There has been a developing trend in recent years at the Disney theme parks…and it’s all about $$$. Magical upgrades and special separate-ticket events are becoming more and more prevalent.

Many of these offerings fall under Disney’s “Enchanting Extras Collection,” a growing array of unique dining options, dessert parties, and Disney VIP experiences, to name a few. 

We totally get it — Disney World is WAY expensive no matter how you shake it, so it’s hard to try and justify shelling out your hard-earned cash for something ELSE on top of the oodles of money you’re already spending. But at least one of these options MAY make sense for you…and we’re going to take you through a few potential options that could make your trip that much more magical.

Let’s check out some of the more intriguing upgrades we think are worth the money for those seeking the ultimate Disney experience.

For the Riders

Do you often disembark from your favorite Disney ride and lament that you can’t immediately get right back on and ride it again and again? Then Disney’s Extended Evening Hours might be right up your alley. 

On select nights, you can stay in the Disney parks past closing time, usually for an extra two hours. Right now, the participating parks are Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. During the extra time, some rides and restaurants remain open, which means you’ll get to experience those things with little to no line.

The catch? Only guests staying at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts get to participate in Extended Evening Hours.

So if you want that extra time in the parks, you’ll need to pay Deluxe prices to get it. So although there isn’t a set extra cost for Extended Evening Hours, they do cost extra since the Deluxe hotels are often quite a bit more expensive than Moderate or Value resorts.

Keep in mind that guests at all Disney World hotels (including Value and Moderate hotels) can use Early Theme Park Entry, which means you can go into the parks a half hour before the scheduled opening time.

Are the Extra Theme Park Hours Worth the Cost?

For the Savvy Spenders

If you’re all about saving as many pennies as you can at Disney World, consider purchasing an Annual Pass. Now I know that sounds counterintuitive, but hear us out. Even if you only plan to visit once in a year, it may still save you a fair chunk of change in the discounts and perks that come with it! Plus, only one person in your party needs a pass for everyone to take advantage of the perks. (Note that Disney World Annual Pass sales are currently suspended, and Disney hasn’t announced when they will resume.)

AP perks are actually quite staggering! They often include huge discounts on rooms at select Disney resorts, discounts at select table-service restaurants, free parking, discounts on merchandise in the parks and online, and discounted special event pricing.

Passholders also get access to exclusive Annual Passholder merch, treats and other occasional promotions.

The Disney Incredi Pass will set you back a cool $1,299 plus tax. Florida residents can get their Pixie Pass for $399 plus tax. BUT — and especially if you’re traveling with a large enough group — all those savings (especially those hotel discounts) can add up fast and easily cover the cost of one pass and then some in no time.

There’s also the tried and true passholder trick of booking your yearly visits so that you can fit two years into one Annual Pass. For example, if you usually go to Disney World in February, see if you can book just one week earlier the second year so that you can still take advantage of your Annual Pass discounts and not have to purchase tickets for that second vacation. 

You’ll have to do the math to decide if purchasing an Annual Pass will be to your advantage. In our experience, the discounts outweigh the initial cost and it pays for itself in no time. But if you don’t plan to spend a ton in the gift shops, you’re staying offsite, or not dining your way around Disney World, it may not be the best fit for your group. You need to weigh the pros and cons for how you plan to travel.

And also note that once you have an Annual Pass burning a hole in your pocket…it can be difficult not to book just one more trip… .

For the Athletes

Does exercise relax your mind and motivate you to get one of the crazy Plaza ice cream sundaes or giant milkshakes around Disney World? Then you may want to consider participating in a runDisney event.

Available in 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon and Marathon lengths, there’s never been a more magical way to get in your steps.

Diehard runDisney fans love decking themselves in Disney-inspired running outfits for the races. It can make for great people-watching, even as a spectator! The race courses go right through the parks with tons of characters stationed as you go that you can stop to meet. That’s pretty solid motivation to get running!

There are even after-hours post-race parties for participants and exclusive runDisney merchandise available for purchase. With costs ranging from around $95 for most 5Ks to around $600 dollars for the largest, multi-race challenges, these are definitely pay-to-play options. But there’s usually something for everyone’s budget (and ability!). Check out our guide to participating in a runDisney event below.

The registration cost also may include a personalized race bib, marathon t-shirt, on-course and post-race refreshments, a unique Disney medal, and a virtual goody bag with a downloadable finisher certificate.

Race participants can often receive discounts around Disney World on food and merch when they show their race bib or medal. Imagine strutting around Disney Springs, medal on your neck, getting freebies and discounts for all that hard exercising you did!

If the thought of waking up early to work out on your vacation isn’t your idea of fun, we have tons of other less-active options for a great upgrade. But if the bragging rights of having finished a long run THROUGH the Disney parks gets your pulse rising, a runDisney race may be right up your alley!

