We hate to be the ones to have to tell you this, but Disney has been lying to you. 😱

As much as we LOVE Disney, we have to expose these “lies” to you. They may not be explicitly lying to you or even mean to say untruthful things, but some things have become insinuated through their actions. So, we’re to clear the air, so to say. There are 6 lies that many of us have started to believe about Disney, and we needed to shed some light on the facts.

We are some of the biggest Disney fans here at DFB. But we’re tired of falling for their bag of tricks. They have us wrapped around their marketing fingers, but we’re through with it, and you should be, too! So listen up, we don’t have to believe their “lies” any longer.

Lie #1: You Should Be Eagerly Waiting for New Expansions and Attractions

Disney has been stringing us along ever since they announced that they’re investing $60 billion into their experiences division. Since then, we have been on the edge of our seats every time CEO Bob Iger and Parks and Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro speak.

We’ve recently learned that 70% of the investment is “earmarked for incremental capacity-expanding investment,” which to us sounds like expansions. But we have also been told that the majority of the funds will be used in the second half of the next decade. So, while we’ve been over here waiting and waiting for any sign of information about the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disneyland expansions, it’s potentially not coming for another 5 years.

Expert Predicts Disney World Will Announce a 5th Park

Lie #2: You Need to Be a Disney+ Subscriber/DVC Member/AP/Visa Cardholder to Have a Good Time in Disney World

Disney is really good at marketing their “extras.” Disney+, Disney Vacation Club, Annual Passes, Visa credit cards, and more always look so enticing. Disney frequently announces perks and promotions for people who are part of these special groups. This can be things like a free Dining Plan, discounts at restaurants, or exclusive lounges in the parks.

But the truth is, each of these special things will end up costing you MORE in the long run. A Disney+ subscription will cost you a monthly (or annual) fee, a credit card may get you to buy more, an annual pass can run you over $1,000, and Disney Vacation Club costs you an upfront cost plus annual fees.

We’re not saying any of these things can’t be worth it for some people (many of us at DFB are members of several of these), but you don’t NEED them to have a good time in Disney World. A trip without these perks is still a great trip. If you don’t frequently go to Disney World, then the perks may not outweigh the cost for any one of these items.

Every Single Disney World Annual Passholder Perk

Lie #3: You Need to Buy the Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan made a comeback in January this year, and now Disney entices you to add it to your park package. Don’t get us wrong, it can be a beneficial thing to buy, but whether or not it’s worth the price is completely circumstantial. AJ breaks down how the Disney Dining Plan may not be as efficient as Disney claims it to be in the video below!

Basically, the Dining Plan can be expensive, and you may end up spending more on food by using it than you would without it. It may be convenient to pay for food ahead of your trip, but you certainly don’t NEED the Dining Plan to enjoy all the great food around Disney World.

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It in 2024?

Lie #4: You Need to Get a Park Hopper Ticket

Another perk that returned in January is all-day park hopping! Now, we are big fans of park hopping, but only because we like to visit more than one park in a day. But if you’re plan is to only do one park a day and then “maybe” go to a second, you probably don’t need to spend the extra money for the park hopper ticket.

There is nothing wrong with staying in one park all day, so don’t let Disney lie to you! Enjoying one park to its fullest extent for the day is still a great day, especially if you don’t go to Disney World often. Park hopping can be tricky, and we often find ourselves doing it because we know exactly what we like to do and don’t care to do in each park. If you don’t go to Disney World every day like we do, that may not be a concern for you.

Is Disney World’s Park Hopper Ticket Worth It and When?

Lie #5: Staying More Days at the Parks Is Going to Cost You Less in the Long Run

Disney has incentivized going to the parks for more days by decreasing the price of a park ticket per day the longer you stay. If we break this down it’s like this: a Disney World park ticket for one park for one day starts at $109 (that price can vary based on the day you pick to go, but we’re going to work with $109), but if you go for 10 days that price drops down and can get as low as $65 per day. This is all not including a park hopper or park hopper plus option.

But it’s $65 per day times 10 days, so really instead of $109 for your trip ticket, you’ll be spending $650!! So yes, it can be cheaper for a ticket per day to go to Disney World for more days than just one, but overall you’ll be paying more for your tickets.

Now, let’s consider all the other expenses you would have for those days. You would need a hotel for each additional day which will be over $100 at least, even at one of Disney’s Value Resorts.

Then, you’ll have the extra cost of food for each day you’re in the park (we always think about food, but it’s important!). There are multiple options for snacks and meals, but it all adds up each day you’re there. If you purchase Genie+ on any of the days, that’s another added cost. So, this lie that it’s cheaper to extend your trip is simply not true.

How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World?

Lie #6: You Need Genie+

Disney’s Genie+ is something you purchase on the day of your trip, and then you can make Lightning Lane selections (Disney’s line passing system) for that day. It can be very useful, and Disney advertises it everywhere. There’s this sense that if you don’t use Genie+, then you won’t be able to do anything in the park. But that’s simply not true.

Genie+ has become a little, well, complicated. Now that park hopping has returned all day, Genie+ has a lot going on. You can learn more about it in our guide! One thing that makes Genie+ difficult is that it can change prices daily and vary based on which park you are paying for. There’s the Multiple Parks option, but that’s generally the most expensive one and usually costs over $20.

Do you actually need Genie+ to do anything in the parks? No. You do not NEED Genie+. Is it helpful? Yes, it can be. But Disney has made it seem like you won’t get on any rides without it and that is not true. You can ride a lot of the rides without buying Genie+. So if you want to go without paying the extra cost, you most certainly can.

Remember, we love going to Disney World, but we also like to say a buck or two if we can. If you’re hoping to save a little money on your trip, don’t fall for all of Disney’s lies. You don’t NEED any of these things to have a fun trip!

For more Disney tips, keep following DFB!

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What tips do you have for people headed to Disney World? Let us know here!