Disney World promises to deliver the magic – what’s also magical is how effective Mickey & Co is at getting money out of my wallet. Our Disney adventure has already cost us $3,198.56, and we haven’t even set foot in Orlando yet.
Costs Already Paid
- $1,828.16: Disney package including 5-day base ticket, 5-night stay at a Value Resort, 5-day basic dining plan, and travel insurance.
- $1,370.40: Plane tickets including cost of $300 to change flights.
Costs Planned But Not Yet Incurred
- $50: Tips. We will be having 4 sit-down dinners (and one buffet). Assuming an average of $30 per sit-down dinner per person, and 20% tip, our total amount for gratuity should be ~$50. (Disney dining plan does not cover tips).
- $50: Miscellaneous food items / airport items, etc. We’ll try not to spend this much, but things happen.
- $65: 2 photo books of our magical memories from Blurb or Shutterfly – one for me and one as a gift for CB.
Costs We Don’t Plan To Incur
- Checked luggage: United charges $15-$20 for the first item you check. Not unreasonable, but just not something we’ll be paying for. 2 pieces of carry-on should be enough for me for a 5 day-trip. I just have to make sure I bring good walking shoes and a jacket and sweater.
- Souvenirs: Mickey Ears, stuffed animals, sweatshirts, etc. – I’ll be happy to forgo these items so I can save money to do the photo books.
Given that we are going to Disney World during what is arguably the most expensive time of the year (the week between Christmas and New Year’s) and the scheduling snafu, I think we’ve done the best we could in keep costs down.
And on the “bright” side – all those holiday lights and decorations will be at the Resort! I’m guessing it will be – oh what’s the word – magical.
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I am SO excited for your trip! I have never been to Disney World before and have dreamed of a vacation like the one you are planning for years. This sounds pretty reasonable for a magical vacation!
I think it’s a good call on the not spending money on souveniers. A photobook is a way better memory of the trip!
wow that’s expensive! all my disneyland trips have been one or two day trips and it’s a quick and cheap flight from northern california to disneyland
Carrie´s last blog ..Holiday Gift Guide
Besides the huge markup in the price of items at Disney (t-shirts typically run $23), the biggest annoyance I encountered while staying at their New Orleans Riverside resort was the fact that they didn’t offer free internet access…
They wanted customers to pay $9.99 for 24 hours of contiguous internet access.
So, unless I read their offer incorrectly, they wanted me to pay $70 for a week of internet access (I stayed down there 7 days…)
Another big expense that I fell for was the Disney pins. They are expensive, but once you get a starter kit, you trade pins with Disney employees in the parks, and that’s pretty cool. My daughter got an Ariel pin that was made in Europe that way…
Make use of the fast pass tickets! Especially on the more popular rides! We went off season, and the ride lines were pretty long on the newer popular rides, but not too bad on the older but still fun rides.
Still, it was a decent time, and the kids had fun
@ my pretty pennies & me in millions – I am super excited too! It’s been a dream of mine to go to Disney World, and now I get to do it.
@ carrie – I think of Disney World as Disneyland x 5. So… I guess the costs will be x 5 too? Then there’s the additional hotel rooms & flights and such.
@ Don – glad to hear you had a great time! I had a friend who was really into trading pins too. How were the Moderate Resorts? We’re doing Value because, um, no money, but one day I’d like to go back and do it in style in the Deluxe Resorts.
You may want to budget more for tips and misc food. My experience at Disney World is that everything, including food, is almost 2x the price you would pay in the “real world”.
Jenn @ Paying Myself´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving!
In unrelated news, I didn’t mean for that “Happy Thanksgiving” link to end up there like that. I didn’t realize I need to unclick the thing at the bottom. Is it new?
@ Jenn – that plugin is new. it’s just a way for people to see your latest post if you want (more traffic, exposure, etc.) As for the Disney food budget, I am really hopeful that our dining plan will cover everything. From the research I’ve done, it seems like 2 meals a day + snack should be enough food to last throughout the day. *crosses fingers*
Ok, weird question…but why do you need two photobooks? Are they going to be the same book? Is one for each of you so when you go abroad you can each have one? You're not going to have two of the same book in your house, right? Not judging, just trying to make sure I'm not nutso – I think I missed something
2 copies of the same book. I figured I'll take one with me and he will have his own copy to keep at his place. And there's the abroad thing.
I had a feeling they weren't going to the same house. I don't know why I thought you lived together (except for the part where you're going abroad).