Disney World is an expensive vacation—there’s no way around that. While there are plenty of ways to save money, there are certain things my family of eight never skips because they enhance our trip and are truly worth the splurge. Here are the Disney World splurges that we happily budget for every time.

Disney World Splurges: Lightning Lane Multi-Pass & Single Pass

For us, time is money at Disney World. We already move slower as a family of 8, so spending hours in long lines isn’t our idea of a magical day. That’s why we always budget for Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Single Pass options.

• The Multi-Pass lets us book multiple Lightning Lane rides in advance, cutting our wait times significantly.
• The Single Pass is perfect for high-demand rides like TRON Lightcycle / Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance that aren’t included in the Multi-Pass.

We use the time we save in line to do other things, like watch live entertainment, meet characters, or sit down for a meal.

If avoiding long lines and getting the most out of our park days is the goal, this Disney World splurge is worth every penny.

Memory Maker

As a photographer, I once thought I’d skip this. After all, I have my camera and my phone, right? But Memory Maker turned out to be one of my favorite purchases. (Check out my full thoughts here: Is PhotoPass Worth It?)

• It means I’m actually in the photos instead of just taking them.
• I don’t have to stress about capturing the perfect shots—Disney’s PhotoPass photographers do the work.
• PhotoPass photographers can do special “Magic Shots”, available only when they take the photos.
• The quality is great, and I end up with photos I’ll actually print and hang (let’s be honest, how many phone photos make it to the wall?). Is every photo amazing? Honestly….no. But neither are the ones with my phone. I’ve gotten some of my favorite photos from our trip with Memory Maker.
• Tip: Save money by purchasing Memory Maker before your trip to get a discount.

Disney World Splurges: Number of Park Days

When planning a Disney World trip, we never try to cut costs by reducing the number of park days. Since we’re already paying to fly across the country, stay at a resort, and buy tickets, we want to make the most of it.

For us, that means visiting all four Disney World parks every trip. Skipping a park to save money just isn’t worth it—we want the full experience!

Possible Next Splurge: Staying On-Property

We’ve stayed off property before to save money, and it was a great trip. If it’s the difference between going to Disney or not going at all, we’d absolutely do it again. But when we can, staying in the Disney bubble is a splurge we think is worth it.

Why?

• No need to rent a car or deal with driving and parking.
• Early entry benefits that help us get on rides before the crowds.
• Easier Lightning Lane bookings, which means better ride selections.
• Immersive Disney magic from start to finish.

Plus, by using Disney Vacation Club rentals, we’ve found ways to stay on Disney World property for much less, making this feel less like a splurge and more like a smart investment.

Tip: Unsure about what renting DVC points means? I share all about Disney Vacation Club Rentals and how to save money.

Final Thoughts: Are Disney World Splurges Worth It?

Every family has different priorities, but for us, these Disney World splurges add so much value to our trip that we happily budget for them. They help us save time, reduce stress, and create better memories, which is what a Disney vacation is all about.

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