Disney Experiences We Wish Were Cheaper
There are only a few guarantees in life: taxes, death, and being overcharged for Disney experiences. Think this is extreme? We did a little digging and have found some exorbitant fees for things that, frankly, shouldn’t be that high. Let’s break some of them down, shall we?
Disney World Private Tours
What could be better than getting a behind the scenes tour of the most magical place on earth? Not a lot, but tack on the price of $12,000, well we think we can skip it. The tour is a 12-hour sensory smorgasbord for 6 people and includes backstage access, private transportation, front-of-the-line priority, a tour of Cinderella’s Caste Suite, and complimentary food and beverages.
What is perhaps the most surprising element of this is that Disney asks you to still pay for your park ticket. Supposedly, $166+ per hour (broken down per person) is not enough to cover the park fee.
Our Advice: Maybe skip this unless you know someone who knows someone.
Having a Disney Wedding
Nuptials in from of the Tree of Life, surrounded by friends and family sounds like the most blissful day. It’s not, however, going to be kind on your bank account. Some resorts have an event minimums between $5,000 and $15,000. That’s about the cheapest you’re going to get.
If you want to get married at the Magic Kingdom Train Station or in the Magic Kingdom East Plaza, plan on spending $20,000 to $50,000! Yikes! Ceremony venue fees alone are around $4,000.
Our Advice: Unless you have the the means, maybe have a more modest wedding and then do it up with a Disney World honeymoon.
Dining at Exclusive Disney Restaurants
There are so many wonderful places to eat in Disney World, but you’re not always going to get away with a quick service restaurant price.
Victoria & Alberts Chef’s Table is a must-try for many Walt Disney World visitors. However, for $250 per person plus an additional $150 for wine pairings, guests are treated to a three-hour, multi-course experience.
Our Advice: Maybe instead of dropping all that money on Victoria & Alberts, considering reserving a a table for a firework show or Harmonious. Dinner and a show? Can’t beat that.
Joining Club 33
Club 33 is a private dining membership located within various Disney Parks. First introduced in Disneyland in 1967, Club 33 was modeled after numerous executive VIP lounges created by pavilion sponsors in the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
This all sounds so glamorous, and it is. But… you are looking at spending $50,000+ just to gain access to this highly exclusive club. It would be wonderful to be part of this incredible club and really get the inside track at Disneyland, but the cost is so high.
Our Advice: If you have the means to join this, godspeed. There aren’t a lot of club options that are remotely like Club 33. So if you have a guest pass, you know where to find us.
A Trip on the Halcyon – The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
All aboard the Halcyon, that is, if you have $5,000 to spend on a two night adventure for two people. We were so excited for the Galactic Starcruiser when the news broke. In fact, we were ready to hop onto the maiden voyage. Then, like everyone else, we were confronted with the price.
This is one of those experiences that is immersive, fun, and once-in-a-lifetime. But it’s out of reach for the average family. Even if you can afford it, it’s still a very big decision and commitment.
Our Advice: If you can do it, you should go for it. If money is tight, it might be smart to split a room with 3 other people as to greatly bring down the cost.
There are so many amazing things you can do in Disney World and a lot of this can be done without spending a ton of money.
What do you think of our list? Do you have any Disney experiences you would love to do but aren’t willing to spend the money on?
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