If you wish to splurge on a little bit of luxurious in your Walt Disney World trip however are on a finances–or are merely a frugal vacationer who’s acutely aware of worth–this checklist is for you. We cowl which resort, eating, and different add-ons are definitely worth the cash, in addition to some that aren’t price it. (Up to date October 4, 2024.)
We’ll begin by shortly meting out with what isn’t price your trip {dollars}. As is probably going apparent from earlier posts, we’re not enormous on up-charge choices at Walt Disney World. You gained’t discover dessert events, fireworks cruises, or just about any particular expertise on this checklist. Not as a result of we haven’t executed them–however as a result of now we have and wouldn’t trouble with any of these issues once more. We additionally usually don’t suggest paying further to improve room views, nor are we eager on spas or makeovers.
One splurge we actually do take pleasure in is staying Membership Degree, however even that’s one with which we grapple. As famous in our Information to Membership Degree & Concierge Lounges at Disney World and a few particular critiques, it’s tough–if not not possible–to justify Membership Degree at Walt Disney World from an goal, value-for-money perspective. In truth, the exorbitant value and want for cheap various splurges is the primary motivation for this checklist.
In our Overview of Atrium Membership Degree at Disney’s Up to date Resort, a number of readers left feedback requesting a listing of extra attainable splurges that we suggest. Particularly, ones that supply enough worth for the associated fee. That’s what this checklist is all about, with the operative query for inclusion on this checklist being, “is the standard of the expertise commensurate with the associated fee?”
With that in thoughts, now we have quite a lot of nice splurges at Walt Disney World in any respect value factors and for company with just about any finances!
Lightning Lane Multi-Cross at Magic Kingdom – Let’s begin small. Lots of you’re stretching your budgets simply to make a visit to Walt Disney World occur within the first place. You may already be frightened about cascading prices, or not having a memorable journey since you gained’t have the ability to do the issues on this checklist.
Let me cease you proper there. Like so many issues in life, Walt Disney World is what you make of it. There are such a lot of methods to beat the crowds and have a good time with “solely” the bottom expertise. Few issues in life are extra helpful than information, and that’s free. This sage knowledge is true with Walt Disney World, as understanding learn how to zig when others zag and beat the crowds will put you in a greater place than those that mindlessly drop 1000’s of {dollars} to purchase their approach out of strains.
With that out of the way in which, there’s one small splurge we usually suggest: Lightning Lane Multi-Cross at Magic Kingdom. Arriving early, staying late, or following the opposite Greatest Time-Saving Technique for Walt Disney World may help you keep away from lengthy strains in different parks, however there’s no such fool-proof strategy to Magic Kingdom. That is additionally one case the place time is cash, and shopping for LLMP can imply doing Magic Kingdom for only one day as a substitute of two.
Minnie’s Seasonal Dine – In and of itself, character eating is pricey and isn’t categorically a worthwhile splurge in all circumstances. Certain, we love and extremely suggest a superb pre-park opening breakfast in addition to a number of resort character meals, however most in-park character meals don’t even come shut to creating this checklist.
Minnie’s Seasonal Dine is one exception to that. We’re notably massive followers of Minnie’s Vacation Dine at Christmas and Minnie’s Halloween Dine. The opposite ones for winter, spring, and summer season are good, however the choices for August by December are next-level. A part of that is in all probability that we’re notably partial to those holidays.
Not solely that, however the worth proposition of each Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration is changing into increasingly more doubtful. These meals are nice options that’ll value much less and go away you glad. Not solely is the meals good, however it’s an awesome probability to dress up for the season and take household photographs with characters which are likewise in particular apparel.
Behind the Seeds Tour – I’ll preface this by saying that I’m the fallacious particular person to ask about backstage or VIP excursions. We’ve now executed some from each classes, and Behind the Seeds at Epcot is the one one I’ve beloved. (Virtually everybody we all know has nothing however effusive reward for each Walt Disney World tour they’ve executed, so what do I do know!)
No matter all that, Behind the Scenes at Epcot is the right option to get your ft moist with the world of Disney’s excursions. It’s the most affordable tour you are able to do, provides enjoyable data, and fascinating backstage entry–all at a value level that feels honest throughout the tour.
