Experiencing Disney World in 3 Different Ways: Budget, Mid-Range, and Luxurious Splurge

If you've ever looked into the cost of a Disney World vacation, you’ve likely encountered the sticker shock that comes with planning a 'magical' getaway. Flights, park tickets, accommodations, parking, car rentals, Mickey-shaped ice creams, princess breakfasts, sparkling mouse ears, VIP experiences – the total adds up quickly.

However, it’s entirely possible to experience Disney World without breaking the bank.

There are affordable resorts, points hotels near Disney World, and even a free shuttle service to and from the airport (through the end of 2021). You can pack your own meals, bring a refillable water bottle, skip the Park Hopper tickets, avoid pricey VIP tours, and catch a glimpse of the princesses during a mini-parade down Main Street, U.S.A. without splurging on pricey meals.

But does opting for the budget experience mean sacrificing some of the magic of Disney? There's only one way to find out.

TPG sent three staff members to Disney World on a busy July day to experience the park in three completely different ways:

• Budget: Senior writer Katie Genter stuck to free Disney transportation, a one-day, single-park ticket, no character meals, no park hopping, and skipped spending on souvenirs.
• Mid-Range: Editor Madison Blancaflor stayed at a moderate Disney resort, rented a car, enjoyed two character meals, and had Park Hopper tickets for two days.
• Luxury: Director Summer Hull had the VIP treatment, staying (with her family) at one of the finest deluxe resorts on Disney World property, with Park Hopper tickets, a rental car, and even a private VIP tour guide to get her group backstage, with special parking and priority access to rides.

We've previously explored the cost of a Walt Disney World vacation, but here’s what it’s actually like to experience Disney World from three very different perspectives.

Where to Stay

Disney World offers more than two dozen lodging options across various price ranges within the park, with hundreds more choices in the surrounding Orlando area.

Luxury: Monorail resorts and exclusive private cabins

If you're going all-in and money is no concern during your Disney World trip, there are some incredible lodging options available. Rates begin around $400 to $600 per night for standard rooms at Disney's deluxe resorts (like the recently renovated Polynesian Village Resort) and can exceed $2,000 per night for suites and premium private cabins on Disney's Bay Lake (at the Copper Creek Cabins).

When you splurge on Disney lodging, the fun of the parks is practically at your doorstep. For instance, our Copper Creek Cabin was just 100 steps from the boat dock where ferries (not Tinkerbell, but real boats) whisk you directly to the Magic Kingdom gates.

At the end of the day, guests can relax in a private hot tub, enjoy the Magic Kingdom's fireworks (with music piped right to the patio), and then watch the Electrical Water Pageant float by select resorts along Bay Lake in the evening.

Adding to the experience, you can gather around a spacious couch or table, spread out over multiple bedrooms (and bathrooms), and enjoy all the comforts of home — and more — at places like Copper Creek Cabins, recently renovated suites at resorts like Wilderness Lodge, or the multi-bedroom grand villas available through Disney Vacation Club at locations like Saratoga Springs and Bay Lake Tower.

Just be prepared for those high-end, multi-bedroom options to set you back a couple thousand dollars per night. Our Copper Creek Cabin (which felt more like a private home on Disney property) cost an eye-watering $2,500 per night for our group during our two-night stay.

Pro tip: You can sometimes enjoy luxurious stays for less by renting DVC points for studios or multi-bedroom suites at Disney Vacation Club properties.

Mid-Range: Moderate Disney Resort

Disney offers several moderately priced resorts. I stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, where standard rooms typically range from $250 to $350 per night, for a two-night stay.

Disney's moderate resorts can be a mixed bag, and the Caribbean Beach isn't my top pick for a Disney stay. The room I had felt outdated, and the vast resort isn't the most convenient for access to the parks. While you can use the Skyliner to get to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, how convenient that is really depends on where you're staying within the resort.

Disney offers other moderate resorts, though some are better suited to larger budgets (like the Cabins at Fort Wilderness), while others have their own drawbacks, such as distance from the parks or limited resort amenities (Coronado Springs).

In the end, I'd suggest either splurging on a deluxe resort for the ultimate experience or saving some cash with an off-site or value Disney resort — especially if you're planning to have a rental car for the trip.

Budget: Off-site or a value Disney resort

If you're visiting Disney World on a budget, you might want to consider staying off-site at an affordable hotel, using points at a nearby hotel, or booking a room at one of Disney's value resorts. Off-site stays generally offer better prices and more flexibility with hotel points, while staying on Disney property at a value resort lets you experience the Disney magic without leaving the bubble.

