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 aware of worth–this listing 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 allotting with what isn’t price your trip {dollars}. As is probably going apparent from earlier posts, we’re not large on up-charge choices at Walt Disney World. You received’t discover dessert events, fireworks cruises, or just about any particular expertise on this listing. Not as a result of we haven’t performed them–however as a result of we’ve and wouldn’t hassle with any of these issues once more. We additionally sometimes don’t advocate 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 Stage, however even that’s one with which we grapple. As famous in our Information to Membership Stage & Concierge Lounges at Disney World and a few particular opinions, it’s tough–if not inconceivable–to justify Membership Stage at Walt Disney World from an goal, value-for-money perspective. The truth is, the exorbitant price and want for cheap different splurges is the primary motivation for this listing.
In our Overview of Atrium Membership Stage at Disney’s Modern Resort, a number of readers left feedback requesting a listing of extra attainable splurges that we advocate. Particularly, ones that supply ample worth for the associated fee. That’s what this listing is all about, with the operative query for inclusion on this listing being, “is the standard of the expertise commensurate with the associated fee?”
With that in thoughts, we’ve a wide range of nice splurges at Walt Disney World in any respect value factors and for friends with just about any finances!
Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Magic Kingdom – Let’s begin small. A lot of you might be stretching your budgets simply to make a visit to Walt Disney World occur within the first place. You may already be anxious about cascading prices, or not having a memorable journey since you received’t have the ability to do the issues on this listing.
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 useful than information, and that’s free. This sage knowledge is true with Walt Disney World, as figuring out methods to zig when others zag and beat the crowds will put you in a greater place than those that mindlessly drop hundreds of {dollars} to purchase their approach out of traces.
With that out of the best way, there may be one small splurge we sometimes advocate: Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Magic Kingdom. Arriving early, staying late, or following the opposite Finest Time-Saving Technique for Walt Disney World will help you keep away from lengthy traces 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 dear and isn’t categorically a worthwhile splurge in all instances. Certain, we love and extremely advocate 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 listing.
Minnie’s Seasonal Dine is one exception to that. We’re significantly huge followers of Minnie’s Vacation Dine at Christmas and Minnie’s Halloween Dine. The opposite ones for winter, spring, and summer time are good, however the choices for August via December are next-level. A part of that is most likely that we’re significantly partial to those holidays.
Not solely that, however the worth proposition of each Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together is changing into increasingly more doubtful. These meals are nice options that’ll price much less and go away you happy. Not solely is the meals good, nevertheless it’s an incredible 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 unsuitable individual to ask about backstage or VIP excursions. We’ve now performed some from each classes, and Behind the Seeds at Epcot is the one one I’ve liked. (Nearly everybody we all know has nothing however effusive reward for each Walt Disney World tour they’ve performed, so what do I do know!)
Regardless of all that, Behind the Scenes at Epcot is the right solution to get your toes moist with the world of Disney’s excursions. It’s the most affordable tour you are able to do, affords enjoyable information, and attention-grabbing backstage entry–all at a value level that feels truthful at some stage in 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 & Vibrant’ overlay throughout this nighttime backstage tour of the Land greenhouses.
Upgrading to a Average – Whereas we love Pop Century (particularly now that it affords 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.
Thankfully, on the Average tier, there’s an possibility for everybody. Need a compact resort format? Go together with Port Orleans French Quarter. Searching for a romantic resort appropriate for a honeymoon? Port Orleans Riverside all the best way. Need a business-class lodge? Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs is your finest guess. Choose one thing with good transportation, various eating, or tropical ambiance? There’s a motive we name Caribbean Seashore Resort the “Poor Individual’s Poly.”
Our favorites are Gran Destino Tower if we would like a luxurious lodge at a Average value or Caribbean Seashore if we would like Deluxe-caliber transportation…once more, at a Average value. This lodge tier actually affords one thing for everybody–see our Walt Disney World Average Resort Rankings for professionals & cons of every, and which may be finest for your loved ones.
Upgrading to the Lodges – It’s more and more tough to justify an improve to Deluxe Resorts until you lease DVC factors or handle to attain an incredible low cost. Even these aren’t certain issues, as DVC availability has turn into extra aggressive and basic 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 (sometimes) Deluxe Resorts. They’re themed to the hilt and customarily provide one thing you can’t get from a real-world counterpart. In fact, we nonetheless go for the absolute best deal at each (we attempt to e book the “Worth Studio” at Animal Kingdom Lodge every time attainable).
Eating on the Lodges – If staying on the lodges is out of the query, we extremely advocate 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 embody each for the sake of providing a wide range of choices at numerous value factors?
Our prime suggestion right here is to decelerate and make a night of it. Do both on a non-park day, and should you’re going to Wilderness Lodge, take the boat over. Get pleasure from sundown on the savanna should 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 listing actually illustrates the operative query of the publish. Right here, it’s necessary to do not forget that there’s an enormous distinction between cheapness and frugality. We’re prepared to pay for high quality and luxurious, particularly when the worth given matches the worth paid. Prior to now, that meant doing and recommending Victoria & Albert’s on uncommon, particular events. Nevertheless, it has turn into a non-starter for us after the newest value improve.
As an alternative, we’re turning to a sleeper Signature Restaurant: Toledo at Gran Destino Tower. That is an distinctive date evening vacation spot, with an formidable 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 considered 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 probably be certain that the restaurant maintains its excessive requirements. Toledo is completely definitely worth the difficult commute–and the Signature Restaurant we most take into account 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 got babies and it’s merely not appropriate in your social gathering–right here’s a mid-tier different. Sebastian’s Bistro is a sleeper decide, and one which’s straightforward 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 affords distinctive high quality on par with conventional desk service eating.
