I traveled from New York City to Disney World and back in 24 hours. It was exhausting, but I saved hundreds of dollars.

13.08.2024 - 22:02 / insider.com / Spirit Airlines / Hugh Johnston

I love all things Disney, but I haven't been able to justify spending the money visiting Disney World as an adult. The last time I went was in 2013 on a high school trip, and admittedly, I didn't pay for that.

Disney ticket costs have skyrocketed over the last couple of years — a three-day park-hopper ticket during the December peak season costs as much as $586 per person — and with the added costs of airfare and lodging, I just haven't been able to swing it. For a family of four, the costs are even more mind-boggling: They could spend $2,300 just to get into the park for a single day. Add food and hotels, and the final total could easily reach $10,000 for a multi-day trip.

With costs that high, it's no wonder Disney and other theme parks across the country have reported downturns in attendance. Disney's chief financial officer, Hugh Johnston, said on the company's earnings call in August that "the lower-income consumer is feeling a little bit of stress," the Wall Street Journal reported.

But some TikTokers think they've found a cheaper way. Earlier this year, I saw multiple TikTok videos showing people flying to Orlando from cities like New York or Chicago and back in just one day in a bid to lower the overall costs of visiting Disney World. I was immediately intrigued: I could fly Spirit Airlines, a low-cost carrier, take an Uber from the airport to the parks and back, spend a whole day at Disney World, and then be back in New York in less than 24 hours, all without having to pay for a hotel.

I decided to see if it was a viable, cost-effective option.

Here's how I traveled to Disney World and back within 22 hours, how much I spent, and how I was able to survive a day in Orlando's scorching summer heat.