For the primary time ever, Walt Disney World is doing a Behind the Seeds Christmas Tour at EPCOT in 2024! We can not wait to expertise the ‘Merry & Brilliant’ overlay throughout this nighttime backstage tour of the Land greenhouses.
Upgrading to a Reasonable – Whereas we love Pop Century (particularly now that it provides Skyliner transportation), there’s positively one thing to be stated for the resort expertise at Walt Disney World, and that doesn’t actually kick in till you’ve moved from the Values to the Moderates.
Fortuitously, on the Reasonable tier, there’s an possibility for everybody. Desire a compact resort format? Go along with Port Orleans French Quarter. Searching for a romantic resort appropriate for a honeymoon? Port Orleans Riverside all the way in which. Desire a business-class resort? Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs is your greatest guess. Desire one thing with good transportation, various eating, or tropical ambiance? There’s a motive we name Caribbean Seashore Resort the “Poor Particular person’s Poly.”
Our favorites are Gran Destino Tower if we wish a luxurious resort at a Reasonable value or Caribbean Seashore if we wish Deluxe-caliber transportation…once more, at a Reasonable value. This resort tier really provides one thing for everybody–see our Walt Disney World Reasonable Resort Rankings for professionals & cons of every, and which is likely to be greatest for your loved ones.
Upgrading to the Lodges – It’s more and more tough to justify an improve to Deluxe Resorts except you lease DVC factors or handle to rating an awesome low cost. Even these aren’t positive issues, as DVC availability has turn into extra aggressive and common public reductions are rarer, with extra exclusions and fewer availability. The rack charges have gotten so excessive that even with a 20-30% low cost, the costs don’t match the extent of service, room high quality, and so forth.
The 2 exceptions to this are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge, which additionally simply so occur to be Walt Disney World’s two least costly (usually) Deluxe Resorts. They’re themed to the hilt and customarily provide one thing you can not get from a real-world counterpart. After all, we nonetheless go for the very best deal at each (we attempt to e-book the “Worth Studio” at Animal Kingdom Lodge at any time when attainable).
Eating on the Lodges – If staying on the lodges is out of the query, we extremely suggest eating at them. This one truly began out as particular restaurant suggestions, however we shortly realized that we take pleasure in actually each restaurant at each Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. So, why not embrace each for the sake of providing quite a lot of choices at varied value factors?
Our high suggestion right here is to decelerate and make a night of it. Do both on a non-park day, and when you’re going to Wilderness Lodge, take the boat over. Get pleasure from sundown on the savanna when you’re heading to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Unwind within the lobbies after dinner. There’s no motive to not flip this right into a 3-hour, leisurely expertise. (As for particular eating suggestions, our favorites are Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge and, for one thing completely completely different, Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge.)
Toledo Steakhouse – This one making the checklist actually illustrates the operative query of the put up. Right here, it’s vital to do not forget that there’s an enormous distinction between cheapness and frugality. We’re keen to pay for high quality and luxurious, particularly when the worth given matches the value paid. Previously, that meant doing and recommending Victoria & Albert’s on uncommon, particular events. Nonetheless, it has turn into a non-starter for us after the newest value enhance.
As a substitute, we’re turning to a sleeper Signature Restaurant: Toledo at Gran Destino Tower. That is an distinctive date night time vacation spot, with an bold and enjoyable idea, scrumptious meals, distinctive views, and costs–for the standard of the delicacies–that aren’t inflated an excessive amount of by Walt Disney World requirements. And it’s certainly one of solely a small handful of WDW eating places to obtain Michelin Information recognition!
The truth that Toledo caters closely to conventioneers performs an enormous half in all of this, and can doubtless be sure that the restaurant maintains its excessive requirements. Toledo is totally definitely worth the difficult commute–and the Signature Restaurant we most contemplate splurge-worthy. (Topolino’s Terrace and Flying Fish are additionally proper up there.)
Sebastian’s Bistro – If Signature Eating is simply too wealthy in your blood–or you’ve young children and it’s merely not appropriate in your social gathering–right here’s a mid-tier various. Sebastian’s Bistro is a sleeper decide, and one which’s simple to entry from the Skyliner.
Regardless of that handy location at Caribbean Seashore Resort, this restaurant nonetheless flies beneath the radar of most Walt Disney World followers. The brand new household model service at Sebastian’s Bistro holds its personal and provides distinctive high quality on par with conventional desk service eating.
