Will Disney Packages Save You Money?
This post may contain Affiliate Links
Walt Disney World is a bucket-list holiday for many families, but it can also come with a pretty hefty price tag. When you’re spending thousands of pounds on a holiday, it’s worth taking the time to work out whether a Disney package really is the best value option for you.
When we booked our first trip to Walt Disney World, we chose a Disney package. At the time, there were some significant perks attached to booking this way, including a dining plan, Disney spending money and airport transfers.
Things have changed quite a bit since our trip, though, so I wouldn’t rely on old Disney package prices or offers when planning a holiday now.
The important thing is to compare the total cost of a package with booking the same holiday separately.
What Is A Disney World Package?
A Disney holiday package generally combines your Disney Resort hotel and park tickets, with other elements such as a dining plan available as an add-on depending on the package and current offers.
For UK visitors, Disney’s current holiday packages can also include perks such as flexible payment options and promotional discounts. For example, current UK Disney packages offer selected arrivals in 2027 with free Disney Dining & Drinks on eligible bookings, plus savings of up to £200 on the hotel and ticket package.
Offers change regularly, though, so I wouldn’t book a Disney holiday based on a particular promotion being available.
Can A Disney Package Save You Money?
It can, but don’t assume that it will.
This is probably the most important thing I’d take from my original article.
When we booked our Disney holiday, the package came with several extras that made the overall cost much better for us. But Disney promotions, ticket prices, dining plans and flight prices have all changed since then.
The best way to find out whether a package is cheaper is to price up both options.
Compare like for like
If a Disney package costs £5,000, don’t simply compare that with a £4,500 hotel you found elsewhere.
You need to add up the cost of everything you would need to buy separately:
- Disney Resort hotel
- Park tickets
- Flights
- Luggage
- Airport transfers or car hire
- Car parking
- Dining
- Any extras included in the package you’re comparing
Only then can you see which option really represents the better deal.
Disney Dining Plans Can Make Packages More Attractive
One of the biggest changes since I originally wrote this article is the Disney Dining Plan itself.
When we visited, we had a free dining promotion, and I wrote at length about how much value we got from it.
Dining plans are still available, but the options and offers have changed. For 2026,
Disney has a Quick-Service Dining Plan and Disney Dining Plan, while 2027 introduces three options: Quick-Service, Table-Service and Deluxe Table-Service.
For 2027, for example, the Table-Service plan includes one Quick-Service meal, one Table-Service meal, one selected snack or drink and a refillable resort mug per person aged three and over, per night.
There are also currently UK offers giving free Disney Dining & Drinks on selected 2027 packages, although these offers have specific booking and arrival-date restrictions and exclude gratuities.
So if you’re considering a Disney package, check what dining offer is available when you’re booking. It could make a substantial difference to the overall cost.
But don’t assume a dining plan automatically saves money
This is something I would make much clearer than I did in the original article.
If you don’t eat three meals a day, don’t particularly want expensive sit-down meals or would rather eat some of your meals away from Disney, a dining plan might not be the best financial choice.
There’s also the question of time.
We actually enjoyed sitting down for meals and seeing them as part of the experience, but if you’d rather spend every possible minute in the parks, spending two hours over lunch isn’t necessarily going to feel like good value.
Disney Resort Transport Can Save Money
One of the advantages of staying at a Disney Resort hotel is the complimentary transport around Walt Disney World.
Disney currently provides complimentary buses, boats, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner on applicable routes.
This can mean you don’t need to hire a car for your Disney days, saving you money on:
- Car hire
- Fuel
- Parking
- Potentially airport transfers
One important correction to my original article: Disney’s Magical Express airport transfer is no longer available. It ended in 2022, so don’t factor a free MCO-to-hotel transfer into the value of a modern Disney package.
If you’re planning to visit Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or other attractions outside Disney, you’ll need to factor in how you’ll get around. In that situation, hiring a car or using taxis/rideshares may make more sense.
Don’t Forget The Value Of Disney’s Other Offers
Dining isn’t the only thing that can make a package more attractive.
Disney regularly runs different promotions, which can include discounts on accommodation, dining offers, ticket deals or other perks.
For example, current 2026 offers include free dining plans for children aged 3–9 when an eligible package includes a dining plan for the adults.
For 2027, Disney’s UK site is currently advertising free Disney Dining & Drinks on selected hotel-and-ticket packages, as well as savings of up to £200 per booking.
This is why I wouldn’t automatically assume that booking everything separately is cheaper.
The package price might look higher until you account for the value of what’s included.
Booking A Package Can Make Budgeting Easier
There’s another advantage to a package that doesn’t necessarily show up in a spreadsheet: it’s easier to budget for.
Disney’s current UK packages can be booked with deposits from £50 per person, with the remaining balance payable in flexible instalments before the balance due date.
That won’t necessarily make the holiday cheaper, but it can make paying for it much easier.
If you’re saving for a Disney holiday, being able to secure the booking and then gradually pay towards the balance can be useful.
But Booking Separately Could Still Be Cheaper
There are plenty of reasons you might decide against a Disney package.
For example, you might find:
- A much cheaper hotel away from Disney property
- Cheaper flights separately
- A villa with a private pool that works better for your family
- Cheaper park tickets elsewhere
- That you don’t need a dining plan
- That you plan to spend lots of time at Universal or other Orlando attractions
- That you prefer having a hire car
And if you’re travelling as a family, don’t underestimate the value of having more space.
A Disney hotel room might be perfect if you’re planning to spend most of your time in the parks, but a villa with separate bedrooms, a kitchen and your own pool could be much better value if you want somewhere to spend your downtime.
How To Compare A Disney Package With Booking Separately
Before booking, I’d do this:
1. Get a package price.
Look at the total cost rather than just the headline price.
2. Price the same hotel separately.
Make sure you’re comparing the same Disney Resort hotel and dates.
3. Add the park tickets.
Don’t forget to compare equivalent tickets.
4. Price your flights separately.
Include luggage, seat selection and anything else you’d actually pay for.
5. Add up the extras.
Consider dining, transfers, car hire, parking and anything else included in the package.
6. Check current Disney offers.
A package can become much more attractive when there’s a good promotion available.
7. Then compare the totals.
That’s your real answer.
So, Are Disney Packages Worth It?
For me, there isn’t a simple yes or no answer.
Disney packages can be excellent value, but they aren’t automatically the cheapest way to book a Disney holiday.
When we visited, the package we chose worked really well for us because of the dining offer and other extras that were included. We also loved the convenience of having so much of the holiday paid for in advance.
But I wouldn’t assume the same package would be the best deal today.
If you’re planning a Disney World holiday, price up both options before you book. A package might save you money once you factor in the current promotions and what’s included or you might find that booking separately gives you a better deal.
Looking to save money on travel? Head over to my Budget Travel & Days Out Hub
Thanks for the tips on the Disney Packages! I’ve bookmarked this as no doubt we’ll be heading there someday!