Disney World Splurges We Feel Are Worth It
Disney World can be expensive, so when it comes to adding the extras Disney offers, you want to be sure they’re a good fit for your vacation. That’s where we come in! Our knowledge of what Disney has to offer, combined with the relationships we build with our clients, allows us to help you decide whether that extra you’ve been considering is worth the splurge—or whether you’re better off skipping it.
The Disney Dining Plan
The first Disney World splurge that I feel is totally worth it is the Disney Dining Plan. I don’t plan a trip for myself without it!
Disney currently offers two different dining plan options: the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, with a new Deluxe Dining Plan coming in 2027. Having multiple options allows you to choose the plan that best fits your family’s individual needs and the way you like to vacation.
One of the biggest benefits of a dining plan is the ability to prepay for much of your food before your vacation. This means you don’t have to factor the same meal costs into your daily spending budget once you arrive. The number of meals and snacks you receive is based on the number of nights you’re staying at a Disney Resort and the number of guests on your reservation. The Disney Dining Plan includes one table-service meal and one quick-service meal per person, per night of your stay. The new Deluxe Dining Plan will offer even more opportunities for table-service dining. One thing to keep in mind with either table-service option is that gratuities are generally not included.
If table-service meals don’t fit into your family’s plans, the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan may be a better fit. It includes two quick-service meals per person, per night. Dining plans also include a snack or nonalcoholic drink per night and a Resort-refillable mug for eligible beverages during your stay.
This is one extra I can’t go without. After all, there’s one thing every guest is guaranteed to do during their vacation—eat! For me, the dining plan makes it easier to try different restaurants or meals that I might otherwise hesitate to choose because of the price. Another benefit of the table-service dining plans is the opportunity to use meals for experiences such as character dining. There are also dining packages that combine a meal with reserved or preferred viewing for select entertainment, such as the Fantasmic! Dining Package at Hollywood Studios.
Worth the splurge: Guests who want to experience different restaurants and foods while having more of their dining expenses paid before their vacation.
Consider skipping it: Families who prefer bringing their own food into the parks, eat smaller meals, or don’t want to take much time away from attractions to dine.
Memory Maker
Another Disney extra that I think is worth the splurge is Memory Maker. Memory Maker gives guests access to their Disney PhotoPass photos taken throughout their vacation, including attraction photos and photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers throughout the parks.
Disney is a place where you make lasting memories with the people you care about, and Memory Maker gives you the opportunity to put down your phone and let someone else capture some of those moments. You don’t have to worry about who is taking the picture—or who is missing from it.
This can be especially valuable for the family that always has one person behind the camera. Instead of being the designated photographer all week, they can actually be part of the memories, too.
Worth the splurge: Families who love vacation photos, want everyone included in the pictures, or don’t want to spend their trip constantly reaching for their phones.
Consider skipping it: Guests who don’t prioritize vacation photos or know they’re unlikely to stop for PhotoPass photographers.
VIP Tours
VIP tours can also be an incredible splurge on a Disney World vacation. Disney offers a variety of tours and experiences that appeal to different interests throughout the property.
With a Private VIP Tour, you’re accompanied by a VIP Tour Guide who can share their expert knowledge while helping you experience some of your favorite attractions throughout the parks. It gives you the opportunity to experience Disney in a completely different way—and feel a little like royalty while doing it!
For guests who have already visited Disney World, a VIP tour can be an especially exciting way to experience the parks from a new perspective. Instead of simply repeating a previous vacation, you can discover details you may have missed and experience the magic in a whole new way.
Worth the splurge: Repeat visitors looking for a new Disney experience, larger groups who can split the cost, or guests who place a high value on maximizing their park time.
Consider skipping it: Guests who want to experience the parks at their own pace or whose vacation budget would be better spent on other experiences.
Upgrading Your Resort
The final extra that I think can be worth the splurge is upgrading to a Deluxe Resort or suite.
Deluxe Resorts are among Disney’s top-tier accommodations. While they come with a higher price tag, they also offer perks that may make the additional cost worthwhile. On select nights, eligible Deluxe Resort guests can take advantage of Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, giving them additional time in participating parks after regular park closing with typically lower crowds and wait times. That can mean shorter lines and more opportunities to experience your must-dos.
Many Deluxe Resorts also offer convenient access to popular restaurants and transportation options, with some even within walking distance of a theme park. That convenience can make a big difference during a busy Disney vacation.
Suites can also be a worthwhile upgrade and are available at different resort levels. The extra space can make it easier to settle in and feel at home during your vacation while also allowing some larger families or groups to stay together. This can be especially valuable if you’re planning rest or resort days. If you know you’ll be spending a significant amount of time at your resort, having additional space and amenities may be worth spending a little more.
Worth the splurge: Larger families, groups that value additional space, guests planning resort or rest days, or anyone who places a high value on location and convenience.
Consider skipping it: Guests planning a shorter trip or those who expect to spend most of their vacation in the parks and very little time at their resort.
So, Is the Splurge Worth It?
There are plenty of extras you can add to a Disney vacation, but the key is knowing which ones actually fit your family’s needs, priorities, and budget. What feels completely worth it to one family may be an easy skip for another—and that’s okay!
These are just a few of the extras that can add a little more magic to your vacation. The goal isn’t to add everything Disney offers. It’s to choose the experiences that will make your trip better.
And if all of those options start to feel overwhelming, that’s where we come in. We’re here not only to help you understand what’s available, but also to get to know how your family travels so we can help you decide which splurges are actually worth the money for you.
If this information interested you in booking a VIP vacation, click the link below to get connected with an advisor like Becca.
