While most activities are included with the cost of admission, these 5 experiences at Walt Disney World will cost you extra. Are they worth the investment? You decide.
1. Guided Tours – Do you feel like you have seen everything Disney World has to offer on your own? Does a Cast Member taking you behind the scenes and sharing the history of the park with you sound like an adventure? If so, you will enjoy one of the many tours that Walt Disney World offers. Prices vary from $30 to $300 and adventures range from learning how Epcot grows their own food to going beneath Main Street where the behind the scenes business takes place. Most tours are for those aged 14 and older, but there are a couple options for those with younger kids.
2. Fireworks Parties – If watching the fireworks from the free viewing spots has gotten mundane or you want to experience a magical location as Disney lights up the sky, the fireworks parties is where you need to be. The Fireworks Dessert Party In Magic Kingdom offers a direct view of the castle and Tinker Bell will even fly right over your head. The IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party gives you a front row view to Illuminations and provide you with a large array of sweets to satisfy your taste buds. And if you want a very private viewing of the fireworks, you can book a Walt Disney World’s Fireworks And Dining Cruise Around Seven Seas Lagoon.
3. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique And Pirate League Makeover – Does your little girl want to be a princess? Does your son want to be a pirate? If so, you can pay extra to have them made over at either the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (locations in Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney) or Pirate League Makeover (located in Adventureland). This themed experience is sure to excite any child but make sure you take the earliest appointment of the day. This way they are dressed up for the longest amount of time possible and you get your money’s worth.
4. Rentals – In need of a stroller, scooter, wheelchair or locker? At the entrance to each park you can visit the rental stations to pay extra for these necessities. I do not recommend renting a stroller from Disney. They are hard, uncomfortable and cumbersome to push. I recommend Renting A Stroller From An Off Site Company instead. They will deliver it to your resort and it is yours to use for the entire length of your stay.
5. Holiday Parties and Events – Visiting during Halloween or Christmas? If you want to attend one of the parties in the Magic Kingdom, it is going to cost you extra. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are definitely worth the extra cost though! We have attended the Halloween party and it was one of our best Disney experiences. It was fun to see the park made up and enjoy the special Halloween festivities, but the lines! There was hardly no wait for most of the popular attractions. My kids were able to ride Barnstormer 8 times in a row with no wait!
I am thankful that Disney does not nickel and dime me to death like our local fair and zoo. Don’t feel like you need to accomplish anything additional during your first vacation or two. There is so much to see and do already! But when you have visited multiple times, I am glad that when we are able to add additional experiences to our vacation.
Learn more about planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Plus overwhelmed with all the planning? Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect trip.