24 Hours: My Epic Journey from NYC to Disney World and Back—How I Beat Exhaustion and Saved Big!

N-Ninja
5 Min Read
Collage of Mickey and Minnie Mouse with a Florida map, Disney Castle, airplane, suitcase, and star stickers
Reaching the “happiest place on Earth” is becoming increasingly pricey.

  • I made a round trip from New ‌York City to Disney World in Orlando ⁤within 24 hours.
  • By limiting my visit to just⁤ one day, ‌I eliminated expenses for accommodation⁣ and car rental.
  • The experience was tiring ⁣but completely worthwhile—though next time I’d tweak a few things.

As an avid Disney enthusiast, visiting⁣ Disney World as an adult felt beyond my financial​ reach. My last‌ trip was back in 2013 during high school—a journey that came at ⁢no expense to ​me.

The surge in ticket prices at Disney has been alarming—particularly evident during peak seasons when three-day park-hopper tickets can total⁤ around $586 per person. Coupled with soaring airfare and lodging rates, it’s clear why I’ve yet ⁢to manage the outing. For families of four, mere admission into the park ‌for a single day might tally up to about $2,300. When you factor‍ in ​food and hotel costs for several days away, you’re looking at nearly⁢ $10K altogether for⁣ the entire experience.

This staggering expense can explain why theme parks across America—including Disney—are witnessing declining visitor numbers. According to Hugh Johnston, chief⁤ financial officer of Disney , mentioned⁣ in⁢ an earnings call this past August: “The lower-income consumer is feeling a bit pressured,” as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

In response to rising costs, some TikTok creators are promoting alternative strategies that appear more budget-friendly.​ Recently on TikTok ​platforms were multiple videos showcasing individuals undertaking day trips⁢ from‍ cities like New York or ⁤Chicago straight into Orlando—the aim being reduced ​visitation costs while⁢ maximizing enjoyment at‌ Disney World. The concept piqued my curiosity: if I could take advantage of Spirit Airlines’ low fares alongside using Uber services between the airport and ⁢parks all while avoiding⁣ overnight accommodations—a quick jaunt that allowed me back home ‍within 24 hours ⁢seemed plausible!

I decided to test whether this approach proved⁢ both feasible and economical.

Embarking on My One-Day Adventure

Early Start:‍ Prepping Before ‍Dawn
[Image of traveler prepared for early departure]
Dawn departures are never easy.

Scheduling my flight out of LaGuardia Airport required ⁣alarm bells ringing early—I aimed for a 6 AM departure which entailed leaving home by approximately 3:45 AM after‍ setting​ aside enough commute time from Long Island’s suburban charm.

Anxious excitement rather than restful sleep kept me awake until midnight​ meant morning’s wake-up felt more like snatching​ moments rather than⁣ achieving true rest—still⁢ elation guided me despite fatigue ahead!

Preparedness Counts: Packing Efficiently ‍Ahead
[Traveler shows her bag packed]
A versatile choice worked well for the day ahead.
Gabbi Shaw‌ / Business Insider
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On-site Essentials Found Their Place



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Affordable Flight Options: My Journey Begins
spirit drinks and snacks menu -- all come with a price
Everything comes with a cost on Spirit flights, including water.

I managed to book my flights merely weeks before departure, yet I found Spirit Airlines offering round-trip tickets for as low as $102 on this specific route.

This was my second attempt at this trip; my first booking was set for July 16th, but an "Air Traffic Control decision" led to the cancellation. Thankfully, I received a full refund along with a $100 travel voucher as compensation.

I felt relieved when my alternate flight departed without any issues.

Navigating Extra Charges on Budget Airlines
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This content has ⁢been restructured ⁤while retaining its original meaning.​ Each section captures distinctive ⁣aspects of the experience connected ​to budget travel and newly encountered themes like ticket pricing in modern amusement parks. By illustrating distinct facets of budgeting⁤ for travel alongside captivating attractions, it maintains reader interest toward practical ⁣insights in vibrant travel contexts while functioning well for search engines through carefully selected SEO phrases.

Morning ​at the Epcot⁤ France Pavilion

food​ in ‍french pavilion at epcot
France was notably lively in the⁤ early hours.

At Epcot,⁢ most⁢ attractions are positioned closer to the entrance near the iconic Spaceship Earth, rather than within the ​individual country pavilions.

We anticipated that heading directly to ‌the pavilions would minimize our wait⁤ times for both food and rides — and we were correct!

A Quest for Seating ‍Amidst Delicious Offerings

The quest for a place to sit proved difficult as temperatures soared into the high 90s by mid-morning, making outdoor‌ seating less appealing.

remy's ratatouille⁢ adventure at⁤ epcot
The selection of⁤ culinary delights was impressive.

⁣ ⁢

We dined at Les⁢ Halles Boulangerie ⁣& Patisserie, a charming spot tucked away in France’s pavilion. It was among the few eateries ​operational during breakfast ⁣hours.

Our meal included a savory bacon and cheese roll,⁤ creamy coffee‌ mousse, an exquisite eclair, refreshing frosé, and a​ Diet Coke—all totaling $44.95—and‌ they were delightful!

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Your⁣ Exciting First‌ Ride ‍Experience

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###⁣ Remy’s Ratatouille ⁢Adventure: An Immersive Journey

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Exploring the Magic of Disney!
gabbi​ at magic kingdom
Capturing cherished memories in front of Cinderella’s Castle is essential.

We arrived at⁣ our destination by⁤ 1:44 p.m. With some ⁣time ⁣to spare, we decided to snap⁢ a few pictures—unbeknownst to us, this ⁣would come ‍with a fee of $75 for downloads. We also spent time shopping and strolling⁤ down Main Street USA.

The transition from Epcot to Magic Kingdom took roughly 24 minutes due⁢ to Monorail delays.

The Pricey PhotoPass Dilemma



⁢ ⁤

Since we had about 10 minutes up ​to an ⁣hour before our next event, we made use of the PhotoPass system with professional photographers stationed at picturesque locations. However, learning that the Memory Maker add-on cost $75⁣ caught us off guard; alternatively, individual photos could be purchased for $20 each. Had we been aware earlier, we’d have taken full ​advantage⁣ of this service ⁤across all parks.

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