Are you dreaming of a Walt Disney World vacation but curious about how much a Disney trip actually costs? Well, wonder no more, friend! We get the question "how much does it cost to go to Disney World" all the time! In this blog post, we will show you how to plan a magical Walt Disney World vacation for less than $5,000! We frogs call this the Moderate tier. We call it such as this price point seems to be the median or average cost when planning a Disney World vacation. In our 20+ years of helping families plan and book vacations, this moderate budget is where most families land. 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!
Like the Value and Deluxe 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, base theme park tickets for four days, a rental car and even estimated food and souvenir expenses. Of course, this budget is just an estimate, and every family is different. Let’s hop in!
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Disney World?
The Moderate 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 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.
Moderate 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: Port Orleans — Riverside
- Food: Includes a combination of one quick-service and one table-service meal per day, plus one Character Meal (order your groceries for simple meals and snacks in between dining out)
- 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.
Moderate Budget Travel Dates
Our moderate Disney World vacation plan is scheduled for the late May 2023 timeframe. The prices listed here show the specific travel dates of May 31 to June 3, 2023. The end of May is a frogtastic time to visit Walt Disney World. There are fewer crowds as most school-aged tadpoles aren't out of school just yet and prices are typically lower. Hip, hop, hooray!
Moderate Budget Theme Park Tickets
4-Day Disney 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
This vacation package includes 4-Day Base Disney Theme Park tickets. This allows you to visit one Disney World theme park per day. The prices listed here are the final amount when purchasing through Undercover Tourist. So you’ll never have to worry about any additional taxes, hidden fees or surprises.
If you’d like to splurge a bit more, you might consider adding the Park Hopper option, which entitles you to visit more than one park per day. Park hopping is available after 2 p.m. This allows a lot more flexibility for your vacation. For example, you may want to start at Disney's Animal Kingdom but then finish your night at Magic Kingdom to view the nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After. (And yes! You can hop to more than one park per day.)
Another way to sweeten the deal is to purchase Disney Genie+ service. The Disney Genie+ service allows you to essentially skip the regular standby line and access the attractions with significantly reduced waits. This is priced at $15+ per day, per person (pricing varies 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. (Just make sure you’ve purchased and are ready to go at 7 a.m. when you can make your first ride reservation!). Hop over to our Genie+ FAQ for even more information.
Moderate Budget Hotel — Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Both Port Orleans - Riverside and French Quarter are captivating and unique places to stay while visiting Disney World. They are both Disney-owned and operated hotels located in the Disney Springs Resort area. In addition, they offer free transportation to and from the parks, and you will also have the privilege of using Early Theme Park Entry. Disney Resort guests are eligible to enter the theme parks 30 minutes early and enjoy some of the most popular attractions before guests staying off-site are permitted into the park.
Port Orleans - Riverside is one of our favorite places at Walt Disney World. It is a Frog Family favorite! We love the New Orleans theme; exploring the resort grounds is always so fun and relaxing. This is a sprawling resort, and the architecture and landscaping are gorgeous. The theming makes you feel as if you're in the heart of Louisiana. You can't help but notice the romance and charm found around almost every corner.
The Standard Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and some of the rooms even have a 5th sleeper! There are two queen-size beds, and we always appreciate having a balcony overlooking the Sassagoula River in the River View rooms. Suppose you have a princess lover in the family or just want that extra dose of magic; book one of the Royal Guest Rooms. And it wouldn't be a froggy post if we didn't mention "The Princess and the Frog"-themed rooms over in Alligator Bayou. Ribbit!
Port Orleans - French Quarter is a separate resort located just next door. This resort is of a smaller size, with only 1,008 guest rooms. You'll find a garden square, wrought-iron balconies and finishes, and the classic purple, green and gold colors weaved throughout. This resort is a Disney fan favorite. Disney fans love the quaint and intimate feel of the resort.
Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are considered sister resorts. No matter where you stay, you can use the amenities for both. This is great if you're looking for more variety in dining options, recreational activities and swimming pools. The sister resorts are within walking distance of each other, and you can also take the Sassagoula Riverboat to either resort or Disney Springs.
Your family will have a blast at the 'Ol Man Island Pool. It's one of our personal favorites because it has a fun, relaxed atmosphere with a zero-depth entry pool, waterslide and a jacuzzi. Be sure to explore the swimming pools in French Quarter, too. The main pool has some super creative theming — King Triton riding atop a giant Sea Serpent that just so happens to be a waterslide — YES, please! In addition, there is an amazing splash pad that the tadpoles 48" and under will love.
Port Orleans - Riverside Room Rate
- $263.42 nightly x 3 nights = $889.05 ($98.79 taxes and fees included — save $280 by booking through Undercover Tourist!)
Disney Dining on a Moderate Budget
The moderate vacation has many different dining options to fit within a $1,000 meal budget. As a suggestion, we recommend dining at one quick-service meal and one table-service meal per day. You'll also want to think about bringing along or ordering a few groceries to cover simple and easy breakfasts and snacks. Depending on your plans, you may want to grab a quick breakfast in the hotel room before heading out, such as a bowl of cereal, muffin, granola bar, juice or coffee. Your hotel room will come standard with a mini fridge/beverage cooler and a coffee maker stocked with Joffrey's Coffee (plus sweeteners and mini creamers). On average, you can expect a quick-service meal for a family of four to run about $40-$55, while a table-service meal will come out to be around $100.
There is wiggle room in the prices mentioned above. However, we don't want you to froget to try out a few Disney snacks or possibly splurge on a character meal! Remember that breakfast is always cheaper than lunch and dinner if you decide to dine at a character meal. Our favorites include brunch at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort, Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort. These character meals are a TON of fun, but they also give you a nice break in the AC and can fill you up enough to fuel you up for your long park day ahead.
Since you'll be staying at one of the Riverside resorts, you'll want to explore the dining options there. The food at both Riverside and French Quarter is fantastic! Since Riverside is a larger resort, there is a table-service dining hall and a quick-service food court.
At the Riverside Mill Food Court, you can grab a pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken nuggets, fries and desserts. There are also grab-and-go options such as sandwiches, pastries, bottled drinks and beer and wine. You may also want to purchase a refillable mug for about $20 each. This allows you unlimited refills on soft drinks, coffee, tea, lemonade and juice for the length of your stay. Boatwright Dining Hall is the resort's table-service location. Of course, you must get the Mississippi Mud Cream Brulee for dessert — just sayin'!
Port Orleans French Quarter is home to the famous and oh-so-good Mickey Beignets. They are THE BEST beignets we've ever had (aside from actually visiting New Orleans), and this is the only place to find them at Walt Disney World. You'll want to add the strawberry and caramel dipping sauces, too — trust us! The Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is almost identical to the Riverside Food Court regarding food options. Before you leave, try either the Gumbo or Jambalaya (or both!). Princess Tiana would be so hoppy you did!
In this scenario, breakfast comes from groceries, lunches are quick-service and dinners are table-service. On the day of the character meal, reserve for brunch so you can have a big meal in the morning and eat dinner at a table-service restaurant.
Here is our breakdown of average dining costs for a family of four:
- One quick-service meal per day: $55 x 3 lunches = $165
- One table-service meal per day: $100 x 4 dinners = $400
- A character meal for four: $250
- Disney snacks: $55
- Grocery budget: $150
- Dining total before tax and tip: $1,020
- Assume 20% tip for table-service and character meals ($130) and 6% dining tax for snacks, quick-service, table-service and character meals ($52.20)
- Food Total: $1,202.20
Moderate Budget Souvenirs & Special Experiences
Your vacation will be jam-packed with fun and excitement! You will be plenty busy exploring the four Disney theme parks and your resort. But you may find yourself craving something a little extra. Well, you're in luck. We frogs love sharing all the fun things you can dive into while on vacation!
