how much is disney world vacation

How Much Does It Cost to Go on a Disney World Vacation? (calculator and video)

Are you planning a Disney World vacation? A Disney vacation is one of the most expensive family vacations you can take. It’s a lot more expensive than your typical road trip or even when compared to your Caribbean beach resort vacation. That’s because aside from the lodging, transportation, and food cost, you also have to add in the hefty Disney World ticket prices. Below, I’ve created a calculator for you to compute the total cost of your Disney World vacation.

Here is my video: How Much is a Disney World vacation? You can also read the article below for details and use the calculator to price out your Disney vacation.

I’ve priced out the cost for a summer vacation in mid-July. All the prices in the calculator include taxes and tips to give you a better idea of your total Disney World Vacation cost.

What are the Expenses of a Disney World Vacation?

There are 5 main expenses of a Disney World Vacation. I have listed below the 5 expenses to consider when planning your Disney Vacation. The actual cost of each expense will be based on the type of resort you are staying in and the type of restaurants you will be eating at. My Disney World calculator below will let you price out your vacation based on the type of traveler you are- budget, mid-price or luxury traveler.

  • Disney World Theme Park Ticket Prices
  • Lodging Expense
  • Ground Transporation or Car Rental Expense
  • Food Expense
  • Airfare
The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Disney World
The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Disney World

How Much Does it Cost to Stay at Disney World Resorts?

Disney World Resort hotels can cost you between $200 to $800 per night. If you are going for 5 days, your lodging expense can cost you between $1000 to $4000 for 5 days.

Disney World Resort hotels are divided into 3 tiers- value resorts, moderate resorts and deluxe resorts. At the low end, you have the value resorts which include hotels like Disney’s All-Stars Music Resort, Disney’s All-Stars Movie Resort and Disney’s All-Stars Sports. These value resorts offer families basic, motel-like accommodations. Disney World value resorts cost $200 per night per room in July.

The next tier up is the Moderate Resorts which includes Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans and Coronado Springs. The moderate resorts cost around $300 per night per room.

The next tier up is the Deluxe Resorts which includes Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, The Polynesian, and The Contemporary. These deluxe resorts will cost you $500 per night per room.

I’ve added the villa tier to my Disney World Vacation calculator. The villa tier is not officially a Disney World resort hotel tier. These are condo-style accommodations with kitchens and a living room. They are timeshare lodging but are also available to be booked a la carte. The villas can cost you around $800 per night per unit.

Disney World Epcot
Disney World Epcot

How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Disney World Hotels Outside the Park?

You can stay at an official Disney Partner hotel off-site. These Disney World hotels will still get you some of the perks of staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel such as early theme park entry and shuttle buses to the park. At the low end, you can stay at a Fairfield Inn and Suites Lake Buena Vista that has a shuttle to Epcot with free breakfast for $153 per night (tax included). The mid-tier off-site hotels are comparable to the moderate Disney World resort hotels so I didn’t include it in my calculator. At the high end, you can stay at super luxurious Four Season Orlando for $1233 per night. They also have a shuttle to Disney World parks.

Another option for Disney World hotels outside the park is to stay at condo-style resorts. These are typically time-share units but you can book them even if you are not a time-share owner. Club Wyndham Cypress Palm is in Kissimmee and a 10-minute drive to Disney World theme parks. It costs $135 per night to stay in a 1 bedroom with a kitchen. A 3 bedroom at WorldMark Reunion costs $323 per night. The 3 bedroom unit sleeps 8 and is only a 13-minute drive to Disney World.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom- Disney World
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom- Disney World

How Much are Tickets to Disney World?

Disney World tickets cost varies by date but on off-peak days you can get Disney World tickets at $109 per day for anyone ages 10 and up and $104 per day for children ages 3-9 years old. These ticket prices are for 1 park per day. Disney World Park Hopper tickets start at $174 per day for ages 10 and up and $164 per day for children ages 3-9 years old.

I priced out Disney World tickets for mid-July travel and that is more expensive than the $109 per day. In July, Disney World tickets are $134 per day for anyone ages 10 and up and $129 per day for children ages 3-9 years old. While Park Hopper tickets in July are $194 per day for ages 10 and up and $189 per day for children ages 3-9 years old.

