- Travel insurance can cover your prepaid, nonrefundable costs (flights, park tickets, hotels) if you run into trip-related issues or medical emergencies in Disney World.
- Disney’s Travel Protection Plan only covers Disney-related expenses, offers limited medical coverage, and uses strict pricing.
- The average cost for travel insurance can range from $50-$95, which can include your entire family, compared to paying $198 for two adults under Disney’s plan.
- A separate travel insurance plan is typically more customizable, generally costs less overall, and covers your entire vacation.
An adventure to Disney World is a bucket list item for families, Disney enthusiasts, and travelers who want to experience the magic of Disney. The treats and unique rides, all in the subtropical climate of Orlando, Florida, make for a memorable experience for anyone.
While planning your trip to a Disney park, there is something that might not immediately come to mind but can be very useful: travel insurance. With visitors coming from all around the world, it could be a worthwhile investment for travelers in case something unexpected occurs before, during, or after your trip to the happiest place on Earth.
What Are the Benefits of Travel Insurance for Disney World?
Travel insurance can be a significant investment for your visit, whether you are flying within the United States or internationally. Not only does it protect the investments you have made for your trip, but it can also provide coverage for unpredictable events, like a trip cancellation or a medical emergency while traveling.
Travel insurance can cover your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses in situations like:
- Trip Cancellation: Covers the cost if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason (e.g. illness or severe weather). It can also be beneficial if your airline doesn’t cover flight changes.
- Trip Interruption: If you need to cut your trip short for an unexpected, covered reason after it has started, this benefit helps reimburse the costs you’ve already paid for and supports you in getting home safely.
- Trip Delay: If your flight or other transportation is delayed by several hours, this benefit can cover costs such as meals, hotel stays, or even new transportation, allowing you to continue your journey without absorbing the full financial hit.
- Baggage Protection: If your baggage is severely delayed or lost while in transit, the policy can reimburse a traveler for the cost of essential items purchased during that time, such as new clothing, toiletries, or other necessities.
- Accident & Sickness: Accidents and sudden sicknesses can happen anywhere. If you find yourself in a similar situation while exploring Orlando and Walt Disney World, especially coming from abroad, you may be protected.
What is a Prepaid, Nonrefundable Cost?
A prepaid, nonrefundable cost is any part of your trip you paid for in advance that you won’t get back if you have to cancel. For example, tickets to Disney World and any packages are generally nonrefundable, which can be a hefty financial loss for a family. Luckily, travel insurance can cover many expenses attached to your Disney trip, including the following:
- Your flight cost to Orlando
- You and your whole family’s tickets to the park
- Prearranged transportation (shuttles, buses, etc.)
- Hotel or other lodging, including if you are staying at the Walt Disney World Resort
- Tours and event tickets
- Non-refundable activities and bookings for outside the park
Once you have a completed list of items that are considered prepaid and nonrefundable, it is important to make sure to read the policies under each booking you have made for your trip. This will help you understand which deposits or payments are completely nonrefundable in the event that you need to cancel or change travel plans, and these are the expenses that you will insure under your policy.
Additionally, if a refundable expense charges a cancellation or penalty fee, you can include this fee in your cost calculation.
Example: If you plan to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort, hotel-only reservations, ones that are not tied to a vacation package, must be canceled 8 days before your scheduled check-in to get a full refund. However, if you cancel after the eighth day, you will lose the cost of a one-night stay, which is the deposit, but be refunded for the rest. Travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of that deposit that you originally wouldn’t get back without it
If you did purchase a vacation package that includes your stay at Walt Disney World Resort and theme park tickets, packages can generally be canceled up to 30 days before arrival without penalty and a full refund. After the 30th day, cancellations made between 3 and 29 days before arrival require a $200 cancellation fee, and cancellations within 2 days before your trip are now considered nonrefundable.
Travel insurance may seem like a large investment on top of your trip to Disney World, but in reality, it is typically no more than 10% of your total trip cost. On average, coverage costs between $100 to $200, depending on add-ons and how long your trip is. This is a small amount compared to the potential loss if your trip is disrupted or canceled entirely.
Should I Get Disney’s Travel Protection Plan?
While Disney’s travel insurance plan seems very convenient to add to your vacation package, it is important to know the limits in coverage it offers as well as the pricier cost compared to other travel insurance plans.
Medical Coverage is Limited
Through Disney’s Travel Protection Plan, you are typically provided up to $25,000 of coverage per person for any medical expenses, which may be low for visitors coming from outside the United States. Generally, U.S. medical care can be an expensive cost for many international travelers, on top of the already expensive cost for a flight and theme park ticket. However, with standard travel insurance, you can customize your coverage to fit your financial and medical needs at the same time.
Only Covers Disney-Related Expenses
The travel insurance that Disney provides may be beneficial for some travelers who are only looking to protect their Disney trip. However, if you are booking from off-site hotels, flights, or tours that are not related, it is generally not covered by Disney’s Travel Protection Plan, creating gaps in protection.
Meanwhile, travel insurance can cover not just your Disney-related expenses, but anything related to your overall trip. If you plan on going to other theme parks in Orlando, travel insurance may cover the cost of you and your family’s tickets to the park. Hotels, flights, and other non-refundable tickets outside the park can also be covered with standard travel insurance.
Strict Pricing
Disney’s Travel Protection Plan is a firm price of $99 per adult, with no extra cost for children under 17. This can be a great price for individuals who paid for more of a luxury package, but can make up almost 20% of the trip’s total price if you purchased more of a modest package.
This can be expensive when you compare it to regular travel insurance. For example, the average cost for travel insurance can range from $50-$95, and can include your entire family under that policy. Instead of paying $198 for two adults, you can pay significantly less and get more coverage than the Disney travel insurance for you and your family.
Ultimately, it is about assessing your needs as a traveler, and if Disney’s Travel Protection Plan will benefit you more than third-party options. Comparing plans helps you understand differences in coverage and lets you be flexible with your budget.
How Can I Protect My Disney Trip with Travel Insurance?
Disruptions in travel are not uncommon. Travel insurance helps relieve the stress of unexpected events, especially those affecting your trip to the happiest place on Earth.
Need help understanding a policy or comparing plans? Our team of licensed agents are ready to help with any questions.