I stayed at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, the least expensive value resort on-site during my dates. Despite the lower price, the Disney magic was still alive and well. From themed movie scenes throughout the resort to moments of surprise, like when cast members lined a walkway and blew bubbles for passing guests, it was a truly enchanting experience.

During my stay, I had access to two large pools and a kids' pool. However, unlike other resorts, the value resorts didn't have slides or waterfalls. My room at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort was clean, recently renovated, and well-equipped, though it was relatively basic in design.

The $206.57 per night I paid (including taxes and fees) felt like a hefty price for a budget Disney trip. While there are nights when it's cheaper, for my travel dates, it wasn't exactly a bargain. In fact, the $413.14 I spent for my two-night stay made up over 61% of my total expenses while in Orlando.

What tickets to buy

There's no fixed price for entering Main Street, U.S.A.

A single day at Disney World can range from $109 for a basic one-park ticket on off-peak days to $244 for a Park Hopper Plus ticket during peak times. These are just the starting prices.

During more typical times, Disney offers a variety of VIP experiences, early and late park access, as well as exclusive tours for an additional fee, with prices starting around $70 for a morning experience, as seen before the pandemic.

Deluxe: Park Hopper tickets combined with a VIP experience

Currently, Disney's VIP offerings are limited to private VIP tours, which range from $2,975 to over $7,500 for a single day of exclusive access. This price covers anywhere from one to ten people. With a larger budget, your Disney experience can be dramatically enhanced and streamlined.

On our July 2021 visit, the crowds were heavy and FastPass was unavailable. However, during our VIP tour, our group of 10 was able to bypass most of the lines during our $4,675, eight-hour tour. With a Disney guide, we walked past one-to-two-hour waits and were escorted into unlimited FastPass lines. In addition, we needed Park Hopper tickets, which cost about $209 per adult and less for the child in our group (defined by Disney as under 10).

With Park Hopper tickets and a VIP guide, navigating Disney World becomes a breeze. You can hop from one ride to another as many times as you want, bypassing the long standby lines that most visitors endure.

Moderate: Two-day Park Hopper tickets

A VIP guide is not part of the usual Disney experience, and for many visitors, the goal is to visit all the parks over several days. I booked Park Hopper tickets, which allowed me to visit multiple parks in one day, bundled with my resort stay for a total of $946.01. Generally, two-day Park Hopper tickets for adults cost between $150 and $200 per day.

I aimed to visit two parks each day: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on day one, and Hollywood Studios and Epcot on day two. I packed my walking shoes and water bottle, knowing I'd be on my feet all day. But by the end of 48 hours, I realized how exhausting it is to try to see everything. I can't imagine attempting to visit all the major attractions in just two days with kids in tow.

If I were to do this again, I'd definitely take a break between my two days of park-hopping. Ideally, I’d spend one day bouncing between parks and then spread out the other parks on separate days to really immerse myself in the experience—plus, explore other Disney spots like the resorts or Disney Springs.

Budget: One-park tickets with non-park days added in

For those visiting Disney World on a budget, it's better to skip the Park Hopper tickets and opt for one-park tickets instead. My one-day, one-park ticket for July 19 cost me $140.58 after taxes, while a Park Hopper for the same day would have been $209.81 after taxes.

Especially if you’re a Florida resident, it’s worth comparing prices for one-day, three-day, or four-day ticket bundles. You might also find discounted tickets through AAA or other third-party sellers. And consider visiting during the off-season, like winter, when ticket prices are often cheaper.

You can also cut costs by including non-park days in your trip. For example, during my stay, I spent a day hopping between Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the animals, strolling along Disney’s BoardWalk, and playing minigolf at Fantasia Gardens. You could also take it easy by relaxing at your resort’s pool or exploring other attractions around Orlando.

Transportation

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is situated around 20 miles away from Walt Disney World.

Once you enter Disney property, you're still looking at a vast area about the size of San Francisco. So, you’ll need to choose transportation that fits your budget, not just for getting to and from the airport, but also for moving around between the parks and resorts.

Deluxe: Private Transfers

Before the pandemic, Disney's Minnie Vans offered a super convenient, door-to-door transportation service between the airport and Disney World. While we're hoping they'll return, for now, the options for deluxe transportation are a bit more limited.

You can arrange private rides through Mears, with prices starting at $25 for point-to-point service within Disney World, and going up to just over $100 for a ride from the airport to Disney World.

