I hear you, Walt Disney World can be extremely expensive just on a basic day. Add in the cost of theme park tickets, meals, new clothing, accessories… you get it. But what are the Disney World extras that are worth it? Here are my top 10 plus one I simply don’t think is worth the money.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It
Full truth here, I’m not trying to sway anyone’s purse or wallet to pay for these extras but, if you want to dish out the extra cash, you won’t be disappointed.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Key to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom
If I had to name only one of the Disney World extras worth paying for, it’s the Keys to the Kingdom tour at Magic Kingdom. During the five hours you’ll spend with a knowledgeable tour guide, you’ll get to check out places that Disney World fans can only dream of – including the famous underground Utilidor tunnels
In additional to plenty of Disney secrets, lunch. is provided and you’ll get to take home a special souvenir in honor of your day.
What to know before you book Keys to the Kingdom- Guests must be 16 years of age or older (no ruining the magic for young guests), have both a valid theme park admission and theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom, and be ready to go 15 minutes before the tour begins.
Cost: $114 per person
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot
Another fun behind-the-seeds tour is Behind the Seeds at Epcot. Taking much less time than Keys to the Kingdom tour, this one-hour peek at The Land Pavilion gives you a close-up look at the greenhouses and fish farm we love to spy in Living with the Land boat ride.
What to know before you book Behind the Seeds – This tour is best for tweens, teens, and and even preschoolers. The entire tour is walking and on your feet, so please keep that in mind if you’re not down for standing.
Cost: $35 per person
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Photopass & Memory Maker
Okay, hear me out. As a Disney World Annual Passholder, I loved the fact that Photopass and Memory Maker was included in the annual cost. Currently, we have to pay an additional fee for those photos and videos, but I still really enjoy the use of it.
If you’re not up to speed, attraction photos and videos, magic shots, as well as posed photos by Photopass photographers, are loaded onto your My Disney Experience account for up to 25 family members that are linked to your account. From there you can edit, download, or even add cute borders to them. If you don’t want to pull your phone out constantly and want to be in your family’s photos instead of behind the lens, you’ll really enjoy it.
There are two tiers to Memory Maker packages: a One Day and Entire Visit. If you really want to splurge, there is a. 20-minute personalized photo session – perfect for engagements, birthdays, and other special occasions.
Cost of Memory Maker: $169 for the length of your visit ($199 f bought day of or post vacation) or $69 for a One Day Magic package.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Fireworks Dessert Party
I’ve had the pleasure of attending a Dessert Party and, let me tell you, if you’re a lover of sweets and cocktails, you’ll really enjoy one. For me, one of the biggest perks is the fact that a viewing location is already set for you, so you don’t have to lay claim to a good spot hours in advance.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Genie+ Sometimes
Genie+ is definitely worth paying for but not for every theme park visit. If you want to ride attractions faster on high crowd level days, want to pay for the pleasure of skipping the line and head straight to the Lightening Lane for a popular ride, or simply don’t want to stand in the standby queue with other guests, yes. But if you head to the park and it’s practically crickets, don’t bother.
Depending on the day and holiday, the price of Genie+ will increase.
Dinner at Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant
A lavish setting, flawless service, and a tasting menu showcasing contemporary American cuisine using the finest ingredients from around the globe. A 500-bottle wine list and innovative zero-proof cocktails round out the offerings.
You might think that the folks at Walt Disney World were proverbially beefing up Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but everything written above is completely true. Along with the many accolades goes the high price of dining but, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s totally worth it. And if you. really want to amp up the luxury factor, opt for the Chef’s Table.
Cost: Prix Fixe menus begin at $295.00 per person. Wine pairings (completely optional) start at $150.00 per guest.
Know Before You Book – Reservations for Victoria & Albert’s can only. be made via telephone (link above) and guests 10 years and older are welcome. Additionally, semi-formal or formal attire is required.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Hard Ticket Party Events
All of the hard ticket (additional charge to your theme park admission) parties are worth it, in my book. First, the crowd levels are much lower than on a regular park day. Second, rides and attraction times are much lower as well. Third, each party offers special edition snacks and treats to buy.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Halloween is my favorite season (yes, season.), so it makes sense that this nighttime party would make the top of the list. Not only is it the one time that adults can actually dress in costume, and not just Disney bounding, but the music, food, and fireworks are fabulous. And if I had to name the best parade at Magic Kingdom, Boo to You! during the Halloween party is it.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Another magic Magic Kingdom hard ticket event, there are stunning fireworks, free treats and drinks at special stations, Once upon a Christmastime at Christmas parade, and it actually snows on Main Street U.S.A. For us, it also means lower temperatures in Central Florida – a huge bonus.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Wild Africa Trek
You’ll have to head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to. experience Wild Africa Trek. A three-hour tour, you’ll see behind-the-scenes sights that you can’t see on Kilimanjaro Safaris including boarding a safari vehicle, crossing a rope bridge, and walking a grassland path. Add in the fact that you get a cool meal filled with African-style cuisine and it’s a few hours I’ll happily enjoy.
If you love wild animals with a Disney kick, this is definitely the tour for you.
What to know before you book Wild Africa Trek – There are some restrictions for booking this tour. First, you’ll need valid theme park admission, be older than 8 years of age and over 45 pounds and under 300 pounds with the harness on. Closed toed shoes are required and you’ll need to be comfortable with heights.
Cost: $199 per person
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – After Hours Parties
During the last few years, Walt Disney World has offered After Hours parties in its theme parks. Lasting for 3 hours each, it’s all about low crowd levels and lower temperatures. With the cost of admission, you’ll get all of the Mickey Premium ice cream bars, popcorn, and select drinks you can handle, so save your appetite!
Also, there are some rides the parks are are even more magical at night.
Cost: Prices range from $139 to $149 per person per party.
Disney World Extras that Are Worth It – Paying for Transportation
Another hear me out moment. I really love that fact that Disney World transportation is free once you get on property. you can take the buses, boats, and monorail all day, every day if you want.
But there are sometimes when the onsite transportation is not, at all, efficient. And sometimes a bus JUST left and I know I’ll have to wait 30 minutes for another one. Enter Minnie Vans. Yes, they’re a premium price but given that or a meltdown, I’ll pay the price.
Here’s the One Thing We Can’t Justify the Price For
Star Wars fans will, undoubtedly want to give me the what-for for this, but I truly. cannot see the price justification for the Star Wars: Galactic Star Cruiser. I know, it’s a two-night, immersive experience from the second you walk through the doors. And, yes, you do get priority passes to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance each day.
But, honestly, it’s just not cost effective in my book. and until the food offerings raise and the price of the experience lowers, the dude cannot abide.