The Disney World Vacation I’d Plan with an Unlimited Budget
It’s no secret that Disney World can cost a pretty penny. There are definitely ways to do a super fun trip without breaking the bank, but there are also a bunch of ways to treat yourself!
Magic Kingdom
So, what if there were no limit to treating yourself? What if money were no object? Well, that’s what I’m here to explore!
Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom
I’m going to plan my ultimate Disney World vacation without a spending limit. Now, for the purposes of this post, this is like a dream world we’re living in — like I’m a billionaire and truly unconcerned with what anything costs. This is completely unrealistic. But it will be fun. Let’s go!
The Disney World Vacation I’d Plan with an Unlimited Budget
Lodgings
Possibly the most important part of this trip is where I’d choose to stay without worrying about the money. I would do a two-week split stay at two of my favorite resorts on the property!
Bungalow at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
For the first half of the trip, I’d book a bungalow at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. These are bungalows located right over the water of Seven Seas Lagoon.
They sleep up to 8 people and include 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a private deck with its very own plunge pool and lounge chairs. It also has a perfect view looking toward Magic Kingdom for the fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant each night.
The Polynesian is a perfect resort anyway because of the location, super close to Magic Kingdom (with immediate access to water taxis and the Monorail), as well as its many amenities. I love both pools here (especially the hot tub at the Lava Pool), I love the theming, all of the dining is pretty great, and I love having easy access to the Tiki Bar — Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
What will it cost? Well, the price fluctuates depending on the time of year, but the price I found for the end of April is $4,426.67 per night. So, 6 nights here? That’s going to be $26,560.02, before tax.
YEAH. A pretty penny. But who cares? We’re filthy rich in this scenario.
Presidential Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
For the second half of my stay, I’d move over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. After a week at Disney, I’d want to relax a little more than I would during the first week, so I want to be at a resort that I don’t really even want to leave.
And that’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. I’d go for Jambo House because I like the vibes over here a bit more than Kidani Village — I feel like you get to see more animals, and I really like the pool and dining. Plus, that lobby? I mean, you can’t beat it.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
But, which room am I booking? Well, I thought I’d go for the Royal Asante Presidential Suite with Club Level Access and a savanna view. Nothing but the best!
The Royal Asante Presidential Suite sleeps up to 6 people and is just absolutely gorgeous, filled with a bunch of authentic African artwork and luxury furnishings.
This is another accommodation that fluctuates in price, but I found a stay for later this year that’s $3,744.67 per night. So, for 6 nights, it’d be $22,468.02, before tax. Cheaper than the bungalow!
VIP Tour Guide
I would obviously be spending a lot of time in the parks during my 2-week trip, but not in a normal way. I’d hire a VIP tour guide for at least half of the park days.
These tour guides completely customize your park days so you can do everything you want in an efficient manner (AKA, without having to wait in lines). You’re picked up in a private vehicle from your hotel, and you can easily visit multiple parks in one day thanks to the VIP transportation.
Photo: Disney
The biggest perk here might just be skipping the lines at your favorite rides. I would probably skip the line over and over on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT, so I could try to get all 6 songs featured on the ride.
And I believe with a VIP tour guide, I could even skip the pre-show (which is great, but I don’t want to watch it over and over again. Just get me on the ride!).
Photo: Disney
The pricing ranges from $450 to $950 per hour, depending on the season. And, this price does not include park admission! That is a separate fee.
So, let’s say I use a VIP tour guide for 7 days at $700 per hour for 10 hours a day. That total would be $49,000, before tax and tip. This is just a hypothetical since you can’t see exact pricing without actually booking, but it gives you a rough idea!
Dining
Disney World has some incredible dining options, including a few that are more of a dining experience rather than just a meal. These are bucket list restaurants for many people, so why not do multiple during my trip?
Wailulu Bar & Grill Lunch
I would definitely be eating at a bunch of great restaurants during my trip without worrying about the cost, but there are 3 that are the heavy hitters, so I wanted to single them out!
Victoria & Albert’s
The best of the best is probably Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This is Disney World’s only restaurant with a Michelin star!
Photo: Disney
This is a very fancy multi-course meal, but you can upgrade your experience even more by dining at the Chef’s Table. The pricing listed online right now is a prix-fixe menu of $425 per person, with optional wine pairings starting at $210 per person. I would absolutely get the wine pairings, making my meal $635 before tax and tip.
Takumei Tei
Next, I’d want to visit Takumei Tei for dinner in EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion! This is another immersive dining experience with a multi-course prix-fixe menu.
Photo: Disney
You can either get the Kiku Omnivorous Course or the Hasu – The Vegetarian Course, but they are the same price. I would get the Kiku full course, which starts out at $250 per person before tax and tip.
Monsieur Paul
Finally, I’d like to have a meal at Monsieur Paul in the France Pavilion! This is located on the second story of one of the buildings in the pavilion, and I’ve never even been inside, so I’d love to dine here!
The current prix-fixe menu starts at $195 per person before tax and tip. This is a gastronomic meal, one in which people devote themselves to the art of “eating and drinking well.”
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Besides my VIP tour guide for park days, I’d also want to go on some specialty behind-the-scenes tours during my trip!
Wild Africa Trek
First, I’d do the Wild Africa Trek in Animal Kingdom.
This is a 3-hour, privately guided tour that lets you see a variety of animals in the Safi River Valley on Kilimanjaro Safaris. You will walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge, and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over the open savanna to see giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles.
Wild Africa Trek
The tour gives you a complimentary souvenir and some first-class, African-inspired snacks. The sample menu includes things like garlic and leek hummus and pita, prosciutto and mozzarella, olive mix, fresh fruit, a chicken wrap, and marinated tandoori shrimp.
The tours are between $229–$239 per person, before tax.
