Behind the Magic #3 Our Expected Expenses for a Long Weekend + Bonus Airport Transfer Tips
Behind the Magic: Post #3 Inside My Disney Trip Plans Series, where I give you a front-row seat to how I plan my Walt Disney World vacations! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Disney planning, this series is your new best friend. I’ll be sharing all the nitty-gritty details—real decisions, real dilemmas, and my best tips—so you can plan your own magical trip with less stress.
We’re looking at:
- What our long weekend at the Dolphin is expected to cost
- Ground transportation options (and what many people miss!)
- Where we splurged, where we saved, and the little extras that make the magic
Let’s break it all down so you can plan smarter and feel more confident booking your next dreamy Disney escape.
The Trip Snapshot (Quick Recap)
- Who: Me + my husband
- When: Fall weekend, 3 nights / 4 days
- Where: Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel (fireworks view room)
- Parks: EPCOT & Magic Kingdom (with Park Hopper)
- Extras: Fireworks Dessert Party, Couples Spa Treatment
The Known and Expected Numbers:
| Category | Estimated Cost (2 adults) |
|---|---|
| Our hotel choice is The Walt Disney World Dolphin – A Fireworks view room was booked directly with the Dolphin. | $1,072.13 Actual cost after fees and taxes |
| Flying into Sanford Orlando (SFB) is a nice discount for us. We prefer how laid back that airport is, which allows us to start and end our trips with less stress. | $233 Actual cost after taxes and including trip insurance for two round trip tickets |
| For our park tickets, we chose a one day park hopper. | $460 After tax, purchased on the Walt Disney World website, cost for two tickets |
| The Fireworks Dessert party seats and sweets tickets | $238 Two Dessert party tickets |
| We’ve opted for a relaxing resort day which includes a couples massage at Mandara Spa | $320 Couples massage |
| VARIABLES/ESTIMATES | |
| Dining/Drinks/Snacks | $500 |
| Ground Transportation – rental car or airport transfers. | $300 |
| Souvenirs and Miscellaneous expenses | $150 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | $3,273.13 |
Tip: Check with Undercover Tourist for Park tickets at a discount.
Ground Transportation:
Here’s where things get interesting: we’re flying into Sanford International Airport (SFB), not MCO.
Why? Because the flight deal was too good to pass up — and honestly, SFB is so much more laid-back than MCO. Less foot traffic, shorter lines, and a way more relaxed vibe.
SFB Travel Perks:
- Stress-free arrival
- Quicker baggage claim
- About 25 minutes further from Disney than MCO (not a big deal for the savings!)
Now let’s explore the transfer options:
1. Mears Connect (From MCO only)
- Not available from SFB, so not an option this time.
2. Private Car Service (Recommended for SFB)
- Pros: Personalized, direct, great for non-MCO flights
- Estimated Cost: $280-$500 round trip
- Best For: Stress-free arrivals, especially from smaller airports like SFB
3. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
- Estimated Cost from SFB to Disney: around $150 each way
- Watch out for: Surge pricing at peak arrival hours
4. Rental Car
- Estimated Cost for the weekend: $300
- Best for: impromptu outings/flexibility
Insider Tip: Booking a private car service in advance is a game-changer for SFB arrivals.
We’re still deciding but are leaning toward a rental car for the ease of impromptu plans, keeping us flexible. Totally worth it for an adult getaway.
How We Saved Big (Without Sacrificing Magic)
- Booked early for best airfare deals
- Targeted short trip = fewer park days, lower ticket cost
- Picked experiences that double up (Fireworks Dessert Party = dinner + entertainment)
- Earning Marriott Bonvoy points by booking direct with the Dolphin Hotel
Getting the most value out of your Disney trip doesn’t mean skipping all the fun. It means getting strategic and spending where it matters most to you.
What This Post Is Really About
Planning a Disney trip is about more than just numbers. It’s about being informed, empowered, and getting the most magic for your money. Sharing these breakdowns is my way of giving you a seat at the insider planning table.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fifteenth, you’re not just “any” Disney fan — you’re part of a crew that knows what’s up.
Got questions about your own Disney budget or transfer options? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram!
Stay tuned: next up in the Trip Diary series, I’ll show you how I choose Lightning Lanes and plan our ideal park mornings for a short trip!
- The Disney World Resorts So Incredible You’ll Want to Stay All Day
- You’re Missing Out If You’re Skipping These Disney Attractions
- Planning Your Disney Trip Early: Part Two
- 5 Mistakes First-Time Disney Visitors Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Behind the Magic #3 Our Expected Expenses for a Long Weekend + Bonus Airport Transfer Tips
Hey a great post you have here!
It is nice to see you are travelling, spending time with your loved ones, its precious time!
