disney world trip for family of 4

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Disney World Costs for a Family of 4 Might Surprise You

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Average Disney World vacation cost per person, per day

Average disney world vacation cost for a family of 4, how families can do disney world on a budget, methodology.

A Disney family vacation certainly isn’t cheap. The average cost for a family of four to Disney World can easily top $6,000 for a seven-night trip, and that’s if you’re a frugal traveler.

But a weeklong family trip to Disney World exceeding $15,000 is not unheard of, especially for families splurging on memorable character meals and hotels closer to the theme park.

A recent NerdWallet analysis sought to understand the average cost for a family of four to go to Disney World, accounting for line items across these four categories:

Park tickets (and add-ons, like Genie+ ).

On-property hotel room rates.

Food at park restaurants.

Add-on activities, like spa treatments and tours.

Because Disney offers options for all sorts of budgets, NerdWallet categorized trips into three price tiers: Value, Moderate and Deluxe (the same classifications that Disney World uses for its hotels). Frugal families might fit everyone into a single room and dine only at counter service restaurants or food carts. Meanwhile, families willing to spend more might purchase line-skipping privileges, larger rooms and fancier meals. Those variations are accounted for in NerdWallet’s price breakdowns. (Read our methodology at the end of this piece.)

Here’s what you can expect to spend per person, per day for a theme park ticket, hotel room and meal, based on travel style:

Here’s the average Disney World vacation cost for a family of four, broken down by travel style and length of trip. These prices include the cost of three meals per day on Disney property, daily theme park tickets and overnight stays at a Disney-owned hotel.

Disney World ticket prices

Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Disney World ticket prices vary by park and date, but one-day Magic Kingdom tickets average $160 apiece. (Magic Kingdom is typically viewed as the most family-friendly of the theme parks, but it’s also typically the most expensive park.)

Per-day prices drop the longer you stay. For example, five-day, one-park-per-day tickets average $643 (that’s $129 per day).

Some travelers might opt for upgrades like Park Hopper tickets , which let you visit multiple parks each day, or Lightning Lanes , which are priority queues for certain attractions.

Not accounting for upgrades, here’s how much a family of four can expect to spend on tickets, based on the number of theme park days:

There’s no such thing as family tickets to Disney World; tickets are sold per person. Disney automatically discounts ticket prices for kids under age 9 (those under age 3 don’t need a ticket at all), so families with young children might see slightly lower overall ticket costs.

Disney World hotels

The "Alice in Wonderland"-themed water play area at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Rooms at All-Star properties (which are considered Value hotels) start at $128 per night, according to Disney trip planning website Touring Plans. Meanwhile, nightly rates for one of Disney World’s most expensive Deluxe hotels, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, start at $780.

Exact prices vary based on check-in date and property, but here are average prices broken down by type and trip length, according to NerdWallet’s analysis:

Average Disney World hotel room costs

The $286 average rate for Disney’s cheapest rooms still exceeds the average hotel room rate off-property. According to Visit Orlando’s 2022 Travel Industry Indicators, Orlando’s average daily room rate is just $186.49, about 35% less than the cheapest room at a Disney resort.

Disney World food

NerdWallet also calculated the average meal prices depending on restaurant type. Meals consisted of an entree and drink and, at waiter service restaurants, an appetizer or dessert.

Average Disney World food costs

However, these Disney food prices did not account for kids meals, which are usually cheaper.

Consider one of the best family restaurants at Disney World, the African-inspired buffet at Tusker House Restaurant, located in the Animal Kingdom theme park. Dinner, which features walkaround Disney characters in safari garb, costs $59 (before tax and tip) for ages 10 and up. But kids under 9 can eat for $38 (a 35% discount), and children under 3 eat for free.

Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Satu'li Canteen, located in the “Avatar” section of the theme park, is another family-favorite restaurant in Animal Kingdom. It's famous for its cheeseburger pod, which is a bao bun stuffed with classic cheeseburger ingredients. The adult serving costs $13.29 while the smaller kids version is just $8.59 — also a 35% discount.

Other activities and expenses

Food, tickets and hotels are hardly the only Disney family trip costs. NerdWallet’s calculations did not account for sundries and souvenirs, which might add to the average cost for a trip to Disney.

NerdWallet’s seven-day trip estimations did account for other entertainment and activities. Disney officially refers to these activities as its Enchanting Extras Collection, which includes animal encounters, educational classes and recreational activities.

Prices for Disney Enchanting Extras vary, though there’s something for every budget. The 60-minute Caring for Giants tour at Animal Kingdom costs just $35 per person and gets you closer to the elephants than other park guests are allowed.

Families looking to splurge might book the three-hour private Wild Africa Trek tour, which costs $199 per person and involves hiking, off-roading in a safari vehicle and traversing a rope bridge.

At the Magic Kingdom, families with very young children might book the My First Haircut package at Harmony Barber Shop. For $28, you get a haircut plus commemorative Mickey Ears, a certificate and a keepsake lock of hair. Kids from ages 3 to 12 might prefer the stylings at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. For $100, they get a fresh hairdo plus makeup, nail polish and a princess sash, while the $200 package includes a full princess gown.

If you’re doing Disney World on a budget, a more affordable Enchanting Extra might include a round of miniature golf at either of Disney’s two courses, which cost just $12 per child or $14 per adult.

For seven-night trips, here’s how much additional money NerdWallet estimates you should budget, per person, for Disney World extras:

Value: $142.

Moderate: $221.

Deluxe: $455.

Not all families will opt for add-on activities, but for longer trips, it would be wise to keep some room in the Disney budget, just in case.

A family of four should expect to spend a minimum of $6,000 once on-property for seven nights at Walt Disney World, including food, hotel, theme park tickets and add-ons. But a trip to Disney World can also be done for far less. Here’s how:

Cut back on theme park days with free or cheap activities .

Book Disney Good Neighbor Hotels, which are family resorts near Disney World that are generally more budget-friendly. Many can be booked on points and miles , ideal if you’ve been stockpiling credit card rewards .

Seek Disney World family vacation packages, many of which are offered through Good Neighbor hotels.

To better understand the average cost of a vacation to Disney World for a family of four, NerdWallet analyzed more than 200 ticket prices, 550 Disney-owned hotel room rates and more than 100 additional activities and restaurant prices between April 2023 and April 2024. From there, NerdWallet used average costs to build sample trip budgets.

NerdWallet’s trip costs start once you’re on-property, thus don’t account for parking, airfare or driving costs. Here’s what’s included in each price tier:

Additional notes:

Because Walt Disney World ticket prices vary by park, one-day ticket prices were based on Magic Kingdom admission. Two-day ticket prices were based on Magic Kingdom and Epcot. 

NerdWallet’s analysis did not account for Park Hopper tickets, which allow access to multiple theme parks per day.

Meals are based on standard menus. Families ordering from the kids menu will likely save on Disney World food costs.

These budgets should be used to estimate rather than determine your own Disney trip costs. For instance, you might spend less if you pack your own snacks, or you might spend more if you spring for miscellaneous add-ons (e.g. taxis, Mickey-shaped balloons or PhotoPass).

Sam Kemmis and Carissa Rawson contributed to this report.

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• Last Updated On
• July 1, 2023

Disney World Itinerary: The Perfect Plan for Your Family Trip

Imagine the perfect Disney World itinerary for your family vacation at Walt Disney World, where every day offers a new adventure and unforgettable memories.

What if I told you that it’s possible to experience the best of Disney World in just 5 days?

Well, I’m an Orlando local with a lot of Disney World experience under my belt. And I’m here to help you out.

My meticulously crafted itinerary will guide you through the magic of all four Disney World parks, plus a relaxing day at a water park, ensuring that you and your family make the most of every enchanting moment.

Ready to embark on the ultimate Disney World adventure?

Let’s dive in!

Short Summary

• Embark on a magical Disney World adventure with thrilling attractions, character meet-and-greets and unforgettable memories!
• Explore Future World, the African Safari at Animal Kingdom and classic Hollywood Studios attractions for an incredible experience.
• Relaxation spots, delicious dining options & transportation tips help make your family’s vacation perfect!

Day 1: Magic Kingdom Adventure

There’s no better place to start your Disney World adventure than at the iconic Magic Kingdom. Filled with classic Disney attractions, mouth-watering snacks, and loads of character meet-and-greets, Magic Kingdom offers a magical experience for all ages.

Begin your day with a visit to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, one of the most popular attractions in the park. As the day unfolds, make sure to check the wait times in the My Disney Experience app and take advantage of Disney Genie+ for the optimal experience.

Morning Attractions

As you step through the entrance gate of Magic Kingdom, the excitement begins! Head straight to Discovery Island and marvel at the park’s iconic Tree of Life. With the morning sun shining bright, take a spin on Tomorrowland classics like the PeopleMover and Astro Orbiter.

When you’re ready for a break from the heat, explore the incredible indoor shows at Magic Kingdom, such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, and Carousel of Progress.

Remember, planning is key to making the most of your time at Magic Kingdom, so use Genie+ to buy Lightning Lanes and maximize your morning fun.

Afternoon Thrills

As the afternoon unfolds, don’t miss out on Magic Kingdom’s thrilling attractions like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Experience the spine-tingling adventures of Haunted Mansion, soar away to Neverland on Peter Pan’s Flight, take a flight on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and take a thrilling mine car ride on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Remember to stay cool and hydrated, and don’t forget to capture those magical moments with your favorite Disney pals.

Evening Entertainment

As the sun sets on your first day at Magic Kingdom, prepare to be dazzled by the evening entertainment. Character meet-and-greets, the spectacular Festival of Fantasy parade, the awe-inspiring Happily Ever After fireworks, and the magical Cinderella’s Royal Table are all waiting to enchant you.

Indulge in savory spring rolls, regular and specialty Dole whips, and corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese as you explore the park at night. The magic of Disney World comes alive at night, so be sure to soak in every unforgettable moment.

Day 2: Exploring Epcot

On Day 2, it’s time to journey into the realms of imagination and innovation at Epcot. With Future World’s exhilarating attractions and the World Showcase’s cultural experiences, Epcot offers a unique blend of entertainment and education for visitors of all ages.

From the breathtaking Soarin’ to the exhilarating Test Track, you’ll discover a world of excitement at every turn.

Future World Adventures

Epcot’s Future World is home to some of Disney World’s most thrilling attractions. Experience the adrenaline rush of Soarin’ Around the World, the high-speed action of Test Track, and the captivating journey of Spaceship Earth.

For the more daring, take on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – a thrilling backwards launch with 360-degree vehicle turns and a unique soundtrack that’s random every time you ride.

Be sure to make the most of your time in Future World by utilizing Genie+ to access Lightning Lanes for popular attractions.

World Showcase Exploration

The World Showcase at Epcot invites you to embark on a fascinating exploration of 11 pavilions representing different countries around the world. Be sure to experience Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion, a thrilling family boat ride featuring your favorite characters from Frozen.

As you wander from pavilion to pavilion, take time to uncover the unique side exhibits and galleries that act as a mini self-guided tour through each country’s history and current culture. Don’t forget to indulge in a variety of delectable dining options, including the Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom, La Crêperie de Paris in France, and Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy.

Nighttime Spectacular

Finish your day at Epcot with the mesmerizing nighttime show, Harmonious. This awe-inspiring performance combines global influences, incredible special effects, and breathtaking fireworks to create a truly unforgettable experience.

For the best views, head to the front of the World Showcase, between the Mexico and Canada Pavilions. As the night sky lights up with dazzling colors and classic Disney songs, you’ll be reminded of the magic that only Disney World can create.

Day 3: Animal Kingdom Safari

Day 3 takes you on an African safari adventure at Animal Kingdom, where you’ll encounter exotic animals, lush landscapes, and thrilling attractions. Start your day with a visit to Pandora – The World of Avatar, and then head to Kilimanjaro Safaris for an up-close encounter with the wildlife of the African savanna.

Experience the sights and sounds of the African savanna, and get a chance to see some of the most iconic animals in the world, including giraffes, elephants, zebras, and more. Enjoy the thrill of the thrill.

Pandora – The World of Avatar

Step into the breathtaking world of Pandora – The World of Avatar, where you’ll find two awe-inspiring attractions: the tranquil Na’vi River Journey and the exhilarating Flight of Passage. Be sure to take advantage of the a la carte selections for a Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage, as they’re not available with the regular Genie+ choices.

As you explore the bioluminescent landscape, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another world.

African Safari

Next, embark on an unforgettable African Safari at Kilimanjaro Safaris. This 20-minute adventure takes you across an expansive savanna, where you’ll encounter a variety of incredible animals. The best time to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris is during a light rain, when many animals are most active.

After your safari, explore the walking trails such as the Maharajah Jungle Trek and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail to see even more amazing animals up close.

Asia and Dinoland U.S.A.

Continue your adventure in Asia, where you’ll find thrilling rides like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids. Be prepared to get soaked on the exhilarating Kali River Rapids, or take on the heart-pounding Expedition Everest roller coaster for a different kind of thrill.

In Dinoland U.S.A., step back in time to experience the prehistoric world on the exciting Dinosaur ride. Animal Kingdom offers a unique blend of excitement and exploration that you won’t find in any other Disney park.

Day 4: Hollywood Studios Action

On Day 4, it’s time for some Hollywood Studios action. This action-packed park is home to Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and classic attractions like the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Get ready for a day filled with excitement, adventure, and a touch of Hollywood magic.

Toy Story Land

Venture into the world of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and all your favorite Toy Story characters at Toy Story Land. Here, you’ll find two exciting rides: Toy Story Mania and the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster. Be sure to arrive early and head straight for Slinky Dog Dash, as wait times can get quite intense.

Toy Story Land is a fantastic place for both kids and kids-at-heart, with larger-than-life decorations and plenty of photo opportunities.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Next, step into a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Here, you can pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run, join the Resistance on the thrilling Rise of the Resistance ride, and immerse yourself in the intergalactic world of Star Wars.

Be sure to plan ahead and aim for the best ride-throughs, as this immersive land is incredibly popular.

Classic Attractions

Don’t forget to experience the classic attractions that make Hollywood Studios a must-visit park. Plunge into the Twilight Zone on the Tower of Terror, race through the streets of Los Angeles on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and journey to a galaxy far, far away on Star Tours.

With so much action and adventure, Hollywood Studios is sure to leave you starstruck.

Day 5: Water Park Fun

After four action-packed days, it’s time to unwind and enjoy a day of relaxation at one of Disney World’s water parks. With thrilling attractions, serene relaxation spots, and delicious dining options, a day at a water park is the perfect way to recharge before continuing your Disney World adventure.

Attractions and Slides

Whether you’re visiting Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, you’ll find a variety of attractions and slides that cater to all ages and thrill levels. From family-style raft rides to adrenaline-pumping waterslides and wave pools, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Remember to follow safety guidelines and keep an eye on little ones, as water park attractions can sometimes be intense.

Relaxation Spots

When you’re ready for some downtime, Disney’s water parks offer a range of relaxation spots, such as hot tubs and spas. Find a comfortable lounge chair on a sandy beach or float along a lazy river, soaking in the sun and the soothing sounds of the water.

These serene spots provide the perfect opportunity to recharge and reflect on your Disney World adventure so far.

Dining Options

A day at a water park wouldn’t be complete without some delicious dining options. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach offer a range of quick-service restaurants, snack stands, and even full-service dining options.

From classic theme park fare like burgers and hot dogs to more unique options like tropical-inspired dishes, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Transportation Tips

Navigating the vast expanse of Disney World can be a little overwhelming, but with the right transportation tips, you’ll be able to move between parks and resorts with ease. From buses and monorails to boats and the Skyliner gondola ride, Disney World offers a variety of transportation options to help you make the most of your vacation.

Whether you’re looking for a quick way to get from one park to another or a leisurely ride to your resort, there’s a transportation option that’s perfect for you. With a little planning, you can make the most of your time in Disney World.

The Disney bus service is a convenient and efficient way to travel between the parks, Disney Resort hotels , and the Disney Springs area. Buses run approximately every 20 minutes, ensuring that you’ll never have to wait too long to get to your destination.

Be sure to allow for some extra travel time, especially during peak hours, and remember to check the bus schedules in the Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date information.

The monorail system is another fantastic transportation option at Disney World, providing a unique and scenic way to travel between the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and select Disney Resort hotels. With three different routes to choose from, the monorail offers a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the resort.

Be sure to take advantage of this iconic mode of transportation during your Disney World vacation.

Boats and Skyliner

For a more leisurely journey, consider taking a boat ride between select Disney parks and resorts. The water taxis offer a relaxing and scenic way to travel, providing a unique perspective on the resort’s beautiful landscapes.

In addition, the Skyliner gondola ride offers a thrilling bird’s-eye view of the resort as you soar between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and several Disney Resort hotels. No matter which mode of transportation you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Accommodations and Dining

With so many exciting experiences to be had at Disney World, it’s important to choose the right accommodations and dining options for your family. From luxurious Disney Resort hotels to memorable character dining experiences , there’s something to suit every budget and preference .

Choosing a Resort

When planning your Disney World vacation , consider the three tiers of resorts available: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Each tier offers a range of accommodations , from standard rooms and suites to extravagant villas and cozy cabins.

Choosing a Disney Resort hotel allows you to take advantage of the many exciting amenities and services offered, such as convenient transportation, delicious dining, and thrilling entertainment.

Character Dining

For a truly unforgettable dining experience, consider booking a character dining experience at one of Disney World’s many restaurants. Character dining allows you to come face-to-face with some of your beloved Disney characters while savoring a delectable meal. Options include Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, Hollywood and Vine, and the Garden Grill, to name just a few.

Be sure to book dining reservations well in advance, as character dining experiences are extremely popular and can fill up quickly.

Quick Service and Snack Options

In addition to table service restaurants and character dining, Disney World offers a wide range of quick service and snack options to satisfy your cravings throughout the day. From classic theme park fare like burgers and hot dogs to more unique options like cultural cuisine and specialty treats, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Be sure to try some of the must-have snacks at Disney World, such as Dole Whip, Mickey-shaped pretzels, and churros.

Additional Experiences

Beyond the four main theme parks and water parks, Disney World offers even more exciting experiences for you to discover. From the vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex of Disney Springs to special events and festivals throughout the year, there’s always something new and exciting to explore at Disney World.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a must-visit destination during your Disney World vacation. This bustling shopping, dining, and entertainment area offers a unique experience away from the parks, with no admission fee required. Browse an array of shops, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants, or catch a live performance at one of the entertainment venues.

