The majority of Americans plan to take at least one domestic vacation this summer. Some 67% have seasonal travel planned, according to a survey conducted by U.S. News.
However, tough economic conditions have caused many of those travelers to revise their original plans. Close to 65% of summer vacationers told the outlet that they’d altered their plans in some way because of how expensive everything is.
In a similar vein, 89% of vacationers told NerdWallet that they planned to take action to save money on their summer trips.
Disney vacations are notoriously expensive, with costs often far exceeding typical domestic trips.
Week-long stays at Disney-owned hotels can cost anywhere from $200 to $900/night for a family of four. Single-day park admissions start at $119, with additional costs for park hopper tickets and lightning lane passes. Even before factoring in food, souvenirs, and transportation, it would be easy to spend in the high four-figure range — way more than you’d spend, say, camping at a national park or staying in a rental by the beach.
For the budget-conscious traveler, those types of numbers may make Disney seem like a far-fetched dream. However, if you’re looking to hit Walt Disney World this summer, a trip may be more affordable than you’d imagine.
Walt Disney World is offering ways to save this summer
Ticket prices to all domestic Disney parks have been steadily rising over the past several years, a trend that will continue into 2027, according to reporting by TheStreet’s Fernanda Tronco.
The jumps have gotten so big that former Disney CEO Michael Eisner is speaking out.
“I’m not wild about the fact that it is so expensive now to go to Disneyland or Walt Disney World,” Eisner said in an interview on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger. “I’m not wild about the fact that it’s harder than ever to have everybody be a VIP at a Disney park [because] they’re selling certain things.”
In response to the criticism, Walt Disney World has announced a number of ways to save on park entry, accommodations, and dining this summer.
The deals include:
- 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket — Access to all four Walt Disney World theme parks starting at $109 per day plus tax. Valid from May 26 to October 3, 2026.
- FREE dining for the whole family — Complimentary when purchasing a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package for your family that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and tickets. Booking window March 12 to April 30, 2026 with travel dates from June through December.
- Disney Resort hotel deals — Save between 30-40% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when visiting for five nights or more. Available most dates between July 30 and October 3, 2026.
- FREE water park access on check-in day — Guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel can enjoy free admission to one of the Walt Disney World water parks on their check-in day. Available between May 26 and Sept. 8, 2026.
Source: Walt Disney World
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Walt Disney World’s launches Cool Kids’ Summer
Discounts aren’t the only exciting changes Walt Disney World is cooking up this summer.
The theme park has a number of special shows, events, and meet-and-greets in store for summer guests, as well as new and reopened rides.
Some Cool Kids’ Summer highlights:
- Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station — Starting on May 26, guests can meet Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station. The beloved characters will
- Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Review in Magic Kingdom — A new, limited-time experience, Jessie, Woody, Bullseye and more Toy Story pals will be on hand to play games, sing songs, and provide entertainment at Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom — Reopening on April 8, this fan-favorite ride features new interactive targets and hand-held blasters, new lighting, sound and vibration effects, and a new Star Command support bot named Buddy to help train guests with target practice before heading out on their mission.
- The Mandalorian and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — Beginning on May 22, guests can join The Mandalorian and Grogu on a new mission tracking down ex-Imperial officers on an exhilarating chase while manning the Millennium Falcon. The updated ride also includes a new gameplay addition.
- Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT — In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Soarin’ Across America flies into EPCOT with a brand-new voyage beginning May 26.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Disney is all in on experiences
Disney is seeing outsized growth in its experiences segment. In Q1 FY2026, the company hit a record quarterly revenue of $10 billion, its earnings report revealed.
While no specific data points about its cruise line growth were distributed, the company did highlight a 1% increase in domestic theme park attendance and a 4% increase in per capita spending.
Bob Iger, then Disney’s CEO, called the number a “solid start to the fiscal year,” and told investors on the earnings call that the company had “expansion projects underway at every one of our theme parks.”
More retail:
- Lawsuit unveils big problem with Costco staple
- After bankruptcy and liquidation, a major retail name returns
- Publix adds new heavyweights to its prepared food lineup
The investment into these tangible assets seems wise, given some analysts concern that Disney stock could plummet as streaming subscriptions begin to contract.
In 2025, overall subscription growth fell into single-digits for the first time ever, according to data company Antenna. Total subscribers in 2025 increased by just 7%, down considerably from the 12% growth in 2024.
While Disney+ growth remained positive, up 1% year-over-year, this wider attitude shift towards traditional streaming services could have a negative impact on its bottom line should the trend hold.
Related: Disney announces limited-time, nostalgic retail experiences
