Planning a Disney World vacation includes examining your budget time and time again. It's not a cheap trip, even for the savviest of vacation planners. That said, you can usually wrap your head around most, if not all, of the expenses associated with a Disney World trip, so you aren't caught off guard with sticker shock. That doesn't mean hidden costs don't exist, and if you aren't diligent, they could still sneak up on you.
I'm not talking about those impulse purchases in the gift shop (though that's totally a thing to be aware of). As you prepare for your upcoming Disney World vacation, it's worth reviewing the following hidden costs that can and will add up quickly if you aren't careful.
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This may go without saying for some of you, but others may be unaware that the days of complimentary skip-the-line passes at Disney World are a thing of the past. These days, Lightning Lane is the system you'll need to know about if you want expedited wait times in line, and it will cost you.
For a brief recap on Lightning Lane, here's what you need to know ahead of time so you aren't surprised by the cost: The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is what you'll want to purchase if you want the ability to book return times for most of a park's rides and attractions. At this time of writing, the daily cost of Lightning Lane fluctuates based on the park you're visiting (Magic Kingdom costs more) and day of the week (weekends and holidays cost more).
