Disney parks are built to enchant—but they’re also engineered to upcharge. Between souvenir splurges and overpriced conveniences, there are plenty of ways to overspend. Experienced guests know what to avoid. These are the purchases that rarely deliver on value, flavor, or function once the pixie dust wears off.
Sunglasses
Buying shades inside the park usually means flimsy plastic with inflated pricing. Most lack polarized lenses or reliable UV protection. For the cost of one novelty pair, you could pack two high-quality backups from home. Save the money and the squinting by bringing the real deal in your day bag.
Bottled Water
It’s hot, and hydration matters—but not at $4 a pop. Quick-service counters will give you free ice water if you ask. You can also refill your own bottle throughout the day. It’s one of the easiest cost-saving tricks in the park, and it adds up faster than you think.
Autograph Books
Those spiral-bound souvenir books are overpriced and forgettable. A dollar-store notebook works just as well and gives kids more creative freedom. Decorate it with stickers or markers before your trip and you’ll end up with something more personal, more colorful, and far less likely to get left behind.
Cooling Towels
Disney’s version is just a rebranded microfiber strip at double the price. Outdoor retailers sell better-performing models with stronger evaporative cooling. Toss one in your park bag ahead of time and skip the impulse buy when the Florida humidity hits like a brick wall at 2 p.m.
Magic Bands
They look fun and come in lots of styles, but they’re not necessary anymore. The MagicMobile feature on your smartphone does the same job—tickets, room access, and more. Unless you’re building a collection or buying limited-edition designs, the added cost just doesn’t make sense for a short trip.
Snacks
Those single-serve cookies and crackers in the shops are the same convenience store brands—with a five-dollar markup. You’re allowed to bring your own snacks into the parks, and smart guests always do. Stock your bag with granola, trail mix, or fruit snacks before heading through the gates.
Batteries
Gift shops sell AA and AAA batteries at steep prices, often shoved in low shelves near registers. Pack a couple extras from home and tuck them in your park bag. It beats the scavenger hunt—and the sticker shock—when your camera dies mid-fireworks.
Misting Fans
The fans sold inside the parks are bulky, noisy, and tend to leak. Discount stores carry smaller versions that work better and fit more easily in a backpack. They’re handy on a hot day, but there’s no need to pay a premium for a Disney sticker slapped on the side.
Sunscreen
The markup on sunscreen inside Disney is wild. You might find travel-sized bottles in gift shops, but they’re often $15 or more. Bring your own SPF and keep it handy in your bag. If you forget, you’ll either burn or spend more than the cost of a decent lunch.
Funnel Cake
You’ll smell it before you see it. But no matter how tempting, funnel cake at Disney costs nearly twice what you’d pay at a local fair. It’s greasy, sugary, and identical to what you’ve had elsewhere. Save your indulgence for something park-specific—like a Dole Whip or Mickey-shaped pretzel.
Overhyped Sweets
The themed cupcakes and glitter-dusted desserts look amazing on Instagram—but they rarely taste as good as they look. Dry cake, artificial flavors, and sky-high prices make these confections more about aesthetics than enjoyment. Go for something classic that tastes like childhood, not food coloring.
Hand Sanitizer
Absolutely bring it—but not from a gift shop. Disney sells pocket-sized bottles for several dollars each. Grab a multipack from a pharmacy before your trip. Clip one to your bag and you’ll avoid paying triple for something you’re going to use ten times a day.
Personal Care Items
Gift shops and first aid stations carry the basics—bandages, pain relievers, antacids—but the pricing reflects emergency convenience. A pocket-sized first aid kit in your bag is a game-changer. Include anything you’d need after four hours in sneakers and sun, and you’ll avoid the $8 Tylenol trap.
Balloons
They make for cute pictures, but balloons are banned in Animal Kingdom and difficult to manage on rides. Flying home? You’ll have to deflate or ditch it. Many guests buy one out of guilt or excitement, then regret it when it becomes a tangled burden by nightfall.
Park Hopper Tickets
Switching parks in one day sounds efficient until you factor in transit time, fatigue, and re-entry lines. The upgrade fee can exceed $65 per person. If you’re visiting for the first time or traveling with kids, dedicating a full day to each park is usually more enjoyable—and less stressful.
Holiday Party Tickets
After-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can cost more than $150 per person. The parades and rare characters are fun, but if you’ve already had a full day in the park, it’s tough to justify the cost. For many families, it ends up being overkill.
EPCOT Food Walks
Stamp-based food strolls during festivals offer cute rewards, but the dishes required to earn them add up fast. If you’re not committed to finishing the challenge, you’ll spend more than the prize is worth. Sample the highlights à la carte instead of playing culinary bingo.
Shoulder Pets
Those magnetic porgs and lizards are charming in theory—but wearing one around all day gets old. They slip, fall off during rides, and require constant adjustment. If you’re still tempted, wait until the evening to buy one. That way, it spends more time in your bag than on your shoulder.
Genie Plus
This paid skip-the-line service costs $20–$35 per person and doesn’t always offer good value. At Magic Kingdom, it might save you time. At EPCOT or Animal Kingdom, it often doesn’t. Use crowd calendars to see whether it’s worth the purchase for the specific day you’re visiting.
