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How Much Does a Top-Tier Vacay to Disney World Cost? Book a Luxurious Disney Vacation for $8,000!

by Mommy Frog on April 13, 2023 2   Video

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If you have ever dreamed of taking a luxurious Disney World vacation, then this is your guide! In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about planning an extravagant Disney vacation where the main focus isn't on the bottom line but more on the possible experiences. If your total Disney World cost includes an elegant hotel stay with lots of magical extras, this budget is for you! Hey, what did Walt once say? "If you can dream it, you can do it!"

Disney World cost - Grand Floridian

In our 20+ years of helping families plan and book vacations, we’ve got some know-how on the subject! Like the Value and Moderate Disney Budget Breakdowns, this vacation is set for four days and three nights for a family of four. It includes a stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, 4-Day Base theme park tickets, a rental car and even estimated food and souvenir expenses. In addition, we will provide tips on where to stay, what to eat, and ways to splurge on memorable experiences. So put on your mouse ears, and let's get started! It's time to treat 'yo self at the Most Magical Place on Earth!

What Is the Deluxe Disney World Cost?

Disney World cost - Infographic

The Deluxe Budget Details

To keep a lilypad-to-lilypad comparison, the foundation of all three vacations is the same. Each vacation is designed for a family of four for a four-day, three-night stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. The dates are set during the last spring season and include four-day base theme park tickets. We'll also make recommendations for dining and experiences depending on the price point of the vacation. Remember that Disney World cost varies by date — so use this post as a guideline, but know that prices do change depending on when you visit.

Disney World cost - Pluto at EPCOT

Deluxe Tier Disney Vacation at a Glance for a Family of Four: 

  • Dates: May 31 to June 3, 2023
  • Theme Park Tickets: 4-Day Base (1 park per day)
  • Disney Resort Hotel: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Food: Includes a combination of two quick-service and one table-service meal per day, plus two character meals and snacks throughout the parks
  • Rental Car: A minivan to get you from the airport to the resort and anywhere else you’d like to go!
  • Souvenirs and experiences

*Note: These ticket/hotel/rental car prices and savings pulled from UndercoverTourist.com on March 31, 2023, for travel from May 31 to June 3, 2023. Food calculated based on Walt Disney World Resort menu prices and reasonable grocery assumptions. Airfare not included.

Deluxe Budget Travel Dates

Disney World cost - Cinderella Castle

This vacation is set for the latter part of spring 2023 with the specific travel dates of May 31 to June 3, 2023. Late May is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World as the summer break crowds aren’t in full force just yet, and the pricing is reasonable. Not to mention that Orlando’s weather is pretty amazing during this time as well. It will definitely be hot, but not as sweltering as July and August can be. It's the perfect weather for enjoying your resort pool or planning a Disney water park day!

Deluxe Budget Theme Park Tickets

4-Day Base Theme Park Base Price: 

  • Adult (10+): $554.41 x 2 = $1,108.82
  • Child (3-9): $536.30 x 2 = $1,072.60
  • Theme Park Ticket Total: $2,181.42

Like our Value and Moderate Budget Breakdowns, this vacation plan includes 4-Day Base Disney World Theme Park tickets. This type of ticket allows you to visit one Disney park per day. It does not include park hopping.

If you’d like to add more variety or flexibility to your trip, you may want to consider adding the Park Hopper option to your tickets. At an additional cost, the Park Hopper option will allow you to visit more than one park per day. Park hopping begins at 2 p.m., and as an example, you could start in one park such as Hollywood Studios to hop on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance first thing in the morning, but end your day at Magic Kingdom to enjoy the nighttime spectacular in front of Cinderella Castle.

Disney World cost - Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom, View from Main Street

To kick things up a notch, the Park Hopper Plus option allows you to visit more than one park per day and includes admission to the two major water parks — Blizzard Beach (currently under refurbishment) and Typhoon Lagoon — as well as access to:

  • Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
  • Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
  • Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course

You could easily spend an afternoon at each water park or play a round of mini-golf to add even more fun and relaxation to your trip!

Because you’ll have so much to see and do, you may want to add on the Disney Genie+ service to help save time waiting in attraction lines. This service allows you to skip the standby line using the Lightning Lane queues at an additional cost. The Disney Genie+ system is $15+ per person, per day (depending on the day of your visit). We suggest using Genie+ for at least Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios if you're leaning toward this purchase. You can purchase Genie+ within the My Disney Experience app on each day (or select days) of your visit for your whole squad.

Deluxe Budget Hotel — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The next step to planning your luxurious Disney vacation is choosing the perfect Deluxe Resort hotel for your stay. For the Deluxe vacation, we recommend Disney's Grand Floridian for your dream getaway! You’ll want to check out our full guide to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Disney World cost - Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa's lobby entrance

As Disney World’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of our favorite places to stay because it is located on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop. Staying at the Grand Floridian is what we frogs like to call Disney prime real estate! You can view Magic Kingdom from your balcony or patio and you’re just a quick monorail or boat ride away from the park. (You can also take a Disney bus to the Magic Kingdom, but we think the monorail and Friendship boats are a little more novel and typically quicker.)

