3 Disney Theme Park Splurges
Disney theme parks cost a lot, but some extras are totally worth it. These three upgrades, found at both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida, may seem expensive, but they can be worth the money in the long run.
1. Genie+
Waiting in line at Disney can be boring, but there’s a way to skip most of it. Genie+ is a service you pay for that lets you jump ahead in line for some rides. With Genie+, I get to spend less time waiting and more time enjoying other attractions, like the Enchanted Tiki Room, which usually has shorter lines.
At Disneyland and Disney World, Genie+ prices change based on the day, the park, and how many people are there. Generally, at Disneyland, it starts at $30 per person per day, and at Disney World, it’s between $15 and $20 per person per day. On busy days, a family of four might spend over $100 for line-skipping privileges. But it can be worth it, especially if you’re on a special trip. Waiting in lines takes time, and with Genie+, you can save time and make the most of your visit.
More people are visiting Disneyland compared to last year, according to The Walt Disney Co.’s earnings report for December 2023. This makes skipping lines to access rides more important as crowds get bigger.
More people are likely to visit Disney parks in the future because Disney keeps adding new rides and updating themes. For example, a new ride called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in 2024 at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park in California.
2. A stay at a Disney-owned resort
Disney-owned hotels offer advantages that nearby off-property hotels don’t have. One big benefit is that they’re usually much closer to the theme parks. Take Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Pixar Place Hotel, for instance; they have their very own entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney is one of the few resort chains that don’t add extra fees for staying at their resorts.
One big reason to stay at a Disney hotel? You get to go into the theme parks 30 minutes before other people if you have a ticket for that day.
In Florida, you can enter any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks early every day. In California, you can enter either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure early, depending on the day.
Getting to the park when it opens is super important if you want to ride the most popular attractions before the lines get crazy long. And if you can get in 30 minutes before the official opening time, even better! That gives you a big advantage.
Disney resorts usually cost more than hotels outside the Disney property, but sometimes you can get good deals. For example, according to Touring Plans, you can find rates starting at $133 per night for Disney’s All-Star resorts. However, during busy times, prices can go up to over $300 per night.
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3. A character meal
My family and I got a picture with Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto while having breakfast at Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It costs $52 per person, but you can meet the characters even if you don’t have a theme park ticket, and you don’t have to wait in line.
If you want to meet Disney characters but don’t want to wait in line, there’s a trick to meet them without waiting.
Character Dining restaurants cost at least $50, but you get food with that. You don’t have to wait in line because costumed characters visit every table while you eat.
Without waiting in line, the experience becomes much more laid-back. People can hang out longer with each character instead of rushing through because of a long wait to see Mickey Mouse.
In California, there are four places where you can eat with characters, and in Florida, there are about twelve. The prices for meals can be different, but some of the favorites can cost over $100 for each person. Remember, if the restaurant is inside a theme park, you’ll also need a ticket to get in.
Sure! Dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom Park costs $84 per adult before adding tax, tip, and any extra drinks. But if you choose the princess dining option, you get to meet several royal ladies all at once.
You can meet Cinderella and another princess at Princess Fairytale Hall, just with your park ticket. But be ready to wait, it can be 30 to 90 minutes.
At Cinderella Castle, you not only get to eat, but you also get to meet four princesses! And what’s even cooler is that you get to do all of this inside the famous Disney castle.
You can have a fun breakfast with Minnie Mouse and her friends at Cape May Cafe in Disney’s Beach Club Resort near Epcot. They wear beach clothes and it’s not too pricey.
You can hang out with Disney characters and eat as much as you want for $47 per grown-up (not including tax and tip). They serve yummy stuff like salted caramel “beach buns,” Mickey-shaped waffles, omelets, biscuits, gravy, and more. Plus, you don’t need a theme park ticket because it’s at a Disney World hotel.
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