4 Disney Splurges That Are Worth It
There’s no doubt about the fact that going on a trip to Disney World is expensive. Are you interested in knowing what Disney expenditures are worth the cost? Find out more here!
I’m all for finding ways to reduce costs when visiting Disney World (as shown in this article and the others), but certain things are worth the price.
Below are the four Disney spending sprees that merit the extra cost and one that’s not!
Save Money at Disney World!
Before I explain which places to shop, I’ll give you a trick to help you save money: Purchase Disney World tickets from Undercover Tourist to save a few dollars. They are the sole authorized retailer of discount Disney World tickets!
Staying in a hotel on the property
I love staying on property during my time at Disney World. There’s something magical about being able to stay in this “Disney bubble” at all during your stay.
Hotels on property can be more expensive than off-property ones. However, they’re usually worth the cost due to the benefits you receive.
The first thing to consider is you can enjoy the ease of use. You’re much closer to the parks when you remain on the property, and you can access complimentary Disney transportation (buses or boats as well as monorails) to take you there. It’s possible that you don’t require any vehicle if you stay on the property since Disney provides a free Magic Express airport shuttle to all of their hotels.
Certain hotels can be walked towards the theme parks. I enjoy staying in Crescent Lake area hotels because walking towards Hollywood Studios and Epcot is easy.
The Magic Hours. Another huge benefit of staying on property is getting extra Magic Hours. If you are staying at an on-property hotel, you have access to exclusive late or early hours at only one theme park every day.
All Disney hotels offer 18+ check-ins for those 18 and over. It’s not easy to locate hotels in Florida that allow check-in when you’re between 18 and 21; however, it’s not the case at Disney World!
Hotels on the property can be expensive, but you can get some great deals depending on the season and the type of hotel you’re planning to stay in. For instance, budget hotels can cost as little as $120 per night in the off-season; however, they’re beautiful.
My top hotels on the property include The Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin because they’re both within walking distance from Hollywood Studios along with Epcot and are technically owned by Marriott, which means I can accrue Marriott loyalty points while enjoying the benefits of the property Disney benefits.
My second favorite hotel on the property is the Disney Polynesian Village Resort. It’s a must-visit. Being within the category of resorts with a higher standard, It’s undoubtedly a spendy affair but genuinely unforgettable!
The Polynesian also offers an excellent breakfast. It’s one of the most delicious breakfasts in Disney World as well. And there is no requirement to be a guest to enjoy the dining experience.
Character Dining
If you want to get to know various characters, the character dinner is the best way.
Character meals can be more expensive than regular meals. However, there’s an enormous benefit to having the opportunity to meet various characters at one time.
If you had to see each of them individually, it could mean waiting for hours at their respective meet and greetings. However, you can get to know and take pictures with your favorite characters at a character dinner in one hour or even less.
To meet princesses, the most memorable meals for the character are Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom and Akershus at Epcot. My favorite character food would be Garden Grill to meet Mickey and his friends.
Memory Maker
I was skeptical that the Memory Maker was worth it for a long time, but now I’m a massive fan!
What do you mean when we say, Memory Maker? It’s an addition to your Disney ticket that enables users unlimited downloads of all photos the PhotoPass photographers snap in the parks.
PhotoPass photographers are everywhere and can get some fantastic, unique photos! Some will provide you with a personal photo shoot. Memory Maker costs $169. However, you will easily take hundreds of great photographs from it, which makes the expense worth it.
It’s so relaxing not having to be concerned about taking your pictures during your trip. Instead, allow Disney PhotoPass photographers to capture some unforgettable memories for you.
Memory Maker also gives you access to all photos taken with the camera on the ride, which you’re not available for purchase, which is an excellent reason to purchase the program.
Park Hopper tickets
Tickets to the Parkhopper are almost always worth the additional cost.
Disney offers one-day tickets to one park, permitting you to visit only one park within a day. Then, they offer their Park Hopper add-on, which lets you visit multiple parks within one day.
Let’s say you’re in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom and closes at 5 pm. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you can go to Magic Kingdom for the rest of the evening to go on some rides and enjoy the fireworks display. Perhaps you’ll visit Epcot, eat dinner, and then stroll around The World Showcase.
Not Worth It: Dessert Parties
Now that we’ve spoken about the things I think are worth it in Disney World, here’s one that I don’t believe is worth the massive cost.
Disney’s dessert celebrations are a favorite splurge, and I’m unsure why.
The concept behind a dessert celebration is that guests get access to a buffet of desserts and a private viewing area to watch a show, including parades, fireworks at night, and more, In some of the local parks.
The buffet’s dessert menu includes sweets like chocolate-covered strawberries Ice cream, chocolate-covered strawberries, Disney characters-themed treats, s’mores and cookies cupcakes, savory snacks sparkling cider, hot chocolate tea, coffee, and many more, in addition to the option of a designated viewing area.
There are plenty of different events you can pick from. Although the concept sounds appealing, the cost will make any eyes a little watery.
The most well-known dessert events (like the one with fireworks held at Magic Kingdom) cost $ 90 plus for adults and $ 55 for children.
Do you think it’s worth it? You decide to decide. I think you’re better off purchasing snacks at Main Street Bakery for $10. Main Street bakery for $10 and then securing a (accessible) viewing location to view the fireworks.