8 Disney World Splurges That Are Totally Worth the Money

Visiting Walt Disney World can be done on a tight budget, but sometimes, the right splurge can pay off and enhance your trip. Upgrading your trip makes sense when time, comfort, or convenience are worth the cost.

Some Disney World splurges save hours of waiting or create moments you can’t experience in any other way, whether it’s a character breakfast, behind-the-scenes tour, or the comfort of settling in to your Disney World resort bed watching the fireworks show on TV.

If you’re planning a Disney World visit, consider these splurges that consistently deliver the most value.

1. Staying at a Disney Property

Staying at a Disney World resort may be one of the worthwhile splurges you can make.

That’s not to say that off-site lodging doesn’t have any benefits. You’ll typically get more bang for your buck and enjoy more space, complimentary breakfast, and shuttles.

Still, the convenience of staying within the Disney bubble offers exceptional value — and there’s no resort fee, like you may be charged at an off-site property. Disney World resort perks include:

• Early theme park entry
• Extended evening hours for guests of Deluxe resorts
• Complimentary water park admission on your check-in day through 2025 and returning in summer 2026
• Lightning Lane access up to 7 days in advance
• Access to dining plans
• Bus, boat, and monorail transportation
• Hey Disney! voice assistant that offers wake-up calls, Disney trivia, and interactive experiences
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Complimentary standard self-parking at the resort and theme parks

The convenience of Disney World resorts is unbeatable, with reliable transportation, early theme park entry 30 minutes before the parks open, and complimentary self-parking available throughout Disney World. You can book Lightning Lanes up to 7 days in advance (instead of the usual 3 days), and you have access to dining plans if you prefer to prepay for food credits.

There’s a wide range of pricing and amenities for Disney World resorts, ranging from Value resorts such as Disney’s All-Star Music Resort to Deluxe resorts such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

A Value resort can get your foot in the door with a serviceable room that gives you a place to snooze, resort amenities, and access to all of the resort guest perks. Moderate resorts offer a step up, typically adding more recreation opportunities, dining, and transportation methods.

Deluxe resorts and Deluxe Villas are the highest resort level, with larger rooms, feature pools, extensive dining, and often, easier transportation. Deluxe resort guests also get access to extended evening hours, which offer late-night, low-crowd hours on specific nights. Some offer rooms with theme park views or club-level access, too.

We recommend Deluxe resorts as a splurge when you plan to spend time at the resort or take advantage of extended evening hours — even if you only stay for part of your trip. If you want to stay at a Deluxe resort without the high price tag and have flexibility, you can try renting Disney Vacation Club points to get a lower nightly cost.

Hot Tip:

If you have a Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card or Disney^® Visa^® Card, you can book Disney World resorts at special rates in early 2026, starting at $99.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Tours and Enchanting Extras

Some of Disney World’s most overlooked splurges are behind-the-scenes tours and Enchanting Extras, which feature guided experiences, hands-on activities, and tours that take you beyond a standard park day.

Behind-the-scenes tours can offer a great experience for the price. You can satisfy curiosity, get a deeper look into how Disney World works, and gain a new perspective on the parks with insider information.

Some tours are surprisingly affordable, like Behind the Seeds at EPCOT, which takes you through the greenhouses on Living With the Land. It’s a hands-on and educational experience packed in an hourlong tour.

Other experiences are even more extensive, such as the 3-hour Wild Africa Trek in Disney’s Animal Kingdom savanna, which takes you on a rope bridge over crocodiles and features knowledgeable guides and African-inspired snacks. Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour is a 5-hour walking tour that includes secret locations (including Utilidor underground tunnels) and little-known facts about the Magic Kingdom.

Behind-the-scenes tours range from $39 to $249 per person, depending on the tour and date. You can get 10% off most tours if you pay using the Disney Premier card or Disney Visa card.

Other experiences in Enchanting Extras can add something special to your trip, such as creating a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, getting a princess makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, or hopping on a ride with Disney horses.

3. Lightning Lanes

Lightning Lanes, Disney World’s paid queue-skipping system, can be a smart splurge at Disney World. Designed to shorten waits for high-demand attractions, Lightning Lanes can save you hours on packed days. They can make sense if you’re on a short trip, traveling during peak seasons, or unwilling to wait in long lines.

Splurging on Lightning Lanes doesn’t make sense for every trip, but they can be well worth the expense. Here’s a look at the 3 types of Lightning Lanes and when they can come in handy:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Book up to 3 attractions at a time with set arrival windows. This is great if you like having a plan, want to skip most lines, and are a resort guest who can book up to 7 days out for the best availability. It usually costs about $20 to $30 per person each day.
• Lightning Lane Single Pass: This is a one-time purchase for the most popular attractions not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It’s a good choice for short trips or groups who only care about skipping exceptionally long lines. It’s usually about $15 to $20 per person for each ride.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass: This grants 1 entry into every Lightning Lane attraction at a specific park without time windows. It’s the most pricey but valuable if you want a flexible day with very little waiting. It usually costs about $130 to $450 per person each day, varying widely by date and park.

