As part of our New Year’s resolution, we’re breaking some bad spending habits in 2026!
A Disney World vacation is already expensive enough without all the bells and whistles. Those add-ons can burn a hole in your wallet pretty quickly, and there are 9 in particular that might be best to avoid altogether in 2026.
When it comes to saving at Disney World, there are a few things that most guests can cut out — starting with certain Lightning Lanes.
Rise of the Resistance — Single Rider Option Available
Buying things like Lightning Lane Single Pass for Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios is kind of a waste if you’re game to do Single Rider. This line moves a lot faster than the standby, but keep in mind that it will split your party up. If you don’t care, then buying a Lightning Lane is kind of a waste of money for this particular attraction.
Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Multi Pass
A lot of our AllEars team agrees that buying a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Animal Kingdom is also wasteful in 2026. The theme park is building a new Tropical Americas-themed land that has required the shutdown of several rides, including DINOSAUR.
Animal Kingdom already had fewer ride offerings than the other Disney parks, but it will be even more limited in 2026, creating a lower Lightning Lane demand this year.
Disney World Churros
If you skip out on Disney World churros, no one would blame you. If you’re used to the crispy, perfectly textured churros over at Disneyland, Disney World’s treat can be a bit shocking.
Disney World churros have a reputation for being crusty and stale, thanks to the humid climate. If you’re still craving one, we recommend heading over to the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom, as those churros deliver a much higher quality and even come with Vanilla Crema and Seasonal Sauce.
Deluxe Resort Stays
If saving as much as you can is the name of the game, consider avoiding Deluxe Resort stays. These expensive hotels are great — but if you’re only using your hotel room to sleep after countless hours exploring the rest of the Disney World Resort, then you don’t necessarily need all the extras that come with the hefty price tag of a Deluxe Resort.
Disney Dining Plan
For a lot of people, the Disney Dining Plan makes monetary sense. This credit-based prepaid dining plan allocates credits that you can use on certain meals. However, if you think you’ll wind up buying non-approved items or overspending regardless, it may not be for you.
If you already have discounts for dining, that’s something to take into consideration as well. The main thing is to do your homework before your visit and see what’s available to you with the plan. If you ultimately don’t think you’re saving any money, is it really worth buying?
Park Hopping
Similarly, Park Hopping is a feature that we’re not particularly enthusiastic about. This ticket add-on allows you to go from park to park in a single day, and it’s amazing if you want to cram in as much as possible.
With that said, Disney World is VERY spread out, and it takes quite a bit of time to get between parks. If you’re trying to maximize time, spending a bunch of your day in Disney’s transportation instead of enjoying rides and tasty Disney snacks can easily seem like a waste.
Water Bottles
Now let’s talk substitutions. Hydration should be at the top of your priorities list when visiting Disney World, but buying water bottles is a pain. That’s why you should bring your own!
We’re big fans of Owala Water Bottles, and you can pick up one of your own right now on Amazon! Coming in several different colors and sizes, these bottles feature a FreeSip spout, built-in straw, and double-wall insulation — keeping your water nice and cold. Gone are the days of buying water. Just fill up a station FOR FREE with your Owala water bottle and save tons of cash in the long run.
FuelRods
We’re also done spending on the old FuelRods, opting for the NEW FuelRod Max10!
These new FuelRods keep the swapability aspect that made the regular FuelRods so popular (Disney World and Disneyland have kiosks through the resorts that let you dump your empty charger and replace it with a full one without any additional cost), but come with more power, wireless charging capabilities, and the necessary cords to make sure everything functions properly. Save money and buy yours on Amazon instead of on-site at Disney World!
Cooling Towels
Finally, Disney World offers all the essentials you’ll need, but you’re better off buying them BEFORE you go on vacation.
Essentials like this Sukeen 4-Pack of Cooling Towels are more cost-effective online at Amazon versus buying something similar in the parks. As a general note, any sort of vacation spot will usually offer upcharged essentials, so it never hurts to plan ahead and buy your essentials before you arrive on-site.
What are you refusing to waste money on at Disney World this year? Let us know and continue to follow us here at AllEars for more Disney World tips!
I usually keep a few disposable plastic ponchos in a cargo pocket. I like to hand them out to panicked solo guests, or to someone who is having a bad day and needs to know that the world isn’t 100% against them.