Even for those who’re richer than Scrooge McDuck, it’s by no means a good suggestion to waste cash at Walt Disney World. There are splurges at nearly any finances, and it’s higher to allocate funds in direction of these than at issues that merely are usually not price the fee regardless of your internet price. This lists the experiences at Walt Disney World we view as among the largest offenders relating to being rip offs.
In fact, not all Walt Disney World budgets are equal. For a few of you, reducing prices and disciplined spending often is the solely means you may afford a visit to Walt Disney World. Recommendation right here about breakfasts and ODVs, for instance, may be extremely helpful for you. It may very well be actually reassuring that the resort tier and room class you’re reserving are completely advantageous, and you could ignore the snobs.
For others, examples like this may be a drop within the ocean and never materially influence your finances whereas including inconvenience—a tradeoff that merely isn’t price it for you. As a substitute, you would possibly need to keep away from the massive ticket upcharges and add-ons. Even this is probably not strictly essential, however might fund a barely longer journey, a second Disney journey, or just not waste cash unnecessarily. (Hopefully nobody desires to do this!)
We now have been in each positions. Properly, form of. I wouldn’t say we’re precisely diving into swimming pools of gold cash a la Scrooge, however we’re in a position to splurge on journeys now. However I nonetheless vividly keep in mind the times or ordering an additional bun so we might break up a double cheeseburger at Cosmic Ray’s and loading up on toppings.
Lately, we nonetheless pay cautious consideration to our spending and make each effort to get essentially the most bang for our buck. In spite of everything, these wasted {dollars} may very well be the makings of one other journey! We additionally stay frugal (maybe to a fault) and refuse to waste cash, regardless of how a lot or little. For instance, we’ve by no means purchased a bottle of water at Walt Disney World—it’s a matter of precept, as we will at all times get free cups or carry our personal reusable bottles with filters.
There’s an enormous distinction between cheapness and frugality. We’re keen to pay additional for high quality and luxurious, particularly when the worth given matches the value paid. However when it doesn’t, we received’t—and that goes for small bills along with large as a result of, as soon as once more, all of it provides up. I’m continually reminded by different followers that “Disney is a enterprise” and never a charity, so I deal with them as such and don’t give them {dollars} they haven’t earned.
Anyway, thanks for coming to my TED discuss. Right here’s a partial listing of issues we expect are wastes of cash for many visitors at Walt Disney World. As at all times, nothing is absolute and also you may need a singular use case or completely legitimate cause for extremely valuing any of the next. Don’t take any of this too critically or get offended that we expect your favourite add-on is a waste…
Fireworks Dessert Events…at Events
I’m not a fan of fireworks dessert events, interval. However the target market for this listing isn’t me (there wouldn’t be a degree of me writing one thing to myself) and I’m cognizant of the truth that most trip planners have totally different priorities, preferences, and crowd tolerances. I nonetheless assume the common dessert events price means an excessive amount of for what they provide, however to not the purpose that they’re deserving a spot on this listing.
The “upchargeception” fireworks dessert events throughout Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together do belong on this listing, and close to the highest as the most important offenders. We aren’t followers of the dessert events in the course of the onerous ticket MNSSHP and MVMCP for a number of causes. First, they’re more cash on prime of an already costly occasion. Second, they eat up precious Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together time; you’ll have already got a tough time doing all the things, and attending a dessert social gathering solely makes that harder.
Third and most significantly, they merely are usually not essential. Predominant Avenue isn’t crowded in the course of the MNSSHP and MVMCP fireworks. It’s nothing like a traditional night time watching Fortunately Ever After, particularly when you get south of Casey’s Nook. For the previous couple of years, I’ve proven up 5-10 minutes for the fireworks and grabbed a spot on this space with out difficulty. Very often, I’ve nobody round me–I might do a snow angel (minus the snow) on the bottom.
Lastly and equally vital, the reserved viewing areas are suboptimal spots for viewing the fireworks. This isn’t merely a matter of me being a “cheapskate” or no matter. For those who gave me the choice of viewing the Halloween or Christmas fireworks from Tomorrowland Terrace or the Plaza Backyard without spending a dime, I’d decline (politely!). This isn’t even a hypothetical—I’ve attended occasions with included reserved viewing within the Plaza Gardens and as a substitute opted to fend for myself on Predominant Avenue!
