How Much Does Disney World Cost in 2025?
Planning a trip to Disney World is a thrilling adventure, but the big question I get all the time is: How much does it actually cost? The number is typically inflated in client’s heads because of the not-so-trustworthy influence of social media. For my first (and very inexperienced) trip to Disney, I, myself, thought it would be impossible to go for under $10,000, and I was horribly incorrect. It’s always best to go straight to the source when asking this question. As a now seasoned travel agent, I’ve priced out hundreds of Disney vacations for all kinds of travelers. From budget-friendly trips to luxury Disney getaways, I’ve seen it all. Let me break down the real 2025 costs so you can plan your perfect Disney vacation and feel confident about your budget!
Key Factors That Impact Your Disney World Budget
The cost of a Disney World trip varies widely depending on several key factors, including where you stay, how many days you visit, and what kind of experience you’re after. Let’s explore the biggest cost drivers.
1. Your Disney Resort Choice
Disney offers a range of resorts to suit every budget, from value to deluxe accommodations:
Value Resorts: Perfect for families or budget-conscious travelers. Think Pop Century or the All-Star Resorts. Nightly rates range from $150 to $250. I even booked one client at a value resort for UNDER $100/night! One of my recent clients, a family of four, snagged a 5-night package with 4-day tickets at Pop Century for around $2,800 total. I’ve also priced families of 3 (or families of 4 with one child under the age of 3) with 3-day tickets for under $1800! Children under 3 are completely free at Disney, which makes it a great age to visit for a lower overall cost.
Moderate Resorts: These offer more amenities and beautifully themed environments. Resorts like Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs typically run between $250 and $400 per night. A recent moderate package I booked came out to $3,800 for a family of four for a week with tickets. These are a great way to keep a manageable budget while still enjoying some amount of luxury!
Deluxe Resorts: If you’re looking for real luxury, Deluxe Resorts like Disney’s Polynesian or Grand Floridian are unparalleled. Prices often range from $500 to $1,200+ per night. I’ve booked magical week-long deluxe stays for couples starting at $5,500. However, those seasonal special offers, can come in very handy at the deluxe resorts especially! One family of mine saved $4,700 off their already booked package with suites at Animal Kingdom Lodge after I applied new offers to their reservations. As a travel agent, I know exactly when these new offers are released and can apply them immediately!
2. Park Tickets
Disney World park tickets are another significant expense. People often think that staying offsite will save them thousands of dollars, because they attribute high vacation package costs to Disney resorts. In reality, the tickets often make up a majority of the cost, especially when staying at value resorts!
Single-Day Tickets: Start at $109 per person and can go up to $159 during peak times.
Multi-Day Tickets: The longer you stay, the more you save per day. A 4-day base ticket averages $115 per day, which is a significant decrease when compared to the range of 1-day ticket costs!
Park Hopper Option: Adds $65–$85 per person, allowing you to visit multiple parks in a day. Park hopper is an awesome perk. A lot of clients use it to see Magic Kingdom nightly fireworks more than once during their trip without having to spend the whole day in Magic Kingdom. Others will use so that they can spend a half day at one of the smaller parks, but then maximize their time by hopping over to another park for the afternoon. While useful, taking it off your package is also my first suggestion to those that want to save money! There is plenty to do in these parks without hopping between them in a single day.
For a family of four, a set of 4-day base tickets typically costs around $1,800. If you opt for Park Hopper, that total can climb to $2,200.
The Real Cost of Staying Offsite vs. Onsite
Some travelers wonder if staying offsite and renting a car will save them money. While offsite hotels can offer cheaper nightly rates, here’s what you’ll need to factor in:
Parking Fees: Disney charges $30 per day for parking at the parks per car, minimum. Preferred spots or spots for oversized vehicles will come with an increased cost. You also have to make sure that your offsite hotel isn’t going to charge parking fees of their own!
Car Rental/Ride Share Costs: You may think that taking an Uber to the parks won’t be a big expense, and you might be right as long as you are a physically fit group of a small number of adults. Otherwise, you’ll probably be paying for multiple Ubers just to fit your larger group, and also paying for them more often than you expect. Kids and/or adults that aren’t used to walking 20,000+ steps in a day really benefit from a midday rest back at the hotel. The other option is a car rental (or multiple for large groups), and that cost can add up very quickly. plus it adds extra logistics to your vacation.
