Florida Will Help Pay for Your Disney Vacation—If You Handle Snakes First

Let’s be honest—Disney World isn’t cheap anymore. In 2025, a basic family vacation to the most magical place on Earth can quickly climb into the $7,000–$10,000 range. A weeklong stay at a moderate resort, tickets for a family of four with Lightning Lane add-ons, food, drinks, character dining, and souvenirs can wipe out a savings account. Add flights, and it only gets worse.

How Snakes Could Help You Meet the Mouse

But what if Florida offered a completely unexpected way to earn that Disney cash?

Every summer, the state hosts the Florida Python Challenge—a real, sanctioned competition where participants help remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. It’s a conservation effort with a competitive twist, and the top prize is no joke.

How It Works

For a $25 entry fee, anyone over 18 can participate from July 11 at 12:01 a.m. through July 20 at 5 p.m. You’ll need to complete a short online training and pass an identification quiz. Then you’re allowed to use non-motorized tools (like snake hooks or tongs) to hunt down these harmful snakes. All captures must be handled humanely and turned in at official checkpoints.

In 2024, 857 people joined from 33 states and Canada. They removed 195 snakes total, and the winner alone snagged 20 of them.

The Prize: Up to $10,000

The grand prize? $10,000 for the person who catches the most pythons. There are also awards for the longest python and special categories for military personnel, novices, and pros.

It’s intense, it’s sweaty, and yes—it involves up-close time with real snakes. But it’s also a chance to walk away with enough money to pay for your entire Disney trip.

A Real Budget Hack

Think about it: $10K could easily cover your hotel, park tickets, Lightning Lane access, meals, flights, souvenirs, and maybe even a few after-hours events. All for the cost of a couple theme park pretzels and a willingness to brave Florida’s swamps.

Think You’ve Got What it Takes?

If you’re adventurous, don’t mind bugs, and think you’ve got what it takes to track down some snakes, the Python Challenge might be the most unexpected (and wild) way to fund your family’s dream vacation to Disney World.

It’s not for everyone—but for some, it’s the perfect trade: a few snakes for a whole lot of magic.