In my regular life, I’m careful with my spending. At Disney World, not so much. Here’s how I did on a $1,795 budget.
I ’m a different individual when I ’m atDisney World . In my daily life , I endeavor to be creditworthy and reasonable with my outgo and saving , but all bet are off the 2nd I arrive at the Most Magical Place on Earth . I resign myself to the fact that I will be spending egregious sum of money of money — and I do it all with a Goofy - sized grinning on my face .
So , I squeezed in a five - solar day head trip between Thanksgiving and Christmas , a period when I ’ve in the main found the parks to be at a rare lull and overall traveling expense sane . The result was a whirlwind of ride , snacks , vacation gifts , character hugs , glow Shirley Temples , and nostalgic experiences — both unaccompanied and with friends . Here ’s a partitioning of what I spent on a solo Disney World vacation as a travel writer and certifiedDisney Adult .
About the traveler
Job : Freelance WriterAnnual salary:$61,000 - 80,000 per yearLocation of residence : Oklahoma CityAge:36
About the vacation
Where : Walt Disney World in Orlando , FloridaHow long : Six daysPlanned Budget:$1,795
Upfront costs
Flights:$319.97 . I flew round - trip from Oklahoma City to Orlando . hotel / Lodging:$530.19 , at between $ 68.04 and $ 182.07 per dark . I stay at theSonder Wellbornhotel in downtown Orlando , a historical property that ’s shockingly affordable for its location and architectural signification ; the property ’s Norment - Parry House is allegedly the honest-to-god documented residential dimension in town . Rental car / cab or rideshares / public transit:$345.45 . I reserve a rental machine throughTuro , which is fundamentally like Airbnb for cars . Relevant prior purchases:$1,229 , which is the price of the Disney World Annual Pass that grants me endless entry to all of the parks .
Day by day
Day 1 - Wednesday
full monetary value : $ 39.01My husband dropped me off at Will Rogers World Airport ahead of time in the morning for my flight , and since the going away was before 6 am , I hold off until my layover at Midway in Chicago to buy my usual airdrome coffee — in this case a $ 4.67 intermediate coffee from Dunkin ’ , plus a granola bar from Hudson News for $ 4 ( figure I ’d bring through the deeply - fried nutritionist’s calorie for Disney ) .
I land at Orlando International Airport around twelve noon , making a beeline to my Turo rental railcar in one of the airport parking circumstances . From there , I drive readily to EPCOT , my pet Disney World park . Since I was starving upon arriver , I perused the food option at the common ’s Festival of the Holidays before settling on a sizable smoked salmon latke for a buy $ 6 .
I followed my meal with a visit to Frozen Ever After . There ’s something inexplicably comforting about snaking through the drive ’s wintry indoor pathway , which is all grace out in faux - Scandinavian hygge . But the experience is even good when I do so with a beer , so I grabbed an IPA from Block & Hans in the America Pavilion ( $ 12 ) and unite my fellow riders in the line . Alcohol is n’t cheap in Disney World — I did n’t booze much on this most recent head trip , which make unnecessary a cluster of money — but I usually do blast out for an overpriced deglutition or two .
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
After that , I went on Soarin ’ , which currently has a impermanent California theme , and joined the virtual waiting line for Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind , easily my favourite of the newer ride on - property . By the time I exited the indoor roller coaster , it was dark , I was eat up from my day of locomotion and fun , and I require to tucker the mass exodus before closing , so I left Disney and head into Orlando , where the hotels ( and drinks ) are far cheaper . Exhausted , and not really in the humor to coordinate a eating house sojourn , I rifle to Sprouts Farmers Market and picked up a chicken salad wrapping and a few Liquid Death sparkling waters for $ 12.34 and called it a night .
Day 2 - Thursday
full toll : $ 111.01When staying in Orlando , my pet way to start the day is with breakfast from Deli Desires . As much of a Disney sycophant as I can be , I ’ll be the first to take on that Disney food ca n’t hold a candle to Orlando food . This is specially true in the morning , since Disney ’s on - web site chocolate options are lusterless , overpriced , and often harass by tenacious lines of caffeine - deprived tourists . So before drive the 20 minutes to the parks , I grabbed a large coffee berry with oat milk and vanilla along with a latke breakfast sandwich ( $ 18.76 ) .
Then it was off to Magic Kingdom , where I tried a lot of ride I ’ve somehow never been on , like Carousel of Progress ( awing ! ) , the PeopleMover ( fine ! ) , the Walt Disney World Railroad ( certain ! ) , and Disney ’s hot Modern attractiveness , TRON : Lightcycle Run ( brief , confusing , and not very well-off ) . Throughout this period , I confine my spending to a dyad of cheeseburger and pepperoni pizza pie springtime roll from the Adventureland Spring Roll Cart ( $ 14.75 ) . It ’s my favourite spotlight for a immediate collation in a ballpark that ’s mostly sugary treats and turkey legs .
After a few more staple drive , I took theMonorailout of the parking area before driving back to my hotel . I meet a supporter for dinner at Prato , a stunning Italian eatery in nearby Winter Park , where we shared finocchio arancini , an chicory escarole Caesar , and the Fiorentina pizza with spinach crema and speck . I also got a glass of brut rose , and after splitting the eyeshade , my half was a very reasonable $ 43.68 .