Don’t forget to stop by World of Disney, the largest Disney merchandise store in the world, for the perfect souvenir to remember your trip.

Special Events and Festivals

Throughout the year, Disney World hosts a variety of special events and festivals that offer unique experiences for guests. From the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival to the Food and Wine Classic, there’s always something new and exciting happening at Disney World.

Be sure to check the event calendars when planning your trip to see what special events might be taking place during your visit.

Disney World Itinerary for 2024: My Parting Words

My Disney World itinerary has taken you on a magical journey through the four theme parks, a relaxing day at a water park, and a variety of additional experiences at Disney Springs and special events. By following this carefully crafted plan, you’ll be able to make the most of your time at Disney World, ensuring that you and your family create memories that will last a lifetime.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your perfect Disney World vacation today and get ready to experience the magic, adventure, and unforgettable moments that only Disney World can offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7 days at disney world too much.

Disney World is the ultimate vacation destination, so going for 7 days will ensure you don’t miss out on any of its exciting activities. You’ll get enough time to explore all the rides and attractions and make magical memories that will last a lifetime.

Spending 7 days at Disney World will certainly be an unforgettable experience!

Is 10 days at Disney World too much?

It really depends on what you want to do at Disney World. Ten days is plenty of time to experience the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, but if you want to truly immerse yourself in all that Disney has to offer, it may not be enough.

Enjoy your time and create magical moments!

How to do all 4 Disney parks in one day?

Experience all four Disney parks in one day by making a park reservation and utilizing the 2:00 pm park hopping time. Take full advantage of your ‘home’ park before you move on to exploring the other three.

With careful planning, you can conquer all of them in a single day!

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Disney World Family Vacation Packages & Deals

Mar 23, 2018

See recent posts by Courtney Elko

Disney World is expensive — there’s no doubt about it. But you can still find pricing incentives! We’ve uncovered the best Disney World family vacation packages and deals so you can enjoy the magic without breaking the bank.

Disney World Family Vacation Packages & Deals at Disney World Resort Hotels

Those who stay at a Disney World Resort hotel enjoy early access to the FastPass planning tool (up to 60 days in advance!), with the ability to reserve access to select attractions and shows. You also receive access to Extra Magic Hours, free shuttle transportation and/or theme park parking, and free airport transportation. Ahead of your trip, you’ll be sent MagicBands, which are all-in-one waterproof wristbands that unlock your hotel room door, act as your ticket to the parks, and allow you to charge food and merchandise to your credit card.

When you purchase a non-discounted three-night/three-day Magic Your Way package — which includes a room at select Disney World Resort hotels, park tickets and a dining plan – you can get a free dining plan for kids ages 3 to 9. You must book by Aug. 1, 2018 and travel between May 28 and Aug. 30, 2018 to enjoy this family vacation package at Disney World. Find out more about the deal here .

With Disney World’s Soak Up Sun and Fun package, families can save up to 20-percent off rooms at select Disney hotels on visits between April 15 and June 10, 2018. Families must book by April 7, 2018. If you upgrade the deal to include a ticket package (minimum five-day park tickets) with the Park Hopper options, you get a sixth day added to your ticket for free! See which Disney World Resort hotels are included in this deal here .

Bring on summer! You can save big when you book your summer vacation early at select Disney World Resort hotels. Save up to 25-percent off rooms when you book by May 22, 2018, or save up to 20-percent off rooms when you book by Aug. 1, 2018. Offer valid for travel between June 11 and Aug. 1, 2018. To learn more about this deal and applicable hotels, click here .

Enjoy a special three-night stay with your little one at Disney World. A family of three can enjoy a three-night stay at a Disney’s All-Star Resort, plus three-day Magic Your Way park tickets for two adults and one child between ages 3 and 9. You must book by April 7, 2018 and travel between April 15 and June 8, 2018 to enjoy this Disney World family vacation package. This deal is valid at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort , Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa . Find out more about the Disney World hotel deals here .

A family of four can enjoy a four-night stay at a Disney’s All-Star Resort, plus four-day Magic Your Way park tickets for two adults, one child between ages 3 and 9, and one junior between ages 10 and 17. You must book by April 7, 2018 and travel between April 15 and May 24, 2018 (Sunday through Thursday) to enjoy this Disney World family vacation package. The deal is valid at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort , Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort , Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa . Find out more about the Disney World hotel deals here .

If you prefer to visit Disney World during the summer, you can enjoy this same Disney World family vacation package for a family of four when you book by May 22, 2018 and travel between June 11 and Aug. 30, 2018 (Sunday through Thursday). Find the summer version of this Disney deal here .

Members of the U.S. Military are eligible for the discounted rates at select Disney World Resort Hotels on most nights between April 6 and December 19, 2018.

Disney World Family Vacation Packages & Deals at Good Neighbor Hotels

The Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels are all only a short distance from parks and they all offer transportation to Disney World theme parks (fees may apply depending on the hotel).

Families can opt to add a single or multi-day park pass to any of the Disney World parks when booking a stay at Blue Tree Resort . Find more information on the Disney deal here .

With the Disney World Ticket Package at the Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village , families can include the three-day Disney Magic Your Way ticket with a three-night stay and free breakfast. Offer is also valid at Springhill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista and Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista . Click here to learn more about this Disney family vacation deal.

Enjoy breakfast before the park at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek ! This Disney World family vacation package includes a daily breakfast buffet for adults at Harvest Bistro. Plus, kids ages 4 to 12 eat half off at the breakfast buffet (free for kids under 4) and dinner is free for kids 12 and under at the Harvest Bistro. Check out the official hotel site for more details. After breakfast, hop on the free, scheduled shuttle to any of the Disney theme parks.

The Walk Disney World Vacation Package at Holiday Inn Orlando Southwest – Celebration Area includes accommodations and tickets to Disney theme parks. Plus, there is a daily shuttle to and from the parks at scheduled times. Find out more about the costs of the package here .

The Disney Dollar Package at Residence Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista offers families $25 Disney dollars per day of your stay in a studio suite. Disney dollars can be used as currency at Disney theme parks or Disney stores. The package also includes a free breakfast buffet, free transportation to Epcot and free Wi-Fi. The offer is valid through May 31, 2018. Check the hotel website for more information on the Disney World deal.

The Disney World family vacation deal at Saratoga Resort Villas includes a one-night stay at the villas and two Disney passes, which are valid at any of the Disney theme parks. Find out more about the deal here .

With the luxury accommodations at Waldorf Astoria Orlando , families will want to stay longer — and they can with the long weekend deal! Families can save 50-percent off Sunday night rates, along with free transportation to Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. Learn more about this deal on the hotel’s official website .

More From Family Vacation Critic: All Inclusive Disney Packages Disneyland Family Vacation Packages & Deals

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How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World For a Family of 4? 

By: Author Courtney Derqu

Posted on Last updated: March 1, 2023

On average, it will cost a family of four approximately $6,300 for a five-night stay at Disney World in 2023. With the price of a Disney World vacation continually increasing, thanks to Disney Genie+ and Mears Connect (to name a few), guests are paying more than ever to enjoy the experiences that were once included in the price of their admission. 

Here’s everything you need to know about how much a trip to Walt Disney World costs in 2023 so you can start budgeting:

Cost of Disney Tickets in 2023

The average cost of Disney tickets in 2023 is about $139 per person (aged 10 and up) per day. The more park days you book, the cheaper the cost of per-day admission becomes. 

Depending on the time of year, tickets can be as low as $109 per day and as high as $159 during peak periods. 

How Much Money Should a Family of 4 Take to Disney World? 

Many estimates state that the average adult guest spends about $50 a day in Disney World, but I would argue this figure is, at minimum closer to $100, if not more. As such, I’d recommend a family of four bringing at least an additional $2,000 – $3,000 in cash for expenses during their five-day trip. 

However, this figure is just an estimate. There are many factors, including the cost of food, souvenirs, and experiences that can drive these costs up. 

Cost of Food at Disney

How much money you bring for food will depend on your itinerary. If you’re planning on eating at fancy restaurants, like California Grill, Be Our Guest, or Yachtsman Steakhouse, then, yes, you’re going to want to budget ahead of time. I’d recommend bringing at least an additional $500 for one of those meals for a family of four. 

That being said, you can probably get away with spending anywhere from $150-$200 on food per day for a family of four, and this is probably being generous. If you bring your own breakfast and snacks, then you can cut down on your expenses dramatically. The average cost for quick service meals and snacks is around $10-$15, if not less. 

Read more: Disney Food Challenge to Try on Your Next Vacation

Costs of Mears Connect From MCO to Disney World

Though I could write an entire blog about everything I thoroughly dislike about Mears Connect (let me know in the comments if I should), the reality is that it’s one of your only options to get to Walt Disney World outside of taking a Lyft or an Uber, which not everyone may feel comfortable with. 

Mears Connect replaced Disney’s Magical Express (dear, Bob Iger, please bring this back). Like its predecessor, Mears Connect is a 24/7 shuttle service that picks you up at either the Main Terminal or Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (or MCO as we cool kids call it). 

They offer two services: standard and express. The standard service ($16 per adult/$13.50 per child one way) works exactly like Disney’s Magical Express. You share the bus with other passengers, making stops at different resorts along the way. 

Unlike Disney’s Magical Express though, Mears Connect makes stops at hotels that aren’t on Disney property, extending the time it takes you to get to your resort. The last time I took Mears Connect, it took me over an hour and a half to reach Port Orleans: Riverside, so fair warning if you’re using this and planning on making a late lunch or dinner reservation on the day of your arrival. 

The second option is to take their express transportation, which takes you directly to and from your resort with little to no wait. It can only be booked as a round-trip service and will set you back $250 for four passengers (and $55 for every additional person in your party).

Costs of Taking an Uber or Lyft to Your Disney Hotel 

If Mears Connect isn’t for you, then your other option is to take either a Lyft or an Uber to your Walt Disney World hotel. 

The cost of these rideshare services varies based on the time of year and the day you’re booking them. Known as peak periods, rideshare rates tend to be highest on the weekend, during the summer, at and night. However, they can be a lot more affordable than booking a round-trip ride through Mears Connect. 

The average cost of taking a Lyft from MCO to Walt Disney World is between $35 – 42, not including peak periods. An Uber costs around the same, clocking in at about $35 for one-way service. When you compare this to the roundtrip service offered through Mears Connect for both standard and express service, you’re saving a big chunk of change. 

Of course, other facts may affect your rideshare costs including whether or not you want an XL vehicle or need a car seat, but generally speaking, a family of four will be able to spend around $100 for roundtrip transportation to and from Walt Disney World. 

Cost of Your Disney Resort

If you’re staying on Disney property, you’ll also have to factor in the cost of your Disney resort stay. On average, your resort stay can cost you anywhere from around $170 a night to $779 a night, depending on where you stay and the time of year in which you visit. 

Keep in mind that the price of your Walt Disney World resort will also vary depending on the demand. Think of things like newly remodeled rooms, new experiences (like the Starcruiser), transportation additions like Disney’s Skyliner, etc. All of these will affect the average room rate. 

Disney Resort Categories

The resorts at Disney World are broken down into five main categories: 

• Value Resorts
• Moderate Resorts
• Deluxe Resorts
• Deluxe Villas
• Campgrounds

The campsites and value resorts are the cheapest on property, with the moderate resorts coming in anywhere from $100-200 above them, while the deluxe resorts (and their associated villas) are the most expensive. 

However, certain deluxe resorts are more expensive than the rest (here’s looking at you Grand Floridian). 

Here’s a breakdown of all the Disney resorts and their average cost per night: 

Value Resorts: 

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort – $199
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – $172
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – $172
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort – $218
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – $260 (family suites approx. $569)

Read more: The Best Disney Value Resorts Ranked

Moderate Resorts: 

• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – $280
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – $303
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter – $329
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside – $304
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – $483

Read more: Disney’s Moderate Resorts Ranked

Deluxe Resorts:

• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – $740
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – $520
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – $718
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort – $690
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn – $649
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – $779
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – $810
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – $526

Read more: Disney World Deluxe Resorts Ranked

Technically, both the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel and Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel (including the Swan Reserve) are also considered to be deluxe resorts, however, they are not technically owned by Disney. 

And, in fact, despite their deluxe ranking, they’re (sometimes) more akin to a moderate resort price point, with some traditional rooms starting at $318 a night. When booking through Disney’s website, usually only packages are available. To book an individual room, you have to call 1-888-828-8850 or visit their website  here. 

Deluxe Villas:

• Disney’s Beach Club Villas – $484
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas – $620
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village – $518
• Disney’s Riviera Resort – $795
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – $1,942
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House – $554
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – $519
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – $730
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – $703
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort – $491
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – $740
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – $645

Campgrounds:

• The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – $167

Read more: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Map

Costs of Souvenirs

Again, this cost is going to vary. On average, you want to budget at least a few hundred dollars for souvenirs, because things are expensive. The price of ears has gone up, nearing $40.00, and Loungefly backpacks are around $85.00. 

Read more: Do You Own These Rare Loungefly Backpacks?

While there are cheaper souvenirs, such as t-shirts, on-ride photos, keychains, and pins, you’ll want to budget for some of these more costly items. 

Costs of Genie+ and Lighting Lane

Disney Genie+ and Lighting Lane replaced the old FastPass+ system. Now, instead of it being included in the price of your admission, you’ll have to pay an additional fee to skip the line on certain attractions. 

Disney Genie+ costs $15 per person per day. So, a family of four is looking to spend an additional $60 per day, excluding tax. This paid service gives you access to the majority of rides at each park. However, if you’re looking to skip the line at certain attractions such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Rise of the Resistance, you’ll have to do so through Lighting Lane. 

Lighting Lane is an ad-hoc paid service. The price is per ride and per person, and the rate can vary depending on peak periods. So, Lighting Lane tickets will cost more during the summer, the holiday season, and when rides are in high demand. Lighting Lane tickets cost about $16 on average but can go as high as $25 per person during peak periods. 

Read more: Is Genie+ Worth It? Do You Need Genie+?

Costs of Experiences

Though there is so much already included in your Walt Disney World vacation, you may want to take advantage of additional experiences including:

• Memory Maker – $169
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – $99.95 – to $229.95
• VIP tours – Starting at $35 per person
• ParkHopper passes – $219 a ticket
• Amorette’s Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience – Starting at $199
• Aerophile – The World Leader in Baloon Flight – Starting at $20 per person
• Dessert parties – Starting at $114
• Photo sessions – Starting at $99
• Private cabanas – Price varies
• In-room gift deliveries – Price varies

…and this isn’t even an exhaustive list!

Read more: Is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Worth It

Unexpected Costs of a Disney World Vacation

Of course, when it comes to planning for and going on a Disney World vacation, you’re going to budget for the main expenses like food, travel, your resort, and park tickets. However, there are a few other expenses that can catch you off guard. 

Here are some additional (but often unexpected) costs of a Walt Disney World vacation: 

Mousekeeping

Mousekeeping is Disney’s hospitality service. Though this complimentary housekeeping service was temporarily halted during the pandemic, it has fully returned to all of the Disney World Resort hotels. 

Mousekeeping services vary from resort to resort. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect during your stay: 

• All Value and Moderate resorts will receive housekeeping services once every other day
• All Deluxe Resorts and Villas will receive daily housekeeping services unless you are utilizing a cash discount or DVC points

If you are a DVC member and utilizing your points on your trip, you’ll receive fresh towels and trash replacement on the fourth day of your stay. If you’re staying for more than eight nights, you’ll receive full Mousekeeping services on this fourth day. 

This service includes making your bed, discarding the trash, removing old towels and replenishing them with new ones, as well as replacing amenities such as soap. 

How Much Should You Tip Your Mousekeeper? 

The general consensus among Disney fans is that you should tip your Mousekeeper $1 a day at the end of your visit. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Depending on how long I’m staying, my husband and I usually leave anywhere from $10-$20 cash in an envelope on the day of checkout. 

Regardless of how much you tip your mousekeeper (remember, it’s not mandatory), you’ll want to address the envelope to them, so they don’t miss it. I usually just write “Tip” or “Thank you” on the front of the envelope and leave it on the bedside table next to the phone. 

Read more: Cash Needed for Tipping at Disney World

Can I Turn Down Housekeeping Services at Disney? 

Yes, absolutely. These services are complimentary, but if you prefer not to take advantage of them, just let the Cast Member know at check-in. 

Mears Connect

Just like Disney’s Magical Express, a tip isn’t included in your overall costs of taking Mears Connect. And, unlike taking a Lyft or an Uber, you won’t be able to tip through an app. 

I typically bring $10 in cash with me to tip the driver $5 both dropping me off at my resort, as well as taking me back to the airport. Though, keep in mind this tip isn’t mandatory, so don’t stress if you do end up forgetting. 

Since Bob Iger’s return (hi, Bob, we missed you), it’s now completely free to park overnight at any Walt Disney World resort hotel. This new rule came into effect on January 10, 2023, and thankfully, it looks like it’s here to stay. 

Furthermore, complimentary standard self-parking is also available to day guests visiting the Disney World resorts for either a dining reservation or to simply explore and enjoy the ambiance. 

Keep in mind that all complimentary parking only refers to standard self-parking. Valet parking, which is offered at all of the Disney Deluxe Resorts, Villas, and Coronado Springs will cost $33 per night. 

Is it Free to Park at the Disney Theme Parks? 

The answer is that it depends. For guests staying on Disney property, standard theme park parking is included in their overall package. The same goes for Annual Passholders. 

However, for guests visiting Disney but not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, it is not free to park at the actual theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. Guests will have to pay $25 per day for a parking pass. However, this pass is good for all four theme parks on the same day. So if you’re spending the morning at Epcot but want to cap the night watching the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, you don’t have to pay an additional fee when you visit the next park. 

Read more: How to Avoid Paying for Disney World Parking

Baggage Claim

This one may vary on location, but I know at the Philadelphia International Airport, where I typically fly out of, it’s customary to tip the baggage claim employee who tags your bags out front, before even entering the airport. 

Granted, this isn’t necessary, but it’s good to be prepared and have a little cash on you if you feel inclined to do so. 

Cheapest Month to Visit Walt Disney World 

It seems like there’s no such thing as the cheapest month to visit Walt Disney World nowadays. However, despite how busy the parks seem to get throughout the year, January is still the cheapest time to visit. 