The grounds at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are stunning. Just like stepping into a fairytale, you’ll notice the deluxe hotel’s elegant Victorian-era architecture, impeccable landscaping and breathtaking views of Seven Seas Lagoon. Once inside, you’ll find yourself almost speechless as you hear live piano music coming from the grand piano in the lobby, notice the intricate details of the lobby, the grand staircase, the gorgeous chandeliers and the overall luxurious atmosphere this resort boasts.

One of the best things about Disney’s Grand Floridian is that it offers a wide variety of award-winning dining experiences to suit every taste. From the prestigious Victoria & Albert’s, to Mary Poppins-inspired signature dining at Citricos, and, of course, the casual but oh-so-yummy Grand Floridian Cafe. There’s something for everyone!

The Enchanted Rose just happens to be one of our favorite lounges on property. Themed after “Beauty and the Beast,” the menu offers sophisticated cocktails and appetizers. Be sure to soak in all the details while you’re there. You might even notice Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and Cogsworth as well as the golden chandelier reminiscent of Princess Belle’s ball gown.

You will love the rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian, too! We recommend splurging and booking a room with a theme park (aka, castle) view ... toadally worth it! Your room will have either a balcony or patio overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. This is perfect for having coffee in the morning or catching the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Disney’s iconic Electrical Parade each night of your stay. Your room will come with two queen-sized beds and a daybed, or a king bed and a double-size sleeper sofa. You’ll also have an accent chair, large wooden dresser which houses a mini-refrigerator and a flat-screen TV. Additional amenities include a hair dryer, free Wi-Fi, a soaker tub, stocked coffee maker, iron/ironing board and in-room safe.

Disney World cost - Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Pool

The pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa include the zero-entry Courtyard Pool. This pool sits directly behind the main building, and it is a great area to relax in a peaceful and calm environment. Just a short hop away is the Beach Pool. This pool overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon and features a 181-foot-long waterslide. You can also find a water playground that is perfect for younger tadpoles!

When you stay at any Walt Disney World Resort, you'll enjoy complimentary transportation to and from the theme parks. You'll also have access to Early Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours on select nights, which is extra time in the morning or evening. Only guests staying at a Deluxe Resort hotel can enjoy the Extended Evening Hours. If Disney’s Grand Floridian isn’t your thing, don’t worry — we frogs offer discounts on all of the uniquely themed Disney World hotels (and there are plenty of Deluxe hotels to choose from!).

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Room Rate

  • $555.29 nightly x 3 nights = $1,874.09 ($208.22 taxes and fees included)

Disney Dining on a Deluxe Budget

The price includes a combination of two quick-service and one table-service meal per day, plus one or more additional character meals. We've also allotted extra funds here for cocktails and Disney snacks if you'd like.

Disney World cost - Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen

Now that you have chosen the perfect Deluxe Resort hotel for your dream vacation, it is time to start planning your dining experiences! Walt Disney World is home to some of the most unique restaurants globally, and there are so many options that it’s hard to know where to dive in first!

If you’re searching for an upscale dining experience, you will want to make advance dining reservations at one of the many signature restaurants. Some of our favorites include Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort, California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort and Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. We highly recommend Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Wine Bar George and The Boathouse at Disney Springs.

Are you looking for a casual dining experience? A few of our top picks are Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Kingdom Park, The Steakhouse 71 at the Contemporary Resort and Homecoming at Disney Springs just to name a few.

Disney World cost - Story Book Dining at Artist Point, Snow White

Since you're living the life of a fancy frog on this vacation, you’ll most definitely want to book a character meal or two! This is a great way to meet some of your favorite Disney characters while enjoying a delicious meal. You’ll also be able to snag those beloved character hugs and autographs without waiting in line. We love the character brunch offered at Topolino's Terrace, Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House and Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club.

You might consider booking one of Disney’s Firework Dessert Parties for an extra dose of magic. These parties offer a prime viewing spot for the nightly fireworks show, along with an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet of sweet treats and beverages.

Many of these popular dining location reservations fill up quickly. So don’t froget to make reservations for any dining experiences 60 days before your trip.

In this scenario, we factor in quick-service meals for breakfast and lunch and a table-service meal for dinner for two days. On the days you have character meals, we'd suggest one of each: 1) A character breakfast and a table-service dinner, and 2) two quick-service meals for breakfast and lunch and a character dinner. Budget around $15 per person, per day for snacks and two $15 drinks per adult, per day. Here's the full breakdown:

  • Two quick-service meals per day: $55 x 6 meals = $330
  • One table-service meal per day: $120 x 3 meals = $360
  • Two character meals for four: $250 x 2 meals = $500
  • Disney snacks = $245
  • Disney drinks = $150
  • Dining total before tax and tip: $1,585
  • Assume 20% tip for table-service and character meals ($172) and 6% dining tax for quick-service, table-service and character meals ($95.10)
  • Food Total: $1,852.10

Deluxe Budget Souvenirs & Special Experiences

Now that you know some of the fantastic dining experiences available, it is time to start planning your recreational activities! Walt Disney World is home to many great recreational activities, including golf, horseback riding and fishing. We'll include some of these in our total Disney World cost as part of the deluxe budget.

