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How Much Does a Day at Disney Cost?
Orlando
Theme Parks and Attractions
Walt Disney World and Resort
The Cost of a Day at Disney (based on a family of four; not including hotel costs)
All in all, the total for a day at Disney (not including your resort costs, snacks for your hotel room, or any additional activities you may find the energy to embark upon after aday at touring the parks) will cost the average family of four between $340.00 and $440.00 (depending on the dining and ticket choices made) not including the allotted $100 for souvenirs (which would then increase the cost to between $440 and $540) if you’re staying outside of Mickey’s realm or between $371.00 and $560.00 (depending on the ticket and dining choices made) and not including the allotted $100 for souvenirs (which would then increase the cost to between $471.00 and $660.00) if you are staying within the Mouse’s House.

This of course will need to be multiplied by the number of days you are exploring the parks (and adjusted accordingly for the number of days your theme park tickets are good for - remembering that Walt Disney World theme park tickets cost less per day the longer you stay).

Those of you with more (or less) children (or have children under the age of three and are therefore not charged park admission or for certain meals) should remember to add (or subtract) the applicable costs to get a realistic idea of just what a day at Disney (and really most of the major theme parks) will cost in the end. Also something to keep in mind is that you won’t be buying souvenirs (at least of the caliber listed above) each and every day (though it’s more than likely that your kids will ask to buy something rather often so having a predetermined souvenir budget, for each day or for the entire trip, may minimize your costs).

The Cost of a Day at Disney (based on a family of four; not including hotel costs)
When Staying Beyond Mickey’s Boundaries:
Breakfast at the average eatery (such as Denny’s) including beverages
Adult $8.00
Adult $8.00
Child $6.00
Child $6.00
Breakfast Total $28.00
(not including tax and tip)
Theme Park Fees--
Theme park parking fees $11.00
Single day admission ticket adult $71.00
Single day admission ticket adult $71.00
Single day admission ticket child $60.00
Single day admission ticket child $60.00
Theme Park Ticket Total $273.00
--- or ---
Theme park parking fees $11.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (adult) $53.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (adult) $53.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (child) $45.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (child) $45.00
Theme Park Ticket Total $207.00
An early (and likely much needed pick-me-up)--
Coffee for 2 adults at a cart or snack spot $2.00
$2.00
Drinks for the kids (in this case a soda pop) $2.50
$2.50
Total Drinks $9.00
Lunch for 2 adults at a counter service eatery--
(average entrée plus beverage) $12.00
$12.00
Lunch for the kids at a counter service eatery
(kid’s meals plus beverages)
$8.00
$8.00
Total Lunch Cost $40.00
(not including tax)
An Afternoon pick-me-up
Drinks for 2 adults (on average) $2.50
$2.50
Snacks for 2 adults (on average) $ $3.00
$3.00
Drinks for the kids $2.50
$2.50
Snacks for the kids $3.00
$3.00
Afternoon Snack Total $22.00
Souvenirs for the kids
T-Shirt $16.00
Hat $12.00
Plush Toy $12.00
Action Figure $8.00
Kids Souvenir Total $48.00
Souvenirs for 2 Adults
Sweatshirt (on average) $48.00
T-shirt (on average) $22.00
AdultSouvenir Total $70.00
Total Souvenir $118.00
Dinner (at a full service restaurant outside of the parks)
Meals for 2 adults
Entrée (on average) $16.00
$16.00
Drink (non alcoholic) $2.50
$2.50
Dessert $4.00
$4.00
Meals for the kids (kid’s meal pricing) $8.00
$8.00
Drinks for the kids $2.50
$2.50
Desserts $3.00
$3.00
Dinner Total $72.00
(not including tax)