Read more: Tips for the Cheapest Disney Trip: How to Save OVER $1,000

Generally, you’ll want to visit starting the second week in January after the kids go back to school and before the President’s Day long weekend. You’d be surprised by just how busy the parks get on long weekends! It’s sometimes as bad as the Christmas season. 

Prices do start to start to increase toward the end of January, leading into February. Mid-September is also a good time to visit because kids elsewhere in the United States are all back to school back then. And, many families, if they didn’t travel over the summer, look to take their vacation over winter break. 

Factors That Affect Prices During the Year

The one thing you want to keep in mind is that the Disney resort you plan to stay at will affect your overall cost. For example, the cost of value resorts like the All Stars tends to spike during the late spring and early summer due to spring break and senior trips. Likewise, these resorts tend to cost more during the summer because they’re more affordable for larger families or may appeal to those with younger children. 

So while value resorts are usually the most affordable hotels on Disney property, you may not be getting the best deal depending on what time of year you visit. 

Read more: Disney World Discounts

Most Expensive Month to Visit Walt Disney World 

By far the most expensive month to visit Walt Disney World is December, especially the week between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Mid-February to mid-April is also pretty expensive, as this is when many people visit for spring break, as well as during the summer months when children are off school. Think of it this way: if you’re off from work or school, then a trip to Walt Disney World is gonna be expensive. 

Benefits of Using a Disney World Crowd Calendar to Plan Your Trip 

Disney crowd calendars can be incredibly useful tools to help you plan your vacation and save a little bit of money in the interim. 

These crowd calendars take data from the year before and analyze it to make predictions for the current year. Examples of the data they analyze include park attendance, ticket prices, yearly resort rates, and discounts. When analyzed together, a crowd calendar can make (almost) exacting predictions that can help you determine when resort rates and park tickets will be the cheapest. 

Read more: Best Disney World Crowd Calendars

Final Thoughts

So even though the average cost of a family of four visiting Disney World is around $6,300, this is ultimately just for the very basics, including a stay at one of the value resorts. 

Though this is a ton of money, don’t panic. There are many ways you can save money. Whether booking through an authorized Disney World travel agent, taking advantage of discounts on room and theme park packages throughout the year, or renting DVC points to stay at one of the deluxe resorts, you can make a Walt Disney World vacation more affordable. 

Read more: How to do Disney World on a Budget

As a self-proclaimed Mouseketeer, Courtney Dercqu is a fan of all things Disney. Between decorating her desk with souvenirs from the park, to making unique mouse ears and having a dedicated Disney Instagram, Courtney is a true believer in the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation. Having had more than 200 articles published on various content, Courtney’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with everyone! Be sure to follow her on Instagram for all the Disney magic.

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How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World? 2024 & 2025 Average Prices

With so many options for tickets, dining, hotels, and transportation, figuring out how much it will cost to go to Disney World can be a daunting task.  The average cost of your trip will depend on a variety of factors. Factors that contribute to total cost include when you buy tickets, how many nights you stay, room rates, and so on.

On average, a typical 2024 week-long Walt Disney World vacation for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children ages 3-9) will cost about $6,559. This estimate is based on:

• 7-night hotel stay: $185 per night plus 12.5% tax based on 2024 starting rates for a standard room at All Star Sports, a Disney Value Resort. $185 is the most common starting price of the year overall, and 200 nights of the year have starting rates between $150 and $200. Sales and tourist taxes of approximately 12.5% are added.
• 6 days of standard theme park tickets: $117 per person, per day based on 2024 theme park starting rates for a 6-day standard base ticket (one park per day, no park hopping). The most common price point found throughout the year for a 6-day ticket is $117 per day, and 278 days of the year fall between $107 and $127. Children receive a slight discount (usually around $5 per day or less) compared to adult pricing.
• Genie+ and Lightning Lane Access: $25 per person, per day based on a reasonable daily allowance to skip at least one line at the park each day through these paid services.
• 7-night Disney Quick Service Dining Plan: $57 (adult) or $24 (child) per person, per night based on 2024 published pricing. Covers two quick service meals per day plus one snack per day.
• Additional Food Costs: $20 per person, per day to purchase meals and snacks not covered by the dining plan.

The cost of a typical 2025 week-long trip will be slightly higher than 2024 , owing mainly to an increase in theme park ticket pricing as well as expected increases in dining costs.

Prefer to Speak With Someone? Get Free Help From Our Favorite Disney Travel Agency!

Our estimate does not include the cost of getting yourself to and from Orlando (plane tickets, rental car, or vehicle fuel).

You might want to plan for additional expenses such as transportation costs, hotel or ticket upgrades, a longer stay, a few nicer meals, and souvenirs. Prices will also be higher if you’re traveling during peak season, wait until the last minute to book your hotel, or have a larger travel party.

You might save some money on your trip by staying off-site, shortening your trip, bundling some elements together into a package, and spending a day or two away from the parks. Prices will also be lower if you visit during the off-season of the year or have a smaller travel party.

In this article, we’ll review all of the major expenses of a Disney World trip so you can decide where to splurge and where to skimp when budgeting for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation.  At the bottom of this page, we also offer a calculator to help you better narrow down the baseline cost of your trip.

All Walt Disney World prices shown are accurate as of February 27, 2024 and are subject to change.

Theme Park Tickets

Image © Disney

How much will Disney World Tickets cost?  Current Prices for 2024 and 2025

There are four Walt Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom , EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. As much as people enjoy the hotels, pools, and shopping, most people come to Disney for the theme parks, so theme park admission is an important expense to consider.  Ticket prices are based on date and the park visited.

Single Day Tickets

The 2024 cost of a basic one-day ticket to a single Disney World theme park ranges from $109 to $189 for each Guest aged 10+. Most days of the year are priced at $134 or higher; only 32 days are priced between $109 and $133. Tickets are slightly discounted (typically by $5) for children ages 3-9. Kids younger than age 3 are free and don’t need a ticket.

Graph showing variations in the starting ticket price throughout 2024

The 2025 cost of a basic one-day ticket to a single Disney World theme park ranges from $119 to $189 for each Guest aged 10+ (with November and December pricing not yet released). Most days of the year are priced at $134 or higher; only 39 days are priced between $119 and $133.

Graph showing variations in the starting ticket price throughout 2025

As shown by the graphs above, prices are generally the most expensive during popular times (such school breaks, holidays, and weekends) and the least expensive during slower times.

Our graphs show 1-Day starting prices for theme park tickets. Admission to Animal Kingdom is typically the least expensive, while 1-day tickets to Magic Kingdom are usually the most expensive.

For example, here’s the price for December 25, 2024, broken down by theme park:

• Animal Kingdom: $164
• EPCOT: $179
• Hollywood Studios: $184
• Magic Kingdom: $189

The per-park price difference isn’t as much of a factor in pricing when you start to add in options like Park Hopper or Multi-Day tickets.

Multi-Day Tickets

Disney structures its ticket prices in a way that often rewards Guests for longer visits by charging less per day as the length of the visit increases . For example, a 1-day ticket starts at $109, but a 5-day ticket starts at $99 per day and a 10-day ticket starts at $60 per day.  So it pays to price out a multi-day visit different ways (a travel agent can help you with this) to find the best value.  There are also occasional special promotions that offer a set number of days at a discounted price.

Can You Upgrade Walt Disney World Tickets?

You might choose to make the most out of your Disney vacation time by visiting multiple theme parks in one day or by adding additional non-park activities.  There are several options to upgrade standard Disney World park tickets to add additional privileges, each at an additional cost.

Park Hopper Tickets

The Park Hopper ticket option allows Guests to visit multiple parks on the same day.  Guests who purchase this upgrade must still use the Disney Park Pass system to determine the first park they will visit each day.  After starting the day at that park, Guests may then go to a different theme park later in the day.  No reservation is needed for the second park, but there must still be space available for more Guests at the second park.  The price varies widely based on time of year and the number of days purchased.

Water Park and Sports option

The Water Park and Sports option allows Guests to visit one theme park per day, while also providing visits to other Disney properties.  Guests who purchase this upgrade will be able to visit water parks, mini golf and nine-hole golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, when available.  The number of visits provided is equal to the number of days of theme park admission purchased.  As an example, a 4-day park ticket allows four visits to these facilities.  The price varies based on time of year and the number of days purchased.

Park Hopper Plus option

The Park Hopper Plus option combines the Park Hopper option and the Water Park and Sports option into a single upgrade.  Guests who purchase this upgrade will be able to visit multiple theme parks in the same day, and also enjoy a number of visits to water parks, select mini golf and nine-hole golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, when available.  The price varies based on time of year and the number of days purchased.

Confused about Disney theme park tickets?

Confused about Disney tickets, prices, and upgrades? A Disney travel agent can help you find the best options and prices for your family vacation.

We recommend The Vacationeer , the best Disney travel planners in the business.  Their planning services are absolutely free of charge .

Skip the lines with Lightning Lane and Genie+

Among the most popular upgrades to Disney World theme park tickets are those allowing you to cut down the amount of time you have to wait in line for rides.  These upgrades are sold either for individual rides or as a package deal.  Both of these upgrades allow access with less wait through a special ride entrance called the Lightning Lane.  You might have previously heard these entrances called the FastPass entrance.  Lightning Lanes have now replaced the original FastPasses and FastPass+.

Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance

Access to most of the Lightning Lane entrances in the park is sold bundled together as a package deal called Genie Plus.  This should not be confused with Disney Genie, which is a free service offered to all Guests.  What’s the difference between Genie and Genie+ ?  Genie offers suggestions for what to ride and do in the park, based on your interests and what’s crowded.  Genie+ allows you to avoid some of the wait times by purchasing expedited entry to some rides.

The best way to think of Genie+ is that it’s a way to be in two places at once.  Genie+ is virtually waiting in line for you at one ride while you’re busy riding something else, visiting a character, watching a parade, or eating lunch.

It’s important to understand that Genie+ doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to ride everything at the park.  Because you pick rides one-at-a-time (and then have to wait a while before you can pick the next one), it’s reasonable to expect that it will cut the wait time for you at about 2-3 rides on crowded days… maybe a few more on slower days. It’s also possible that the Lightning Lane for a particular ride will be “sold out” if you try to get a spot for it later in the day.  If that happens, you’ll have to wait in the regular line if you want to ride it.

Genie+ can only be added on the day of your visit and is subject to availability.  Adding Genie Plus to your theme park ticket usually costs about $15-$30 (varies by date/park/demand) per person, per day — but has historically cost as much as $39 on peak days.

Individual Lightning Lane entrance

Access to the Lightning Lane at the most popular rides in each park is sold individually rather than as part of the Genie+ package.  Prices vary by date and by ride popularity.  We’ve found that they are usually under $20 per person, and may even be less than $10 per person.   You can’t purchase this upgrade in advance. Guests staying at Disney hotels can purchase the same-day upgrade in the MyDisneyExperience app as early as 7AM.  Other Guests have to wait until the park opens.

Individual Lightning Lane entries have been known to sometimes sell out within just a few minutes.  Make sure you’re ready to book as soon as you’re allowed.  There are usually two rides at each park which offer this option, and you’re allowed to purchase it only once per day for each offered ride.

We maintain a comprehensive list of which rides and experiences are included under each of these two offerings along with the prices.

Memory Maker

If you don’t get a photo of you and the kids in front of the castle, did you really go to Disney World?  Photographs of your family having fun are an important part of your vacation memories.  Yes, we all have our smartphone cameras, but it’s hard to beat using Disney’s on-site photographers so everyone can be in the picture.  All of the photos taken by the official park photographers (and even a few surprising extras such as photos/videos taken while you’re on some rides) are collected into a single online gallery called PhotoPass.  There’s no charge to take photos and to look at them online, but they’ll be automatically deleted in 45 days.

If you want to keep your Photo Pass photos forever, you’ll need to purchase them before they’re deleted.  If you only want a handful of photos, you can pick your favorites and purchase them separately as digital downloads or physical prints (usually at a price point around $20).  Alternatively, a service called MemoryMaker gives you access to all of your photos for a single price.  Prices for Memory Maker in 2024 are $75 (for one day’s photos), $185 (for an entire trip’s photos with advance purchase), and $210 (for an entire trip’s photos when not purchased in advance).

Do You Need Reservations to Visit a Disney Park?

In addition to theme park tickets, Guests may also need a theme park reservation before entering the park.  Luckily, there’s no additional cost for theme park reservations once you’ve purchased your theme park tickets.  All reservations are made through a system called Disney Park Pass .  This program originally began as a way of maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has remained in place as a method to reduce crowds and better forecast attendance and park staffing.  The number of available reservations for each day is limited, and requirements/availability may vary based on the type of ticket you have.

Generally speaking, you’ll need a reservation unless you fall into one of these categories:

• If you’ve purchased a single-day ticket that’s valid at just one park (no park hopping), your reservation is automatically made for you.
• Starting January 9, 2024, all date-based tickets will be exempt from needing a reservation.
• Annual passholders need reservations in some cases but not others.
• For Guests using a Park Hopper ticket which requires reservations, a Park Pass reservation is required only for the first park you’ll visit each day.
• Reservations are not needed for Disney Water Parks.

It is possible for all available reservations to be distributed, leaving you with fewer choices of which park to visit on a particular day of your trip.  This is much less likely to happen if you plan further in advance.

How much are Disney water park tickets?

While many Guests receive water park admission as part of an upgrade to their theme park tickets, you don’t need theme park tickets to buy water park tickets.  A 2024 one-day ticket to a Disney Water Park is $64-$74 before taxes for ages 10+, or $58-$68 for ages 3-9.  Tickets are not needed for Guests under age 3.   Park reservations are not currently required for Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach .

Note: Disney World Resort Hotel Guests receive free water park admission on their check-in day for stays during 2025.

Do you need tickets for Disney Springs?

There’s no need for a ticket to visit Disney Springs .  The shopping, dining, and entertainment district does not charge fees for admission or parking, and there’s no need to make a reservation ahead of time to visit Disney Springs.

Get Free Help Planning Your Trip: Contact The Vacationeer

Lodging at Disney World

Should I stay at Disney or off-site?

Unless you live nearby or get an Airbnb rental , you will need to stay at a hotel in or around Disney World.  The question then becomes, should you stay on-property at a Disney-owned hotel or should you save a few bucks and stay off-property?

It’s no surprise that non-Disney, off-site hotels usually offer cheaper nightly rates, but staying there doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save money on your vacation.  When you factor in the extra money you’ll spend on transportation and car parking each day, the extra time traveling to and from the Disney parks every day, and missing out on other perks Disney hotel guests receive, is it really worth it? We would argue “no” and recommend staying at a Disney hotel.

How much will Disney World hotels cost?

Walt Disney World has three primary tiers of on-property hotels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe.  As you may have guessed, Disney Value Resorts are the least expensive (starting around $115 per night in 2024 and $117 per night in 2025), Deluxe Resorts are the most expensive (starting around $417 per night in 2024 and $450 per night in 2025), and Disney World’s Moderate Resorts are somewhere in the middle .

Rates vary based on room type and time of year. Here’s an example of starting prices for a Standard Room at Disney’s All Star Sports, a Disney Value Resort:

Starting rates for at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort in 2024

Starting rates for at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort in 2025

These are merely starting prices; much like airline tickets, hotel prices can also change as your travel date approaches, so we suggest you book early to lock in your prices.

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Deluxe Resorts  tend to be closest hotels to the theme parks, usually just a monorail, boat ride, or short walk away.  Not only is it easier to get to the parks in the morning and back from the parks at night; it’s also easy to avoid the hottest and most crowded parts of the day by returning to your hotel and letting the kids cool down in the pool or take a midday nap.  Then, while everyone else is hot, tired, and cranky, you’ll be refreshed and ready for the nighttime fireworks.  Deluxe resorts also often feature larger rooms, the best pools and restaurants, and a generally upgraded experience.

Disney Value Resorts

The rooms at  Disney Value Resorts  are smaller and are situated among larger campuses, so you might find there’s a bit of a walk between your room and the bus stops, dining, and front desk.  Transportation to the parks is mostly via bus or Skyliner.  Dining is typically quick-service that’s more akin to a food court, but still usually features a surprising variety that goes well beyond burgers and pizza.  We feel that the Value Resorts are a great Disney World hotel option for families and budget-conscious travelers; they are among the most-affordable options that still situate you inside Disney World. If you’re considering staying off-site, you might be surprised at how much additional convenience (and magic!) you gain by spending just a bit more to stay on-site at Disney’s Value Resorts.

Disney Moderate Resorts

The Disney Moderate Resorts offer a nice middle ground between the Value and Deluxe resorts.  You’ll have a somewhat upgraded room, good transportation, and usually a few different dining options that may offer a broader menu.  A Moderate Resort is a great way to upgrade your stay at a Disney resort hotel without a major impact on your budget.

We also offer a  Disney World Resort Comparison page if you’d like to learn more about these vacation options.

Beyond the traditional Value, Moderate, and Deluxe hotel rooms and suites , there are other options.  If you have an RV, fifth wheel, travel trailer, or even just a tent, you might want to skip the hotel altogether and just set up camp for the week at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.  It’s right on Disney property and Magic Kingdom is only a boat ride away.  Or, if you’re looking for something more like a vacation home, read on to learn more about Disney Deluxe Villas.

Book Your Disney World Room for $200 Down and Make Payments Over Time

Are there Vacation Homes at Disney?

A vacation home is a fantastic option for larger groups or for those who just want something a bit nicer than a hotel room for their trip.  While Disney does not offer standalone vacation homes in the truest sense of the term, there are several on-site options that are almost identical to what you might expect from a traditional vacation rental home (but with all of the additional resort conveniences such as housekeeping and a front desk).  Disney calls these Disney Deluxe Villa accommodations.

• One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom Villas are especially attractive for families who might want separate bedrooms for the parents and kids, a full kitchen (save money by cooking breakfast or dinner in the room), and a washer/dryer (imagine coming home from vacation and not having to do laundry!).  In addition to traditional bedding, there’s usually an additional sleeper sofa or pull-down bed in the living room.
• The spacious Three-Bedroom Grand Villas are the largest accommodations at Disney and are perfect for multi-generational trips and family reunions .  They have all of the comforts of home, such as a full kitchen and washer/dryer.  These units typically range in size from 2,000-2,800 square feet and often feature an upstairs and downstairs.  The most jaw-dropping Grand Villas can be found at Bay Lake Tower, with a floor-to-ceiling two-story window looking out towards either Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake.
• For those celebrating an extra-special once-in-a-lifetime occasion such as a graduation or honeymoon, consider an on-the-water bungalow or cabin , many of which offer views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from your own personal hot tub or plunge pool.
• The Treehouse Villas are quirky elevated octagonal vacation villas located in a wooded retreat across the water from Disney Springs.

