How Many Disney Days Do We Need?

If you're planning a Walt Disney World trip, you may have just now realized that purchasing tickets for your entire family will probably be the most costly part of your vacation. Because it is so costly, I recommend the one-park-per-day rule (so no Park Hopper option, already making your tickets exponentially cheaper) as well as a four-days-for-parks rule (so, you will see each of the four Disney parks on your trip). Rules, rules, rules, right? Obviously you should adjust this for your family, but let me show you why I will always try to stick to this.

The first obvious reason is the cost of the park tickets with no additional options:

Option A:

4-Day Magic Your Way tickets for a family of two adults and two children: $1256.72(includes tax & this is purchased directly through Disney's site)

Option B:

4-Day Magic Your Way tickets for a family of two adults/two children from Undercover Tourist: $1245.80(includes tax PLUS you get a 5th Day for FREE)!

Option C:

Military family? Your costs are further discussed here. The savings is VERY significant vs. purchasing park tickets through other sources.

Thankfully, it doesn't take a mathematician to see that Option B is potentially a better option. I say, "potentially," because the costs many don't consider when adding park days begin to add up. Nonetheless, even if you choose to follow my one-park-per-day and four-days-for-parks rules, buying that second ticket from UT would save you money, even when not using your 5th free day.

What are those other costs you need to consider? Let's take a look:

• Parking: staying off-property will cost you $17 each day. 

• Dining: This article recommends counting $60/adult and $45/child per day to calculate the cost of food on vacation. Let's say that's true - a 5th day at Disney would cost you an additional $210 in food money.

• Souvenirs: Yes, you can just say no. However, if you're anything like me, after 5 days of kids being out of their normal routines, and walking past hundreds of shiny, pretty things, saying, "no," can be wearing. We actually have vowed to say, "Yes!" to as much as possible on vacay (read more here). We encourage our kids to earn their Disney Dimes and we have bought their souvenirs on sale via Target and The Disney Store before going. Nevertheless, you could conservatively spend $40-$50 on a stuffed toy and Mickey balloons.

If your family of four spent all of the above estimates, that 5th day may actually cost you over $270! Could you get away with much less? Absolutely. No souvenirs, and bringing your own foods could significantly impact the cost of a 5th day. You could even squeak by with spending under $40 on that 5th Disney day.

The second, and not-as-obvious reason to not spend a 5th, 6th, or 7th day at Disney World is one that is more...sentimental? Spending one day per park leaves more to see on your next trip! Many people can tour Disney every year, multiple times, and never get burned-out. It is an ever-changing place, afterall. But I love the feeling of leaving some stones unturned and looking forward to the next family adventure. It helps prolong the sense of excitement and wonder to know that we'll have to plan an additional trip in the coming years, just to see what we couldn't on the first trip.

How many days have you spent touring the parks? Was it too long, too short, or just right for your family?