One of the most important steps in getting ready for your Walt Disney World vacation is figuring out your budget. Between flights and transportation, Resort hotels, park tickets, meals, and more, your expenses can really add up. And, unfortunately, it seems like a vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth is getting more expensive by the day.
Whether the increase is on a rack rate for a Resort hotel room, the price of a popular souvenir, or menus around the World, you can expect to shell out considerably more than on your last visit.
Let’s face it: Disney World vacations are slowly getting more expensive. Here’s why.
Ticket Prices
Each year, Disney tends to up their ticket prices. However, we have not seen an official price increase in 2021 — tickets remain at their 2020 rate starting at $109 a day.
Now, we say official price increase because what we have seen are individual dates in 2022 getting more expensive. After all, the current starting rate is $109 — but tickets can exceed that price point by far with date-based pricing.
From what we can tell, the price range itself hasn’t changed. Your cheapest tickets in both 2021 and 2022 are $109, with the most expensive at $159. However, we’re seeing more dates in 2022 falling into that higher range of prices. For example, most of April 2022 is priced at $6-$7 higher per day than it was in 2021.
All this to say, there’s no guarantee you’ll pay more for your tickets in 2022. Some days (although only a few) are actually cheaper than in 2021! But it is something you’ll want to keep in mind when purchasing. It may be worth it to play around with your dates to try to save a little money.
Read More About This Ticket Price Increase!
BOO Bash Tickets
Speaking of tickets…we’ve got a major price increase to talk about in the form of BOO Bash! This After Hours event is the unofficial replacement of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party in 2021 — but BOO Bash costs significantly more.Â
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party was a five-hour event that cost anywhere from $79-$135 for an adult ticket, depending on which day you were attending. By contrast, BOO Bash ticket prices vary from $129-$199 (again, depending on the day you visit). On Halloween night — the priciest day for both events — BOO Bash costs $64 MORE than Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party did.
Of course, we’ve got to look at this in perspective. BOO Bash is being marketed as an After Hours event, and the $129-$199 range is comparable for an After Hours event. But at the end of the day, you’re still paying way more for a Halloween party than you did in 2019.Â
This calls into question future ticketed events. Are we going to see higher prices there, too? Only time will tell — but it’s certainly not out of the question.Â
Learn More About How BOO Bash Ticket Prices Compare to Older Events!
Smaller Price Increases
While ticket prices have been a more obvious shift in Disney World lately, we’re also seeing some smaller increases. For example, in April, Disney upped the cost of their lightsaber experience in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from $199 to $219.99 per person!
Similarly, MagicBands recently underwent a $5 price increase across the board. And at EPCOT’s Chefs de France, almost the entire menu was hiked up in cost.
Of course, there are also annual price increases to food, the Disney Dining Plan (when available), special tours and events, and tickets (although, as we mentioned, we have yet to see that official ticket increase this year).Â
These are the subtle changes you may not notice right off the bat — but they could really affect how much you’re actually spending on your vacation.Â
Read More About That Lightsaber Price Increase!
Ways to Save
So it sure seems like Disney World is getting more expensive — even if it’s just a little bit at a time. But how can you save on your stay? Our biggest piece of advice is to keep an eye out for deals and discounts. Disney runs promotions pretty frequently, and you could rack up some huge savings!
For example, guests can currently save up to 25% on their hotel rooms from July 11th-September 29th, 2021. There are also frequent ticket deals for Florida residents, Annual Passholders, military personnel, and more.
Keep an eye on the Disney World website for these savings. And of course, we’ll keep you posted here at AllEars, too!Â
Learn More About the Current Hotel Discount!
Check Out Some Disney World Budgeting Tips!
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What do you think about these price increases? Let us know in the comments!
It is particularly galling to be going at the end of July and reading of all of the opportunities that will not be available until October 1st. It seems like we should be getting some type of a price break as we are apparently just the fill-in party waiting for the desired crowd arriving in October!
I feel so used! LOL
Disney can charge what it wishes. If that means that poorer folk are left behind and only those of privilege are left, so be it. Allears suggests ways to save nickels and dimes but it’s the dollars that talk. Just as we all can’t afford an imported luxury car, not all can afford a luxury vacation. Get over it.
If you know anything about Walt Disney, you would know that he wished to build a place that parents could take their families to and enjoy the day away from the realities of real life. He didn’t say anything about this dream being only for those of privilege and I firmly believe he did not intend it to be that way. I’m a reasonably wealthy right leaning person who could be considered in this “privileged” group you speak of, but I still find your outlook on Disney’s pricing the middle class out of attendance disgusting and uncalled for.
It’s a shame that you feel that way.I think it’s great that All Ears tries to help people afford their dream vacation. Slowly those nickels & dimes add to dollars.
I save for years to go to Disney, I have not taken a vacation in 5 years so I could save up. The entire point of the parks was originally so families could have fun together.
I know alot of people that choose not to go because of the cost& I understand. I had a huge life event some years ago that cut our income dramatically , we were vacationing every year before then, be careful thinking you are better than other people because of your income, life has a way of reminding you that we are all same & income means nothing in the end.
Disney lost a lot of money from the pandemic. Despite what Disney would have you believe, that money will get recovered sooner or later. The question is will guests just ante up and still go to Disney or will the higher prices and loss of convenience lead to a loss of guests? I doubt it. The candy bar gets more expensive and people buy it even though the size of the candy bar is smaller. But, what I think will happen at Disney is the frequency and length of visits will decline. Instead of every year, it will be every other. Or instead of 7 nights, it will be 5. When guests head home and feel it’s just not as magical as it used to be, that is not good for business.
Vacationing to WDW from the UK costs approximately $12000 for a moderate resort for 14 nights for 4 adults including flights and park tickets.
Because the cost limits the number of trips we can have small increases are not noticeable.
I guess if you visit more often you feel it more.
However while its affordable there is nowhere that gives value for money than WDW.
I couldn’t agree with this article more! I planned a trip to Disney for August of 2020. Unfortunately, due to Covid we had to postpone to August of 2021. I’ve noticed price changes even in the Memory Maker! Last year it was unlimited photos for entire trip for $75. This year the same package is listed for $199. It’s a lot. And it’s super frustrating!!