You’ve picked the dates, bought the tickets, and started to make dining reservations. You’re off to a good start, but there’s more to planning a theme park vacation than just the big stuff. In fact, there are all kinds of add-ons and extra experiences that could make or break your vacation — things like skip-the-line passes, VIP tours, dining packages, and even after-hours parties that all add to the overall cost of your trip.
But not all of these theme park extras are worth the cost. I’ve been visiting theme parks all over the world for more than three decades and have seen how the parks have changed to make extras feel like must-haves. Here’s my take on what’s worth adding to your vacation budget and what you can safely skip.
Worth the Added Cost: Skip-the-Line Passes (but With a Caveat)
One of the easiest ways to save time on your next theme park vacation is to buy skip-the-line passes. At Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, the service is called Lightning Lane. At Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, it’s called Express Pass. Other regional theme parks around the country also have their own versions of skip-the-line passes. While these do add quite a bit to your vacation budget, the time you will save by not standing in long lines will be worth it because you’ll be able to get on more during the day.
The one caveat to this is knowing which parks the skip-the-line passes are actually useful at and which parks you can do in one day without the extra cost passes. I always suggest people purchase Lightning Lanes for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. EPCOT at Disney World is also a good place to have it, but it’s not a necessity, depending on what rides you want to do. I suggest skipping Lightning Lanes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, as it’s an easy park to complete in one day. Additionally, I always purchase Lightning Lanes at Disneyland because it’s so easy to park hop and get on multiple attractions in one day.
At Universal Orlando Resort, Express Passes are expensive. Still, if you stay at one of the Signature Collection hotels (excluding Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel), you’ll get Express Passes for free, included in your booking. The extra hotel cost may outweigh the cost of Express Passes for your entire vacation.
Skip: VIP Tours
I’ve been lucky enough to do VIP Tours at Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. With VIP Tours, you’re escorted around the park with a knowledgeable guide who can share details and secrets about the park, plus escort you to the front of the line. They are great, but if you’re sticking to a budget, they are not worth the extra cost, even if they do make you feel like a celebrity for the day.
Worth the Added Cost: Seasonal Parties and After-Hours Events
After-hours events and seasonal parties seem to be getting bigger and better at theme parks around the country, especially with the rise in popularity of Halloween (hello, Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party). But there are plenty of other seasonal parties and after-hours events if you’re not into Halloween. These extra-cost tickets are typically worth the added cost, especially if you use them as your big event for the day.
For example, if you’re going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, consider spending the morning and afternoon at your hotel pool or Disney Springs. Then, when the ticket becomes active at 4:00 p.m., head into the park to do a few things before the party starts at 7:00 p.m.
Some of my favorite seasonal parties and after-hours events are the Disneyland After Dark at the Disneyland Resort, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort.
Skip: Dessert Parties
While fun, dessert parties and other add-ons like this are typically not worth the added cost. These in-park parties are an added cost on top of your entry ticket and essentially give you a guaranteed seat for nighttime spectaculars with the option to have some sweet treats.
Worth the Added Cost: Character Dining Experiences
I love character dining experiences. Not only is the food typically good, but the fact that you also get to see a handful of characters in about 90 minutes is a huge time saver. I like to make reservations early in the morning before theme parks open, or for early evening, so I can enjoy a meal and then head back to the theme parks for nighttime fun.
If you’re considering a character dining experience, take my word for it that one not to miss is Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World. You’ll meet the beloved princess, a few of the seven dwarfs, and the Evil Queen herself. Over at Disneyland, I love Goofy’s Kitchen, where you can see Goofy and his pals.
Options for character dining at Universal Orlando are somewhat limited, but the Marvel Character Dinner is fun, and you’ll meet some of the most iconic Marvel superheroes. And if you’re going to the park during Grinchmas, The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast is a must-do.
Skip: Dining Plans (Sometimes)
Walt Disney World is the only major theme park with a dining plan (a service where you pre-pay for snacks and meals), but it’s often not worth the extra cost. While most Disney World restaurants participate in the dining plan, not all of them do, which can limit options for picky eaters. Additionally, you’ll still pay for some out of pocket since tips are not included in dining plans (except at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Cinderella’s Royal Table).
The one caveat where dining plans may make sense is when they are offered for free. For example, right now at Walt Disney World, kids ages three to nine get a free dining plan on eligible 2026 vacation packages when adults also have a dining plan.
Worth the Added Cost: Staying at an On-Site Hotel
Depending on which theme park you’re heading to, staying at an on-site hotel can be worth the added cost. For instance, staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel allows you early entry into an assigned park each day, complimentary transportation to and from the hotels, plus the Signature Collection hotels offer free Express Passes. At Walt Disney World, perks include 30 minutes of extra time in the morning at each of the four theme parks, complimentary transportation to and from the hotels, and free water park entry in the summer.
Staying at an on-site hotel also means you’re as close as possible to the parks, allowing you to sleep in a little later, go back to your hotel in the afternoon for a break if you want, or just enjoy all that these highly themed resorts have to offer.
Skip: Park Hopper Tickets (but With a Caveat)
Most of the time, purchasing tickets that allow you to go from park to park in one day are not worth the added cost. This is especially true at Walt Disney World, where each of the four theme parks has enough to do to keep everyone in your family entertained throughout the day. If you do end up wrapping up at the park early (like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which typically closes in the early evening), consider making a late dinner reservation at a hotel or Disney Springs, or hitting the hay early so you can be ready for another day of adventure.
One caveat to this is Universal Orlando Resort, where you won’t be able to ride the Hogwarts Express without having a park-to-park ticket since the train picks up and drops off in two different theme parks. If riding the Hogwarts Express isn’t a top priority, skip the park-to-park tickets and enjoy what each of the parks has to offer individually.
Worth the Added Cost: Water Park Tickets (Depending on the Season)
If you’re going to a theme park during the warmer months, an add-on worth the extra cost is water park tickets. Walt Disney World has two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Universal Orlando Resort also has its own water park, Universal Volcano Bay. Additionally, smaller, regional theme parks like Dollywood and Silver Dollar City have exceptional water parks for some splashing fun.
Pro-tip: Walt Disney World will offer free water park entry to everyone staying at a Disney World hotel on their check-in day this summer. This is a great way to kick off your trip. One way to maximize this is to get an early flight and spend a good chunk of the day at the water parks, or book an off-site hotel if you have a late flight, then switch to your Disney hotel the next morning to take full advantage of this perk.
Skip: Renting a Cabana at the Water Park
Even at water parks, there are a lot of add-ons and additional costs, from towel rentals (just bring your own) to large cabanas. I often say to skip renting the cabana at a water park. You’re likely going to be out enjoying the rides and lazy river most of the day, so you won’t spend much time here. If you know you’re going to need some shade, get to the park early and seek out chairs under trees or umbrellas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Theme park extras worth the splurge (and ones to skip)
Reporting by Megan duBois, FamilyVacationist.com / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
