disney trip budget planner

• A. When will you go?
• B. How will you get there?
• C. Where will you stay?
• D. What pass should I get?
• E. How Much Planning Do You Want To Do?
• F. My Disney Experience Account
• B. Off-Site
• C. Transportations Options
• A. Types of Dining Plans
• B. Free Dining Promo
• C. Dining Plan vs. Paying Out-of-Pocket
• Part 4 – Planning a Schedule
• B. Making Dining Reservations
• C. Character Meals
• D. Dinner Shows
• A. What is Genie+?
• B. Why Should I Use Genie+?
• C. Which Attractions Should I Use Genie+ and the Lightning Lanes For?
• A. Stroller/Scooter Rental
• B. Grocery Delivery
• C. Packing List
• D. Park Bag List
• E. Special Events
• G. Memory Maker
• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom
• Free Worksheets

Disney World Budget Planning Worksheet

How much does it cost for a Disney World vacation? That is one of the top questions I often hear from families thinking about planning their first trip. The answer will be different for every family, since it depends on a lot of different factors. The best place to start to answer that question would be to fill out a Disney World budget planning worksheet.

A Disney World budget planning worksheet will allow you to figure out where you want to spend and where you may want to cut back to make the vacation fit in to your budget. You are able to price elements of the vacation out online, but enlisting the help of a travel agent that specializes in Disney vacations will provide you some guidance on figuring out your budget. My recommendation is Click the Mouse , since they specialize in Disney destinations and are experts in all things Disney.

Disney World Vacation Budget Worksheet

I’ve created a worksheet that covers mostly everything you would spend on a Disney vacation. All you need to do is punch in the numbers of what you are pricing out to find out what the total cost of your vacation would be. At the bottom of the worksheet, it also calculates a weekly savings amount. If you were to start planning your vacation a year out, my worksheet will tell you how much you would need to set aside each week to reach your goal.

Just click on the link underneath the worksheet to download the file and start planning your budget!

Download the Disney World Budget Planning Worksheet

Disney World Meal Cost Calculator

If you do not have a dining plan and will be paying out of pocket for meals, then I have a worksheet that you can use to estimate that cost. To fill out the worksheet, you will want to figure out where you think you may eat so you can look at the menus and prices. Go to Disney World’s dining section of their website , and you will be able to start there. Just click on the restaurant you are interested in, and then take a look at the menu. That will help you estimate what you will spend on each meal. No need to include the tax as the worksheet will add that on for you at the end!

Just click on the link underneath the dining calculator to download your copy!

Download the Disney Dining Meal Cost Planner/Calculator

Our preferred travel agency is Click the Mouse. They specialize in Disney destinations and will help you plan out all the little details. Best part is that their services are FREE when you book your vacation with them. Personalized service at no extra cost to you! To get a quote from a Click the Mouse travel agent, simply click on the quote button below and they will be back in touch with you:

Laura is a mom of one adorable girl with a love of all things Disney. She traveled to Disney World with her family in 2010 and was hooked. They have since been a total of over 15 times. With all her knowledge of planning Disney trips, she now wants to share that with others. She loves giving guidance, tips and advice to others planning their magical vacation!

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Disney World Cost Calculator

It’s no secret that one of the biggest considerations when planning your Disney World vacation is how much it will cost.  With so many things contributing to the price of the trip , it’s easy to get overwhelmed or forget to account for something.  With that in mind, we offer our Disney World Cost Calculator to help simplify the process for you.

Our Disney Cost Calculator automatically figures in the costs of items directly under Disney’s control, such as tickets and hotel rooms.  But there are some prices we’ll have to ask you directly for, such as what you expect to pay for flights, or how much you’ll be spending on lodging if you’re staying somewhere other than Disney’s hotels.

Our tool is a great way to get a general estimate on the cost of your Disney vacation.  But for the most accurate price based on your exact travel plans, you’ll want to get in touch with a travel agent who specializes in the Walt Disney World Resort, such as The Vacationeer .

Note: the calculator assumes everyone is staying in the same hotel room; if your group is large enough to need multiple rooms, you’ll want to separate the group and run the calculator once for each of the rooms.

Want to see your exact price?

Our calculator is a great first step towards figuring out how much your Disney World vacation will cost.  If you like the numbers you’ve seen so far, it’s time to take the next step in planning your trip by getting an exact quote.

Contact the Disney World experts at The Vacationeer .  Their team of 90+ Authorized Disney Vacation Planners can provide you with an exact price quote for your vacation and discuss payment plan options .

It won’t cost you anything extra to use their services, and there’s never any obligation to book.

What does the trip cost calculator’s estimate include?

Our Disney World Cost calculator factors in these items when providing you with an estimated Disney vacation cost:

Time of year

We factor seasonal pricing into your estimated costs, based on the general time of year you expect to travel to Disney World.  This primarily affects the cost of hotel rooms and Disney theme park tickets.

Theme park ticket prices

We calculate estimated prices of Walt Disney World theme park tickets, based on how many days you’ll go to the Disney World parks, whether you’re upgrading your tickets to include the Park Hopper option, how many Adult and Child theme park tickets are needed, and seasonal pricing for the general time of year you expect to travel to Disney.

Hotel costs

For Disney World Hotels , our calculator factors in an estimated cost based on the general time of year you expect to visit, how long you’re staying, and whether you’ll be staying in a Value, Moderate or Deluxe Resort, or in one of the Disney Deluxe Villas.

For offsite hotels (those not located on Disney World property), we ask you to directly enter the nightly cost of your hotel so we can include that amount in the estimated final total expenses.

Transportation to and from Disney World

For those traveling b y plane , we ask you to directly enter the cost of your flight to Orlando so we can include it in the final total.  We also factor in the estimated cost of ground transportation from the Orlando International Airport to Disney World based on your input.

For those who are traveling by car , we ask you to directly enter the driving distance between your home and Disney World.  That allows our calculator to factor in an estimated travel cost (based on average gas mileage and average fuel cost) when calculating your total vacation cost estimate.

Parking fees

If you indicate you’ll be driving, we’ll factor in the cost of Disney’s parking fees .

Disney Dining Plans are currently suspended ( returning 2024 ).  In the meantime, we ask you to tell us your general plans for Disney World dining (such as if you expect to have a table service meal on most days, or if you’ll bring your own food ); we use that information to factor an estimated cost of food and drink into your overall estimated trip price.

Possible discounts

For those who indicate they qualify for some of the most common Disney discounts, we factor those savings into the overall total estimated vacation costs.

What is not included in the Disney World cost calculation?

There are a few things that we don’t try to account for in our calculator when providing an estimated cost of your Disney World trip.  Some of these are simply impractical to provide in the calculator, and others are left out because they don’t apply to everyone (so be sure to budget for them separately if you plan to include them in your vacation).

Exact costs based on your exact dates of travel and room/ticket type

Our tool provides a range of estimated average costs based on some general information you provide.  For an exact quote, you’ll need to do some further research or contact a travel agent specializing in Disney.

• Hotel rates vary on a nightly basis. Different hotels within the same category of resort can have different prices for the same night.  Some rooms charge a premium based on view. Prices for the exact same room on the exact same night can vary depending on how soon or how late you book. With that in mind, our calculator factors in an estimated average cost, but cannot produce an exact cost.
• Theme park tickets are priced based on a demand calendar, so different days have different pricing. Also, each park is priced differently; February 13 at EPCOT is priced differently than February 13 at Magic Kingdom.  Our calculator uses an estimated average cost based on the time of year and price range among the parks, but does not produce an exact cost.

Multiple hotel rooms

Our Disney calculator presumes that everyone will be staying in a single hotel room.  If you have a larger travel party, this may not be possible.  While Disney World does have some Disney Deluxe Villa accommodations that hold a large number of people, most regular rooms hold 4-5 people.  If you need more than one hotel room, you should divide your party up and run the calculator once for each hotel room.

Discretionary Spending

There are plenty of options to spend “just a little more” inside a Disney World theme park or around the area.  Each individual item isn’t necessarily that expensive, but they can add up over the length of your vacation.  For example, Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane access allows you to avoid some of the lines for rides.  You might want souvenirs like a pair of Mickey Mouse ears or a Walt Disney World t-shirt.  Or perhaps you’ll play some mini golf while you’re here.  If you think you’ll purchase any of these, don’t forget to pad your budget accordingly.

Non-Disney experiences

Ticket purchases for days in non-Disney theme parks — such as Universal , SeaWorld, LegoLand, FunSpot, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, and other Orlando and Central Florida attractions — are not included.  If you plan to spend a day or more outside of the parks, factor those costs separately from the total we show you here.  Also, note that this calculator is optimized specifically for Disney World in Florida; it is not programmed for Disneyland in California, which has its own rates for hotels and tickets.

How can I calculate the exact price of my vacation?

If you want to go beyond the estimates we provide here and figure out the exact cost of a vacation, you have a few options:

Research each component of your Disney World Vacation separately

Our articles How to Plan a Disney Vacation and How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World cover information about each of the major price factors you’ll need to budget for.  Using those lists as a guide, you can then visit the Disney World website to get specific prices for tickets , hotels , dining , recreation, tours, and more all based on your exact travel plans.  Don’t forget to factor in crowd levels and make a note of when you’re able to begin actually making dining reservations .

Let a travel agent handle your Disney World Planning

If you’d rather not do all of the leg work yourself, you can always enlist the completely-free services of a travel agent who specializes in Disney .  We’ve extensively covered why you should use a Disney travel planner in the past, but as a quick reminder:

• Most agents don’t charge a planning fee for their services.
• The trip won’t cost more than if you’d booked on your own; you might even find it’s cheaper !
• They know all the tips and tricks, including any Disney discounts you might not be aware of.
• They’ll provide you with an exact price quote based on your travel preferences, with no obligation to book .
• Your travel agent will make all of your Disney reservations for you, so there’s no getting up early, waiting on hold for hours, or struggling with websites.
• A good Disney travel agent will monitor your reservations after they’ve been booked, and automatically apply new discounts as they become available.

We believe The Vacationeer is the best Disney travel agency .  Their team includes more than 90 travel agents who specialize in all things Disney — get in touch with them now for a free quote:

Does Disney World offer a payment plan?

It’s no secret that going to Disney World can come with a bit of a sticker shock.  When you combine the price of hotels, tickets, food, and everything else, it’s likely your trip will cost at least a few thousand dollars.

That’s a lot of money to come up with all at once.  Fortunately, Disney World offers very flexible payment arrangements for their vacation packages.

In most cases, all that’s required to make your Disney reservations is a small deposit of $200.

Once you’ve made your deposit, you can pay Disney on any schedule you like, as long as you’re paid in full by 30 days prior to your vacation.  There are no minimum payments, and there are no payment milestones that Disney requires to be met prior to the date that final payment is due.

Note that this payment plan is offered only for Disney World Hotels, and for any Disney theme park tickets that are bundled into your Disney hotel vacation package.  If you’re not staying on-site at Disney World, any tickets you purchase will have to be paid in full at the time of purchase.  Ticket costs also have to be paid in full if you’re buying them separately from your Disney hotel reservation.

It also goes without saying that the costs of anything you’re not buying from Disney itself cannot be bundled into a Disney payment plan.  Tickets for non-Disney theme parks, airline tickets, off-site hotels, ground transportation from the airport, and other third-party services would be subject to whatever payment options those providers offer.

You might be able to pay your off-site hotel over time, but it’s reasonable to expect to pay in full (or at least charge the full amount to your credit card) for plane tickets, ground transportation, and non-Disney theme park tickets.

How can I budget for my visit to Disney World?

The fact that Disney allows you to essentially make your own payment plan for your vacation is great, but it also means that a big part of your Disney World planning is figuring out how to budget for your vacation; Disney is not going to tell you that you must pay a certain amount each month.

Our Disney trip cost calculator will give you a range of what you can expect to spend to go to Disney World, but it’s up to you to break that down into a reasonable method to save up that amount.

The most simple way to decide how much to budget for your vacation is to take the estimated cost from our calculator and then divide it by the number of months between now and your vacation’s start date.  Or, you might determine how many times you’ll get a paycheck between now and then, and divide by that number instead.

You might need to further adjust those smaller payments to account for bigger sums you might be able to apply towards your vacation (such as a tax refund or holiday bonus), or to make up for months when you might not be able to pay Disney as much as you’d like (perhaps due to seasonal employment changes).

Of course, breaking your vacation expenses down into smaller amounts is only part of the equation.  You also need to be able to actually come up with that money.  There are plenty of ways to find extra cash or adjust your vacation plans slightly so they’re more affordable.  Even making slight adjustments to your Disney World food costs or hotel plans can make a significant difference.  We offer 9 tips for cutting costs to get you started with saving on Disney.

Final Thoughts

Planning a visit to Disney requires budgeting for a number of factors.  Not only are there the obvious expenses like Disney park tickets, but there are also expenses that might not be so obvious, like parking fees and ground transportation.  Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on your Disney World vacation . And with proper planning for each of these costs well in advance of your stay, you can make sure that your visit to Disney doesn’t become a financial burden.  That’s why we created this tool; we want to make sure everyone who wants to go to Disney knows how much it’ll cost and doesn’t wind up with any nasty financial surprises along the way!

To give yourself extra protection against overlooking an important cost or overpaying for something when there’s a better deal to be found, we recommend you work with an expert.

Connect With a Disney Super Fan Who’ll Plan Your Trip for Free

Planning a Disney World vacation can be overwhelming. You’re bombarded with confusing choices: dozens of hotels, hundreds of restaurants, and endless ticket options. It’s easy to feel helpless.

Now imagine getting personalized advice and help from an expert who’s visited the parks dozens of times and knows all the tips and tricks. And better yet, they’re willing to handle all of it for you, for free !

That’s exactly the idea behind  The Vacationeer — a group of 100+ Disney Super Fans who are also highly-trained travel professionals .

Why not let them take the stress out of your Disney vacation ?

Why Use The Vacationeer ?

No Planning Fees

The Vacationeer never charges you for their services. Your trip won’t cost a penny more than if you’d booked it yourself.

One-on-One Service

One dedicated agent handles everything from start to finish. No impersonal call centers and no waiting on hold.

Hassle-Free Booking

Don’t sweat the logistics. Your  Vacationeer arranges hotels, tickets, dining, and activities so you don’t have to.

The Best Price

They’ll find the best possible rate for your trip, and keep searching for new discounts to add as they’re announced.

What Their Clients Have to Say

“I can’t thank them enough”

“Emily did an AMAZING job planning my Disneymoon. The attention to detail is absolutely spot on!”

“We had a wonderful vacation”

“ Disney can be a little overwhelming when you’re new to it, but [JoMarie]  made it very enjoyable and low stress !”

“We saved the most money possible”

“Carla worked side by side with me to plan the perfect shows, rides, fireworks and places to stay and I could not be happier .”

Here’s What To Expect

Step 1: Answer a few easy questions Just tell The Vacationeer who you are, how to reach you, and what your dream vacation looks like. They’ll assign a dedicated agent to handle your vacation from start to finish.

Step 2: Let them handle the details Your agent will help you pick the best options for your needs and budget. They’ll make your reservations and keep watching for better deals. And they’ll be there to answer any questions or concerns that arise.

Step 3: Pack your bags! Scream it out loud: “I’m going to Disney World!”  Thanks to your Vacationeer ‘s know-how, you’re off on an unforgettable adventure during the vacation of a lifetime!

The Vacationeer Advantage

Hotel Reservations: Your agent will help you pick the right place for the right price and arrange everything.

Dining: They’ll run the numbers on the Disney Dining Plan and secure tables at your choice of 100+ restaurants.

Theme Park Tickets: They’ll find the best ticket option for your family so you don’t waste money.

Recreation, Events, & More: You name it — golf, fishing, shows, backstage tours, ground transport — it’s all handled!

Virtual Queue, Genie+, & Lightning Lane Tips: They’ll help demystify these line-skipping strategies for you.

Peace of Mind: You’re booking through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency who knows their stuff.

Unparalleled Expertise: As an Earmarked Diamond agency, they’ve booked more than 25,000 Disney vacations.

Personal Experience: They visit the theme parks often and can’t wait to share their insider tips with you!

Disney’s Lowest Prices: They’ll use their knowledge of discounts and deals to find the best rates.

New Discounts As They’re Announced: Your agent never stops looking for a better price, even after you’ve booked.

Ready To Do Disney The Stress-Free Way?

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15 Tips to Plan a Disney Vacation on a Budget

19 Min Read | Aug 24, 2023

There are two things I love doing: going to Disney World (where else can you have such a magical experience?) and saving money. And believe it or not, there are some great ways to save serious cash when planning a Disney trip.

For a family of four, the average cost of a Disney World trip is anywhere from $4,500 to $10,000 or more. 1 But you can do it for less. There are plenty of ways to save on your Disney dream vacation—up to thousands of dollars.

Planning a Disney  trip on a budget  isn’t for the faint of heart, but it  can  be done. I know because I’ve done it. Now, who’s ready to start planning a Disney trip?

How to Plan a Disney Vacation

The best way to plan anything is with lots of research, right? The same is true for a Disney vacation. Thankfully, there are a million different resources out there focusing on how to do Disney World “the right way.”

But when it comes to vacations, the only right way to do it is to make sure your finances are in order. No one wants to go into debt for vacation—not even for Disney World.

So, the first thing you need to do when planning a Disney trip (or any other  cheap vacation ) is make a budget.  EveryDollar  is my favorite budgeting app. Not only is it free, but it helps take the guesswork out of creating a budget—especially when you’re wondering how much does it cost to go to Disney World?

Your budget will help you save, show you where you  need to cut spending , and actually give you the freedom to spend. And with a trip to Disney, you’ll really want to spend.

15 Ways to Do Disney on a Budget

So, you want to do Disney on a budget. But how much does it cost to go to Disney World in the first place?

If you’re in a good position financially (and it’s the right time for your family to go), these 15 tips for Disney World will help you  stay on budget  and  kick your experience up a notch (at no extra cost). Ready?

Let’s get started.

1. Spend some days at the park and some days at the pool.

You guys—this isn’t a popular opinion, but you don’t have to spend  every  day of your vacation in the Disney parks. Trust me, your feet will thank you when you break up the week with one day at the park and the next hanging by the hotel pool. If you stay on property at a Disney resort, the pools make you feel like you’re still  at  the park. They’re themed, they’re huge, and they’re super fun.

If you take a day off from the parks, you can go to plenty of other places and still be immersed in Disney magic. Head to Disney Springs for shopping, restaurants and free entertainment. Go to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for dinner and stay to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the beach—for free! (The boat dock is a magical place to catch those fireworks too.)

This one tip will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in Disney park tickets, depending on how many people you’re going with and how many days you’re staying.

2. Skip the Park Hopper and visit one park per day.

It might seem like a good deal to buy the $174 Park Hopper ticket for access to all four Disney World parks in one day. However, if you’re staying for multiple days, you can make your budget go even further if you just visit one park per day. The starting price for a standard park ticket (where you visit one park per day) is $109 (for ages 10 and up), saving you $65 per person, per day.* (Single-park tickets for kiddos ages 3 to 9 are about $104.)

Every savings goal starts with a budget. Create yours today with EveryDollar.

Keep in mind, Disney will lower the price of your daily ticket when you buy three or more days. And always look at their ticket calendar when you’re booking your trip—prices change depending on the when you go. (Rates are often higher during weekends, summer months and holidays. So if your schedule is flexible, try to work around those times so you can save some extra cash.)

When you purchase your tickets, reserve your spots at the theme parks you want to visit. It would be a bummer to buy tickets only to realize the park you want to visit doesn’t have any reservations left. Plus, those tickets are nonrefundable, so be sure to triple-check before you purchase.

Try to be realistic about how much you can and want to do each day. Moving from park to park is time-consuming and can be exhausting, especially with little ones. But if you’re only going for a couple of days, maybe do the Park Hopper ticket one of your days and spend another whole day at Magic Kingdom—which, believe me, is entirely possible and worth it.

3. Buy Disney gift cards at a discount.

Always try to buy Disney gift cards at a discount. If you’re a member of a big-box discount store like Sam’s Club, you can buy Disney gift cards at nearly 4% off. And if you use your RedCard debit card at Target, you can get 5% off.

Sure, it doesn’t sound like much, but it will save you $40 to $50 for every $1,000 you spend. That’s, like, eight Mickey Mouse ice cream bars! Or if you’re not into ice cream (I see you, dairy-free people), you can use these gift cards to pay for your park tickets, Disney hotels, food on property and more.

