Hi Rebecca! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! An adults-only trip to Walt Disney World? Sounds like a fabulous getaway! As you're planning your adventure, check out
this page for an adult's guide to the theme parks. My sisters and I (we're all grown-ups now, but kids at heart) love to get together in Walt Disney World as often as we can, and we've made some wonderful memories in recent years.
Now for the money. Nearly all dining and merchandise locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort accept both credit cards and cash, so it may not be necessary to carry actual paper money, but we can talk budget. Your daily expenses in Walt Disney World will depend on a variety of factors, so I'll break them down for you.
1.
Theme park admission. There are many
options for theme park tickets, but since you are going to be in Walt Disney World for four days, the
4-Park Magic Ticket is a fantastic deal. Of course, anyone in your group that is a Florida resident like you, may be eligible for
special Florida resident offers.
2.
Transportation. If you are a guest of a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, transportation to and from the theme parks is complimentary. Parking your own vehicle at a theme park is also included in the cost of your stay. If you are coming from an offsite hotel, you will need to
budget for parking. Keep in mind that prices are subject to change without notice. If you don't want to drive your own car, consider a ride share service, such as Lyft or Uber. These services generally have fare estimator tools on their websites so you could get an idea of their cost compared to driving your own vehicle.
3.
Dining. Exploring the delicious dining options at Walt Disney World is a major part of my vacations! To get an idea of how much to budget per day for meals, consider how many meals each day you will eat, and whether those meals will be quick-service or table-service. I like to peruse
Walt Disney World Dining where I can view menus of individual restaurants to gain a better idea of food options and prices. I suggest reviewing a few quick-service menus as well as any table-service restaurants you plan on visiting to help build your budget. Remember that all prices and menus are subject to change without notice, but for myself, I like to plan on about $17-20 per person at a quick-service restaurant, and about $30-35 at a table-service. This includes my entrée, a non-alcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity if applicable. You will also want to budget for snacks (I need my fill of Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars) and beverages if you are so inclined. Budget tip: all quick-service establishments provide complimentary cups of ice water!
4.
Merchandise. If you're looking to bring something home from your adventures, be sure to think about budgeting for souvenirs. While these prices are also subject to change without notice, on my last trip just to give you an example, I purchased a pair of adorable holiday-themed Mickey Mouse ears for $29.99 and a Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge t-shirt for $34.99.
I hope that helps with your budgeting needs, Rebecca. Wishing you a magical Walt Disney World vacation!
Betsy