With so many options for tickets, dining, hotels, and transportation, figuring out how much it will cost to visit Disney World can be a daunting task. The average cost of your trip depends on several factors, including when you buy tickets, how many nights you stay, and current seasonal promotions.
On average, a typical 2026 week-long Walt Disney World vacation for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children ages 3-9) will cost about $7,250. This estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on seasonal pricing and the major ‘Kids Eat Free’ promotion currently available for 2026. Our estimate is based on:
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7-night hotel stay: $194 per night plus 13.5% tax (at All-Star Sports). While rates start as low as $119 on select off-peak dates, most nights range from $180 to $240.
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6 days of standard theme park tickets: $131 per person, per day, based on 2026 median rates. (Note: For arrivals between May 26 and September 15, 2026, a special ‘Buy 4 Days, Get 2 Free’ offer is available (must be booked by February 15!), which can lower your daily average to roughly $82.)
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Lightning Lane Access: $25 per person, per day. This is a solid middle-ground budget for the Multi Pass service, though peak days at Magic Kingdom can hit $35–$45.
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7-night Disney Quick Service Dining Plan: $60 (adult) or $0 (child) per night. In 2026, kids ages 3-9 eat free when you book a qualifying room-and-ticket package. The official adult rate is $60.47 per night.
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Additional Food Costs: $20 per person, per day for snacks and meals not covered by the dining plan.
2026 Baseline Budget Math for a Disney World Vacation (Family of 4)
Our estimate does not include the cost of getting yourself to and from Orlando (plane tickets, rental car, or vehicle fuel).
You might want to plan for additional expenses such as transportation costs, hotel or ticket upgrades, a longer stay, a few nicer meals, and souvenirs. Prices will also be higher if you’re traveling during peak season, wait until the last minute to book your hotel, or have a larger travel party.
You might save some money on your trip by staying off-site, shortening your trip, bundling some elements together into a package, and spending a day or two away from the parks. Prices will also be lower if you visit during the off-season of the year or have a smaller travel party.
In this article, we’ll review all of the major expenses of a Disney World trip so you can decide where to splurge and where to skimp when budgeting for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. At the bottom of this page, we also offer a calculator to help you better narrow down the baseline cost of your trip.
All Walt Disney World prices shown are accurate as of October 24, 2024 and are subject to change.
Image © Disney
How much will Disney World Tickets cost? Current Prices for 2026
There are four Walt Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. Ticket prices are based on the date and theme park visited.
Single Day Tickets
The 2026 cost of a basic one-day ticket to a single Disney World theme park ranges from $119 to $209 for each Guest aged 10+. This marks the first time in history that a single-day ticket has surpassed the $200 threshold, specifically at Magic Kingdom during peak holiday weeks. Most days are priced at $140 or higher.
Tickets are slightly discounted (typically $10 cheaper) for children ages 3–9, ranging from $114 to $194. Kids younger than age 3 are free and don’t need a ticket.
As shown in the chart above, prices are generally highest during popular times (school breaks, holidays, and weekends) and lowest during slower times, like late August and September.
Admission to Animal Kingdom is typically the least expensive, while 1-day tickets to Magic Kingdom are the most expensive. For example, here’s the price for December 25, 2026, broken down by theme park:
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Animal Kingdom: $184
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EPCOT: $199
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Hollywood Studios: $204
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Magic Kingdom: $209
Multi-Day Tickets
Disney structures its ticket prices to reward Guests for longer visits. For example, a 2026 1-day ticket starts at $119, but a 5-day ticket starts at $107 per day, and a 10-day ticket can drop to roughly $66 per day.
Can You Upgrade Walt Disney World Tickets?
You might choose to make the most of your Disney vacation by visiting multiple theme parks in one day or by adding non-park activities. There are several options to upgrade standard Disney World park tickets to add additional privileges, each at an additional cost.
