Cheap Prices Have Guests Convinced Disney World Vacation is a Scam

With prices at the center of yet another Disney World debate, some guests were worried that they were being scammed.

When it comes to enjoying a vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort, both are widely recognized as unparalleled destinations for indulging in the Disney magic.

Be it the enchanting draw of iconic attractions such as Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or the mesmerizing charm of renowned theme parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Disney California Adventure Park, the joy and wonder surrounding a Disney Park truly makes a Disney experience worth writing home about.

Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Becky Burkett

It’s certainly no secret that going to the Central Florida Disney Resort has become increasingly expensive of late. From Disney World ticket prices, to the cost of resort hotel stays and even food and drinks at the parks, the cost of simply enjoying a day at Disney World has shot up.

Considering this, it’s common to search for discounts and find ways to lower the cost of going to the Disney Park. Many guests also work with third-party sellers and vendors to make this happen. However, recently, an interaction with a third-party vendor had many questioning whether a guest was on the receiving end of a scam.

A fan took to Reddit to share, “My sister says she met someone who has a “VIP travel host” in Vegas who can get her deep discounts on a Disney vacation (and only takes payment via Venmo?) I feel like she’s being scammed. I haven’t even seen these types of prices on a DVC rental.”

“Everything about this screams red flags to me. I’ve been to WDW twice in the last few years at AOA and Caribbean Beach (with only two people, while she has a family of 4) and our prices weren’t anywhere near this. I told her I’d ask Reddit because I know people in here can help me vouch for the fact that this feels suuuuper shady.” They continued.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Becky Burkett

The guest also broke down the quote:

• $2200 TOTAL
  • Six days, five nights
  • Deluxe category hotel
  • Four-day park ticket
  • Round trip airfare
  • $500 Disney e-gift card for food
  • Up to five guests
• $1600 TOTAL
  • Six days, five nights
  • Moderate category hotel
  • Four-day park ticket
  • Round trip airfare
  • $400 Disney e-gift card for food
  • Up to five guests

With the average Disney vacation going as high as $10,000 for a family of four, these prices sound insane to any seasoned Disney fan, and many shared exactly this sentiment.

One wrote, “If they say they only accept Venmo as payment, it’s 100% a scam.” 

Another added, “Beyond a scam. Airfare for 5 alone would be close to if not over 2,200 dollars. Not to mention tickets.”

A third commented, “Official discounts exist for local residents of CA and FL, as well as Magic Key holders. Also, I belong to a union that grants me access to a website for union members, but the Disney discount is small, like 10%. The only real “steal” is if a Disney employee has the perk of inviting friends and family to the Disney parks for free.”

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park / Credit: Nicholas Fuentes, Unsplash

Have you ever heard of any discounts like these for Disney World? How did you handle the situation? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!