As you might imagine, these diverse offerings have a diverse range of prices to match; check with your Disney Travel Agent for details.

Ground Transportation and Parking at Disney World

Does Disney still offer free transportation to and from the airport?

Disney has permanently discontinued its complimentary Disney’s Magical Express, so there is no longer free transportation from Orlando International Airport.  Several paid options are available, including Uber, Lyft, taxi, and shuttle services.

How much does it cost to get from the airport to Walt Disney World?

As the airport closest to Disney World , Orlando International Airport has the most transportation options.

For most families who are staying on-site at Disney, taking an Uber or Lyft is the most cost-effective and efficient option.  Uber and Lyft both average around the $35 range in many cases, but surge pricing can increase the cost at times.  If you’d rather take a traditional taxi , expect to pay around $70.

There are also shuttle services which go to Disney Hotels.  The most popular is Mears Connect , which charges $17.60 one-way per adult, and $14.30 one-way per child (ages 3-9). A round-trip ticket is $33.60 per adult and $27.30 per child. Mears Connect is run by the same company which originally operated Disney’s Magical Express and recently merged with a former competitor, Sunshine Flyer.

There are also pricier options, such as Mears Connect Express ($250 flat fee for up to four people, plus $55 for each additional passenger) along with private town cars and, of course, rental cars .

We go in-depth into all of the pros and cons of each option in our Best Ways to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World article so you can decide which transportation option best fits your budget.

If you are staying at a non-Disney hotel, you will most likely want to use a rideshare or taxi service, or rent a vehicle (and don’t forget to plan for toll money as well).

Is there a charge for Disney Transportation?

Once you’ve arrived on Disney property, you can use the on-site buses, boats, monorail, and Skyliner completely free of charge.  Here’s a helpful map of Disney World transportation .

We recommend using Disney Transportation whenever possible.  Not only is it free, but it drops off passengers much closer to theme park entrances than the main Guest parking lots for those who drive in.  This is especially true at Magic Kingdom, where Disney buses, boats, and monorails drop passengers off near the front entrance of the park; those arriving by a personal vehicle, rental car, ride share, or taxi still have to travel an additional mile or so via boat or monorail after reaching the parking lot!

How much is parking at Disney theme parks?

Guests who drive a personal vehicle or rental car to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom must pay for theme park parking in most cases. S tandard parking is $30 for most vehicles and $35 for oversized vehicles such as RVs.  Preferred parking closer to the park entrance is also offered, typically for $45-$55. Parking fees are per vehicle per day, include in-and-out privileges, and cover parking at all theme parks visited during a single day. Parking prices last changed in October 2023 and tend to change every October. If you’re visiting on or after October 1, 2024, you might pay a bit more. Standard theme park parking is provided at no charge to those who are staying at a Disney hotel or who have certain types of theme park annual passes; these Guests can also opt to upgrade to preferred parking by paying the price difference. Disney Springs, Disney’s water parks, and most recreational activities such as golf do not charge a parking fee for self-parking.

How much is parking at Disney hotels?

As of January 10, 2023, Walt Disney World owned-and-operated resort hotels no longer charge a nightly parking fee for personal vehicles and rental cars.

Should you bring your own car, rent a car, or use Disney Transportation?

Those within driving distance might find extra convenience in having their own car with them, but this can be offset by parking fees, fuel costs, and the additional time needed to get from the parking lots to the theme park entrance.  For those who are flying to Orlando and planning to visit only Disney parks, the best option is to book a stay at an on-site Disney hotel, take an Uber/Lyft from the airport to the hotel, and then use Disney’s free transportation to get around.  For those who will be staying at Disney and spending most of their days at a Disney theme park – but still may want to spend one or two days at a non-Disney destination such as Universal or Sea World – taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to the off-site parks is likely a better option than a rental car.  For those who are staying off-site or who want to make multiple visits to off-site locations, a personal vehicle or rental car is likely the best option.

Dining During Your Disney World Vacation

Eating is a huge part of every vacation.  At Disney World, food isn’t exactly cheap but you can make it work to fit your budget.  The choice is really up to you and depends primarily on your appetite, your priorities, and how much you are willing to spend.

Disney Dining Plan

One of the biggest choices that will affect your food cost at Disney World is whether or not to add a Disney Dining Plan to your on-site hotel stay.  These plans offer a set number of meal and snack credits per person, at a daily cost of roughly $57 – $95 per adult or $23 – $30 per child.  Disney Dining plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but return  for reservations checking in on or after January 9, 2024.

How much will food cost at Disney World?

In-park dining options range from the relatively frugal (around $15 for chicken tenders, fries, and a fountain drink at quick service restaurants) to the extravagant (upwards of $60 for a character dining experience), and everything in between.  Kids meals are typically a bit less than adult meals and even the most exotic restaurants usually offer a few tame options for finicky eaters who are mainly into burgers, nuggets, and pizza.  Beyond your three meals a day, be sure to set aside some extra cash for Mickey Pretzels, ice cream bars, and popcorn (all around $6-7 each) and even the occasional bottled water ($3.75).  You can also get free ice water from quick-service counters around the parks.

Outside of the parks, there are plenty of dining experiences available at Disney’s resort hotels.  These range from having a relatively-cheap quick service meal at the food court, enjoying a full service meal with wait staff at the moderately-priced table-service restaurants, or splurging on high-end signature dining that easily approaches $100 per person with appetizers, desserts, and drinks.  There’s also the beloved Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue dinner show ($66-74 per adult, $39-44 per child) that is considered by many to be a must-do part of any Disney trip.

Assuming you’re going to eat mainly quick-service meals, skipping dessert most of the time, and are drinking primarily non-alcoholic beverages, a good base cost is $20 per meal for grown-ups and $12 per meal for kids.  To get a better idea of the vacation dining options and see more sample pricing, check out our How Much Does Food Cost at Disney World? page.

Let The Vacationeer Book Your Dining Reservations So You Don’t Have To

Extra Spending at Walt Disney World Resort

Disney guests should also budget for “extra” purchases. How much discretionary spending you do during each day of your Disney World vacation is your own call to make.

These extra costs can be anything from  Disney World souvenirs  (such as clothing and merchandise), in-park photo downloads or prints, special activities such as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (when available), Disney World stroller rental (whether renting directly from Disney or from an off-site company ), in-room babysitting, recreation, sundries, tips, and the like.

Planning ahead for these semi-hidden expenses can help make sure you don’t wind up putting yourself into debt just to get through your Disney World trip.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to have fun – and spend money – inside and outside of the theme parks! However, nothing compares to the magic of Walt Disney World Resort so it’s worth the costs !

Calculating the Cost of Your Trip

We’ve given you a LOT to think about in this article.  To help you get some starting numbers, we suggest you use our calculator to get an estimated price range for your trip.  If you’d like to know more about the calculator, which expenses are included, and what’s not factored in, visit our Disney World Cost Calculator page.

Note: the calculator presumes everyone is staying in the same hotel room.  If your group is large enough to need multiple rooms, divide your group up and run the calculations once for each of the rooms.

Find Your Exact Cost

The calculator above will give you a rough idea of how much you can expect to spend for your trip. For a more exact estimate, contact the Disney travel experts at The Vacationeer !

As Earmarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planners , they book thousands of Disney World vacations every year! And there are plenty of good reasons to use a Disney Travel Agent , not the least of which is: their services are completely free ! Your trip won’t cost any more than if you’d booked it yourself… and it  might even cost less !

They can even set up a no-interest payment plan allowing you to book your trip for just $200 down!

You’re never under any obligation to book, so there’s nothing to lose by getting a free quote today!

To learn more about seasonal variations in pricing and crowds, check out our monthly articles:

• Disney World in January
• Disney World in February
• Disney World in March
• Disney World in April
• Disney World in May
• Disney World in June
• Disney World in July
• Disney World in August
• Disney World in September
• Disney World in October
• Disney World in November
• Disney World in December

Enjoy your trip!

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How Much Does It Cost For A Family Of Four To Go To Disney World?

Are you interested in planning a trip to Disney World for your family of four? If so, it’s important to consider the costs and factors involved in making your vacation a success. How much does it cost for a family of four to go to Disney World?

In this article, we will provide you with an overview of the expenses you can expect to incur and the factors you should take into account when planning your trip to Disney World.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney fan, this guide will help you make informed decisions about your vacation.

A family trip is a great way to spend quality time with the whole family. What better way to spend quality time with your family than a trip to Disney World?

I agree; getting the cost for such a trip is essential so you don’t end up blowing your budget. Not to worry, this article will give you in-depth knowledge of the cost and budget to take you and your family of four on a mind-blowing trip at Disney World .

Table of Contents

Example Disney Budget For A Family of 4

As you can see by looking at the expenses above, this is a trip that requires planning. The plan is to enjoy yourself without feeling limited.

After all, if you are going to make the trip of your dreams to Disney, I think you will not enjoy it the same when you are limited in money.

How much it costs to go to Disney depends on each family’s plans. You can design your trip to Disney according to your budget. Below is a simple budget draft for a family of four.

6-Day Trip for 2 Adults, 2 Children Ages 11 and 6

Park Tickets: $2,391

Food: $1,300

Accommodation: $830

Car rental and transportation: $640

This brings the total budget to a sum of $5,161 for a trip to Disney World.

What Is the Average Cost of a Disney Vacation 

To calculate how much it costs to go to Disney, I recommend spending $ 200 and $ 250 a person daily for a comfortable budget.

If you have a family of four and they are going to visit for four days, then calculate to spend about $ 4,000 if you want to travel “at ease”. By this, I mean that you bring money to pay for the trip, and you are not super short.

But your trip can be cheaper or more expensive; it all depends on your taste and budget. For example, some do not have to pay for a hotel because they can stay with friends. Others can travel by car and save on the expense of the plane.

Here, I make the report of these expenses during the trip to Disney . The list is ordered from the most expensive to the least expensive because nothing is cheap at Disney .

If what you spend seems exaggerated, I can tell you that we plan for you to travel with ease.

Budget Cost for a Family of 4 at Disney World 

Planning a trip to Disney World can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting. If you’re trying to plan a trip to Disney World on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that it’s definitely possible. 

Let’s explore the budget cost for a family of four at Disney World so you can start planning your dream vacation without breaking the bank.

When planning a budget vacation to Disney World, your best bet is to stay at an offsite hotel. Luckily, you can find a good spot during the low season for $50-$75 a night. 

Medium Cost for a Family of 4 at Disney World

The medium cost for a family of four at Disney World can vary depending on a few factors, such as the time of year, accommodation choices, dining options, and ticket types.

On average, a medium-cost trip to Disney World for a family of four can range from $4,00 to $6,000 for a 5-day stay.

This would include a moderate hotel room, park tickets, and meals at quick-service restaurants.

However, if you choose to stay at a deluxe resort, dine at sit-down restaurants, and purchase park hopper tickets, the cost can increase to over $10,000.

To save money, consider visiting during the off-season, when hotel rates and park ticket prices are lower.

You can also bring your own snacks and drinks into the park to avoid spending money on expensive food and beverages.

Deluxe Cost for a Family of 4 at Disney World 

The deluxe cost for a family of four at Disney World can be quite expensive but also an unforgettable experience. 

A deluxe trip to Disney World typically includes a stay at one of the luxurious Disney resorts, world-class dining experiences, and exclusive access to park attractions and events.

On average, a deluxe trip to Disney World for a family of four can range from $6,000 to $15,000 for a 5-day stay. This would include a stay at a deluxe resort, park hopper tickets, and meals at sit-down restaurants.

While a deluxe trip may seem costly, it is important to note that it offers many benefits that cannot be found in a budget or medium-cost trip. 

For example, staying at a deluxe resort provides easy access to the parks, as well as exclusive amenities such as complimentary transportation, early park entry, and late park hours.

Additionally, dining experiences at Disney’s signature restaurants, offering unique and delicious meals with impeccable service, can be a highlight of the trip.

Disney Accommodation Costs

When you start planning the trip, the hotel prices may scare you. The ones that seem like good options and are located near the parks cost $150 to $200 a night.

How much you’re willing to spend on your accommodations is really going to depend on the type of vacation you are looking to have.  You can go from $30 per night to over $500.  

If you are not going to spend much time in the room, try not to spend too much. I recommend you look for other lodging alternatives. Instead of getting to a hotel, try contacting a Disney Travel Agent or using Airbnb.

You can decide on a condo with two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and a washer and dryer.

Accommodations

When it comes to planning a trip to Disney World, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is where to stay. Disney World offers a variety of accommodation options, from value resorts to deluxe villas, each with their own unique benefits and price points.

Disney Value Resorts 

Disney’s value resorts offer affordable accommodations without sacrificing the fun and magic of a Disney vacation. These resorts are perfect for families on a budget who still want to experience all the excitement of staying on Disney property. The estimated cost range for a family of four at a value resort is between $110-$200 per night.

Disney Moderate Resorts

Disney’s moderate resorts offer a step up in amenities and theming from the value resorts, while still being budget-friendly. 

These resorts offer more dining options, larger rooms, and additional recreational activities. The estimated cost range for a family of four at a moderate resort is between $200-$350 per night.

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Disney’s deluxe resorts are the most luxurious and expensive accommodations on property. They offer the highest level of theming, amenities, and dining options. 

Deluxe resorts are perfect for families who want to splurge on their Disney vacation and experience the ultimate in Disney luxury. The estimated cost range for a family of four at a deluxe resort is between $400-$800 per night.

Off-Site or Non-Disney Hotels

Staying off-site or at a non-Disney hotel can also save you money on accommodation costs. While you may miss out on some of the perks of staying on Disney property, such as early park access and transportation, you can often find more affordable rates and additional amenities. 

It’s important to consider the cost-benefit of staying on or off-site when planning your Disney vacation.

Park Ticket Costs

It’s hard to believe, but people spend more on theme park tickets than airline tickets from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to Orlando, Florida.

A single admission ticket to Disney World parks costs between $100 and $120 per person, depending on the season. Children over 9 years old pay an adult ticket, but the difference is not great, it’s like about $5.

If you are going to visit Disney for several days, which is the joke of making the trip there, I recommend that you buy an admission pass for multiple days because it is cheaper. You can get affordable tickets via Undercover Tourist and Getaway Today .

Disney Tickets

You can purchase a five-day admission pass to the Disney World parks. It will cost you about $370 per person, for a total of $1,480 for all four.

This pass can be used to visit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Hollywood Studios, or the Animal Kingdom. Some families go two days to Magic Kingdom, two days to Hollywood Studios, and one day to Epcot.

Universal Studios Tickets

Ticket prices at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are comparable to those at Disney World. A single ticket costs $110 for adults and $105 for children. However, they sell a pass for $165 per adult and $160 per child, that allows you to visit both parks on the same day. However, I do not recommend buying it.

There are too many games and attractions to see in each park, plus too many people. Considering the time you spend waiting in line to enter each attraction, I recommend dedicating a day to each one to enjoy yourselves well.

If you have to choose between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, I would recommend visiting Universal Studios.

Do not miss the secret world of Harry Potter, which is so secret that we hardly find it. How can you imagine there is a hidden gate in the park to enter? I’m not telling you cos I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.

However, Tickets to Universal’s parks may cost you almost $800. In total, you can spend $2,280 on tickets for seven days.

If you arrive at an apartment with a kitchen, this will allow you to buy food in the supermarket and make all the breakfasts and several dinners in the store.

Those who have gone to any theme park will surely agree with me. The food is very expensive and not very good. On average, you can spend $100 a day inside the park buying lunch and a few snacks.

To give you an idea, a bottle of water or soda costs $5 inside Disney World, and a hamburger costs like $15. Someday, for three smoked turkey legs that are irresistible to the eye, you may pay almost $50. This, in my opinion, is an eye to the face!

Although Disney offers food packages, after reviewing the menus and the price, you may decide that it is not the best option for you. If your budget is very limited, consider preparing your sandwiches at the hotel or wherever you are staying. Also, pack a plastic bottle to constantly fill it with water, and don’t forget to pack snacks in the bag.

At Disney, they let you in with food, as long as it’s simple, like sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. In addition to the meals in the parks, your budget can include enough to eat in restaurants for several days during the trip.

If you follow these guidelines, you may spend about $1,400 on meals and grocery expenses during the days of your vacation (9 days, according to my calculation).

Disney World Miscellaneous Costs:

When planning a Disney World vacation, it’s important to remember that there are other expenses to consider beyond just accommodations, tickets, and food. 

Some of the additional costs that you may encounter include souvenirs, parking, and additional activities. Here are some estimated costs for a family of four:

It’s hard to resist the temptation of buying souvenirs when you’re at Disney World. From Mickey ears to t-shirts, there are plenty of options to choose from. On average, a family of four can expect to spend around $150-$200 on souvenirs during their trip.

If you’re planning to drive to Disney World, you’ll need to factor in the cost of parking. The standard parking fee at Disney World is $25 per day, but it’s important to note that this fee is subject to change. For a week-long trip, a family of four can expect to spend around $175 on parking.

Additional Activities:

 While there’s plenty to do at Disney World without any additional costs, there are also plenty of paid activities that you may want to consider. 

For example, you can take a backstage tour, attend a dessert party, or even go on a hot air balloon ride. The cost of these activities varies greatly, but on average, a family of four can expect to spend around $200-$300 on additional activities during their trip.

It’s important to keep in mind that these costs are just estimates, and the actual amount you spend may vary based on your personal preferences and the duration of your trip. 

However, by factoring in these miscellaneous costs ahead of time, you can ensure that you’re prepared for all the expenses that come with a Disney World vacation.

Disney Transportation Costs

When it comes to transportation options at Disney World, there are several choices for visitors to choose from. Some of those options include rental cars, shuttles, and Disney’s Magical Express.

Rental Cars

If you prefer to explore Disney World on your own schedule, renting a car is a good option. 

There are several car rental companies located at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) that offer vehicles to travelers. The cost of renting a car depends on the type of vehicle you choose, the duration of your rental, and other factors like insurance and gas.

I personally like to use Turo when renting cars as it’s much easier. 

Another popular transportation option at Disney World is taking a shuttle. There are several shuttle companies that offer transportation services from the airport to Disney World.

These shuttles can accommodate large groups of people and are ideal for families. The cost of a shuttle ride varies depending on the company you choose and the distance you’re traveling.

