When you’re visiting Disney World, it can be easy to feel like you’re on an exclusive island filled with Mickey and Minnie. But, whether you’re staying at an off-site hotel or looking to dine at a restaurant that won’t charge you an arm and a leg for a hamburger, you just might find yourself traveling around the outskirts of the resort area.

From White Castle to Portillos to shopping, there’s more beyond the parks that can be worth checking out. But, did you know that it’s EXPENSIVE for a restaurant (or anything else) to come to the Disney World area? Let’s take a look at just how much retail owners are shelling out to secure a highly-valued spot next to one of the most popular travel destinations in the U.S.

Real Estate Values are Higher Around Disney World

Housing data from Orange and Osceola counties (where Disney World is located) certainly affirms that Disney World drives up real estate values simply by existing. To take a look at the numbers, retail space around Disney has a lower vacancy rate than the Orlando average but has a higher rental rate per square foot than the Orlando average.

In fact, according to Orlando Business Journal, retail in West Orange County (including the area around the Disney-owned Flamingo Crossings shopping center) has an average vacancy rate of 2.6% compared to 6.3% for the overall Orlando market. So, while you won’t find as many stores and restaurants around Disney as you might find in Downtown Orlando, the ones that are there are paying a hefty price.

These metrics demonstrate that there is HIGH demand for retail space near Disney World as businesses hope to capitalize on the large number of visitors in the area with convenient proximity to the resorts.

An example of this can be seen with a recent purchase by Starbucks. The company recently paid roughly TWICE as much as what their retail locations normally sell for in Central Florida for a retail space on Palm Parkway (which is roughly 2.5 miles from Disney Springs), according to Orlando Business Journal.

This location makes the store the closest free-standing Starbucks location to Disney outside of the parks and Disney Springs, and the sale was made FAST. The property went to market in May and was sold within a week signaling that Disney has only continued to drive up demand for surrounding retail space, as the traffic it brings is great for business.

But, the idea that Disney World is driving up property values in the area isn’t new at all. You may have heard the story of Walt Disney buying up property in Florida in secret. That’s because Walt wanted to make sure that the price of the land he purchased wouldn’t be driven up simply because people heard that he was buying it up. And, he was right for doing so! Walt purchased the first acre of land for roughly $80 and after the secret project was out, he purchased the last acre of land for about $80,000 — that’s quite the increase in property value!

This proves that, even in the mid-1900s, the Disney name was a given for driving up real estate costs.

AND, it’s not just commercial property that is more expensive. According to Neighborhood Scout, Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake (where Disney World is located) median real estate price is $427,236, which is more expensive than 79.4% of the neighborhoods in Florida and 74.8% of the neighborhoods in the U.S. As for rentals, the average rental cost in this neighborhood is higher than 84.8% of the neighborhoods in Florida.

Whew, that’s pricey! In fact, some experts in urban development credit Disney with the affordable housing crisis in the area. According to ClickOrlando, Richard Foglesong wrote in his book, Married to the Mouse, “It [Disney World] brought with it low-wage jobs and affordable housing challenges that we have here in Central Florida.” Foglesong added that the crisis happened in the 1970s with the opening of Disney World and hasn’t really changed in 50 years.

Click here to learn more about the Flamingo Crossings shopping center!

Why Are Retail Prices Higher Around Disney World?

So why has this happened? For one, it’s demand. Disney attracts millions of guests every year and those guests are not always going to stay on property to eat and shop. That means that businesses in the Disney World area expect a higher level of demand simply because of their proximity to the parks.

Especially in the modern-day, Disney World is EXPENSIVE. It’s very much the norm for guests to avoid the “Disney premium” by shopping and dining off-site. And, a commercial business wants to be the option that these guests turn to by occupying a prime, nearby location. 

As for housing, Disney employs around 77,000 people, according to Orlando Sentinel, and they all need a place to live. So, in turn, those 77,000 people drive demand for housing around Disney World and that constant driver of demand keeps housing real estate costs HIGH. 

Want to see some secrets Disney couldn’t keep? Click here!

And, They Could Get Even More Expensive

Beyond the current prices, housing and retail real estate could get even MORE expensive in the Disney World area soon. In 2021, Disney bought 60 acres of land in nearby Lake Nona as the first step in building a new campus that will serve to relocate thousands of Disney employees from California to this area of Florida.

According to Orlando Business Journal, this will significantly disrupt the Lake Nona market as “This move will send even more buyers from California to Central Florida willing to pay far more than a home’s list price, driving up prices in an already-hot housing market.” 

