WDW Prices - Expensive to Cheap
We all have been told at some point that a Walt Disney World vacation is expensive. And boy, is it! But does that mean everything is expensive? No... not necessarily.
In this post, we're going to examine prices for some common Disney them park items so you can decide what's a bargain and what's a rip off. But first... ugh... I hate those words "bargain" and "rip off" for describing Disney. I honestly believe nothing at Disney is really a bargain. But I also believe that very little qualifies as a "rip off" given the circumstances... you pay for what you get, in correlation to how many other people want to have it. So, instead, we are going to classify things as "A good deal", "Mostly average", "Pricey", and "Mega-pricey".
Things that are a good deal are either free (yes, there are free things) or less expensive than average.
Mostly average is just that... we consider these prices average, at least where we are from. If you live in New York City or London, you might find these things a good deal. If you live in a smaller town where prices haven't been inflated, you might think these are pricey. That's why we say "mostly".
Pricey is pricey by nearly anyone's standards, as far as we know. You might want to think twice but we wouldn't necessarily steer you clear of this if you want it.
Mega-pricey is where you will find the most atrocious prices at Walt Disney World. There are less expensive ways to deal with this in many cases (although in some, the price might be worth it). It's also where we'll start.
Mega-Pricey
Beverages from a cart
This is the one thing that makes my jaw drop at Walt Disney World. Even though most people can technically afford a beverage from a cart, the price is so inflated from what you might find in the real world that it approaches ridiculous. Disney has you right where they want you here. It's Florida, it's hot, and they have beverages just sitting on ice waiting for you to drop $5.50 on a smart water or $4.50 on a soda. A little planning can save you here by carrying in your own reusable bottle and filling it at fountains. Bring some crystal lite or propel packets and you saved yourself $4 right there.
The Disney Cruise Line
We know we're talking parks but for those who like to tack a cruise onto their park stay, be prepared. The Disney Cruise Line is the most expensive cruise line of its class serving the United States. Ten years ago, we did a land and sea vacation for 3 people. We stayed at Walt Disney World for 4 nights and then cruised for 3 nights. Our Disney parks portion came to around $3,500 for the three of us. Our cruise portion, for fewer nights, came to about $5000 for three of us. And we feel we got a deal.
Character buffets
Character dining in general is pricey and the menu is almost always fixed price. Most of these experiences are buffet or family style which means theoretically you can eat all you dare to eat, and Disney prices accordingly. To be fair, some character dining borders on "just pricey" at $35 for each adult. Other Disney dining, though, like Be Our Guest dinner or Cinderella's Royal Table is eye-poppingly expensive at $70- $90 a pop. Unlike signature dining, the food is nothing to write home about. It's adequate, some would say pleasant, but not the kind of food alone you would pay $100 per person for. It's all about the experience here. Again, I recommend character dining wholeheartedly, even though it lands on my "mega" list.
Balloons
Let's face it... every kid is going to want a helium balloon. The "Disney basic" balloon which is a clear outer balloon with a mickey-shaped balloon inside is $14. At night, there is a lit up version that is $18. Whether that $18 is worth it to you is your decision. Although I think Disney is definitely price-gauging balloons, I will buy one every time for my kiddo.
Certain deluxe resorts
Deluxe resorts, in general, are the most expensive of the resort options on Disney property. But even within this category, there is quite a price range. One of the priciest deluxe resorts is the Polynesian Village resort with rack rates for a standard room ranging from $613 per night to over $1000 per night. What you should take away from this is not "I can't ever stay there" but rather "I won't ever pay rack rates". It is possible to get a deal in many ways, through packages, annual passholder discounts, or even DVC rental points. Still, staying here will be a big chunk of your budget.
Pricey
Park tickets
We hate to say it, because what are you going to do about it? But at $109 for a single day at a single park with no add-ons, the price is alarming. Of course, Disney isn't your average park so of course it doesn't charge your average price. The only reason this isn't in the Mega-Pricey category is because all the major parks in Orlando are charging the same rate for the same kind of ticket. Universal Studios, single day, single park is $109. Even SeaWorld, for a flex ticket (meaning you can use it on any single date) is $109. I detect a theme here!
Other deluxe resorts and some moderate resorts
Disney resorts are always going to be more pricey than off-property resorts. In the pricey category, we find some of the less expensive deluxe resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge, and some of the moderate resorts. Rack rates at the moderate resort, Coronado Springs, range from $232-$400 per night for a standard room, and this is currently the least expensive moderate resort pricing at Walt Disney World for 2021. Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is a deluxe resort, is the least expensive deluxe resort with prices ranging from $434-$759 per night for a standard room, which is crazy expensive but a great deal less expensive than other deluxe resorts (and I promise you will not sacrifice quality).
Parking
Parking for a day at a Walt Disney World resort ranges from $15-$25. At a theme park, the range for parking for a day is $25-$50. Perhaps if you come from New York or Chicago, this is not alarming, but for us, it is an alarming price just to put your vehicle somewhere. Our preference is to not have a vehicle and instead use Disney resort transportation. If we did have a vehicle, you can bet it would stay at the resort and we'd use transportation to the theme parks.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages at Walt Disney World range from $8-$20 per drink. This can be pricey depending on what exactly you are drinking. Ordering an $8 glass of beer or cider is a huge price increase from what that would be outside of Walt Disney World. On the other hand, specialty cocktails are imaginative and usually worth it, especially considering that a non-alcoholic beverage is already going to cost you $3-$4. One exception is if you are already on the Disney Dining Plan, which includes one alcoholic or specialty beverage per adult over 21 with each meal.
