I worked at Disney World for 2 years. There are 9 things I'd never buy at the parks.
There are many things I wouldn't waste money on at Disney World, especially after working there.
Bottles of water, generic theme-park food, and bags of candy aren't worth buying to me.
I wouldn't buy the pricey spirit jerseys, balloons, or misting fans either.
As someone who grew up going to Disney World every year and worked there for two years, I've formed some opinions on what I do and don't spend my money on at the parks.
Here are a few things I'd never buy at Disney.
Popcorn buckets are supposed to help you save — but they don't if you keep buying them.
Every season the parks seem to release cute popcorn buckets.
There are always so many to choose from, and some Disney fans collect them. Personally, I don't understand the draw.
They're usually huge, so I don't get where people store them when they're not at Disney. Even in the parks, I don't like to carry around something bulky on top of everything else I bring.
If you love eating popcorn in the parks (unlike me), you might be able to save a bit of money on refills with the buckets. However, the discounted refills are only ever going to be lucrative if you stick to one bucket since they often cost between $13 and $25 each.
I'm not a fan of the generic quick-service food spots.
One of the things I love about visiting Disney World is enjoying all the different food offerings.
I visit my favorite restaurants at Disney, hit up the food stands at the Epcot festivals, and keep my eye out for new seasonal offerings.
However, I always try to avoid generic, fairly basic food I could easily get outside of Disney, such as Caesar salad, chicken nuggets, pizza, or plain cheeseburgers.
Spirit jerseys feel outrageously expensive to me.
When Disney first started making spirit jerseys some years back, I was the biggest fan. However, I've found myself avoiding them.
They've seemed to nearly double in price over the years, and I just can't allow myself to spend upwards of $80 on a long sleeve T-shirt.
I'd rather buy other Disney merchandise.
I don't really get why people like the Disney-themed Crocs.
I've never been a fan of the different variations of Crocs that Disney releases. In general, I'm just not a fan of this style of shoe.
I'd much rather spend my money on different Disney merchandise.
I bring my own umbrella or poncho to avoid buying rain equipment in the park.
If you've visited Disney World, you know that a typical day involves some sort of rainstorm.
As someone who's been going to the parks since before I could walk, I always make sure to bring rain protection. That way, I don't have to spend money on a pricey Disney poncho or umbrella — which can cost between $12 and $40.
The Mickey balloons are cute but pretty impractical.
Although a lot of the balloons Disney releases are adorable, I never buy them.
They're impractical, pretty expensive at about $14, and you have to carry them around all day.
Many buildings and attractions on the property don't even allow balloons inside, so it really becomes a hassle to figure out what to do with them as you explore the park.
I can buy a misting fan outside of the parks for much cheaper.
It can get very warm at Disney World, especially in the summer. But if I know it is going to be a hot day, I always bring my own misting fan.
I can typically find a functional one on Amazon or at Walmart for a lot cheaper than the version in the Disney parks that's over $20.
Plus, I like getting a smaller fan that can be popped in a backpack as opposed to some of the larger models Disney sells.
There are much more exciting treats than the prepackaged candies and popcorns.
I've tried the different prepackaged candies and popcorns from the Disney gift shops so many times before, and they're never worth it.
I'd rather get fresh popcorn or a made-to-order dessert when I'm visiting the parks.
This story was originally published on September 26, 2022, and most recently updated on March 26, 2025.
Read the original article on Business Insider
