Is Disney World worth it? Or any Disney vacation?

Last updated on March 13, 2025

The million-dollar (or more like thousands-of-dollars) question: is a trip to Disney World worth it? Same for Disneyland and all the other Disney parks: is a Disney vacation worth the time, money and effort?

I get asked this all the time, so here’s a post with all my thoughts. We’ve been to all the Disney World parks in Florida, as well as the ones in California and Paris, so I’m basing my answer on all those trips.

The world’s most requested family vacation

Disney is one of the world’s most hyped family vacations. And it’s no doubt the number one vacation requested trip by kids. They dream of it – in fact you probably did too (I certainly did!). And doing a Disney holiday is one of those iconic family vacations that most people at least consider.

For some adults, a Disney vacation will sound like a nightmare. For others, it’s a shared dream. And for most, it’s a big investment. For everyone, is it worth the cost? And for those that aren’t into it, is it worth it for the kids? Let’s take a look at the different factors…

Is a trip to Disneyland/Disney World worth it with kids?

I’m not going to lie and say going to a Disney park is pure magic. I hope this isn’t just my kids, but in my experience, theme parks have a knack for bringing out the worst in them. The queues, the over-stimulation and the temptation for consumption at every corner is a recipe for bad moods and worse behaviour. I’m often left wondering – or saying out loud – what’s the point?!

But on the flip side, there’s a lot to love about Disney’s theme parks, and there’s nowhere quite like them for the magic they provide. Just like that recipe for bad behaviour, a trip to Disney is also a unique recipe for magic: beloved movies for every generation, some of the best imagined rides on the planet, world-class shows, an incredible attention to detail, and a mind-boggling budget that makes the whole thing possible. I think it’s kind of impossible not to be impressed. It’s full of golden core-memory moments.

So while a trip to Disney isn’t easy with kids, I do think it’s worth it, so long as you can afford it. And make sure to do your research and make a realistic plan, so you can get the most out of your time there (and the investment you’ve put into it!). I have guides to all the Disney parks that will help you do that.

Also, I think it’s worth saying that I don’t think a Disney trip is for everyone. If the overstimulation side of things sounds like too much then there are plenty of wonderful bucket-list family vacation alternatives. And definitely consider one of these if you only have the budget for a limited number of family vacations within this budget. There might be others that would work much better for you, and I don’t think kids need to go to Disney.

Is Disney worth it when the kids are really young?

I talk about the ideal age for visiting Disney in the next question, but first let’s consider if it’s even worth it with little kids.

Our youngest was almost 3 the first time we went to Disneyland in California, but we also went to Universal Studios when our eldest was a 10-month-old baby. The trip to Universal was almost entirely for our own enjoyment rather than our son’s (he’d have likely got just as much out of a simple park). And it was also part of a bigger California road trip. So no, I don’t think it’s worth taking a baby to Disney unless you’re going mainly for you or as part of a wider trip. A good thing about going with little ones is that kids under 3 don’t have to pay!

It’s different when kids get to toddler age and can really enjoy all the characters, the theming and even the rides. But there are a few things to consider before taking them at this age.

Younger kids generally have less stamina, so it’s hard to truly get the most out of all the parks at that age. For example, getting to a park for rope drop around 7am and then staying up until 9pm for fireworks is a long day for anyone, and a really long one for kids. While you can take breaks back at the hotel, or even nap, it’s still tiring and will be unrealistic for some kids.

You need to carefully consider what you think your kids can cope with, and what your expectations/hopes are. If you’re doing a once-in-a-lifetime Disney trip and your heart is set on doing ALL of it, then perhaps wait until the kids are a bit older and will have the stamina for it. Or, if you’re going to do multiple trips, accept that Disney World with little kids will need a bit more flexibility when it comes to expectations – and enjoy all the bits you can do.

I talk about the best parks for different ages in another section below.

Is there a perfect age for a Disney vacation?

There are many strong opinions on the best age for visiting Disney World and all the other Disney parks, but I think it really depends on the individual – and also on how many times you plan on visiting.

In a nutshell, little kids will likely get the most out of meeting all their favourite characters. And they’re often the most enchanted by all the theming. But they’re also the most difficult to travel with as they get tired easily and overstimulated. Plus they can’t enjoy all the bigger rides. 

