If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you’ve probably noticed that the pricing can feel like a puzzle. You buy a park ticket and secure your hotel reservation, but then you see options for Lightning Lane, dining plans, Memory Maker, and about a dozen other add-ons. So, what exactly are you paying for? And what’s going to cost extra once you get there?

I totally get it. When I planned my first Disney trip, I assumed my park ticket would cover everything. And, while that’s mostly true, there were definitely some surprises. So, I’m breaking down exactly what your Disney World vacation includes (and what it doesn’t) and what extras you need to plan for. Consider this your no-surprises guide to Disney World pricing in 2026!

What’s Included with Disney World Theme Park Tickets

Let’s start with the basics. When you purchase a theme park ticket to Walt Disney World, you’re buying admission to one of the four theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Your ticket type determines whether you can visit one park per day (base ticket) or hop between multiple parks (which requires a park hopper ticket).

Regardless of which ticket type you purchase, once you’re inside the park, your ticket includes almost everything (though we’ll list a few exceptions below)!

Here’s a quick overview of what’s included with your Disney World theme park tickets:

• Attractions and Rides — Unlike some amusement parks that charge per ride, every single attraction at Disney World is included with your ticket. That means you can ride TRON Lightcycle / Run (or any other ride) as many times as you want without paying anything extra using the regular standby lines (which are available at every attraction).
• Character Meet-and-Greets — Want to meet Mickey Mouse, hug Cinderella, or get a photo with Buzz Lightyear? Character meet-and-greets throughout the parks are included with your admission. Just find a character location, wait in line, and have your moment with your favorite Disney characters!
• Shows, Parades, and Fireworks — Your ticket includes all of Disney’s incredible entertainment, from the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom to the nighttime spectaculars like EPCOT’s Luminous and Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After. Just find a spot with a great view and enjoy the show.
• Free Apps and Digital Tools — Disney’s My Disney Experience app is free to download and is pretty much necessary for a smooth trip. You’ll use it for everything from checking wait times to mobile ordering food to managing Lightning Lane reservations. There’s also a separate free Play Disney Parks app that has interactive games you can play while waiting in line.

What’s NOT Included with Park Tickets

Here’s where first-time visitors often run into surprises. These extras are not included with your park admission:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass ($15-45/person/day) — Disney’s paid service that lets you skip the regular lines at most attractions. You’ll book return times through the app and use a shorter Lightning Lane entrance instead of waiting in the standby queue. Learn more about how Lightning Lanes works here.
• Lightning Lane Single Pass ($12-25+/attraction/person) — Some of the most popular rides aren’t included in Multi Pass. You’ll need to purchase a Single Pass separately for these attractions if you want to skip the line.
• Special Ticketed Events ($169-199+) — Seasonal parties and After Hours events require a separate ticket on top of your regular park admission.
• Parking ($35/day standard, $50-60/day preferred) — If you’re driving to the parks and not staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you’ll need to pay for parking at the theme parks.
• Food and Beverages — Food and drink are NOT included with your ticket. Budget anywhere from $50-80 per person per day for meals, depending on where and how often you eat. Quick service restaurants are more budget-friendly than sit-down table service spots.
• MagicBand+ ($34.99+) — These wearable wristbands are totally optional, but can be a convenient add-on. They serve as your park tickets, allow you to make purchases to your room, and more, but your phone or Key To The World Card works just as well for most functions.
• Memory Maker ($185 before your trip, $210 during/after your trip) — Disney photographers are stationed throughout the parks and will take your photo for free. But if you want to actually download those photos, you’ll need to purchase Memory Maker.

What’s Included When Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel

Staying at one of Disney’s Resort hotels comes with some valuable perks that can make a big difference in your trip.