One of our favorite things is to take a stroll down Disney's Boardwalk. This is an excellent place to people-watch, enjoy some delicious snacks, take in the sights and sounds and enjoy the boardwalk entertainment. In addition, you can rent a surrey bike and find some great souvenirs along the way! Some of our favorite cocktails can be found at the AbracadaBAR and if you've got froggies 21 years and up in your crew, be sure to cut a rug at Jellyrolls — the lively and popular dueling piano bar.

Disney World cost - Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — Senses spa

If you are looking for a relaxing activity, consider booking a massage at the world-class Senses Spa located inside Disney’s Grand Floridian. Senses Spa is a full-service salon that offers facials, massages, body treatments and hair styling services. Wanna keep up with your fitness routine while on vacation? Sense’s health and fitness center is open 24 hours a day.

Suppose you are looking for a more invigorating activity — try going on a guided tour of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, such as Savor the Savanna, or playing a round of golf at one of Disney’s award-winning golf courses.

Disney World cost — Guide for Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios

To add even more excitement, your party might be interested in attending one of the newly returned Disney After Hours events. Guests can enjoy either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios on select nights after dark. Admission includes unlimited popcorn, ice cream, bottled soda, character greetings, lower crowd levels and reduced wait times! These events are a frogtastic way to level up your trip and you can book with your favorite frogs here at Undercover Tourist to save time and money, too!

And what's a luxury vacation without a bit of VIP treatment? Did you know that you can book a VIP tour guide to take you around the parks? With a VIP tour guide, you will have access to your favorite attractions, reserved seating for shows and more! This is an amazing way to make the most of your trip and ensure that you see and do everything you want to! Pricing starts at $425 per hour but is totally customized by you. To book, call (407) 560-4033.

For our Deluxe price point, we’re budgeting about $250 per person to spend on souvenirs and some additional extras throughout the trip, for our total Disney World cost.

  • Souvenirs: $250 x 4 = $1,000

Plus, the addition of Ferrytale Fireworks — a sparkling dessert cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon:

  • Adult (10+) $83.32 x 2 = $166.64
  • Child (3-9) $57.89 x 2 = $115.78
  • Total: $282.42

And we also included the Hollywood Studios After Hours event on May 31 for a family of four:

  • $141.22 x 4 = $564.88 (including taxes & fees — plus a savings of $40 when booking with Undercover Tourist!)

Making our grand total for experiences and souvenirs: $1,847.30.

Deluxe Budget Transportation

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to how you'll end up arriving at Walt Disney World. Depending on where you live, airport access and other modes of transportation, there's not a one-size-fits-all scenario here. Instead, you’ll have to do a little research to determine the travel situation that will work best for your family.

Here at Undercover Tourist, we offer some pretty sweet deals on car rentals. So if you need a rental car, we've got you covered! For a four-day minivan rental, the price comes to a discounted rate of $249.81 with the combined purchase of your theme park and resort stay!

How Much Is It to Go to Disney World? Deluxe Budget Grand Total

Disney World cost - Deluxe Plan Screenshot

I know you’re curious ... but just how much would a 4-day luxurious Walt Disney World trip set you back? Let’s take a look!

  • Theme Park Tickets: $2,181.42
  • Disney Resort Accommodations: $1,874.09
  • Car Rental: $249.81
  • Dining: $1,852.10
  • Souvenirs & Extras: $1,847.30
  • Total Retail Price: $9,020.72
  • Total UCT Price: $8,004.72

Drumroll, please! Wow, we pulled out all the stops here and still managed to stay right around $8,000! Not to mention that the ticket and resort total are the final prices, including taxes and fees. So it saves you when booking through Undercover Tourist — in total, we saved $1,016! (Of course, this budget is just an estimate, and every family is different.)

*Note: These ticket/hotel/rental car prices and savings pulled from UndercoverTourist.com on March 31, 2023, for travel from May 31 to June 3, 2023. Food calculated based on Walt Disney World Resort menu prices and reasonable grocery assumptions. Airfare not included.

So What Do You Think?!

Disney World cost - Glass of Champagne

Is a luxurious Disney World vacation suitable for you? What would you include in your fancy Disney vacation? Are you looking to book a once-in-a-lifetime trip? Now that you know the Disney World cost, we’d love to help you plan your next Walt Disney World stay!

Related: Our Disney World Budget Breakdown Series — The Value Plan

Related: Our Disney World Budget Breakdown Series — The Moderate Plan

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
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Apr 14, 2023 at 6:20 p.m. Becky Says...

If I am eating two hypothetical character meals, shouldn’t my hypothetical total be reduced by a combo of two of the quick service meals or table service? Otherwise you have people eating four meals per day, twice during their trip

Reply
Apr 14, 2023 at 3:35 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Becky!

Great point! We've adjusted our breakdown so this makes a little more sense, but we wanted to be sure to leave ample #treatyoself room for snacks, drinks, etc during the day for this deluxe category.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
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