How Much Does It Cost For A Family Of Four To Go To Disney World Estimated Transportation Costs

The cost of transportation for a family of four at Disney World can vary depending on the transportation option you choose and the duration of your stay. 

If you choose to rent a car, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $100 per day. 

If you opt for a shuttle, the cost can range from $20 to $50 per person each way.

You can also Uber for about $50 each way. 

What Is The Cheapest Time To Go To Disney World?

Undoubtedly, the best months to travel cheaply to Disney are January and September, as the number of visitors falls on these dates. This low turnout is due to the school calendars. For the first weeks of these months, children have already entered class, so the Parks have a moderate number of visitors. 

This makes it easier to access attractions, shorter lines, and a quieter environment. Another factor is the weather; it would be winter and autumn, respectively, and that makes the walk through the parks more bearable.

At this time, humidity and heat have decreased, so it is an excellent time to withstand long walks. 

Finally, the best reason is that prices for everything go down to the maximum -except the entrances to the parks that remain constant throughout the year.

How Can I Go To Disney for Cheap

I know you’re wondering if there’s a cheaper way to spend quality time with your family at Disney World, well your right. Below are some tips you have to follow to make your family trip appear a bit on the cheap side. 

Travel in the cheap months

As I mentioned earlier, the best months to travel cheaply to Disney are January and September. This is because there is always a low turn-up of visitors at this time of the year.

As a result of the prices of everything within that period drop, allowing you to spend less.

Buy the right tickets from one of the above retailers 

Plan your stay well, the more days you buy the cheaper the tickets to the parks if you want to visit 3 Disney parks it is better to buy what you need and nothing more. 

For example, I have never purchased or found the need for park hoppers.  You can get affordable tickets from Undercover Tourist and Getaway Today .

Save on transportation when booking your hotel

If you are going to stay in one of the Disney hotels, the price you pay for your stay includes transportation to the parks, whether by bus, boat, or monorail.

If you stay in independent hotels, many of them also have this service included. Make sure of that before making your reservation.

Take advantage of the coupon book

In almost every hotel, warehouse, or restaurant, you will find notebooks with discount coupons.

You can find good savings on restaurants, transfers, tickets to other attractions, and shows to travel cheaply. It does not hurt to take a notebook of those; they are free.

Find a hotel with breakfast included

Something else your cheap Disney trip can do is save you money for breakfast. Many hotels have a continental breakfast option, which is quite attractive. If you go to another place, the bill will be more expensive, while if you do it with the hotel, you will eat what you want to eat without paying more.

Take your food to the parks so you don’t spend a lot

Disney is one of the few parks in the world to let your food into any of the parks. Inside the parks, restaurants (even the simplest ones) turn out to be expensive: a hamburger, a soft drink, or even a bottle of water can cost more than double their real value.

That is why you organize your backpack very well from the day before and prepare yourself some good sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.

Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

This question has no correct answer because the importance that each person gives to food on their trips is different. From our point of view, we can suggest the following:

1. If you are one of those who care more about the experience inside the parks and do not care about food, you have to choose the Disney Fast Service Meal Plan.

2. If food is an important point for you and your companions, but you have a somewhat restricted budget, then the Disney Meal Plan is the ideal one for you.

3. Finally, if food is a decisive factor in your vacation experience or you will spend more time in hotels than in parks, the Disney Deluxe Meal Plan would be your ideal option. Of course, as long as you are also willing to spend a good part of your budget on this service.

Cost: Family 4 Disney World 

While a Disney World vacation can be a dream come true, it’s no secret that it can also be quite expensive. However, there are ways to save money and still have a magical experience. Here are a few tips to help you cut costs:

1. Plan Ahead: Planning ahead is key when it comes to saving money on a Disney World vacation. Research the best times to visit, purchase tickets in advance, and consider staying at a hotel off-property.

2. Look for Discounts: Disney often offers discounts on tickets, hotel rooms, and packages. Keep an eye out for these discounts and take advantage of them when you can.

3. Bring Your Own Food and Drinks: Food and drinks inside the park can add up quickly. Consider bringing your own snacks and drinks to save money.

4. Use Disney Transportation: Disney provides free transportation to and from the parks for guests staying at their hotels. Take advantage of this service to save money on transportation.

Do Your Own Research and Budgeting

While these tips can help you save money on your Disney World vacation, it’s important to do your own research and budgeting to determine the best options for your family’s vacation. Every family’s needs and budget are different, so it’s important to take the time to figure out what works best for you.

Consider looking into different hotels, ticket packages, and transportation options to find the best deals. Make a budget for your trip and stick to it. Doing your own research and budgeting can help ensure that you have a magical Disney World vacation without breaking the bank.

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My Disney World Cost Calculator & Our Total (Bottom Line) Price

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

There are so many variables to consider when it comes to the cost of a Disney World vacation.

In this article, we’ll answer the age-old question of, “How much does it cost to go to Disney World?”, as well as review potential expenses using our Disney World Cost Calculator 2022.

With the total cost of a Disney vacation depending on your length of stay and how much you choose to splurge on food, accommodations, and other extras, the total cost will vary significantly.

By using our Disney World cost calculator, however, we’ll show you a real-life example of our family of 5’s total Disney World vacation price (with a FREE printable too!)

* Updated for 2022 .

The links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on links and purchase them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Disney World Cost Calculator: Getting There

Let’s get started in working through the steps of our Disney World cost calculator so that you can custom-fit your Disney vacation to meet the exact needs of your family and budget.

One of the easiest decisions to make regarding your Disney World cost calculator will be on how you will get to Orlando.

You’re either close enough to drive (or are up for a long haul road trip !) or you’ll have to arrive by air.

When considering your Disney vacation estimator, let’s take a look at both!

Orlando is serviced by two main airports, Orlando International (MCO) and Sanford International.

Most airlines fly into Orlando International which is a convenient 30-minute drive from Walt Disney World.

When considering flights, your Disney cost calculator will vary according to the time of year and where you fly from.

For the cheapest rates, it is recommended to search for flights that arrive and depart mid-week.

Also, know that the least expensive months to fly to Orlando typically tend to be from late August to mid-November. And again, from mid-January to mid-February.

Additional planning tip: Purchase airline tickets 4 months in advance in order to guarantee the best pricing.

Airlines such as Delta and Southwest have Disney World packages that include airfare.

These are worth checking out if you’re looking to bundle your expenses.

Getting To and From the Airport

Disney has announced that their complimentary Magical Express transportation service will be discontinued in January of 2022.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is serviced by ride-hailing services including Lyft, Uber, and airport taxis.

Other transportation options include hotel shuttles and car rental services, with Alamo being our most recommended. (Use their Skip the Counter option to go straight to your rental car.)

And next, as a replacement for Disney’s Magical Express, Mears Connect will be offering shuttle service to the Disney Resort area (from the airport) beginning on January 1st of 2022.

Unlike Disney’s Magical Express, Mears Connect isn’t free, however.

Instead, there are two tiers of service: standard vs. express.

Standard service is a shared ride that makes a few stops en route to your hotel with waits of up to 20 minutes after checking in at the Mears reception area at the airport.

Express service provides a direct ride to your resort with no other stops and “limited to no wait time.”

You can find a list of current resorts that Mears Connect will pick up and drop off from, as well as pricing and the option to book your rides at Mears Connect’s site .

Additional planning tip: The resorts that Mears Connect services will appear in the drop-down menu when reserving. The list is expected to expand throughout 2022.

If a road trip to Orlando makes more sense, or if you are looking to travel to Disney on a budget , there are a few things to keep in mind.

Be sure to calculate the cost of gas by determining daily gas prices , as well as account for a hotel en route and meals along the way (if coming from far away).

In addition, most hotels, including Disney hotels, charge a daily parking fee that sh

Be sure to verify and account for that additional expense if you plan to drive and/or rent a car.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Buying Tickets

Park tickets will account for a large portion of your Disney World cost calculations.

Disney World considers ‘children’ to be between the ages of 3 – 9 years old. Any person age 10 and older needs to pay adult ticket prices, and those 2 and under are free.

Disney World ticket prices also vary based on the season, how many days you’ll visit the parks (Multi-park tickets), and if you plan to travel between parks on a given day ( Disney Park Hopper tickets ).

They can be purchased directly through Disney and can often be found bundled in Disney World packages that include resort accommodations.

Disney park tickets can also be purchased at discounted rates from authorized wholesalers, such as our favorite, Undercover Tourist .

Additional planning tip: Don’t forget to account for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon water park tickets if you plan to venture to one or both of Disney’s two water parks.

Multi-Day Tickets

Disney tries to get you to play in their parks as long as possible.

This is why purchasing multi-day park tickets will always be the best value when it comes to overall ticket prices.

For instance, the average daily rate is discounted by almost 50% when you buy a 7-day park pass versus a 1-day pass.

Simply put, the longer you stay and the more parks you visit, the more you will save on admission and on your overall Disney World cost.

Historically speaking, the best time to visit Disney World is during the months of mid-January to mid-February, late April to mid-May, and again from mid-August through September.

You can expect to save up to 20% when visiting during these months .

The most expensive weeks, however, are around Christmas, President’s Day, and other U.S. holidays, as well as during Spring Breaks in the entire month of March.

You can almost guarantee that things will cost 50% more than during non-peak times.

Other factors like weather and other special events that may be taking place at Disney greatly affect the park crowds.

*If you’re heading to Disney for a special event, there are many additional costs and considerations to consider. Here’s an example of how much a runDisney race weekend will cost , for instance.

Parking and Transportation

Guests at select Disney Resorts can travel to and from all 4 theme parks by complimentary bus, boat, monorail, or Skyliner.

Complimentary resort transportation begins 60 minutes prior to Disney theme park opening time and up to 90 minutes after Disney theme park closing time.

Additionally, buses operate until 2:00 AM from the Disney Springs area.

Keep in mind that most of Disney’s deluxe resorts have well-lit, paved walking paths to at least one of the theme parks.

Likewise, many off-site hotels offer a free or fee-based shuttle to the various Disney parks and properties.

If you do end up driving to the parks, however, parking is $25 a day at Disney.

This parking fee applies to all of their parks and comes with in/out privileges.

Click the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list and BONUS Disney Day Bag packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Disney World Cost Calculator: Lodging

Lodging is a big determinant of your Disney vacation cost calculator.

Quite honestly, this is where you can either spend or save a huge chunk of money.

There are literally a ton of options when it comes to Orlando accommodation options, and prices can range from $100 a night to $800 a night or more.

Your individual selection will come down to your budget, space requirements, location, and availability.

Hotel accommodations are available in the following four categories:

Disney Resort s

There are currently more than 25 on-property Disney-owned resorts to pick from when staying at Walt Disney World.

Disney World Resort hotels are categorized with price categories of Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas.

Off-Site Hotels with Disney-Like Benefits

There are some off-site hotels that provide nearly all of the benefits that you’ll find at an on-site Disney World resort.

Hotels with Disney benefits include: The hotels located in Disney Springs plus Shades of Green, The Four Seasons, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Waldorf Astoria, and the Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts

Off-Site Hotels

For the most space and cheapest rates, Orlando is packed with off-site hotels in close proximity to Disney World.

Amazing deals can be found on websites like Mousesavers that frequently feature hotels with excellent quality and outstanding value.

We’ll never regret our choice to stay at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista and would highly recommend it as an affordable, off-site option.

Vacation Rentals

Many people choose to stay in vacation homes in nearby Celebration or Kissimmee, Florida.

Vacation homes are great since they come with fully-equipped kitchens and come in all different sizes and price ranges.

With so many vacation homes to choose from, it helps to first consult on how to pick the best rentals .

Disney World Cost Calculator: Food

With a Disney World vacation costing anywhere from $1000 – $5000 USD per person, one of the biggest determinants of your overall cost is the amount of money spent on food and dining.

After all, Disney World has a variety of restaurants to choose from, as well as special dining opportunities such as (currently modified) Character Dining experiences.

Options include:

• Counter service (fast-food style): $10-$15 USD per person
• Sit-down: $20-$50 USD per person
• Character meals: $20-$60+ USD per person
• Prix Fixe meals: $29-$79 USD per person

Disney resort guests also have access to purchasing a Disney dining plan.

Essentially you prepay for a set number of meals and snacks to be used at different types of restaurants throughout your stay.

Your Disney dining plan cost calculator will be based on which Disney Dining Plan that you choose in terms of how many meals, snacks, and drinks that it includes.

If you want to reduce the amount you will spend on food, however, your best strategy will be to pack your own meals.

After all, you are allowed to bring food and drink into all Walt Disney World Parks.

We found a ton of value and convenience in stocking our Disney day bag with water bottles, sandwiches, fruit, and other healthy snacks to avoid the high cost of meals on-site.

Other Disney Costs to Consider

Your Disney World trip calculator should account for extras such as:

• Special ticketed events and Disney dinner shows
• Stroller/scooter rentals
• Disney Memory Maker photo packages
• Other Orlando activities and attractions

Adhering to your Disney Cost Calculator

Along with determining approximately how much your Disney Vacation will cost, I highly recommend you put time into planning your days at the parks.

Basic planning will aid you in saving time, avoiding long lines, and helping to stick to your budget.

For your convenience, be sure to consult our best Disney World tips and review our Disney packing list (that includes the top 9 most forgotten items to bring to Disney!).

In addition, our 1-day Disney touring plans can be found here:

• Magic Kingdom
• Animal Kingdom

Summary: Disney Cost Calculator 2022

• Drive or fly to Orlando based on your budget and proximity.
• Reduce transportation costs once there by using any complimentary services offered to you.
• Travel during the ‘slower’ months for the best overall prices.
• Check every park ticket offer that applies to you and choose the cheapest option and how many parks you plan to visit.
• Choose a lodging option while considering the perks of staying on-site, versus the cost savings of staying off-site.
• Go all-in with a Disney dining plan or save by picking up groceries and packing as many meals/snacks as you can.
• Don’t forget to account for extras like parking, souvenirs, and ticketed events and activities.
• Finally, go into your Disney World vacation with a solid touring plan in order to adhere to your Disney World cost calculator and budget.

One Week Disney World Budget for a Family of Five

Answering the question of, “How much does it cost to go to Disney World” is tricky, as you can now see.

Disney is definitely not a one-size-fits-all family vacation.

The following is a breakdown, using the components of our Disney World cost calculator 2022, of what our family of 5 spent during 1-week in Orlando .

As an overview, we rented a minivan from our home state of Minnesota and drove to Orlando.

We stayed off-site, visited 3 Disney theme parks, used complimentary hotel transportation, and did not purchase a Disney dining plan.

Other shortcuts for us involved eating breakfast (from our own groceries) in our hotel every morning and shopping for souvenirs off-site.

Your Disney trip cost calculator will be more expensive if you fly to Orlando, stay on-site, visit all 4 parks, and purchase a Disney dining plan.

Click here for a free pdf version of our Disney World cost calculator that outlines our bottom line price of $5,030 . (Photo image below.)

How much did you anticipate spending on your Disney World vacation? Was there anything that surprised you when using this Disney Vacation calculator? Jen

If you enjoyed our Disney World price calculator , click here continue planning your Disney World vacation!

Disney World Touring Plans:

• 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary: A Perfect Day At Disney
• 1-Day At Animal Kingdom Itinerary: The Perfect Family Touring Plan
• One Day Itinerary for Epcot: Family Touring Plan

Disney World Ride Tips:

• Disney World Magic Kingdom Wait Times (Longest and Shortest Lines)
• Top 5 Rides for Toddlers at Magic Kingdom

Disney World Planning Tips:

• The 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Our First Disney Vacation
• Disney Packing List: 9 Things You Can’t Forget
• 7 Things to do on a Disney World Non-Park Day
• Best Off-Site Hotel Near Disney World, Orlando
• Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue: Our Complete Guide

Disney World Cost:

• Disney World Cost Calculator: How Much Will it Cost?
• How to Save Money At Disney World: 15 Ways We Saved Big

*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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I love how you spell it out. Disney can add up quickly, and this helps people think through everything.

Thanks Kirsten! It was fun to sit down and write this article….my husband actually helped me on this one 🙂

So helpful! A WDW vacation expenses can get out of hand if we’re not careful!

Right?!?! Without planning a big beforehand, the expenses can get totally out of hand 🙂 Thanks for your note!

This is very handy cost calculator for Disney, which is often more expensive then one thinks!

Thanks! I love seeing the cost of something laid out step-by-step 🙂

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How my family of 4 spent nearly $10,000 on a Disney World vacation — and what we'll be cutting next time

• My family of four recently spent nearly $10,000 on our eight-night trip to Disney World . 
• Since we spent more than a day in each of our favorite parks, we didn't splurge on Genie+. 
• We learned dining was hard to budget for and character meals weren't worth it anymore.

When it comes to making magical memories at Disney World, my family of four has been there, done that, and gotten the T-shirt — and the collectible popcorn buckets.

We travel from Rhode Island to the Orlando parks once, sometimes twice, a year and love it.

Still, each trip teaches us something new — especially in terms of how much value we're getting for our money.

Here's what we spent on our most recent eight-night trip in November:

Disney resort and park tickets : $5,746 for eight nights at Disney's Port Orleans Resort, plus seven park days for a family of four.

Food : An estimated $2,000 for full-service restaurants for six of the eight days, plus snacks in the parks (it was probably a bit more).

Add-ons : $677 for four tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party .

Transportation : $1,462 for flights from Providence, Rhode Island.

Total: $9,885.

We used money-saving tips from previous Disney vacations during the trip and learned some lessons. Here's what was worth our time and money and what we'd do differently next time.

Staying at a resort we know and love is the way to go

After years of staying at different on-site properties, from Disney's budget hotels to its dollar-busting deluxe resorts, we've learned we really like Port Orleans Resort — Riverside.

The midtier resort's Louisiana-bayou style is comforting and immersive.

My 11-year-old son likes the standard room's "Princess and the Frog" pull-down bed, and my 14-year-old daughter loves the Mickey-shaped beignets from the French Quarter side of the resort.

Port Orleans also comes with free transportation to the parks and a water taxi to the nearby Disney Springs.

Best of all, we love capping a long day at the hotel's River Roost Lounge, where Disney World's best-kept-secret — the performer Yehaa Bob Jackson — puts on a rousing, family-friendly show four nights a week.

Because we stayed at a hotel we already loved, we knew exactly what we'd get for our money and could focus on finding the best deal.