4. Pay for food as you go—with cash.

I  love  the food at Disney. Seriously—give me all the food. But it’s best to pay for your food as you go—with cash (or gift cards). That way, you know how much you’re spending throughout the day. And if you use the  envelope system  in the parks, you’ll know exactly how much you have left to spend after each purchase. (Disney used to offer a prepaid dining plan, and they’re bringing it back in 2024. But I still recommend paying as you go so you can avoid paying for a lot of food ahead of time that you won’t actually want to eat in the moment.) Pro tip: If you decide to eat on property at one of the parks or resorts, book your dining reservations early using the Disney Genie service in the My Disney Experience app .

5. Bring your own food.

Did you know Disney allows you to bring food into the park? This could be a  huge  budget saver. You can pack a nice picnic lunch with sandwiches, fruit, water bottles, cookies—whatever your family likes—and store it in lockers inside the park for either $10, $12 or $15 per day, depending on what size you need. 2  There are no coolers allowed, so only bring things that don’t need to be kept ice-cold. Instant savings!

Another way to save on food is by  making your own meals  at your hotel. Making your meals is worth it even if you do it just a few times during your stay. The Garden Grocer is an Orlando-based grocery store that delivers your  groceries  to your resort. You can even order your groceries up to 120 days in advance (which may qualify you for a discount). You do have to pay a delivery fee if your order is less than $200. 3

6. Arrive just before the park opens.

Now, if you’ve been to Disney before, you know how much of a luxury the FastPass was for skipping those long lines. But FastPass (which was free) has been discontinued and replaced by the new Disney Genie+ service. Genie+ helps you plan your day and allows you to skip the long lines . . . but it’s going to cost you. Pricing starts at $15 per person per day and fluctuates based on how busy the parks are. And, according to Disney, guests only get to skip the lines two or three times a day with this feature. 4 There’s also an option to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for a specific ride, but that will cost you too.

If you don’t want to shell out the money to save time on those long lines, you’ll want to get to the parks as early as possible. Lines get long fast, but if you get to the gate before the park opens, you can book it straight to your favorite rides when the rope drops.

7. Use PhotoPass photographers (but don’t buy the package).

What’s a family vacation without the memories to prove it? For $199, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will take professional photos of you all over the parks. You get access to the photos online, but that’s a pretty big hit to your travel budget. The cool thing is, you can just ask Disney’s photographers to take your picture with your phone or camera. They’ll still want to take your photo with their camera too, but you don’t have to buy it. This way, you’ll save $200 and still have a great pictures.  Score!

8. Buy personal items and souvenirs ahead of time.

How much it costs to go to Disney World depends on how well you prepare ahead of time. When it comes to saving money, stocking up on personal items and souvenirs before you get to the park can save hundreds of dollars. Here are some things I recommend buying ahead of time instead of at the park or your hotel (because those prices will be super jacked up):

• Sunscreen (you’ll pay up to 40% more for sunscreen in the park)
• Ponchos or umbrellas
• Refillable water bottle  (there are tons of water stations around the park—and quick-service stations will give you cups of water for free)
• A spare jacket and pair of shoes

And when it comes to the fun stuff, you can find some  really  cute souvenirs, like Mickey ears, pins and costumes, online. I found a deal on Amazon that included two pairs of ears for $8.99. That’s less than $5 per pair. (In the parks, Mickey ears will cost you $35.) A friend of mine orders souvenirs online and leaves one toy on their kids’ hotel bed every night, like it’s a gift from Mickey or Tinkerbell. How cute is that?

9. Save money on hotels.

When you’re making your Disney vacation budget, you might wonder if it’s worth staying at one of Disney’s beautiful on-property resorts. There’s no denying it can be expensive, but if you go with one of Disney’s value resorts, it’s about the same as (and sometimes cheaper than) staying off-site. For one thing, Disney is always running limited-time specials (like 25% off room rates for Disney+ subscribers) or discounts when you stay five nights or more.

Don’t forget to factor transportation into your budget. If you’re flying, do you need transportation between the airport and the hotel or resort? How do you plan to get to and from the parks? One major benefit to staying on property is having free Disney public transportation. But if you’re staying off property, check with the hotel to see what options they offer.

So, let’s break it down so you understand how to find the cheapest Disney hotel.

Staying Off-Site

The WorldQuest Orlando Resort is right next to Disney World, and the lowest rate I found was $143 per night. For two adults and two children staying five nights, the total comes to $1,023 (with taxes and fees). And you won’t have to drive to the Disney parks and pay for parking because a shuttle service is included .

WorldQuest also offers Disney packages that can save you money. Just for fun, I put together a WorldQuest Disney package, and it came out to about $3,240 for a five-night stay with four five-day park tickets. By purchasing the hotel package, you save almost $200 on park tickets!

Staying On-Site

The lowest rate I could find at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort was a promotional rate of $159 per night (plus taxes and fees). With that discount, staying on-property at the All-Star Sports Resort totals about $903 with taxes and fees for a five-night stay. The key to making your Disney resort count is finding promotions that help cut the cost. Plus, Disney resorts offer free shuttle transportation to and from all the parks (by bus, monorail, boat or Skyliner). And if you choose to drive, staying at a Disney resort gets you free parking as well.

If you decide to add four five-day Disney park tickets to your package, the total comes to about $3,310 with taxes and fees. And not only is it more convenient to stay on-site, you also get all the magical moments that come with staying at a Disney resort. Just make sure to remember your budget when you’re hankering for a Mickey-shaped pretzel.

If staying off-site at a hotel or on-site at a Disney resort doesn’t suit you, try out a local Airbnb or VRBO. You might find deals there too.And don’t forget to call around to other hotels off property. You’re not limited to these options—there are plenty in the Orlando area.

10. Look for built-in admission discounts.

You don’t have to hunt too hard for discounts if you’re a Florida resident or a former or active-duty U.S. military member. Florida residents can save 40% on 4-day park tickets, and military personnel can purchase a 4-day ticket (with the Park Hopper option) for $349 plus tax. 5 , 6 Y’all, that adds up to a couple hundred dollars in savings, so be sure to take advantage of these perks if they apply to you.

11. Get creative at restaurants.

Just like in “normal” life, food can be the easiest place to bust your budget if you’re not careful. Here are some ways you can help curb the cost of meals at the resort and park restaurants.

• Order a kids meal instead of an entrée. You’ll still get plenty of food for a portion of the cost.
• Split an entrée between adults or order an appetizer as the main dish.
• Limit how often you buy soft drinks for the whole family. Stick with waters for most meals to save lots of money.
• Buy a refillable popcorn bucket for $13. This makes for a cheap snack later because refills are just $2. (And you can keep the bucket.)
• Plan one or two sit-down restaurant meals and DIY the rest. It only costs a few bucks to buy a loaf of bread and the makings for PB and Js, yogurt cups and fruit . . . plus, you won’t have to worry about carrying leftovers around the park.

12. Check out free kids activities across the property.

Want to save money by buying one less park ticket—or simply take a day off from the rollercoasters and walking for hours on end? Make the most of your resort by checking out the free kids activities. (You can even visit other hotels.) Your concierge can recommend activities that are tons of fun for the kids and won’t cost a thing, like:

• Watch a Disney movie at night with a campfire, on the beach, or in the pool (weather permitting, resort guests only).
• Check out the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
• Watch the street performers at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.
• Resort hop and travel by monorail, boat and Skyliner.
• Look for Hidden Mickeys at the Wilderness Lodge.
• Watch the Electrical Water Pageant parade of lights and sea creatures at Seven Seas Lagoon.

13. Find cheap airfare.

Okay. You’re convinced that a Disney trip is on the horizon. Now it’s time to figure out: When is the cheapest time to go to Disney World? Just like the cost of park passes fluctuates throughout the year, so does airfare. Guys, do your research to find out which days are the cheapest to fly . Timing really does count. I would not recommend flying during holidays or any school break because prices are going to be through the roof. And be sure to book your flights well in advance. Depending on the season you’re planning to visit Disney World, it’s best to book your flights a few weeks to a couple months ahead of time. And don’t forget to check out price trackers like Kayak, Scott’s Cheap Flights and even Google Flights to find the best deals and nail down the cheapest time to go to Disney. (And you can always drive. Plenty of people, especially in the south where I live, pack up the kids and drive to Disney to save on flights.)

14. Ask about bounce-back deals and secret specials.

When you’re in the process of booking your trip, you can save money by asking your Disney customer service expert about special offers and limited time deals. These perks—like adding on a free food package or discounted room—aren’t advertised, so the key is to ask . The same goes for a bounce-back deal, which is a discount on your next Disney trip when you book during your stay.

15. Give your kids a spending budget.

Just like you’re planning to budget for Disney so you can have all the fun without going into debt or draining your savings, you can help your kids practice spending responsibly too. If they’ve never used the envelope system before, this is a great time to let them try it out. Each day, give them a set amount of money for snacks, treats or toys so they can understand if that cotton candy or extra pair of mouse ears is really worth it—or if they’d rather splurge on a fancy t-shirt. How does this save you money? It’ll help your kids understand the limit of what they can spend . . . and by giving each kid a budget, it helps you plan ahead so impulse buys are kept to a minimum. And as a bonus, you don’t have to spend all day telling your kids no when they ask to buy stuff. When the money’s gone for the day, they’re done spending.

What’s the Cheapest Time to Do Disney?

When is the best time to go to Disney World? The best times are from early January to President’s Day in February, or during late August into early September. 8 These are the seasons when tourism slows down, meaning more opportunity for you to hit all the best rides and attractions without battling the crowds (especially if you do Disney during the week, instead of the weekends). As always, make sure you price compare ticket dates and airlines to get the best deals.

When Is the Right Time to Plan a Disney Vacation?

There’s no right or wrong time to do Disney, but there are things to consider when you’re planning a trip so you can save money. If I had to boil it down, I’d say the best time to go to Disney World (besides the slow season) is when you can afford it. So if you’re trying to decide whether or not to book a trip, here are a few things you’ll want to think about before committing to spending money on a trip:

1. Are you out of debt?

If you’re in  Baby Steps  1, 2 or 3, Mickey will have to wait . . . for now. There’s no room in the budget for Disney because any  extra money  is either building up your starter emergency fund, paying down debt, or building out your fully funded emergency fund. Yep—that $2,000 to $3,000 you were hoping to spend on a Disney trip will do wonders for your debt snowball.

But  don’t give up on your Disney dream  just because you’re not  debt-free . Actually, I encourage you to use that dream as motivation to pay off your debt quickly. Just put on some  Disney music  as you do your budget each month and think about how fun it will be when you’re debt-free!

2. How old are your kids?

I’m all for going to Disney  without  the kids. But if you want to take the whole family, there are some pros and cons to consider, depending on how old your kids are.   

A big pro of taking anyone under 3 years old is their park admission is free. That’s a savings of $174 per day for the Park Hopper ticket. And I can tell you from experience: When I took my daughter to Disney around this age, there was nothing like seeing her meet Cinderella for the first time. That moment was  priceless . The downside is, she may not remember it when she’s older—but we’ll always have the pictures.

I hear the sweet spot is between the ages of 6 and 10. At that point, they’re old enough to enjoy the anticipation of planning a Disney vacation (and you won’t be stuck pushing a stroller or changing diapers). Plus, they’re taller, so they can go on more of the rides. And let me tell you: They’re going to want to ride the rides.

As you can tell, I’m pretty passionate about saving money without sacrificing experience on a Disney vacation. And like I said earlier, planning a trip to Disney World on a budget is possible. You just have to budget for it. Make sure to download our free version of  EveryDollar  now so you can live happily ever after later.

Neither Rachel Cruze nor the producers of this content are in any way affiliated with or sponsored by The Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries. All marks and goodwill of Walt Disney World or related brands are that of The Walt Disney Company and/or its affiliates. Nothing in this article is a paid advertisement or endorsement of Walt Disney World or any affiliated brand.

*Prices in this article were pulled from  disneyworld.disney.go.com  on 5/1/23 and are subject to change.

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About the author

Rachel Cruze

Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, host of The Rachel Cruze Show, and co-host of Smart Money Happy Hour. Rachel writes and speaks on personal finance, budgeting, investing and money trends. As a co-host of The Ramsey Show, America’s second-largest talk radio show, Rachel reaches millions of weekly listeners with her personal finance advice. She’s appeared on Good Morning America and Fox News and been featured in TIME, REAL SIMPLE and Women’s Health, among others. Through her shows, books, syndicated columns and speaking events, Rachel shares fun, practical ways to take control of your money and create a life you love. Learn More.

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Disney World Budget Planning – My 10 Essential Tips for 2024

Welcome to the magical world of Disney budget planning! If you’re dreaming of a fairy-tale vacation without the nightmare of a hefty bill, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll sprinkle some pixie dust on your budget planning, covering everything from lodging and tickets to dining and shopping. Get ready to embark on an enchanting journey to Disney World, where fun meets affordability!

10 Disney World Budget Planning Tips an Affordable Trip

Disney World is where dreams come true, and yes, that includes budget-friendly dreams too! Start by choosing your visit time wisely; off-peak seasons mean fewer crowds and more savings. Take advantage of Disney’s budgeting tools online to get a realistic estimate of your trip cost. And remember, planning ahead is key – early bird gets the worm, or in this case, better deals! Don’t forget to check for special promotions and consider length-of-stay tickets for extended fun.

Below you will find 10 more Disney World budget planning tips to consider when planning your next WDW vacation.

1. Accommodation Strategies: Saving on Disney and Off-Site Stays

Where you lay your head in the land of magic can make a huge difference in your budget. Staying on-site at a Disney hotel offers perks like extra park hours and free transportation. But if you’re after bigger savings, off-site hotels can be a wallet-friendly alternative, often with complimentary shuttle services to the parks. Compare the costs and benefits, and choose what best fits your dream vacation and budget.

2. Maximizing Park Visits: Tickets, Passes, and Best Times to Visit

Tickets to Disney World can be a major part of your budget, but fear not! Opt for multi-day tickets or annual passes if you’re a frequent visitor – they offer better value in the long run. Consider the Park Hopper option for flexibility, but weigh it against your itinerary. Visiting during off-peak times can also mean less spending and shorter lines. Who doesn’t love more rides with less wait?

3. Dining on a Budget at Disney World: From Pre-packed Meals to Affordable Dining Options

Food at Disney World doesn’t have to eat up your budget! Pack your own snacks and meals for on-the-go dining. If you choose to eat in the park, look for value-for-money options like combo meals. Disney’s Mobile Ordering service can also save you time and potentially money. And don’t forget to hydrate – you can get free ice water at any quick-service restaurant.

4. Transportation Savings: Getting To and Around Disney World

Flying to Orlando? Look out for flight deals and consider staying at a Disney resort for a competitively priced flight as part of your package. Once you’re at Disney World, take advantage of the complimentary transportation system – it’s not only efficient but also an experience in itself! If you’re driving, remember parking fees and factor them into your budget.

• The different options available to get to Disney World from MCO Orlando airport .

5. Disney World’s Hidden Freebies and Low-Cost Activities

Disney World is brimming with hidden treasures that don’t cost a dime. Enjoy parades, street performances, and fireworks for free! Explore the resorts, each with its unique theme and sometimes free activities. And don’t forget about the walking trails and scenic spots perfect for a family picnic or a relaxing break.

• Take a look at some ideas for free things to do at Disney World .

6. Shop Smart: Souvenirs, Essentials, and Where to Find Deals

Souvenir shopping at Disney World is an adventure of its own! Avoid impulse buys by setting a souvenir budget beforehand. Look for exclusive deals in park shops and consider shopping at off-site stores for Disney merchandise at lower prices. Remember, photos are free and make the best memories!

• Shopping off property – Bargains can be found at the Disney Character Warehouse outlet (Located at the Vineland Premium Outlets).
• Target sells a range of more affordable licenced Disney products that can be taken home as gifts.
• Set a budget for souvenirs.

7. Special Offers and Discounts: How to Find and Use Them

Disney World offers a variety of discounts – from seasonal specials to group rates. Check their official website or subscribe to Disney newsletters for the latest deals. Discounts for military personnel, annual pass holders, and Florida residents can add up to significant savings.

8. Using Travel Agents and Vacation Packages for Disney Trips

Travel agents can be a godsend for Disney trips, offering insider tips and sometimes exclusive deals. However, compare the costs with planning the trip yourself. Vacation packages can simplify planning but weigh the convenience against potential extra costs. Always read the fine print!

• Obtaining 3 separate vacation quotations plus a price direct from Disney.

9. Practical Advice for Families and Large Groups

Traveling to Disney World with a family or a large group? Look for group discounts and child rates. Consider renting a vacation home for larger groups, which can be more cost-effective than multiple hotel rooms. Coordinating plans and setting a group budget can ensure a magical experience for everyone.

10. Budgeting for Extras: Park Upgrades, Special Events, and More

While the basic Disney experience is magical, extras like special events and park upgrades can add to the fun. Set aside a portion of your budget for these experiences, and prioritize what’s most important to you and your family. Remember, every extra isn’t necessary for a memorable trip.

• Take a look at what special events will be taking place during your vacation and what they cost.
• Special events at Disney World could include special holiday after hours events or dessert parties to enjoy the fireworks at one of the parks.

Related Posts:

• How to Save Money at Disney World
• Tipping at Disney World
• Finding Cheap Disney World Tickets
• Can You Cancel or Get a Refund on Disney World Tickets

A Realistic Look at Disney World Costs

It’s essential to have a realistic view of the costs associated with a Disney World trip. Prices may fluctuate, but with careful planning and budgeting, the magic of Disney is accessible to everyone. Stay informed, plan ahead, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the happiest place on earth!

About the Author

Darren Cater

I’m Darren, the editor of nextstopwdw.com. With years of Disney World adventures and countless memories made, I’ve mastered the art of planning a Disney World vacation. My articles are fueled by experience and a love for Disney World, aiming to turn your dream trip into a magical reality.

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One of the biggest Disney planning questions is how much does a Disney vacation cost? Unfortunately, there are so many variables this question is hard to answer.

That’s part of the reason I put together this Disney World cost calculator for you.

I think we all know by now that a Disney World vacation is EXPENSIVE. Just how expensive depends on a lot of different factors. And these factors are different for absolutely everyone.

If you want an accurate idea of how much YOUR Disney vacation will cost, you need a Disney trip calculator. But more on that later.

First, let’s look at the factors to determine how much a Disney vacation costs. I highly recommend that you read through this Disney vacation planning guide. It gives you a comprehensive breakdown of exactly what goes into planning a Disney trip.

This in turn, helps you to begin to choose the details that allow you to estimate Disney trip costs.

Table of Contents

Disney World Cost Calculator Factors

We’re going to look in much more detail at these factors, but here’s the short version. The choices you make in each of these categories determines the overall cost of your trip.

The good news: there are many ways you can play around with these answers to change the cost of your trip. If planning a trip to Disney World on a budget is your goal, than this post holds your answers.

Here are your Disney World cost calculator factors:

• Time of year
• Getting to Florida/Transportation costs
• Type of hotel
• Type of Disney park ticket
• Dining and snacks
• Souvenirs and incidentals

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of exactly how these factors come into play.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Time of Year

Really, when you think about it, this factor right here will determine the price of pretty much everything else that follows.

The time of year you choose to go to Disney impacts the cost of hotels and park tickets, two of the largest expenses.

Disney breaks the year up according to price. During times of the year that attendance is a little bit lower the prices tend to follow suit. Common lower cost months tend to be January, February, end of August, and September.

If there’s a school break, expect higher crowds and higher prices.

I have a guide that goes into more detail about deciding the best time of year to go to Disney . Take a look at that and make your decision from there.

Another Factor: Length of Trip

Clearly, the number of days you plan to be in Disney directly impacts just how expensive the trip will be. Once you decide on your budget, playing around with the length of the trip is one of the easiest ways to manipulate the total cost.

Do you want to stay longer with a lower resort category or have a shorter trip with deluxe accommodations? There’s no wrong answer to that question. Just the right answer for your family.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Getting to Florida

Here’s the tricky one. We all live different distances from Disney World. This expense will clearly vary dramatically depending on many factors.

I highly recommend utilizing as many tricks as you can to reduce the overall cost of travel to Orlando.

