The Biggest Wastes Of Money At Disney World, According To Frequent Visitors

Since its opening in Orlando, Florida, in 1971, Disney World has been a dream destination for people around the world. But with a single-day adult ticket costing over $100, plus gas or airfare and accommodations to factor in for visitors coming from out of town, a trip to Disney World can be a very pricey affair, despite the many free things on offer. Unfortunately, many visitors make some critical spending mistakes that make their trip cost even more — and some of these wastes of money may surprise you.

Several travel experts and frequent visitors, including some who specialize in Disney-related travel, have spotlighted these unnecessary expenses and found ways to cut them out of your budget. If you're planning a trip to this most iconic of destinations or are worried it might be too expensive, here are the biggest wastes of money at Disney World and how to avoid them. This advice should help lighten your budget — sometimes in some pretty significant ways — and let you enjoy that Disney magic to the fullest.

Staying on property at a Disney resort hotel has a lot of advantages. Some travelers, for instance, love that it's easy to take a break and head back to their room (or their hotel's pool) in the middle of the day. Then there are the perks like free parking, free transportation to and from the parks, priority reservations for certain Disney restaurants and Lightning Lane spots, and early park entry. But be careful what kind of accommodation you book. The marketing around Disney World's hotels is as magical as the place itself, and you might get so caught up in it that you find yourself tempted to reserve a room at the most expensive price.

It's understandable. Why not have some luxury amidst your fun days at Disney? However, many Disney World experts and travelers warn that it's probably not worth the (usually very high) expense. After all, you're not going to Disney World to stay in your hotel room. As long as your room is as clean, comfortable, and as spacious as you need, does it really matter if it's the most luxurious one in the hotel? Plus, if you're not fixated on a preferred room, sites like The Budget Mouse reveal that you can find some amazing deals on Disney accommodations.

Food and snacks bought at Disney World can cost a fortune, especially if you're traveling with (and paying for) multiple people. Prices for snacks or meals at park restaurants aren't exorbitant, but they can add up since you'll be spending one or several days there. Luckily, Disney allows guests to bring their own food, although there are a few rules, including no glass or strong odors. It's a good idea to pack things like cookies or fruit snacks to snack on at the park each day. If you have a car during your stay, consider buying food in Orlando before heading to the park(s). Or leave Disney World for cheaper meal options. Always check to be sure the rules haven't changed, but as of this writing, your ticket will allow multiple entries into the park on the same day.

If you don't want to miss out on some of Disney's iconic eats, snacks like the famous Dole Whip and the Mickey Pretzel currently cost $6. You could make those a special treat, while everything else is bought outside the park. If outside food isn't an option, try to stick to snacks and Quick Service restaurants, which are cheaper than other dine-in options at Disney World. According to Urban Tastebud, an adult lunch or dinner costs $12.79 at a Quick Service restaurant. A kids' meal is $7.49 (and some kids might even be able to share this or an adult portion).

Some people dream of buying a special souvenir T-shirt or cap at Disney World, while others find themselves buying clothes here out of necessity. Maybe they're unprepared for Orlando's intense sun and sudden, heavy rainstorms, or maybe their clothes or shoes weren't suitable for long days on their feet. Outside the occasional discount, clothes prices at Disney typically start at around $17. So it's no wonder many experts, including Disney Dose, consider this one of the worst unnecessary Disney World expenses. 

Luckily, it can be avoided by planning ahead. Check the weather forecast before you pack to give you a general idea of what to expect. But also remember that Florida weather can be unpredictable and change dramatically in a single day. If the forecast calls for sunny days, stick a plastic parka and rain-appropriate shoes into your suitcase, just in case. If the forecast calls for rain, pack a hat and sunglasses for sun protection. As a general rule, ensure that all of your clothes are in good condition so your budget won't get taken out by broken zippers or rips. Your shoes should be comfortable for walking and standing for extended periods of time and as water resistant as possible.

While at Disney World, in the heat of the moment, you may get excited and want the biggest plush of your favorite Disney character or the most humongous model Star Wars vehicle. Try to stay calm, as when it's an option, going with a smaller version will reduce your costs and worries about the space in your suitcase (in fact, too many large souvenirs may even lead to additional luggage fees). For instance, a post on planDisney shows just how much the price of plushes at Disney World can vary by size. An advisor writes that some large plush toys cost $60 or higher, "huggable size" are around $25, and small ones that are backpack-attachable could cost as little as $5.

Adults reading this might be convinced, but persuading a kid to put down the giant plush they can barely wrap their arms around can be tough. Hopefully, showing them a smaller option will make them realize it's easier to hug and carry around (not to mention take home in your car or on a plane). For older kids, setting a souvenir budget and ground rules beforehand could also be a convincing argument for a smaller souvenir.

Balloons are the bane of many a parent's existence at just about any family-oriented destination or event. They're unwieldy, not allowed in certain places (including rides), constantly at risk of flying away, and won't last forever, and yet, they're often fairly expensive. This is very much the case at Disney World, where the lowest-priced balloon costs $12, with prices usually soaring closer to $20. No wonder balloons are on several Disney travel experts' lists of expenses to avoid! In fact, in a compilation of Disney fans' spending advice, Inside the Magic found that balloons were the "one thing that was universally agreed on to be not worth the price."

Of course, this may not be easy for kids to understand. If you're traveling with older children, try to address the balloon issue before heading to the park. Remind them that a balloon won't last as long as a plush, key chain, T-shirt, or toy they can get for the same price (or whatever price you've set as a souvenir budget). Buying a balloon at Disney World is like throwing money into the sky. Whatever your technique to avoid this, good luck, fellow parents!

Disney's free PhotoPass includes things like photos of you and your fellow travelers taken by professional photographers. However, unless you purchase the Memory Make package, you won't be able to download these photos or will only see them with a watermark. Other features of the Memory Maker package include optional photo shoots (at an additional charge) and downloadable shots of you and your group on different rides. It's understandable to want to preserve your Disney vacation in the most magical way possible, but many Disney travel experts point out that most of us can do this just fine with our phone or camera.

If you're worried your photos won't capture the Disney magic, find tips online for great Disney World photo spots and brush up on your basic techniques. If you don't take photos often, practice with your phone's camera before you leave. And remember that you can bring your camera to the park, giving you higher-quality photos. On the other hand, selfie sticks and large tripods aren't allowed. One former Disney World employee wrote on Business Insider that guests can ask anyone who works at Disney to take a photo of themselves and their fellow travelers with their phone or camera, so no worries about not getting everyone into the shot. All of this means the Memory Maker package is an expense you can probably take off your list.