It’s arguably the very best buffet or family-style meal, proper up there with Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Far superior to ‘Ohana, which positively qualifies as a superb splurge that you simply’ll bear in mind, however not a superb worth splurge. Against this, Sebastian’s Bistro provides distinctive worth for cash. For $38 per particular person, you’ll have a meal that’s higher than the $60+ dinner at ‘Ohana.
Chronos Membership – Positioned in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, that is the one Membership Degree that isn’t in a Deluxe. Consequently, the premium for staying in Chronos Membership is all the time a lot decrease than all different Membership Ranges. It may be lower than $100 further for a lot of nights after reductions. Once more, it is because Chronos Membership is at a Reasonable Resort, so the baseline value is decrease to start with.
Regardless of this, we view Chronos Membership as one of many highest Membership Ranges in all of Walt Disney World. That’s not simply grading on a curve as a result of cheaper price–it’s objectively superior to many of the Deluxe Resort Membership Ranges. Like Gran Destino Tower as a complete, Chronos Membership punches far above its weight, and provides super bang for buck.
In truth, if you wish to splurge on Membership Degree and your major consideration is worth for cash, you possibly can cease proper right here: Chronos Membership is the clear winner, and the competitors isn’t even shut. It additionally helps that Gran Destino Tower as a complete is a really good resort, with the one actual draw back being bus-only transportation.
SS Harbor Seashore Membership – This one is tougher to justify from a price perspective, however it’s however a private favourite. We spent a number of time masking this in our Stone Harbor Membership Degree Overview and I’m not going to rehash all of that right here. Mainly, you wish to do a break up keep (see our Learn how to Do a Cut up Keep at Walt Disney World Accommodations put up) and take full benefit of the Membership Degree lounge and Stormalong Bay over the course of two days.
Reserving a 1-night keep at Seashore Membership for the top of your journey and taking a late flight out in your final day is ideal. Alternatively, you could possibly do this night time in the midst of a three-resort journey, with a few relaxed resort days to decompress amidst your trip. It’s price noting that this isn’t our favourite Membership Degree at Walt Disney World, however the “SS Harbor Seashore Membership Technique” is your greatest guess for squeezing each ounce of worth out of a Membership Degree keep.
Disney After Hours – I hesitate to incorporate these paid night hours for a few hours. First, as a result of doing so makes us “a part of the issue” of company keen to pay further for one thing that was free, and will result in the additional erosion of standard hours. Second, as a result of I don’t completely belief that Walt Disney World gained’t oversell these sooner or later if demand will increase, because it’s mainly “free cash” for the corporate as pent-up demand dies down.
With that stated, Disney After Hours provides nice alternatives to get a ton executed with minimal waits. These are notably good choices when you’re desirous about doing the headliners repeatedly, you don’t rating essentially the most coveted Lightning Lane experience reservations, or you’ve restricted trip time. (Primarily, that is one for individuals who prioritize their time over their cash.)
As with all issues, Disney After Hours isn’t for everybody. The occasion additionally isn’t strictly obligatory when you comply with certainly one of our Walt Disney World Itineraries and solely wish to do every standard attraction as soon as per day. Nonetheless, After Hours is nice for company who need a stress-free option to take pleasure in the very best time of day at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (the jury continues to be out on EPCOT After Hours). That could possibly be stated about all the things on this checklist of WDW’s high splurges, although.
“Unlocking” Prolonged Night Hours – Walt Disney World’s resolution to retire Further Magic Hours and change that providing with Prolonged Night Hours has been controversial. Because the latter is proscribed to Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and different choose lodges, it has been extremely controversial. Understandably so. It provides additional gasoline to the hearth that Walt Disney World solely “cares” concerning the wealthy and is squeezing out the center class.
That’s actually one perspective–and it’s a legitimate one! Our view is that it’s no use crying over spilt milk, and your power is best centered on learn how to work the system–beating Disney at its personal recreation. To that finish, potential choices for profiting from Prolonged Night Hours with out breaking the financial institution embrace doing Renting Disney Trip Membership Factors or reserving the Swan & Dolphin Resorts (or higher but, the nicer and newer Swan Reserve). Any of those choices will usually value you about as a lot as a Reasonable Resort.
