Lots of people dream of a trip to Disney World but aren't sure how much money it will take to get there. Asking how much a trip costs is almost like asking how much a house costs - it just depends.
Let's take a look at different budgets and see what you can do with each.
In this article
Some assumptions
Let's just assume we're talking about a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 kids under 10 who live in the middle of the U.S., which is both cliché and a bit narcissistic since that describes our family on our first Disney World trip, but we have to start somewhere.
These are the main expense categories we'll look at:
- Transportation - road trip expenses, plane tickets, train tickets
- If driving, check out GasBuddy.com to help compute road trip costs.
- If flying, check Hopper's Airline Fee Calculator to help you budget.
- If flying and staying offsite, be sure to factor in rental car or car service costs.
- If flying and staying onsite, you can use Magical Express to get from the airport to your WDW resort for free.
- Lodging - offsite, onsite, hotel, condo
- The decision to stay onsite vs. offsite should include more than just costs. Be sure to consider all of the benefits of staying onsite before booking your trip.
- If staying onsite, use Mousesavers charts for 2015 and 2016 to help you figure out nightly rates.
- If staying offsite, be sure to add in any resort or parking fees (for parking at the resort and at Disney World) when budgeting.
- If staying offsite, consider using Priceline to bid on lower rates, but check this listing for hotels available through Priceline before you do.
- Park tickets - different levels of tickets available, and from different sources
- Check my park ticket comparison chart for prices from various ticket sellers.
- Keep in mind that kids under 3 won't need park tickets.
- Food - eating in the parks, cooking some meals in your room
- Use my Disney Dining Plan charts as a reference for meal prices.
- Kids under 3 can eat free.
- Souvenirs and spending money
Below you'll find what each budget will get you. Keep in mind that these are full prices that don't include promotions (except for the Free Dining example). Most people get discounts. You can check the 5 year history of discounts to see what is likely for your trip dates.
Scroll down or jump right to your budget.
$2000 | $3000 | $4000 | $5000 | $6000 | $8000 | $10000
$2000 budget
Going to Disney World at this budget won't be easy, but it could work in some situations.
Example 1: 4 nights at a WDW Value Resort during Value Season
- Transportation: take a road trip, driving straight there without any overnight stops ($200 for gas)
- Lodging: 4 nights onsite at Pop Century during Value Season ($111 x 4 = $444)
- Park tickets: 4-day base tickets through the YES program. Get info on YES here. (around $300/adult and $200/child = $1000 for all 4)
- Food: get groceries for most meals, maybe eat at an inexpensive restaurant 1-2 times ($200)
- Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves just over $150 for spending money
Example 2: 5 nights at an offsite hotel booked through Priceline
- Transportation: take a road trip, driving straight there without any overnight stops ($200 for gas)
- Lodging: 5 nights at an offsite resort available through Priceline ($50 x 5 = $250)
- Park tickets: 5-day base tickets through the YES program. Get info on YES here. (around $320/adult and $210/child = $1060 for all 4)
- Food: get groceries for most meals, maybe eat at a restaurant 2 times ($300)
- Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves around $200 for spending money (be sure to also factor WDW parking costs)
Example 3: go all out...for 2 nights
- Transportation: take a road trip, driving straight there without any overnight stops ($200 for gas)
- Lodging: rent DVC points for a studio at Animal Kingdom Villas ($125/night x 2 = $250)
- Park tickets: 2-day Park Hopper tickets ($257.73/adult, and $243.89/child = $1003.24 for all)
- Food: Regular Disney Dining Plan to cover all meals ($61.84/night for adults and $20.96/night for kids = $331.20 for all 4 people for 2 nights)
- Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves just over $200 for spending money
$3000 budget
This is probably the lowest reasonable budget I'd consider for Disney World trips. In the examples below, notice that transportation and park ticket prices stay the same even when the number of days changes. If you're staying somewhere that's relatively inexpensive and not eating out all the time, you can often extend a trip from 4 to 7 days for very little money.
Example 1: 6 nights at a WDW Value Resort during least busy time
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: 6 nights onsite at Pop Century during Value Season ($111 x 6 = $666)
- Park tickets: 6-day base park tickets purchased from a third party like AAA or a ticket wholesaler ($320/adult and $300/child = $1240 for all 4)
- Food: get groceries for breakfasts and packed lunches, eat a few dinners out ($100 groceries + $300 restaurants = $400)
- Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves almost $300 for spending money
Example 2: 4 nights onsite at a WDW Moderate Resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: 4 nights at Port Orleans Riverside in a Garden View room during Regular Season ($236 x 4 = $944)
- Park tickets: 4-day base park tickets purchased from a third party like AAA or a ticket wholesaler ($320/adult and $300/child = $1240 for all 4)
- Food: get groceries for breakfasts and packed lunches, eat a few dinners out ($75 groceries + $200 restaurants = $275)
- Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves around $150 for spending money
Example 3: 7 nights offsite at a WDW Downtown Disney resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: 7 nights at Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista during Regular Season ($84 + $15 daily resort fee x 7 = $693)
- Park tickets: 7-day base park tickets purchased from a third party like AAA or a ticket wholesaler ($320/adult and $300/child = $1240 for all 4)
- Food: get groceries for breakfasts and packed lunches, eat a few dinners out. Kids under 12 staying at this Holiday Inn get breakfast and dinner free at the Applebee's located at the hotel. ($100 groceries + $300 restaurants = $400)
- Souvenirs/spending money: that leaves about $270 for spending money (be sure to factor in WDW parking costs)
$4000 budget
At this budget, we can start to have a little more room to eat in restaurants, fly instead of drive, or add a special experience to the trip.