Park Hopper Tickets
The Park Hopper ticket option allows Guests to visit multiple parks on the same day. For most visitors with standard date-based tickets, theme park reservations are no longer required. You can enter any of the four theme parks at any time of day and “hop” to another park whenever you like, provided the second park has not reached capacity.
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Note: Annual Passholders and guests with certain non-dated tickets (like student groups or military salute tickets) may still need a reservation for their first park of the day.
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Capacity Check: While rare, if a park reaches capacity, “hopping” may be temporarily restricted. You can check the “Park Hopper Hotline” at (407) 560-5000 for real-time status.
Water Park and Sports Option
The Water Park and Sports option allows Guests to visit one theme park per day, with a set number of visits to other Disney “fun” locations included. The number of visits you receive matches the number of days on your theme park ticket (e.g., a 4-day ticket includes 4 “plus” visits).
Important 2026 Perk: If you are a registered Disney Resort hotel guest arriving between May 26 and September 8, 2026, you receive complimentary admission to a Disney water park on your check-in day. If you plan to visit a water park only on your arrival day, you may not need this paid upgrade!
You can use “plus” visits at:
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Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water parks (whichever is open).
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Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (9-hole walking golf course; reservations required).
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FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
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Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland Miniature Golf (one round before 4:00 PM).
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ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Park Hopper Plus Option
The Park Hopper Plus option is the ultimate upgrade, combining the Park Hopper and the Water Park and Sports options into a single package. This allows you to visit multiple theme parks on the same day while also enjoying your allotted number of visits to water parks, golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
Confused about Disney theme park tickets?
Confused about Disney tickets, prices, and upgrades? A Disney travel agent can help you find the best options and prices for your family vacation.
We recommend The Vacationeer, the best Disney travel planners in the business. Their planning services are absolutely free of charge.
Skip the lines with Lightning Lane
Image © Disney
Among the most popular upgrades to Disney World theme park tickets are those allowing you to cut down the amount of time you have to wait in line for rides. We have a complete guide to Lightning Lane passes elsewhere on our site, but here’s a brief overview:
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Access to most Lightning Lane entrances at the park is sold as a package called Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to ride everything, but it will reduce your wait times on at least three rides (possibly more on slower days). Multi Pass prices vary by date and park, typically costing $18–$39 per person per day, though peak days at Magic Kingdom can reach $45.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
Access to the Lightning Lane at the most popular rides in each park is sold individually rather than as part of the Multi Pass package. Prices vary by date and by ride popularity. We’ve found that they are usually between $12 to $30 per person, per ride.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass
The ultimate skip-the-line offering at Disney World is the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. You’ll be able to access every Lightning Lane in the park once, but you’ll pay dearly for the privilege. Prices vary widely by park and date, but usually range from $119 to $449+ per person, per day.
Memory Maker
If you want to keep your PhotoPass images forever, you’ll need to purchase them before they’re deleted. You can buy individual digital downloads or physical prints if you wish. Alternatively, a service called Memory Maker gives you access to all of your photos for a single price. Prices for Memory Maker in 2026 are $85 (for one day’s photos), $185 (for an entire trip’s photos with advance purchase), and $210 (for an entire trip’s photos when not purchased in advance).
How much are Disney water park tickets?
While many Guests receive water park admission as part of an upgrade to their theme park tickets, you don’t need theme park tickets to buy water park tickets. For 2026, there are two primary 1-day ticket options:
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1-Day Water Park Ticket: $74 (ages 10+) or $68 (ages 3–9). These have no blockout dates.
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1-Day Ticket with Blockout Dates: $64 (ages 10+) or $58 (ages 3–9). These are not valid during peak summer periods, specifically May 23 to September 26, 2026.
Tickets are not needed for Guests under age 3. If you plan to visit multiple times, a Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass is also available for $89 (adult) and $83 (child), valid through May 9, 2026.