Some Walt Disney World followers could not like to listen to it, however from our perspective, this straightforward ‘hack’ makes Prolonged Night Hours significantly better than Further Magic Hours. Whereas now we have our misgivings about Disney’s rising tendency to focus on the bigger-spenders (what occurred to everyone seems to be a VIP?), the very fact is that night Further Magic Hours have been prohibitively crowded to the purpose of being nugatory on some nights. Against this, Prolonged Night Hours are normally wonderful–to the purpose that we by no means purchase After Hours tickets anymore as a result of the “free” factor is sweet sufficient for us!
Savi’s Workshop – Right here’s one other one alongside those self same strains, albeit with a price proposition that’s extremely tough (if not not possible) to amount. Certain, there’s the true world value of a lightsaber just like the one you construct, however Savi’s is a lot greater than that.
As you possibly can learn in our Is Star Wars Land’s $250 Lightsaber Expertise Price It? overview, we have been blown away by this. We nearly didn’t do it due to the associated fee, however are very glad we did. For grownup Star Wars followers or youngsters, that is one thing particular that can make an enduring reminiscence.
Savi’s Workshop is arguably price it as a splurge or special day current. It’s harder to justify with current value will increase, however we nonetheless assume that is the kind of expertise that’ll make indelible recollections for teenagers who’re Star Wars followers. (At half the associated fee, Droid Depot may appear to be a greater various–it’s not.)
Cool Cups – On the different finish of the memento spectrum is an merchandise that’s extra of an anti-splurge. Contemplate this the chaser to a bunch of high-priced gadgets that is likely to be out of attain–that is one thing that anybody visiting Walt Disney World can afford.
In our a long time of expertise doing Disney, the memento that we get essentially the most mileage out of is cups. Give it some thought: everybody drinks. Whereas a Spirit Jersey will put on down over time (and it’s costlier to start with), cups preserve going robust. We actually nonetheless have cups we bought from Walt Disney World in 2007! (A patriotic Liberty Tree Tavern mug that value $5.)
Our private favorites are resort-specific Tervis mugs, distinctive espresso mugs, and steins just like the one above. The Tervises generally is a bit expensive, however you possibly can simply discover espresso mugs and different distinctive cups for beneath $20. My solely phrase of warning is to search for ones which are dishwasher secure, as most of the least expensive ones aren’t.
For essentially the most half, we’re “acquire recollections, not issues” individuals. However we make an exception for cups of all types as a result of they’re so sensible and cheap. We use Disney cups every day, and a few of our longest-lasting ones have had 1000’s of makes use of at this level.
That’s it for our checklist of the very best worth for cash splurges at Walt Disney World. As with just about all the things WDW-related, your mileage could differ. A few of you’ll doubtless discover nice worth within the issues we wrote off as “not price it” on the high of the put up, whereas others could disagree with what we expect is price the additional cash. Cheap minds could differ and all that.
One factor that does bear stressing earlier than we shut out this text is that no enhancements or up-charges are essential to have an awesome journey to Walt Disney World. In the case of on-line journey planning and social media, there’s a pervasive sense of FOMO that drives many individuals to spend on pointless experiences. That is exacerbated by sure standard experiences reserving up shortly, however that’s much less a mirrored image of high quality and demand than it’s restricted provide and the FOMO machine. (Taking a look at you, dessert events!)
It’s simple to fall into this lure, however you must attempt to keep away from it. You could possibly simply drop an additional $5,000 or extra on extras and upcharges to “assure” an awesome journey to Walt Disney World…and find yourself having an inferior expertise to somebody who didn’t purchase any of these issues. Spending extra creates extra strain, which means extra pressure, and resulting in an awesome probability of meltdowns. We see this the entire time.
No matter how a lot you spend or plan, you’re going to overlook out on one thing. That’s the dangerous information. The excellent news is that a number of the greatest magical moments at Walt Disney World happen by probability, and no quantity of spending or planning can “power” these to occur. Briefly, spend strategically on splurges to deal with your self right here and there, however don’t chase perfection. It’s a idiot’s errand, and you may have a tremendous journey with out spending something further.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things it’s essential to know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite Walt Disney World splurges? Something providing nice bang for buck that you simply assume we missed? Something that made the checklist you are feeling doesn’t belong? Questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
