Planning a Walt Disney World Trip in 2025? Here’s the Complete Cost Breakdown

When you think of Walt Disney World Resort, you typically think of a high-priced vacation, especially if you’re traveling with a larger family. A lot goes into a vacation at the Happiest Place on Earth, and costs can add up quickly!

It’s important to have a realistic idea of what you’ll need to pay to visit Walt Disney’s namesake park outside of Orlando, Florida. If you plan your trip correctly, you can actually save quite a bit of money, allowing you to put more cash back in your pocket or use it on extra things that make your vacation truly stand out!

When it comes to Disney, there are 4 main costs you need to think of: flights, theme park tickets, hotels, and food. Estimating costs for each is important in determining how much your trip to the House of the Mouse will truly cost!

Flights

Flying is going to be one of the most variable costs when it comes to pricing out your trip to Walt Disney World, simply because people come from all over the globe. While guests from the U.S. certainly make up the largest share of visitors, it’s no secret that Walt Disney World attracts an international clientele.

The costs for flights are going to be vastly different if you’re coming from Honolulu rather than London or New York City, but there are a few things you should know about flights that can help you determine a cost:

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) is actually one of the cheapest airports in the country to fly into, simply because of the number of airlines that fly in and out and the competitive pricing they offer.
• If you’re looking for a super cheap flight, consider flying into Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) on Allegiant Air. While it’s farther away from Disney, the savings may be worth it.

Once you get to Orlando, you need to decide how you’re going to get to Disney. Disney has done away with its Magical Express bus service to the resorts, so you’re on your own for transportation. The best ways to get to Disney from the airport are using a rental car or ride-sharing.

From my home airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) outside of Washington, D.C., I can typically find flights as cheap as around $100 each way. If you’re on the West Coast, it’s not uncommon to find flights around $150 each way. If you’re in Europe, it’s possible to snag fares as low as $500 or so round-trip. You can easily reduce the cost of your flight using points or miles, as this would essentially make the price of the flights free.

Lodging

When it comes to staying at Disney World, there are a number of options you can choose from, and each type of lodging comes with a different price tier:

• Off-property hotels, resorts, and rentals
• Disney Value Resorts
• Disney Moderate Resorts
• Disney Deluxe Resorts

If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest, stay at an off-property hotel, such as the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, or a Disney Value Resort, such as Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort. You can even take advantage of points when staying at an off-property hotel! Hotels in this price range typically range from $100 to $200 a night.

If you want to step things up, you can stay at a Disney Moderate Resort, which is the middle range of on-property Disney hotels, such as Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Hotels here cost about $200 to $300 a night, depending on dates. These resorts tend to have more well-appointed rooms than value resorts, more dining, and better theming.

If you really want to splurge, you can stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort, which gives you theme park benefits such as Extra Magic Hours. The original Disney Deluxe Resort is Disney’s Old Key West Resort, which you can also use Disney Vacation Club points at. These resorts are the highest-end properties Disney has to offer and also provide a variety of larger rooms, including studios, 1-bedroom villas, 2-bedroom villas, and even 3-bedroom grand villas. These resorts typically cost over $500 a night, but they could be significantly cheaper if you have a large party since villas usually have extra beds and sleeping areas.

You need to consider whether to stay on or off Disney property when staying at Disney World. Staying on the property comes with the significant benefit of on-property transportation, such as buses, monorails, boats, and the famed Skyliner. If you’re staying off Disney property, such as at a Good Neighbor Hotel, your hotel may offer transportation. This is usually only to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) where you still need to catch another form of transportation to the theme park you’re visiting.

Bottom Line:

If you can afford to stay on Disney property, do it, as it will vastly change your Disney World experience. The cost savings of staying off Disney property may not be that great, so compare rates to see if staying on Disney property is that much more expensive in the long run.

Theme Park Tickets

Purchasing a ticket to any one of Disney World’s 4 theme parks will likely be the biggest expense of your trip. Disney sells theme park tickets in single-day or multiple-day increments. The price depends on the day and month you visit, with the highest-priced tickets in December.

