How Much Does a Disney World Vacation Cost?

in Walt Disney World

Disney Resort

Credit: Disney

Are you dreaming of the ultimate Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Upon first glance, you may become overwhelmed due to the size and how expensive a Disney vacation is. But who doesn’t want to see Cinderella Castle up close and personal?

If you’re on the fence because you’re thinking it may be out of your price range, or you’re just not sure how to budget for a future Disney World vacation, we have a complete Disney World vacation price breakdown to help you plan and personalize your Walt Disney World Resort vacation.

Disney World Castle
Credit: Disney

Disney World park tickets

When purchasing a Walt Disney World park ticket, ticket types are broken down into four categories — 1 Park per day, Water Park and Sports option, Park Hopper option, and Park Hopper Plus option.

1-Park per day

The standard 1-day Disney World ticket price can range from $109 to $159 depending on the dates and month of your choosing. For example, Christmas and New Year’s will more than likely start at $159. Guests may choose one theme park each day of their ticket and may choose one of four theme parks each day. These four parks include Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT. Guests can save $20 per ticket when purchasing a 3-day or longer ticket online compared to the price at the ticket window so keep that in mind.

Galaxy's Edge
Credit: Disney

These are the official prices on the Walt Disney World website for a 1 Park per day ticket ages 10+:

  • 1 day $109 per day
  • 2 day $107 per day
  • 3 day $105 per day
  • 4 day $103 per day
  • 5 day $88 per day
  • 6 day $75 per day
  • 7 day $67 per day
  • 8 day $61 per day
  • 9 day $56 per day
  • 10 day $52 per day

Keep in mind that if you have children ages 3 to 9, Disney World Park Tickets are slightly cheaper, so let’s take an example for a family of four (two adults and two children). Guests who are visiting Disney World on a nonpeak month (let’s say September) for four park ticket days at $104, would pay a total of $1,731.84.

Walt Disney World
Credit: Disney

Water Park and Sports option

Adding a Water Park and Sports option will increase your ticket prices, and depending on your month and dates of your choosing. For example, a 1-day ticket with a Water Park and Sports option costs $179 on August 25, 2021. On top of visiting a Walt Disney World Resort theme park, Guests can also visit the following Water Park and Sports options, including Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park* (Currently Unavailable) NBA experience (Currently Unavailable) ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course and Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course.

Park Hopper

The Park Hopper option allows you to visit multiple theme parks each day of your ticket. Taking the same example on August 25, 2021, a Park hopping ticket costs $174.

The Disney World website states:

The Park Hopper option allows Guests to visit more than one park per day. Guests must make a theme park reservation via the Disney Park Pass reservation system for the first park they plan to visit. After entering that first park, Guests will be able to visit the next park starting at 2 PM until each park’s regularly scheduled closure. The ability to visit a park is subject to the park’s capacity limitations. At this time a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change.

magic carpets ride
Credit: Disney

Park Hopper Plus

A Park Hopper Plus option gives you the ultimate ticket, allowing Guests to visit multiple Walt Disney World theme parks, plus water parks or sports options depending on your vacation. For August 25, 2021, the price of a Park Hopper Plus is $194.

Keep in mind that Disney has announced that you must check the Disney World calendar first to make a theme park reservation before purchasing a ticket. This new reservation system is called the Disney Park Pass System. Also to note, the FastPass+ Service has been suspended due to the ongoing pandemic. For those who are unaware, Disney’s website states:

As a result of the COVID-19 impact on operations, the FastPass+ service is suspended for the time being. FastPass+ service is not offered with the purchase of tickets or annual passes. We will share future updates at a later date.

  • Let’s get you up to speed with FastPass+ service. Follow these quick steps and you’ll be riding the fast lane to fun in no time:
  • Add people to your Family & Friends list to enable you to reserve access to FastPass+ attractions and entertainment for them.
  • Link your vacation package, link your tickets or link your annual pass to your Disney account. If you purchased online, the package, tickets or passes may have been linked automatically.
  • Reserve access to FastPass+ attractions and entertainment for each day that you have a valid theme park ticket linked to your Disney account.
  • Visit the theme park on the day that you have FastPass+ selections.
  • Go to the FastPass+ entrance or viewing area for the selected attraction or show during the designated arrival window time.
disney world fireworks
Credit: Disney

Disney World Resort hotels

Walt Disney World has over 30 Resort hotels and other great accommodations to choose from. Selecting a Disney Resort hotel is easy and straightforward thanks to the Walt Disney World Resort website.

These Disney Resorts are set into many categories depending on your budget. Guests can choose from Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness to a Value Resort, followed by Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas.

To show you how much a Disney vacation costs if you stay in Disney Resort, we will break it down to a family of four. Let’s compare The Campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, a Disney Value Resort, Moderate Resort, and Deluxe Resort for a seven-day, six-night stays in September, which is considered a non-peak month.

Disney World Resort
Credit: Disney

From September 6 through September 12, 2021, Guests can stay in The Campsites for $103 per night. Though it is important to note that in order to do so, Guests must have an RV.

The cheapest Value Resort is Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort for $155 per night. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a Moderate Resort and will cost you $274 per night. If you’re looking to stay in a Deluxe Resort, the cheapest Disney Resort is Disney’s Contemporary Resort at $496 per night.

