If you are planning a trip to the house of the mouse with the whole family, do the math and see how much a Disney vacation really costs in 2020. Did you know that when the Magic Kingdom first opened in 1971, the price of an adult ticket was $3.50 while a seven-ride attraction ticket cost just $4.75? In 1982 an annual pass for the entire year was $100! Fast forward to 2020 and you will spend $999 for an annual pass while one-day Disney tickets start at $109. According to a recent study published in The Miami Herald, this means a 3,014 percent increase in the price of a one-day Magic Kingdom ticket. Add airfare, accommodations, dining, transportation or parking fees plus hidden expenses and expect to spend a hefty sum on your Disney family vacation.
This rapid rise in Disney World ticket prices has not hurt the consumers’ appetite for “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Families all over the world continue to save for the trip or charge credit cards to splurge. In fact, over the past several years, Disney World has experienced record-breaking attendance numbers with an average annual turnout of nearly 58 million visitors! Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is by far the most popular theme park at Disney World with nearly 21 million visitors (making it the most-visited theme park in the world), followed by Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios – each of which average between 11 and 13 million visitors annually.
Breaking Down The Cost Your Disney Vacation Itinerary
One reason that Walt Disney World Resort can justify its regular price hikes is the constant addition of new theme parks and attractions over the past nearly 50 years. For example, Disney World opened in 1971 with one theme park, two onsite resorts, a campground and an 18-hole golf course. Today, Disney encompasses nearly 40 square miles and boasts four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), two water parks (Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon), the massive Disney Springs entertainment-shopping-dining complex, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, four championship golf courses and 41 on-property resorts.
In addition, Disney has added a slew of new attractions recently at each of its theme parks to attract new and returning guests such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (home to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance) and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as Pandora – The World of Avatar (featuring the immensely popular Avatar Flight of Passage ride) at Animal Kingdom. New attractions set to open at Disney World in 2020 include Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (set to open on March 4, 2020), Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney at Disney Springs (coming spring 2020) and Harmonious, a brand-new nighttime show also scheduled to open in the spring of 2020 at Epcot, which also has debuted three new films: “Awesome Planet” in The Land Pavilion, “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” in the Canada Pavilion and “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in the France Pavilion.
With so much to see and do, it’s imperative that you plan to budget enough days for your Disney vacation and decide exactly which theme parks you simply must visit, so you and your family can enjoy the full flavor of the experience. In fact, the average length of stay at Walt Disney World Resort is six days. According to various experts, a six- to seven-day visit will give you ample time to visit at least three Disney theme parks, as well as Universal Orlando and/or SeaWorld Orlando if you so choose. You should also have enough time to experience the best nature trails in Central Florida, enjoy your pick from the free things to do in Orlando, or attractions on International Drive. For an adult without kids experience, adequate time should also be available for a visit to the most romantic places in Orlando, or a drink at the best breweries in Orlando. You may even have time to head out further for a road trip to Cocoa Beach to soak up the world-famous Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, home to Keith’s Oyster Bar, The Boardwalk Bar, Pelican’s Bar & Grill, Sea Dogs and Rikki Tiki Tavern. Whatever you choose, you will have plenty of time for a full Orlando vacation experience and other amazing options in our Travel Blog!
After you figure out how many days you wish to spend on your Disney vacation, you need to determine the optimum Orlando accommodations for your family. At first glance, you might be tempted to seek out the convenience of an on-property Disney hotel. Disney features three categories of on-property hotels: “value,” “moderate” and “deluxe” – but these labels can be somewhat deceiving. Interestingly, Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971 with two onsite resorts – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort – with room rates starting at just $29 per night. However, today you can expect to pay over $200 per night during peak season at one of Disney’s “value” hotels, while moderate hotels can easily top $300 per night and deluxe resorts start in the $500 per night range and go up well into the thousands. Even a simple tent campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort can cost over $100 during peak season. Although Disney’s on-property hotels do offer the advantage of complimentary shuttles to Disney theme parks, they DO NOT offer complimentary shuttles to outside theme parks such as Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando like many off-property resorts provide for guests.
It’s important to emphasize that you can stay near Disney World and enjoy complimentary theme park transportation to and from the parks without having to spend a small fortune. For example, Westgate Town Center Resort lies just one mile from the main entrance to Disney and features complimentary scheduled transportation to all three of the major Central Florida theme parks – without making a huge dent in your wallet! Onsite amenities at Westgate Town Center Resort include spacious accommodations ranging from cozy studios to oversized four-bedroom villas that feature 2,403 square feet of space and room for up to 16 guests, as well as a multitude of onsite amenities, including the state-of-the-art Ship Wreck Island Water Park, Villa Italiano Chophouse, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, 14 heated outdoor pools and hot tubs, lakeside marina with paddleboat rentals, Disney Movie Theater and more.
