To Bundle or Not to Bundle: Disney Vacations

If you’re on a budget, you may immediately think that staying outside of the Disney resort will save you money, but will it? Can planning your own vacation be less expensive than going with a Disney package? You may be surprised at which option is less expensive. Let’s take a closer look.

What Does Disney Charge?

There are many options when it comes to planning your Disney vacation. You need to decide how long you want to stay and which resort you want to stay in. You also need to consider whether you want the cost of food to be included in your package. Disney has a couple example packages on their website. The first package is for a family of four staying 7 days and 6 nights and includes the resort room and tickets. The package is $2,769 or $99 per day, per person. Do note that these packages are based on Disney’s off-season. Prices will be higher during peak travel times. A package that includes the Quick Service Dining Package increases the price to $3,856 or $138 per day, per person. Can you do better staying outside of Disney?

What are the Costs?

First, let’s look at ticket costs. Disney World 4 Park Magic Select Tickets start at $356 for ages 10+ for a four-day ticket. Again, this varies depending on time of year. Four tickets will cost $1424. The cost of tickets alone (and getting 3 fewer days to spend at the parks) is roughly half of what the first package example listed above would cost. You then need to think about the cost of your hotel room. According to Budget Your Trip, the average cost is $42 per person for accommodations. If you choose a hotel where kids stay free, you’re looking at $84 per person for a budget-friendly room. For six nights, the price for a room would be just over $500. That brings the total for $1924. Remember, you will have access to the park for only four days with these tickets. Average cost of food per day per person when sticking to a budget is $18. That adds up to just over $500 for seven days. Our total is now up to $2,424. Some hotels offer buses to and from the parks. If not, you will also need to consider the cost of driving to and from the parks each day.

The Verdict

Can you stay outside of the park for less money? Possibly. However, you must consider the fact that you have less time to spend in the parks and you will be staying in budget rooms and eating meagerly. At the very least, it’s worth your money to get a room and ticket package. The benefits of staying at the resort far outweigh the tiny amount of money you might save staying somewhere else in Orlando.

A Disney vacation is a must for families. However, you don’t have to stay outside of the resort to stick to your budget. In fact, getting a Disney vacation package is a great deal and comes with many benefits.