Hey Disney Parks lovers! Planning a Disney vacation has changed so much over the years. When I was younger, it all felt wonderfully simple. You showed up at the park, picked up a map, tucked the little entertainment schedule into your pocket, and off you went. There were no apps to refresh, no dining reservations to make months in advance, and certainly no decisions about which extras were worth paying for. The magic was waiting for you as soon as you walked through the gates.
Fast forward more years than I care to admit, and planning a Disney vacation has become an entirely different experience. It feels like there is always another optional extra to consider. Parking, Lightning Lanes, PhotoPass, dessert parties, special events, tours… the list goes on. I’m not complaining because Disney isn’t alone in rising costs. Everything seems to be more expensive these days. Still, it’s easy to find yourself adding just one more thing until your carefully planned budget starts looking a little less careful.
Don’t get me wrong. I still think a Disney vacation is worth every penny to me, or I certainly wouldn’t keep coming back. But it’s also not the sort of holiday where most of us can say yes to absolutely everything. At some point, we all have to decide where to spend a little extra and where to save. That got me thinking about one simple question. If you could only choose one Disney splurge beyond your flights and accommodation, what would it be?
I asked a friend this exact question last week, fully expecting her answer to match mine. Instead, she immediately said, “A Deluxe Disney Resort.” I have to admit, I questioned our friendship for a brief moment.
I spend so little time in my resort room that upgrading my hotel would probably be the very last thing on my list. Naturally, I assumed she was talking about being closer to the parks or easier transportation, but no. She simply wanted to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take advantage of the resort’s relaxing atmosphere and spa facilities. Meanwhile, I’m the person who happily survives on far less sleep than I should because every extra minute in the parks feels too valuable to waste. My bed is lovely, but it’s not where I came for the magic.
Then it was my turn to be judged. Without hesitation, I said Lightning Lane passes. If I could only choose one extra, that’s where my money would go every time. Spending less time standing in line means more time making memories with the people I’m traveling with. Add in the attraction photos and PhotoPass benefits that capture those moments you simply can’t recreate yourself, and it becomes an easy choice for me. It’s one of the few extras that actually gives me more time, and on a Disney vacation, time often feels like the most valuable thing of all.
Of course, that’s just my answer, and now I’m curious about yours. If you had one Disney splurge, what would it be? Would you book that unforgettable signature dining experience, indulge in a tasting event, stay at a Deluxe Resort, buy tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, or perhaps finally say yes to one of Disney’s incredible behind-the-scenes tours? Whatever has you reaching just a little further into your vacation budget, I’d love to hear about it. Head over to the comments and tell us which Disney splurge is always worth it for you. You never know, you might just inspire someone else’s next magical vacation.