Westgate Town Center Resort also gives you and your family the much needed space to spread out – as opposed to squeezing into a cramped “value-type” hotel room. In addition, Resort guests enjoy the convenience of either kitchenettes or fully equipped kitchens, so you and your family can save money by preparing some of your meals within the privacy of your spacious villa (as opposed to purchasing overpriced and somewhat inflexible dining plans). Therefore, you can save money, while still splurging on Disney treats sporadically during your weeklong vacation such as the Fruit and Nutella Waffle Sandwich, Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar and Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom; Frozen Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade, Chocolate Crepe and German Pretzel at Epcot; Carrot Cake Cookie, Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake and Key Lime Pie on a Stick at Hollywood Studios; and Pongu Lumpia (pineapple cream cheese spring roll), Buffalo Chicken Chips and Baked Macaroni & Cheese at Animal Kingdom.
Important Considerations When Planning a Disney Vacation
Walt Disney once remarked, “A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there.” This philosophy is especially true when it comes to planning your next Disney vacation. Here are some important factors to consider when coordinating your Disney trip:
- Make sure you block out the vacation dates on your work calendar months in advance and notify your coworkers of your upcoming absence as soon as possible.
- Choose a time during the school year when disruptions to their academic calendar will be minimal, or simply plan on traveling to Disney on Spring Break, during the summer or on a long holiday weekend.
- If you choose to visit Orlando between June and early August, expect crowds and extremely hot weather with heavy humidity. Therefore, plan on visiting the theme parks first thing in the morning, take a break in the afternoon and return to the parks in the early evening when the temperature is milder and the crowds have dissipated somewhat.
- Consider coinciding your visit during one of Disney’s popular and highly acclaimed seasonal events such as Epcot International Festival of the Arts, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
- Start a Disney savings fund well in advance and start squirreling away cash for your trip.
- Go online and reserve your FastPass+ (ride skipping queue system) up to 30 days prior to your visit.
- Don’t forget to arrange for pet care while your gone and book early to ensure an available spot for your pooch or kitty.
- Check Disney’s 2020 online calendar of Non-Operable Theme Park Attractions to make sure that none of your must-see attractions won’t be closed for renovations during your Disney visit.
The Average Cost of a Disney Vacation vs. Affordable Alternatives
Now that you’ve determined when you want to go to Disney World and what you want to see once you get there, along with other considerations to make sure your trip runs smoothly, it’s time to analyze your expenses and determine how you will maximize your budget for the ultimate Disney vacation at the best possible price. So, how much does an average Disney vacation cost for 2020? Consult the following Disney vacation expenses chart to find out how much you would expect to pay for a traditional Disney vacation versus the incredible savings you can enjoy when you seek out much more affordable options such as vacation packages and vacation ownership:
· * One week stay rates based on rate shop performed at the time of writing for both Westgate Town Center Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, both listed as moderate resort type on wdwinfo.com, for one week, dates 7/29 – 8/2 at Best Available Rate and/or Discount Rates currently offered for comparable room types. Westgate Vacation Package rate of $519.00 available at the time of writing, and subject to eligibility, Terms and Conditions, and presentation/touring requirements. Westgate Vacation Ownership cost of ‘FREE’ stay does not include maintenance fees or other individual agreements at time of purchase for vacation ownership. Terms and Conditions apply.
** One week’s worth of Dining calculated for a family of 4 at 3 meals per person, per day, utilizing U.S. Government recommended food allowances versus food allowance provided under Low Cost Plan guidance via USDA Food Plan guidelines, versus current Disney Dining Plan Deluxe Tier Option at current 2020 rates.
*** 3 Day Disney Ticket purchase calculated at time of writing via Disney.go.com online ticket purchasing for base, one day / one park tickets (no Flex / No Park Hopper option) for two (2) children and two (2) adults, versus same base ticket purchased at discount via tickets2you.com, available to Westgate hotel guests, Vacation Package guests and owners alike.
Disney Vacation Packages to the Rescue!
Thankfully, as you can see on the chart above, there are several affordable alternatives to get around the ever-increasing prices at Walt Disney World Resort. With the right planning, you can save over 70 percent on your next Disney getaway! Fortunately, our Westgate Resorts Vacation Package provides the perfect antidote to skyrocketing Disney vacation prices. Enjoy magical savings with a heavily discounted 7-day, 6-night vacation package complete with a Luxurious Studio that sleeps up to four guests, and fully equipped kitchen just a mile of the main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort – plus two (1-day/1-park) theme park tickets – all for just $519!* Plus, you choose from Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom, and enjoy complimentary scheduled transportation to and from the park you choose. You will love onsite resort amenities like Ship Wreck Island Water Park, 14 heated outdoor pools and hot tubs, 18-hole dinosaur-themed miniature golf course, lakeside marina and paddleboats, Disney Movie Theater and plenty of dining options including Villa Italiano Chophouse, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Sid’s Bistro, Hershey’s Ice Cream Shop, Joe’s Marketplace & Deli and Cordovano Joe’s Pizza. To start saving, book your special Disney vacation package with Westgate at www.westgatereservations.com.