For the ultimate in Disney transportation, consider booking a private VIP tour. This includes resort pickup and exclusive backstage parking, bringing you as close as possible to the attractions. The cost for this experience begins at $425 per hour, making it a pricey but premium way to travel around Disney.

Though we didn't drive directly to the Disney parks, we did have a rental car for this trip, as we visited both Disney and Universal and stayed at three different hotels. The total cost for the car came to $270.

Moderate: Rental car and Disney transportation

I did rent a car for my trip, and although I didn't rely on it much while exploring the parks — since Disney's complimentary transportation was often more convenient — it was definitely worth having for other aspects of my trip.

I used the car mainly for airport transfers, a late-night McDonald's run after getting back to my resort, and for switching between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. On my first morning, I took the bus to Magic Kingdom, but when a midday rainstorm hit, I drove back to the resort to change into dry clothes before heading to Animal Kingdom. Having the car saved me from waiting for the bus during that rainy period, making it a huge convenience.

I’d also recommend having a rental car if you plan on resort-hopping or visiting Disney Springs, as it offers more flexibility and convenience for those activities.

On my second day, I opted for the Skyliner from Caribbean Beach to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. It was quicker (and cheaper) than driving, and honestly, the Skyliner became my favorite Disney transportation option.

Budget: Free Disney transportation

During my trip to Disney World, I spent absolutely nothing on transportation. Disney resort guests can enjoy complimentary rides on Disney's Magical Express between Orlando International Airport and their resort (though this service will be discontinued after 2021). Additionally, Disney offers free transport to the parks and Disney Springs from every resort property.

Honestly, I anticipated some delays and minor inconveniences with Disney's free transportation. However, my Magical Express bus was ready just 30 minutes after I picked up my luggage. During my stay, I never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus or ferry. For example, I even caught a bus from Disney's All-Star Movies Resort to Magic Kingdom well before its official opening time. In hindsight, using Disney's complimentary transport rather than renting a car or relying on ride-hailing services didn’t feel like I missed out on anything.

Dining strategy

At Disney World, dining can either be a basic necessity or a fun-filled experience. Both options are available, but they come with a significant difference in price.

Deluxe: Character meals and full-service restaurants

Dining experiences that offer something extra will be among the priciest options at Disney World. Restaurants like Cinderella's Royal Table and Be Our Guest can charge upwards of $62 per adult.

If you decide to enjoy a meal with a view of the fireworks at California Grill, you’ll likely pay a similar price, especially if you choose a multi-course meal.

For a character brunch at Topolino's Terrace, expect to pay around $200 for a family of four, including gratuity.

A family of four can expect to spend nearly $300 for dinner at Cinderella Castle.

In other words, dining at Disney's top full-service restaurants can quickly add up to several hundred dollars a day for a family.

Due to a COVID-19 surge during our trip, we decided to skip some of the more upscale indoor Disney meals, like 'Ohana and Chef Mickey's, that we had originally booked well in advance. Instead, we made use of our cabin's kitchen and dining table, ordering $100 worth of groceries to cover breakfast, snacks, and some evening drinks. While not the most extravagant option, it was the most practical and helped us manage our health risks.

We spent $124.82 on shareable appetizers for 10 people from Geyser Point, which we enjoyed for dinner in the cabin. We also spent $156.58 on a lunch spread from Cosmic Ray's in Magic Kingdom, which included enough chicken fingers, burgers, and fries to feed a small football team.

Moderate: Character breakfasts and dinners, with quick-service meals during the day.

Dining inside Disney parks is certainly not the most budget-friendly choice, especially when it comes to sit-down meals. However, between the heat making me lose my appetite and the need to rush through the parks to check off my must-do attractions, I ended up spending very little on food and snacks throughout the day.

In total, I spent $230.67 on meals throughout my trip.

During my trip, I enjoyed two sit-down character meals and one additional dinner reservation. The rest of my meals came from quick-service spots in the parks, not counting my one late-night McDonald's stop.

I had breakfast at Topolino's Terrace one morning for $53.73 and dinner at Tusker House on another evening for $68.48. Both meals were delicious, but I found the quick-service meals just as satisfying.

Character dining currently includes only brief character encounters and a mass-printed signature postcard. Given that two character meals are quite a lot to fit into a two-day trip, as a solo adult, I’d skip them during my next visit in favor of more time exploring the parks. This would save me roughly $80 by replacing the character meals with $20 quick-service options.