Note: Disney Resorts Collection hotel Guests receive free water park admission on their check-in day for arrivals from May 26 to September 8, 2026. This perk is valid only on the day of check-in and cannot be transferred to another day during your stay.
Do you need tickets for Disney Springs?
There’s no need for a ticket to visit Disney Springs. The shopping, dining, and entertainment district does not charge fees for admission or parking, and there’s no need to make a reservation ahead of time to visit Disney Springs.
Image © Disney
Should I stay at Disney or off-site?
Unless you live nearby or get an Airbnb rental, you will need to stay at a hotel in or around Disney World. The question then becomes: should you stay on-property at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, or save a few bucks by staying off-property?
It’s no surprise that non-Disney, off-site hotels usually offer cheaper nightly rates, but staying there doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save money on your vacation. When you factor in the $35 daily theme park parking fee (which is free for Disney resort guests), the cost of ride shares, and the extra time spent traveling, the savings often disappear.
Furthermore, you’d miss out on exclusive 2026 perks, such as Early Theme Park Entry and free water park admission on your check-in day for summer arrivals. Because of the added convenience, extra time in the parks, and these unique value-adds, we would argue “no” and still recommend staying at a Disney hotel.
Lodging at Disney World: Options and Costs for 2026
Unless you live nearby or stay in an off-site rental, you will need to choose between staying on-property at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel or an off-site location. While off-site hotels may offer lower initial rates, staying on-property provides exclusive 2026 perks like Early Theme Park Entry and free water park admission on your check-in day for summer arrivals. When you factor in the $35 daily theme park parking fee (free for Disney resort guests), staying “in the bubble” often makes the most financial sense.
How much will Disney World hotels cost?
Disney categorizes its hotels into three primary tiers based on price and amenities. Rates vary significantly by season; for 2026, the lowest prices are found in early January to early February and mid-August to early September.
Disney Value Resorts
Cost Range: ~$150 – $300+ per night.
Disney Value Resorts are the most affordable on-property options, featuring “larger-than-life” Disney theming that kids love.
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Standard Rooms: Sleep up to 4 adults.
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Suites: Disney has family suites at Art of Animation and All-Star Music that sleep up to 6 and start at $400–$650+.
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Note: Transportation is primarily via bus, though some offer Skyliner access.
Disney Moderate Resorts
Cost Range: ~$250 – $540+ per night.
Disney Moderate Resorts offer a “sweet spot” of enhanced landscaping and themed pools with water slides.
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Standard Rooms: Often include a fifth sleeper pull-down bed for larger families.
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Themed Rooms: You can find unique options like the Pirate Rooms at Caribbean Beach.
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Dining: These resorts add table-service restaurants in addition to food courts.
Disney Deluxe & Deluxe Villa Resorts
Cost Range: ~$500 – $1,000+ per night
The Disney Deluxe Resort tier represents the highest level of luxury and convenience, situated closest to the theme parks with premium transportation like the Monorail or water taxis.
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Deluxe Rooms: Feature the most space and the best views.
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Deluxe Villas: These “vacation homes” offer Studios, 1-, 2-, and 3-Bedroom options. They include full kitchens and in-room laundry in larger units, making them ideal for family reunions and multi-generational Disney trips.
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Exclusive Perk: Deluxe guests enjoy Extended Evening Theme Park Hours on select nights.
Alternative Lodging: Camping & Cabins
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Campsites: Starting at $82 per night, the sites at Fort Wilderness are the cheapest way to stay on Disney property.
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Cabins: For a rustic experience with more room, the Fort Wilderness Cabins start around $450+ and sleep up to 6.
Does Disney still offer free transportation to and from the airport?
Disney has permanently discontinued its complimentary Disney’s Magical Express, so there is no longer free transportation from Orlando International Airport. Several paid options are available, including Uber, Lyft, taxi, and shuttle services.
How much does it cost to get from the airport to Walt Disney World?