Flying is clearly the most frequent way to get to Orlando, and can cost a small fortune. Again, there are so many factors that go into this cost, like airline, family size, geographic location, etc.

Do your research regarding what the best options are from your local airports. Many people gravitate towards Spirit and Allegiant for their rock bottom prices. However, there are trade offs for flying on a budget airline.

I’ve had two different family members have significant problems flying Allegiant recently. And my best friend flies Spirit all the time and loves it. So think about what you can and can’t tolerate.

We prefer to fly Southwest anytime we go to Orlando. It helps that I’ve used my credit card rewards to fly for free for the past 3+ years. This is one of the ways that I’ve significantly cut down on the cost of our trips to Disney.

Southwest also seems to have some of the best prices around to boot. Plus no additional charges for luggage.

If you want to try this, use my Southwest referral link . Then we’ll both get a bonus!

Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel

Unfortunately for all of us, Disney discontinued the Magical Express service, which provided free airport transportation from Orlando Airport.

Consequently, this is now an additional cost to factor in for anyone flying into Orlando.

Some new airport transportation options have popped up as replacements for Magical Express. Two of these options still involve a charter bus and are probably the most economical.

To find out more about your choices, read all about Disney airport transportation .

Taking a nice long drive is probably the most cost effective way to get to Disney World. Of course, the overall cost depends on gas prices at the time and whether you need to stay overnight at a hotel.

Frankly, with the way gas prices have been over the past several months, this option is no longer so cheap.

Now, I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but long drives aren’t all that bad. We drove from PA to Florida for years. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not exactly fun, but it’s tolerable. Especially if the trade off is a Disney vacation.

To get an estimate of how much money you should expect to spend on gas, use the following equation:

(Miles to Orlando/Miles per gallon of vehicle) x gas price per gallon = Total gas cost estimate

Here how that looks for the drive from our house right now, one way.

(1181/19) x 3.35 = $208.23

Clearly, that’s much cheaper than plane tickets for a family of four.

If you are planning to make a road trip out of it, don’t forget to factor in the cost of food and any necessary hotels along the way.

Parking Fees

If you decide to either rent a car or drive your own, be aware of the parking fees at the resorts and the parks. Disney resort guests get complimentary parking at all 4 Disney parks.

However, offsite park guests are charged $25 a day. Clearly, that can add up depending on how many park days you have.

But don’t worry, Disney found a way to ding the resort guests too! Disney began charging a parking fee at each of the Disney resorts. The fee varies based on the resort category:

• Value Resort: $15/night
• Moderate Resorts: $20/night
• Deluxe Resorts: $25/night

Disney Vacation Club members have an exception to the parking fee in some situations (staying at a DVC deluxe villa with points, using points at other Disney World resorts).

To calculate your parking fees, at either the parks or the resorts, use the following equation:

Daily/Nightly parking fee x Number of days/nights = Total Parking Fees

The parking fee itself depends on whether you’re a Disney resort guest or not. Let’s do an example for a Disney moderate resort guest on a 6 night trip.

$20 x 6 = $120

If you are staying at an offsite hotel, check to see if it has any parking fees, just to be safe.

And for those who are staying offsite and need to pay for parking at the parks, don’t forget to multiply your number of park days by $25.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Type of Hotel

The type of hotel, and the location, has a significant impact on your overall Disney vacation cost. There are a few different decisions you’ll need to make.

First, you need to decide whether you want to stay at a Disney resort or at a hotel in Orlando. I put together a guide looking at the pros and cons of staying on or off Disney property .

Needless to say, it’s significantly cheaper to stay at a hotel that’s off Disney property. However, there are some tradeoffs that you should consider, so take a look at the post I linked to above.

If you decide you definitely want to stay at a Disney resort, make sure you understand the differences between the Disney resort categories .

The resort categories are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. As you can see just by the names, the prices range dramatically between all of the categories.

The formula to figure out your hotel costs are pretty self explanatory, but let’s do a formula anyway!

Average Nightly Cost of Hotel x Number of Nights + Resort Fee = Total Hotel Cost

Notice that resort fee I added into the equation. At this point in time, Disney does not charge any sort of resort fee at any of their resorts.

However, this is not the case for many of the Orlando hotels. Always look at the fine print when it comes to resort fees. Sometimes, the resort fee closes the price gap compared to a Disney resort more than you would think.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Park Tickets

And here we come to the crux of the cost of a Disney vacation. Disney park tickets are EXPENSIVE. Notice I put that in all capital letters. Park tickets take up a sizable portion of your Disney vacation budget.

I highly recommend you understand the different Disney park ticket options . The type of ticket you choose can change the cost of your trip by several hundred dollars.

The bottom line is, if you want to save as much money as possible, get the standard one park per day ticket. If you want maximum flexibility, the Park Hopper ticket is your friend, but you’ll pay extra for that privilege.

You can also play around with the number of park days you plan to have. This allows you to adjust the cost to fit your Disney vacation budget.

However, it generally works out that the more park days you have, the less you’ll pay per day. 

For example, I decided to get 7 day park hopper tickets for a trip instead of 5 day tickets. The price difference was only $20 per person.

For that $20 a person I decided to give us the ultimate flexibility of being able to pop into a park on any day of our trip.

If you want to buy discount Disney park tickets, then Undercover Tourist is your answer . They are an authorized Disney ticket seller and I’ve used them many times myself.

They are 100% legit and will save you a nice chunk of change.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Dining Choices

The amount one family spends on dining at Disney World will vary widely compared to another family. Really, your food expenses at Disney can be as cheap or as expensive as you want them to be.

There is that much wiggle room.

In general, if you want to spend less on dining, stick with all quick service restaurants, bring your own snacks, and eat breakfast in your hotel room.

If you want to explore the many delicious sit down restaurants at Disney, plan to spend quite a bit more.

In case you’re interested, I have a whole guide full of tips for how to eat at Disney World on a budget . Yes, I really did take a trip where I spent $35 a day on food!

Tip: If you want to save money on food, DO NOT buy the Disney Dining Plan (when it’s actually available again). As much as people like to think it saves money, it rarely does.

But how do you estimate your food budget? Here is a breakdown of price ranges for the different types of meals:

• Quick Service meals: $10-$25 per person
• Table Service meals: $20-$60 per person
• Signature dining: $30-70+
• Snacks: $5-$9 per snack

Clearly, this is a bit of a rough estimate, but it will give you a jumping off point.

The other option is to determine approximately how much you feel comfortable spending per person, per day and go from there (i.e. $50 per day for adults, $30 per day for kids).

Once you have that number you can choose dining options that help keep you at that goal.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Souvenirs and Incidentals

This one is really a big old question mark. Mainly because you just don’t know what will come up during your trip. Trust me, I didn’t plan on buying that tiny package of exorbitantly expensive bandaids on our last trip…

Disney World is a souvenir paradise, or purgatory, depending on your view. There are so many different stores filled with very cool souvenirs.

It is extremely easy to go massively over budget once you get there. Temptation is everywhere.

I highly recommend identifying the amount of money you are willing to spend on souvenirs per person before you even leave your house. It just makes it easier once you’re there.

Then add a little cushion to that number to cover the things you don’t ever think about needing. Like bandaids.

Maybe consider giving each member of the family a Disney gift card preloaded with the amount they are allotted for the trip. This allows each person to know just how much they have left, and allows them to make decisions on what to buy.

Disney World Cost Calculator: Real Life Example for Family of 4

Now that we’ve talked about some vague examples, I wanted to give you the calculations for a recent trip we took. This will give you an idea of both how to create your Disney vacation budget as well as get an idea of how much a Disney vacation costs.

Here’s a summary:

• 6 night stay for a family of four
• This is a road trip example (amount includes gas, overnight hotels, Disney resort parking fee)
• Dining involved mainly quick service, 2 table service meals, and a whole lot of Food and Wine Festival snacks
• Full disclosure: we actually used our Disney Vacation Club points for the resort, but this example resort price is the actual cost for another trip I have coming up
• Park ticket is a 7 day standard park ticket

So what’s the difference between my estimated cost and what I actually paid? Some Disney (and travel) saving hacks.

This breakdown shows that while still expensive, it is possible to eke out some savings on your Disney vacation.

I paid for some of the dining with a combination of discounted Disney gift cards and Disney Visa rewards points (that link includes a sign on bonus). I could have saved more than the $118 that I did, but I went conservative when buying the gift cards. Foolish!

For the resort stay, I activated a Disney discount that was released after I originally booked my stay. It’s important to keep an eye on the Disney World discounts for this exact reason!

In my road trip expenses, I used my Capital One travel rewards to cover the cost of the overnight hotels on each leg of the trip. The Capital One Venture card is my FAVORITE travel rewards card. I’ve saved so much on travel over the years I’ve had it.

If you want one, sign up with my Capital One referral link and you’ll get a sign on bonus too (between 50,000 and 100,000 miles)!

Because we typically fly free on points with Southwest, we actually would have saved money had we flown, but we were going to Florida for an extended stay on this particular trip so we drove.

Now that we’ve taken a look at my real life example of how much a Disney trip costs, let’s talk about this handy dandy Disney World budget worksheet I have to make this easier for you.

What is this Disney World Cost Calculator?

Basically, it’s the name I came up with for this handy dandy Disney budget calculator I made for you!

I know that printables are all the rage, and they are great! I have quite a few of my own on this site. However, there’s just something nice about allowing a computer do the math for you.

At least I think so. And frankly, I have this complete and utter love of a good spreadsheet.

I know, I’m a dork!

Why not translate my dorkiness into a tool that makes your life easier?

What does the Disney Cost Calculator Do?

The goal of the Disney cost calculator is not only to let you automatically get an idea of your potential Disney trip cost, but to give you options to play around with different category combinations.

With so many different resorts, ways to approach dining, park tickets options, travel options, and more, making a change to any one area can make a huge difference in your overall Disney trip cost.

Disney Trip Cost Calculator Categories

The Disney vacation calculator in it’s original form has a spot for each of the following trip planning categories:

• Park tickets
• Airfare/road trip expenses
• Miscellaneous

Those categories should cover most everything you need. However, if you do need more categories, you can easily add them, or change the name of a heading that you don’t need, like rental car.

Seriously, with the framework in place, you can tailor this however you need it!

Create MULTIPLE Potential Disney Budgets

As I created the Disney cost calculator, I realized, why create just one budget when you can create multiple?

With that in mind, this Disney vacation calculator gives you 5 different areas to test out various combinations of the categories above.

Want to see how much the overall cost changes if you change the resort? Done. Playing around with getting a dining plan versus paying out of pocket? Throw those estimates in there.

By having all of these Disney World cost calculators going, you can see which options in each are the most cost effective. This allows you to easily piece together all those different categories into one final Disney vacation budget spreadsheet.

It’s always a good idea to use a Disney cost estimator in your planning. The more you can minimize any surprise expenses for your trip, the better.

What if I Have a Set Budget to Stay Under?

If you know how much money you are willing to spend on your Disney vacation, a spot for that number is already built in for you!

At the top of the spreadsheet, simply put in the budget you’ve decided you feel comfortable with. For example, let’s say you’ve determined that $4000 is the max amount you want to spend on the trip.

Simply input $4000 into the spot labeled “My Budget”. This amount is now factored into every single Disney World trip cost calculator you see on the page.

At this point, go about adding in the amounts you are researching for resort, tickets and so on. As you plug those numbers in, IT DOES THE MATH FOR YOU! You can see in real time the total cost of the trip so far and the amount of your budget you have left.

This is so useful to help make sure you don’t accidentally go over budget on your spending.

Ideas to Stay Under Budget

If you do have a set budget you want to stay under, here are some quick ideas on how to play around with cost to get it lower.

Some of these I’ve mentioned interspersed throughout this article, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to put them all in one place.

• Look at Disney value resorts only
• Book a hotel outside of Disney World
• Know how to make your dining costs at Disney as low as possible
• Shorten the number of nights of the trip
• Do not get park hopper tickets
• Plan to use discounted Disney gift cards to pay for as much as you can
• Buy Disney themed souvenirs on Amazon ahead of time
• Use credit card rewards points to pay for as much as you can

How Do I Get My Disney Cost Calculator?

The great news is, it’s a piece of cake. Simply sign up with any of the forms on this page and it’s yours. As a bonus, you’ll be added to The Disney Journey newsletter.

The newsletter provides you with helpful Disney planning tips and keeps you informed about news that can impact your upcoming Disney trip.

Once you sign up and confirm your email, you’ll receive the link to access the Disney cost calculator. It will prompt you to open a copy of the Disney World Cost Calculator in Google Sheets.

Whether you do or don’t have Google Sheets, it won’t matter! You’ll still be able to open it. If you prefer to use the speadsheet in Excel, simply click on File – Download – Microsoft Excel.

You can also download it as a PDF if you prefer it in printable form!

How to Know EXACTLY How Much You’ll Spend

Now that I’ve rambled on forever about how to use this Disney cost estimator, what if you simply want to know exactly how much the trip will cost you?

My best advice to make all of this easier on you is to enlist the help of an authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Siera at Destinations in Florida is my go-to Disney travel agent.

She would be more than happy to give you a free estimate of your Disney trip cost. Yes that’s right, you get the estimate for free. In fact, you never have to pay for an authorized Disney travel agent to book your trip for you.

Using an authorized Disney Vacation Planner is completely FREE for you.

So, if you’re interested, fill out this inquiry form for Siera to find out just how much your Disney trip would cost.

Trust me, she’s amazing at what she does. If you have more questions about using a travel agent to plan your Disney trip, make sure you read my post all about how to use a Disney travel agent to plan your trip .

That post goes into painstaking detail and also looks at the pros and cons of using a travel agent.

Does Disney World Offer a Payment Plan?

Let’s face it, we all know that this trip is going to be quite pricey. Wanting to pay it down a little at a time over the span of months certainly has an appeal.

But does Disney World offer a payment plan option? The answer is both yes and no.

Disney itself doesn’t have a formal payment plan, however there is a way you can set one up for yourself very simply.

I’m breaking this down into two categories because the details are slightly different, but the process is the same.

Resort Only Guests

This category applies to people who book a Disney World resort with no park tickets or bundle. You simply booked your hotel room through Disney.

For these guests, you’ll have to pay a deposit that’s equal to the cost of one night of your trip immediately upon booking.

The rest of the balance isn’t due until check-in. Yes, you read that right: you don’t have to pay the balance until the day you check in.

However, if you want to set up a payment plan for yourself, you can simply pay the remaining balance down on your own while you wait for your trip to start.

Let’s say you have 6 months to go before your trip. Take the total remaining balance of your trip and divide by 6. Now you know how much you want to pay each month for your payment plan.

Unless they change the website, you’ll likely have to call in to a Disney cast member to make these payments, but it’s doable.

Disney Vacation Package Guests

As I mentioned, things are slightly different here, but the concept is the same. A Disney vacation package is when people bundle their resort and park tickets into one package.

This is the only way to be able to do a payment plan on the cost of park tickets .

When it is offered, the Disney dining plan can also be added in to a Disney vacation package.

When you book a Disney vacation package, the deposit that you’re required to put down immediately is $200. The remaining balance of the trip is due 30 days prior to check-in. Please take note of this, because it’s a different time frame than for resort only guests.

That means you have one less month to factor in to your “payment plan”.

So this time, for your trip that’s in 6 months, you need to divide the remaining balance by 5 to find out how much to pay each month.

Clearly, you can pay as much or as little as you want in the lead up to the trip, it doesn’t have to be exactly even for each of your advance payments. Do whatever works for you.

Final Thoughts on the Disney World Cost Calculator

I really hope you find this Disney trip calculator helpful. I really do have a (probably) unhealthy fascination with spreadsheets.

But it was important to me to design a tool more useful than a standard printable. And really, the less math I have to do on my own, the better!

But seriously, download this Disney World trip calculator and make your life a little easier.

Your Thoughts

What do you think? Is Disney trip calculator a useful tool to help work within your Disney budget? Put your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to know of any improvements you suggest.

Don’t forget to follow The Disney Journey on Pinterest and Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest news and updates.

2 thoughts on “Create a Disney Budget With A Disney World Cost Calculator”

Hi! I am interested in giving your calculator a try… but I don’t see any of the forms to fill out in order to get one. Please help! Thanks!

That’s weird that the forms don’t show up. Have you tried opening it up in a different browser? I can see the forms when I go on the page. You should see a section where it asks for your name and your email. Can you see that anywhere? If all else fails, try to this URL: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/e1o9e3

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Privacy Overview

2024 Disney World Vacation Planner

Our goal is to help you plan your dream Disney World vacation , and that all starts right here.

This page will walk you through planning a trip in 6 easy steps.

After that, we’ll go through some of the other important information you’ll need to know before you go.

Consider this spot a sort of Cliff Notes version for getting started (or even for getting reacquainted) with Disney vacation planning.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

Update! Major changes are coming to the Genie Plus System, effective July 24, 2024.

Changes include:

• name change of Genie+ to Lightning Lane Multi Pass
• name change of Individual Lightning Lane to Lightning Lane Single Pass
• the ability to pre-purchase the service
• the ability to make selections several days in advance
• Learn More About the *NEW* Lightning Lane Passes at Walt Disney World

In this article

Important updates for 2024

If you are brand-new to planning a Disney World vacation, you may want to skip over this section. But, if you haven’t visited since the parks reopened in 2020, you’ll definitely want to stick around.

The past few years have brought many changes – some of which are fairly significant. Here are the ones that are the most important for you to be aware of:

• FastPass+ service is out and Genie+ is in
• Extra Magic Hours (EMHs) have been replaced with a new program called “ Early Theme Park Entry “
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours have been added – but only for onsite guests at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts
• Reservations are required to visit the parks (only for trips through January 8, 2024, no reservations required for date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024)
• Disney’s Magical Express has been discontinued ( no more free rides between the airport and your Disney Resort )
• Park hopping can only be done after 2 p.m. until January 8, 2024. Starting January 9, 2024 park hopping can occur at any time.
• Advanced Dining Reservations are made at 60 days out now (instead of 180 days)
• Disney Dining Plan is not available until January 9, 2024

Our best advice is to make sure you do not assume that everything is the same – because it isn’t .

Take time to explore the links in the box above (and in the sections below!) to get caught up on all that is new.

VIDEO: 9 Ways Disney World Planning Has Changed

Why you should plan

Did you know that lots (and lots) of people visit Walt Disney World every year without doing any planning at all?

And while that may sound like a relaxing way to travel, it doesn’t work for Disney vacations, and here’s why:

Not planning ahead means standing in long lines for rides and struggling to find places to eat.

And that doesn’t sound like much fun at all.

It is important to understand that even with planning, you will not be able to see and do everything at Disney World in 1 trip . You wouldn’t be able to see and do it all in 10 trips.

Instead, the goal should be to have fun and make memories . And it is a lot easier to do that when you’re prepared.

Just like any vacation, how much your trip will cost depends on many different factors, but in general, these are the costs you’ll need to consider:

• Trip length
• Number and ages of people traveling
• How you’ll get there (drive, fly, train, etc.)
• When you’ll be traveling
• Where you’ll be staying
• Where you’ll be dining
• How many extras you plan to spend money on

Despite all of those variables, we can give you some generic onsite prices to help you get a good idea of what to expect.

Want more details on how much to budget? Check out our guide below:

• READ MORE: How much does it cost to go to Walt Disney World?

Important note: Keep in mind that while these prices are full rack rate prices, Disney frequently offers discounts . However, if you are planning for a trip a year or more in advance, we recommend using the rack rate prices as a good starting point.

Budget Trip Example

$4000-$5000 plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during the least expensive time, 1 week onsite, most basic park tickets, staying at a Value Resort, eating at the least expensive places.

Moderate Trip Example

$5500-$7000 plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during a moderately busy time, 1 week, park tickets with Park Hopper option, staying at a Moderate Resort, eating at half Table Service and half Quick Service restaurants , 1 special event planned.

Deluxe Trip Example

$9000 and above, plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during a peak busy time (like the holidays), 1 week, park tickets with Park Hopper Plus, staying at a Deluxe Resort, eating at mostly Table Service Restaurants, 2 special events.

As we said above, those dollar amounts assume full-price resort rates, but there are usually discounts available .

And, the good news is you can always add a discount after you’ve booked your trip.

• READ MORE: Complete Guide to Disney World Discounts

How to plan a Disney World vacation in 6 steps

Disney World vacation planning is kind of like building a house – you start with the foundation and work your way up.