Sorting through Disney's dozens of resorts for the best offer can be daunting, so concentrating on a single resort — and the promotions tied to it — removed a headache from our planning.

I think spending more days at the parks saved us money

We spent two days each at our three favorite parks — the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios — and one day at the Animal Kingdom .

Seven full park days might seem excessive, but tickets in a resort package get progressively cheaper as you add more days to your itinerary.

More than that, though, having two full days at our favorite parks meant much less rushing around to fit everything in and experience our favorite attractions.

With ample time, we didn't feel pressured to spend extra on the park-hopping upgrade or Genie+ line-jumping service, two costly add-ons we'd paid for in the past.

Genie+ alone can cost over $160 a day for a family of four.

We'd definitely do dining differently next time

We were confident while planning our resort stay and park days, but our history of dining at Disney World messed up our budget.

Related stories

In the past, we took advantage of some version of a free dining promotion , which allowed Disney hotel guests to essentially eat for free during their stay.

It wasn't available when we booked our November trip.

Spoiled by the free eats of the past, we booked many of our favorite restaurants without giving much thought to the cost.

We knew full-service meals for four would be pricey, but we were still consistently surprised when the $200 to $300 bills hit the table.

Our biggest takeaway, though, is that we want to cut back on character dining on future trips.

My kids now fall into the adult pricing tier — and their enthusiasm for meeting Mickey isn't what it was when they were toddlers.

Paying $300 for a buffet with characters walking around wasn't especially magical. We had a much nicer, more affordable dinner at Steakhouse 71 .

Of course, the best dining deal is still Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival , a family-favorite event we almost always plan our trips around.

We spent our Epcot days sampling smaller bites around the World Showcase, which served as budget-friendly breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

A Christmas trip is fun if it's planned carefully enough to dodge pricey airfare

We hadn't been to Disney during the holidays in nearly a decade, so we wanted our kids to see the parks decked out for Christmas.

As such, our November visit had to land late enough on the calendar that we'd catch the seasonal festivities but early enough that we could still enjoy our beloved Epcot festival.

Fortunately, this sweet spot wasn't the worst time to book a flight.

While it wasn't quite a bargain, our family's nearly $1,500 airfare to Orlando was far less than what we'd dish out closer to Thanksgiving or in December.

Of course, what we saved on flights was reinvested into tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the Magic Kingdom's special holiday event.

The party was worth it, but we had to plan carefully to get our money's worth for the five-hour, sold-out celebration.

Fortunately, visiting the less-busy second parade and getting to the parks before the party began helped us get the most holiday magic for our money.

Still, we could've managed our evening a bit better.

Next time, we'd spend less time waiting for attractions marginally made over for Christmas — such as the Mad Tea Party and Tomorrowland Speedway — and focus more on meeting event-specific characters, such as Jack and Sally from "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Overall, if we return to Disney this year, we're going to rethink our dining budget

We haven't decided whether we'll make it back to Disney World in 2024.

Then again, we say that at the start of every year and always end up planning a trip as soon as that tax return arrives.

But when we do decide, we'll have even more money-saving knowledge — especially when it comes to our dining budget.

Heck, if we just cut out the character meals, we may even make it back to Main Street, USA, more than once this year.

Watch: Disney World is getting so expensive that it's pricing out the middle class

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Disney world 4 day itinerary – making the most of a short disney trip.

Disney World 4 Day Itinerary 

Following our  disney world  4 day itinerary “template” .

• must do attractions 
• must do dining locations 
• must do activities (pool time, miniature golf, etc.)

What is the Best Itinerary for Disney World?

If you answer those questions above you’ll quickly realize that there is not one tried and true perfect Itinerary for Disney World. Instead, it’s far more important to craft a vacation that fits what you and your family want to do. Everyone’s travel style is different but at the same time I think it’s important to have a basis of what does tend to work and allows you to maximize your time in the parks. That’s the only reason I share this itinerary today. I hope you modify it heavily to fit your needs! I truly do. Use this as a touring plan template, guideline, or starting point, but then let things you’re not interested in fall off your agenda.

Choose What’s Most Important to You 

Consider your budget first .

Before we get into the specifics, as you prepare for your trip planning, really consider your budget. I know that sounds obvious, but the type of resorts you can afford and travel expenses can play a big role in the length of your stay and the type of things you may consider during your vacation. Instead of eating table service meals, you may want to look into quick service options. Or perhaps look into my  10 Excellent Entrees Under $15 at Walt Disney World for some budget friendly options !

If you’re looking at flying to the parks, you may be able to save money by driving and in turn stay in a deluxe resort instead of a value or moderate tier as a tradeoff. In the big picture, this is what we tend to decide first. The budget may change a little as the planning progresses, but starting with a basic idea of what you can spend and how you plan to spend it will play a big role in how your itinerary is altered or changed in comparison to ours. See my Flying to Disney World post for more tips on that topic! 

One last thing you’ll want to consider is that our Disney trips tend to be pretty fast paced. With the exception of really long trips 7+ days, we tend to spend long hours in the parks, and make the most of the park hopper option. Also worth noting is that we’ve almost mastered Disney’s transportation systems and as a result it makes our park hopping a bit more efficient than many first time guests. I don’t say that to discourage anyone, but it’s something to consider as you attempt to jump from park to park.

Don’t let that missed bus or missed fastpass+ selection destroy your trip. Unfortunate circumstances are inevitable at Walt Disney World every once in a while, but above all else try to enjoy every little moment of the experience and don’t let the trivial problems be what you remember long after your trip draws to a conclusion. 

With all those little things out to the way, here’s a closer look at the plan I recommend in order to get the most out of 4 days at Walt Disney World! I call it a Disney World 4 Day Itinerary but it’s infinitely customizable and should be customized!    

Day 1 – Partial Day at Magic Kingdom

For most four day stays a majority of guests will lose either part of the first day or part of the last day traveling. If you’re arriving on any other day than Monday I would recommend heading straight to Magic Kingdom after dropping off your luggage at the hotel (Mondays are incredibly busy at Magic Kingdom) . Magic Kingdom is typically the park that most guests want to accomplish the most attractions, shopping, and shows in throughout their stay. By utilizing this partial day, you can really accomplish quite a few things in a short amount of time. I don’t recommend doing this on Mondays because crowds tend to be the heaviest on Mondays.  

Something that is important to note is that if you make your fastpass+ selections far enough in advance you can manipulate the times in My Disney Experience so that each of your selections fall in the afternoon/nighttime hours of the day. If you can work out the times just right you’ll guarantee yourself rides on some of the most popular attractions even if the park is ridiculously crowded on your arrival day. 

In a simliar way, if you can manage to stay late (near park closing time) you can catch a few more attractions as many guests leave directly after the nighttime performance of Happily Ever After concludes. You wont find a short wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but you may catch a short queue at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin or Dumbo before the park officially closes. If you’re staying until close you wont want to miss these two articles: 

• A One of A Kind Disney Experience: Shutting Down the Magic Kingdom! 
• The “Kiss Goodnight” – A Unique Disney Experience Many Guests Completely Overlook

These things can truly be a highlight and a perfect add on item to your Disney World 4 Day Itinerary!

Our plan for our first day consisted of an early dinner at the The Plaza Restaurant at around 3:45, followed by our first fastpass+ selection of the day, Peter Pan’s Flight. After that experience we hopped on the train for a quick ride around (considering on this particle day even the Peoplemover had a 20 minute wait) the entire loop starting and ending in Storybook Circus. At that point, we checked a few wait times in Fantasyland but ultimately ran out of time before our second fastpass, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Upon exiting the attraction (one of our favorites) we headed to Frontierland for our final fastpass of the day, Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Day 2 – A Full Day at Epcot  

From our experience, the best case scenario for our needs is to head straight to Soarin and get a fastpass+ reservation for Test Track. After riding Soarin you may have a few minutes to ride Journey Into Imagination with Figment, The Land, or even the Seas with Nemo and Friends before your designated fastpass+ timeframe. If you’re looking for a great breakfast options to throw in the mix, we highly recommend Garden Grill !

Once you complete the attractions you would like to experience, head to the World Showcase to spend the afternoon or to eat your way around the countries and take your time exploring the little details as they unfold before your eyes. While a more in depth plan of our ideal day at Epcot can be found in the article –  Our Tried and True “Epcot in a Day” Touring Plan  this should give you a quick idea of what to expect out of day two!

Day 3 – Split Day at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom… And Even Animal Kingdom!  

As day three arrives, you’ll really start to make the most of the park hopper option. In our case, we started our day with early extra magic hours at Magic Kingdom. If you get there when the gates open, you’ll be shocked at how much you can get done in a very short amount of time. The first 90 minutes will be your most successful and productive time of the entire day and quite possibly the entire trip. If you’re careful about managing your time, you can  Ride 6 or More Attractions in 90 Minutes or Less: With Only 1 Fastpass+!  That particular article is one of my favorites because it really puts into perspective how important those early hours can be for those looking to ride as many attractions as possible.

After making that grand 6+ attraction run, take a break and head to breakfast. In our plan we went to Crystal Palace because it truly is one of our favorite breakfasts on property. It even made our list of top character dining options on property . If you want to follow our plan step by step, at this point we left Magic Kingdom and went over to Hollywood Studios. It feels like a short time at Magic Kingdom, but you’ll be surprised by what you can get done in a few short hours.

As a bit of a side note… on this particularl day, we avoided using our fastpasses in Magic Kingdom in order to guarantee rides late in the day at popular attractions and shows in Hollywood Studios. Our first fastpass was Voyage of the Little Mermaid, but before that experience began we made a quick trip into Star Wars Launch Bay for a quick look at the exhibits and to make a pass through the gift shop (a great place to pick up unique merchandise) before enjoying the Little Mermaid show.

As soon as that was finished we were ready for our Toy Story Mania Fastpass. Toy Story Mania is a fairly quick attraction, so once it concluded we caught a quick show and still had plenty of time to head to our final fastpass at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

I know that sounds like a quick trip through Hollywood Studios, and in all reality it is. However, we did leave the park at this point in order to arrive at a Whispering Canyon reservation for dinner that night. Truth be told, if you spent a few more hours at Hollywood Studios you could really accomplish nearly every attraction and show offered in that park minus Rise of the Resistance. Later that night we went straight to Animal Kingdom to take in the miraculous spectacle that is Pandora – The World of Avatar at Night!

Another great option is to stick around in Hollywood Studios and tour Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge. The land truly comes alive at night and the crowds really fall off in Hollywood Studios as closing time approaches. The crowds tend to make their way to Fantasmic at the end of the day leaving attraction queue much shorter.

Day 4 – Split Day at Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and Magic Kingdom 

Can you do animal kingdom in half a day.

On our final day we started at Animal Kingdom and made every effort to enjoy our favorite attractions early on in the day. For years, Animal Kingdom was a half-day park for us. It wasn’t that way because you could do everything in half a day, but rather because we wanted to spend more time at Epcot or Magic Kingdom.

To an extent, that same concept remains true with this length of stay and considering this is a Disney World 4 day itinerary with things that will have to get cut. Some sacrifices will sadly have to be made. To me, Animal Kingdom is not a “half day park” but it is the one park I’d personally devote less time to if you are short on time during your vacation. Of course that is simply personal preference and I’ll explain exactly how we manipulated this particular day.  

We spent the morning riding Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, catching breakfast at Yak and Yeti (their quick service option), enjoying Na’vi River Journey, and of course Festival of the Lion King! To an extent, the order you complete these attractions and shows doesn’t entirely matter, but I highly recommend going to Na’Vi River Journey first. If you can secure a fastpass for Flight of Passage it’s your best bet to go ride Na’Vi River Journey early in the day. If not, go straight to Flight of Passage when the gates open.

To make this day unfold a little easier, we had secured a fastpass for Flight of Passage and in turn managed to avoid the line for that attraction. It was the last thing we did in that park before leaving and heading to a late lunch reservation at Homecomin’ Kitchen over at Disney Springs . After the meal (or any other number of dining options at Disney Springs you would like to choose) we explored the area a bit and went in a few of our favorite stores before moving locations one last time and heading to Magic Kingdom to round out the vacation.

At the end of that last day I recommend one final thing that so many guests overlook. Take a moment upon returning to your resort to find a quite place and reflect on the vacation. Our accommodation of choice for this trip was the Boardwalk Resort . In my opinion, it was the ideal place to think back on the events of our short stay. No matter what resort you’re at, find a quiet place, sit and enjoy the moment, and reflect upon the memories you’ve created with friends and family. In my opinion, it is the very best way to end a trip of any length.                 

Things to Consider As You Plan Your Itinerary: 

Can you really do disney in 4 days with a “template” plan.

So, to be quite honest the answer to this question is no. I know that sounds weird coming from the guy that pushed out an article touting a “Disney World Vacation in 4 Days” article, but stick with me for a minute. You can experience a truly incredible WDW vacation in 4 days. Heck, I even served up a template for you to do just that here in a round about way. However, the important thing to note is that you can never see and do everything at Walt Disney World. You certainly can’t do so in 4 days, or 7 days, or even 10 days. I’ve been doing this for a lifetime (quite literally touring the parks my entire life) and I still haven’t seen and done everything at WDW.

The important thing to remember in all of this is that you can’t go into your short vacation with the expectation of seeing and doing everything. There is no “perfect” touring plan for a day in Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or even Magic Kingdom. You have to be infinitely adaptable and if you are you’ll have a far better experience in the parks. Avoid over planning at all costs! If you plan down to the minute you’ll miss out on the subtleties of your vacation more often than not! Just enjoy being there in the moment and it’ll be more than worth it in the end. Savor the memories, not your attraction count for the day.

Check Park Hours Before Planning Days 

Are disney park hopper tickets necessary .

Disney Park Hopper tickets are 100% worth it in most cases. Especially if you’re following our Disney World 4 Day itinerary. For those of you who may be asking “What is a Park Hopper Ticket at Walt Disney World?” you are certainly asking a good question and one that can be so difficult to understand when planning your first WDW vacation. A park hopper ticket is an add on option to any Walt Disney World ticket that allows you to visit multiple parks on the same day and “hop” from park to park all you want to. Essentially, it allows you to visit all 4 Disney parks in one day.

Would I recommend visiting all four parks in one day? No, probably not, in most cases. However, visiting two parks in one day is a really good plan for shorter days in case you overlooked something in one park or missed your favorite show due to rain or some other issue. The park hopper ticket option also gives you the amazing opportunity to manage your time more effectively and allocate time at the parks you enjoy the most while still being able to visit all four parks on a short stay.

It’s also worth noting that the park hopper and park hopper plus option are different. Ultimately, the park hopper plus option includes access to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. I would not recommend visiting water parks on a 4 day trip. For longer trips and summer trips it can be an incredible option and an amazing way to escape the heat for a day or even a few hours.       

If you want to use our plan or a variation of it, the park hopper option is a must when buying tickets. If you don’t buy it you’ll be limited to whatever park you start the day in and will have to visit just that one park for the day. You can come and go as you please, but any other park is off the table. 

So there you have it, all the details of our Disney World 4 Day Itinerary!

Let Someone Guide You

Modify the plan as you go.

Even if you follow every single element of this plan, you will have to modify it along the way. Alter your plans as you go and do what works best for you as the situation unfolds. Be a bit spontaneous in your travels and the results may genuinely surprise you!

Your Thoughts

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How much does a Walt Disney World vacation cost?

Your kids have finally reached that age, and you've asked all your friends what a Disney World vacation is like. Now, it's time to start planning the Disney vacation that's perfect for your family. But there's one big, looming question: What kind of dent will this make in your budget?

There are many different ways to do Disney World, but just as we did for Disneyland in California , we want to give you an estimate of what it can cost to visit Disney World in Florida.

Disney World has more than 20 different official lodging options, four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping and entertainment district and more. You'll also find hundreds (literally hundreds) of hotels where you can use your points within a 30-minute drive. Add in more than 200 places to grab a meal — including almost 100 table service restaurants alone — and you've got some planning to do. Side note: That's exactly what three of TPG's experts did recently .

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

I've put together three different vacation budgets to give you a jump start on figuring out what a Disney World vacation costs. One is for the most price-conscious among us. Then there's the middle-of-the-road plan that should be a good fit for many families. And if you're looking to go all-out, there's a blueprint just for you as well.

I based my pricing assumptions on a family of four, where the two children are under the magical age of 10 when kids are still kids in the eyes of Disney pricing. With four different theme parks, not to mention Disney Springs and the water parks, five nights is a reasonable length of time for a big Disney World vacation, so all of my plans include five nights of hotels and four days of park tickets. I did not consider Disney dining plans for meals or other discounts like those for Florida residents or members of the military .

To make matters more complicated, pricing started low during the COVID-19 pandemic but has rebounded substantially as the 50th-anniversary celebration got under way. If you're planning to park your RV at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort , those prices have been remarkably stable, and higher than you might expect. Value stops like Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's All-Star resorts are cheaper on select nights and may be your best bet to save money.

Disney World also reintroduced Park Hopper passes with variable pricing based on the length of your tickets. And, they rolled out annual passes again . For quite some time during the pandemic, the "biggest" ticket Disney World sold was a seven-day ticket. That meant folks going for longer trips might have had to purchase two tickets to cover their entire range of dates.

Disney World has once again started to sell a 10-day ticket. Under the newly amended Park Hopper policies, you'll still need a park reservation for Disney World, which can be hard to come by on peak dates . There's no guarantee you'll be able to successfully "hop" to a second park on any particular day. Entry will be based on whether the park is at capacity when you arrive. While that's been the case in the past, the significant reduction in capacity in response to the pandemic increases the likelihood parks will hit capacity. Lastly, be aware of amended park hours. The parks close much earlier than you might expect on certain days.

And, just when you thought you had everything figured out, Disney got rid of FastPass ( in favor of a paid version ) and got ride of Extra Magic Hours in favor of Early Theme Park Entry.

With all that in mind, figuring out your budget may take a bit more elbow grease if you want to visit Mickey while masks are still required.

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Disney World on a budget

There's not a lot at Disney World that's free. Unlike Universal Studios and some other theme parks, however, your Disney World park tickets used to give you access to the FastPass+ ride queue skipping system. That all changes. Genie+, a version of paid FastPass+ is set to roll out, at a price of $15 per day. I didn't include this in the budget vacation, eschewing it for the free version of Genie. It's easy enough for you to add $15 per person, per day to this budget if you want to get a better idea of what that would cost.