Discounts at Disney World

There are many discounts that are available for Walt Disney World hotels. Right now, The Disney World official website is offering the following,

  • Save up to 15% on a Value Resort room
  • Save up to 20% on a Moderate Resort room
  • Save up to 30% on a Deluxe Resort and Villa room

Walt Disney World Passholders save up to 35% on Rooms at Select Disney Resort Hotels. Also to note, U.S. Military Members can receive great rates for 2021 at Select Disney Resort Hotels as well. Be sure to check for more special offers, deals, and discounts on the official website.

Disney World Resort
Credit: Disney

It is important to remember that certain times of the month can provide the cheapest stay at a Disney Resort hotel. For example, Guests visiting at the beginning of the year until Presidents Day weekend will more than likely find cheaper prices as it is considered non-peak time. Also, late August to early September and scattered weeks in October, November, and December provide cheap deals, especially for a Value Resort.

Keep in mind, Disney Resorts like Pop Century can be a cheaper option because it is considered a Value Resort, but it tends to go up during the summer months due to its popularity.

Related: Best Disney World Resorts

Walt Disney Resort
Credit: Disney

Disney Dining Plan and Dining Options

The Walt Disney World Resort has over 350 restaurants and dining options to fit your budget. Currently, there are over 200 Quick-Service and Table-Service restaurants that have dining options under $14.99 like The Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Banana Cabana in Disney’s Caribbean Resort.

Disney World Resort dining options can be found at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney Springs, and over 3o Disney Resorts.

Character Dining can be a bit more pricey and currently, many of these have been suspended or modified due to the worldwide pandemic. Currently, there are five that are available and can range from $35 to $60. This is your chance to meet characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald, and Disney Princesses without waiting in a long line.

Disney World Restaurants
Credit: Disney/ Matt Stroshane, photographer

For a family of four,(two adults and two children) you can save anywhere from $200-$250 per day based on these tips. After reviewing many of the Disney Dining options, one Quick-Service meal, one Table-Service meal, snacks, and drinks included at the Walt Disney Resort will be more than enough to satisfy your entire family.

It is important to note that at this time, the Disney Dining Plan is suspended due to the ongoing pandemic.

Guests are encouraged to budget. Here are some of my favorite affordably priced Disney World places for good eats:

  • Disney’s Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
  • Vivoliil Gelato in Disney Springs
  • 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Columbia Harbour House in Disney’s Magic Kingdom
  • Chicken Guy at Disney Springs
  • Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Ronto Roasters at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
disney dining plan
Credit: Disney

The best way to budget each person was through the Disney Dining Plan. Pre-pandemic, this was a stress-free way for Guests to forget about pinching pennies and order any Quick-Service, Table-Service meals, and snacks they wanted without worrying about going over their planned budget. The Quick-Service Disney Dining Plan included two counter service meals per night, two snacks per night, and a refillable drink for each person at your party. The cost was $55 per adult and $26 per child ages 3-9. Other tiers that increase in price included the Standard Disney Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan Plus, and the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.

The best ways to save money at Disney World

Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming so during this Disney World vacation price breakdown, here are some top ways you can save money on your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation:

  • Shop for discounted Disney World tickets on the Walt Disney World website
  • Plan dates around non-peak months
  • Purchase an Annual Pass if you plan on returning frequently
  • Purchase Disney Gift cards
  • Skip Park Hopper
  • Bring food to the parks
  • Rent Disney Vacation Club points
  • Purchase Free Disney Dining Plan (When it becomes available again)
  • Buy souvenirs elsewhere
  • Use a Disney credit card and earn points
  • Plan a free day by visiting Disney Springs or Resort hop
  • Don’t buy soda and use free refill stations
  • Share Meals and Snacks
  • Disney Dining Plan (When available)
Walt Disney World
Credit: Disney

Also to note, the Walt Disney World official website releases Special Offers, Deals, and Discounts throughout the year. Guests can save hundreds with discounted Disney World packages.

At the moment, Disney is running the complimentary Magical Express transportation from Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort, but this accommodation will be suspended next year. If you decide on driving your car into the Disney Resort for your future vacation, parking fees start at $15 at Disney’s Value Resorts, $20 at Moderate Resorts, and $25 at their Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts.

Theme-park parking starts from $25 to $45 per day with standard and preferred parking available. To save money, the Disney Resort does provide complimentary transportation which includes buses, monorails, water taxis, and boats. Ride the aerial gondolas called the Disney Skyliner for the ultimate Disney experience.

disney skyliner
Credit: Disney

Interested in the Disney World Resort?

Whether you decided on a long vacation or a short theme park trip, Disney World has everything for each of your family’s needs. Disney Cast Members strive on giving the best experiences and leaving you with memories to bring home. You will never find another adventure quite like the Disney experience and the Walt Disney Resort is a great place to start if you’ve never been to a Disney Park or Resort.

Be sure to check with Inside the Magic for when the Disney Dining Plan returns to Walt Disney World to save hundreds of dollars on delicious Disney eats. We hope that this breakdown can encourage you to plan your next Walt Disney World vacation soon whether it be a family vacation or group getaway! Don’t forget to check Inside the Magic for more tips and current changes happening in the Disney Resort this coming year.

Are you planning a Walt Disney World vacation soon? Do you use any of these tips or have ones you want to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Do you need help planning your next Disney adventure? Our friends at Academy Travel are EarMarked Diamond! 

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