And, just like with building a house, you might end up with something you’re not pleased with if you try to do it out of order.

These 6 steps are the basis of everything you’ll find on this site.

If you’re new to planning, this is where you need to start.

Trip Planning Worksheet

To help you get started, we have a free Trip Planning Worksheet that you can fill out as you work through the steps below.

• Get a copy of the trip planning worksheet

Step 1: Pick a date

When it comes time to decide when to go, you’ll have a couple of different things to consider.

Historically, Disney has gotten excellent at filling what were traditionally less-crowded times of the year with special events, runDisney races, and sport/cheer competitions.

But, despite Disney scheduling things to draw crowds during the slower times of the year, there are still definitely times that are busier than others.

Plus, even though Florida is known for having lots of sun, you’ll likely want to consider the weather , too, especially if you’re trying to avoid the intense heat of the summer or the hurricanes of the fall .

To help you narrow down your options, we have a giant Crowd Calendar post that will show you day-by-day which days we are predicting to be the most (and least!) crowded.

• READ MORE: Disney World Crowd Calendar

Park Pass Reservation System (only required until January 8, 2024)

Guests traveling in 2024 can skip this section, BUT if you are traveling in 2023, you’ll have another critical planning piece to consider: the Disney Park Pass Reservation System .

This system was put into place after the reopening in 2020 and requires guests to make reservations for each day they intend to visit a park .

The good news is the park reservations are free . The bad news is that, at least right now, this is how Disney is controlling each parks’ capacity.

That means there are limited spots available for each day.

Will I be able to get a Park Pass Reservation?

Unless you are traveling during peak times, in most cases, the answer is “yes”.

Disney is continually shifting availability around, and if you plan your vacation in advance, you should be able to get exactly what you want.

But, keep in mind, the busier the time of year, the more in demand the reservations will be. That is why we recommend you make those reservations as soon as you can .

• READ MORE: How to make Park Pass Reservations

How to check for availability

Disney makes it relatively easy to check park reservation availability.

They have a handy calendar that will show you exactly which parks are (or are not) available.

Step 2: Choose where to stay & book it

You have lots of options for where to stay during your trip – including both onsite and offsite resorts and hotels.

Where you decide to stay will have a direct impact on some essential parts of your vacation.

• READ MORE: Ways to Book Your Disney World Vacation

Onsite or off?

Things like Advanced Dining Reservations and Individual Lightning Lane selections are tied to whether you choose to stay on Disney property or venture offsite to where you’ll (typically) find less expensive options.

While the price is understandably often the first factor you’ll need to consider, most guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort may find that weighing the value of the perks associated with the onsite resorts versus the lower costs connected to the offsite options can sometimes be a bit tricky to navigate.

• READ MORE: Disney World Resort Options

Our favorite way to save money when staying onsite

We’ve already discussed discounts up above, but probably our most favorite way to save money when staying onsite is by renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points.

This is especially true right now when you can snag some great last-minute deals.

There are some definite pros and cons to this money saving option, so make sure you check out the link below for everything you need to know.

• READ MORE: How to save big money by renting DVC Points

Consider using a travel agent

Whether you are new to planning or a seasoned Disney World vet, it can be very helpful to have somebody you can turn to for assistance with navigating through it all.

That’s why if planning a trip feels overwhelming, we highly recommend reaching out to a reliable travel agen t .

Not only will they be able to answer all of your questions, but they’ll also keep you in the loop if and when changes happen.

Staying onsite? Consider booking a package.

Booking a vacation package makes it far easier to get all your money back if you need to cancel.

If you purchase tickets separately, you can’t “return” them. That purchase is final, even if you have to cancel your trip.

Don’t packages cost more money?

The argument against packages is that it costs less if you book things separately. And that is partially true.

You can usually save some money if you purchase your tickets separately from an Authorized Reseller. The amount you save typically isn’t a lot , though, at least not when compared to the other components of your trip.

But – the last few years have taught us the importance of being able to easily cancel if needed. And, an easy way to add a layer of financial protection to your trip is to stay onsite and book your trip components as a package so that you have the maximum amount of flexibility if you need to cancel or postpone .

Of course, if Disney cancels a special event or has to close due to something like a hurricane , you’ll likely see that they will work with ticket holders to extend the expiration dates.

But, if you purchased those tickets outside a package or from a third-party seller, you likely won’t get your money back. 

For the maximum amount of security in case things go wrong, if you need tickets, we strongly suggest that you book a package.

Step 3: Make a daily plan and select Disney World tickets

After you’ve decided when to go and where you’ll be staying, the next thing you need to do is determine where you’ll spend each day. Ideally, you’ll have this step figured out no later than 61 days out from when your trip begins because you’ll need to know your daily plan before you can do Step 5.

Disney World is home to 4 incredible theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), 2 world-class water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), and a giant shopping district (Disney Springs).

And, although you’ll want to see and do it all, unless you’ll be moving into Cinderella Castle (which unfortunately you can’t), you are going to have to pick and choose.

The first thing is figuring out exactly how much time you’ll want in each park. To help you get started, here are our thoughts:

Suggested number of days in each park

The chart below is just a suggestion. All families vary.

For instance, families with younger children and only 3 days in the parks might want to do 2 days in the Magic Kingdom.

It’s also a great idea to have 1 day out of the parks for every 3 days in the parks.

Arrange it however it makes sense for your family.

Once you have nailed down how many days you want for each park, you’ll need to decide where you’ll plug that into your vacation.

• READ MORE: How to pick the best park for each day of your trip

Here is some general advice to help you decide which park to visit when:

• Magic Kingdom  is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think “Disney World”. Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
• Hollywood Studios also remains busy most days of the week due to the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land areas. Your best bet here for the shortest lines are Sundays and Wednesdays.
• Epcot  hosts  nearly year-round festivals , and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors and locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for is the alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you’d find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn’t the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays .
• Even with the new Park Pass system,  Animal Kingdom  remains one of the “easiest” parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.

Find your travel month below to see park hours, and any scheduled nighttime entertainment and special events:

Select your tickets

Now that you know how many days you’ll be in each park, you can select your tickets and either purchase a package or, if purchasing tickets separately, you can go ahead and do that now.

When making your ticket selection, keep in mind that you can almost always upgrade a ticket, but you can’t get money back if you don’t use all your days or components of your tickets, such as Park Hoppers.

That’s why we recommend you make that daily plan first, and then use that as a guide for deciding exactly how many days worth of tickets you’ll need.

• READ MORE: Disney World tickets

Secure your Park Pass Reservations (for dates before January 9, 2024; no reservations needed for trips on or after January 9)

As soon as you purchase your tickets, you’ll be able to secure your park dates.

Remember: Park Pass Reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024. This covers most people traveling to Walt Disney World. Annual Passholders, however, WILL still need to make Park Pass Reservations (even if they have a resort stay booked).

This step is entirely new to Disney World planning. 

Because it is so brand new, we have written a complete guide to help you with the process. 

Step 4: Pick dining options

Disney World is packed with lots and lots of fantastic restaurants.

And with so many fun places to eat, it is common for people to want to decide where they will be dining before they ever pick what park they’ll be at that day.

But please trust us: you do not want to do that.

The reason dining falls at step 5 is that you need to plan your dining after you know where you’ll be each day .

The entire Walt Disney World Resort area is huge (roughly the size of San Francisco), and unless you want to spend hours each day on a bus crisscrossing the property going from meal to meal, you’ll need to be a lot more strategic in how you plan where to eat.

Trust us on this one:

Save yourself a lot of stress by waiting to plan your dining until after you’ve decided where you’ll be each day, and if you do decide to dine somewhere other than where you’ll be, make a plan for how you’ll get there.

Remember: Save yourself a lot of stress by waiting to plan your dining until after you’ve decided where you’ll be each day, and if you do decide to dine somewhere other than where you’ll be, plan for how you’ll get there.

Advanced Dining Reservations

Dining at Disney World is broken up into 2 main categories:

• Less expensive
• Doesn’t require reservations
• Often has the ability to Mobile Order
• More expensive
• Almost always requires an Advanced Dining Reservation (can be made beginning 60 days from check-in)
• Sometimes has “To Go” options (at some resort Table Service restaurants)
• Includes all Character Meals

If your goal is to dine at a Table Service restaurant, you’ll need to make an Advanced Dining Reservation . Make sure you understand how that works, or you may wind up disappointed.

• READ MORE: How Dining at Walt Disney World Works

What about the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan is a hugely popular component and while sales of it were paused for several years, it is returning as an option for trips beginning on or after January 9, 2024.

The  Disney Dining Plan (DDP)  is an optional add-on that people staying in an on-site Disney World resort can get by booking one of these things:

• A vacation package (that includes a room and tickets) online or by calling Disney
• A room-only reservation by  calling  Disney or having  your agent  add it (this is sometimes called a “ticketless package”)
• A Disney Vacation Club (DVC) reservation

When you buy a DDP you are pre-paying for your food (and snacks!) and then using credits to get meals during your trip.

After a long absence, the Disney Dining Plan returns for packages on or after January 9, 2024!

The Dining Plan can be great if you are looking for that “all-inclusive” feel, but before you purchase it, make sure you understand how it works, or else you may actually wind up spending more on food than what you would have done without it.

• READ MORE: Complete Guide to the Disney Dining Plan (Is it worth it?)

Step 5: Plan park touring

Don’t let the rumors and stories about long lines at Disney World fool you: the people that wait in lines at Disney World are the ones without a touring plan.

Touring plans don’t have to be rigid minute-by-minute lists, but touring plans are something you’ll definitely want to spend some time thinking about.

You can choose to tackle the parks without spending anything extra, but Disney has also introduced an entirely new system called Genie+ which will allow you access to their Lightning Lanes (which means shorter waits).

The Genie+ system can be extremely complicated, but here are a couple of resources we think are good introductions:

• Guide to Genie+ at Disney World
• Touring plan strategies for Disney World (with and without Genie+)
• Best Genie+ Choices (what to book first)

Step 6: Add extra magic

When planning your vacation, the final thing to do is to figure out ways to add some extra magic to your trip .

This step doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend more money (although that is certainly an option); it just means you are intentional about ways to add a little extra **pixie dust** to your trip.

For lots of people, this is the step that ties their entire vacation together (and gets them hooked on planning lots more Disney World trips!).

If you want to think of planning a Disney World trip like the steps in the construction process, Steps 1-5 above help you build your house, but Step 6 is where you get to decorate it.

Here are some of our favorite resources to help you add some extra magic to your vacation:

• Create a countdown
• Watch Disney movies and shows that are connected to what you’ll see in the parks
• Plan a surprise
• Listen to some podcasts and trip reports
• Put together some Tinker Bell gifts
• Book a dessert party

VIDEO: 7-Step Planning Process for Walt Disney World Vacations

What to Pack

You’d be surprised just how many questions we get about this topic.

But it makes sense; when you’re far away from home, things will go a lot more smoothly if you have everything you need with you.

In fact, we feel so strongly about packing lists that we have a H-U-G-E post with everything you’ll need to know about what to pack for a Disney World vacation.

And the best part? You’ll find links to free packing list downloads you can use.

• READ MORE: The Ultimate Disney World Packing List

And, while you’re busy working on a packing list for your trip, don’t forget to think about what you’ll want to take into the parks with you.

• READ MORE: What to pack in Your Disney World Park Bag

Preparing for your trip

Your trip is booked, but now what?

We recommend you spend the months, weeks, and days leading up to your trip learning some of those Disney World basics that will help your trip go smoothly.

We’ve listed just a few topics below, but we also invite you to scroll through the hundreds of other posts on the site to find topics that might interest you.

Disney World planning basics

• Navigating Disney World transportation
• 101 of the best Disney World tips
• Ultimate Guide for Visiting Disney World with Toddlers
• Disney World news & updates

How Much Does it Cost to go to Disney World? Free Disney Budget Printable

Everyone knows a Disney World Vacation can be expensive. Knowing how much it costs to go to Disney World  and accounting for any expense that might come up is important. This would be your first step in planning a Disney World Vacation. This will let you know how much a Disney vacation will cost you, so you can estimate how much time it will take you to save the money. My Disney World Budget Worksheet will walk you through all the expenses related to your vacation. 

How Much Does it Cost to go to Disney World?

A Disney World vacation can be super frugal costing an average of $200/per person per day to extravagant prices like $1,000+/ per person per day. Which end of the spectrum you are on depends entirely on what type of experience you are looking for. 

Expenses to Include in Your Disney World Budget

Let’s take a look at everything you need to include in your Disney World Budget. This breakdown matches my Disney World Budget Printable. 

 Disney World Planning Expenses

I include Disney World planning expenses because I believe in using a Disney World guidebook, such as Birnbaum’s Unofficial Guide to Disney World when planning out your vacation. There are also planning printables available for sale on Etsy for almost every situation you would need plans for. 

You can also find free resources online very easily, such as this free budget printable. 

Disney World Transportation Expenses 

In this section, I include everything transportation-related including the cost of getting to Walt Disney World and the cost of getting around once you are on Disney World Property. 

• Rental Car 
• Fuel/ Maintenance /Tolls – If you are driving to Disney World this section is for you to add up all your expenses related to driving to Disney. 
• Ground Transportation – Transportation from MCO and your Disney resort.
• Airfare Luggage and Seat Fees
• Uber/ Lyft/ Minnie Vans – this is for getting around Disney World if you don’t want to take advantage of the Free Disney Transportation options. Uber and Lyft are the most economical ways to get to the surrounding theme parks. 
• Parking – This is for Disney World Parking , either for your resort or for the theme parks. 

Disney World Lodging

People will debate all day long about the benefits of staying on property vs the benefits of staying off. No matter what you decide there is pretty much a broad range of prices and amenities to choose from. Here are lodging expenses to include when you are determining the cost of a Disney World vacation. 

• Lodging en route – If you are staying somewhere on your way to Disney World then make sure to include that cost here. 
• Resort/ Hotel
• Mousekeeping Tips – A lot of people choose to tip Disney Resort housekeeping. It is not mandatory. 
• Resort Fees & Parking – A lot of times these fees are extra and not included

How Much Does it Cost to Get Into Disney World? 

Just like lodging, ticket prices have a range. Ticket prices depend on which time of year you go and how many days you go. The more days you go, the cheaper the tickets. A one-day adult ticket will run you about $125 plus taxes. Other than theme park admission, there are other Disney World activities that you might need to budget for in your vacation cost. 

• Theme Park Tickets
• Water Park Tickets
• Golf/ Recreation 
• Party Tickets
• Guided Tours/ Other 

How to Create a Food Budget for Walt Disney World

There are two basic ways to look at planning out a planning budget for Walt Disney World. One is going the easy way and just getting the Disney Dining Plan ( not currently being offered ). Sometimes that is not the best/cheapest option for your family.

The second way is to price out each meal you have, including setting a budget for in meal rooms. 

Please also keep in mind that Epcot Festivals usually have small plates and some of them are included on the Dining Plan as snacks, some are not.

• Dining Plan
• Lunch 
• Groceries/Other

Disney World Extras 

As with every vacation, there are expenses not quite related to the vacation destination itself but just things you would need and extras. 

• Souvenirs – There are Disney Souvenirs for every budget. 
• Memory Maker (Disney World Photography) 
• Savi’s Lightsaber Building Experience
• Private Photography Sessions
• Vacation Wardrobe
• Disney World Essentials to Buy Before Your Vacation 
• Other 

Disney World Budget Printable

Click here to print the Disney World Budget Printable . 

As you uncover costs and ways to save come back to your budget and update it. This budget page is a work in progress. Make sure to use a pencil to fill it out. Also, remember to keep the maximum amount an amount that actually works with your income. 

Consider planning and booking your next Walt Disney World vacation with a Concierge Vacation Planner like  Favorite Grampy’s Travels . I’ll take away the stress of planning a Disney vacation and help you get the best price!  Click Here  to Get a no-obligation consultation now.

Post Originally Published June 22, 2016. 

Thank You for Spreading the Pixie Dust!

Megan Moser

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

Thanks for the helpful info!

15 Tips for Planning a Trip to Disney World on a Budget (A Guide for Solo Travelers)

Do you know how to do Disney World on a budget?

Traveling Disney World is a dream for most people. But the real struggle comes in balancing the trip and the budget.

A ticket to Walt Disney World does not come cheap, and neither does flights, food, and accommodation in Orlando.

To put things in perspective, Disney World vacation cost for 6-7 days trip can cost around $1300 per person. So, how do you take a cheap solo trip to Disney?

It is hard to find travel suggestions that go beyond “free things to do at Disney” or “be calculative and frugal”.

Well, worry not!

In my quest for tips to travel Disney without breaking the bank, I found effective ways that will help you save a few hundred bucks.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Planning a Solo Trip to Disney World on a Budget

Cheap solo vacations to Disney World do not have to come with compromises. And to be memorable, your solo vacation does not have to be expensive.

After all, it is the Most Magical Place on Earth, and making sacrifices here does not make sense.

Let’s, dive into the following list of tips that will help you figure out:

• Ways to Save for Your Solo Disney Trip
• How to Plan a Trip to Disney World on a Budget
• Tips to Save Money at Disney World

ORDER NOW to secure your Walt Disney World theme park ticket! GET MY TICKETS.

How to Save for Your Solo Disney World Trip?

Now that you know that a trip to Disney World on a budget is possible, how do you save for it and realize the fantasies of jetting off to the magical theme parks?

Here are some key (realistic) answers to how to save money for Disney World vacation .

1. Make a Realistic Budget

I know how one time I got motivated to spend a minimal amount and saved no backup. Well, it did not work as planned.

The kickstart to saving for Disney is by making a budget that is practical – say around $1300 to $1500 at least – for 5-6 days trip.

It will help you make key decisions regarding where to stay, where to eat, what activities enjoy, and what to avoid.

Recommended: Ultimate Florida Packing List: What to Pack for Your EPIC Trip!

2. Focus on Your Needs

Cut out fancy drinks and snacks to save more money. It’s undeniable how these little purchases add up to make big numbers.

The best way to figure out which is to see what you spend most on.

You can do this by browsing through your bank account, and consciously decide to cut back.

What’s the BEST Lunch at the Magic Kingdom? Try These 7 To Decide!

3. Stay In: Eat In

Staying inside on the weekends and making your own food can yield magical results!

Invite your friends over instead and have a potluck once a week where you help each other make dinner.

WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!

4. Netflix and Save

It may be hard to hear, but canceling subscriptions to streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, HBOMax will save you several bucks a month.

You can also consider subscribing for a family or group account with friends to split the expenses.

13 Best Movies to Watch Before Going to Disney World (Magic Kingdom Edition)

5. Keep Travel Money Separate

Seeing more money in the account can legit make me go “I can totally buy that $30 dress”.

The next thing I know is I have two new dresses and more days to spend saving the money.

I recommend having the following bank accounts:

• Fun Money Account: here you keep money in it for things that are “fun” such as going out to eat, streaming services and anything else that’s not vital
• Bill Pay Account: here you keep money that’s needed for paying your bills each month that way it doesn’t get confused with your fun money or your savings
• Emergency Fund Savings Account: here you save 3 to 6 months of your monthly expenses that you have set aside just in case something breaks or an emergency happens
• Short-term Savings Account: here you use this account to save for something that you really want such as a vacation

Now I only keep around $250 in my Fun Money Account each month to help me “adult” the right way. It also makes tracking how much money I spend each month easier.

The rest? In another savings account dedicated to travel. You could also use the old-fashioned saving jar trick.

Use software like Freshbooks to help you keep track of everything. Start your free trial here today!

6. Find Free Alternatives

Get enrolled in free online courses, watch YouTube for free instead of cable, or find recreation in free sports like tennis, cycling, and soccer.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

7. Sell Unwanted Belongings

The easiest way to make money is by selling old textbooks, clothes, and other belongings you do not use anymore. You can set up and account on eBay for it.

Another great way to save money for Disney is by trading one belonging for another – let the old barter system help you reach the Happiest Place on Earth.

5 BEST Animal Kingdom Rides for Solo Travelers (2024)

How to Plan a Trip to Disney World on a Budget?

The first step to planning a cheap solo trip to Disney is by starting to plan ahead .

When you decide the vacation dates, itinerary, and accommodation beforehand, it lets you book tickets and rooms in advance, when the prices are low.