Time and Effort: Onsite guests get dropped off closer to the park entrances. Offsite guests often walk long distances from parking lots or wait for trams. I tell clients to plan for a minimum of 30 minutes to get parked and get to the park entrance. This does not include the actual drive time from your offsite location to the parking lot.
Transportation: Onsite guests enjoy free and efficient transportation, including buses, monorails, and Skyliner access. If onsite guests do have their own vehicles, they get free parking both at the resort and at the parks.
In my experience, families staying onsite find the convenience and perks far outweigh any minor cost savings of staying offsite.
3. Dining Costs
Disney dining is a huge part of the experience! You can go a la carte or add a Disney Dining Plan (relaunching in 2024).
Dining Plan Costs: Expect to spend around $90 to $120 per adult per day, depending on the plan.
Out-of-Pocket Meals: Quick-service meals average $15–$20 per person, while table-service meals range from $35 to $60+.
One family I helped saved big with the Dining Plan, especially since it included snacks and alcoholic drinks. Another client skipped the plan and found they spent about $1,500 on dining for a family of four over five days. Dining plans are not a one-size fits all add-on. For some people, especially those that like to eat hearty meals and/or try a bunch of different foods, the dining plans can end up saving you money! They also add a huge convenience factor. I tell clients all the time that the dining plans will reduce decision fatigue, make upfront budgeting way easier, and allow you to be the “yes person/parent” without worrying about costs adding up. However, if there are people in your travel group that simply don’t eat much, don’t want an alcoholic drink with their meals, or have strict dietary needs that would prevent them from ordering some of the more expensive options on a menu (I’m thinking meat-heavy meals, especially), then the dining plan may cost you much more than it is worth.
Seasonal Pricing and When to Visit
Disney World operates on a tiered pricing system, meaning your vacation costs can vary widely depending on when you visit. Here’s how the seasons break down:
Peak Seasons: Spring Break, summer (June to mid-August), and holiday weeks like Thanksgiving and Christmas. During these times, you’ll see:
Higher hotel rates: Value resorts that might cost $150–$200 per night in the off-season can surge to $250–$300+.
Ticket price hikes: Single-day tickets jump from $109–$120 to $150–$170.
A recent family of four booked during Christmas paid $4,000+ for a 5-night stay at Pop Century with 4-day tickets—significantly higher than off-peak pricing.
Moderate Seasons: Early spring (late February to early March) and fall (mid-September to mid-November).
Resorts see steadier pricing, with moderate resorts averaging $300 per night.
Tickets sit around $130 per day, making these months a good balance of cost and crowd levels.
Low Seasons: January (after New Year’s) and mid-August through September.
Best deals on hotels: Value resorts dip as low as $120 per night.
Cheaper park tickets: Multi-day tickets average $105–$115 per day.
I’ve helped clients book complete packages for a family of four in September for as low as $2,400 total, including 5 nights at Pop Century and 4-day tickets.
Example Packages and Real-World Costs
Here are some real-world examples based on recent quotes. If you want to see more examples check out this webpage where I post recent client quotes.
Family of Four at a Value Resort:
5 nights at Pop Century: $750 total
4-day Base Tickets: $1,800
Total: $2,550–$3,000
Couple at a Deluxe Resort:
5 nights at Polynesian: $3,500 for the room
4-day Park Hopper Tickets: $1,200
Total: $4,700–$5,000
Group Stay at a Moderate Resort:
7 nights at Caribbean Beach: $3,000 for the room
5-day Base Tickets: $2,300
Total: $8,900 for five people including dining.
Family of Four During Peak Season:
5 nights at Pop Century: $1,600
4-day Park Hopper tickets: $2,400
Total: $4,000+
Couple During Low Season:
5 nights at Caribbean Beach: $1,250
4-day Base Tickets: $1,100
Total: $2,350
Why Book Through ByHannah Vacations?
Here’s the best part: when you book with me, I monitor your reservation for any new discounts or promotions that Disney releases. This means if a better deal comes along, I apply it automatically to your package—saving you money without you lifting a finger! With the latest special offer release, I saved my already booked clients and AVERAGE of $1025 with a max all the way up to a $4700 savings. Plus, you’ll get my personalized concierge service, where I help with everything from dining reservations to Lightning Lane strategies.
Conclusion: Let’s Make Your Disney Dream a Reality!
Planning a Disney trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With my experience, I’ll find the best options for your budget, take advantage of every special offer possible, help you make the most of your vacation, and ensure every magical detail is covered. Contact ByHannah Vacations today for free planning and concierge services—and let’s get started on your unforgettable Disney adventure!