Here’s what you get:

• Complimentary Transportation — One of the biggest perks of staying at a Disney World hotel is never needing a car! Disney provides free transportation to all four theme parks, both water parks, and Disney Springs via buses, boats, the monorail, and the Disney Skyliner. Check out our complete guide to Disney World transportation here.
• Free Theme Park Parking — Resort guests don’t pay for parking at the theme parks or at their resort.
• Early Theme Park Entry — If maximizing your time in the parks is your priority, then staying at a Disney hotel pays off BIG! With Early Theme Park Entry, you can enter any of the four theme parks 30 minutes before they officially open to the general public, every single day of your stay. Use this time strategically to knock out popular attractions before the crowds arrive!
• Extended Evening Hours (Deluxe Resorts & DVC Villas only) — Guests staying at Deluxe Resorts or Disney Vacation Club Villas get an extra two hours in certain parks on select nights after they close to day guests.
• 7-Day Lightning Lane Pre-Booking Window — You can purchase and book Lightning Lane selections up to 7 days before your trip starts (compared to just 3 days for off-site guests).
• 60-Day Dining Reservation Window — You can book dining reservations 60 days in advance for your entire stay (up to 10 days). Off-site guests book 60 days out for each individual day. Here’s how to make Disney World dining reservations.
• Resort Amenities — Every Disney Resort includes pools, complimentary WiFi, Movies Under the Stars, and other resort activities.
• **Summer 2026 BONUS: If you’re visiting between May 26th and September 8th, 2026, Disney Resort guests get free admission to Disney’s water parks (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach) on their check-in day!

What’s NOT Included with Resort Stays

Even when staying on Disney property, these things will cost extra:

• Disney+ Streaming — It’s not available on your room TV (though you can log into your own account on some TVs)
• MagicBand+ ($34.99+) — No longer free or discounted for resort guests
• Disney Dining Plan — This is a separate purchase (see below)
• Resort Refillable Mug (~$22) — Good for unlimited refills at your resort during your stay
• Spa Services ($150-400+ for treatments)
• Recreation Rentals — Bikes, boats, fishing excursions, etc. ($10-35/hour)
• Premium Pool Cabanas ($150-400/day depending on resort)

What’s Included in the Disney Dining Plans

We’ve already covered that the cost of food and drink are NOT included in your Disney World vacation, but there is a way to pre-pay for these! The Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on that lets you pre-pay for your meals for the length of your trip. There are currently two dining plan options available (the Quick Service Dining Plan and Standard Dining Plan), and you must book a Disney Vacation Package (which includes theme park tickets and a Disney Resort hotel stay) in order to qualify for this add-on.

Guests often opt to purchase a dining plan as a way to budget for meals and because it can be so convenient. However, it’s important to know what is (and isn’t) included in each dining plan to determine if they’re right for you.

What’s Included In The Quick-Service Dining Plan

In 2026, the Quick Service Dining Plan costs $60.47 per adult, per night (ages 10+), and $26.16 per child, per night (ages 3 to 9). This plan includes:

• 2 quick service meals per day
• 1 snack per day
• Resort refillable drink mug

Quick-service restaurants are the counter service spots where you order at a window or kiosk. So, think burgers, pizza, chicken fingers, and similar fare.

What’s Included In The Standard Disney Dining Plan

In 2026, the Standard Disney Dining Plan costs $98.59 per adult, per night (ages 10+), and $31.94 per child, per night (ages 3 to 9). This plan includes:

• 1 quick service meal per day
• 1 table service meal per day
• 1 snack per day
• Resort refillable drink mug

Table service restaurants are sit-down spots with servers. This plan works well if you want a mix of quick bites and nicer dining experiences.

What’s NOT Included in the Dining Plans

• Tips and gratuities at table-service restaurants
• Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
• Items that are served in a souvenir container (such as popcorn or drinks)
• Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes and bottle straps)
• Special dining events offered at certain table service locations
• Signature dining restaurants, Dinner Shows, Room Service — These count as 2 table-service credits instead of 1

The dining plan can be a good value if you plan strategically and order higher-priced items. But if your family eats light or prefers flexibility, paying out of pocket might work better for you. Here’s more on whether the dining plan is worth it.