But this is a strategy everyone – even a newbie solo traveler – knows so far. So, what else?

1. Plan the Inexpensive Disney Vacation Around Non-Peak Season

Holidays, festive days like New Year’s or Christmas, and summer vacation maybe my go-to Disney trip dates, but they are a disaster when it comes to cash (as well as crowds).

It is best to avoid taking a trip to Disney World during these days.

Single-park admission ticket prices start at $109 pre-tax during low season times , and an alarming $159+ between Christmas and New Year’s.

But if you plan an inexpensive Disney vacation during the “Value” window, which is mid-January to early-March and late-April to September-end, you get the same ticket for $107.

Here’s the official calendar to take help when booking dates for a “Value” deal. Remember that prices are subject to change at anytime!

2024 BEST Days to Go to the Magic Kingdom (Crowd Calendar Guide)

2. Refrain from Cashing in Every Disney Amenity

I get it – it is a Disney trip and it ought to be perfect. But do not let the desire to make the vacation perfect pressure you into purchasing Disney add-on experiences.

When buying the online ticket from the WDW app, there come tons of tempting suggestions like Water Park Pass , Park Hopper ticket , Memory Maker PhotoPass, and more.

My advice would be to stick to your Disney World budget and say a no.

You can take your own photos. Even the characters around the park are often willing to help you snap the perfect picture.

Water parks are fun, but we all know that’s not what we are planning a Disney trip for! Nonetheless, you will always find a pool in the hotel to splash and swim.

8 BEST Rides At Blizzard Beach You CAN’T MISS in 2024!

3. Keep an Eye on the Sales to Get the Cheapest Disney World Tickets

Getting a discount is the most convenient, cheapest way to buy Disney World tickets. Websites like CityPASS Orlando, The Park Prodigy and Undercover Tourist are always flashing Disney sales and coupons ranging from deals on transportation to attractions and events.

These sites can help you create the perfect inexpensive Disney trip that we all Disney fans desire for by dropping as much as $80 or up to 50% off the ticket price.

3 BEST Disney Moderate Resorts for Solo Travelers (Disney Solo Trip)

4. Whether to Stay On-Site or Off-Site Disney Hotels?

Staying off-site is arguably the cheaper option. However, it is best to be calculative about where to stay when planning a trip to Disney World on a budget.

The perks of staying off-property are that the room comes for a super-cheap price compared to a Disney hotel.

However, it will do no good if the same price gets consumed into commuting.

On the other hand, staying on-property will cost more than double the price of an off-property hotel.

However, you also get perks like free round-the-clock shuttles and Extra Magic Hours.

I find the best option to be “value” hotels like the Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation Resort.

They may not be the most glamorous, but they are the cheapest way to stay at Disney World.

REVIEW: Melia Orlando Suite Hotel At Celebration (Should You Stay?)

5. Buy Disney Souvenirs and Merchandise Ahead of Time

What a weird tip for traveling Disney on a budget! But it works. Some of us Disney-ians simply cannot do without Mickey’s ears .

They can cost a whopping $27.99 inside the theme parks. So, why not save some bucks and order your pair beforehand online?

On Etsy, you will be able to find custom Mickey ears for a price lower than $12, while on Amazon , you might get lucky with a $5 pair also.

The same goes for other Disney accessories like T-shirts, bags, lockets, caps, and sweatshirts.

You can also visit local outlets, Targets and Wal-Marts in the Orlando area to save a significant amount of money on your Florida souvenirs.

7 BEST Disney Shirts for Adults Who LOVE Park Hopping

How to Save Money at Disney World?

Starting from taking advantage of the free activities to bringing your own food into the parks, there are several ways of saving money at Disney World.

Here’s everything you can do at the theme parks to save some bucks.

1. Know About the Free Things to Do at Disney

Disney World is a magical world on its own. There are plenty of things you can enjoy here for free. The crème de la crème experiences include:

• Visit Disney Springs to stop at the Ghirardelli shop to sample delicious chocolates, groove to nightly live music outside amphitheater, and go window shopping. Best of all, the parking at Springs is free.
• Take a leisurely walk along Disney’s turn-of-the-century Boardwalk. On the way, you can also stop at the Ample Hills Creamery for free ice-cream samples. You can also pack lunch and have a relaxing meal at one of the Boardwalk’s outdoor seating areas along the water.
• Take a scenic boat ride around Disney World in the Friendship Boats. The ride takes you from Hollywood Studios to Epcot. The boat also stops at the Boardwalk, the Swan and Dolphin, and the Yacht and Beach Club. There are many other boat ride options – all for free.
• Go on a scavenger hunt prowling for hidden Mickeys.

That’s not all. There are several other, almost 70, free things at Disney World that will make your trip special without taking another cent out of the purse.

2. Ditch the All-Inclusive Meal Plan for A Cheap Disney Trip

That’s right. BYOF! Perhaps, this is a travel trip that few visitors capitalize on. Disney World actually allows its guests to bring their own food , except glass bottles, or things that need a microwave.

You can also get food and drinks delivered to your room in a Disney Resort.

Not only does bringing your own food help you save bucks, but it also saves time when you don’t have to get into long queues.

This is another great tip for you, who may be wondering how to save money on food at Disney World .

3. BYOWB – Bring Your Own Water Bottle

By bringing your own refillable water bottle with a built-in filter, you will not have to buy one every hour. Not much thirsty?

You will be under the Florida sun, in between restaurants and rides.

• BRITA WATER FILTER BOTTLE: One 26 oz. BPA-free Brita Hard-Sided Plastic Premium Filtering Water Bottle with one filter that reduces chlorine taste and odor in water as you drink
• CUTS OUT IMPURITIES: Activated carbon block filter cuts the taste and odor of chlorine and also reduces particulates in drinking water; not a water purifier bottle
• SUSTAINABLE: By switching to Brita, you can save money and replace up to 300 standard 16.9-oz. single-use plastic water bottles with each filter
• CONVENIENT DESIGN: Features include an easy-sip straw, built-in carrying loop for portability, one-handed push-button lid and leakproof design/construction to avoid surprise spills
• TOP RACK DISHWASHER-SAFE: Just place this personal water filter bottle in the top rack of your dishwasher for easy cleaning

Exploring Disney is no less of a marathon. Every time you refill the brought bottle, you will be saving $5.

Additionally, it will also be better for the environment.

Apart from this, make sure you carry sunscreen to protect the skin against the Florida sun. Purchasing one inside Disney will cost 40% more than usual.

What to Know Before You Go to Walt Disney World?

Now that we have the basics covered, let’s go through the most common questions regarding your solo trip and how to do Disney World on a budget.

When is the cheapest time to go to Disney World?

The cheapest time to visit Disney World is between January 9 th to February 8 th and August 19 th to September 26 th .

You can also check the date-based Disney calendar to check which date offers the best deal on the tickets.

2024 Best Days to Visit Disney World Parks (Full Crowd Calendar Guide)

Which is the best Disney ticket for me?

The best option for shoestring travelers on a budget is the “value” ticket or choosing a non-peak time of the year at Disney World.

Apart from it, you can also consider getting the mid-day tickets.

Is Disney free on your birthday?

Sadly, no. The theme parks no longer offer free admission on birthdays. This used to be a good way to do Disney World on a budget.

Recommended: Watch How to Afford a Solo Disney Trip…even if you’re broke!

Is there an authentic Disney ticket reseller that offers discount deals?

Yes, you can browse The Park Prodigy to find some official Disney discount deals. The site also offers low prices on other Florida theme parks, including Universal Orlando Resort .

Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the  latest podcast episode on Apple  or on your  non-Apple  device now!

My Final Thoughts on Doing Disney World on a Budget

Orlando’s Disney World may be one of the most expensive WDW parks, but that does not mean there isn’t a cheap way to explore it.

In this article, I have enlisted some of the most effective tips for cheap solo travel in Disney World.

Depending on your budget, it will help you map out all the things you could do at the theme park without breaking the bank.

What’s your favorite way to budget for Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments section below.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

UP NEXT: How Much Does Disney World Cost? (Let’s Make Disney Affordable Again)

(Original Article Date: December 17, 2020/Updated January 30, 2024)

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How to Take Your Dream Disney World Vacation on A Budget

By Quincy Stanford 3 Comments

Disney World is a favorite vacation destination for many — and a pricy one at that.

Disney World

When planning a Disney World trip , you probably have your mind on how much you’ll be spending. Between hotel costs, tickets, food costs, and more; Disney trip spending can easily rack up thousands of dollars for a family. Well, if you’re looking to spend as little as possible on your Disney trip then we’re here to help. Here is how to take your dream Disney World vacation on a budget!

Getting to Disney World

First up, let’s talk about getting to Disney World. Travel prices are a fickle thing and they can have a big effect on your vacation. For most domestic travelers, your first choice when planning a Disney vacation is whether to fly or drive. In most cases, making the drive to Disney World will be cheaper than a flight if you’ve got a full family coming.

Magic Kingdom Line

Keep in mind if you’re traveling alone or with just a couple you’ll definitely want to weigh those gas prices versus airfare . Depending on where you’re flying from, you might find that flying is actually cheaper than making the drive. This can even be true for whole families when it comes to nearby departures headed to Disney World. For airfare in general, we recommend booking early and keeping an eye on fares to try to catch a low rate.

Flying to Orlando

Still, if you are visiting Disney World from far away, you might find that the flying versus driving cost is a little bit deceptive. Though gas prices might sum up to a figure that is lower than airfare for your whole family, driving a long distance might mean booking another night in a hotel and potentially taking more time off of school or work. Keep in mind racking up loads of miles on your car puts a strain on your vehicle, including the engine and tires, so decide if the added milage is worth it. So, it is very important that you weigh your total cost of what the driving trip (including a hotel stay if needed) versus a flying trip would look like . Keep in mind that time is money, too. If driving means less time in Disney and more time in the car, you may have to factor that into your final decision.

Click here to learn about flying into Orlando International Airport!

Transportation.

If you do drive, having the added benefit of having your car with you can help make transportation a little bit easier IN Disney World. It also means you need to worry about parking costs. At this time, parking at the Disney World Resort hotels ranges from $15 to $25 per night depending on the level of the hotel you’re staying at. 

Parking Line

Many off-site hotels do not have parking fees, however, if you stay off-site you will be charged to park at the theme parks . Typically this charge is $25 per day for standard parking . Theme park parking is free for Disney World hotel guests and Passholders. Plus, staying at a Disney World hotel will get you the added benefit of free Disney transportation . (ALL guests can use Disney World transportation for free, but it makes things really easy for those staying on-site!) If you don’t have a car you’ll find Disney’s free transportation is your best bet for saving on transportation. We love the convenience of rideshares like Lyft and Uber, but the cost of those rides can stack up and take a huge cut out of our Dole Whip budget!

If you fly, you have to think about getting to Disney World from the airport. Through the end of 2021, guests staying at a Disney World Resort hotel are able to book Disney’s Magical Express for free to get to and from the airport for their trip. However, the service is ending . So, in 2022 or now for guests who are not staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you’ll have to factor in the cost of booking a rideshare or another travel service to get to Disney World. Make sure you consider either parking costs or any relevant Rideshare cost when determining how you plan to get to Disney World once you’re in Orlando. Mears shuttles has announced they’ll be offering a service (for a fee) similar to Magical Express soon as well. 

Disney’s Magical Express

Those staying off-site also won’t have access to Disney’s free transportation at all times. Still, as we’ll talk about in a second, staying off-site can have its benefits financially. So, if you opted to save by staying off-site, you can look for hotels that offer free transportation to Disney World or consider renting a car .

Valet at the Riviera

At this time, car rentals are sparse in Orlando and you’ll find prices are higher than they have been in the past . This might not be the most budget-friendly option right now, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be budget-friendly in the future. If you’re staying off-site and flying to Orlando, it might be worth it to look into the pricing for a rental car during your stay. If you can find a good bargain, you may ultimately save by not having to deal with rideshare. Just make sure you factor in those parking costs!

Orlando International Airport

Speaking of rideshare, there are some tips to saving when you book that Lyft or Uber. First of all, you’re going to want to have both the Lyft and Uber app on your phone. Depending on driver availability you might find drastically lower rates on one over the other. So, whenever you’re looking to book a rideshare go ahead and take a look at the rates on both apps to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

In many cases, Rideshare apps have a wait and save feature that allows you to lengthen your wait times for a ride to save a few dollars. Those dollars can add up if you’re using rideshare a lot. We also recommend booking in advance to go ahead and lock in a low price if you’re going to be using rideshare during high-demand times like park open or close.

Want to learn more about renting a car? Click here!

Accommodations.

All right, let’s talk about accommodations. There are several ways that you can save money on your stay. First of all, you can always opt to stay off property. Many Disney hotels come with a “Disney premium” making nights there a little bit more expensive than you might pay if you were to stay in a Good Neighbor hotel. Good Neighbor hotels offer official Disney perks for a fraction of the price. Take a look at some of the options in the Disney Springs area!

If your transportation plans allow for it, you can also look for cheaper accommodations further from Disney World than the Good Neighbor hotels. This might mean another hotel chain or even rental houses totally off property. In many cases, you might be able to find a rental space that is much larger for cheaper than you would pay for a Disney World hotel. Some rental homes even have private pools! This can be particularly cost-effective if you’re planning a multi-family trip. Many of these homes can fit large groups so you can then share the cost!

If you do want to stay on property, and you have Marriott points you can use your Marriott Reward Points to stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel so that you’ll still be on property at a much lower cost. That’s definitely something to keep in mind if you take advantage of the Marriott Reward system.

Swan and Dolphin

And, if you’re looking to stay in a larger room (for instance if you have a large party), you might want to look into renting Disney Vacation Club points to get a deluxe resort stay for cheaper . The Disney Vacation Club hotels have suites and regular hotel rooms available at typically VERY high prices (well in the thousands for some of the massive 3 bedroom villas!). However, using services such as David’s DVC Rental , you can rent unused Disney Vacation Club points from Disney Vacation Club members to book your stay in official Disney rooms for a fraction of the price.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Another reason to consider a Disney Vacation Club resort is that any one, two, or three-bedroom suite/villa comes with a full kitchen and washer/dryer in the room . This could add up to some savings if you’re willing to make some of your own meals and cut down on airline baggage fees if you wash your clothes while on vacation. This may not sound like a “vacation” for some families, but it could be a consideration for those looking to save those pennies.

Beach Club Villas Kitchen

Whatever you book on Disney World property, keep an eye out for special offers . Disney often introduces special offers that can save you a good chunk off of the standard rate. And, if you see a special offer pop up that applies to your stay AFTER you’ve already booked, give Guest Services a call and ask to have it applied to your room. As long as a special offer applies, they’ll be happy to help you get it added to your reservation. In certain cases, you may need to cancel and rebook your trip to get the deal.

To see current Disney deals, click here!

Park tickets.

Speaking of special offers, the same applies to park tickets. For instance, if you are a Florida Resident , you’re definitely going to want to keep an eye on special offers as they tend to pop up very regularly. Sometimes, this can mean steep discounts or added days for little to no added cost.

Magic Kingdom

Plus, park tickets can sometimes be a part of a package deal you book with Disney. Some deals will charge you full price for your room but deep discounts on included tickets, which can often come out to be the better deal. Crunch the numbers for your family and see! So, when you’re looking at those special offers for your hotel see if any of them help you to save on park tickets too!

Slinky Dog Dash

When purchasing tickets, you’ll be faced with the decision of whether to buy Park Hoppers or not so that you can get from park to park in the same day. If you are not 100% sure that you’ll use Park Hoppers, we recommend waiting to buy them. You can add a Park Hopper to your ticket at any time so don’t add it until you know for a fact that you need it. Even if that means deciding day-of in EPCOT that you want to end of the day in Magic Kingdom. THEN you can head to guest services, and get that part ticket upgraded. Just keep in mind that Park Hopper will be added to ALL days of your ticket, so make the decision early so you don’t pay for days you’ve already used up!

Click here to learn more about Park Hoppers in Disney World!

Dining can actually make for huge costs when in Disney World, especially for larger families. But, we have some tips to help you with that! For one, if you don’t mind skipping the table service meals it’s a great way to save money. Sit down food in Disney World usually = $$$$. Counter-service is so diverse these days that you can truly enjoy a wide variety of cuisine without ever sitting down for an expensive table service reservation.

Woody’s Lunch Box

In Disney Springs, you can even enjoy celebrity chef spots that each have some sort of counter service window or bar. You can enjoy the celebrity-created cuisine without breaking the bank or spending the time to eat a large sit-down meal. Try the walk-up bar at Homecomin’ , Morimoto Asia Street Food , or The Basket at Wine Bar George . Remember, in Disney World time is money too.

When you’re in the parks, we recommend bringing in your own snacks and maybe even meals to save money. If you just need a little snack, it’s a lot nicer to have a bag of Goldfish in your park bag than having to go and splurge on one of the often-overpriced bags of trail mix you’ll find in a gift shop.

Mickey Goldfish

If you’re flying or otherwise don’t have easy access to a grocery store, you can use Garden Grocer or other grocery delivery to have snacks, drinks, breakfast items, and more delivered to your hotel . The grocery delivery will have a fee of its own, but having access to these items could save you money in the long run.

Grocery Delivery

For the meals that you do plan on purchasing, price them out in advance! Menus are up on the Disney site with prices so, if you know what reservations you’re booking, you should be able to gauge how much that will cost you. That way, ahead of your trip, you know exactly how much you need to budget for food.

Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom

Plus, when you’re at those table service experiences, make sure that your eyes aren’t bigger than your stomach. Disney portions are big and in a lot of cases, they are shareable. Check out our restaurant pages here on DFB to see if we have reviews of specific items so that you can see those portion sizes in advance. If you suspect you might be able to share, we definitely recommend it.

Chicken Masala Curry at EPCOT’s Rose and Crown

Finally, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Don’t spend money on bottled water in Disney World. Bring in reusable water bottles and use the water bottle refill stations or get free water at many quick-service restaurants . Bottled water in Disney World tends to come at a premium and those costs can rack up when you’re trying to travel on a budget.

Want to see more info about free water? Click here!

Consider using a travel agent.

If all this planning and discount-hunting feels overwhelming, consider using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Travel Agency (we LOVE Small World Vacations )! Your travel agent can help find the best discount for you and apply it to your trip for you.

Someone help me organize my plans!

The best part — using them won’t cost you a cent! Using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Travel Agency won’t increase your cost whatsoever — they get paid a commission by the vendor (Disney), not by the guest (you)! They can’t make all of the decisions for you, but they can definitely help take some of that stress out of your planning.

See more planning tips to simplify your vacation planning!

General tips.

And before we go, we’ve got a few more general tips!

• Book in advance and pay on your trip monthly! Then you aren’t having to dish out a HUGE amount at once. 
• Buy gift cards and budget in advance. Gift cards help you to limit your spending and you can even find discounted gift cards at stores like Sam’s Club or Target! 
• Check Sam’s Club, Costco, and more to see if you can find a discount on tickets. These discounts can make a big difference!
• You can also save your cash-back rewards if you use a credit card to book your trip. Then, you can use those rewards toward gift card purchases, flights, and more to help save (depending on your reward card).
• If you’re in a position to get a Disney Credit Card, you can use that to specifically earn rewards dollars towards your Disney trip. 
• And finally, check out the DFB Guide! We are EXPERTS in saving money in Disney World and our e-book will take you through EVERY. SINGLE. TIP. to help you keep that budget in check. Click here to buy our 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!  

And there you go! Hopefully, this post has been helpful when it comes to money-saving tips for Disney World. As always, you can stay tuned to DFB for all of the latest tips, tricks, and more for your next Disney trip!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

We know disney. you can, too..

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

What are your favorite tricks to doing Disney World on a budget? Tell us in the comments! 

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July 26, 2021 at 5:46 am

please could you consider a video on good neighbour hotels ?

July 28, 2021 at 1:23 pm

Do the prices shown in Disney World include tax? For example menu prices? Coming from the UK I always forget to increase the price of what is shown for tax when I’m in the states, as in the UK it is always included.

July 29, 2021 at 10:23 am

KittyS, it’s my understanding that tax is generally included on stand-alone carts/stands but not included on Quick Service and Table Service menus. You typically see note of this on the bottom of menu signs and boards.

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Disney on a Budget 2024, the Ultimate Guide

My favorite subject! Going to Disney on a budget changed my life for the better over a decade ago. And I have 0 reason to gatekeep. I want us all to be able to go to Disney as much as possible.

