Disney trips worldwide that will fit your budget better

Dubai: For many UAE families, a Disney vacation is a dream trip. But with travel costs on the rise, it quite literally pays to pick the right park.

And now, with the UAE unveiling plans for its first Disneyland theme park on Yas Island—set to sit alongside Ferrari World and Yas Mall—residents may soon enjoy the magic closer to home, without the need to fly halfway across the world.

Until then, a new report from BestBrokers offers timely help. It compares all 12 Disney parks globally by ticket prices, food and souvenir costs, and even user ratings on Google, Tripadvisor, and Yelp. The findings may surprise you—and help families choose the best-value Disney getaway.

If Orlando’s Magic Kingdom is on your radar, brace for impact. A single-day visit costs a whopping $297.27 (over Dh1,090) per person, making it the most expensive Disney park globally. That includes the $210 entry ticket plus an average spend of $87.27 on snacks and souvenirs. Despite this, it still drew 17.7 million visitors in 2023—so don’t expect shorter queues for the price.

On the other side of the world, Tokyo Disney parks offer a far more wallet-friendly experience. A full day there will cost just $108.60 (around Dh400), including entry, food, and goodies. That’s less than half the Orlando price—and Tokyo Disney Resort also ranks No.1 for guest satisfaction, scoring a near-perfect 4.5/5 in user reviews across major platforms.

To put it in perspective: the cost of one ticket to Magic Kingdom could cover three day passes to Tokyo Disney—plus leave some change for churros. And with the yen still offering decent exchange value for UAE travellers, it’s a solid financial win.

Disneyland Paris falls somewhere in between, at around $230.89 per day. Meanwhile, Shanghai Disney may look affordable at first glance, but costly snacks and fewer attractions hurt its overall value score. Hollywood Studios in the US ranks even lower due to high costs and average reviews.

With school holidays approaching, UAE families looking to balance fun with finance may find Tokyo the sweet spot between magic and money. The experience? Still pure Disney. The cost? Far more manageable.