Is Disney World worth the money?

Question

I am thinking about planning a trip to Florida, but I am not sure I want to go to Disney World. It costs a lot of money, and there are so many different parks. I am wondering if just picking 1 or 2 parks would be better than trying to do it all. I really would like to go to Sea World too! Any advice?

yes, I plan on taking my 6 year old son. My friend and I were thinking about going together and taking our kids!

Answer 1

I have taken my kids to Walt Disney World a couple of times and it has been worth every penny. I also spent my honeymoon there, and went once before the kids were born. I also joined the Vacation Club so that I could take them more often and save some money at the same time. WDW is the most magical place on Earth for a reason, it truly IS magical. From the resorts to the parks and attractions themselves, once you go you will see for yourself why. Every time we go we have something happen that shows us the Disney magic. Let me tell you my favorite story.

The first time I took my daughter she was 4 1/2 years old, my wife was pregnant with my son. We stayed at the All-Star Movies resort, and while we were checking in she discovered a little playground just outside the door. We also were there with my in-laws, so they kept her occupied while we checked in. Our rooms were not quite ready so we stored our bags and went to the bus to head to the Magic Kingdom. She had a fit, thinking the resort was WDW and that we were leaving. She complained most of the way on the bus to the MK. The closer we got, the more quiet she became. We walked up to the park entrance and stood at the end of Main Street U.S.A. with Cinderella's Castle at the far end. On one side of the square was Peter Pan and Wendy, the other had Jasmine and Alladin. I looked down at her and said, "Katie, welcome to Walt Disney World." She looked up at me with a big smile and said, "Daddy, we don't have to go back to that playground if you don't want." My wife was crying, and my heart melted. The magic had hit us and we were only there a few hours. I will never forget that moment as long as I live.

Since then we have taken a few more trips, and also joined the Vacation club. That is the best investment I have ever made, we are constantly saving for our Disney vacations. We are going back in March and we can't wait (162 days!) We are going with most of my family, 10 in all. I love the look on my kids faces every time we are getting ready to go, and the look when we walk into the Magic Kingdom for the first time. I can't get enough of Disney.

As for the other parks, ALL of the Disney parks have tons to do for kids of all ages, 1-99!! If you want to go on mostly thrill rides, Universal and Islands of Adventure are the parks for you, but honestly if you are taking your 6 year old you would be better off spending the time at the Disney parks. The Universal parks tend to be geared towards teens more. Sea World is pretty cool, but that is 3/4 of a day at best. When I was there with the family this past April we went to Sea World. The Shamu show was excellent, the seal and sea lion show is funny, feeding the different sea animals was fun too. After that there isn't too much you can't see at a zoo (except for the Dangerous Sea Creatures exhibit, that is really cool!) If you have time go to Sea World, but it won't take you long for your visit.

I hope this helps. I noticed that you were talking about going with a couple of others. The only thing that I would recommend is to stay on the Disney property. Disney has a resort that will fit any budget and one thing that the off site hotels don't have, PERKS. Disney takes good care of their resort guests.

Hope this helps, have a great trip!!

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Disney World worth the money?
I am thinking about planning a trip to Florida, but I am not sure I want to go to Disney World. It costs a lot of money, and there are so many different parks. I am wondering if just picking 1 or 2 parks would be better than trying to do it all. I really would like to go to Sea World too! Any...

Answer 3

Yes it is worth the money. It's a whole different kind of vacation. There truly is nothing else like it. I personally would just stay at Disney for a week and call it the perfect vacation but Sea World is really great too. I would suggest doing your research on which Disney parks you really want to do and focus on them. Then take a day or 2 for Sea World too. But don't miss out on Disney it will be the best vacation for you and your son.

Try allearsnet.com for Disney info!

Answer 4

First I think you should really your vacationing options and who you book through.
If you go through Disney to book your hotel and park tickets you get great benefits. If you are not driving they provide free bus service to and from the parks, if you drive they will give you a parking permit for free that you can use at all the Disney parks. I recommend the value resorts reasonable prices for families on a budget and you don't loose on the Disney experience. The value resorts are just as colorful, clean and friendly as all the other Disney Resorts.
Theme park tickets are discounted when you you purchase multiple day passes, some come with access to the water parks and downtown disney (check out Disney Quest).
You are going to need at least 1 week for your first visit, I recommend Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom for your first parks to visit, you can't do both parks in 1 day each there is so much to see and do take your time. The other 2 parks MGM & Epcot. All the Disney Parks are great experiences and vacations pick up the park maps in the hotel and then choose what you feel would be best for you. There are park maps on the disney website to help you out.
SeaWorld: Definitely worth a visit it is a short distance from the Disney property. You will need to drive there or access the transportation hub inside disney to get a City bus to Seaworld/International Drive South.