As the airport closest to Disney World, Orlando International Airport has the most transportation options.
For most families who are staying on-site at Disney, taking an Uber or Lyft is the most cost-effective and efficient option. Uber and Lyft both average around the $35 range in many cases, but surge pricing can increase the cost at times. If you’d rather take a traditional taxi, expect to pay around $70.
There are also shuttle services which go to Disney Hotels. The most popular is Mears Connect, which charges $17.60 one-way per adult, and $14.30 one-way per child (ages 3-9). A round-trip ticket is $33.60 per adult and $27.30 per child. Mears Connect is run by the same company which originally operated Disney’s Magical Express and recently merged with a former competitor, Sunshine Flyer.
There are also pricier options, such as Mears Connect Express ($250 flat fee for up to four people, plus $55 for each additional passenger) along with private town cars and, of course, rental cars.
We go in-depth into all of the pros and cons of each option in our Best Ways to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World article so you can decide which transportation option best fits your budget.
If you are staying at a non-Disney hotel, you will most likely want to use a rideshare or taxi service, or rent a vehicle (and don’t forget to plan for toll money as well).
Is there a charge for Disney Transportation?
Once you’ve arrived on Disney property, you can use the on-site buses, boats, monorail, and Skyliner completely free of charge. Here’s a helpful map of Disney World transportation.
We recommend using Disney Transportation whenever possible. Not only is it free, but it drops off passengers much closer to theme park entrances than the main Guest parking lots for those who drive in. This is especially true at Magic Kingdom, where Disney buses, boats, and monorails drop passengers off near the front entrance of the park; those arriving by a personal vehicle, rental car, ride share, or taxi still have to travel an additional mile or so via ferryboat or monorail after reaching the parking lot!
How much is parking at Disney theme parks?
Guests who drive a personal vehicle or rental car to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom must pay for theme park parking in most cases. Standard parking is $30 for most vehicles and $35 for oversized vehicles such as RVs. Preferred parking closer to the park entrance is also offered, typically for $45-$55.
Standard theme park parking is provided at no charge to those who are staying at a Disney hotel or who have certain types of theme park annual passes; these Guests can also opt to upgrade to preferred parking by paying the price difference.
Disney Springs, Disney’s water parks, and most recreational activities such as golf do not charge a parking fee for self-parking.
How much is parking at Disney hotels?
As of January 10, 2023, Walt Disney World owned-and-operated resort hotels no longer charge a nightly parking fee for personal vehicles and rental cars.
What’s Best? Bringing your own car, renting a car, or using Disney Transportation?
Those within driving distance might find extra convenience in having their own car with them, but this can be offset by parking fees, fuel costs, and the additional time needed to get from the parking lots to the theme park entrance.
Here are our recommendations based on which scenario describes you best:
- Staying in a Disney Hotel and visiting only Disney Parks: If flying, take Uber/Lyft from the airport then use Disney’s free transportation to get around. If driving, you may still want to use Disney transportation to get to the parks just for the convenience factor.
- Staying at a Disney Hotel and visiting Universal or Sea World for a day or two: If you don’t have your own vehicle with you, use a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to get to the off-site parks — it’s significantly cheaper than a rental car in most cases.
- Staying Off-Site or making multiple visits to non-Disney locations or nearby beaches: A personal vehicle or rental car is likely the best option.
Eating is a huge part of every vacation. At Disney World, food isn’t exactly cheap but you can make it work to fit your budget. The choice is really up to you and depends primarily on your appetite, your priorities, and how much you are willing to spend.
Disney Dining Plan
One of the biggest choices that will affect your food cost at Disney World is whether or not to add a Disney Dining Plan to your on-site hotel stay. These plans offer a set number of meal and snack credits per person, at a 2025 daily cost of roughly $59 – $98 per adult or $25 – $31 per child.
These plans make sense for some families, especially if they’re big eaters and tend to order the most expensive items. Those who eat light, order cheaper entrees, and usually skip dessert probably won’t get their money’s worth.