Lake Nona is already the most expensive part of Orange County, but the push in high-income housing demand could have a ripple effect that drives real estate up in the surrounding areas of the county. And, as housing gets more expensive, the area may also become more desirable for commercial businesses looking to capitalize on the relocating population.

To see more about the Lake Nona campus, click here!

So, you don’t have to dig too deep to see the MASSIVE impact that Disney World has on real estate prices in Orlando. And, as demand for the parks continues to grow and The Walt Disney Company expands, we will likely see prices rise even more. Of course, we keep track of it all here at DFB, so be sure to stay tuned for the latest!

How Expensive Will Disney World Be in 10 Years? Click HERE to Find Out!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Do you travel off Disney World property when you’re on vacation? Tell us in the comments!

The post How Disney World Drives Up the Value of Nearby Real Estate first appeared on the disney food blog.

Guests who participate in The Animation Experience at Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom now have the opportunity to draw one of the “Fab Five” characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto.

At The Animation Experience, guests can “discover the influence of real life animals as you create your own sketch of a beloved Disney character.” Each class is 25 minutes.

The experience is available daily at 10:00, 10:45, 11:30 a.m., 12:15, 1:45, 2:30, 3:15, 4:00, and 4:45 p.m.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post ‘Fab 5’ Characters Now Included in the Animation Experience at Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on WDW News Today.

It’s no secret that you’ll be shelling out a pretty penny when you visit Disney World between the cost of the hotel, park tickets, food, merchandise, and more. In fact, a trip to Disney has become so expensive that many park-goers are stuck wondering if it’s even affordable for a family of four anymore.

But, your Disney World trip doesn’t have to break the bank! Sure, you know to check out all of the potential hotel and ticket discounts — but did you know there are some ways to save that Disney DOESN’T tell you!? Here are six SNEAKY ways that you can save money in Disney World!

Buy a kids’ meal at a Quick Service restaurant if you’re not a big eater!

Do you find yourself throwing out half of your meal when you dine in Disney World because the portion sizes are just a bit too big for your theme park going belly? Well, you’re missing out on a BIG way to save! If a smaller meal will fill you up, you can save a few bucks each meal by ordering a kids’ meal at Quick Service locations — and those bucks can really add up!

Many Quick Service spots offer a kids’ menu in addition to the regular menu, but you don’t have to be a kid to order a kids’ meal at these restaurants! Instead, you can snag a smaller portion for a more reasonable price by picking your choice of kids’ meal.

This is something that we do a lot of when we’re visiting the parks because it enables us to snack on some of our favorite eats and drinks (like the beloved Cheeseburger Pods from Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom) without getting too full or going over budget.

Keep in mind that most Table Service restaurants don’t allow adults or even kids over a certain age to order off of the kids’ menu, so this trick is Quick Service-approved only.

Check Out Our List of Must-Get Disney World Dishes for 2022 HERE!

If you get a merchandise discount, buy your bottled beverages in the stores.

There are a lot of different ways to get discounts in Disney World merchandise stores. Whether you’re an Annual Passholder, a Disney Vacation Club Member, or part of another discount group, those savings can make a BIG difference in your budget.

Yes, it’s important to ask about your discount when you check out in Disney World but it’s ALSO important to know where to buy something! What are we talking about exactly? A super sneaky way to save is to buy your bottled beverages (like Dasani water or sodas) in a merchandise store instead of at a beverage cart when you’re in the parks — that way you can apply your discount!

Of course, you can also snag free ice water from most quick-service locations in lieu of paying for bottled water. But, in those situations where you do need bottled water, soda, or Powerade, this is one way to save that most people miss out on!

To see all the places you can get free water in Disney World, click here!

Head to Character Warehouse or online for park souvenirs in advance!

Look, there’s no getting around it — when you’re in Disney World, you’re likely going to hear the siren call of some new merchandise. We get it, there are some awesome souvenirs to choose from! And trust us, your kids will probably want a souvenir of their own too.

But, do you really have to take a beating to the wallet anytime you walk into a store in the parks? Not necessarily!

Instead of waiting to do your shopping until you’re in the parks staring at a wall of Disney plushes, take your kiddos to the Disney Character Warehouse at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets or head online in advance of your trip to pick out your souvenirs at a cheaper price. You can often find the same or different-but-still-great merchandise at off-property souvenir shops or online on shopDisney.