Looking at an example December ticket, here’s what you can expect to pay for a single-day, single-park ticket:

• Magic Kingdom: $199
• Epcot: $189
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $194
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: $174

For that same period, a Park Hopper ticket would cost $264 for a single-day ticket. This allows you to visit multiple parks on the same day, which is a good way to see more attractions if you have limited time during your trip. If you added a water park visit during that day, a Park Hopper Plus ticket would cost $284.

The more days you purchase, the cheaper your per-day cost becomes. Let’s say you want to do a 10-day ticket, which is the cheapest bulk-option ticket you can purchase. For that December timeframe, it would cost a total of $879.62 for a single-theme park visit each day ($87.96 per day) or $974.62 ($97.46 per day) to do a Park Hopper Ticket.

You can price out the cost of your trip on the Disney World ticket website.

Hot Tip:

Set yourself up for success and learn from our experts how to make your next trip to Disney as stress-free as possible.

Special Experiences

Disney also offers several special experiences throughout the year, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Both of these events cost extra on top of any normal park ticket you may use to access the parks in the morning. Typical prices for a special experience ticket are around $150 to $200 a person.

If you’re going to a theme park, there’s a good chance you’ll also participate in some additional experiences that cost extra on top of your theme park ticket. You’re not required to participate in these, but they certainly add to your overall Disney experience, and especially if you have a younger one, they’re something you’ll likely want to do:

• Behind the Seeds — Tour the Living with the Land area at Epcot for about $45.
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — Dress up like a princess with prices starting around $100 and going above $500 for the most deluxe option.
• Build Your Own Droid — Make a Star Wars droid at the Droid Depot for about $120.
• Build Your Own Lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop — Make your own Star Wars lightsaber for around $250.
• Savor the Savanna — Take a private tour of the Animal Kindom wildlife reserve areas for about $200.

Depending on how many experiences you add to your itinerary, this can easily add several hundreds of dollars a day in extra expenses.

Lightning Lane

Depending on the time of year, you’ll encounter long lines at Disney. There are very few ways to skip the line, and the best way is using the Lightning Lane service. This allows you to use a much shorter line at attractions at designated return times, reducing your wait times significantly. There are individual Lightning Lanes for super popular attractions, which cost around $20 per ride. All-day Lightning Lane passes for most attractions in a given park are around $30, and Premier passes allow prescheduling for north of $400 at the most peak times.

The cost for the Lightning Lane services is all based on the date you’re visiting the parks, and you can always find this up-to-date pricing in your My Disney Experience app. Assuming you’re a family of 4, expect to pay around $120 a day for basic Lightning Lanes.

Dining

While you’re roaming around the theme parks and experiencing all the attractions, you’re going to surely work up an appetite! Food and drinks during your Walt Disney World visit are a big expense, so it’s important to plan this correctly.

To help you save, Disney has 2 dining plans for guests: the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. Both allow you to prepay your meals and drinks so you can save each day, though you need to do the math to see if what is included is important to you.

The quick-service option costs $57.01 a day for an adult and $23.83 for kids between the ages of 3 and 9. This plan includes 2 quick-service meals a day at eligible locations, a snack, and a resort-refillable mug. Quick-service dining locations are typically counter-service joints where you order through the app or at a window and have your food delivered on a tray, similar to a fast-food restaurant.

The regular dining plan costs $94.28 per day for an adult and $26.69 for a child 3 to 9. This plan allows for 1 quick-service meal a day, 1 sit-down meal a day, a snack, and a refillable mug. Essentially, the difference between this plan and the quick-service plan is that you get 1 meal a day where you can enjoy restaurant-style service at a restaurant.

At each restaurant, you get certain options. You can always purchase extra things à la carte. Since each plan only includes 2 meals a day, the dining plan may not be for big eaters who need 3 meals a day, or you may need to purchase a third meal if the snack isn’t enough.

Of course, the prices only go up from here. If you decide to do 3 table-service restaurants a day, it can easily cost several hundreds of dollars a day, especially if you’re drinking alcohol. Some restaurants, like Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot, can easily set you back over $100 just for a single meal.

Disney is known for its fantastic restaurants, so I’d highly suggest putting together a healthy food budget. You don’t want to eat fast food your entire trip!