With just the basics, I was able to put together a family trip for $3,200 to $3,600. There are ways to drop this number even further, which we'll dig into.

On a bare-bones budget, we assumed you'd be willing to travel to Disney World during off-peak times. Months like January, February and September can be a great time to find a bargain on rooms at Disney World (park tickets are cheaper then as well). I chose a room at Disney's All-Star Resort , a value hotel. Prices ranged from a low of $800 to just under $1,200 for five nights during the slowest times. In Disney speak, a value hotel includes basic comforts like beds and a bathroom, along with Disney perks. In this case, Disney All-Star Movies has been recently renovated, so has that going for it as well.

Disney World hotels also have extensive themes that can make the experience more enjoyable. If you have hotel points that you can use to stay off-site or at the on-site Marriott-affiliated properties Dolphin and Swan (or the Swan Reserve, whenever it finally opens ), you can reduce this out-of-pocket expense to almost zero — just know that many hotels in Orlando charge a resort fee even on award bookings. (Here's how to avoid resort fees .)

Disney's Pop Century resort is also generally in the same price range as All-Star, if one of those themes excites your kids more.

Total lodging cost: $800 to $1,200

Park tickets

This trip plan allows a visit to each Disney World park but uses the cheaper tickets that allow entry into only one park per day. We also cut out Park Hopper to save money. With only one shot at each park, plan to make the most of each day. Now that Hollywood Studios has several new attractions , it's much easier to spend a whole day there. Buying park tickets directly from Disney World would cost almost $1,800. However, I was able to find tickets for about $60 cheaper going through Undercover Tourist , a popular website TPG recommends for discounted theme park tickets. Buying through Undercover Tourist also means that the tickets will code as travel purchases for the purpose of earning (or using) as many points as possible .

Wherever you buy your tickets, just make sure it's a reputable dealer. There are absolutely people out there trying to rip you off selling counterfeit Disney tickets .

Lastly, keep an eye out for special types of tickets Disney may introduce in the future. In the past, you could find a Mid-Day Magic ticket that would pair nicely with sleeping in or a stop at Disney Springs in the morning before entering the parks a bit later in the day that can save you cash.

Total park ticket cost: $1,706.86 (non-Park Hopper tickets, two adults and two children)

Related: Best credit cards to use for theme park tickets

How you eat at Disney World can make or break your budget pretty quickly. If you're staying at an off-site hotel using points, I assume you found one that had free breakfast . That'll significantly help your budget. If you don't have access to free breakfast, my bare-bones budget allots $20 per day. That's a combination of buying some grab-and-go items at the grocery store and eating breakfast at All-Star. (Here are some ways to get groceries delivered to your Disney resort .) Our choices for restaurants are somewhat limited due to the pandemic, but we were still able to find a handful of reasonable budget options.

For meals in the parks, these venues won't break the bank:

• Magic Kingdom: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and Pinocchio Village Haus
• Epcot: Regal Eagle Smokehouse, Lotus Blossom Cafe and the outside fish-and-chips counter at Rose & Crown Pub (Yorkshire County Fish Shop)
• Hollywood Studios: Backlot Express and Ronto Roasters
• Animal Kingdom: Harambe Market and Flame Tree Barbecue

Epcot is a great place to eat on a budget since there are plenty of small-bites options in the various countries throughout World Showcase. If you are there during something like the Food and Wine Festival, then your choices are even more varied.

If you're bound for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , Ronto Roasters can be an affordable late breakfast or early lunch choice — their sausage wraps are pretty good.

My budget for food consists of one entree for each adult and a kid's meal for each child. The kid's meals come with drink choices. At Animal Kingdom you'll find plenty of options to grab small plates of tasty options, such as the Yak & Yeti stand (not to be confused with the table service option), Smiling Crocodile and Caravan Road. The bare-bones budget has parents drinking free ice water. Plan another $4 to $5 if you want a fountain drink, depending on the location.

Lastly, I added in a little fun, budgeting in one treat per family member per day (think: Mickey-shaped hot pretzel or ice cream bar). That's probably not enough for a whole day, but you can pack some snacks in a backpack for other refueling stops. Save money and get my favorite park treat by ordering a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle!

Total food cost: $582.56

Parking, transportation and souvenirs

We're on a budget, right? That means taking Disney's Magical Express complimentary bus shuttle to and from the airport (until it goes away at the end of 2021). You'll need to allow a bit of extra time, but Disney will take care of delivering any checked baggage you have directly to your hotel room as long as you tag your bags appropriately. If you choose to bypass the Magical Express, parking fees at value resorts such as Pop Century and All-Star will run you $15 per night, and you should budget at least $150 for a rental car for five nights, and you may even have trouble finding one . Paying the parking fee at the resort means you won't have to pay to park your car at the theme parks. If you're trying to save money, rely on Disney's vast network of buses to get you to and from the parks.

That really only leaves souvenirs. I budgeted $25 per day, which would get something for each child in each park. How much you can spend on souvenirs varies greatly. To save even more money here, consider some of the many locations just outside Disney World property that sell cheap souvenirs (like Disney's Character Warehouse at the nearby outlet stores). However, you'll have to pay for a taxi to get to these if you didn't rent a car.

Total parking, transportation and souvenirs cost: $100

Cost for a Disney World family trip on a budget: approximately $3,200 to $3,600

Disney world on a moderate budget.

With a bit more money to spend, I focused on dates that were more likely to line up with school schedules. I avoided some of the most expensive times, like Christmas or Thanksgiving, and looked at dates in March, traditionally part of the spring break season. Still, the 50th-anniversary celebration seems to be driving higher lodging prices even at times when the pricing used to be more reasonable. The last time I went through this exercise, I was able to find rooms in December. Now, December 2021 is virtually sold out. Using those parameters, I was able to find a five-night Disney vacation for $4,800 to $5,200. Here's how that breaks down:

Moving up the levels of Disney World hotels, I chose the Coronado Springs Resort . Disney categorizes this as a moderate resort. Our family stayed there in 2019, shortly after they completed room renovations, and the rooms are comfortable. You won't find a ton more space than All-Star, but you will find a smarter room layout. Keep an eye on the pricing for the beautiful, brand-new club rooms in the Gran Destino Tower .

They're sometimes less than $100 extra per night and can make sense from a budget perspective if you eat breakfast, snacks and even dinner there.

Total lodging cost: $1,400 to $1,800

The bare-bones budget included tickets that only allow access to one park each day (four-day tickets). That's generally fine. But if you're not a Star Wars fan, you'll have trouble filling a day at Hollywood Studios, and little ones infatuated with princesses may prefer more time at Magic Kingdom than Animal Kingdom. So for the moderate budget, we picked Park Hopper tickets. These tickets allow you to enter more than one park each day. They also tack on another $400 to our price (really about $350 when you adjust for seasonality).

If you really don't think you'll be switching parks, buy the standard tickets. With restricted hours and capacity, changing parks will definitely be more difficult for a while. Disney will always allow you to upgrade to a higher category of tickets when you get there; you only need to pay the difference.

Since this is a five-day trip, you can consider adding Park Hopper Plus. For another $80 total across a family of four, you can spend a day at one of the water parks, or play miniature golf along with a few other options. On the range of dates I settled on, I was able to find tickets that were over $100 cheaper on Undercover Tourist.

Total park tickets cost: $2,332.86

Disney World has so much to offer when it comes to restaurant experiences. Even when you're on a budget, you can find interesting tastes at all of the parks. On a more moderate budget, you can really eat well and have fun doing it. I budgeted for one breakfast at Coronado Springs. It wasn't our favorite breakfast but it will do in a pinch. I also budgeted for a Starbucks breakfast in the parks for a couple of mornings. Along with coffee, you'll find a full array of breakfast sandwiches, fruit and sugary treats. A moderate budget would include choices like these for lunch and dinner:

• Magic Kingdom: Tony's Town Square (or Diamond Horseshoe, when it's open) and The Plaza
• Epcot: Katsura Grill and Via Napoli
• Hollywood Studios: Fairfax Fare and Ronto Roasters
• Animal Kingdom: Satu'li Canteen and Yak & Yeti

Magic Kingdom is probably the weakest of the meal selections here. Via Napoli and Satu'li Canteen are some of our favorite choices in those parks, whereas Tony's or The Plaza will likely never wow you. If you're looking to add some character meals (or just want a better meal) on a moderate budget, consider stretching a bit and dining at Be Our Guest or Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. Keep in mind that character meals have taken on a much different look during the pandemic . At the time of this update, Crystal Palace is still running without characters but Be Our Guest has a modified experience. Be Our Guest can be pricey at dinner, but you can sneak by at lunch without breaking the bank. When Winnie the Pooh and his friends come back, Crystal Palace is a lot of fun for kids.

In Epcot, both Katsura Grill and Via Napoli have plates that can be shared, including the humongous Mezzo Metro pizza at Via Napoli. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater can be a fun change-up at Hollywood Studios for not much more money. Satu'li Canteen in Animal Kingdom made our list of best restaurants at Disney World; it's tough to go wrong there. The budget includes purchasing some snacks in the park, but it's still a good idea to consider packing snacks in a backpack, as the price of Disney treats can put a dent in your wallet quickly.

Total food cost: $875.36

Even on a moderate budget, Disney's Magical Express can make a ton of sense. What you might sacrifice in time you make up in savings. A ride from the airport to Disney World can easily set you back about $100. If you're taking Magical Express you won't have to worry about parking costs. If you rent a car instead, plan on $20 per day to park your car at Coronado Springs.

I did plug in some budget allowances for taking a few Uber or Lyft rides (though no Minnie Vans, since we think they're no longer) that take you all around Disney property with ease. It's a great way to travel if you're in a rush or just worn out after a long day and don't want to wait for the bus. Bus lines are considerably longer in many cases due to social distancing. For large, sprawling properties like Coronado Springs, it can be a relief to be dropped off right at your door.

I bumped up the souvenir budget a bit, but not by enough to buy custom lightsabers for your kids. Spending $35 a day can score you some of the "cooler" toys but not the most expensive Disney has to offer. Adjust that number up or down according to your plans.

Total parking, transportation and souvenirs cost: $230

Cost for a Disney World family trip on a moderate budget: $4,800 to $5,200.

Disney world on a luxury budget.

If you're willing to pay up, in some cases dearly, Disney has some real treats to offer. Whether it's convenience, character meals or once-in-a-lifetime souvenirs, Disney can take care of you. My high-end Disney World budget includes ample convenience and character time and might even have enough space for one of those really expensive "gotta have it" souvenirs. The luxury budget comes in at $8,500 to $9,300, with a bit more of a range on pricing due to the pandemic. A big chunk of that is spent in lodging. Let's dig in:

Deluxe resorts are some of the best that Disney has to offer. For families with children, the Magic Kingdom is the place where so many Disney memories are made. The "Monorail resorts" — Disney's Contemporary Resort , Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Polynesian Village Resort — are only a short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom (as well a quick transfer to Epcot), and consistently in high demand. During the spring, Polynesian Village is usually more affordable than Contemporary or Grand Floridian, but none will be cheap. Polynesian Village has just finished reopening after a renovation as well.

I settled on a standard room at Polynesian Village. At certain times of year, you might consider booking a club room at Polynesian or Contemporary ( here's more on Club Level at Disney ). This room cost was significantly higher: more than double our moderate choice and five times the price of our budget lodging example. Convenience costs money at Disney World. Premium lodging at Disney World has seen the highest percentage increase of all the expenses we keep track of.

One way to have deluxe accommodations at a friendlier price is to rent Disney Vacation Club points from a member. Not familiar? Don't worry; we've got you covered .

Total lodging cost: $4,000 to $4,800

Disney World sells a more expensive version of Park Hopper tickets, dubbed Park Hopper Plus. While it does come with more extras than a standard Park Hopper ticket, such as access to the Disney water parks , you probably won't use them on a four-day trip, so we stuck with the regular Park Hopper option. If you plan to stay longer, Park Hopper Plus can make sense. Once again, Undercover Tourist saved us almost $100 on park tickets.

Total park tickets cost: $2,318.50

There are some incredible dining experiences at Disney World that many people overlook. After all, with the roller coasters, princesses, fairy tales and faraway lands, the last thing on some people's minds is a great meal (plus, most kids won't sit still long enough for a great dinner). Disney does a pretty good job of weaving these together.

Don't get me wrong, there are some bad examples (Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, I'm looking at you). But, you'll be pleasantly surprised that you can eat a great meal at Disney and keep your kids happy. Increasing the food budget at Disney World means including some of the best Disney has to offer:

• Magic Kingdom: Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner and Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen ** You'll still only catch a brief sighting of Cinderella at Royal Table.
• Epcot: San Angel Inn and Spice Road Table (Takumi-Tei will totally make this list when it reopens)
• Hollywood Studios: The Hollywood Brown Derby and Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater
• Animal Kingdom: Satu'li Canteen and Tiffins

If princesses aren't your kids' thing, they might prefer Chef Mickey's instead. It's also a few bucks cheaper with characters such as Mickey, Donald and Goofy. Skipper Canteen has punchy cast members just like on the Jungle Cruise, but plenty of great food that parents will love.

EPCOT takes the biggest hit on top-notch dining with Takumi-Tei closed right now. Restaurant Marrakesh, another one of our unique favorites, is also closed. Spice Road Table is a solid replacement, but we'll be happy to see Takumi-Tei come back to life.

At Hollywood Studios, the Brown Derby is such a classic lunch spot. The food is great and the staff understands that kids want to get back out into the park. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater may not blow you away for food quality, but the drive-in movie theme and the cast members reminding you to eat your vegetables is sure to put a smile on your face.

Note: Takumi-Tei and Cinderella's Royal Table really drive up the budget, at over $200 for a family of four. Skip these if you need to trim your spending somewhere.

Total food cost: $1,520.35

If budget isn't your primary consideration, then the Magical Express Bus isn't for you. It ties up time both on arrival and departure. And make no mistake — at Disney World, time is most definitely money. You can order an Uber Black to Disney World for around $100, and you can find plenty of car services that will allow a grocery stop along the way if you need special groceries for little ones (though it may be easier to just have groceries delivered right to your room ).

Other than the Magic Kingdom, which will be a short monorail ride away, the luxury budget allows your family to use Uber and Lyft as much as you want (and, if we're hoping against hope, maybe a return of Minnie Vans). I also built in a generous budget for a lightsaber or princess dress. Or maybe both.

Total parking, transportation and souvenirs cost: $720

Cost for a Disney World family trip on a high-end budget: $8,500 to $9,300

Bottom line.

With a spread of over $5,000 between our bare-bones and luxury budgets, you can see how many different ways there are to spend your way through Disney, and there are countless variables I didn't touch on here. Suffice it to say there's a Disney World vacation for many different budgets.

If our tightest budget example seems out of range, you can absolutely trim significant costs by turning heavily to points and miles for things like park tickets . You can also spend less on food by packing lunches you bring into the parks each day. Many Disney hotels have refrigerators that make it easy to prepare your own meals. Plus there are lots of fun things to do at Disney World without a park ticket if you don't want to buy tickets for each day.

A little bit of planning ahead of time will save you from sticker shock when you get your credit card bill, but it's fair to say that a family trip to Walt Disney World will usually cost a family thousands of dollars — how many thousands is entirely up to you.

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21 Hacks for Visiting Disney World With Kids, According to Travel Experts

Whether you're traveling with toddlers, preschoolers or elementary-aged children, these insider tips will help you plan a stress-free trip with lifelong family memories.

Consider booking a hotel room with more space

Sleep is essential for kids (and parents!) while visiting Walt Disney World, so a suite or villa is a great option if you're worried about having the whole family share one sleeping area. Villas are located in the Deluxe Resort category (i.e., the most expensive hotels) and have full kitchens, living rooms and dining areas. Suites are available within all hotel categories (including Value Resorts, the least expensive).

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, check out Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort (pictured here; it's a Deluxe Villa Resort with tons of kid-friendly amenities, but isn't located adjacent to any of the theme parks) or Disney's Art of Animation Resort (a Value Resort that has family suites with pull-down beds, a kitchenette and impeccable Disney theming throughout). If you're willing to splurge and want to be closer to the parks, I recommend villas at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (near Magic Kingdom) or Disney's Beach Club Resort (near EPCOT).

RELATED: The Best Hotels at Walt Disney World

Don't feel like you must wait till kids are "old enough"

I get the appeal of wanting to wait until elementary school for the first visit because it's easier to travel, and they'll remember more. That being said, I first took my kids to Disney World when they were 6-months and 3-and-a-half-years old, and I am so happy that I did. My 6-month-old didn't require a paid ticket, and everything was pure magic to my 3-year-old. From a developmental standpoint , preschool-aged children typically don't understand the difference between fantasy and reality, so I got to experience the magic of believing through my daughter's eyes. And while they don't remember everything firsthand, they love looking at the photos from the trip.

Ask questions on PlanDisney.com

This Disney-owned question-and-answer forum provides advice from a panel of experienced Disney guests. Unlike social media groups where you'll get a wide range of answers to your questions, you can trust these responses to be accurate and up-to-date because each panelist has been selected by Disney. You can also browse answers to other questions that have been asked.

RELATED: Major Updates Are Coming to Disney

Be flexible with dates

...especially if you want to save money (on both park tickets and hotel rooms) while also avoiding crowds. Holiday school breaks are going to be the most expensive and busiest times to visit Walt Disney World. If your kids are young enough that they can easily miss a few days of school without added stress, it's worth prioritizing an off-peak travel time. Check out the Disney website for special offers on park tickets and hotels, which are sometimes available during off-peak times.

Determine how long to stay

It's no secret that park tickets are pricey, but keep in mind that the cost per day decreases as the length of your visit increases. The price varies based on dates, but a one-day theme park ticket can cost well over $100. However, the cost of going from a five-day park ticket to a six-day park ticket could be just around $20 extra.

Familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app

This do-it-all app is going to be your guide throughout the trip, so it's a good idea to get used to it before you go. Use it for everything from making dining reservations, checking attraction wait times and accessing your family's photos to getting directions within the parks and checking showtimes. When it comes to your Disney hotel, you can even open the door with the app and check bus times when heading to the parks.

Prioritize the right dining reservation

If you're staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you can book dining reservations for your entire stay 60 days prior to your check-in date. That means you get early access for dates that are more than 60 days away, so try booking the hard-to-get restaurants towards the end of your trip. One of the most high-demand meals is the character breakfast at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort (pictured here). Others include Space 220 at EPCOT and Cinderella's Royal Table at Magic Kingdom.

