8 New Disney Park Expenses That Are Worth Every Penny

When it comes to vacations, Disney World and Disneyland aren’t exactly the cheapest possible options. But that doesn’t stop people from going to them, and for good reason. These theme parks have a ton to offer when it comes to family fun and making memories.

Disney has some relatively new features that, while they cost more money, are worth considering if ever you go. These are some of the big ones.

“As a travel agent specializing in Disney Destinations, I’m well-versed in all things Disney,” said Kelsey Rahenkamp of MickeyTravels. “One of the newest additions is free water park entry on your arrival day with any stay at a Walt Disney World hotel in 2025!”

Of course, you’ll need to plan your stay so that you get the most out of this perk. Rahenkamp recommended comparing the timing of when you can get into your hotel room with the waterpark’s hours.

At Disney World, you can also splurge for after-hours parties at select parks.

“Disney holds these events on select nights at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The cost is comparable to a daytime ticket, but the crowds are so low you can get as much done during the event as you would during a regular park day (as long as you arrive around the time they let you into the park) if you swap an after-hours event for a daytime ticket,” said Tarah Chieffi, senior travel news writer at The Points Guy.

You could also add this after-hours visit to your regular park day. Not only will you get shorter lines, but you can also get unlimited soda and snacks.

If you’re staying at specific deluxe hotels during your stay, you can take advantage of Disney World’s extended evening hours. This is a recent addition that is well worth the cost if you want to maximize your time — and cut down a little on how many other guests are at the park.

“This is an incredible benefit as it lets you stay in select theme parks two hours after closing,” said Rahenkamp. “That’s two hours with reduced crowds that you can accomplish a lot in! If you weren’t already planning on staying at a deluxe resort, then this should give you reason to think about it!”

Another more recent Disney World perk is the Disney Dining Plan, which lets you prepay for a specific number of meals and snacks during your vacation — something that could save you money overall.

“Purchasing a Disney Dining Plan may or may not make sense for you, but you can save money on dining if you plan your meals and snacks carefully,” said Chieffi. “If you plan to have at least two meals per day in the park and include an alcoholic beverage or specialty drink like a milkshake with each meal, you can come out ahead.”

“If you want to visit the most popular rides at Disney World, each park offers an Individual Lightning Lane (ILL). These rides are the most popular and have a la carte pricing each day. Guests staying at a Disney World resort can select an ILL at 7 a.m. Guests staying off-property can purchase their first one at the park’s opening time,” said Lauren King from Key to the World Travel and the owner of a travel blog.

These lightning lanes aren’t always the same, so you’ll need to check what’s available during your trip. King mentioned a few more recent options:

“Magic Kingdom Individual Lightning Lanes include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle Run. EPCOT offers Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Hollywood Studios features Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Animal Kingdom offers Avatar: Flight of Passage.”

If you’re going to Disneyland, check out the After Dark after-hours events. These themed events are held throughout the year, so you’ll need to see the calendar around the time when you’re planning your trip.

“For example, Disneyland hosts a series of Star Wars-themed events in April and May and two Pride Nite events in June,” said Chieffi. “Disneyland limits attendance during these events, so you can knock out a bunch of rides, but the real draws are the fun foods, rare characters and special entertainment. Tickets start at around $159 per person.”

Later this year, Disney World is rolling out an updated version of Genie+. It’s an optional feature that costs between $15 and $40 per person — depending on when you go and how many parks you visit.

“Up until now, visitors have only been able to book attractions on the same day with Genie+, but soon they will be able to make reservations for a range of popular rides at the parks in advance and make the most of their ‘Lightning Lanes’ to avoid waiting in the main queue,” said James Mannings, CEO and co-founder of Top Villas, a luxury vacation rental provider with a large base in Orlando and properties near Disney World.

With this add-on, you can make reservations in advance and save time otherwise spent waiting in lengthy queues.

While not a new feature or perk, this is a Disney expense that’s worth considering this year as you plan your trip.

“If you want to maximize your time in the parks, be sure to book with a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations,” said King. “Disney pays us, so clients don’t have to spend any more. We can come alongside and help clients pick the right resort, select the best tickets, make dining reservations, and make a great plan for their vacation days.”