It’s arguably the perfect buffet or family-style meal, proper up there with Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Far superior to ‘Ohana, which positively qualifies as splurge that you simply’ll bear in mind, however not worth splurge. Against this, Sebastian’s Bistro affords distinctive worth for cash. For $38 per individual, you’ll have a meal that’s higher than the $60+ dinner at ‘Ohana.
Chronos Membership – Situated in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, that is the one Membership Stage 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’s because Chronos Membership is at a Average Resort, so the baseline value is decrease to start with.
Regardless of this, we view Chronos Membership as one of many absolute best Membership Ranges in all of Walt Disney World. That’s not simply grading on a curve because of the cheaper price–it’s objectively superior to a lot of the Deluxe Resort Membership Ranges. Like Gran Destino Tower as an entire, Chronos Membership punches far above its weight, and affords great bang for buck.
The truth is, if you wish to splurge on Membership Stage 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 an entire is a really good lodge, with the one actual draw back being bus-only transportation.
SS Harbor Seashore Membership – This one is tougher to justify from a price perspective, nevertheless it’s however a private favourite. We spent loads of time masking this in our Stone Harbor Membership Stage Overview and I’m not going to rehash all of that right here. Mainly, you need to do a cut up keep (see our How one can Do a Cut up Keep at Walt Disney World Inns publish) and take full benefit of the Membership Stage lounge and Stormalong Bay over the course of two days.
Reserving a 1-night keep at Seashore Membership for the tip of your journey and taking a late flight out in your final day is ideal. Alternatively, you can try this evening 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 Stage at Walt Disney World, however the “SS Harbor Seashore Membership Technique” is your finest guess for squeezing each ounce of worth out of a Membership Stage 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 friends prepared to pay further for one thing that was once 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 received’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 affords nice alternatives to get a ton performed with minimal waits. These are significantly good choices should you’re thinking about doing the headliners repeatedly, you don’t rating probably the most coveted Lightning Lane journey reservations, or you’ve got restricted trip time. (Primarily, that is one for individuals who prioritize their time over their cash.)
As with all issues, Disney After Hours shouldn’t be for everybody. The occasion additionally shouldn’t be strictly crucial should you comply with considered one of our Walt Disney World Itineraries and solely need to do every well-liked attraction as soon as per day. Nevertheless, After Hours is nice for friends who need a stress-free solution to take pleasure in the perfect time of day at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (the jury continues to be out on EPCOT After Hours). That might be stated about all the things on this listing of WDW’s prime splurges, although.
“Unlocking” Prolonged Night Hours – Walt Disney World’s choice to retire Additional Magic Hours and change that providing with Prolonged Night Hours has been controversial. For the reason that latter is proscribed to Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and different choose inns, 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 definitely one perspective–and it’s a sound one! Our view is that it’s no use crying over spilt milk, and your vitality is healthier centered on methods to work the system–beating Disney at its personal sport. To that finish, potential choices for making the most of Prolonged Night Hours with out breaking the financial institution embody 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 typically price you about as a lot as a Average Resort.
Some Walt Disney World followers could not like to listen to it, however from our perspective, this easy ‘hack’ makes Prolonged Night Hours a lot better than Additional Magic Hours. Whereas we’ve our misgivings about Disney’s growing tendency to focus on the bigger-spenders (what occurred to everyone seems to be a VIP?), the very fact is that night Additional Magic Hours have been prohibitively crowded to the purpose of being nugatory on some nights. Against this, Prolonged Night Hours are normally superb–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 traces, albeit with a price proposition that’s extremely tough (if not inconceivable) to amount. Certain, there’s the actual world price 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? evaluation, 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 a long-lasting reminiscence.
Savi’s Workshop is arguably price it as a splurge or big day current. It’s more durable to justify with current value will increase, however we nonetheless suppose that is the kind of expertise that’ll make indelible recollections for youths who’re Star Wars followers. (At half the associated fee, Droid Depot may look like a greater different–it’s not.)
Cool Cups – On the different finish of the memento spectrum is an merchandise that’s extra of an anti-splurge. Think about this the chaser to a bunch of pricy objects that may 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 probably 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 dearer to start with), cups hold going sturdy. We actually nonetheless have cups we bought from Walt Disney World in 2007! (A patriotic Liberty Tree Tavern mug that price $5.)
Our private favorites are resort-specific Tervis mugs, distinctive espresso mugs, and steins just like the one above. The Tervises could be a bit dear, 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 most cost-effective ones aren’t.
For probably the most half, we’re “acquire recollections, not issues” folks. However we make an exception for cups of all types as a result of they’re so sensible and cheap. We use Disney cups day by day, and a few of our longest-lasting ones have had hundreds of makes use of at this level.
That’s it for our listing of the perfect 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 probably discover nice worth within the issues we wrote off as “not price it” on the prime of the publish, whereas others could disagree with what we predict is price the additional cash. Affordable 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 incredible journey to Walt Disney World. In relation to 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 well-liked 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. ( you, dessert events!)
It’s straightforward to fall into this lure, however it’s best to attempt to keep away from it. You would simply drop an additional $5,000 or extra on extras and upcharges to “assure” an incredible 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 stress, that means extra pressure, and resulting in an incredible probability of meltdowns. We see this all the 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 finest magical moments at Walt Disney World happen by probability, and no quantity of spending or planning can “pressure” 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’ll have an incredible journey with out spending something further.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things it’s good to know!
Your Ideas
What are your favourite Walt Disney World splurges? Something providing nice bang for buck that you simply suppose we missed? Something that made the listing you’re feeling doesn’t belong? Questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