That way, when you’re strolling through Main Street Emporium, you don’t have to swing for the $30 Mickey Plush since you already snagged one for just $10 or $15!

Click HERE for 5 Spending Traps To Avoid in Disney World!

Make a late-morning dining reservation.

Would you believe us if we told you that WHEN you make your Table Service reservation can actually SAVE you money in Disney World? It’s true! If you’re looking to pay a little less for your sit-down meal, try making that advance dining reservation for late morning and get ready to brunch! 

There are a few money-saving hacks that happen when you pick this time for a dining reservation. For one, you might have an easier time getting away with eating just two meals in a day because eating a LARGE late breakfast/early lunch can hold you over all the way until dinner. This ends up saving you what you otherwise would have spent on a smaller earlier breakfast or lunch.

Plus, if you book a late breakfast reservation at a buffet, they might change over the buffet offerings during your reservation meaning that way you can fill up on not just breakfast food, but lunch food too!

What are the hardest dining reservations to get in 2022? Click here to find out!

Buy a Disney Gift Card at Sam’s Club or Target with a discount!

If you’ve got a Sam’s Club membership or a Target Red Card, consider using your discounts to buy Disney Gift Cards ahead of your trip! This is a sneaky way to save a few bucks and end up with “free” money.

What kind of savings are we talking about? The Target Red Card, for instance, gets you 5% off on purchases at Target — including those Disney Gift Cards. So, you could end up paying $95 for a $100 gift card! When every dollar counts, this can be a great trick.

While you’re at Target shop for these essentials you need in your Disney bag!

Check shopDisney prices and discounts before buying something in Disney World.

Finally, if you ARE shopping for merchandise in Disney World, keep your phone handy! Oftentimes, you can find the same merchandise that you’re seeing on the shelf online on shopDisney but the prices are NOT always equal! For example, we’ve found face masks, mugs, and even designer Disney bags available for less online compared to in-stores.

So, be sure to check shopDisney for the souvenir you’re interested in before you make your purchase, and keep an eye out for when discounts pop up online too. You might be able to save on that new t-shirt by ordering it online instead!

Click here to see ALL of the Disney World 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW!

We hope these sneaky tips help to save you some money on your next Disney World trip! And, for more ways to save on your 2022 Disney World trip, check out our video below!

And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for all of the latest Disney tips, tricks, and updates!

Want to see even more Disney discounts? Click here!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

What are YOUR best tips for saving money in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! 

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

The post Sneaky Ways You Can Save Money in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

Several new scented candles in special themed candle holders are now available at Disneyland Resort.

We found these in World of Disney at Downtown Disney District.

Castle Tower Candle – $34.99

This candle holder is shaped like a castle tower with a golden crown on top.

It’s covered in stone details, with archways, columns, and balconies.

There’s a castle portcullis.

It has a “castle garden” scent and smells very flowery.

Mickey Mouse Candle – $34.99

This candle holder has a relatively subtle design.

It is shaped like Mickey’s head, with a ceramic bottom and wood finish lid.

It smells like brown cinnamon sugar. It has three wicks, while the others all have one.

Poison Apple Candle – $34.99

This candle holder is red with a white potion dripping over it into the shape of a skull.

The lid has a golden apple stem

It has a perfect sweet green apple smell.

Cinderella’s Coach Candle – $34.99

This candle is shaped like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach.

It’s a shiny blue with gold outlining the doors.

It has a pumpkin spice scent.

“Hunny” Pot Candle – $34.99

This pot is white with a honeycomb design and gold accents.

“Hunny” is painted on one side, with some of the honeycomb outlined in gold.

There are some gold bees painted on the pot too.

The lid is gold.

It has a “yummy honey” scent that smelled like sweet wax to us.

Marie Candle – $34.99

The Marie candle comes in a pink holder with a white lid featuring Marie’s outline and pink bow.

The side of the holder has a quilted look with “M” on some of the embossed dots.

It has a very sweet French vanilla scent.

Stitch Pineapple Candle – $34.99

Finally, we love this Stitch pineapple candle.

It is white with gold touches. The lid is shaped like Stitch’s head.

The bottom of the candle holder is shaped like a pineapple.

He has the top of a pineapple as a hat, with the leaves, his eyelids, and his nose painted gold.

This “tropical pineapple” was our favorite scent. It didn’t smell too much like pineapple, more like pineapple vanilla.

Which candle is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post New Mickey, Poison Apple, Cinderella’s Coach, Stitch, and More Scented Candles at Disneyland Resort appeared first on WDW News Today.