How much will food cost at Disney World?
In-park dining options range from the relatively frugal (around $16 for chicken tenders, fries, and a fountain drink at quick service restaurants) to the extravagant (upwards of $60-70 for a character dining experience), and everything in between. Kids meals are typically a bit less than adult meals and even the most exotic restaurants usually offer a few tame options for finicky eaters who are mainly into burgers, nuggets, and pizza. Beyond your three meals a day, be sure to set aside some extra cash for Mickey Pretzels, ice cream bars, and popcorn (roughly $6-9 each) and even the occasional bottled water ($4). You can also get free ice water from quick-service counters around the parks.
Outside of the parks, there are plenty of dining experiences available at Disney’s resort hotels. These range from having a relatively-cheap quick service meal at the food court, enjoying a full service meal with wait staff at the moderately-priced table-service restaurants, or splurging on high-end signature dining that easily reaches $100 per person with appetizers, desserts, and drinks. There’s also the beloved Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue dinner show ($70-78 per adult, $40-45 per child) that many consider a must-do part of any Disney trip.
Assuming you’re eating mainly quick-service meals, skipping dessert most of the time, and are drinking primarily non-alcoholic beverages, a good base cost is $20 per meal for grown-ups and $12 per meal for kids. To get a better idea of the vacation dining options and see more sample pricing, check out our How Much Does Food Cost at Disney World? page.
Disney guests should also budget for “extra” purchases. How much discretionary spending you do during each day of your Disney World vacation is your own call to make.
These extra costs can be anything from Disney World souvenirs (such as clothing and merchandise), in-park photo downloads or prints, special activities such as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (when available), Disney World stroller rental (whether renting directly from Disney or from an off-site company), in-room babysitting, recreation, sundries, tips, and the like.
Planning ahead for these semi-hidden expenses can help make sure you don’t wind up putting yourself into debt just to get through your Disney World trip.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to have fun – and spend money – inside and outside of the theme parks! However, nothing compares to the magic of Walt Disney World Resort so it’s worth the costs!
We’ve given you a LOT to think about in this article. To help you get some starting numbers, we suggest you use our calculator to get an estimated price range for your trip. If you’d like to know more about the calculator, which expenses are included, and what’s not factored in, visit our Disney World Cost Calculator page.
Note: the calculator presumes everyone is staying in the same hotel room. If your group is large enough to need multiple rooms, divide your group up and run the numbers for each of room separately.
Find Your Exact Cost
The calculator above will give you a rough idea of how much you can expect to spend for your trip. For a more exact estimate, contact the Disney travel experts at The Vacationeer!
As Earmarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planners, they book thousands of Disney World vacations every year! And there are plenty of good reasons to use a Disney Travel Agent, not the least of which is: their services are completely free! Your trip won’t cost any more than if you’d booked it yourself… and it might even cost less!
They can even set up a no-interest payment plan allowing you to book your trip for just $200 down!
You’re never under any obligation to book, so there’s nothing to lose by getting a free quote today!
To learn more about seasonal variations in pricing and crowds, check out our monthly articles:
- Disney World in January
- Disney World in February
- Disney World in March
- Disney World in April
- Disney World in May
- Disney World in June
- Disney World in July
- Disney World in August
- Disney World in September
- Disney World in October
- Disney World in November
- Disney World in December
Enjoy your trip!
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Thanks for the review, it was extremely helpful!
You could fly to Germany cheaper than going to Disney for a week!
Hi Cindy. I hear you on the flight costs to Germany, but when I think about it, a week at Disney World actually feels like better value for me. You get multiple theme parks, hotels, dining, entertainment, and this whole immersive experience. Sure, it’s not cheap, but you’re getting so much more than just transportation. That said, everyone has their own idea of a perfect vacation – Germany sounds amazing too for different reasons!