Walt Disney World has a reputation for being costly, but completely worth it. That means you’ve likely spent quite a bit of time coming up with a Disney World vacation budget. In fact, many travelers get so good at planning their vacation costs that they run into a different problem: How to best spend their leftover funds.
If you’re one of the super planners who fall into this boat, here are ten great suggestions for spending the excess in your Disney World vacation budget.
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Ways to Spend Leftover Budget to Make Your Walt Disney World Vacation Extra Magical
Now to the fun part. Let’s say you’ve planned your vacation to the ‘t’, alotted your budget to your most important bucket list items, and you still have money to spend in your Disney World vacation budget. Where can you spend those funds to make your vacation extra special or to add some additional magic? Here are some great options.
Memory Maker and PhotoPass
If you find yourself with an extra $169 in your Disney World vacation budget prior to your trip, the memory maker is not an expense you’ll regret. Included in the Memory Maker are all photos taken by Disney during your trip. It features all ride photos of your group, and all PhotoPass location photos, such as those taken in front of the castle, Tree of Life, or any other PhotoPass Location.
Many of the PhotoPass location photos have added animation. For example, in front of the Castle, Tinkerbelle has been added fluttering above your group.
If the remnants of your budget aren’t enough for the entire Memory maker, consider spending a smaller amount on just one or two photos from your trip. The quality of the PhotoPass photos are much higher than that of phones and are perfect for framing.
Souvenirs You’ll Actually Want to Display
When traveling to Disney World on a budget, many guests forego souvenir purchases. They either feel that Disney souvenirs are unnecessary or something that will get thrown out shortly after returning home.
However, if you find yourself with some leftover budget and would like a lasting souvenir without lasting monetary guilt, we highly recommend getting a décor item from one of the World Showcase pavilions, or inside of Africa in Animal Kingdom. These souvenirs will look great in your home while still reminding you of your Disney trip.
Another great option is to purchase ornaments to display during Christmas time. You will be able to see these each year and reminisce about your Disney World vacation while decorating your tree.
Disney Springs- Worth it if You Have the Disney World Vacation Budget
For years we visited Disney and barely paid any attention to Disney Springs, but we’ve come to enjoy this Disney mini city. Disney Springs, while full of night life, is also full of activities for those of every ages. If your Disney World vacation budget allows, a day or half day at Disney Springs will provide entertainment, dining, and shopping.
For instance, Disney Springs features many family activities to thrill little ones and adults alike. We now like visiting the Coca Cola Rooftop bar where mocktails abound and we can take a soda tour around the world. Another favorite is visting Swirls on the Water for a Dole Whip Flight. You’re seeing the theme here, right?
However, our preferences may not be yours, and there are a multitude of activites at Disney Springs for families and adults to enjoy. Here are some options:
- For the kids who are more into dinosaurs than Princesses, Disney Springs features a Build-A-Dino workshop that provides a fun way to use up your leftover Disney World vacation budget. Here, kids can assemble and customize their very own stuffed dinosaur.
- Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight: Soar high above Disney Springs in this 8-minute tethered balloon adventure. View Disney parks from a new perspective.
- AMC® Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres: Your family can enjoy dinner and a moview while relaxing in this premier theater. It’s a great rainy day adventure.
- Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney: It’s more than a circus, it’s an extravaganze, bringing Disney characters to life through acrobatic mastery.
- Vintage Amphicar Tour: This one is still on our bucket list, but image driving a vintage automobile right into the lake for a private tour around Disney Springs. You can make it a reality with this curated Disney Springs experience.
You’ll find so many options for spending your excess Disney budget at Disney Springs, it might be hard to choose just one.
Golfing at Disney World Resort
When planning a budget for a Disney World vacation you may not think to add golfing to it. But Disney World is home to four stunning golf courses for you to enjoy, if that’s your thing.
All four golf courses feature perfect greens, great scenery and challenging water hazards to sharpen your golf game while on your Disney World vacation.
