You Should Spend More Money On This in Disney World

We know that a trip to Disney World is not cheap.

It’s not a cheap trip, but it’s worth it for views like this!

One of our goals at Disney Food Blog is to help you find ways to cut these costs and keep your trip within your budget. We want you to have a great experience while not breaking the bank.

But we also believe that there are just some things in Disney World that are absolutely worth the money and fun. For example, staying at a Disney World hotel is definitely worth the money for all the perks you get like transportation to the parks, extra hours in the parks, and the complete immersion into the Disney experience.

Crush at Disney’s Art of Animation

Outside of staying at a Disney hotel, there’s one thing we think you should definitely splurge on while at the Happiest Place on Earth.

If we could do one thing at Disney World what would it be? Being in the parks in the late hours of the night after they’ve closed, of course! Who wouldn’t want extra time in the parks with almost no one else there? Unless you want to spend tens of thousands of dollars for your own private event like a wedding, we suggest spending a lot less for an after-hours special event ticket.

After Hours at EPCOT

Special events happen seasonally at multiple parks in Disney World and they all happen at night after the parks are closed. They do require a separately paid ticket, but we highly recommend splurging on them. By participating in one of these events you get access to much fewer crowds, lower wait times, exclusive entertainment, and complimentary snacks.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There are several of these events each year: Disney After Hours (returning in 2024), Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Jollywood Nights (NEW in 2023).

Tower of Terror at night is spooky

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is currently ongoing with sold-out events, but it is typically a returning event each year. This means you can catch it in 2024 if you missed it this year!

But starting in November, you can enjoy two after hours events to celebrate the holidays– Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights! Get ready to enjoy all the jolly filled festivities at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. These parties are definitely worth splurging on because they can really get you in the holiday spirit AND you get the perks of much smaller crowds.

Jollywood Nights

Coming in 2024, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT will each host Disney After Hours events. These are three hour events of extra magic inside the parks with all the perks you get with the parties: less people, lower wait times, exclusive entertainment, and complimentary treats.

Mariachi Cobre at a 2023 EPCOT After Hours event

Disney has recently announced the new dates and prices of these 2024 After Hours events. They will sell out fast because they are so worth the extra money for a special ticket.

One of the best parts of these special events and parties is that you can enter the parks before the party officially begins, giving you even more time in the park. This also means you wouldn’t need to purchase a regular park ticket for the date of your event.

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

So if you’re going to splurge on anything, we recommend splurging on one of these special after hours events or parties. But if you’re not much of a night owl, we think there are a few other things that are worth splurging on. If you’re looking for one thing to spend the extra money on then consider park hopper tickets (which is returning to ‘normal’ in 2024), the Disney Dining Plan (also returning in 2024), or having at least one meal at a nice table service restaurant.

Narcoosee’s

We understand that everyone’s budget for their Disney trip is different. However, if you’re going to Disney for a vacation consider one of these things to be the one thing you splurge on.

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