Without having to travel too far from your pond, so to speak, you'll want to check out all the recreation activities offered at your resort. There are a handful of free activities, such as Movies Under the Stars, campfires and pool parties.
If you're looking for some more excitement, Port Orleans - Riverside amenities also offer a marina where you can rent surrey bikes. These are always a blast and are available in two- and four-seater options. If fishing is more your style, there is a pier where you can cast your line and try to reel in a big one for about $6. And if you're looking to splurge, you can rent a boat for a bass fishing excursion or a private firework cruise. Of course, our favorite and romantic option is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the resort. Swoon!
As mentioned before, both Port Orleans resorts are located in the Disney Springs area. We highly recommend taking a riverboat ride to the Springs for amazing dining and shopping opportunities. It is about a 15-20 minute ride that is both relaxing and beautiful.
At Disney Springs, there are so many fun experiences that you may want to add to your trip. Here are our frog favorites:
- Take a ride on the giant helium air balloon, Aerophile
- Play a couple of rounds of bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
- Watch the live performance at Drawn to Life, Presented by Cirque Du Soleil (extra ticketed event)
- Launch off in an Amphicar tour — a vintage car and a boat!
- Catch the free nightly live music at the district's Waterview Park, Sunshine Highline, Springs Overlook or Riverboat Square
- Dine at Raglan Road to see traditional Irish performers and dancers
No matter your interests, there's something for everyone at Disney Springs. And don't froget to snag a souvenir to take home, too. A set of mouse ears, a coffee mug or a t-shirt will help you and the tadpoles commemorate your memorable trip! We love hoppin’ into the World of Disney store, where loads of novel Disney merchandise can be found! For the moderate vacay, we're budgeting $100 per person for souvenirs.
Beyond the resort and Disney Springs, the sky is limited to extraordinary experiences at Walt Disney World. Here are a few of our top recommendations for this spring:
- Book a Fantasmic! dining package — Fantasmic! has FINALLY returned to Hollywood Studios! Dining packages are back, and you can guarantee your party a VIP viewing area of the Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular.
- Attend one of the newly returned After Hours events (this is an extra ticketed event — save time and money by purchasing your tickets through us!)
- Create your masterpiece at the Colors of Coronado Painting Experience ($35 per person)
- Giddy up on a horseback riding excursion at Fort Wilderness Lodge ($55 per person)
Moderate Budget Transportation
There are so many different ways to travel to Walt Disney World! Depending on your family’s location, budget and individual circumstances, you’ll have to do some research to decide the best travel method that works for you.
If you find that you need a rental car, your froggy friends here can hook you up! A four-day minivan rental would cost $249.81 when combined with your purchase of Disney World Theme Park tickets and resort stay. Yahoo!
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Disney World? Moderate Budget Grand Total
So how much does it cost to go to Disney World? Let’s crunch those numbers!
- Theme Park Tickets: $2,181.42
- Disney Resort Accommodations: $889.05
- Car Rental: $249.81
- Dining: $1,202.20
- Souvenirs & Extras: $400
- Total Retail Price: $5,396.48
- Total UCT Price: $4,922.48
This price includes all the taxes & fees and consists of a discount of $40 for the combined purchase of theme park tickets and resort.
We were able to plan this vacation for less than $5,000 for the whole family! The ticket and resort total are the final prices, including taxes and fees. It saves you $474 when booking with Undercover Tourist!
*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.
Are You Ready?!
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation isn't for the faint of heart, especially when you're trying to plan everything but keeping the budget in check. But with some planning and creativity, you can make your dream trip come true!
How much does it cost to go to Disney World? Now you have an idea! What are your top tips for planning a Disney vacation? Drop your questions below. Are you ready to book the Disney vacation of your dreams? We can't wait to help!
Related: Our Disney World Budget Breakdown Series — The Value Plan
Related: Our Disney World Budget Breakdown Series — The Deluxe Plan
Hoppy planning!