Click Here to See the Dates for the 2022 and 2023 runDisney Races

For the Food Fans

If fine dining is more what gets your heart racing, an exclusive Disney dining experience sounds more like your style — and there’s a lot to choose from!

Dessert Parties

Disney World has a lot of options when it comes to dessert parties. Parties typically include a wide array of dessert options as well as some savory bites, a selection of beverages (sometimes alcohol), and reserved viewing of a nighttime spectacular.

Imagine while the rest of the crowds are elbow to elbow waiting to watch the nighttime show, you could be lounging in style with some tasty snacks and a drink in your hand. There’s often plenty of room to spread out at these events, so you’ll be guaranteed one of the best seats in the house!

One of our favorites is the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party in Epcot. Not only do you get all the sweet treats and prime views of the fireworks, but you also get a guaranteed ride on Frozen Ever After WITHOUT a crazy long wait! Frozen Ever After is a top tier Fastpass at Epcot along with Test Track and Soarin’, so since you get a ride on Frozen with your admission to the party, that frees up that ever valuable Fastpass for one of those two popular attractions, instead!

UPDATE: Note that the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party has not yet returned to Disney World.

Check out our latest review of the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party here!

Most of Disney’s Dessert parties cost around $99 to $129 for adults and $59 to $69 for children, depending on which you choose.

Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table

UPDATE: Note that Victoria and Albert’s has not yet reopened in Disney World.

The super $$$$ chef’s table at Grand Floridian’s Victoria & Albert’s is another ultra-swanky option. Only one party of guests are seated at this distinguished table each night and can only accommodate up to 8 guests at a time.

This is a looooooooong experience — usually three hours or more — and will for sure take up your whole evening. But it really CAN be a worthwhile splurge for certain folks. Personally, we loved the chance to chat with the very excited sous chefs in the kitchen. Working here is basically their dream come true, and to hear them talking about their experiences and sharing the work they’re doing was a blast — and really not something you can experience anywhere else in Disney World.

For those who are food aficionados, the dishes here are seriously prime. So, while many Disney visitors would prefer to put this kind of money into an extra day at the park or maybe an After Hours event, some of us prize these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to learn more about life in a high-end kitchen. 

The Prix Fixe dinner is $250.00 per guest or $355-$400 per guest if you choose those bonus wine pairings, gratuity and tax not included. 

Keep in mind, Victoria and Albert’s is one of the only dining spots in Disney World with an age limit — you have to be at least 10 to dine here. So if you have kiddos with you and don’t want to rustle up a sitter so you can chow down, this might be a pass for you. But if you’ve got some time to kill, possibly a special occasion to celebrate, and have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket then pack some swanky clothes and enjoy being treated like royalty for a few hours.

You can read our full Victoria and Albert’s review here! 

For the Adventure-Seekers

Maybe you need a break from the Disney-ness of it all for a while. How about satisfying your inner explorer with an excursion full of up-close interactions with animals and nature? The Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom is a 3-hour privately guided tour of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

You can read our review of the Wild Africa Check here!

Not only will you receive a special vest and headset as you check-in (sorry — not for keeps), but you’ll also be shuttled around in a private safari vehicle and be granted exclusive access to cast member-only areas, walking paths, and rope bridges not open to the general public.

But how close to the animals will you really be? So close that you’ll be strapped in for your safety! In the end, your bravery will be rewarded with an offering of gourmet African-inspired eats, free PhotoPass downloads to show off your endeavors, and a souvenir water canteen.

The Wild Africa Trek price costs $199 plus tax per person. This is a ton of money, BUT it’s actually not that bad when compared to other wildlife encounters offered at the park. Plus, you can feel good knowing a portion of your admission goes to charity!

If animals or nature are your thing, this can be a great chance to really spend some time up close and personal, away from the hustle of the parks. This is perfect for that animal lover in your group, and it’s an opportunity they will likely never forget. If climbing around in the heat for a few hours isn’t your jam, maybe sleeping in with the A.C. cranked in your room is more your speed. No judgment here!

Overall

Disney has so many upgrade options for a variety of interests at a range of price-points that there’s bound to be at least one great fit for your group. But be sure to crunch those numbers to decide if the benefits are a good fit for you and worth your money.

Do you have a ton of people in your group? Are you celebrating a special occasion? Do you want an exclusive, private experience away from the crowds? Can you make an adjustment here or there to your plans so a splurge on an upgrade doesn’t feel like such a deep cut?

While most are fairly pricey, their value can easily exceed the cost for many families looking to make unique memories. But a Disney trip is a wallet minefield, so proceed with caution. And keep following DFB for more tips as you plan your vacation!

Click Here to See a Simple Hack to SAVE Money On Your Vacation

Have you tried an “Enchanting Extra” that didn’t make our list? Tell us about your experience and why you think it was a good value!