We went for a nightcap at Sunroom , a coolheaded , quasi - tropical cocktail bar where a Christmas - themed menu tender up the Sticky Bandit Swizzle with gin , yellow Chartreuse , cinnamon , lime , mint , and an Angostura cordial call Amargo - Vallet . I paid for both our drinks , which came out to $ 33.82 .
Day 3 - Friday
Total monetary value : $ 132.99I started my day at Foxtail Coffee Co. for some pre - park coffee , a Topo Chico , and a Kind streak ( $ 12.35 ) . I meet a protagonist at Disney ’s Hollywood Studios , and we immediately give way on Toy Story Mania , an synergistic attraction where you toss digital flit and Proto-Indo European at targets . We did a lap around the park before lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby , one of the few full - service Disney World restaurants I always make a point of visiting each trip . During this sojourn , I eschewed my usual — Cobb salad and a Manhattan — in favor of the weirdest matter I ’ve ever ordered in my life : a lentil - based vegan shepherd ’s pie and a Shirley Temple with a glowing “ ice rink ” third power . princely total : $ 48.52 ( and a little fleck of my dignity ) .
After luncheon , we checked out Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular , the latter of which I had n’t see since I was a kid but still come up slightly terrific . After my friend leave behind , I took the walking path past the Disney BoardWalk over to EPCOT ’s Remy ’s Ratatouille Adventure , another newer attraction that I adore .
I headed back to Orlando to meet another friend for dinner at the Wellborn , my hotel ’s on - site eating place . sit down in the enchanting out-of-door courtyard , under strings of blink lights , I had a couple glasses of Prosecco while we shared tomato goner , crispy calamari , soy- and balsamic - glazed Brussels sprouts , and Basque meatball . My portion came out to $ 72.12 .
Photos by Matt Kirouac
Day 4 - Saturday
entire cost : $ 155.06I played today by ear , since Orlando was forecasted to get record - breaking rain and I did n’t of necessity feel like traipse through a monsoon in the parks . When I woke up , though , it was simply overcast and barely drizzling , so I decide to go full - steam beforehand to Animal Kingdom , first lay off off at Target to get some provisions — Pepto Bismol , a Perfect protein prevention , two kombuchas , and a grande coffee bean from the in - store Starbucks ( $ 21.50 ) .
The rain actually worked in my favor , because the crowds at the park were negligible . The wait time for Avatar : Flight of Passage was only 35 minute , which is about 90 moment shorter than common . I was also able-bodied to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris ( five - arcminute wait ) , Dinosaur ( no wait ) , and It ’s Tough to be a microbe ( 10 - minute postponement ) , all by lunchtime . At Satu’li Canteen in the car park ’s Pandora - themed surgical incision , I pretermit $ 15.53 on a Diet Coke and an order of Cheeseburger Steamed Pods , a.k.a . two fluffy bao buns stuffed with cheeseburger filling and attend to with crunchy slaw and rout vegetable french fries .
It was part to rain down a little more heavily by this peak , so I walked back to my car and drive over to Disney Springs , the devoid - to - visit Downtown Disney replacement filled with store , restaurant , and amusement . I spent $ 86.87 on a informal pullover and a beanie since I was unreasonably stale all week , and a duad of Mickey wind sleeve for my hubby , all from the World of Disney store .
Photos by Matt Kirouac
After that , I cover myself to a movie at the Disney Springs AMC theater — something I often do as a solo activity . This fourth dimension , I saw the BeyoncéRenaissancefilm ( $ 25.62 ) , which was a stupefying way to kill a few hr . Before head back to Orlando , I pluck up one of my favorite hangdog pleasures : a $ 5 bourbon chocolate chip cookie from The Polite Pig at Disney Springs . These things are huge , doughy , and stud with an unreasonable amount of chocolate microprocessor chip . I injure up eating this for dinner as I watchedA Goofy Moviein bed — perfect .
Day 5 - Sunday
Total monetary value : $ 67.65If I ’m give out to spend the time and money on breakfast in Disney World , it ’s going to be Mickey Waffles in my favorite hotel corner . And by that , I entail the Solarium at Disney ’s Beach Club Resort . It ’s the only place I range Mickey Waffles , complete with a cupful of java and sides of blimp and unabashedly fake maple syrup , because I just adore the attribute . After I polish off the last of poor Mickey ’s left pinna , my bank bill add up to $ 18.93 .
I walked back to Disney ’s Hollywood Studios to score up the rides I had n’t gotten to yet : Mickey & Minnie ’s Runaway Railway , Star Tours , and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ( which I got stuck on for several minutes and had to exit through some back room ) . I also shamelessly waitress 30 moment to meet Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams . Both mice seemed to sleep with my novel Mickey - theme slipover .
For a prompt snack , I popped into nearby Baseline Taphouse , a legitimately cool beer bar with a California theme , where I ordered a super - sugared Wild Strawberry Lemonade and some Spiced Almonds for $ 10.74 .