Example 1: 5 nights at a Value Resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Preferred Room at All-Star Music (average of $160/night x 5 - $800)
- Park tickets: 5-day base tickets from a ticket wholesaler ($321/adult and $300/child = $1242)
- Food: breakfast in the room, mostly Quick Service lunches, and 2-3 other Table Service restaurants (around $700)
- Souvenirs/spending money: just over $250 for spending money
Example 2: 7 nights at WDW during Free Dining at a Moderate Resort
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: standard room at Caribbean Beach ($215 x 7 = $1505)
- Park tickets: 7-day Park Hopper tickets - a required ticket upgrade for Free Dining ($424.94/adult, $403.64/child = $1657.16)
- Food: free
- Souvenirs/spending money: around $450 for spending money
Example 3: rent a house offsite for 7 nights in the summer
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: rent a house or condo offsite using a site like VRBO.com (big price range, but we'll use $150/night. $150 x 7 = $1050)
- Park tickets: 7-day Park Hopper tickets from a ticket wholesaler ($406.95/adult, $385.95/child = $1585.80)
- Food: eat in house/condo sometimes, eat in restaurants for most dinners ($600)
- Souvenirs/spending money: just under $400 for spending money and other expenses, including parking at WDW daily
$5000 budget
At this budget, you start to get into more of a Deluxe-level trip with better hotels and special touches.
Example 1: 7 nights at WDW in a DVC Resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: rent DVC points for an Old Key West studio ($202/night x 7 = $1414)
- Park tickets: 7-day Park Hopper tickets from a ticket wholesaler ($406.95/adult, $385.95/child = $1585.80)
- Food: have some snacks, drinks, and breakfast items on hand, eat remaining meals in restaurants (~$700)
- Souvenirs/spending money: $300 left over to spend
Example 2: 10 nights at WDW Value Resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: Little Mermaid standard room at Art of Animation (~$175/night x 10 = $1750)
- Park tickets: 10-day Park Hopper tickets ($435.95/adult, $414.95/child = $1701.80 for all 4)
- Food: $900
- Souvenirs/spending money: around $250 for spending
Example 3: 5 nights at the Swan hotel during spring break
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: standard room at the Swan (~$300/night x 5 = $1500)
- Park tickets: 5-day Park Hopper tickets ($403.64/adult, $382.34/child = $1571.96)
- Food: $600
- Souvenirs/spending money: Just over $300 left for spending money and miscellaneous expenses, including parking
$6000 budget
At this level, Deluxe and longer trips are even easier. Throw in some magical touches for an extra special trip.
Example 1: 7 nights at a WDW Deluxe Resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: Garden Wing room at The Contemporary (~$470/night x 7 = $3290)
- Park tickets: 7-day base park tickets purchased from a third party like AAA or a ticket wholesaler ($320/adult and $300/child = $1240 for all 4)
- Food: $800
- Souvenirs/spending money: just over $200 for spending/extra expenses
Example 2: 6 nights at WDW in a Value Resort suite during a peak time
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Finding Nemo suite at Art of Animation (~$460/night x 6 = $2760)
- Park tickets: 6-day base park tickets purchased from a third party like AAA or a ticket wholesaler ($320/adult and $300/child = $1240 for all 4)
- Food: $700
- Souvenirs/spending money: $300
Example 3: 10 nights offsite during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek booked through VRBO.com (~$1500)
- Park tickets: 10-day Park Hopper tickets ($435.95/adult, $414.95/child = $1701.80 for all 4)
- Food: $1000
- Souvenirs/spending money: $800 for spending money and other expenses (like a rental car, parking fees, etc.)
$8000 budget
Example 1: 5 nights at WDW in a club level room at a Deluxe Resort during summer
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Garden View Club Level room at The Polynesian ($802/night x 5 = $4010)
- Park tickets: 5-day Park Hopper tickets from a ticket wholesaler ($379.95/adult, $358.95/child = $1477.80)
- Food: $800
- Souvenirs/spending money: $800 (enough to allow for special experiences like fireworks cruises, gift deliveries to the room, etc.)
