $579.26
- Special ticketed events and Disney dinner shows: $0
- Stroller/scooter rentals: $0
- Disney Memory Maker photo packages: $10.81
- Other Orlando activities and attractions: $233.24
- Dog boarding: $552
For our souvenirs, we bought a lot of collectable pins. I DIY’d a Floating Frame Disney Pin Collection Display Board to show them off! And be sure to check out some more ideas on how to display your Disney pins.
How much does a trip to Disney World Cost?
The total cost for the entire trip: $6,051.70
Was that what you were thinking? I am totally blown away. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to know of any tips for next time!
A trip to Disney World is a journey into a realm of fantasy and wonder, where cherished memories are made and hearts are filled with joy. The cost of a Disney World vacation can vary greatly depending on your choices, but the magic and enchantment it offers are truly priceless.
With thoughtful planning, budgeting, and a sprinkle of pixie dust, you can create a magical experience that fits within your means.
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking down Main Street U.S.A, soaring on a magic carpet, or venturing to a galaxy far, far away, take a leap of faith and let the magic of Disney World unfold before you. After all, some dreams are meant to come true, and the memories created will last a lifetime.
Katie
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Be sure to check out these blog posts for more Disney travel tips and inspiration!