The Disney World ticket prices above are for one-day admission which is the most expensive pricing. Disney World ticket prices come down in price when you go for more days. For example, in July, if you go to Disney World for 5 days, the cost for an adult 5 days ticket is $514 total or $102.80 per day. That means you are saving $31 a day by going for 5 days versus if you just go for a day. That is a $155 savings for the 5 days.

Disney Dole Whip
Disney Dole Whip

How Much is Food at Disney World?

Disney World food costs will depend on the type of restaurants you eat at. Most families will eat breakfast at their resort which will cost around $11.50 for counter service restaurants and $35.50 for luxury resort sit-down breakfast. Some families make their own breakfast in their room with granola bars and cereals which will further lower the cost of breakfast. Or if you are staying at an off-site hotel with free breakfast then your breakfast food cost is $0!

For lunch, most families will eat at a quick-service restaurant in the theme park. Lunch for adults at Disney World quick-service restaurants costs around $18 and lunch for kids is $8.50. Some families prefer a sit-down lunch in the theme park which will cost $39 for adults and $14 for kids. These prices include taxes and tips. Families on a budget can also pack a sandwich since Disney World allows you to bring outside food.

Dinner is where the food cost can fluctuate. Dinner for adults at Disney World quick-service restaurants costs the same as lunch. It’s around $18 for adults and $8.50 for kids. Families staying late at theme parks will generally opt for dinner at quick-service restaurants in the theme park.

Families who are back at their resort will probably prefer a sit-down dinner with alcoholic beverages for adults. The cost is $55 for an adult dinner with an appetizer, entree, and one alcoholic beverage. For kids, the dinner cost is $15 for a kids meal. These prices include taxes and tips. If you are staying at a luxury resort off-site, your sit-down dinner will be more expensive. I’ve included the higher price in my calculator, the cost is $83.50 for an adult dinner with an appetizer, entree, and one alcoholic beverage. For kids, the dinner cost is $20.25 for a kids meal with a drink.

Families on a budget can make dinner in their room with supermarket-bought salads and sandwiches. You can cook hot meals in your resort if you are staying at a condo-style resort with a full kitchen.

Use my Disney World calculator below to price out your family’s food costs. You will be able to mix and match dining costs- for example, you may plan to make your own breakfast in your room all morning, lunch at quick-service restaurants, and dinner at sit-down restaurants.

How Much is Character Dining at Disney World?

Character Dining at Disney World is $76 for adults and $38 for kids. These prices include taxes and tips. Most families may splurge on one Character Dining meal during their trip. My Disney World calculator will let you add on the Character Dining cost for your trip.

How Much is Car Rental at Disney World?

Car rental in Orlando costs $86.79 per day for a 4-passenger sedan while a mid-size SUV costs $115 per day and a mini-van will cost you $167.95 per day. If you are staying at a Disney World resort hotel then you don’t need to rent a car since you can take the complimentary shuttles and water taxis to the theme parks. You will need ground transportation to get you from the airport to your Disney World resort hotel though (Disney’s complimentary Magical Express bus service is no longer available).

How Much Does a Taxi Ride Cost from Orlando Airport to Disney World?

Taxi from Orlando airport to Disney World costs around $68. While a limo ride costs around $90 per hour. It takes 30 minutes to get from Orlando airport to Disney World.

How Much Is Parking at Disney World Theme Parks?

Parking at Disney World Theme Park is $25 for regular parking and $50 for preferred parking. Preferred parking is the parking spots closer to the main entrance while regular parking will be further from the main theme park entrance. If you are staying off-site, you will need to add the cost of parking to your Disney World Vacation expense since you will be driving into Disney World.

How Much Is Airfare to Disney World?

Airfare to Disney World will depend on where you live. If you are coming from New York, it’s $453 per person roundtrip to fly from JFK Airport to Orlando International Airport. I’ve left the field blank for you to fill out your own airfare cost. That way it will be included in your total Disney World Vacation cost in the calculator.

How Much Does It Cost for a Family of Four to Go to Disney World?

I’ve priced out 3 scenarios for a family of four going on their Disney World vacation.