Example 2: 7 nights at an offsite deluxe resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Golden Oak view room at the Four Seasons (~$600/night x 7 = $4200)
- Park tickets: 7-day Park Hopper tickets from a ticket wholesaler ($406.95/adult, $385.95/child = $1585.80)
- Food: $800
- Souvenirs/spending money: $400 spending and extra expenses (like parking at Disney World)
Example 3: 8 nights in a 1-bedroom suite at a DVC resort at Easter
- Transportation: road trip with a night in a hotel on the way there and back ($200 for gas + $200 hotels = $400)
- Lodging: 1-bedroom at Saratoga Springs using rented points ($5068)
- Park tickets: 8-day Park Hopper tickets ($416.95/adult, $395.95/child = $1625.80 for all 4)
- Food: buy groceries to make some meals in the villa, eat several meals in restaurants as well ($600)
- Souvenirs/spending money: $300
$10000 budget
Example 1: 7 nights at a WDW Deluxe Resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Garden View Beach Club room (~$560/night x 7 = $3920)
- Park tickets: 7-day Park Hopper tickets - ($424.94/adult, $403.64/child = $1657.16)
- Food: Deluxe Dining Plan ($111.73/adult per night, $32.56/child per night = $2443.34 total)
- Souvenirs/spending money: $1000 for extras
Example 2: 5 nights at a deluxe offsite resort during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes (~$900/night x 5 = $4500)
- Park tickets: 5-day Park Hopper tickets ($403.64/adult, $382.34/child = $1571.96)
- Food: $1000
- Souvenirs/spending money: $2000 for extras like VIP tours, fireworks cruises, spending money, etc.
Example 3: 4 nights in a bungalow at the Polynesian during Regular Season
- Transportation: fly to WDW ($250 x 4 = $1000)
- Lodging: Polynesian bungalow using rented points ($6480)
- Park tickets: 5-day Park Hopper tickets ($392.99/adult, $371.69/child = $1529.36)
- Food: $500
- Souvenirs/spending money: $500 for spending money
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Again, these prices don't include any discounts so it's possible to fit even more into your budget if a promotion pops up.
Want to share a trip budget you've come up with? Copy the format below into the comment form and fill in the fields so we can see even more ways to put together a trip.
- Transportation:
- Lodging:
- Park tickets:
- Food:
- Souvenirs/spending money:
91 Comments
Hello, looking to get quotes for Disney vacation. 1. when do discounts come out? looking to book a trip in the end of April 2020 Option 1. for 4 adults 2 children 7 days, park hopper, memory maker & deluxe dining Option 2. 7 adults 4 children 7 days, park hopper, memory maker & deluxe dining. Trying to price on the my Disney site (prices are insane) right now (got much better deals in the past.
Two 6 day/5 nite trips within one calendar year = $10k:
~2 RT flights = $2000
~On site room average $150/nt = $1500 (depending when and which purchase method including but not limited to rent DVC points, priceline, WDW sale, etc)
~4 Annual Passes $4000
~Food and spending money $2000
~$500 on whatever
2 great trips costing $5000 each
$10k/12 days = $833 or roughly $200 per person per day 😛
Most enthusiast families admit to spending around $1000/day to appease their WDW appetite, but a family of 4 could take a $3000 trip for 5days/4nites and have a koolaid drinking awesome experience for under $150 per person/day if they seek good values on lodging & food choices.
About how much would a week cost at an on-site hotel for 4 adults during the week between Christmas and New years
You are looking at $200-$300 a nite for a value resort or good price at a moderate. A decent expectation would be $400 each for 6nites/7days reservation.
Hello wdwprepschool!! I have a few quest hoping you can answer.. I’m flying Into Orlando Sunday morning July 23 @ 4:45 am with two adults and two kids ten and two years old. I’ve booked a room for 5 nights at Wyndham garden lake Buena vista Disney springs resort for $356 is this a smart move compared to staying onsite and spending twice as much? What do we do at 5 am to get to our hotel with a 4pm check in time? Rent a car and wander, eat breakfast lol? Other ride alternatives with suitcases and car seat? So sorry it’s so long hope someone has suggestions one week to date I’m so excited!
Doing Disney in July! We’re staying 5 nights/6days. Here’s our breakdown so far…
2 adults, 2 kids:
park tickets: 1120
memory maker:150
vrbo house (for 13) our portion:500
plane tickets: 1200
Dining reservations: 250…that’s a rough estimate..3 restaurants.
Rental car for 6 days: 260
Extra stuff so far such as BB Boutique, universal studios tickets, groceries, etc.-1500
All in all, we will probably be in about 5k after it is all said and done.
Thank you so much for all of the wonderful tips! You have made planning this trip so much easier.
Planning our 3rd trip to Disney. First was super cheap, stayed at an off site hotel. Whole trip was about $2k. Second time was more like $3500, stayed at a moderate Disney hotel. This third time will now exceed that, mostly because since the 1st trip we’ve added another child and they are all getting older (and more expensive for tickets and lodging). Will probably be about $4500. And I think we are doing it while being budget conscious, we drive down (12 hours), don’t get the dining plan and stay at modest hotels (less then $300/night). I googled Disney vacation costs because I’m having a hard time wrapping my around the fact that families stay at much nicer hotels, for longer, fly in, do all the character dinners AND do it yearly! I’m wondering if I’m not in on some secret Disney savings or if average families really drop $5k+ on a yearly Disney vacation. We are an upper middle class family, have an expendable income and have a healthy appreciation for Disney but I still have a hard time understanding the more “luxurious” Disney vacations/resorts. At some point the benefits don’t outweigh the costs and that right around $700/night for a hotel you’ll mostly just sleep in. 😉