Starlight Safari
The Starlight Safari is another animal adventure I’d want to go on! This takes place over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Photo: Disney
It’s an after-dark safari tour of Disney’s African savannas and wildlife where you climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle and rumble through lush scenery, scanning the horizon for over 30 species of African wildlife! You’re given a night vision device to look for zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, antelopes, ostriches, and over 20 other exotic African species that are freely roaming across the savannas.
This safari ranges between $89–$99 per person before tax.
Keys to the Kingdom
The final tour I’d do is the Keys to the Kingdom tour in Magic Kingdom. This is a 5-hour walking tour that takes you behind the scenes in backstage areas regular park guests never get to see.
During your tour, you can uncover the hidden secrets of classic attractions, access the famed underground “Utilidor” tunnels that allow people and supplies to travel beneath the park unseen, discover little-known facts, trivia, and other exciting tidbits about the park, enjoy a lunch included with your tour, and take home an exclusive keepsake!
The price for this tour varies by date, ranging between $169-189 per person, before tax.
Extra Park Experiences
Fireworks Cruise
During one night of my trip, I’d like to take a private fireworks cruise in EPCOT! These are offered for Magic Kingdom too, but since I’m staying at a bungalow on the water with a view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, I only want to do the cruise in EPCOT.
Luminous The Symphony of Us
You get to go on a private boat and watch Luminous The Symphony of Us fireworks right from World Showcase Lagoon! Each cruise has a captain, as well as snacks and soft drinks. Prices start at $499, plus tax, and vary by date, and the boats seat up to 10 people.
La Cava Experience
As an avid fan of La Cava del Tequila, the La Cava Experience is for sure on my bucket list! A certified Tequila Ambassador guides you through a selection of rare and unique agave spirits, with each of them being paired with a flavor meant to enhance its essence.
Photo: Disney
Some of these tequilas are exclusive to La Cava Experience and are not available anywhere else in the world! This experience is $180 per person, plus tax.
Capture Your Moment — Animal Kingdom
I would absolutely want a private photo session at some point during my trip. Luckily, you can do this in Disney World with a Capture Your Moment experience!
Disney
These are private, 20-minute photo sessions in the location of your choice. I would choose to do this in Animal Kingdom around the Tree of Life!
The sessions are $99 each, and they can be booked back-to-back, but I think I’m good with 20 minutes.
GEO-82 Fireworks Experience
GEO-82 is an adult-only bar and lounge in EPCOT that just so happens to have a great view of the fireworks each night. They have a special experience you can book just to watch them from the lounge!
GEO-82 Fireworks Experience
The experience includes champagne that’s specially selected by sommeliers at Walt Disney World Resort (or event-exclusive cocktails, if you prefer), a tasting tower of savory light bites, and a selection of sweets.
You can experience it for $179 per person, plus tax and tip.
Fun Outside of the Parks
Private Pool Cabana
There are a bunch of private cabanas you can rent at the pools around Disney World, but I would personally choose one at Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts. These cabanas come with the following:
- Dedicated Cast Member providing service to the cabanas
- Cocktail service
- Ceiling fan
- Padded furniture, including chairs and a couch
- Television with cable access
- Charging outlet/USB
- Mini refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water
- Fruit basket
- Plush towels
- Cabinet safe
The pricing is not listed by Disney online, unfortunately. But, you have to rent the cabanas for a full day, so I’d imagine it’s not cheap.
Stormalong Bay
You do need to be a guest at the hotel to rent one of these. So, I’ll just book a single night at Yacht Club to use the cabana for a day! Money is no object.
Grand Floridian Spa Day
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is home to a luxury spa with a variety of services, so I’d love to have a full spa day while on my trip! This spa offers a relaxation room with light refreshments and soothing music, as well as cozy robes and slippers to use during your visit.
Photo: Disney
Let’s look at the services I would get while at the spa! First is the Grand Signature Massage for 80 minutes, which includes special massage strokes to balance the mind and body for $310.
Then, I’d get the Sunrise & Sunset 80-minute Facial, designed for regenerative results for $295.
I need my nails done too, obviously, so I’d get the Grand Signature Pedicure for $144 and the Grand Signature Manicure for $120.
Photo: Disney
Finally, I’d need hair done, so I’d get a Special Occasion Hairstyling/Updo for $160.
You can take a more in-depth look at all of the spa services right here.
Sangria University
Sangria University is a crash course in sangria at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort! The afternoon course led by professionals discusses the history of sangria and reveals the recipes used to make the 4 in-house varieties served at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood.
Photo: Disney
The lesson is then followed by a tasting of the 4 sangria offerings and accompanied by a light appetizer. You will also have the opportunity to make your own glass of sangria from a selection of fresh fruits and base spirits!
This experience starts at $59 per person, before tax.
Private Surfing Lesson
Finally, I would take a private surfing lesson in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park! You can ride 100 waves in your very own, private session, which fits up to 15 people (so I’d def bring some friends!). You even get to bring your own music to play over the loudspeaker!
Photo: Disney
These Private Surfs happen in the morning or evening, and I would choose the evening, because the morning session starts at 6:30 in the morning, and that sounds horrible.
The Evening Private Surf begins 30 minutes after park closing and lasts for 3 hours. The base price for Private Surf events (includes up to 15 surfers and spectators) is $1550 for Sundays through Thursdays, or $1750 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Well, that about wraps up my dream trip! There are many things I didn’t include in this list, like normal park activities and meals, but these are the big items I’d be spending money on with an unlimited budget.
Photo: Disney
It’s hard to know the exact math because so many things vary by date and circumstance, but with the prices I have listed here, this trip would easily be over $100,000. One can dream!
This is definitely unrealistic for most people, but there is no reason you can’t do one of these more reasonable things on your next trip to treat yourself!
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