Scenario 1: Thrifty Family of Four on a Disney World Vacation

The first scenario is a thrifty family of four from New York City going on their first Disney World vacation. They are going for 6 nights and will fly economy from New York City to Orlando airport. They are staying at a value hotel at the Disney World resort. They bought granola bars and cereal so they can eat in their room and save on breakfast. They plan to eat at counter service restaurants for lunch and dinner. They will splurge and do one Character Dinner. They will not rent a car and will take a taxi to and from the airport. They plan to go to the theme parks for 4 days (no park hopper) and will take the extra day hanging out at the pool or going to Disney Springs (free, no entrance fee). The two kids are under 10 years old so they will be getting the child ticket pricing. I also included 4 days of Genie+ to the total cost. The total cost of their Disney World Vacation is $6117.70. That is $254.90 per person per day. If you take out the cost of airfare, the total cost of their Disney World Vacation is $4309.70 or $179.57 per person per day. Below you will find the breakdown of their Disney World vacation cost.

Disney World Vacation ExpenseCost
Airfare (NYC to Orlando)$1808
Lodging (Value Hotel in Disney World Resort)$1200
2 Adult Theme Park Tickets (4 days, not park hopper)$914
2 Child Theme Park Tickets (4 days, not park hopper)$880
Genie+ for all 4 days for Everyone$256
Adult Breakfast (make your own)$36
Adult Lunch (counter service)$216
Adult Dinner (counter service)$216
Child Breakfast (make your own)$24
Child Lunch (counter service)$102
Child Dinner (counter service)$102
Character Dinner for Adults (1 meal)$151.80
Character Dinner for Kids (1 meal)$75.90
Taxi Ride to/from the airport$136
TOTAL Disney World Vacation Cost$6117.70
TOTAL without Airfare$4309.70
TOTAL per person without Airfare$179.57 per person
Disney World Vacation Cost Breakdown for Thrifty Family of Four

Scenario 2: Moderate Budget Family of Four on a Disney World Vacation

The second scenario is a family of four from New York City going on their first Disney World vacation. They are not as thrifty and have a moderate budget. They are going for 6 nights and will fly economy from New York City to Orlando airport. They are staying at a moderate hotel at the Disney World resort. They plan to eat at counter service restaurants for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, they will eat at sit-down restaurants. They will splurge and do one Character Dinner. They will not rent a car and will take a taxi to and from the airport. They plan to go to the theme parks for 4 days (no park hopper) and will take the extra day hanging out at the pool or going to Disney Springs (free, no entrance fee). The two kids are under 10 years old so they will be getting the child ticket pricing. I also included 4 days of Genie+ to the total cost. The total cost of their Disney World Vacation is $7465.30. That is $311.05 per person per day. If you take out the cost of airfare, the total cost of their Disney World Vacation is $5657.30 or $235.72 per person per day. Below you will find the breakdown of their Disney World vacation cost.

Disney World Vacation ExpenseCost
Airfare (NYC to Orlando)$1808
Lodging (Value Hotel in Disney World Resort)$1872
2 Adult Theme Park Tickets (4 days, not park hopper)$914
2 Child Theme Park Tickets (4 days, not park hopper)$880
Genie+ for all 4 days for Everyone$256
Adult Breakfast (counter service)$138
Adult Lunch (counter service)$216
Adult Dinner (table service)$657
Child Breakfast (counter service)$76.44
Child Lunch (counter service)$102
Child Dinner (table service)$182.16
Character Dinner for Adults (1 meal)$151.80
Character Dinner for Kids (1 meal)$75.90
Taxi Ride to/from the airport$136
TOTAL Disney World Vacation Cost$7465.30
TOTAL without Airfare$5657.30
TOTAL per person without Airfare$235.72 per person
Disney World Vacation Cost Breakdown for Family of 4 with Moderate Budget

Scenario 3: Upscale Family of Four on a Disney World Vacation

The third scenario is a family of four from New York City going on their first Disney World vacation. They are an affluent family who likes to splurge. They are going for 6 nights and will fly first class from New York City to Orlando airport. They are staying at Four Seasons Orlando which is a Disney World Partner hotel so there is a complimentary shuttle to theme parks. They plan to eat at table service restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They will do one Character Dinner. They will not rent a car and will take a limo to and from the airport. They plan to go to the theme parks for 4 days (with park hopper) and will take the extra day hanging out at the luxurious Four Seasons resort pool. The two kids are under 10 years old so they will be getting the child ticket pricing. I also included 4 days of Genie+ to the total cost. The total cost of their Disney World Vacation is $16,953.42. That is $706.39 per person per day. If you take out the cost of airfare, the total cost of their Disney World Vacation is $12,665.42 or $527.73 per person per day. Below you will find the breakdown of their Disney World vacation cost.