Disney World Packages vs. Booking Separately

When you book directly through Disney, you can either book a vacation package (which includes your Disney Resort room + theme park tickets bundled together) or book your room and tickets separately. While most traditional Disney vacationers choose to book a vacation package, you’ll want to consider both carefully before you choose which to book to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

A Disney vacation package bundles your resort stay and park tickets into one reservation, and purchasing a package is the only way to add a Disney Dining Plan. Vacation packages are also often the most cost-effective, as Disney typically runs the best deals on these. For 2026, Disney is offering some solid package promotions, including:

• Kids eat FREE with the Disney Dining Plan – In 2026, kids ages 3-9 get a free dining plan when adults in the party purchase one
• Buy 4, Get 2 Free – Get 2 extra room nights and park days free when you purchase a 4-night/4-day package (note that you must book by February 15th, 2026)
• Up to 30% off room rates for stays of 5+ nights in summer 2026

Ultimately, packages make the most sense when Disney is running a promotion that requires a package, or when you simply want the convenience of one reservation and one payment.

On the other hand, booking your room and tickets separately can be the better choice in certain situations. Room-only reservations have more flexible cancellation policies (you can make changes up to 5 days before check-in, versus 30 days for packages). You can also sometimes find better ticket prices through authorized third-party sellers, and shorter trips may not meet the minimum night requirements for package deals.

What Costs Extra (Quick Reference Guide)

We’ve already highlighted a lot of what’s NOT included in your Disney World vacation. To help you with your budget, here’s a quick (and handy) list of the most common “extras” and their approximate costs:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: $15-45/person/day
• Lightning Lane Single Pass: $12-25+ per attraction
• Dining: Budget $50-80/person/day, or consider a Disney Dining Plan
• Memory Maker: $185-210
• MagicBand+: $34.99+
• Parking (non-resort guests): $35/day standard, $50-60/day preferred
• Special Events: $169-199+
• Tours and Special Experiences: $25-300+
• Water Park Admission: $69-85/day (unless staying at a Disney hotel summer 2026)

You can also download our 2026 Disney World Planning Guide to get a FREE budget worksheet. Just drop your email in the box below, and it will be sent directly to your inbox!

Free Things to Do at Disney World

If you’re on a tight budget (or just don’t want to spend money on unnecessary extras), I’ve got good news for you – there’s A LOT that’s totally free and included in your trip! Here are just a few of the FREE things I like to do on every Disney World vacation I take:

• Visit Disney Springs — This shopping, dining, and entertainment district is completely free to enter, with free parking too
• Resort Hopping — Explore the incredible theming at different Disney resorts (Animal Kingdom Lodge has free animal viewing!)
• Transportation as Entertainment — Ride the monorail resort loop, take the Skyliner between parks, or cruise on the boats
• Celebration Buttons — Free from Guest Relations for birthdays, first visits, anniversaries, and more
• Club Cool at EPCOT — Free Coca-Cola samples with flavors from around the world
• Kidcot Stations at EPCOT — Free crafts and stamps at World Showcase pavilions
• Movies Under the Stars — Free nightly Disney films at most resort hotels

For the full breakdown, check out our complete guides to 25 Free Things to Do at Disney World here and 15 Free Things to Do at Disney Springs here.

Tips to Maximize What’s Included

Use Early Theme Park Entry strategically

Arrive early enough to be through security and in the parks 30-45 minutes before they open every day of your trip to take full advantage of that early access. You can often ride 1-2 popular attractions before the general public even gets in!

Download both free apps before you arrive

The My Disney Experience app is essential for checking wait times, mobile ordering, and making/modifying reservations. The Play Disney Parks app has games to pass the time in line if you’re skipping Lightning Lane Passes to save money.

Grab celebration buttons

If you’re celebrating a birthday, first visit, or anniversary, stop by Guest Relations for a free button. Cast Members love to make your celebration special, so you might end up getting some other free extras just because they know you’re celebrating!

Book dining 60 days out

Popular restaurants fill up fast, so take full advantage of this included perk when you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel. Here’s how to snag those hard-to-get reservations.

Check for stackable discounts

Before booking, compare package deals versus booking room and tickets separately. Sometimes combining a room-only discount with a third-party ticket deal saves more, which means that you’re getting a better value for what’s included in your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

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