The Plaza Gardens are merely not nice areas, and the decrease crowds throughout these occasions makes fireworks viewing simpler than a traditional night time in Magic Kingdom. To every their very own, however there’s actually nothing about these dessert events that attraction to me, and I feel they’re Exhibit A in issues that promote properly completely as a result of FOMO.
Ponchos
That is low-hanging fruit. For many who aren’t conscious, it typically rains in Florida. And by typically, I imply that it will rain at Walt Disney World throughout your journey for those who’re visiting in the course of the summer time, which lasts roughly 41 weeks of the 12 months. (I don’t make the principles; Florida seasons work otherwise–which is why Halloween season begins in August.) If it doesn’t rain throughout your journey, I’d suggest shopping for a lottery ticket.
Okay, now that you recognize that (you most likely already knew that), it stands to cause you have to be ready for rain except you’re a daily lottery winner. That is true it doesn’t matter what the forecast is forward of your journey as a result of forecasts change and rain can materialize out of skinny air (or not-so-thin air). And, as you may most likely think about, coping with moist climate goes to price you much more last-minute than for those who plan prematurely.
There are two good choices for planning forward, the primary is through reusable ponchos. When you’ll spend lots much less on disposable ponchos, we favor the reusable ones–and never simply because they’re “inexperienced.” They’re additionally extra sturdy and have higher options (buttons, size, and so on). With that mentioned, we simply favor this windproof umbrella. We’ve bought it a number of instances (as a result of I preserve leaving it locations on accident), which needs to be about as ringing of an endorsement as doable.
Most popular Rooms
We now have by no means paid additional for a most popular room…and neither do you have to! This may be a daring assertion, however for those who’re studying this, you’re a higher-knowledge Walt Disney World visitor, and you may leverage room requests to get quasi-preferred rooms with out the premium pricing.
Nice examples of this exist in our room suggestions for Caribbean Seaside and for Coronado Springs Resort. These are two of essentially the most sprawling resorts at Walt Disney World, arguably the best locations for paying additional for higher location. However the truth of the matter is that you are able to do simply as properly–arguably even higher, with strategic requests of normal rooms. Related sentiment applies at each resort with inside bus loops and the popular class.
I’d truly take this a step additional and say that more often than not, paying additional for a room with a view is a waste of cash more often than not. The largest exceptions for us are BoardWalk View and Savanna View–however actually, we’re normally paying for these in DVC factors, that are nearer to Monopoly cash than actual {dollars} (probably not). I’d have a really tough time forking over cash-money to pay for theme park views, particularly for the 41 weeks of summer time when being out on a balcony isn’t preferrred.
Deluxe Resorts
Earlier than you seize your pitchforks, we need to be very clear: Deluxe Resorts are usually not a categorical waste of cash at Walt Disney World. That means that we’re not suggesting anybody who splurges on good lodging is silly with cash. That may make us routine suckers and hypocrites.
That is essentially the most circumstantial entry on this ‘waste of cash’ listing, nevertheless it’s included as a result of there’s no sooner strategy to balloon your trip prices uncontrolled than by upgrading to a Deluxe Resort. On prime of that, when speaking to first-timers, we’ve incessantly discovered that many really feel FOMO or strain to pay for the “better of the very best” or else threat having a subpar expertise and by some means ruining what needs to be a formative, rite-of-passage expertise for his or her youngsters.
It’s actually a bit unhappy. Walt Disney World followers, journey brokers, and web sites like this one don’t do them any favors. So many Disney diehards are resort snobs, which is bizarre to me, as a result of it’s not like these accommodations–even the Deluxes–are the 4 Seasons or something.
This can be a large cause why we’ve been attempting to destigmatize the Worth Resorts, first by inserting one in every of them #1 on our Checklist Rating ALL Resort Inns at Walt Disney World from Worst to Greatest after which by naming one other as My Favourite WDW Resort for Low cost Weekend Journeys. (I mentioned web site like this one…not this one specifically!)
That latter publish hits the nail on the pinnacle for when a costlier lodge most likely is a waste of cash: journeys to Walt Disney World the place the parks are the first focus. If the lodge is primarily a spot to sleep, bathe and shave, why spend additional on the room? For those who’re solely within the room to crash after an extended day, and are up early and out the door as quickly as doable the following morning, you’ll solely have a couple of waking hours per day (at most) on the resort. Is that basically price an additional few hundred {dollars} per night time?