I enjoyed reading your post as it provide a great insight into how the costs and what they go towards can look like!
Enjoy your holidays!
Thanks again and have a great day!
You’re absolutely right—traveling and making these memories with loved ones is truly priceless, and I’m so glad that came through in the post.
The cost breakdown is something I wish I had seen more often when I first started planning Disney trips. It’s amazing how even small choices can really shape the vibe and the budget of a trip.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time!
I’ve been dreaming about surprising my niece/god-daughter with a magical Disney trip, and I’ve been trying to wrap my head around what the actual costs might look like. Your breakdown is so helpful; not just the numbers, but also the way you explained your decisions. It makes everything feel a lot more doable (and less overwhelming)!
I especially appreciated the notes on transportation from Sanford. I didn’t even realize how much more relaxed that airport could be. And the tip about experiences that double as both entertainment and value (like the Dessert Party!) is genius!
I’m definitely bookmarking this post as I plan. Thank you for sharing all these little behind-the-scenes insights; they really make a big difference for those of us figuring things out for the first time.
Thank you so much for your kind words—your comment absolutely made my day! Planning a Disney trip for someone special, like your niece/goddaughter, is such a heartfelt idea, and I’m thrilled that this post could be part of making that dream a reality for you both.
Planning can become overwhelming, and my goal is to take away that stress while keeping all the fun.
And yes, Sanford is a hidden gem! That calm, easy airport experience really sets the tone for the whole trip. I’m so glad that tip resonated with you.
Thanks again for following along—wishing you all the pixie dust as you bring your magical trip to life!
This article is a great great if you want to focus on an entry point into the world of Disney trip planning. Our trip planning was very overwhelming.
I love that you have sparked a discussion about balancing luxury and budget. While the spa treatment and dessert party sound amazing, they also make a huge difference in the overall cost. It’s a good reminder that every vacation is a trade-off, and you have to decide what’s most important to you and of cause how much budget you have.
I completely agree – when it comes to Disney trip planning, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between indulging in a little luxury and sticking to a budget. The Fireworks Dessert Party and spa treatments were definitely splurges for us, but they were experiences that made our trip feel extra special.
It’s all about balancing what’s most important to you, whether that’s a relaxing day at the spa or finding the perfect viewing spot for fireworks. And with Disney, you can definitely find ways to make the magic happen.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and, be sure to keep checking back for all the tips and tricks to make planning your next trip feel much less overwhelming!
This article provides a fantastic, transparent look into the costs of a Disney World trip, which is extremely helpful for anyone planning their own vacation. Breaking down the expenses into specific categories, from flights and tickets to the more luxurious splurges like the spa and dessert party, gives readers a realistic and detailed budget to work with. The bonus section on airport transfers is a great value-add, offering practical advice and a deeper look into a decision many travelers face. The post successfully makes the planning process feel more accessible and manageable.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I’m glad the breakdown of costs and the airport transfer tips felt useful. Disney planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, so I want to give a clear picture of the numbers and options for different styles of trips.
The goal is really to give you more confidence in your planning decisions, so you can focus on enjoying the trip rather than stressing over logistics.
Thanks again!
I really appreciated how transparently you laid out the expenses for your long-weekend getaway at Disney’s Dolphin Hotel. Seeing the real costs for everything—from flights and accommodations to indulgent extras like the spa treatment and dessert party—really brings the planning process to life. I was intrigued by your choice to fly into Sanford instead of Orlando International; the note about a more relaxed arrival and shorter lines makes that option especially appealing. I’m curious, have you found certain times of day or days of the week when rideshare rates from Sanford are noticeably lower—or have you tracked how much surge pricing can bump up costs? And on the topic of ground transportation, do you have any recommendations for when renting a car truly becomes the more economical or convenient option compared to arranging a private car service, given the range in pricing? Thanks so much for sharing these practical insights—it definitely helps make planning feel less overwhelming!
Hi there!
Thanks so much for the kind words. You’re spot-on that flying into Sanford can make a world of difference in starting (and ending!) your getaway with less stress.
As for rideshare rates, we’ve definitely noticed that early mornings and later evenings tend to be less expensive, while mid-day arrivals can hit surge pricing, especially on weekends or during festivals. Booking ahead through a rideshare app can sometimes help lock in a better rate, but a private car service is a fantastic option if you want predictability, convenience, and zero worries about surge pricing.
Renting a car really shines when you want flexibility, spontaneity, or the option to explore offsite dining and local attractions. If you’re sticking mostly to Disney parks and pre-planned excursions, a private car service can often be just as convenient and sometimes even more economical, especially if you factor in parking and gas for a short weekend.
It’s all about weighing your priorities. Ease and predictability versus flexibility and independence. Either way, planning ahead makes the magic much less stressful!