Older kids will get more out of all the rides and the theming of areas like Galaxy’s Edge. And there’s often a sweet spot, around 11, when they get the best of both.

That said, as with everything, there are shades of grey, and some little kids will love all the rides, and there are adults who love the character meet and greets.

Personally, I think the ideal situation is to do two Disney holidays – one when the kids are little (under 10), and again when they’re older and can experience the more grown-up attractions and rides. 

So far, we’ve been to Disney with our kids at every age from 2-7, and this was a perfect age for them to be fully captivated by the characters and magic of Disney. But I also want to take them when they’re older and can enjoy more of the rides. 

I personally went when I was 7, 11 and 18, and the latter two ages were great for going on all the rides (plus at 11, I was still pretty captivated by the magic too).

Are all the Disney theme parks worth it?

There are six Disney theme park locations around the world – Florida, California, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong. And within each one there are multiple parks. 

How to choose which one to visit largely depends on your location. But do bear in mind that Disney World is by far the biggest. So if you’re doing a once-in-a-lifetime Disney visit then nowhere really compares to Disney World in Orlando.

However, if you’re planning on visiting Disney multiple times, for example once when the kids are young and again when they’re older, I think Disneyland Paris or Disneyland California are the best options for little kids. They’re smaller, so more manageable to navigate and they still have all the magic of Disney. Then, when the kids are older, do a full Disney World trip.

Because the Disneylands in Paris and California are smaller, it also makes them easier to combine with a vacation elsewhere – for example, two days in the parks and five on a road trip/city break. Because Disney World is so much bigger, you need more theme park days to see it all.

What about families where the adults aren’t into Disney?

I know many families where the kids, and perhaps one parent, are keen on Disney but the other parent hates the idea. Or families where the kids are desperate to go and the adults aren’t. In these cases, I’d say that even if you hate Disney, you’ll likely appreciate the kids’ enchantment. But you do have to lean into it. Don’t go to Disney committed to the idea of hating it – there’s just no point.

Another way to make it more palatable is to build a wider family vacation around your trip to Disney. For example, if you’re in Florida, pair it with a trip to Miami, nearby beaches or even the Keys. We have a full Florida itinerary that worked well for us. 

If you’re going to Disneyland California, consider making it part of a California road trip, heading up the Pacific Coast Highway, or simply exploring more of L.A. 

And if it’s Disneyland Paris, pair it with a Parisian city break or a bigger road trip in France. That way, everyone gets something they love.

Also, as I said before, I don’t think Disney is for everyone. Personally, if I had the money for just one huge trip over my kids’ childhood, I’d go for something like Thailand or Costa Rica instead.

Is it worth doing an adults-only Disney vacation?

It’s much simpler deciding if an adults-only Disney vacation is worth it rather than one with kids. It really comes down to you and how much you want to go. If it’s a curiosity thing, then perhaps just go for a day and make it part of a bigger trip. But if you’re a big Disney fan, then by all means go for it. All the Disney parks have enough to entertain adults for at least a day. And Disney World has enough for at least four days. I know mega Disney fans who go for two weeks, building in rest days in between.

Is a Disney trip worth the cost? How much does Disney cost?

So the big question: is Disney worth the cost? This is hugely individual as it comes down to what you can afford. But here’s a rough idea of how much it can cost.

1. Park tickets 

• 1-day ticket: $40–$200 per person (based on demand and much cheaper for multi-day tickets. You wouldn’t get a single-day ticket for $40, but that’s how much our 14-day Disney World ticket worked out as)

2. Accommodation 

• Budget hotels (off-site): From $150 per night.
• Disneyland Hotel and other Disney properties: $300–$2000+ per night.

3. Food and drinks 

• Quick-service: $15–$20 per meal, per person.
• Table-service: $25–$60 per meal, per person.
• Character dining: Around $50–$80 per person (less for children)

4. Transportation 

• You also need to factor in transport to the Disney you’re going to (e.g. flights/trains/ferries). And the cost of transport for getting around (e.g.do you need a hire car or is there a free shuttle?)

5. Extras and souvenirs 🎁

• Fast passes: Vary from $5-30 per ride per person, or $18-29 for a multi-pass. 
• Souvenirs: As little or as much as you like!

Found this useful? Share it on Pinterest!