Final Cost

For a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) to visit Walt Disney World for 4 nights and 4 days, let’s assume the following costs:

• $250 per person for round-trip airfare to Orlando
• $450 per night for 4 nights at Old Key West Resort in a deluxe studio
• $275 per day in meals using a Disney Dining Plan, plus miscellaneous snacks
• $250 per person per day in theme park tickets, using Park Hopper
• $100 per person per day in Lightning Lane or special experiences

Here’s how things total up:

• $1,000 in total airfare
• $1,800 in lodging
• $1,100 in food and beverages
• $4,000 in theme park tickets
• $1600 in special experiences

For a 4-night stay, you’re looking at approximately $9,500 in expenses, which is certainly not cheap. However, it could be far worse, especially if you choose to stay in a nicer villa, upgrade your daily food packages, and add in souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses.

For the majority of your expenses, using the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is the best way to earn more points on your Disney vacation. You earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on your airfare, lodging, and food!

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

For theme park tickets (which code as entertainment), consider using the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. When booking your tickets through the Citi Travel portal, you’ll earn 10x ThankYou Points on your purchase. These tickets cost the same as purchasing directly from Disney, so there shouldn’t be an upcharge.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

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Card Highlights

• For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Ways You Can Save

There are a few ways you can save on your Disney World vacation, though you should always make sure the costs are in line with your family’s expectations:

• Budget carriers Breeze, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and WestJet service Orlando International Airport (MCO). Though further from Disney, Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a hub for Allegiant Air, an ultra-low-cost carrier, and may offer significant flight savings.
• Disney occasionally runs special offers combining lodging, theme park tickets, and dining packages with savings on all 3. Some of these packages are seasonal, and some have capacity restrictions, so check to see what’s on offer during your planned dates. Working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner allows you to take advantage of better rates as they become available.
• Some families purposely plan on resort days during their trips so not every day is at an expensive theme park. On some days, it’s great to just hang out at the resort, go to the pool, or take advantage of other recreation. You can also resort hop and visit non-Disney resorts, too!
• If you’re staying at a villa with a full kitchen, consider buying groceries and cooking in or bringing your own meals and snacks to the park. You don’t always need to eat in the parks or restaurants, though part of the fun of visiting Disney is trying new food!

Disney Credit Cards

You can also consider using the Disney^® Premier Visa^® card or $0-annual-fee Disney^® Visa^® Card whose in-park benefits can help you save on select merchandise and dining.

Both cards access savings of 10% off merchandise at select locations throughout the Walt Disney World resort when using your card, 15% off the price of select guided tours, and 10% off select dining locations as well. You must use the card to take advantage of each of these discounts.

SPECIAL OFFER

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $400 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$400

Annual Fee

$49

APR

18.24% - 27.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Mickey and his friends are like part of the family. Your kids can recite the words to everything from Aladdin to Toy Story. And there’s no question where you’re going on Spring Break (Space Mountain, anyone?).

As a premier Disney fan, you always have the Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card on hand. It earns you cash back and discounts at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com when you use your card
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com
• Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations

Cons

• Does not earn transferrable rewards
• Has a foreign transaction fee

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Card Highlights

• Earn a $400 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com. Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney U.S. locations. Earn 1% on all your other card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.
• Redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward airline purchases.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

Depending on how often you visit Disney, it may be worth getting one of the cards simply for the discounts, though it’s worth noting that similar discounts already exist if you have a Disney Annual Pass or Disney Vacation Club membership.

The 10% discount on food and merchandise isn’t available at every location, so you’ll want to check at your restaurant or store before purchasing. Because you need to use the credit card to obtain the savings, you may forgo other rewards on other credit cards, so be sure the savings are worth it to you.

Final Thoughts

While a trip to Walt Disney World can certainly be expensive, there are ways to avoid breaking the bank! If you plan out your airfare, lodging, food, and park tickets appropriately, you can have a really fun task and save a few bucks along the way. Of course, if you’re looking to splurge, there are plenty of ways to do that, too! No matter the cost of your Disney vacation, you’re sure to have a magical time!