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How To Save And Splurge At Disney World

2,052 views · Published 14 December 2018 · 1:21 · Indexed 27 September 2026

Channel: CNBC Make It · 2018 · Entertainment

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If you're heading to Disney World, here's how to get more bang for your buck or go all out.

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It’s no surprise that Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited theme park in the world. In 2017, nearly 20.5 million people visited the Magic Kingdom. If you add in the three other parks (Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, all four of which get a combined annual attendance of 56 million people), not to mention the waterparks, hotels and entertainment areas like Disney Springs, the numbers are staggering.

And it’s about to get busier: The holidays are Disney’s peak season, especially on Christmas Day, when the Magic Kingdom has been known to close after hitting capacity. But no matter when you go, there’s a right way to do Disney, whether you want to save money or plan the most memorable splurge ever.

Hotels: Save
Disney has more than 25 hotels, and staying at one of them gives you perks like early FastPass+ access, allowing you to book the most popular rides before anyone else. The hotels are broken down by price: A stand-out in the value category is Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, which has a pool shaped like a baseball diamond and rates that dip as low as $99 a night, depending on the time of the year. Another money-saving hack: You can buy points from Disney Vacation Club members, which help you save on rooms at member properties. For an affordable find beyond Disney, check out the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, with rates as low as $71 a night, free dining for kids under 12, and a free shuttle to the parks, which are just a mile away.

Hotels: Splurge
Want to feel like you’re staying at a national park? Disney’s Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge feels like an authentic lodge straight out of Yellowstone National Park, even though you’re just a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom. Rates for studios start at $438 per night.

Restaurants: Save
It’s not easy to eat on a budget inside a theme park. But there are ways to spend less. Go to one of the newer, less-known spots, like Satu’li Canteen in Pandora, the World of Avatar, which has healthy bowls starting at $12.49, or the Asian-inspired Yak & Yeti, near Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom, with dishes like wonton soup from $6.99. (You can order and pay for your restaurant food in advance on the My Disney Experience mobile app if you want to skip the lines.) Also, Disney Springs, a dining and entertainment area five miles from the Magic Kingdom (there’s a complimentary bus from the parks), has affordable finds like the new Chicken Guy, a quick-service spot from chef Guy Fieri, with fried chicken and more than 22 different sauces (adult sandwiches start at $5.99).

Restaurants: Splurge
You won’t want to miss Be Our Guest, the Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant set right in the Magic Kingdom that provides a fantasy scene right out of the movie (and books up far in advance), with prices starting at $60 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $36 for children (ages 3 to 9).

Fireworks: Save
Disney World’s legendary fireworks display over Cinderella’s Castle takes place most nights (times vary).

But don’t make the rookie mistake of trying to find a spot to watch from the Magic Kingdom just minutes before the show starts. For great views with fewer crowds, jump on the park’s monorail or take a complimentary boat (which sail across Seven Seas Lagoon) and head to the Polynesian Village Resort. It’s a few minutes’ walk from the Transportation and Ticket Center, and on the beach next to the overwater bungalows, and you’ll get unrivaled fireworks viewing.

Fireworks: Splurge
From Capa, the 17th floor steakhouse at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, you can get a panoramic view of not just one, but three sets of fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

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