Answer 5

Disney World is definitely worth the money. It's a lot of fun, I've been going ever since I was a kid and never get tired of it.
As far as doing it all completely depends on how much time you are going to be there. A week will be enough to adequately visit all four parks along with Sea World, and some relax time. The Animal Kingdom can be done in one day easily. As far as the other 3 it just depends on how much you want to do at each park.
There are a lot of ways you can cut costs as far as your trip. The first week in December is one of the best times to go. It is cool, crowds are very minimal, and hotels will practically pay you to stay there.
My husband and I went at that time and had a lovely time. We were there for a week and saved a lot of money.
Go to priceline.com to book your hotel. Check normal rates then go there and enter your bid. If you end up going early December bid low. We got an extremely nice hotel for around $30 a night. We also got one with a fridge and micro. We ended doing a lot of meals in our room.
Most hotels offer shuttles to the park. You save money that way because you don't have to pay to park. The only downside is that you are on their schedule. It can be a problem if you want to stay late.
Bring bottled water and snacks into the park. You can save a lot when you don't have to pay their crazy food prices.
Have fun if you go! I would definitely say it's worth the money.

Answer 6

Is Disney World worthwhile for a 6 year old? Yes, absolutely.

A day at Disney is going to be comparable in cost to a day at your State Fair, only the rides won't be dangerous.

Having said that - I have four kids so I absolutely understand the need to stay within a budget. Keep in mind that your daily ticket cost goes down at Disney with each additional day.

For example, a 2 Day Disney ticket + 1 Day SeaWorld will cost: Adult: $205.92 (including Tax), Child: $181.57 (including tax).

A 3-Day Disney Pass: Adult: $216.20 / Child $182.12. The difference in cost is very small - and this difference is only because I'm assuming you'll get the advance purchase price on your SeaWorld Ticket. If not, add an additional $11 to the adult price.

Once you go to 4 Disney days, your cost will be less than your SeaWorld price. This is based on a Magic Your Way Basic Ticket. If you plan do do just one park per day, you'll save a lot by not needing the "Park Hopper" add-on.

Do not add the "Water Park, Fun & More" option if you are not visiting at least 2 water parks.

Answer 7

It is absolutely worth the money. If you have children, you should go to the Magic Kingdom definitely. Epcot is more for adults (pretty educational) and MGM is okay for kids - great for older kids. And, everyone will love Animal Kingdom. It is definitely too much to do in a couple of days, so if your time is limited, I would pick 2 parks and see everything in each of them. There is a lot to do in the hotels, also. Downtown Disney is fun, too. You can do Seaworld in a day. But, bring plenty of money for everything. Even a bottle of water will cost a fortune!

Answer 8

yes it's worth the money. The reason i pick DIsney as my vacation spot is b/c it's affordable, all inclusive if you get the park hopper and more option and the meal plan. I like how i can arrive in Orlando and have everything taken care of. There's also so much to do, worth the money, and fabulous restaurants. The waterparks are amazing, all 4 theme parks are great and every restaurant i have been to has been amazing! The value resorts save tons of money and i dont spend much time at all at my hotel so it's perfect for me. They have such cute theming as well. Go if you can afford it. You also only have to put down a deposit and pay the balance 45 days prior to your trip. :) Plan asap b/c dining reservations fill up FAST!!! way in advance, months! The meal plan saves tons of money to -i recommend it. check allearsnet.com for reviews of everything and tons of helpful info

Answer 9

My family and I think it is more than worth the money. But, if you are not an amusement park type person (Magic Kingdom) and don't like to go through exhibits that show information about other countries (Epcot) and are not really interested in the movies or how movies are made (MGM) and don't like the zoo (Animal Kingdom) then I would say that going there is not for you. Sea World is fun, but it can't compare to Walt Disney World. Just the grounds, landscaping, gardens, buildings, etc. are worth the price of admission.

Answer 10

I will have to say that when my sons were 6 and 7 they enjoyed Sea World more then they did Disney. Disney is a great place to go to also but does cost more. Once you step inside the gates you start spending money. It's crazy what things cost in Disney. Kids do love the parks and it something that they will always remember. Hope you have a great trip!