The flip aspect to this, and why it’s circumstantial, is that many visitors will take full benefit of their resort and the added price will probably be price it consequently. Greater than the rest, take into account this one as ‘meals for thought’ and never definitive recommendation you will need to observe. Conversely, don’t reflexively ebook the ‘better of the very best’ resort for no actual cause apart from since you concern that the Values or Moderates aren’t ok. They completely are, even for those who would possibly favor one thing nicer–and have the ability to justify it.
Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Animal Kingdom
It’s no secret that this weblog isn’t in favor of shopping for Lightning Lane Multi Move at Animal Kingdom. It’s true that it’s doable to attain Lightning Lanes for Na’vi River Journey, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, and extra–and save hours in line consequently. On busier days, even the stage present Lightning Lanes can have worth.
Nonetheless, it’s additionally true that this solely applies to those that have deserted all different technique and roll as much as Animal Kingdom after 9 am and depart earlier than 4 pm on reasonably busy or worse days. For those who’re studying this web site–a weblog that revolves round planning and savvy technique–we hope you aren’t embracing the worst doable approaches, or anti-strategies.
For those who’re arriving for Early Entry or within the mid-afternoon, Lightning Lane Multi-Move is a waste of cash on 340+ days of the 12 months at Animal Kingdom. You’ll be able to knock out most of the park through standby traces. See Animal Kingdom Park Opening & Early Entry Experience Technique and Animal Kingdom Afternoon Arrival Technique for a runthrough of these approaches.
Outside Merchandising Carts
I promise you, a bottle of Coca-Cola at Walt Disney World tastes precisely the identical as one at dwelling. One premise of this publish is that you must keep away from spending cash on issues at Walt Disney World which can be nothing particular–that you might get wherever on the planet. The pre-packaged items, out there at grocery shops nationwide, bought at these kiosks match the invoice.
Each time I see somebody stroll away from one in every of these stands with bottles of water or soda, I can’t assist however do the mental-math on how a lot cash these pointless impulse buys are losing individuals. I’m not attempting to be condescending with this. It’s fairly the alternative! I nonetheless vividly keep in mind after I was of their footwear, making the very same strikes. (Actually, many of the objects on this listing are ‘study from my mistake’ cautionary tales–I’m a reformed money-waster myself!)
In trying over receipts from a visit a number of years in the past, I used to be so shocked at how a lot I had wasted on soda that I swore it off at Walt Disney World from then on. Since then, I haven’t bought Coke within the parks a single time. For those who want the caffeine, get your fill of espresso within the morning out of your lodge room or get your repair at a restaurant providing free refills.
Snacks at the moment are equally overpriced, having elevated in value greater than the rest in the previous couple of years. Don’t get us unsuitable–we love Dole Whips and different tasty treats, however pretzels, popcorn, and even churros simply aren’t well worth the hefty costs today. Nostalgia would possibly say in any other case, however making an unusual snack into the form of Mickey Mouse doesn’t enhance its style.
You don’t must swear off snacks completely, however we’d suggest reducing out those that aren’t distinctive to Walt Disney World. For those who’re hungry between meals, Cellular Order an entree from a counter service restaurant and share that. For those who’re thirsty, water is free. I additionally don’t like the way in which ODVs litter up the parks, however that looks like I’m coming into “outdated man yelling at cloud” territory.
Counter Service Breakfasts
Each now and again, one in every of my mates on social media shares aspect by aspect photographs of their precise breakfast at dwelling with what they want they have been consuming at Walt Disney World. And, I child you not, I’d moderately have their ‘at dwelling’ breakfast each single time. It’s nothing particular, nevertheless it’s additionally not powdered eggs, skinny rubbery bacon, and rock-hard Mickey waffles. Suffice to say, nostalgia is a helluva drug.
If it weren’t for “needing” to evaluation eating places for the sake of weblog analysis, I’d most likely by no means eat one other counter service breakfast at Walt Disney World. With only a few exceptions, they’re nothing particular. That is exactly why we suggest grocery supply to resorts at Walt Disney World.
We at all times get groceries, because it kills a number of birds with one stone. It’s cheaper than consuming within the parks or your lodge meals court docket, it’s sooner and extra environment friendly, and provides a well-rounded meal with fruits, greens, and different wholesome choices you may not get at Walt Disney World eating places. There’s no alternative price–it’s all upside. Saving time, cash, and letting you are feeling much less responsible about “going onerous” on the meals which can be truly good. We’d extremely suggest it, even when it have been by some means costlier than consuming counter service breakfasts (nevertheless it undoubtedly isn’t).