4. Specialty Dining

Specialty dining, such as character meals, fireworks dining packages, or a special table-service restaurant, can add more magic and relaxation to your visit.

Character dining is a great splurge for families, with guaranteed character interactions without waiting in lines, and provides built-in downtime during the day. Breakfast tends to be more affordable and can start your day off on the right note, though lunch may offer a break from the heat and crowds when you need it most.

Fireworks dining removes the stress from claiming a viewing spot. You can have a meal or treats and enjoy the show from a comfortable viewing area. This is a great upgrade if you want a calm evening and a guaranteed spot for the show. Another option is taking a fireworks cruise.

Even regular table-service meals can feel like a splurge, breaking up long park days with air conditioning, time off your feet, and typically better food than quick-service spots. Disney Premier card and Disney Visa cardholders can save 10% on some table-service dining.

5. VIP Tours

The ultimate Disney World splurge is VIP tours, offering unmatched value in access, convenience, and flexibility.

A VIP tour offers a private guide to lead the way, allowing you to skip every line, move through the parks with shortcuts and efficiency, and enjoy all-you-can-eat snacks. You can get personalized services, including pre-arrival planning, insight from your tour guide, and visits to multiple theme parks in a private vehicle with pickup from your hotel.

This splurge is appealing for large families, multigenerational trips, and once-in-a-lifetime visits when you want to experience as much as you can in a short amount of time. It’s easy to check off every headliner attraction in a single day with a VIP tour, and there’s no need to book Lightning Lanes or check wait times.

VIP tours are typically $450 to $950 per hour, with a minimum of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours. They do not include park admission.

6. Minnie Vans

Transportation might not sound like a splurge, but a well-timed Minnie Van can save the day.

Minnie Vans are powered by Lyft but driven by Disney World cast members, and have a distinct look with Minnie Mouse red polka dot exteriors. Minnie Vans are equipped with car seats, and accessible rides are available. Getting a Minnie Van can be especially helpful if you’re traveling with small kids, grandparents, or anyone who is too tapped out of energy for a long walk or crowded shared transportation.

Though this is expensive (we paid about $60 including tip for a park-closing ride to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge from the Magic Kingdom), it could be one of the most sanity-saving splurges of your visit.

7. After-Hours Events and Seasonal Parties

After Hours events and seasonal parties can be a valuable splurge if you want more time in the parks with fewer crowds. With Disney After Hours events, you can get extra hours in the park with limited attendance, including shorter waits for popular rides and included snacks and drinks.

Seasonal parties, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Jollywood Nights, add exclusive entertainment with unique parades, fireworks shows, and characters that aren’t available during regular hours.

These tickets aren’t cheap but can replace a regular park day. Expect to pay about $130 to $200 per person.

8. Memory Maker and Specialty Photos

Photos capture the memories you make at Disney World, and Memory Maker (starting at $85 for a single day or $185 for your entire trip with advance purchase) can help you access some of the best photos you may take at the parks. You can get unlimited downloads of ride photos and PhotoPass images throughout your trip with Memory Maker. It’s a great way to get everyone in the photo.

Capture Your Moment photo sessions are $99 and take photos a step beyond PhotoPass with a 20-minute shoot at iconic locations. They can be a valuable splurge if you’re on a milestone trip or celebrating something special.

Saving on Disney World Splurges

Upgrading your Disney World trip might be a splurge, but you don’t necessarily have to pay full price for them. These are some ways to soften the cost:

• Use Disney Premier Visa card and Disney Visa card discounts for savings on select tours, dining, and merchandise, plus occasional resort offers.
• Book resorts using credit card rewards through Chase Travel, AmexTravel.com, and Capital One Travel.
• Rent DVC points for Deluxe stays.
• Share big-ticket experiences such as VIP tours or Deluxe Villas with multiple friends or families splitting the cost.
• Leverage off-peak pricing for After Hours events, seasonal parties, tours, and specialty dining, which can vary by date.
• Choose 1 to 2 key splurges per trip instead of upgrading everything.

Final Thoughts

There’s no end to the add-ons, upgrades, and experiences you can choose at Disney World, and it’s easy to feel like you need them all. The reality is you don’t need to upgrade everything, but strategic splurges can pay off.

The key, then, is choosing splurges that enhance your experience without stretching your budget too thin.

Which splurges are most valuable depend on your travel style, priorities, and the pace you want for your Disney World vacation, but that could mean staying at a Disney hotel for convenience, booking Lightning Lanes to save time, or planning a character meal to slow down your day.

You might prefer high-impact experiences that make your visit unique, such as behind-the-scenes tours or something off the beaten path like a trail ride with Disney horses.