Both golf courses offer rounds of 9 or 18 holes, depending on the time of day. There is also a driving range and opportunities for golf lessons. While golfing is not included in any resort stays, it can be a great added element to your vacation if you have leftover funds in your budget.
Miniature Golfing
Miniature golfing may seem similar to regular golf, but it’s quite a different experience, especially inside Walt Disney World. The resort has four separate courses, each with different theming.
The Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf Course, and its views of Tower of Terror, is a miniaturized version of a traditional 18 hole golf course. It has greens, sand traps and all the obstacles featured on a large golf course.
The sister to the Fairways, and located at the same location, is the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. This course is more traditional and allows you to golf around, under, and through the characters of Disney’s Fantasia.
The Winter Summerland Mini golf course was designed by Santa himself, and looks like it is a part of Blizzard Beach. Rumor has it, Santa discovered a patch of snow in Florida and designed a Winter Summerland for his off-duty elves to visit.
The Winter Summerland has two contrasting 18 hold miniature golf courses. The Summer course has you golfing amongst sand, surfboards and Christmas themed beach scenes. The Winter Course highlights snow, snowmen, and winter themed Christmas obstacles to golf in and around.
NOTE: When booking a Disney World vacation package, a round of mini golf is included for up to 4 members of your party.
Cruising Bay Lake on your Leftover Disney World Vacation Budget
If you have some leftover budget for your vacation, a boat rental is a great way to explore Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon on your own. Motorized rental boats can seat anywhere from 2 to 10 people, and vary in and currently run $49 per half hour rental.
If getting exercise while boating is more your thing, canoes and kayaks can be rented at Fort Wilderness Campground. Or, you can leave the driving the captain and charter a private boat tour.
Bikes and Things You Need to Peddle
A surrey bike ride is the perfect family bonding activity to put your unused Disney World vacation budget to good use. Bike along the landscaped pathways of different resorts, or cruise up and down the Disney boardwalk in style.
Surrey bicycles can seat two, four, or six people side by side. These bikes look more like a human powered golf cart. They offer a smooth ride and an opportunity for bonding time with your family and friends. Rentals begin at $25.
Tours and Backstage Experiences- The ultimate use for your leftover Disney World vacation budget
Walt Disney World offers many unique backstage tours and experiences. Experiences range in subject, length, and cost.
In the past we have taken the Keys to the Kingdom tour, which is a comprehensive journey through the history of the Magic Kingdom. This tour also shows backstage areas of the park and shares many facts and secrets.
Other mentionable tours are the Behind the Seeds Tour which takes you backstage inside the Living with the Land attraction, and the Wild Africa Trek Tour that brings you inside the Kilimanjaro Safari and up close with the animals. There are many other animal encounter tours that you can find here. Additional tours showcase more backstage areas, the Seas in EPCOT, and the World Showcase.
These tours range in price, but tend to be on the heftier side. For example, the animal treks range from $219-$229 per person, and the Keys to the Kingdom tour costs $129 to $149 per person.
Parties!
Walt Disney World boasts many themed parties inside Magic Kingdom park that are the perfect way to spend your excess Disney World vacation budget. These parties provide the opportunity to enjoy the park after closing for an additional cost. These events limit attendance to far fewer numbers than day crowds, therefore offering shorter lines.
The parties are typically themed towards holidays, such as Halloween or Christmas. At the Halloween party you’ll even get to trick or treat for candy, no matter your age. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has hot chocolate, hot cider, and cookie stations around the park.
Spending Your Leftover Disney World Vacation Budget Beyond the Four Theme Parks
Going beyond Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, Disney has two water parks and additional experiences at Disney Springs.
The Park Hopper Plus tickets will include both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks as well as the NBA Experience at Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and the miniature golf courses, but may not be worth the extra spend unless you plan to use all available options.
If you have some wiggle room in your Disney World budget, you may want to enjoy just one or two and these are a great way to expand the Disney fun. If you are planning to visit during the warmer months, the water parks will feel like a necessity.