My only other sit-down meal at Disney was at Big River on the BoardWalk before heading to Epcot for the fireworks on my final night. My Cajun pasta and blackberry whiskey cocktail came to $42.22 after taxes and tip, and they were absolutely delicious—exactly what I needed after living out my Jedi dreams at Galaxy's Edge.

Thanks to the My Disney Experience app, ordering food at quick-service locations was a breeze. Since I was only ordering for myself, I never had to wait more than about two minutes for my meal. Here's a quick overview of the fast meals I grabbed while navigating the parks, mostly eaten while speed-walking from one attraction to the next.

• Breakfast tots and iced coffee at Friar's Nook (Magic Kingdom): $13.92.
• Lime Dole Whip at Storybook Treats (Magic Kingdom): $5.32.
• Watermelon, a bottle of water and a hot dog at Harambe Fruit Market (Animal Kingdom): $15.20.
• Breakfast muffin and iced coffee at Joffrey's (Hollywood Studios): $12.12.
• Ronto Wrap and Tatooine Tea at Ronto Roasters (Hollywood Studios): $19.68.

My lunch at Ronto Roasters ended up being my favorite meal of the entire trip — even beating out the pricey character dining experiences. I sat down to enjoy my tasty wrap with a view of the Millennium Falcon and the rest of Galaxy's Edge, and that quick 15-minute break to people-watch was a perfect highlight of the day. Best part? It cost me less than $20.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time at Epcot during this trip, so I missed out on the amazing Food & Wine Festival offerings. If I had more time to explore, I would have splurged on more food and drinks. If Epcot is a priority for you, keep that in mind when budgeting for your visit.

I'm pretty sure I drank my weight in water during the two days I was at Disney. Without my refillable Corkcicle water bottle, I would have spent a lot more on bottled water. By simply switching to my reusable bottle, I saved at least $70 and helped cut down on plastic waste throughout the trip.

Budget: Quick-service eateries, kids meals, and grocery shopping

To manage dining expenses on my Disney World trip, I focused on quick-service restaurants, brought snacks from home, and avoided splurging on extra treats. I even ordered groceries directly to my Disney resort room to help keep costs down. Here's a breakdown of my dining expenses during the trip:

• Dinner at World Premiere Food Court: Grilled chicken sandwich with house seasoning and fries for $12.83.
• Breakfast at Gaston's Tavern: Freshly baked cinnamon roll for $6.92.
• Lunch at Jungle Skipper Canteen: Falls Family Falafel, Curried Vegetable Crew Stew, and Schweitzer Slush for $44.81, including tip.
• Dinner at Casey's Corner: All-beef hot dog and fries for $10.11.
• Breakfast at World Premiere Food Court: Mickey-shaped waffles kids meal for $6.94.
• Lunch at BoardWalk Bakery: Ham-and-cheese sandwich kids meal for $7.44.

I used mobile ordering for four out of my six meals, choosing kids meals on two occasions when I wasn’t very hungry. To my surprise, Disney’s kids meals are quite filling. However, I did spot a sign at Disney’s BoardWalk Bakery mentioning that kids meals are intended for children 9 and under. As such, I’d only feel comfortable ordering them at counter-service spots or via mobile ordering.

I treated myself to a table-service meal at Jungle Skipper Canteen during my trip, where I enjoyed some cheesy jokes from the staff and welcomed the air conditioning on a sweltering day.

However, that one meal took up nearly half of my total dining budget for the two-day trip. Unless you’re set on a special experience, you’ll probably want to focus on budget-friendly dining options, which are marked with a $ in the Disney app.

Ride strategy

Anyone visiting the Magic Kingdom can line up for popular attractions like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain if they meet the height requirements. Throughout the day, the wait times for these rides can fluctuate—ranging from no wait at all to a couple of hours. Your experience will depend on the rides you choose, how many parks you visit, and the time of day you go.

Deluxe: VIP, no-line access

With a top-tier Disney World VIP tour, your ride experience can be much more leisurely compared to cramming everything in on a tighter budget.

During our July VIP tour, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., we managed to hit 16 mostly top-rated rides across two parks without starting too early or keeping the 6-year-old out past bedtime.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin.,Splash Mountain.,Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.,Haunted Mansion.,Peter Pan's Flight.,The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.,Mad Tea Party.,Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.,Space Mountain.,The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.,Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.,Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.,Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.,Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.,Slinky Dog Dash.,Toy Story Mania!