Signature dining
If you plan to dine at a restaurant that Disney classifies as "signature dining", you are in for a high price tag. If you are a foodie, this may very well be worth it to you. Another time signature dining is worth it? When you use 2 table service credits on a Disney Dining Plan AND you got your dining plan in a "free dining" promotion. So, what to we mean by expensive? Well, we don't flinch when the bill including drinks, entree, and dessert comes to over $100 per person.
Mostly Average
Clothing
If you are looking for souvenirs, t-shirts are a great way to go. Expect to pay between $15-$20 for a t-shirt. While this is more pricey than your discount store $8 tee, we think this is a fair price since we are talking about a souvenir t-shirt. I've seen souvenir t-shirts for Broadway shows to be $40-$80, so all things considered, this is a decent price.
Quick Service dining (but not beverages)
In general, you can find a good price for most quick service dining. Some places are a better deal than others, of course, but there is very little I would call pricey. The most expensive quick service options are still around $16 (we're talking a kobe beef burger here), but most people aren't choosing the most expensive item every time they dine, and in general, the rule of thumb is most menu items are under $10. At some locations, this is quite a bit of food such as Columbia Harbor House, Flame Tree Barbecue, and the Via Napoli pizza window. Just bring your own beverage because beverages are where Disney will fleece you.
Value resorts
You will find value resort prices as low as $118-$254 per night (depending on time of year you are visiting, and the resort you select). Value resorts are still a decent deal over staying off-site, considering you will be saving on parking or uber fees, and enjoy the perks of being on Disney property. The rooms are tiny, but functional for a place to sleep and clean up. And there are always pools, food courts, and free Disney transportation at all Disney resorts, including value resorts.
Most table service dining (but not drinks)
Table service dining at Walt Disney World offers a range of themes and fare, so, like deluxe resorts, there is quite a bit of variety here. Personally, we've found the prices comparable to what we would pay at a "nice" restaurant in our community. Prices at a casual table service restaurant, like 50s Prime Time Cafe or Via Napoli range from $15-$24 per entree. Remember that an alcoholic beverage is going to add 50% of that price again to your bill.
Excluded from the "mostly average" category is signature dining, character buffets, and family-style meals as these can be a bit pricier.
Good deal
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an interactive game you can play throughout the Magic Kingdom by holding up cards from a deck to portals around the park. It is quite fun and we would have played more had we not already been in Walt Disney World where there is so much to do! That said, this is a good activity for when you are waiting for your next fastpass time or meal reservation. Get started by stopping at the fire station near the entrance. They will give you a starter deck of gorgeous cards FREE. But wait, there's more! You can stop at the fire station each day to get a new booster pack per each person playing as long as you've activated a portal since your last booster pack. The cards feature Disney characters and are beautiful and a great souvenir.
Baby care and first aid centers
If you have a baby or toddler, you may find the baby care center at each theme park to be a priceless benefit. Here, you can not only find changing tables, rocking chairs, outlets, and nursing rooms, but you will also find microwaves for warming bottles and food, high chairs for feeding toddlers, toddler-sized training toilets, and play rooms. It's a quiet respite in the park that sometimes babies, toddlers, and their parents need. And there is no charge to use them.
Next to the baby care center is a first aid center where you can go for anything that ails you. I always thought the first aid center +was a place to go if I sprained my ankle, but actually, it's a great place if you have a headache or your child has a cold and you just need 1-2 doses of over the counter medication to tide you over until you can get supplies on your own. You will also find several medications and supplies for sale here, as well as sharps containers and refrigerated storage for medications you already have that need refrigeration.
Ice water
Beverages at Disney are expensive. Water (the not bottled kind) is free, either from a water fountain, or if you can abide the line, from a quick service restaurant (ask for a cup of ice water). My recommendation is to bring a reusable water bottle and some crystal lite packets and refill that bottle at water fountains or from glasses of ice water.
Retail add on purchases
If you are shopping at Walt Disney World, many retail locations will have a special where if you buy "x" amount, you can add on something for a really good price. Our family has taken advantage of this several times, with one big caveat - don't buy things just to get the add on.
We usually wait until our second to last or last day to do a big shop of items we've seen for sale at several retail locations, like a t-shirt we keep seeing, or pin we keep seeing, etc. This is usually at a place like Mouse Gears or the Emporium or even World of Disney at Disney Springs. Because we're buying all our souvenirs at once, the bill often tops $100, and then we often qualify to buy the add on. We've gotten things like a gorgeous tapestry for $20 or so. We think this tapestry is worth at least $80 so, for us, it's a good deal (and it's hanging behind me right now as I type).
Certain quick service (look for large, shareable portions)
While quick service meals in general were in the "mostly average" category, certain meals are an absolute steal. Our favorite way to get a steal is to find a place with large portions and share. Other places are just, in general, a steal. Here are some of our favorites:
Warm cinnamon roll at Gaston's Tavern in the Magic Kingdom - $5.99 and totally shareable
Trio Platter at Columbia Harbor House in the Magic Kingdom - $13.99 but enough food for two
Margherita Pizza at Via Napoli Pizza Window - $6.75 and a large portion
Baked Mac & Cheese at Eight Spoon Cafe at Animal Kingdom - $4.49
Half chicken combo at Flame Tree BBQ - $13.29, comes with baked beans and coleslaw, split it and you still get a quarter chicken and some sides
As you can see, some things at Walt Disney World are very expensive while others are quite reasonable or even free. Even if an item made our "mega-pricey" list, though, that doesn't mean it's not worth it for some. Your vacation is up to you. For us, we won't pay "rack rates" for a room in most circumstances, but we will splurge from time to time. We might pay for one or two character meals (we still think it's the best way to see characters), while at other times we gravitate toward splitting quick service meals. And we never, ever pay for parking. Hopefully you can take this information and find a budget that works for you.
Did we miss anything, especially good deals? Share it with us in the comments or over on our Facebook page. Until next time...
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