This year, I continued my extensive, lifelong research on Disney vacations, which included the Disney College of Knowledge, meaning I can now plan your Disney vacation. 

I am going to take what most of you think is a Disney vacation cost and cut it in half.

Here’s what we found: 

When you’re on a tight budget, $5,000 can take years to save or just be plain impossible.  If I asked some of the people close to me how long it would take them to save up for a Disney World trip, many would tell me they couldn’t.  That they’re struggling just to keep food on the table.  

It’s a real dilemma and more common than some of us think.  Let’s start this journey with what my budget would be for a 5-night/6-day Disney vacation for a family of 4 (two adults and two children). 

Spending on a 5-night/6-day Disney Vacation (for four):

Accommodations:  $202

Transportation:  $300

Souvenirs: $100

Food:  $400

Park Tickets: $1042

Total: $2,044

Accommodations

When planning a trip to Disney on a budget, there are two main types of accommodations; a Disney hotel or a non-Disney hotel.

Cheapest: A hotel not on Disney property. 

Cheapest for a bigger family: AirBnB

The truth is that Disney World resorts are some of the most expensive resorts, rarely going below $137 per night.  

Can we still find a way to fit it into your budget?  We sure can! It’s almost never a bad idea to make an effort to stay on Disney property.  

But being on a tight budget is okay, and that’s why I have some of the best budget hotels near Disney listed.  

Airbnb at Disney World 

I mentioned AirBnB before, but I wanted to elaborate. People rent out their entire homes/apartments through a platform called AirBnB.  I’m talking about a full 3-bedroom condo with pool access for $88 per night.  

Airbnb is perfect for Disney on a budget, whether you’re a party of 3 or 10, but especially if you’re a large family.   

I wrote a whole post on it here if you want to check it out.   

More Disney on a Budget Accommodations

There’s another trick I have to share with you.  One that can save you up to 70% off Deluxe resorts at Disney and even be cheaper than a Disney value resort.   

Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s timeshare program. You rent someone’s timeshare for about $14/point. A room that sleeps up to 5 can go as low as 9 points per night which means $126/night. Learn more here .

Check out the newly updated Disney on a Budget ebook!

Transportation .

Remember, I plan Disney vacations now .  And I have saved my clients hundreds of dollars by switching their dates around.  

But alas, even when your dates are strict, there are ways to save money. If you haven’t considered pulling your kids out of school yet, now is a good time.  Many parents have opposing views of this that you can read about here . 

#1 – Drive if you can. A drive to Disney costs $6 per hour, meaning a 20-hour drive will cost you $120.  In addition, you can bring anything you want, like a cooler full of food, and go as far as prepping meals from home.  Chances are your room will have a microwave.  

#2 – The best airlines to find inexpensive flights are JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier Airlines.  When you book through them, pay attention to baggage feed. 

#3 – When you search for flights, only use one adult as you search.  Putting more will start adding seat selection to the algorithm and show you higher prices. 

#4  – Skyscanner and Kayak are the best search engines to use. 

I’ll save the rest of my tricks for my eBook , aka how I fly for under $30 each way. 

I am so weak for the amazing souvenirs offered by Disney, specifically at the park.  From Mickey ears to the best mugs and home decor ever.I want it all. Not to mention an Alex and Ani bracelet to bring home to my mom.  

Know that souvenirs can attach and eat up your Disney budget so very quickly.  

So here’s what you do.  Get as many souvenirs as you can before you go.  Walmart and JcPenny have Princess dress for like 70% off.  While stores like Dollar Tree have a ton of Disney stuff.

A trick done by many of my readers that I love is bringing inexpensive Disney souvenirs with you and surprising your kids each morning with something new.  

Next, make sure you set a strict souvenir budget for the vacation.  In fact, put that money on some Disney or Visa gift cards to keep control.  

When I am on vacation, I add up costs for food and souvenirs every night when I get back to the room.  It’s the only way I make sure I don’t overspend, and my spending is kept real.  

On any vacation, you can spend as little or as much as you want on food and drinks.  Especially when alcohol prices mimic those of NYC ($12 per drink, not including tip).  

Saving on your food budget is all about planning what you’re going to eat.  

A quick tip:  bring stuff from home OR get groceries at Disney World.  You can even have them delivered .

Between groceries and the fact that a family of 4 can eat for less than $50 per meal , add in some meals in the room, things like eating offsite or ordering pizza, and you will be well within our goal cost.  

When I plan a Disney vacation, I plan for $40 a day per person. 

Park Tickets

Goal: $1,043

What’s up with the ticket prices????? 

In 1971, a Disney World ticket was $3.50, which, adjusted to 2024 inflation, is a little less than $25.00 ( source )

Today a one day ticket can reach up to $137 per adult.  It’s increasingly difficult to save money on Disney World tickets.  Which is why I save this section for last. I want you to know that you can save so much money everywhere else that these ticket prices start seeming more digestible.  

As we talk about Disney tickets, just remember the amazing service provided by Disney and the cost of those rides and upkeep.  

Disney takes all of my money. 

There are two places you can get Disney World tickets and eBay isn’t one of them.  Either buy your tickets right from Disney World or from an authorized ticket seller.  

GetAwayToday provides the best tickets and service point-blank.  The worst is having a family emergency and being stuck with thousands of dollars going to waste after being on hold for 30 minutes.  I’ve been in this situation before, and it’s not easy. 

Tip: Be careful with what kind of tickets you buy and how many days.  So many families overbuy and waste their days as they expire 14 days after first use.  You can always add on days, but you can’t take them away.  

The same goes with add-ons; don’t buy something you don’t have time to use. 

Tip: 1 and 2-day tickets are always the cheapest when purchased from Disney World 

Final Tip 

I focus on two things, saving money and making money.  Where I can’t find more savings, I make up with making more money.  

And there isn’t anything I haven’t tried yet to make money which is how I know all the tricks.  Last year I spent $800 on a New Years’ trip to Disney for two, but over $200 of that came from the money I had made using Swagbucks.   

I have at least 3 posts about Swagbucks including a full review because it has been a huge success for me.  It’s a website where you watch videos, take surveys, etc, to earn SB, which then can be redeemed for a number of things like cash or gift cards.  But I make money using Discover and Offers. Recently I signed up for Hulu for two months, spent $12, and was given $18 by Swagbucks.  

All I had to do was remember to cancel and I had $4.  In a year you can find infinite ways to do just that. Your earning potential is unlimited.  

Plus, just for signing up, you will get $10.   

Lyanna Soria

Friday 13th of December 2019

Wow, that is quite expensive but with careful planning plus your wonderful tips, I'm sure we could lessen that mark. Totally agree with all those tips especially the final one.

Tuesday 10th of December 2019

This is such an amazing guide! Thank you so much for all the tips! Saving this!

We are planning a Disney vacation this year together with our friend's family. He hope not to spend too much! Thanks for these tips!

Wow... that is some fantastic savings you have figured out there. I really want to take my kids on another trip to Disney World, but it's not in my budget at the moment. I need to save some more and use your tips.

Stefani Tolson

I so need to take a trip to Disney soon! It has been way too long but I am like you and need to plan for a trip on a budget. :)

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Yes, you can visit Disney World on a budget: Here’s how I did it

"Most expensive day ever … until next time" was a slogan I saw on several parents' T-shirts at Walt Disney World. As evidenced by it being printed on a variety of T-shirts, it's a pretty accepted belief that a trip to Disney is expensive. And yes, between park tickets, lodging, souvenirs and dining, a Disney World trip can quickly become very expensive. But, it's also possible to visit Disney World on a budget.

There are lots of ways a budget trip can be interpreted. After all, "budget" to one may still be pricey to another. But for the purposes of this 'experiment,' TPG director of travel content Summer Hull asked me to visit Disney World on a budget while still buying a one-day park ticket, staying for two nights at a value Disney resort and eating three meals a day at relatively inexpensive Disney World restaurants .

As such, this story isn't about the absolute cheapest way to visit Disney World. Instead, it's one where we purposefully decided to slice expenses without leaving the 'Disney bubble.' So, in this story, I'll describe how I recently visited Disney World for about 48 hours on a budget. In doing so, I'll discuss how much I spent and some points where I could have made different choices to lower my expenses further.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG's free daily newsletter .

Transport between the airport and resort

For this trip, I flew into Orlando International Airport (MCO). And since I was staying at a Disney resort, I was able to take Disney's Magical Express Service between Orlando International Airport and my resort for no additional charge.

I reserved my Magical Express ride ahead of time via a web form after booking my flights. But unfortunately, Disney will only offer this service for free to guests arriving before Jan. 1, 2022. After this point, guests will need to use other paid methods such as ride-hailing services , Mears Connect or a rental car to reach their resort. In the future, the Mears Connect option will cost $16 each way for adults and $13.50 each way for children.

Related: How much does a Walt Disney World vacation cost?

Despite hearing stories of long lines and significant wait times for a Magical Express bus, I was on a bus within six minutes of getting my checked bag. And the bus left the airport just 24 minutes after I boarded (I was one of the first passengers to board my bus). After stopping at two other Disney resorts, the bus reached the entrance to my resort just 47 minutes after leaving the airport.

When it was time to leave Disney two days later, I asked at the front desk for a Magical Express departure letter noting my bus time. I'd seen these letters hanging from other guests' doors the previous day, but no letter was on my door. So, I assumed there might be an issue with my return bus. But, the agent quickly printed a letter showing I'd depart the resort at 6:15 p.m. for my 9:25 p.m. Spirit Airlines flight .

My Magical Express bus arrived at my resort at 6:15 p.m. with just four other guests onboard. I assumed the bus would stop at many other resorts on the way to the airport, but it only stopped at the Disney Yacht Club Resort before continuing to the airport.

Cost for transport between the airport and resort : None

Staying at a Disney World value resort

TPG wanted me to stay on-site at a Walt Disney World resort for this trip to help with an apples-to-apples comparison for other stories. So I picked the least expensive resort for my dates: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort . This resort is one of Disney World's value resorts and we've seen rates dip as low as $100 per night in the past. But on my summer travel dates, it cost $206.57 per night (including taxes and fees). My two-night stay cost $413.14, which is more than 61% of my total expenses in Orlando for this trip.

Related: 6 ways using an authorized Disney vacation planner will improve your trip

Lodging is undoubtedly an area where I could have cut costs if my goal was to keep costs as minimal as possible. For example, I could've stayed at one of the best points hotels near Disney World . Or I could have booked an inexpensive hotel nearby. But, by staying onsite at a Disney resort, I saved on airport transportation with Disney's Magical Express . And I saved time and money on park transportation with Disney's bus system.

I also enjoyed Disney-theming at my hotel and I didn't have to leave the Disney bubble for 48 hours. So, it's worth considering whether to splurge a bit on one of Disney's value resorts even when visiting Disney World on a budget.

Cost for two nights at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort : $413.14

Getting around Disney World on a budget

Disney World has an extensive transportation network consisting of buses, ferries, monorails and gondolas. So, you can usually go directly between your Disney resort and the Disney World theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. And, if you want to go between two resorts, you can usually do so with just one connection.

Related: 19 mistakes to avoid at Walt Disney World

I solely used Disney's transportation network to get around during my stay. On my Magic Kingdom day, I was concerned that I wouldn't arrive at the park early enough to beat the crowds. But, I caught the second Magic Kingdom bus of the morning from my resort (about 72 minutes before the park opened) and was among the first guests to enter the park.

As one of the first guests, I hurried to the popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and rode after just a 12-minute wait (the wait topped 60 minutes every time I checked the rest of the day). Best of all, Disney guests can use the Disney transportation network for no extra cost.

Cost for getting around Disney : None

Maximizing park time

For this trip, TPG asked me to buy a one-day, one-park ticket. Prices vary a bit day to day based on demand, but this ticket cost $140.58 after taxes and fees for my July 19 visit. This is a lot for one person to visit one theme park for one day, so you may find that a multi-day ticket provides better overall value if your budget can handle the extra cost.

And if you are a Florida resident, you may be able to snag a surprisingly inexpensive three- or four-day one-park ticket.

Related: Disney World without kids: 9 ways to enjoy an adult trip to Disney

But for this trip, I could only visit one park for one day. So I decided to visit Disney's Magic Kingdom. I arrived at the park around 8 a.m. (an hour before it officially opened) and finally left at 10:45 p.m. that night (about 45 minutes after park closing). I logged 21,066 steps (8.92 miles) in the Magic Kingdom during my long day.

Although Disney staff didn't let guests into the individual Magic Kingdom lands until the official 9 a.m. park opening time, my early arrival meant I was one of the first guests into Fantasyland. Being among the first guests allowed me to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a minimal wait and visit the Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with modest waits before the park filled up with guests for the day.

I filled the busy middle of the day with lunch, free pin trading and experiencing some of the less-popular attractions, including:

• Mad Tea Party
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
• Mickey's PhilharMagic
• "it's a small world"
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

As guests began gathering for the evening fireworks show, I waited in a 45-minute line for the Jungle Cruise. Then I walked on The Magic Carpets of Aladdin without a wait during the fireworks and rode Pirates of the Caribbean, Under the Sea Journey of The Little Mermaid and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh after the fireworks finished, all with minimal waits at that time of the day.

Perhaps I could have added another top-tier ride — such as Space Mountain or Splash Mountain — to my day with a bit more planning and strategy. For example, TPG's Summer Hull told me after the fact that as long as you are in line at the official park closing time, you get to ride. So, I could have snagged one of these top-tier rides at the end of my day. Even so, I'm happy with the 18 Magic Kingdom rides and attractions I experienced in one park day without much planning or strategy.

Cost for my one-day, one-park Disney ticket : $140.58

Eating at Disney World on a budget

I ate six meals at Disney during my two days in Orlando. Granted, if I'd traveled on a tighter budget, I could have made sandwiches or grabbed some Uncrustables for many of these meals and saved some money. After all, you can get groceries delivered at Disney World . But, for this trip, TPG wanted me to check out a few budget-friendly Disney World restaurants instead of just trying for the absolute cheapest option.

In particular, here's what I ate at Disney:

• Dinner at World Premiere Food Court : House-seasoned grilled chicken sandwich and fries for $12.83
• Breakfast at Gaston's Tavern : Big warm cinnamon roll for $6.92
• Lunch at Jungle Skipper Canteen : Falls family falafel, curried vegetable crew stew and Schweitzer slush for $44.81, including tip
• Dinner at Casey's Corner : All-beef hot dog and fries for $10.11
• Breakfast at World Premiere Food Court : Mickey-shaped waffles kid's meal for $6.94
• Lunch at Boardwalk Bakery : Ham and cheese sandwich kid's meal for $7.44

Related: 10 ways to save money on a trip to Disney World

Of course, you can also save money by buying a refillable popcorn bucket. Then, you can get popcorn refills with your bucket for $2 during the rest of your Disney stay. You can also save on drink costs by ordering a cup of water with your meal instead of a soda or bottle of water.

And you can order kid's meals at many counter service restaurants. I tried out two kid's meals during my trip when I wasn't hungry enough for an adult meal. And I found the meals to be surprisingly filling.

I didn't run into any issues when I ordered kid's meals for myself through mobile ordering at the World Premiere Food Court and Boardwalk Bakery. However, a sign inside the Boardwalk Bakery (which I saw when picking up my meal) notes that kid's meals are only for children 9 or younger.

Almost half of my dining expenses on this trip were from one sit-down meal at Jungle Skipper Canteen. I could have easily cut costs here by skipping the appetizer and drink (or by skipping the restaurant entirely and eating a counter service meal).

But, sitting down in an air-conditioned restaurant for lunch was a welcome reprieve from a hot, busy summer day. This restaurant is a great choice if you want to be able to have a calmer, reserved dining experience without being tied to a big set menu cost the way you are at Be Our Guest or Cinderella's Royal Table (each of which starts at $62 per person regardless of how hungry you are). Here you can just order what you like from the menu with appetizers starting at $9 and entrees starting at $19.

And the Jungle Skipper Canteen was actually a fun experience thanks to jokes from my server and the interesting theming in the restaurant.

Cost for six meals at Disney : $89.05

Replace traditional souvenirs with pin trading

I'd never heard of Disney pin trading before this trip. But, TPG's Summer Hull told me about pin trading and encouraged me to order some inexpensive pins before my trip to trade. So, I ordered a pack of 10 pins, set aside my favorites and then took the rest with me to the Magic Kingdom.

During the middle of the day, I visited several locations to try out pin trading. At each site, I found a particular part of the store where an employee facilitated pin trading. In each case, pins were on a numbered board and I could choose up to two pins to trade from the board. The employee would give me these pins and I'd drop the pins I wanted to exchange into a cup or bin.

I tried out pin trading solely for this story but ended up enjoying the process. It's a fun way to get some souvenirs to take home without any extra cash outlay if you already have pins to trade. Alternatively, you could order some pretty inexpensively on Amazon in advance. So, especially if you are visiting with kids that would enjoy this process, you may be able to replace traditional souvenirs with pin trading.

Cost for 10 pins to trade : $17.30 (ordered before my trip)

Plan for predictable yet avoidable costs

You can save money on a trip to Disney World by avoiding predictable yet avoidable costs. For example, consider bringing the following items with you to save some money:

• Water bottle and electrolyte or flavor tablets or powder
• Source of caffeine
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Change of socks
• Nonperishable snacks, such as granola bars and sunburst

I brought all of these except a pair of extra socks and an umbrella. But after it rained, I discovered these two additional items would have been helpful. If you find yourself caught in a very predictable afternoon rain shower and have to buy a poncho in the park, it will set you back $12. But if you plan ahead, you can easily buy one for a dollar or two elsewhere.

Extra costs on my trip : None

Enjoying non-park days

Outside of lodging, my most significant expense at Disney World was my actual park ticket. So, one way to save money on a Disney trip is to include non-park days in your itinerary. Non-park days might consist of time at:

• Your resort's pool
• A Disney water park or mini-golf
• Other resorts
• Disney Springs
• Other Orlando attractions

Related: How to enjoy Disney World without park tickets

On my recent two-night trip, I spent non-park time on my check-out day. But, you may want to dedicate full days of your trip to non-park activities. It's not only cost-effective but having a down day helps you have the energy to fully maximize the days you do have in the parks.

You might even be able to maximize your experience by flying into Orlando on the morning of your check-in day and departing from Orlando in the late evening on your check-out date. For example, my 9:25 p.m. departure from Orlando allowed me to spend most of my last day relaxing at my resort and checking out a few other Disney resorts.

On my last day, I explored Disney's All-Star Movies Resort until the 11 a.m. check-out time. I only needed to be out of my room by this time, so I could have continued to use the pool and other facilities until my 6:15 p.m. Magical Express bus trip back to the airport. But, I wanted to use the time to explore a few other Disney resorts, so I left my checked bag at the bellhop desk and took a bus to Epcot.

Once at Epcot, I took a bus to Disney's Animal Kingdom Kidani Village. Disney guests staying at other resorts often head to Kidani Village to eat at Sanaa, but I simply wanted to see the lodge and watch the animals for a bit. There are two animal overlooks that you can visit, each with personnel happy to talk about any animals you might see. Unfortunately, as I went in the middle of a hot summer day, I didn't see many animals out and about at Kidani Village.

A biologist at Kidani Village recommended that I walk over to Disney's Animal Kingdom Jambo House to see the flamingos. So, I walked about 15 minutes along a path to Jambo House. Once at Jambo House, I visited a viewpoint accessible through the lobby and the flamingo viewpoint by the pool. I didn't see many animals besides the flamingos due to the midday heat, though.

Related: How to save money by renting Disney Vacation Club points

After watching the flamingos, I took a bus back to Epcot and then walked along a riverside pathway for 15 to 20 minutes to get to Disney's Boardwalk. There's usually plenty to do on Disney's Boardwalk, including dancing at Atlantic Dance Hall, playing midway games and watching street performers. But, since I visited midday, the boardwalk was relatively quiet. Even so, I enjoyed walking the boardwalk and eating lunch at the Boardwalk Bakery.

I also enjoyed looking across the lake toward the Beach and Yacht Club. I'd stayed at the Beach Club several times with my family as a child and loved the pools. So, I walked over to the Beach Club to take a quick look at one of my favorite vacation spots as a child.