Find the unobstructed backgrounds for your photos

Though it can be tempting to take your family photos in front of the iconic backdrops right when you enter the parks, you'll find that it's nearly impossible to get a shot without a crowd in the background. Instead, look for the spots that Disney refers to as "hidden gems," including an overlook between Asia and Africa in Animal Kingdom for the Tree of Life (pictured here) and the bridges to Fantasyland, Frontierland and Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom for Cinderella Castle.

RELATED: How to Take the Best Photos at Disney World, According to Cast Members

Bring a stroller to the parks

Even if your kids are past the stroller phase, it'll make your visit so much easier. Not only will you be walking several miles each day, but it also allows you to have some extra storage space to carry the essentials. Most airlines allow you to check a stroller for free; just note that it needs to be collapsible if you plan to bring it on Disney transportation. If you prefer not to travel with a stroller or rent from a third-party platform, you can also rent one at the Walt Disney World parks.

Optimize Genie+

If you're willing to spend extra for Genie+ , Disney's service that lets you access Lightning Lanes (i.e., shorter lines for certain attractions), make sure you learn how to use it before you go. Some kid-favorite rides book up quickly and have consistently long wait times — like Remy's Ratatouille Adventure , Slinky Dog Dash and Peter Pan's Flight — so make sure to prioritize these attractions when you book your first Genie+ reservation of the day.

Stop by the Baby Care Centers

They're not just for babies. While they do have facilities that make traveling to Disney World with an infant easier (like changing tables and nursing rooms), they're also great for young kids. You can find a Baby Care Center in each of the four parks for when your toddler needs a break, and there are quieter restrooms (sometimes even with smaller toilets!) if the public restrooms feel too overwhelming.

Use the Rider Switch feature

If your child is too short or too scared for certain attractions, Disney offers a Rider Switch option so everyone else can ride without having to wait in line twice. And if you don't want to ride alone, you may bring one guest from the party on with you after you switch (e.g., if you have an older child going on the ride, they can ride with each parent while the other is supervising the younger one). Make sure to tell a Cast Member when you're in line that you'd like to use this feature.

Mobile order your food

Trust me on this one. Even if you're already in the dining location, ordering from your phone is going to save you a ton of time, especially during peak meal times. You can find mobile ordering at a handful of quick-service restaurants and snack kiosks throughout the parks. The menus have pictures of the food, and you can choose between ordering in real time or scheduling for a later pick-up.

If you've got early risers, take advantage of the morning hours in the parks. It's calmer with fewer crowds and the weather is cooler, which is especially helpful in the spring through fall. I personally prefer to prep outfits and pack our bag the night before so we can get to the park before it opens. Even if you don't plan to "rope drop" the most popular rides, you'll find lower wait times throughout the parks. Plus, there's a fun welcome show at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom with favorite Disney characters right before the park opens.

Stay organized

It's hard to pack light when you're spending a day at the parks, and it can be difficult to find what you need in a fully-packed bag. Zippered mesh pouches like this one on Amazon have been a total game-changer for my family, separating out snacks, sunscreen , autograph books , accessories and more.

Save time for the playgrounds

Believe it or not, there are spaces at Disney World where kids can run free. Though it may feel like you want to stick with the can't-miss attractions, young kids will love the opportunity to let loose at these sites. Pictured here is The Boneyard at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a shaded complex of slides, bridges, climbing areas and a dig site. Other favorites include the circus-themed (and air-conditioned!) indoor playground in the Dumbo The Flying Elephant queue at Magic Kingdom and the Green Family Landing Play Zone at EPCOT.

Take advantage of Disney's (free!) PhotoPass Studios

This is one of my kids' favorite activities and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated experiences. There's no reservation required, and we've never had to wait in line, plus there's no cost for the session itself; the images are included in Disney's Memory Maker packages. Pictured here is the Royal Portrait Studio inside of Sir Mickey's at Magic Kingdom (right behind Cinderella Castle); it has plenty of props for kids to pose with. If you head to Disney Springs, check out the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs , which offers virtual backdrops, including scenes from theme parks or favorite movies.

Choose Entertainment Wisely

Walt Disney World offers a variety of daytime shows and parades along with nighttime spectaculars to pick from. If an evening show is on your wishlist, but you're worried about the late night with a young child, I recommend opting for Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It takes place in an outdoor theater so you get a seat, there's a concession area for snacks, and it's easy to exit at the end. It was also more engaging for my young kids than the fireworks at other Disney parks.

Don't overlook the kid-friendly hits

You've probably heard about a ton of "must-do" attractions at Walt Disney World — especially thrilling rides and nostalgic experiences — but some of the most memorable attractions for kids aren't talked about as much. Pictured here is the Affection Section at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where kids can interact with animals. Also check out Living With The Land at EPCOT , a boat ride through greenhouses that's filled with plenty of hidden Mickeys in plant form.

Research your favorite characters

One of the most common questions I get asked by first-timers with young kids is how they can meet characters from favorite movies and TV shows. The characters vary by park (and some even by day and time), so if there are any that your child is eager to meet, make sure to plan in advance. You can find the characters available for meet and greets at each park on the My Disney Experience app, as shown here for Magic Kingdom.

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Hi! We have our next Disney trip booked for July 25 staying akl! Will have been 10 years since our last trip! Please could you let me know your favourite places to watch the fireworks while dining ”

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A Lancaster family is at Disney World after receiving the trip from Make-A-Wish.

News 8 was there when the Salgado family left Friday morning.

Reesa, who is 15 years old, is disabled and doesn't talk or walk.

Make a wish provided the trip, transportation and care for her medical needs.

Reesa's parents and her grandmother are making the trip with her.

"The pandemic came on and then we just had to cancel everything and they kept holding everything for us. They offered us different things around Pennsylvania, but no, we wanted to go see Mickey," said her father, Fruto Salgado.

Reesa's dad said they're looking forward to making great memories.

Orlando   Travel Guide

16 Fun Things to Do in Orlando, Florida in 2024

Orlando is the sum of its parts, or rather, parks. The Central Florida city isn't called the "theme park capital of the world" for no reason – it's a top U.S. destination for hours of fun, with more than enough attractions and activities for

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Walt Disney World Resort Walt Disney World Resort

U.S. News Insider Tip : When park hopping, park at Hollywood Studios to limit driving from park to park. From there, you can get to Animal Kingdom by bus, EPCOT's World Showcase via the Friendship Boat or Skyliner and Magic Kingdom from the EPCOT monorail. – Johnaé De Felicis

Excessive, exhausting and expensive, Walt Disney World Resort is above all else enchanting. Composed of four theme parks, two water parks, more than two dozen hotels and the Disney Springs complex, this sprawling property features iconic sights and rides like Cinderella Castle, "it's a small world," Spaceship Earth, Toy Story Land and the Tree of Life. Even Anaheim's Disneyland can't compete, according to some.

Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort

U.S. News Insider Tip : Leverage single-rider lines to shorten ride wait times. Multiple rides have this option available on most days, including sought-after attractions like the Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Revenge of the Mummy. – Johnaé De Felicis

Whether you're traveling with little ones, teenagers, friends or your significant other, odds are you'll find something to enjoy at Universal Studios Florida. This sprawling entertainment area features two theme parks, as well as the shopping and entertainment area, Universal CityWalk.

I-Drive I-Drive free

The International Drive area is one of Orlando's most diverse regions to visit. Situated less than 10 miles southwest of downtown Orlando, International Drive features a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment venues, including two outlet malls, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Pirate's Cove Adventure miniature golf course. Eateries here offer all sorts of cuisines or travelers can enjoy a meal while watching a themed show. For night owls, I-Drive boasts a Cuban-inspired Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, a Howl at the Moon dueling pianos venue, a Señor Frog's restaurant and bar, the world's largest permanent ice bar and more.

Though several former visitors caution that I-Drive tends to get clogged with cars, many said everything one could need is located along this road. Plus, prices here aren't quite as high as those found in the adjacent theme parks.

Popular Tours

Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission with Optional Lunch

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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is an excellent alternative to the city's crowded theme parks. Though it's about 45 miles east of downtown Orlando in Merritt Island, Florida, the space center is worth a visit, especially for those interested in NASA history. Items and exhibits found on-site include the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, NASA's former launch countdown clock, a garden with various rockets, astronaut training simulators and the space shuttle Atlantis. You can also take a tour of the property's facilities, watch space-themed IMAX movies or even have your photo taken with a real astronaut.

Space enthusiasts and families alike will enjoy exploring the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Most former visitors said the site offers tons to see and do, especially if you're looking to kill some time on a rainy day and many recommend spending the whole day there.

Fun Spot America Fun Spot America

Although this amusement park is not as well-known as those found at SeaWorld Orlando , Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort , Fun Spot offers a plethora of rides, including carousels, go-karts, tea cups and Ferris wheels. For thrill-seekers, Fun Spot America features an inverted roller coaster and a wooden roller coaster, the latter being the only one available in the city.

Recent parkgoers say the lines are short, service is excellent and that Fun Spot America is a budget-conscious option for the area. Single-day passes cost $59.95 when purchased online and give visitors access to most rides and the Gatorland-affiliated Gator Spot.

The Mall at Millenia The Mall at Millenia free

Popular brands like Apple and H&M rub elbows with high-end stores like Prada and Versace at the Mall at Millenia. Providing a nice change of pace from the overpriced souvenirs you'd purchase inside one of Orlando's parks, this mall houses approximately 150 stores to browse. It also offers a great way to pass the time on a rainy day.

Several prior shoppers appreciated the Mall at Millenia's assortment of stores, which appeal to an array of budgets. Another plus: the variety of dining options. Everything from grab-and-go eateries in the food court to chain restaurants like P.F. Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory can be found here. There's even a Capital Grille to satisfy shoppers looking to treat themselves to a formal meal.

Harry P. Leu Gardens Harry P. Leu Gardens

Swing by Harry P. Leu Gardens and get a sense of the real Orlando (it's not all thrill rides and character meet-and-greets). This botanical oasis – which sits 4 miles northeast of the city center – offers 50 acres of plants like camellias, roses and azaleas. Plus, there are horticulture classes, permanent and rotating art exhibits and a restored 19th-century home.

Recent visitors said this is a nice change of pace from park-palooza, even when it's not peak bloom season. According to many, the Butterfly Garden is a must-see, especially if you have kids with you. Many visitors remarked on the garden's permanent and visiting exhibits, which added another enjoyable element to the peaceful property.

Orlando Science Center Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center is a place to experiment and learn about all things science. A brief distance from the Harry P. Leu Gardens (about a mile), it's a must-see if you're a science and technology buff.

On-site exhibits include Fusion: A STEAM Gallery, a dinosaur exhibit that uncovers the history of the prehistoric world and Our Planet, Our Solar System. There's also a new nature and conservation exhibit opening in spring 2024, called LIFE. You can even watch educational films and programs at the Digital Adventure Theater or the large, domed screen at Dr. Phillips CineDome.

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Discovery Cove Discovery Cove

There are animal encounters and then there's Discovery Cove – a companion site to SeaWorld Orlando where you can get up-close with dolphins, stingrays, marmosets and otters. And since it's a reservation-only park (the park only admits up to 1,300 guests per day), you'll get to interact with the animals and trainers more intimately. Try snorkeling with tropical fish and rays in the park's coral reef or floating throughout the park's lush landscape on the Wind-Away River. If you need a break from the water, dry off on one of the beaches or feed some of the birds in Discovery Cove's Explorer's Aviary. All of these activities are included with your admission as is the use of snorkeling gear, wet suits and lockers. Unlimited food and drinks (including alcoholic libations) are included as well. Keep in mind that while meeting and swimming with dolphins is a main draw here, the experience isn't included in the base ticket.

According to recent visitors, it's this plethora of diverse attractions that make Discovery Cove such a memorable Orlando experience and many also comment on how relaxing the park is to visit. However, a few note issues with customer service and express concerns about animal care.

Orlando International Premium Outlets Orlando International Premium Outlets free

If you enjoy shopping, then no visit to Orlando would be complete without perusing the city's outlet malls. One of the best is Orlando International Premium Outlets. This outlet mall – which is the largest in Florida – houses everything from standard stores (think: Bath & Body Works, Claire's and J. Crew Factory) to high-end retailers like Armani and Coach. And when you need to quench your thirst or satisfy your hunger, a coffeehouse and multiple cafes and snack shops are available.

Shopaholics rave about the retail options (and discounts) offered at Orlando International Premium Outlets. But remember, this shopping mecca is an open-air facility, so it's best avoided on rainy days. Also, parking is notoriously limited here, so consider taking a taxi or riding the bus or I-RIDE Trolley's Red Line to the property.

ICON Park ICON Park

It might not be Disney World , Universal Studios or SeaWorld , but ICON Park just adds to the list of places to eat, drink and be merry in Orlando. It's a popular go-to for family outings and date nights, offering indoor and outdoor fun for all ages, with more than 50 attractions, shops and restaurants with varying cuisines.

The main attraction is the Wheel at ICON Park—a 400-foot Ferris wheel offering stunning views of Orlando. Also on-site is a Madame Tussauds wax museum and a Museum of Illusions outpost. The Sea Life Orlando Aquarium features sea creatures from around the world. And if you're looking for a thrill, take your pick from the 7D Motion Theater, the 8,000-square-foot Max Action Arena or the Great Florida Road Trip Camera Game—a gaming and educational experience on the Wheel that walks you through the history of mid-century Florida. Gamers can also find plenty of fun at the on-site In the Game arcade.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

If you're in the mood to dwell in nature and explore some of the world's most fascinating creatures, consider spending a day at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The 116-acre zoo houses more than 350 animals and an array of family-friendly attractions. Adventurers can see more than 100 of the planet's species, from grazing giraffes to slithering snakes. Head to Seminole Aerial Adventures for exhilarating thrills, complete with rope bridges, zip lines, swings and more.

Keep your kiddos entertained with a miniature train ride and an animal encounter at the Barnyard Buddies Children's Zoo, where they can meet a llama, pygmy goats and other small animals. To beat the heat, cool off at the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground. Themed botanical gardens are scattered across the property; you may spot a few garden dwellers like hummingbirds and butterflies (especially at the enchanting Butterfly Garden). When you get hungry, stop by Graze Kitchen for burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. Or, stop by Swirl for ice cream, churros or popcorn.

Orlando Golf Courses Orlando Golf Courses

If you're not coming to Orlando to explore its theme parks, chances are you've come to visit its links. More than 170 golf courses – many of which have ties to area resorts – can be found throughout Orlando and its suburbs. Walt Disney World Resort offers four courses, while guests who stay at accommodations located on Universal Orlando Resort  grounds receive golf privileges at select fairways.

According to prior visitors, some of Orlando's best greens include the Evermore Orlando Resort (formerly the Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando), the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando—Grande Lakes and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando , thanks in part to each property's beautiful surroundings and friendly staff. Another favorite: Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge's Champion, Challenger and Charger links. A few previous visitors of Disney's Magnolia Golf Course expressed that the courses are decently challenging and appreciated the friendly staff.

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Lake Eola Park Lake Eola Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip : If you're planning a swan boat outing, you can save up to 40% on boat rental costs by purchasing it through Groupon. On-site, tickets cost $15 per 30-minute rental. – Johnaé De Felicis

Head to Lake Eola Park for a scenic stroll in the heart of downtown Orlando, complete with stunning views of the water, pretty foliage and the Orlando skyline. Its 0.9-mile walking path circles the park's pristine, blue lake, making it the perfect destination for a walk or run (if you haven't exhausted yourself at the theme parks). If your kids need to blow off some steam, take them to the playground.

SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando

While Mickey's house and Harry's wizarding world are certainly magical, many vacationers find Shamu's lair equally enchanting. At SeaWorld Orlando, take your pick of rides (including Orlando's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, Mako) and an array of shows and exhibits. Others include the Dolphin Adventures show and Sea Lion and Otter Spotlight presentation.

Travelers love SeaWorld's animal experiences, heart-pounding rides and relaxed atmosphere, but some caution that food and merchandise are pricey and lines can be long thanks to massive crowds. Meanwhile, others warned that the park is better suited to older kids as most of the rides do not allow young children. A few travelers also noted issues with customer service.

Crayola Experience Crayola Experience

Have a colorful day at the Crayola Experience, located at the Florida Mall in Orlando. This 70,000-square-foot fun house is reportedly larger than an NFL football field. It's also home to the world's largest Crayola crayon (Bluetiful), weighing 1,352 pounds and measuring 15.6 feet.

Visitors who don't mind getting their hands dirty can create fun and simple craft projects at the Activity Studio. Wrap It Up! provides a space to name, personalize and wrap your own crayon. For little ones, the Crayola Experience features multiple play areas—from Toddler Town to the Color Playground. They can also test their footwork with the interactive Crayola game, Stomp! Skip! Play! There's a packed schedule of ongoing and seasonal live events here as well, like Sensory Sunday and Colorful Christmas. The Crayon Factory Show is particularly neat, showing guests how crayons are made.

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Prices and Products for All Guests

Theme park ticket.

• Magic Kingdom park
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park

Park Hopper option : Visit more than one theme park on the same day. The ability to visit a park is subject to the park's capacity limitations.

Water Park and Sports option : Visit one theme park per day, plus enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World fun. A 2-day ticket allows two visits, a 3-day ticket allows 3 visits and a 4-day ticket allows 4 visits. For each visit, you can choose one of the following:

Park Hopper Plus option : Visit more than one theme park on the same day, plus enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World fun. A 2-day ticket allows 2 visits, a 3-day ticket allows 3 visits and a 4-day ticket allows 4 visits. The ability to visit a park is subject to the park's capacity limitations.

For each visit, you can choose one of the following:

All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable and exclude activities/events separately priced or not open to the general public. Parks, attractions and other offerings subject to availability, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability. Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity and weather closures or may close for other reasons. On certain dates a water park may only be open for special events or to limited groups. Tee times are required for Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course and are subject to availability. FootGolf is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday during select afternoon hours, subject to availability. Miniature golf valid for one round. Round must start prior to 4:00 PM. Only one miniature golf visit per day. ESPN Wide World of Sports admission valid only on event days; some events require an additional admission charge; there are no events on certain days; days and hours of operation of concessions, venues and attractions vary. Visit espnwwos.com for more information.

1 to 10-day standard date-based ticket

• Date-based ticket that requires you to choose a start date.

View Details for Standard Theme Park Ticket - Opens a Dialog

1-day ticket (Ages 10+) from:

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