A Walt Disney World vacation isn’t cheap when it comes to staying at a Disney Resort, purchasing Disney tickets, and planning for food and souvenirs. All of this adds up when budgeting for a Walt Disney World vacation.
When you are considering where to spend your money, we have some thoughts on what is worth spending it on to make your vacation that much better.
Look at where we recommend spending any extra money you might want to spend in Walt Disney World.
Disney Resort
We highly recommend spending money on staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. We actually have a whole post HERE on why we think this is a good investment in your Disney vacation.
One of the areas we think it is worth spending a little extra money on is those moderate and deluxe-level Disney resorts. Don’t get us wrong—we absolutely love Pop Century; however, sometimes a slight increase in price per night can upgrade you to one of the moderate resorts, giving you a bigger room, more dining options, a slide at the pool, and so much more!
When it comes to deluxe resorts, we feel that the money is worth it on some occasions. If you know you are planning a resort day or two, we highly recommend investing in one of the amazing deluxe resorts, as they have fantastic pools and pool bars and provide a wonderful location for a resort day.
The other time the deluxe resorts are well worth the extra cost is when it comes to transportation to some of the parks. If you know you are going to be visiting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then being able to walk from the Boardwalk Inn or Beach Club and Yacht Club can save a lot of time.
The same goes for the monorail resorts and the Magic Kingdom. If you have little ones and know you will be in the Magic Kingdom a lot, being able to wheel the stroller right onto the monorail and be back in a few short stops can be well worth the price tag of the deluxe resorts.
Investing some extra money in your resort can make a difference in your overall vacation experience.
Holiday Celebrations
If you happen to be in Walt Disney World during the Halloween season or during Christmas, we suggest looking into purchasing a ticket to one of the special events.
These parties are a fantastic way to experience even more magic in the Magic Kingdom during your vacation. Celebrating these holidays at Disney’s Magic Kingdom with a limited crowd can be a magical experience and well worth the price.
If you plan ahead for these parties, you could skip a parking ticket for the day and plan to head into the Park in the evening using the party ticket. This is a way to save money while still enjoying the party experience.
Tours
If you want some additional magic during your Disney vacation, we highly recommend looking into a Disney tour. These amazing experiences take Guests behind the scenes and up close to the magic.
Disney does a fantastic job of providing tours for fans of all ages and interests. If you are a Disney history fanatic, the Keys to the Kingdom tour in the Magic Kingdom is fantastic. You learn about how the vision of the Magic Kingdom came to be, get to visit some of the rides in the park, and take a tour of the tunnels used underneath the Magic Kingdom.
For animal lovers, Animal Kingdom offers a variety of tours that allow guests to get up close to some of the park’s amazing animals. Caring for Giants brings guests close to the elephants, and Up Close With Rhinos does just that: it brings guests closer to Rhinos. These are wonderful options for animal lovers, and when they return to Animal Kingdom, they are well worth the cost.
Finally, if you are looking for a special and unique experience, consider the VIP Tours. These tours take guests throughout the four parks, providing them with front-of-the-line access to as many rides as they wish. This experience isn’t cheap, as a private tour runs anywhere from $425 to $850 per hour and lasts a minimum of seven hours. If you have a lot of birthday money saved up, we would highly recommend spending it on a VIP Tour. You truly will feel like a rockstar.
Unique Dining Experiences
Food is a big part of a Walt Disney World vacation, and if you want a special experience, we suggest looking into booking a special dining experience.
If you are looking for a unique way to celebrate an important occasion like an anniversary, birthday, or honeymoon, Disney offers fantastic high-end meals throughout the resorts that are often worth the high cost for the experience. These signature meals are worth it for foodies as well as those who enjoy stunning views.
It is well worth it to have a meal at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the evening, as the fireworks view alone is outstanding. If you are looking for a special meal, check out some of the signature dining options at Disney World, as they are well worth the time and money investment.
Character meals are another fun way to celebrate in Walt Disney World. There are a few that we think are above the rest. Breakfast at Disney’s Riviera Resort at Topolino’s would be a top choice. You can see Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald at this breakfast in fun, unique costumes. They come around often, and the food here is outstanding.
Hollywood and Vine also offer a fun character dining experience that changes with the season. Minnie’s Seasonal Dine is back and brings fun costumes and delicious food.
We suggest booking a special meal for those looking for something more from their dining experience.
These are just a few items we suggest spending money on during your Walt Disney World vacation. Although none of them are cheap, the magical experiences are outstanding.
