Extras at Disney That are Totally Worth It
Taking a vacation to the happiest place on earth will come with endless possibilities of fun. Visiting the Disney parks and experiences all the rides, shows, and attractions can keep you very busy during your stay. Most of those experiences will come at no extra charge to you. A lot of those possibilities will be included with either your stay at a Disney World Resort or with your ticket to get into the parks.
If you are looking for some extra magic to bring into your next Disney Vacation, I have a few suggestions that might be worth looking into. If you are trying to do Disney on a budget, this isn’t the list of you. Please keep in mind, all of these things will have to be booked ahead of your trip and will cost extra.
Staying at a Disney Resort
I’ve stayed both on- and off-property when vacationing at Disney World. My personal preference is always to stay on-property. While this will be an added expense upfront, the positives out way the negatives. Staying on-property comes with many different conveniences, most of which are complimentary.
Disney offers free ground transportation both to and from the airport and your hotel as well as throughout Disney’s property. This bus service is called the Disney Magical Express. If you have checked luggage, Disney will take your luggage from the plane and deliver it to your room after check-in. There are other services that Disney offers to get you to the Disney parks and Disney Springs. They have busses, boats, the monorail, and the new skyglider service. While staying on-property you will also be offered a free magic band which will act as your park ticket, hotel key, and credit card. You’ll also be offered benefits for the parks. Resorts guests will have access to extra magic hours as well as the ability to charge certain expenses to your room. If you decide to buy some park merchandise during the day, your purchases can be sent to your room so you won’t have to carry around bags while you enjoy your day.
If you really want to splurge, I suggest staying at a Deluxe Resort for a few days during your stay. This is something my family and I do on a regular basis. We’ll usually stay at a Moderate Resort while we explore the parks before moving to a Deluxe Resort to relax before we go home. Staying at a Deluxe Resort has many of the same benefits as a Value or Moderate but it also has more. At all of the Deluxe Resorts, you’ll be able to experience some of the best dining Disney has to offer without going into the parks.
Adding Memory Maker
It doesn’t go unnoticed that Disney has photographers located throughout the different parks. Those photographers are located at some of the most popular locations around the different parks, select character dining experiences, and with some rides. Some of those locations include Cinderella’s Castle at the end of Main Street, The Tree of Life as you enter Animal Kingdom, around the World Showcase in Epcot, and outside the Tower of Terror ride at Hollywood Studios. This service is called Disney’s PhotoPass Service, it is offered free to all guests visiting Disney parks. After the photos are taken, they will be downloaded onto your My Disney Experience account where you will be able to edit them.
The splurge in this case would be adding on the Memory Maker package. The cost of the package starts at $199 but they offer a $30 discount if you purchase three days before your vacation. With the purchase of Memory maker you’ll be able to download all of your photos Disney’s photographers take on your trip as well as photos and videos from select attractions and photos from character dining.
Attending Special Events
If you are looking for ways to extend your fun in the parks, you’ll want to splurge on some of the special events Disney has to offer. These events require a special ticket, separate from that of your general admissions ticket. They will also feature lower crowd volumes and special snacks for guests in attendance. All of the events offered by Disney are all unique in their own ways. Events include Disney After Dark, Early Morning Magic, Disney H2O Glow Nights, and Disney Marathons..
Walt Disney World also hosts two different parties at the Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party which allows all guests to dress up and trick-or-treat around the park. This event is special because guests over the age of 12 usually are not able to dress up to visit the parks. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will ensure guests in the Holiday Spirit by making it snow down Main Street, U.S.A. during the event. Both parties will feature special entertainment and special snacks as well as access to some of the most popular rides Magic Kingdom has to offer.
This splurge will usually cost you between $100-$200 depending on when you attend. This cost includes admission into the parks after general admission guests leave, special entertainment such as fireworks and parades, and specialty snacks and merchandise.
Upgrading Your Park Pass
This one might not be the biggest splurge in the world, but you might want to consider adding an extra day or days to your Magic Your Way Park Pass. I’ve said previously that you should set aside at least four full days to explore all four parks Disney has to offer. My personal preference is to purchase a five-day Magic Your Way Pass. The difference in price between a four-day and five-day pass is $11 and it keeps going down from there. By adding an extra day you can either catch a fireworks show your first night or get extra thrills before you leave your last day.
Another upgrade you can make to your Magic Your Way Pass is to add the Hopper Option to the base ticket. This option will allow you to visit more than one park throughout the day. By adding the Hopper Option you’ll be able to stay out later, this can be beneficial if you are traveling without kids. Sometimes the parks will have different hours, especially when you factor in Extra Magic Hours. Adding this option to your ticket starts at about $60 more per ticket.
Character Dining Experiences
Character dining is one of the most popular things to book at Disney World. It allows you to meet many different characters without having to wait in all the lines. These experiences can be the highlight of your trip if you book them correctly. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of booking 180 days in advance of your stay. Character experiences are located at table-service restaurants both in the parks and at various Deluxe Resorts.
If this is a splurge you might be interested in, you’ll want to make sure to plan ahead. Restaurants will offer different themes, characters, and food depending on what you’re looking for. Character meals are offered for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These dining experiences can cost quite a bit of money, however you might be able to use Dining Credits towards some meals.
There are more Disney splurges, I’ve only just touched the surface.
Please check back for more posts about planning your next Disney Vacation. And remember, every Disney Vacation holds its own Magic.