Disney World Vacation ExpenseCost
Airfare (NYC to Orlando)$4288
Lodging (Value Hotel in Disney World Resort)$7410
2 Adult Theme Park Tickets (4 days, not park hopper)$1084
2 Child Theme Park Tickets (4 days, not park hopper)$1050
Genie+ for all 4 days for Everyone$256
Adult Breakfast (table service at a luxury resort)$426
Adult Lunch (table service)$468
Adult Dinner (table service at a luxury resort)$1002
Child Breakfast (table service at a luxury resort)$151.80
Child Lunch (table service)$167.04
Child Dinner (table service at a luxury resort)$242.88
Character Dinner for Adults (1 meal)$151.80
Character Dinner for Kids (1 meal)$75.90
Taxi Ride to/from the airport$180
TOTAL Disney World Vacation Cost$16,953.42
TOTAL without Airfare$12,665.42
TOTAL per person without Airfare$527.73 per person
Disney World Vacation Cost Breakdown for Upscale Family of 4

Disney World Vacation Cost: Comparing the 3 Families

I’ve compared the Disney World Vacation cost of the three families. The difference in cost between the thrifty family and the family with a moderate budget is $1347.60 for the entire trip or $224.60 more per day. The hotel is more expensive and food cost is higher for the family with a moderate budget since they are eating out every meal.

The upscale family’s total cost is approximately 3x more than the thrifty family’s cost. That means the thrift family can go to Disney World three times to spend what the upscale family spends in one Disney World vacation! While the upscale family’s total cost is almost double the cost of the family with a moderate budget.

Disney World Vacation ExpenseBudget Family CostModerate Family CostUpscale Family Cost
Airfare (NYC to Orlando)$1808$1808$4288
Lodging $1200$1872$7410
2 Adult Theme Park Tickets (4 days)$914$914$1084
2 Child Theme Park Tickets (4 days)$880$880$1050
Genie+ for all 4 days for Everyone$256$256$256
Adult Breakfast$36$138$426
Adult Lunch$216$216$468
Adult Dinner $216$657$1002
Child Breakfast$24$76.44$151.80
Child Lunch $102$102$167.04
Child Dinner $102$182.16$242.88
Character Dinner for Adults (1 meal)$151.80$151.80$151.80
Character Dinner for Kids (1 meal)$75.90$75.90$75.90
Ground Transporation to/from the airport$136$136$180
TOTAL Disney World Vacation Cost$6117.70$7465.30$16,953.42
TOTAL without Airfare$4309.70$5657.30$12,665.42
TOTAL per person without Airfare$179.57$235.72$527.73
Disney World Vacation Cost Comparison

How to Save on Your Disney World Vacation

As you can see from the Disney World Vacation cost scenarios above, you cut down on your total Disney World Vacation expense by saving on lodging and food costs. If you stay in a value Disney World resort hotel, you save compared to staying in the higher-priced resorts. If you stay off-site at a value resort with free breakfast and a free shuttle to the theme parks, that will also save you money. You can also save money on your Disney World Vacation by eating at counter service restaurants versus table service restaurants. If you have the option to drive to Orlando instead of flying, that is a big saving as well.

You May Also Be Interested in These Disney Vacation Articles:

20 Ways to Save on Your Next Disney Vacation

Should You Hire a Disney VIP Tour Guide? (Pros and Cons)

How Much is a Disney Vacation: Check out our Disney Vacation Calculator

Where to Buy Discount Disney Tickets

What to Splurge on at Disney World

Is Lighting Lane Worth It at Disney World?

How to Avoid Meltdowns at Disney World