MagicBands
That is certain to be controversial or unpopular, however I’m simply going to come back out and say it: I’ve purchased my final MagicBand at Walt Disney World. This breaks my coronary heart just a bit bit and looks like the tip of an period, as we’ve used MagicBands because the unique pilot program over a decade in the past. I used to be actually excited for MagicBand+ and hoped it will reinvigorate the Walt Disney World wearables.
As a substitute, it did the alternative. MagicBand+ simply isn’t an excellent machine, and it was the demise knell for the OG MagicBands. Consequently, Walt Disney World visitors now solely have the selection of the costlier choices that do nothing particular. Whereas there’ll most likely be one other superior Figment or Nation Bears design that I find yourself loving, there’s simply no means on earth I’m paying $55 for no matter that’s. No design, regardless of how cool, is price it for a bit of plastic you place in your wrist.
It additionally helps that MagicMobile now works very well, and integrates seamlessly with the Apple units I already personal and carry every day. The one actual lack of not utilizing a MagicBand is that the cell room key characteristic within the My Disney Expertise app is hit and miss, however the easy resolution for that’s choosing up a free room key from the entrance desk. So MagicBands don’t actually provide the comfort they used to, and as a memento, they price far more than different options.
Disney Eating Plan
Since I’ve most likely already alienated half of you with my sizzling takes on MagicBands, right here’s one other one certain to harass the remainder of you: skip the Disney Eating Plan–it’s a waste of cash.
This truly isn’t as controversial because it was once as a result of rampant value will increase. In fact, the Disney Eating Plan isn’t inherently good or dangerous, however has the potential to be both relying upon your particular circumstances and the way you employ it. Nonetheless, increasingly more usually, it’s dangerous. (See When You Ought to Purchase & When You Ought to Skip the Disney Eating Plan!)
The very fact of the matter is that the Disney Eating Plan won’t be the most affordable means for anybody to eat at Walt Disney World. If paying backside greenback is your backside line, look elsewhere. The Disney Eating Plan is a splurge that can prevent cash for those who dine a sure means, however that ‘sure means’ includes consuming at costlier eating places and ordering pricier choices. Often, it means consuming an excessive amount of.
I’d hazard a guess that over 95% of visitors who purchase the Disney Eating Plan are dropping cash at this level. The quantity most likely isn’t that a lot decrease for Free Eating, maintaining in thoughts the chance price of reserving it. The “winners” are disproportionately readers of blogs like this one who put obsessive quantities of planning into hacking it. If that’s not you, steer clear.
Mears Join
This can be a robust one as a result of Mears Join is an efficient choice for lots of people, and I’m not attempting to recommend in any other case. The issue, as I see it, is that many households view Mears Join because the default because it’s the religious successor to Disney’s Magical Categorical. In order that they’re simply utilizing that with out contemplating the options.
Frankly, even again earlier than the “free” Disney’s Magical Categorical went extinct, there was a worthwhile debate available whether or not the $0 price was well worth the time it wasted. Many followers have been forgiving since, once more, it was free–or, at the very least, constructed into the price of resort stays. They may abdomen ~90 wasted minutes if it meant Mickey getting them to their lodge, caring for baggage, and a stress-free begin to the journey.
Now the circumstances are very totally different. Mears Join has a financial price and it takes, on common, much more time since there’s normally much less demand for the shared shuttle service. For a lot of households, Uber or Lyft will probably be inexpensive–it depends upon social gathering dimension. Similar goes for renting a automotive and even utilizing a non-public switch.
Even for others who’re extra borderline, the time saved through one of many options could make them higher on steadiness than Mears Join. For different households, like ours, the mix of social gathering dimension and/or not having to problem with a automotive seat or drive a rental automotive nonetheless retains the scales tilted in Mears Join’s favor.
In our expertise, Mears has additionally added 1-2 additional stops within the final 12 months as a result of there’s much less demand. This additionally usually means buses not departing as incessantly. It looks like the beginning of a vicious cycle, the place fewer persons are utilizing Mears Join as a result of it’s much less handy, which can in flip make it much more inefficient and result in extra individuals abandoning the shuttle service.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things it is advisable know!
Your Ideas
What do you assume are the worst wastes of cash at Walt Disney World? Issues that solely exist or promote properly as a result of FOMO, or have ample low-cost or free options? Something on this listing that you just assume we’ve bought unsuitable–issues that really are well worth the cash? How do you chop the fats out of your journey finances? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!