The most frequently asked question to start planning a trip like this is how much does a Disney vacation cost. In this article I will tell you all there is to know about the prices to go to Disney World for a family of four: two adults and two children.
In order to know how much does a Disney vacation cost for your family, I’m going to show you some examples for you to determine what suits you best.
This will depend on your budget and family preference. All prices are in US dollars.
How Much Does a Disney Vacation Cost in 2022?
[IMPORTANT] If the plan is to stay inside the parks, you should always make a reservation through an authorized agent travel agent, since the price is the same as on the official website and they are Disney-savvy people. I am a certified travel agent, so if you plan your trip with me, you will get some of the best Magical Day Tips at no extra cost. You can fill out the form and let me know your preferences so we can plan it.
How Many Days Should I Go?
I recommend two days per park. There are four classic parks in Walt Disney World. You can check the details in the post about How Many Disney Parks Are There.
The Whole Package: Staying inside Walt Disney World Resort
Before going straight to the numbers of how much does a Disney vacation cost for a family, please read the following notes:
- The package that we take as an example is a 10 night package with an 8-day ticket for 2 adults and two children. Bear in mind that children under 3 can stay and access the parks for free.
- The Park Hopper extra we added is to go to a different park on the same day. You can choose to pay for it or not. The value for the total of the stay is $362.10.
- Disney Genie+ is also optional, and its value for the total of the stay is $511.20.
- There is another optional feature for purchase called Memory Maker, its cost is $169 and it includes professional photographs throughout the stay. You will be able to download your photos for up to a month after your stay and ride photos are included in the price.
Package Options
Option 1: Value Resort
All Star Music Resort. Preferred room. Package cost: $4556.62
Option 3: Value Resort with Skyliner
Art Of Animation Resort. The Little Mermaid themed room. Package cost: $5069.34
Option 4: Moderate Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Package cost: $6242.72
Option 5: Moderate Resort with Ferry
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Cabin in the woods with kitchen. Package cost: $7507.22
Option 6: Deluxe Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Package cost: $8272.2
The Perks
Staying inside WDW resort is living in a bubble of magic. You don’t know what’s going on outside, you don’t have to deal with traffic, as you have transportation to and from the parks and Disney Springs right outside your hotel. There is algo an option to track bus times in the My Disney Experience app, so those compulsive planners (like me) can rest assured that they will know exactly when their transport will arrive.
The means of transport to choose from include buses, a skyliner, a monorail and even a ferry depending on the hotel chosen. However, even if your hotel only has buses, you can travel through any means of transport with no additional cost. If your family has a train or boat fan, they will love this plan! Just ask any cast member and they will help you get there.
There is also a huge thing to keep in mind: you will not need a car. This can add up to a lot of money if you need a rental and parking costs. Parking inside the hotel is free, but when you’re in the parks you will have to pay for it. If you park hop, just remember that you have to pay only once.
Another pro of staying inside Walt DIsney World is shopping during your park day. Any item you buy in the parks can be delivered to your hotel without having to carry them with you. Just ask the cast member when you’re buying the product and they’ll have you fill out a form. Delivery is not that fast: it can take up to 48 hours and you will have to pick it up at the hotel store.
The biggest perk is something of tremendous value: extra time inside the parks. The Early Theme Park Entry is an exclusive access for those staying at Walt Disney World hotels. They will be able to enter any of the four parks before their opening hours every day of the week. There is also a post-closing extra time benefit for those staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, Swan, Dolphin and Disney’s Shades of Green resort.
Another good thing is that you will be able to make dinner reservations for the length of your stay, starting 60 days prior to your check-in date. Those not staying at the resort can book one day at a time.
How much does a Disney trip cost if you’re staying in hotels outside of Walt Disney World Resort?
If the plan is to stay outside of WDW, you will have to add the cost of the tickets to your total budget:
- 8-day ticket for 2 adults and 2 children: $2154.66
- 8-day ticket with Park Hopper: $2516.76
- Genie+: Extra $480 for the entire pass.
- Memory Maker: $169 extra for the entire stay.
Also, I recommend checking if the hotel or rental house offers daily transportation, if the transportation is continuous or has specific schedules. Knowing that, you will be able to consider costs for car rental or daily parking.
Nearby Hotels
Just like everywhere in the world, hotels depend on the category. My go-to hotel reservation site is Booking. Here are some good options:
Option 1: Quality Inn & Suites by the Lake
3 Stars. 2.5 mile(s) from Hollywood Studios and free parking. Stay: $694.
Option 2: Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center
4 Star Hotel in the Celebration area. This town near WDW has a very picturesque downtown that looks like something out of a movie. Stay: $743.
Option 3: Magic Moment Resort and Kids Club
3 star hotel, 15 minutes away from the park. Stay: $882
Option 4: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
5 star hotel. Great for families and luxury amenities. Although this is not a Disney hotel, it is within the resort. Stay: $10415
Houses and Apartments for Rent: Ideal for Families
Another much cheaper and more comfortable option for some families is to rent an apartment or a house nearby. The good thing about this type of stay is that they are usually equipped with a full kitchen and some even have a private pool.
They are a good place to rest from exhausting days and at the same time save money as you could have (a healthier) breakfast before going to the parks, or have home-cooked meals for dinner. It is also a very good option for a large number of guests.
The values of how much it costs to go to Disney in this case depend on the equipment, proximity to the resort and number of guests. Rents are very changeable, I recommend talking to the owner of the place and reading more than one review before deciding. Response time is very important in this case.
We continue with a 10-day stay during September. Booking also has some great rental options!
Option 1: Orlando Resort Rentals at Universal Boulevard
Deluxe 2 bedroom apartment. With a full kitchen, patio and terrace. Stay: $1605.
Option 2: Sonder at The Point
1 bedroom suite. Good overall ratings for stays with children. Stay: $1512
