It’s no secret that a trip to Disney World can get expensive.

And we do our best to keep you updated on ways you can save on a Disney World trip when it comes to food, hotels, tickets, and more. But sometimes, you just want a little splurge when you’re on vacation, right? How do you know which splurges are worth the cash and which to pass on?

But some of those splurges come with a hefty price tag, and are they really worth it? We think some of them certainly are, and we’ve broken down our favorite expensive things at Disney World that we think are worth the cost. Note that some of these experiences are still unavailable at Disney World. We’ll keep you up to date as that changes. 

Wild Africa Trek

When we asked our team about expensive things at Disney World that are TOTALLY worth it, the Wild Africa Trek came up a lot. This experience takes you on a trip into an area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom that is rarely seen by guests, giving those on the tour amazing views of giraffes, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and more!

The guided tour combines walking and riding in a safari vehicle through those rare parts of Animal Kingdom that no one else gets to see. After, guests get to enjoy small plates of African-inspired foods while enjoying a gorgeous view of the savanna. There’s also a photographer taking photos that guests later get access to. This experience costs $139-$249 per person (plus the cost of your tickets) and is worth it.

Read A Review of the Wild Africa Trek

The Dress Shop Dresses

If you’re going to dress up, why not do it in Disney style? And one of the most expensive pieces of clothing you can get at Disney is a Dress Shop dress. But these unique designs are worth their $100 to $128 price tag! And there’s a dress for so many wonderful Disney things, including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Ariel, 101 Dalmations, and more! These are the ultimate way to Disneybound!

These dresses tend to borrow from vintage styles, so they’re also perfect for Dapper Day! But they’re so fun and stylish that you could wear them anywhere. And we’ve noticed that these dresses are well-made, too, and hold up well after many wearings.

See Photos of The Dress Shop Tomorrowland Dress

Signature Dining Experiences

We strongly believe in YOLO when it comes to dining at Disney World, and signature dining experiences at some of the best restaurants at Disney World (and possibly, the WHOLE world) are often worth their higher prices. We’ve enjoyed nearly every meal we’ve ever had at restaurants like Jiko and often return to places like California Grill, Victoria and Albert’s, and more.

Not only will you be treated to some of the finest food you’ve ever had, but you’ll also get first-rate service (and we’re talking even above and beyond regular already-great Disney service) and a memorable dining experience. If you can swing it, book a signature dining reservation for your next Disney World trip.

Find Out If A $350 Dinner at Disney World Is Worth It

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Tiki Mug

One of the most sought-after collectibles at Disney World are the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Tiki Mugs. People LOVE to collect these, despite their price — generally around $30 (although that does usually include a drink) but some, like the massive Nautilus drink, costs $58 with the drink. But these mugs are unique and fun, and often represent our favorite Disney things (we love the seasonal Haunted Mansion ones and the holiday Nutcracker ones).

Caution, though — once you collect one, you might not want to stop, but these are collectibles that just also happen to be mugs (so…you know…you can USE them as mugs!), and we think they’re worth it.

See More Photos Of One Of These Mugs

Certain Room Upgrades

Sure, you could stay in a standard room at a value resort, but some room upgrades at Disney World are worth the extra cost. For example, how can we resist the Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort? ARRRRR! And if you have a large party, the Family Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are a great option.

Or why not wake up with a view of wild animals every morning in a Savanna Room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Or how about Theme Park Views at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa? Some rooms are better than others and worth the additional cost.

Honorable Mention: VIP Tours

VIP Tours at Disney World are a great way to learn a lot more about Disney World and see areas of the parks that most guests don’t get to see. These tours can be a great way to spend a day at Disney World with your family.

For example, the Disney’s Family Magic Tour takes your family on a quest through Magic Kingdom with a tour guide, looking for clues to unlock all kinds of secrets about the park. And at $39 per person (plus the cost of a ticket), it’s a fun way to see Magic Kingdom in an entirely new way.

Or you can see parts of Magic Kingdom no one else gets to see on the five-hour Keys To The Kingdom Tour. This tour takes you behind the scenes and even includes the infamous “utilidor” tunnels underneath the Magic Kingdom. You’ll also see loads of Hidden Mickeys and learn some little-known trivia about Disney. This tour is $99 per person and includes lunch plus a gift.

If you want to go all out, though, the Private VIP Tour is an all-day tour that offers you unparalleled access to Disney World (including ALL parks), front-of-the-line ride access, and loads of valuable information with your very own private tour guide. You get to work with your guide to customize the spots YOU want to visit. But this will cost you $425 to $750 per hour for a minimum of 7 hours and up to 10 guests. It comes down to whether you want to spend that much money on a tour, especially when you could spend about that much on extra nights at a Disney World hotel.

Learn More About Private VIP Tours

In the end, it does come down to what you are comfortable spending for certain Disney World experiences, but these are some we’ve thoroughly enjoyed at the parks regardless of their price tags. And if you can arrange to throw one of these into your budget for your next Disney World trip, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Click Here For The BEST Disney World Upgrades for Under $5!

Have you ever indulged in any of these expensive things at Disney World? Let us know what you thought about them in the comments!