Going for a Disney World vacation is an exciting experience for parents and children. However, it comes at a financial cost, like all good things in life. But how much, exactly? That’s what you’ll find out in this post. First, we look at how much money do you need a day at Disney, depending on the activities you have planned for your Disney vacation.
How much money do you need a day at Walt Disney World?
This section analyzes how much money you’ll need per day at the Disney World theme parks. There are four Disney World Theme parks, including Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT.
Tickets for Disney Parks
Disney charges $109 and $189 per person for a single-day ticket in 2024; 2025 prices range from $119 to $189 per person. However, you can get significant discounts if you block-book multi-day tickets. Prices for 7- and 10-day trips are significantly lower per day. If you have the My Disney Experience app, be sure to check the Park Hopper option and other offers for saving money.
Special Events Tickets for Disney theme parks may cost more. Disney prices these individually. More information is available on the Disney World website.
Parking when you visit Disney World
In addition to park tickets, Disney also charges guests for parking.
Daily parking rates are as follows for standard parking:
- $30 for cars and motorcycles
- $35 for oversized vehicles (Shuttle, Limo, Camper Trailer, RV, Bus, or Tractor Trailer)
Preferred parking lets you park closer to the attractions. Rates are as follows:
- $45-$55 per vehicle
Disney World Resort hotel Guests no longer have to pay for overnight parking at their hotel. They also receive free standard theme park parking (and can opt to pay the price difference for preferred parking). Deluxe resorts charge $39 per night for valet parking.
Food at the Walt Disney World Resort
Some families take packed lunches with them or return to their accommodation to eat at lunchtime. However, many prefer to stay close to the attractions and eat at Disney theme park restaurants.
Most families opt for quick-service meals. These establishments can prepare two adult entrées plus two children’s meals and fountain drinks for four for around $50 to $60. Standard items include burgers, pizzas, fries, Mexican rice bowls, and soft drinks.
You can also opt for table-service restaurants. However, these tend to be significantly more expensive at around $90 to $120 for a family of four.
Disney Character Dining experiences are available for a flat fee which varies by restaurant. Adults can usually expect to pay between $40 and $70, while kids aged 3 to 9 eat for between $30 and $45.
Therefore, the total cost of food at Disney World for a family of four is approximately $200 to $250 per day in most cases. Of course, you might be able to adjust that cost by taking advantage of a Disney Dining Plan or even a Disney World Free Dining promotion.
Spending Money on your Disney World Vacation
Lastly, you’ll want to take some spending money with you. How much spending money will you need? Around $50 per day per person is a good start. A bit of extra cash is great for buying snacks, souvenirs, and alcohol.
Disney prices are higher than regular stores, but they offer unique items and services you can’t find anywhere else.
What’s a good daily budget for your Disney World Trip?
Using the above analysis as a guide, a good daily budget for Disney is around $233 per person per day if you are traveling as a family of four, or a total of $935 for the whole family. This figure includes theme park tickets, parking, food, and spending money, but not accommodation.