Photos by Matt Kirouac
I exit the common and drove back over to Disney Springs so I could shop and meander without the damper of yesterday ’s pelting . This also meant a revisit to the World of Disney , since I remembered seeing a holiday - themed turtle that I forgot to get the other twenty-four hour period . Along with a Diet Coke , this came out to $ 48.72 .
I kept it casual for dinner , and grabbed a couple bao buns — teriyaki chicken and sausage pizza pie plus a taro Milk River boba tea — from YeSake for $ 20.50 .
Day 6 - Monday
Total cost : $ 11.02My go - to routine for leaving Disney World is to book my return flight for afterward in the good afternoon , so that I can expend the morning in Disney Springs . In the good morning I learn out of my hotel , threw my base in the rental , and drove to Disney Springs for a leisurely morning . While I was there , I try Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew , a whimsical bakehouse where the fritter are as colorful as the drinks . For $ 11.02 , I snag their signature Purple Glazed Ube Donut and a burnt umber with oat Milk River and vanilla syrup . It was a beautiful Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , so I spend the next hr or so just walking around and soak in my last Disney moments before driving back to the aerodrome , drop off the car , and heading back to the real world .
How it all broke down
Upfront and travel costs:$1,195.61 , not including my $ 1,229 Annual PassCosts from the week:$516.74Final total:$1,712.35 , not admit my $ 1,229 Annual Pass . How much I spend compare to my original budget:$82.65 under budget
Lessons learned
travel to Disney World in worldwide , any metre of year , can seem like a daunting fiscal feat — and indeed , it almost inevitably always meander up cost a lot , no matter how budget - savvy you are . That tell , I learned that thing could have been alotworse for me , and that I am in fact open of some restraint .
For this trip-up , I scaled back on thing that consistently cost a lot , like alcohol and full - military service repast in the parks , but I did n’t restrict myself so much that I feel deprived of nostalgia or young experiences either . This tripper showed me that I can happen upon a counterweight here , and that while there are even more way get forward that I can be even in force about cutting costs ( like less shopping , fewer trips to the AMC theater , few in - line beverages ) , it still feel worthwhile money - wise . Of of course , everyone ’s expenses at Disney World are completely subjective , and I realise I ’m more inclined to fling here and there , but at the end of the day — and for the same reason that I keep renewing my Annual Pass — this is a position that matters a lot to me , so I ’m always going to be uncoerced to pay the price to be there , and to have it fully .
How to save money on your Disney World trip
While it ’s really ineluctable to visit Disney World without dropping a hefty chunk of alteration , there are definitely mode to save considerable amount of money at the Most Magical Place on Earth . The most significant style involve housing and seasonality . In other words , unless this is your once - in - a - lifetime pail tilt dream , do n’t stay on property , even in one of Disney ’s “ Value Resorts ” and expect to salve much in the budget department . If you ’re willing to forgo a little bit of the magic that descend with delay overnight within Disney right , then you ’ll be way well off staying elsewhere . Orlando swarm with all manner of hotels , where “ value ” is actually an accurate signifier , and Kissimmee is a gateway townspeople mere minutes from Disney that is famously fill with budget hotels and motel . Are they typically the cut and chicest ? No . But will you pay a fraction of the cost , with the added convenience of propinquity ? Absolutely . And honestly , if you ’re here to experience Disney World amply , you wo n’t be spend much time in your hotel way anyway , and if you do desire to see some of the resorts , you may always inspect them without staying there .
The next central factor is the clip of year . essentially , if you plan a Disney World slip during or around the factual hebdomad of the holiday , get ready for the highest costs of the whole year , as well as the adult crowd . Instead , prefer for shoulder week between the holiday ( like early December ) if you still want some Disney holiday cheer , without the nimiety . Or , skip the holidays all together and make like a Floridian snowbird in January or February , when bunch and costs are both about as low as they ’ll get . Even during busy seasons , Monday through Thursday are generally the best days to visit to save money and avoid crowds , unless a major holiday fall on them .
Similar to how I tend to travel here lately , I ’d also recommend minimise the full - service dining in the parks , as those meals can be pretty decadent . alternatively , focus on one or two standouts that palpate like must - doh for you , and then either adhere to quick - service snacks , or bring your own food ( which you are welcome to do ! ) . On that note , never pay for bottled water at Disney World . Justmake like Chappell Roanand institute your own bottle you may refill throughout the solar day .
Photos by Matt Kirouac
Lastly , Disney World has acquaint some new version of line - pass over options , likeGenie+andLightning Lane , neither of which I ever practice . I understand that that ’s light for me to say , as someone who visits the ballpark often , as match to a family shit their first trip here to fulfill a dream . But I just have a strong fourth dimension stick out a la menu prices for in - demand ride . Rather , if there ’s a live new drawing card Ineedto experience , like Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind or Tiana ’s Bayou Adventure , I place my alarm system to be ready to link theVirtual Queuethe millisecond they become uncommitted . It ’s a gamble , and it does n’t always work out , but there ’s more than enough conjuration here to go around .
Photos by Matt Kirouac