This packed schedule, including stops for lunch, bathroom breaks, and park transfers, took a little over eight hours and covered around 17,000 steps. The cost of the VIP tour? $4,675.

Moderate: Focus on the essentials.

To be honest, it's impossible to see and do everything in a Disney park in just half a day—especially with long ride wait times and the FastPass program still on hold. I knew this going in, so I set my expectations low and focused on hitting the attractions I absolutely couldn't miss.

At Magic Kingdom, I made sure to arrive before rope drop to be among the first in the park. However, even with that early start, I still couldn't make it to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before the line became unmanageable.

I was able to meet up with Katie, as we had a similar list of must-see attractions. Together, we checked off Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without encountering long waits. While I had my own list of priorities, I relied on the wait times feature in the My Disney Experience app (which was fairly accurate at Magic Kingdom) to guide my decisions on what I could realistically fit in during my half-day visit.

By noon, wait times for major attractions like Space Mountain had exceeded two hours. With limited time, I decided to enjoy a couple of classics—Mad Tea Party and Swiss Family Treehouse—before park-hopping over to Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom may have fewer attractions, but the major rides tend to have long wait times. I managed to ride Dinosaur with a short wait, but then I had a dinner reservation at Tusker House to attend. After dinner, I only had time for one more ride, factoring in the wait. I chose Avatar Flight of Passage, standing in line for nearly two hours (which was actually a shorter wait than most throughout the day). I'd do it again in a heartbeat; it was my favorite ride across all the parks, even beating out Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

On my second day, I headed straight to Hollywood Studios early in the morning. I missed out on a spot for Rise of the Resistance in the 7 a.m. virtual queue lottery, so I set an alarm for 12:50 p.m. to try again at 1 p.m. My morning was spent riding Tower of Terror, Star Tours, and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. I dedicated a good chunk of time to exploring Galaxy's Edge because I wanted to fully experience that area, rather than wasting time waiting for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway or Slinky Dog Dash, which had long lines and no single-rider options.

I was able to grab a spot in the virtual queue during the 1 p.m. lottery, which gave me plenty of time to kill at Hollywood Studios while waiting for my group to be called. Luckily, thanks to the super short single-rider lines and a helpful cast member, I got to ride Smugglers Run three times in a row—each time in a different seat, trying out different roles (I loved being the pilot the most). Eventually, I got to experience Rise of the Resistance.

This might be a controversial opinion, but while Rise of the Resistance was incredibly immersive, I didn’t feel it was worth rearranging my entire Hollywood Studios and Epcot day just to ride it (and that’s coming from a die-hard Star Wars fan).

Epcot was the last park on my list, and by the time I arrived there after dinner, I was completely worn out from my packed schedule at the other parks. The ride lines were still incredibly long, so I opted to take a slower approach, exploring the park and finding a great spot to watch the evening fireworks.

I’m grateful I managed to hit all of my must-do attractions, but the constant rush to check everything off my list did take away from my overall enjoyment of the parks. Disney is truly magical when you can relax, explore, and savor those small moments of wonder. With only two days to experience all four parks, I didn’t have the chance to slow down, let alone enjoy the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot.

Budget tip: Get there early, stay late.

I had just one day to explore one park during my Disney vacation. To make the most of it, I arrived at Magic Kingdom by 8 a.m. — an hour before the gates officially opened — and stayed until about 10:45 p.m., 45 minutes after closing. In nearly 15 hours, I walked 21,066 steps (roughly 8.92 miles).

Magic Kingdom didn’t officially open until around 9 a.m., but getting there early allowed me to be one of the first into Fantasyland when the park opened. I managed to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a short wait and knocked out Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with relatively minimal lines before the park filled up with guests.

As Summer pointed out, Magic Kingdom was quite crowded on July 19. So, I spent the afternoon enjoying some of the less popular, yet still fun, attractions, including:

• Mad Tea Party (rode it twice).
• Swiss Family Treehouse.
• Liberty Square Riverboat.
• Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
• Mickey's PhilharMagic.
• "it's a small world."
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

By 8 p.m., the crowds had started to thin out, so I joined the 45-minute line for Jungle Cruise, the longest wait of the day. While waiting, Summer texted Madison and me to share her ride count for the day—16 rides. With me at 13, I couldn’t resist the challenge and decided to skip the fireworks show to try and beat her ride count.

After the Jungle Cruise, I walked straight onto The Magic Carpets of Aladdin with no wait. Then I dashed over to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh before the park closed at 10 p.m. I picked these rides because I hadn’t done them yet, and their wait times were short according to the Disney app.