After taking a literal walk down memory lane, I walked over to the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel to play a round of mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens. I'd planned to play the whimsical Fantasia Gardens course. But, the adjacent Fantasia Fairways course was much less crowded, so I opted for its sand traps, water hazards and sloping greens. I had fun but would likely wait for the Fantasia Gardens course if I returned since it would be more uniquely Disney.

After finishing my 18 holes of mini-golf, I walked to the ferry dock near the Swan Hotel and took the next ferry back to Epcot. I enjoyed the short ferry ride and found myself regretting that I didn't have time to try out the monorail during this trip. After all, I needed to catch a bus from Epcot back to Disney's All-Star Movies Resort in time for my Magical Express bus to the airport .

I fit a lot of fun into my non-park day. But given more time, I would have visited Disney's Polynesian Village Resort , Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Disney Springs .

Cost of extra activities : $14.91

Bottom line

A visit to Disney World is rarely cheap unless you live nearby and have an annual pass that you really maximize. But, as my experience shows, it's certainly possible to visit Disney on a budget and still have a great time. And although I thought a two-night trip would feel too short, my late-night flight departure when leaving Orlando allowed me to spend most of my departure day resort hopping.

As such, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a two-night trip if that's all your budget can handle. But, I'd suggest arriving early on your check-in day and departing late on your check-out day. By doing so, you can spend these days resort hopping or relaxing at your resort. You could even redeem World of Hyatt points for a room at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport on your arrival or departure date so you can really use up all available daylight at Walt Disney World without adding any cash costs to your stay.

Free Printable Disney World Budget Planner

How much will it cost to have a Walt Disney World vacation? For many families on a budget, this is a big question they ask while trying to plan Disney vacation. To help clear up some of the mystery, I have created a Free Printable Walt Disney World Budget Planner.

If you fill out this budget planner, it will help you decide whether you can afford a Value Resort or a Deluxe Resort. It will also help you determine how much you should begin saving in order to pay for your vacation.

Walt Disney World Budget Planner

This free printable Walt Disney World Budget Planner will help you think through the various costs for your vacation so that you can have an idea of how much you will need to save over the next year.

Don’t miss Answers to Three Big Questions You Have When Planning a Disney World Vacation . Next, I am sharing our 11 Month Planning Update . You can see the latest posts from this series by clicking here .

If you have anything to add to the conversation, don’t be shy! I would love to answer any of your Disney planning questions and if you share a tip I love, I might just include you in next month’s countdown. Leave a comment or connect with us on  Facebook ,  Instagram , or  Twitter !

Catch up on the Series:

12 Months:   Introduction  //  The 3 Big Questions  //  Free Printable Budget Planner

11 Months:   11 Month Update  //  Best Free Planning Resources  //  Printable Journal Cards

10 Months:   10 Month Update  //  Top Planning Websites  //  Free Printable Stroller Tags

9 Months:   Disney Dining Plan Review  //  Free Printable Top 10 Attractions List

8 Months:   8 Month Update  //  Top 10 Tinker Bell Gifts  //  Printable Tinker Bell Gift Tags

7 Months:   7 Month Update  //  Best Disney World Planning Books  //  Travel Info Sheet

6 Months:   6 Month Update  //  Touring Plan Spreadsheet

5 Months:   5 Month Update  //  Pin Trading Guide

4 Months:   Disney Movie Countdown  //  Free Printable Daily Disney Planner

3 Months:   Best Gear for Traveling with Kids  //  Printable Guide to Rides by Height

2 Months:   All About FastPass+  //  Free Printable Character Autograph Print

1 Month:   Disney World Packing List

Countdown to Walt Disney World:   Disney World Trip Report

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4 thoughts on “Free Printable Disney World Budget Planner”

I signed up for the newsletter…can I get the Disney downloads via email…I don’t know where they go (if anywhere) if downloaded to my phone

Hi Erinn! Absolutely, I’ll e-mail you now.

Hi, How do you get the printable versions for all the disney planner etc

Hi Lucie! I started a site completely dedicated to Walt Disney World planning, so you can find a ton of the free printables at http://www.dreamplanfly.com . We also have an Etsy store where you can purchase the complete Ultimate Walt Disney World Vacation Planner –

https://www.etsy.com/listing/536271774/ultimate-walt-disney-world-planner?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ultimate+disney+world+vacation+planner&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&bes=1 .

Let me know if you have any questions!

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How to actually do Disney World on a Budget 2023

Save this post for later

There is a lot of really good (and not so good) info out there, people trying to sell you things, and outdated advice about how to actually do Disney World on a budget.

Sure, you can compile a gajillion tips, but that also isn’t going to prepare you for Disney on a Budget.

So *how* then, do you go to Disney World on a budget, especially if you have a fixed income and no room to rack up debt?

With a simple and realistic plan, my friends.

Let’s look at exactly what to plan for, the unexpected costs, the things to cut, and see how to do Disney World on a budget.

What is a good budget for Disney World?

when considering tickets, where to stay, what to eat and some items to take home you can easily spend 6000. There are several ways below to get that total around 4000, but under budgeting can cost you more in the long run. On average, Disney increases between 5-10% each year as they raise prices across the board on lodging, food, tickets and souvenirs.

This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.

How much should I budget for Disney World for a weeklong vacation?

For most people, a Disney World Vacation runs around 5000 dollars *just for tickets, transportation and lodging*. This figure doesn’t include food or souvenirs or random expenses like boarding the dog and buying new shoes because you lost one. In truth, most people are spending 6-8k on a trip when all the receipts are accounted for .

Let’s look at why Disney is that price, so you can better understand how to do a Budget Friendly Vacation while making all the memories .

So for a budget vacation, we’ll say that you are spending 1000 per person TOTAL for a family of 4 (but theoretically you could expand this for multiple family members, like my family of 5!) This means were looking at every receipt, and once your home you’ve only spent *4000* total on your trip!

Your budget could also be larger, and you have more flexibility in how you budget your trip (like getting lightning lane or purchasing a VIP to get all the rides in without several days in the parks).

It’s a good idea to maximize all the things you can do on your trip, like this up to date list of Free Items at Disney World , but even without including free things, there’s so much customization you can do on a trip.

And for full clarity- I do not work for Disney- but I believe that everyone should make memories on a Family Vacation the the Theme Parks. While that may look different for all of us, enjoying Disney is still possible.

First step for a Budget Disney Vacation… Park Tickets

Planning Tickets first seems like a weird place to start (most people start at hotels or transportation) but were starting here first for a reason! Touring plans are an integral part of a budget friendly vacation . Consider that you’re paying 3200 for a budget vacation… that means you’re paying 300 an hour to step foot inside Disney World for three days . ***Time is literally money in the theme parks! ***

First, get a list of weeks that you can go to Disney World. (The ‘cheapest’ months to go to Disney World are January, August and September, followed by June).

Second, You’ll want to head over to Disney World, and put those dates in to see what the prices are. (this is the site to check dates and prices at Disney!)

➡️ For our budget vacation to work, you’ll need to find the most convenient time for you mixed with the lowest price tickets for your family!

Let’s walk through it together. For this example I’m going to use May 2023. Tickets start at 109 per day, for everyone over 10 years of age if you use a park hopper, but that number is actually closer to 130 dollars per day if you pay an individual ticket.

If you choose a 3 day non park hopper (meaning, one park for one day), you’ll pay about 350 per person in 2022. $395 per person in 2023. With these tickets, you can visit Disney World for three days at three parks, each park on one day.

note: I do not recommend adding on the water parks and sports options. Or the Park Hopper plus option.

If you bump it up a day, to a four day excursion to the parks with no park hopper, you’ll be around 460 per person in 2022 $505 per person. So all four main Disney World theme parks (not the water parks), one park each day.

But maybe the best option is a 3 day ticket WITH the park hopper option, as you can visit all of the parks! This is around 450 in 2022 $470 in 2022, and the advantage of this is to take advantage of open and close times!

So with the park hopper, you’d start in Animal Kingdom on day one, and end at EPCOT. Day two you can start in Magic Kingdom and end at Hollywood Studios. Then day three you can pick your favorite park to spend the whole day in, since you’ve seen all the other parks, or hop around to your hearts content.

➡️ Two notes about Park Hopping. 1. Currently you can only park hop after 2 pm, so a morning/lunch in one park, before heading to the other parks in the afternoon. You’ll want to start in a park that opens early and then take advantage of parks that are open the latest. 2. There is a time element to park hop- sometimes it can take over an hour to get to the next park. The easiest parks to hop to are Epcot/Hollywood studios (takes about 30 minutes) and Epcot to Magic Kingdom (30-45 minutes)

Total *Ticket Costs* for a family of 4 with 3 day park hoppers: $2000

Total *Ticket Costs* for a family of 4 with 3 day one park per day: $1650

Total Ticket Cost just to add one day of Disney World to an Orlando Vacation for a family of 4: $600

above prices include tax and were pulled from Disney World’s ticket price estimator

(It’s at this point that many people consider a Disney Cruise, as a family of four can do a three night cruise where you get to meet Mickey Mouse, and see shows, and have fun, for $3500. This price includes most foods and many activities. Bonus, you aren’t standing in the hot sun while waiting in line, as most of your lines are inside in the air conditioning. )

What about Budget Ticket Options?

This is a good question, and there are a few budget ticket options! Most of these ticket options are prepurchased, or advance purchase tickets.

➡️ For those of you in the military, you can get discounted tickets and discounted rooms through Shades of Green resort.

➡️ Some companies offer a discount, you’ll need to check with your employer or through your employee portal.

➡️ Florida Residents can get a discount too! Have family in Florida? They can use a ‘Grandparents’ clause, and purchase tickets for the kids at the Florida Resident Price (but not adults!) They will need to be there in person to redeem the tickets though, as proof of residency is required. Florida residents can also get discounted tickets for themselves, and annual passes.

Then let’s talk about where to stay for a Budget friendly Walt Disney World Vacation

There are several options for a Budget Vacation, let’s talk about the options, and some recommendations that will fit your family best.

In order for a Budget Vacation to work, you need to consider two things. One is your transportation. Do you have a vehicle? Are you relying on Rideshare options? Let’s talk about parking really quickly…

➡️Parking: If you are staying at one of the resorts and paying the resort parking fee, you get free parking at the resorts. If you are renting DVC points, you get to park for free at the resort and in the parks. If you stay at a Disney Springs resort, or elsewhere in Orlando, you will likely pay a resort fee AND a parking fee. You will not pay a parking fee at most vacation house rentals.

The second is what to do for food! If you are wanting to cook most of your meals, you’ll need something with at least a kitchenette, but a larger kitchen is prefered!

➡️ Ideally, for this budget to work, you need a kitchen , but it’s not required. There are a lot of hacks for eating your food in the room without a kitchen. There’s a nearby Walmart, Target, Costco and Publix (who all deliver) where you can get easy and quick foods at 1/5 of the Theme Park cost.

Ideas for a Budget Stay:

Budget Stay One: Value Disney World Resort May 2022 (my recommendation)

Consider using Disney discounts for your stay! Disney+ subscribers often get discounts, as do Florida residents and

Budget Stay Two: Fort Wilderness

Staying at Fort Wilderness means that you’ve brought a RV, rented a RV, or going all out with Tent Camping.

If you’re renting a RV, that’s an addition fee to factor in to your vacation! Most RV rentals are 200 per night for a regular size camper (lower price for smaller campers and higher price for campers that sleep up to 10)

Budget Stay Three: Rent DVC points

For this you could rent points randomly from someone online, or you could use a third party service like David’s DVC rentals.

Budget Stay Four: Stay at Universal Orlando’s

Consider doing an Universal Vacation and adding on a Disney Day. Universal still offers annual passes and has more room in there value resorts.

As you can see, finding accommodations below 1000 (especially with a kitchen!) is very hard. This will require a lot of planning and adjusting your dates to find a date that has low costs for room and tickets! A true budget vacation is not possible during the Holidays unless you only go for one day.

Next up we have to plan the transportation

Transportation is the number one Budget Mistake that people make when they are planning a Disney World vacation! If you drive, you’ll need to pay for parking. If you fly, you’ll need to pay for transportation from the airport (or rent a vehicle). If you add Disney World onto a Disney Cruise, you’ll need to figure out transportation.

Driving is always an option, and you’ll need to account for hotel parking costs.

If you fly, you’ll need to account for the paid option to get from the airport to Disney World.

Either way, you should budget 50 dollars a day for transportation cost.

The Budget Breaker… Food

This is the NUMBER ONE area that people overspend. This is also the area people leave out when they are tallying their numbers. it’s so easy to forget the 5 dollar bottle of water, the late night snack run, the ice cream for breakfast etc etc.

But food is very expensive at Disney World (or any vacation where you eat out for most of the meals), and even more so when you consider that you need more calories, want fun treats, and get caught up in the magic of a Disney World Vacation.

Eating quick service, you can expect to pay 15 dollars per person, per meal. For a 5 night trip, 3 days in the parks, and two days of travel… you’ll spend 180 a day on just meals for a family of four for a total of 1260 for 7 days of vacation.

This does not include snacks, water, desserts, or any sit down meals. When including 4 dollar bottles of water, 5-10 dollar snacks, sit down meals, and random souvenir treats it’s no surprise to see a food budget over 1800 for the week .

Children are the exception as they are around 8-10 dollars per quick serve meal.

Let’s get this down below 800 for the 7 days… ready?

Buy two cases of water, bring water bottles, and grab water flavors or powders. Instead of paying 4 dollars for a bottle of water at the parks and spending over 300 for the week there , you can spend just 30 dollars at Target Delivery/Target Pickup or Amazon. Spend an extra 40 dollars on water bottles so you can refill at water stations and quick serve restaurants on your trip!

Next up, were bringing in snacks. Think a bag of apples, bags of chips and cookies, dried fruit and protein bars. Spending 80 dollars at the store on snacks is going to save you at least 200 during your vacation.

Now, let’s break down that 1280 dollar expense for quick service meals! You gotta eat, there’s no surprise there, but there’s a way to make this number more manageable. For one, allocating some of that money to a resort with a kitchenette, and getting groceries delivered is a good way to slash the dinner or lunch budget in half. But you can also do easy foods without a kitchen!

Think creatively about what you like to eat and then see if you can make those foods with the hot water or microwaves at the resort.

Consider ordering more kids meals, or bringing in snacks to make a full meal from something that you split.

There’s easy items like fruits, oatmeals, yogurts, meal bars, dried meat, trail mix, sandwiches/wraps, and pasta. Cutting breakfast or lunch from 15 dollars down to 5 with store bought items, over 7 days, will save at least 200 dollars. Don’t underestimate calorie needs here, as you’ll need to have a lot to eat burning all the energy in the parks.

For two plan for fun treats or special events! Like Character Meals, which are an amazing way to spend time with characters and get some really good pictures. These are most expensive at lunch and dinner, so a breakfast trip is your money saving option.

Then think about fun treats or desserts. Allocate some money here (at least 30 a person, as most treats run 10 dollars) so everyone can have a few fun items without being concerned about money on vacation.

Coffee is another undercounted expense as it’s easily 5 dollars a cup (minimum)! Make coffee in your hotel, or grab some premade bottles to have iced coffee.

Last up is Souvenirs

Souvenirs are last because they are technically the least important… after all, Disney World is about the experience. If you just wanted a stuffed mickey or a magnet, you could buy that online!

There’s a few hacks for souvenirs so I’ll list a few.

For Starters, you can get 5% off Disney gift cards year round if you have the Target RedCard . This is offered as a debit or credit card, and it’s a handy tool. Personally I have it set up as a Debit Card so I can use it when I need it strategically.

Next consider options like eBay hunting, setting a souvenir budget, grabbing souvenirs that are food items so it’s a double option, having family members give gift cards for holidays so you can use them on vacation.

if everyone spends 75 dollars, which is very easy to do, a family of 4 would spend around 300 on souvenirs.

But here’s 10 souvenirs under 10 dollars in 2022 for Disney World in case you’d like to plan ahead with some of the options. (and also understand what prices really look like on vacation)

I’m also going to include those ‘oopsie’ items you’ll need to purchase while you are here. Those could be a new pair of shoes because your strap broke at the park, ponchos because it rained, or hats because the sun was making everyone look like a lobster. We’ll count 100 here , but it could be more ( see the packing hacks list to plan for the inevitable)

Estimated Souvenirs for a Family of 4: $ 400

Here’s the tally of expenses so far:

Total for a 2022 vacation: minimum 5000, but likely closer to 5500 or 6000. And realistically, with a few extras or some more table service meals, most families spend 6000+ on a Disney World Vacation.

This doesn’t account for travel, and there are so many variations I couldn’t list them all. But just when considering Tickets, where to stay, what to eat and some items to take home you can easily spend 6000. There are several ways below to get that total around 4000, but under budgeting can cost you more in the long run.

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Going to Disney World in 2024? 10 tips and tricks to do it cheap(ish) and save money

Planning a trip to Disney World in 2024? Good timing! They've ended the requirement for park reservations and brought back the Disney Dining Plan, both changes made during the pandemic .

But happy memories at The Most Magical Place on Earth don't come cheap. One-day tickets run $109, although the price may change depending on the date. Florida residents get breaks on 3- and 4-day tickets, up to 40% off, or you can get a 2-day "Disney Thrills" ticket for $99.50 a day.

But once you factor in tickets for everyone in the family, plus accommodations, plus transportation, plus food and gear and souvenirs and upcharges for special events, you're looking at thousands of dollars. According to Disney planning site MagicGuides , a typical Walt Disney World vacation for a family of 4 in 2024 including a 7-night Disney Value Resort stay, meals and 6 days of tickets will cost about $6,559. 

Anything you can do to trim off some of those expenses can add up to some real savings. Here are some tips to help you take at least a little of your money back home.

1. Choose your time and dates wisely

Aside from trying to avoid crowds, the dates you pick could have a major impact on what you pay for accommodations and air travel. Avoid booking vacations near holidays or during the summer, if possible. The times most likely to be less crowded for the Disney parks in Orlando, according to MagicGuides, are:

• January 2nd until just before Presidents’ Day week (the third Monday in February)
• The month or so after Labor Day
• The week following Thanksgiving weekend until the week before Christmas

If you can, buy your tickets well in advance. Disney raises admission prices every year and you might as well lock in the current prices.

2. Get help booking your stay

Consider booking through a Disney travel agent. If you go with a reputable (no-fee) business, they can help you plan and book your trip and they'll know all the limited-time offers , discounts, promotions and bundling possibilities to save you money.

"If a better deal arises after your initial booking, they proactively re-book your trip to take advantage of lower rates," MagicGuides said in an email. "Additionally, they have the capability to establish a Disney payment plan, allowing you to manage the cost of your trip through installments rather than paying for it all at once."

Check with any organizations you're a member of in case they offer Disney discounts. If you're a member of AARP, you can get up to $60 off park tickets and up to $10 off Disney After Hours Special Events and there are discounts available for many off-site hotels.

3. Consider staying off-site

Staying at a Disney resort can be amazing, especially for the kids. You'll stay immersed in the Disney experience, there's plenty to do there, you get great service, you don't have to worry about transportation to or parking at the parks, it's easy to head back to the hotel for a break during the day, and you get to enter the parks a half hour before anyone else and get a jump on the rides. Guests of Disney World’s Deluxe, Deluxe Villa resorts and a few other hotels also get  extended evening hours  on select dates, in select parks.

But they can be pricey. To save some bucks it may be cheaper to go to an off-site hotel or motel instead or rent an AirBnB, even if you will have to pay for a car and parking.

If you do prefer staying in the arms of the Mouse but have a camper or RV, you can stay at one of the campsites ($71) or cabins ($417) at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and take a bus or water taxi to the Magic Kingdom.

4. Buy discounted Disney gift cards

If you plan ahead this is basically free money. Disney gift cards, which can be used to pay for tickets, Disney hotels, souvenirs, food in the parks and more, are nearly 4% off if you get them at a big-box discount store like Sam's or BJ's, and 5% off if you buy them with a RedCard debit card at Target. Disney VISA cardholders get 1-2% cash back when they buy Disney gift cards.

5. Bring your own food and avoid sit-down restaurants

This year Disney is bringing back prepaid meal plans for guests who book Disney vacation packages with on-property hotel stays, which will run you $57.01 per adult and $23.83 per child per night of stay for the Quick-Service Dining Plan or $94.28 per adult and $29.69 per child per night of stay for the standard Disney Dining Plan, including tax.