Staying with Mickey:
Breakfast at your resort--
For 2 adults (on average) including beverages $16.00
$16.00
For 2 children (on average) including beverages $8.00
$8.00
Breakfast Total $48.00
(not including tax and tip)
--- or ---
A Character Breakfast--
For 2 adults $19.00
$19.00
For 2 children $12.00
$12.00
Character Breakfast Total $62.00
(not including tax and tip)
Theme Park Fees--
Theme park parking fees $0.00
Single day admission ticket adult $71.00
Single day admission ticket adult $71.00
Single day admission ticket child $60.00
Single day admission ticket child $60.00
Theme Park Ticket Total $262.00
--- or ---
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (adult) $53.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (adult) $53.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (child) $45.00
Single day based on a 4-day park hopper ticket (child) $45.00
Theme Park Ticket Total $196.00
Lunch for 2 adults at a counter service eatery--
(average entrée plus beverage) $10.00
$10.00
Lunch for the kids at a counter service eatery
(kid’s meals plus beverages)
$8.00
$8.00
Total Lunch Cost $32.00
(not including tax)
An early (and likely much needed pick-me-up)
Coffee for 2 adults at a cart or snack spot $2.00 $2.00
$2.00
Drinks for the kids (in this case a soda pop) $2.50
$2.50
Total Drinks $9.00
Lunch for 2 adults at a counter service eatery
(average entrée plus beverage)
$13.00
$13.00
Lunch for the kids at a counter service eatery
(kid’s meals plus beverages)
$8.00
$8.00
Lunch Total $40.00
(not including tax and tip)
An Afternoon pick-me-up--
Drinks for 2 adults (on average) $2.50
$2.50
Snacks for 2 adults (on average) $ $3.00
$3.00
Drinks for the kids $2.50
$2.50
Snacks for the kids $3.00
$3.00
Afternoon Snack Total $22.00
Souvenirs for the kids
T-Shirt $16.00
Hat $12.00
Plush Toy $12.00
Action Figure $8.00
Kids Souvenir Total $46.00
Souvenirs for 2 Adults
Sweatshirt (on average) $48.00
T-shirt (on average) $22.00
Adult Souvenir Total $70.00
Total Souvenirs $116.00
Dinner (at a full service restaurant outside of the parks)-
Meals for 2 adults
Appetizer (to share) $8.00
Entrée (on average) $18.00
$18.00
Drink (non alcoholic) $3.00
$3.00
Dessert $6.00
$6.00
Meals for the kids (kid’s meal pricing) $8.00
$8.00
Drinks for the kids $3.00
$3.00
Desserts $6.00
$6.00
Dinner Total $82.00
(not including tax)
--- or ---
A Character Dinner
2 adults $28.00
$28.00
2 kids $13.00
$13.00
$82.00
--- or ---
A Walt Disney World Dinner Show
2 Adults $55.00
$55.00
2 Kids $27.00
$27.00
$164.00
(not including tax)

The Best Ways to Save on those Dastardly Daily Costs
- Purchase your Walt Disney World park tickets for the greatest number of days you possibly can (though only to the greatest number of days that you will actually use of course)-- this will lower your per day ticket cost rather substantially.

- Eat breakfast in your room - stocking your hotel room (no matter if you’re staying on park property or not) with cereals, juice, coffee, milk, and other breakfast items bought at a local grocery store - notice I didn’t say a convenience store will substantially lower your breakfast bill.

- Bring snacks and drinks, again bought at a local grocery store, with you to the parks. While you will still find yourself purchasing an occasional Mickey Mouse ice cream, or some other sort of snack here and there, the amount of money you’ll save by bringing your own stash will really add up in the end (and the snacks will likely be much healthier).

- Purchase a few select souvenirs before you go, packing them in the suitcase, to hand out when needed.
The Disney Store (including the online Disney Store and Disney Outlet) often offer some really reasonably priced items that for most younger children are just as fabulous as the items they see in the stores at the parks. Action figures, t-shirts, and PJ’s are often on sale and are far less expensive than those found at the parks.

- If you must shop at the parks (and believe me, it’s inevitable - and unavoidable) consider “reusable” items such a bottle strap (sold at most of the snack carts throughout the parks) that the kids can use to hold their water (or soda) bottles not only at the parks but at home, on your next trip, and so on. Try to avoid purchasing items that you may be able to buy at home for less - for example, many of the Star Wars Leggo sets can be purchased at your local toy store for less than they are sold for at Disney-MGM Studios.
And by all means set limits (being sure to discuss them prior to your trip as well as offering a few reminders, not to mention helpful hints as the kids are shopping, along the way).

-Eat your big meal (or sit-down) meal at lunch when the prices are substantially less than at dinner. Budget in 1 character meal (breakfast of course is the least expensive) and 1 dinner show (keep in mind this one’s a biggie), otherwise dine mostly at the counter service or off property restaurants. Even ordering a pizza (from a local pizzeria) will save a few dollars over the price of a meal at a casual restaurant.

-Watch the drinks (alcoholic or not) as they can really add to your restaurant bill. Ask if drinks (soda pop, milk, or whatever beverage) are refillable at a lesser cost or possibly even free.
Parents - keep in mind that while a glass of wine with dinner is nice (possibly even necessary) more than 1 glass will likely out price your meal.

-Be sure to check if Disney is offering any special deals (like a free dining plan if you stay at a Walt Disney World resort). Specials may not be offered often however when they are they can generally save you a fair amount of money.

-Set limits on your spending ahead of time. If you’re staying at a Disney resort and are charging everything to your room you (and your bank account) may be in for sticker shock when you check out. While charging to your room is extremely convenient, allotting an amount to spend each day and paying by cash will ensure that you keep within your budget (assuming you don’t cheat and start charging like crazy if you’ve run out of cash that day).

It’s extremely easy to get caught up in all the excitement and wildly overspend. While I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have fun (you should…that’s why your at Walt Disney World in the first place), just remind yourself that everything is best in moderation.



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