In the end, I managed to hit 18 attractions in a single park day, technically surpassing Summer's 16. However, she enjoyed more of the top-tier rides and definitely had a less exhausting, shorter day overall.

Souvenir strategy

Disney offers countless gadgets and souvenirs at nearly every corner, but prices can vary significantly depending on where and how you buy them.

Deluxe: New gear in the parks

There's something exciting about strolling through the numerous Disney shops in the parks and leaving with trendy new items like spirit jerseys ($75), Loungefly backpacks ($80), glittery ears ($30), and other park-exclusive merchandise.

However, you’re paying a premium for the convenience of shopping inside the parks. Unlike the Shop Disney website or the off-property Character Warehouse, you won’t find significant discounts on these items in the park stores. So, be ready for a steep bill if you're picking out souvenirs for the whole family at places like the Main Street Emporium.

Moderate: Mickey ears and Character Warehouse

Due to my packed schedule, I didn’t have much time for souvenir shopping (which, in the end, was probably a good thing for my wallet). While I waited out a midday storm at Magic Kingdom, I did pick up a pair of Mickey ears (punk rock Disney style, anyone?) and a T-shirt, which set me back just over $50.

Disney has a Character Warehouse where you can score heavily discounted souvenirs. It’s located at the Orlando International Premium Outlets, so it’s a little off the beaten path (and expect long lines since they limit capacity inside).

Considering I snagged two adult shirts (including a "Star Wars" design) for about $17, I’d say it’s worth the detour if you’re buying for several kids and don’t mind picking up off-season items (like sweatshirts in summer) or last year’s designs.

Budget: Pin-trading and buying souvenirs offsite

Souvenirs can be a place to cut back on spending when visiting Disney World. If you're planning to buy some keepsakes and have access to a rental car, you can head to Character Warehouse for discounted Disney merchandise.

An alternative strategy for saving on souvenirs is pin-trading. While the process has changed a bit due to health guidelines, you can still trade pins at several Magic Kingdom stores. During my visit, staff placed pins on a numbered board, allowing you to pick up to two pins, then trade your own pins by dropping them into a bin.

I had never tried pin-trading before my July trip, but I discovered that it's a fun and affordable way to pick up some small, unique souvenirs from Disney.

Bottom line

Disney magic isn't about how much you spend at the parks, but there are a few exceptions to that.

To experience a lot of attractions without VIP access, especially with FastPass suspended, you'll need to arrive early, be at the park before it opens, and possibly stay until closing. However, if you overdo it with back-to-back park-hopping days, you may end up feeling exhausted, which can diminish the magic.

In fact, taking a break during a non-park day where you do less could help you enjoy the overall experience more. Spending a little extra on nicer accommodations might enhance your stay for some, while others might not find it worth the cost. Some of the value resorts have actually been renovated more recently than the moderate resorts. However, if your hotel is within walking distance of a park, that convenience could offer great value, especially if you want to take a midday break.

Dining at Disney offers a variety of options for getting great value — from the immersive experience of a character meal to quick-service favorites like Ronto Wraps in Galaxy's Edge, giant cinnamon rolls at Gaston's Tavern, or the savory cheeseburger egg rolls available near Adventureland.

The best Disney experience often comes from splurging in places that make sense for your budget — sometimes this could be as simple as booking a midday reservation at a sit-down restaurant with air conditioning and table service, like Katie did at Skipper Canteen.

Katie was surprised by how much fun she had on her two-night Disney trip, which cost her $657.68, excluding airfare. She didn’t feel like she missed out on the magic, even though she wished she could have visited a few more parks. This trip proved to her that even a brief, budget-conscious Disney experience can still be magical.

Summer and her group have no regrets about the money they spent at Disney, as they saw it as the perfect moment to go all-in, sharing the experience with a group of Disney-obsessed friends and family. For them, it was worth every penny.

Madison’s more balanced approach, which reflects how many people plan their Disney trips, ended up being the most exhausting. There are clear perks to either end of the budget spectrum, but if you land somewhere in the middle, it’s easy to overdo it with park-hopping and too many immersive meals, which can eat into precious ride time.

With a solid plan, comfortable shoes, and a bit of pixie dust (plus a sprinkle of good luck with ride wait times), you can make the most of a two-day, mid-range Disney World trip, hitting all four parks.

Every Disney World budget approach has its pros and cons, but our experiences show that no matter what you spend, you can still have a memorable vacation full of joy, magic, and unforgettable moments.