But note that for the dining plans, "adult" means anyone 10 years old and up, and going to character dinners or other upscale options will eat away at your dining plans twice as fast. You may find it cheaper to stick with paying as you go.

To keep costs down while you eat, order kids' meals (adults can, too, and it'll be plenty) or split entrees. For a relatively inexpensive snack, you can get a refillable (and collectible) popcorn bucket for $13 and refills are just $2.

Or you could just bring your own meals.

Disney World has a lot of great restaurants and quick-service eateries with some highly Instagrammable foods and drinks you'll only find on park property , but if you really want to slash your spending just buy some fruit, a loaf of bread and some peanut butter and jelly. Disney, unlike most other theme parks, lets you bring your own food and nonalcoholic drinks in.

There are restrictions on cooler size (no larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high) and you can't bring in loose or dry ice, but you can pack some food that will last and stash it in one of the lockers inside the parks. Just head back to it when you get hungry — or plan for one or two restaurant meals and hit your cooler for the rest — and save yourself the lines and the expense.

Tried and true tips for first trips: How do I get the most out of Disney World in a day?

6. Never buy water at Disney

On that note, bottles of water will cost you a lot more inside the parks.

Bring your own water bottles and fill up at any water fountain or with free ice water from any restaurant. Having your own bottle also comes in handy when you buy a drink and want to take it to go. Many drinks are served without lids and open containers are banned in rides.

7. Bring the essentials with you

In fact, there are quite a few things you should consider tossing in your backpack, or purse, or fanny pack before you go, because they will cost you quite a built more once you're inside the gates.

• Medications such as Tylenol, Advil
• Ponchos, umbrellas
• Hand sanitizers or wet wipes
• Phone chargers and battery packs

Taking the family to Disney: How to plan a multigenerational Disney World vacation so everyone has a good time

8. Spend a day outside the parks

You don't have to spend the whole trip at an expensive theme park. This is Florida, with warm weather most of the year and beautiful parks, funky little beach towns and plenty of things to see and do . Hang out at the pool, drive over to the beach , hike in the Florida trails, go see the manatees .

9. Look for free or inexpensive Disney experiences

Central Florida is stuffed with Disney experiences and not all of them are inside the parks.

• Disney BoardWalk : Dining, shopping, arcade games, street performers and more. Think of it as like Coney Island, but with fewer rides and more Mickeys. Catch some live entertainment at the Atlantic Dance Hall, Jellyrolls or the House of Blues. It's also a good spot to watch EPCOT's closing fireworks.
• Disney Springs : Another outdoor shopping complex, this one's at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista but it's free to visit. See beautiful waterfront views, watch the live entertainment and concerts, say hi at the occasional (free!) Disney character appearances, cool off in the splash pads, get free chocolate at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, build something at the LEGO Store's interactive area, or window shop the 150+ stores.
• Butterfly Gardens at Fort Wilderness: Open to the public and free.
• Free concerts at EPCOT : The America Gardens Theater at the American Adventure Pavilion has free concerts throughout the year, often tied to seasonal festivals or holidays.
• Check out the Disney resorts: Even if you're not staying at any of them, you can still go see the lobbies and grounds of different resorts and see the Disney magic in all of them. Some even offer tours. At the Animal Kingdom Lodge you can hang out in the viewing area and watch exotic African animals roaming around.

10. Buy your Disney souvenirs anywhere besides Disney

There are often limited edition souvenirs that are only available inside the parks (or on eBay at a hefty markup).

But if you're looking for the basics to keep your kids happy, especially younger children who won't know the difference, Disney souvenir clothes, hats and toys are much cheaper from local stores or Amazon.

If you must buy remembrances of your trip, think cheap .

• Autographs (free): Autographs from characters only cost you time.
• Professional photographs (free): Disney's PhotoPass photographers are roaming the parks and will take pictures of you from $69 to $199. But you can ask them to snap a pic with your phone or camera as well, and not buy the "official" one.
• Stickers (free): Many of the cast members keep stickers on them to hand out on request.
• Pressed pennies ($1) : There are several coin press machines around Disney World, all with different designs, and searching for them is an activity in itself.
• Disney pins (around $12 and up) : Disney pin collecting is a popular pastime and it doesn't cost much to get started, especially if you buy them elsewhere. Even better, once you have some you can trade them with Disney cast members or other guests.

USA TODAY's Eve Chen contributed to this article.

This Is How Much It Costs to Go to Disney World in 2024

Text Callout : Key Takeaways – This Is How Much It Costs to Go to Disney World in 2024

Even if you consider Walt Disney World Resort the “happiest place on earth,” it’s probably not on your list of the most affordable places to visit.

One-day tickets to Disney World in 2024 currently start at $109 per person. Of course, most people vacationing at Disney World stay for more than one day and many visit more than one park – and multiday, multipark tickets typically include discounted pricing. In addition to park admission, keep in mind you might need to pay for airfare, a hotel and food.

While the total cost of a trip can vary significantly, a Mouse Hacking blog analysis pegged a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four at $6,865 in 2024. The blog estimated a budget trip would cost about $4,735, while a higher-end version would run about $10,696.

No matter your budget, here are a few ways to stretch your vacation dollars and make the most of your trip:

Be Flexible on Timing

Disney World started using “dynamic pricing” in 2018, meaning it charges higher prices during holidays and popular weeks and lower prices for off-peak visits. In general, you’ll find the lowest pricing in late August and early September, and for weekday visits to the parks.

“In Florida, the kids are back in school by August, so the parks are less crowded and the prices are lower,” says Dayle Bland, a personal vacation planner who specializes in Disney trips.

"Weather-wise, it’s a hotter time of year, but if you can get past that and plan your days accordingly, you can have a great visit at a better price point," she adds. 

Choose Your Hotel Carefully

Disney offers three levels of hotels – value, moderate and deluxe – with three levels of pricing.

“The great thing about Disney is that there are resorts for every budget,” says Allison DePesa, a travel advisor with Marvelous Mouse Travels.

Those looking to keep costs as low as possible will likely want to stay at the “value” hotels. You can also stay in a non-Disney hotel, but it’s important to factor in the cost of transportation. Those staying at Disney resorts have access to free parking at the parks as well as free shuttles that run about every 20 minutes.

Plan For Food Expenses

After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's dining plans are back.

"If you are staying at a Disney resort on a package, you can opt for Disney Dining Plan but these might not always be the best value. Save money by bringing your own sandwiches and snacks. Small cooler bags are allowed but remember no loose ice," Carrie Bradley, a frequent Disney World visitor and founder of VisitingOrlandoWithKids.com, said in an email.

She added that you can expect to spend around $6 for a Mickey ice cream bar and should budget around $50 per person, per day for food if you eat at the parks and don’t dine at character table service restaurants.

Some guests also opt to get groceries delivered to their hotels (Disney hotels will accept and store your deliveries while you’re out) so they can make their own breakfast and bring snacks to the parks.

Set a Limit on Souvenirs

Impulse purchases at souvenir shops are an easy way to quickly bust your budget. Try to avoid spending too much time in the gift shops, where the temptation can be hard to resist – or, set a limit for how much each person can spend on souvenirs per day or throughout the vacation.

If your family really wants to get into the spirit and don Disney apparel for the trip, stock up ahead of time at stores like Target or Kohl’s, which carry licensed apparel. “They have awesome selections,” DePesa says. “Kohl’s does a whole line of family-matching Disney apparel.”

Keep an Eye Out for New Discounts

Disney does occasionally host promotions that offer discounted pricing on tickets or hotels for specific periods. For example, 4-day, 4-park Magic Tickets are currently $396 per ticket through September 22, 2024.

If you’ve already booked your visit, you or your travel agent can call Disney to have the promotion retroactively applied to your purchase, if it qualifies.

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

This Is How Much It Costs to Go to Disney World in 2024

Disney World might be the "happiest place on earth,” but it's certainly not the most affordable.

Disney World Costs in 2024

Gary Hershorn | Getty Images

As you plan your trip to Disney World, look out for discounted pricing on tickets or hotels for specific periods.

Key Takeaways

• Standard Disney World tickets currently cost $109 per person, per day.
• 3- and 4-day Magic Tickets to multiple parks are on sale through mid-September.
• The estimated cost of a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four is $6,865 in 2024.
• Budget trips cost about $4,735 in 2024, while higher-end versions will run about $10,696.

Even if you consider Walt Disney World Resort the “happiest place on earth,” it’s probably not on your list of the most affordable places to visit.

One-day tickets to Disney World in 2024 currently start at $109 per person. Of course, most people vacationing at Disney World stay for more than one day and many visit more than one park – and multiday, multipark tickets typically include discounted pricing. In addition to park admission, keep in mind you might need to pay for airfare, a hotel and food.

While the total cost of a trip can vary significantly, a Mouse Hacking blog analysis pegged a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four at $6,865 in 2024. The blog estimated a budget trip would cost about $4,735, while a higher-end version would run about $10,696.

No matter your budget, here are a few ways to stretch your vacation dollars and make the most of your trip:

Be Flexible on Timing

Disney World started using “dynamic pricing” in 2018, meaning it charges higher prices during holidays and popular weeks and lower prices for off-peak visits. In general, you’ll find the lowest pricing in late August and early September, and for weekday visits to the parks.

“In Florida, the kids are back in school by August, so the parks are less crowded and the prices are lower,” says Dayle Bland, a personal vacation planner who specializes in Disney trips.

"Weather-wise, it’s a hotter time of year, but if you can get past that and plan your days accordingly, you can have a great visit at a better price point," she adds.  

Choose Your Hotel Carefully

Disney offers three levels of hotels – value, moderate and deluxe – with three levels of pricing.

“The great thing about Disney is that there are resorts for every budget,” says Allison DePesa, a travel advisor with Marvelous Mouse Travels.

Those looking to keep costs as low as possible will likely want to stay at the “value” hotels. You can also stay in a non-Disney hotel, but it’s important to factor in the cost of transportation. Those staying at Disney resorts have access to free parking at the parks as well as free shuttles that run about every 20 minutes.

Plan For Food Expenses

After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's dining plans are back.

"If you are staying at a Disney resort on a package, you can opt for Disney Dining Plan but these might not always be the best value. Save money by bringing your own sandwiches and snacks. Small cooler bags are allowed but remember no loose ice," Carrie Bradley, a frequent Disney World visitor and founder of VisitingOrlandoWithKids.com, said in an email.

She added that you can expect to spend around $6 for a Mickey ice cream bar and should budget around $50 per person, per day for food if you eat at the parks and don’t dine at character table service restaurants.

Some guests also opt to get groceries delivered to their hotels (Disney hotels will accept and store your deliveries while you’re out) so they can make their own breakfast and bring snacks to the parks.

Set a Limit on Souvenirs

Impulse purchases at souvenir shops are an easy way to quickly bust your budget. Try to avoid spending too much time in the gift shops, where the temptation can be hard to resist – or, set a limit for how much each person can spend on souvenirs per day or throughout the vacation.

If your family really wants to get into the spirit and don Disney apparel for the trip, stock up ahead of time at stores like Target or Kohl’s, which carry licensed apparel. “They have awesome selections,” DePesa says. “Kohl’s does a whole line of family-matching Disney apparel.”

Keep an Eye Out for New Discounts

Disney does occasionally host promotions that offer discounted pricing on tickets or hotels for specific periods. For example, 4-day, 4-park Magic Tickets are currently $396 per ticket through September 22, 2024.

If you’ve already booked your visit, you or your travel agent can call Disney to have the promotion retroactively applied to your purchase, if it qualifies.

12 Best Discount Shopping Apps

Maryalene LaPonsie May 15, 2024

Tags: money , personal finance , personal budgets , Disney Vacations , entertainment

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Save on Rooms at Select Disney Resort Hotels This Fall and Holiday Season

View All Special Offers

• Save up to 30% on rooms for stays most nights from November 24 to December 25, 2024
• Enjoy other savings for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights from October 6 to November 21, 2024

Plus, get FREE Park Hopper benefits when you take advantage of this offer and upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package that includes nondiscounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets! With Park Hopper benefits, you can visit multiple theme parks each day of your ticket. Learn more about Park Hopper benefits .

This offer is valid for the Disney Resort hotels listed below. View the chart to explore savings.

Stay in the Magic!

With Disney Resorts Collection, you can experience the same legendary detail, service and storytelling found in the theme parks. Read More

With Disney Resorts Collection, you can experience the same legendary detail, service and storytelling found in the theme parks. And you’ll discover enchantment around every corner.

Explore some highlights of staying at a Disney Resort hotel:

Early Theme Park Entry When you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, you can get 30 minutes early entry to any theme park on each day of your stay (subject to capacity)—so you can enjoy select attractions, shops and dining before regular park opening.

For early theme park entry, you’ll need a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile service or a Key to the World Card, as well as valid admission. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours When you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, you’ll enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.

For extended evening hours, you’ll need a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile service or a Key to the World Card, as well as valid admission. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

Get Around with Ease Complimentary transportation options make it easy—and fun—to get around Walt Disney World Resort. Zip about on the world-famous monorail, glide across the sky on Disney Skyliner and cruise along serene waterways aboard a water taxi. Some Disney Resort hotels are even within walking distance of select theme parks.

Magic Around Every Corner Be immersed in fantastical worlds both real and imagined—including some favorite Disney and Pixar tales. Whether you’re taking in views of an African savanna, splashing into a whimsically themed pool or savoring the flavors of the Polynesian Isles, you’ll find fun and surprising Disney touches in every detail.

The fun is seemingly endless at a Disney Resort hotel, where you can enjoy themed pools with waterslides, poolside activities and delicious dining experiences. You may even spot some familiar Disney friends!

Activities and amenities vary by Disney Resort hotel.

Holiday Décor and More

Disney Resort hotels get decked out in seasonal style just in time for the holidays! Read More

Disney Resort hotels get decked out in seasonal style just in time for the holidays!

Each Disney Resort hotel is uniquely transformed with festive touches. Highlights include:

• Grand Christmas trees —inspired by some favorite Disney stories and locations—adorned with shimmering ornaments and twinkling lights
• Cheerful decorations and accents to spruce up the scene

Plus, be on the lookout for holiday treats during your stay—available at select dining locations and shops for a limited time.

Fun in the Theme Parks

When you add valid theme park admission, you can discover new experiences and classic favorites at Walt Disney World Resort. Read More

When you add valid theme park admission, you can discover new experiences and classic favorites at Walt Disney World Resort.

Theme Park Reservations To enter a theme park, a theme park reservation may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

View the park reservation availability calendar .

• Embark on a culinary adventure around the world at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival —from August 29 to November 23, 2024.
• Feel oh-so-jolly when you observe global holiday traditions shared by storytellers from around the world at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays —from November 29 to December 30, 2024.
• Stroll along a lush trail where you can explore the wonders of water and discover its playful personality at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana .
• Blast off on an intergalactic chase with Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind —a coaster inspired by the rockin’ movies.
• Board an ancient Norwegian vessel and be whisked away to the kingdom of Arendelle during Frozen Ever After .
• Meet some of your favorite Disney Characters at Mickey & Friends in CommuniCore Hall, a delightful new location at EPCOT.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Enjoy spirited holiday entertainment! Meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in holiday attire at Adventurers Outpost. Plus, check out the Merry Menagerie on Discovery Island, featuring artisan-sculpted puppets of reindeer, foxes, polar bears and other arctic animals—November 12 through late December.
• Celebrate the magic of nature at Pandora – The World of Avatar . Here, you can fly on the back of a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage , hike amid floating mountains in the Valley of Mo’ara and take a mystical boat ride into a bioluminescent rainforest on the Na’vi River Journey .
• Set off in an open-air vehicle across a lush African savanna teeming with exotic animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris .
• Witness Finding Nemo : The Big Blue… and Beyond! —a vibrant stage show set in the underwater world of Finding Nemo .
• Behold Festival of the Lion King —a larger-than-life show filled with pageantry, puppetry and classic songs from The Lion King .
• Speed through the Himalayas on a runaway train while avoiding the clutches of the Yeti on Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.

Magic Kingdom Park

• Get wrapped up in all things merry and bright, with holiday decorations and cheerful touches around the park from November 12 through late December. You won’t want to miss Frozen Holiday Surprise , a dazzling experience that will illuminate Cinderella Castle—featuring appearances from Elsa, Anna and other Frozen friends.
• NEW! Drop on in to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure —a new attraction where bayou thrills meet Disney magic! Join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis as they traverse winding waterways in search of musical critters for a grand celebration during Mardi Gras season.
• Leave the real world behind for a high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON —on TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise.
• Feast your eyes on a Happily Ever After , a nighttime fireworks spectacular featuring lights, lasers and special effects.
• Explore iconic attractions and experiences in 6 incredible lands—including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , a swaying family coaster ride that will have you racing through a diamond mine.
• Be dazzled by music, dancing and vivid pageantry during the Festival of Fantasy Parade —a grand tribute to the tales and inhabitants of Fantasyland.
• Take off on an exhilarating coaster ride on Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .
• Rediscover beloved classic Disney attractions such as Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion .

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Gaze in wonder as the Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed with captivating holiday projections during Sunset Seasons Greetings —from November 12 through late December.
• Live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge ! Experience 2 thrilling attractions, build your own droid or lightsaber, savor Batuu’s tasty food and beverages, shop for themed merchandise and more!
• Discover big fun for kids and grown-ups alike at Toy Story Land . Take a wild ride on Slinky Dog Dash and go for a whirl on Alien Swirling Saucers .
• Witness the power of Mickey’s imagination at Fantasmic! This nighttime show is filled with exciting stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics, favorite Characters and moving music.
• Hurtle up and down on a haunted elevator ride at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™.
• Hear from Royal Historians of Arendelle and sing along to popular Frozen tunes during For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration . And starting November 12, 2024, enjoy a festive finale featuring Olaf the snowman.
• Watch in awe as a stunt team recreates thrilling movie moments during Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular .

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

The most magical holiday tradition returns to Magic Kingdom park on select nights from November 8 to December 20, 2024. Read More

The most magical holiday tradition returns to Magic Kingdom park on select nights from November 8 to December 20, 2024.

Holiday wishes come true when you celebrate the season with Mickey Mouse and pals at this separate-ticket event. With a ticket to this event, you can:

• Gather to watch Disney Characters give a yuletide nod to the season during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
• Behold fantastically festive entertainment, like Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show !
• Get the perfect picture with Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best
• Savor sweet moments as you enjoy cookies and cocoa —included with your event ticket no additional charge
• Walk in a winter wonderland as you witness a stunning “snowfall” on Main Street, U.S.A!
• Take in the cheerful decorations that bring the spirit of the season to life
• Enjoy iconic Magic Kingdom attractions —including some with a holiday twist

Early Purchase Opportunity for Disney Resort Hotel Guests Special event tickets can be purchased starting July 10, 2024—and Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase tickets early, beginning on July 2, 2024.

Tickets are limited and may not be available for purchase on the day of the event (or earlier).

More Information Learn more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party —including how to purchase tickets to this event.

Upgrade to a Select Package—and Get Park Hopper Benefits FREE

When you take advantage of this room offer and upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package that includes nondiscounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets, you’ll get Park Hopper benefits FREE! Read More

When you take advantage of this room offer and upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package that includes nondiscounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets, you’ll get Park Hopper benefits FREE!

With Park Hopper benefits, you can visit multiple theme parks each day of your ticket. Learn more about Park Hopper benefits .

How to Book a Package After selecting your room, simply add on theme park tickets to create your room-and-ticket package.

Once you’ve selected your theme park tickets, you’ll have the option to add a dining plan to your package. With a dining plan, you can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of prepaid meals and snacks during your Walt Disney World vacation.

Theme Park Reservations Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

For admission types requiring theme park reservations, be sure to check reservation availability prior to purchase. Availability of theme park reservations is limited, not guaranteed and subject to change.

Make the Most of Your Day

Save time waiting in line with Lightning Lane entry !

To book by phone, call (407) 939-5277† and speak with a vacation-planning expert. Or, contact your travel agent.

Important Details

• Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
• Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
• Advance reservations required.
• Offer excludes the following room types: 3-Bedroom Villas; Deluxe Suites; Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; and Bungalows and Island Tower Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
• Valid admission is required to enjoy the theme parks and is not included unless you upgrade to a room-and-ticket package. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

View Offer Details

†Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

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