Updated for 2022
I don't claim to be a Disney aficionado; I've been to Walt Disney World twice in my life; once was for a foodie tour, the other we camped at Fort Wilderness. Those trips showed me that Disney knows how to make things magical.
Adventures by Disney Vacations, trips around the world with the magic of Disney, has been operating 2005. When I saw the Adventures by Disney Ireland vacation, I wanted to see what it entailed and how a DIY Ireland vacation could compare.
This article is updated annually with current costs and updated tips from my continued travels across Ireland.
Is a Disney Ireland Vacation Right for Your Family?
Get a quick overview in our web story!
Below you'll find a breakdown of the Adventures by Disney Ireland Vacation side-by-side with a DIY experience.
Please note that I have never experienced an Adventures by Disney Ireland Vacation myself, but have two decades of Ireland family vacation experience.
What an Adventures by Disney Ireland Vacation Includes- and What It Doesn't
The Adventures by Disney Ireland itinerary is 8 days and 7 nights. Your accommodations include two very nice hotels and one castle. Breakfast is provided daily, as are 4 lunches and 5 dinners. Child care is provided one evening.
As this is a guided group tour you will be driven by motor coach to your scheduled destinations, as well as picked up at the airport. But, as I said earlier, Disney provides magical experiences and they have many lined up, including private tours at some of Dublin's most popular attractions, experiences with local experts, a shamrock hunt at Cashel, a traditional Irish farm dinner, an adults only dinner at Dromoland Castle, and a farewell feast with performances by local musicians.
Prices for a Disney Ireland vacation begin at $5,799 for adults and $5509 for children (2022 pricing; dependent on dates). Children must be 4 years of age for this adventure and suggested minimum age is 6+.
This is a land only package; airfare is not included and must be purchased in conjunction with the vacation package.
Read: Do You Need Vacation Insurance for Your Ireland Vacation?
Compare a Disney Ireland Vacation to a Do-It-Yourself Ireland Family Vacation
As mentioned above, I've not been on an Adventures by Disney Ireland vacation, but I have been to Ireland many, many times. And looking at the itinerary I know it is possible to plan a very similar magical adventure- while saving money, seeing more of what Ireland has to offer, and enjoying more of the country's greatest resource ~ her people.
To provide the best comparison possible I am breaking it down with side by side daily comparisons; Disney on the left, self planning on the right. Prices are approximations based on a family of 4, priced from June 2022.
Just FYI: This is going to get long. Final cost is Disney $25,736, DIY appx $11,744.02.
Disney Trips to Ireland or DIY Ireland Itinerary
Day 1
DISNEY
Arrive in Dublin. After clearing customs a drive assists you with your bags and takes you to your hotel.
Check into Westin Dublin. Get information from Disney Hospitality desk and learn about Dublin.
Welcome reception dinner at the hotel with other families on the tour.
DIY
Arrive in Dublin, clear customs and retrieve your bags. For ease, arrange for a car service to pick you up (I recommend Collins Travel) or utilize a taxi from the airport to your hotel.
Dublin Airport Tips for Arrival & Departures
Drop bags/ check into Westin Dublin. (2 nights; 2 rooms- Deluxe King + Deluxe Twin. Includes breakfast. $427 per room, per night.)
~ For a more affordable choice with family rooms I recommend The Castle Hotel.
Get active to combat jet lag! Explore Dublin. I recommend purchasing the Dublin Pass as it includes most of the city's most popular attractions + 24 hour Hop on Hop off bus tour & a food tour. (appx €270)
Dinner in Dublin (est €150)
Day 2
DISNEY
Breakfast at the hotel
Privately guided tour including EPIC- The Irish Emigration Museum
Guided tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Pub lunch with interactive music experience- learn some Irish tunes and sing along!
Spend the afternoon exploring Dublin on your own.
Dinner in Dublin on your own.
DIY
Breakfast at the hotel.
You'll find Dublin to be a very walkable city!
Visit EPIC – the Irish Emigration Museum. (Included in Dublin Pass or €40/ family)
Enjoy a tour of Dublin. See a few of my favorites here.
OR
Try a Hop on Hop off bus tour. (Included with your Dublin Pass or from $22.52 per person; kids under 14 free with paying adult.)
Stop for lunch. You'll find most restaurants post their menu outside- so handy! (appx €50)
Get out and explore more of Dublin! Utilize that Dublin Pass to the fullest!
No Dublin Pass? Ideas: Visit Trinity College & the Book of Kells ($; book tickets online to skip the queue!), The National Museum of Archaeology is a must- the bog bodies are incredible! (free), the Iveagh Gardens (free) are often overlooked and have a fun maze, visit the National Museum of Ireland- Natural History, aka the ‘Dead Zoo' (free).
Pop into a pub for dinner. (appx €125) or utilize your Dublin Pass for savings on tours or events this evening. Pre-booking necessary so order your Dublin Pass prior to your trip!
Day 3
DISNEY
Breakfast at the hotel.
Board your coach for the journey to Kilkenny and your chance to experience the Irish sport of Hurling followed by lunch.
Explore the Rock of Cashel while Junior Adventurers enjoy a Shamrock Hunt with one of your Adventure Guides.
Journey to Killarney and check in to the Killarney Park Hotel or Great Southern Killarney.
Private group dinner at the hotel.
DIY
Hotel breakfast
Pick up your car in Dublin city. Rates from €507.17 including Zero Deductible CDW Excess.
2 articles you MUST read:
Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland
and
Tips You Need When Picking Up Your Car Rental in Dublin City Centre
Drive from Dublin to Kilkenny (consider a stop at the Rock of Dunamase on the way).
Consider a hurling experience at The Kilkenny Way. (Family package with lunch €70).
If you are going to Kilkenny only for this I would skip it and continue on to the Rock of Cashel.
Explore the Rock of Cashel. (€20/ family)
Continue to Killarney. I highly recommend a stop at Cahir Castle (€13/ family; along your route)
Tip: the OPW Heritage Card is the best deal in Ireland! Gain admission to Office of Public Works sites (including the Rock of Cashel & Cahir Castle) across Ireland.
Check into a family room at Scotts Hotel(click and search Ireland for best deal; family room from $487/ night; check special offers for family package deal.)
~ A short stroll from the town centre and right across from Killarney National Park, we found the self-catering apartments at Gleneagle to be very comfortable. From €275/night.
Explore Killarney & wander into Killarney National Park.
Dinner on your own. (appx €125)
Day 4
DISNEY
Breakfast at hotel.
Journey to Ross Castle for a photo stop.
Boat ride on Lough Leane.
Butter making demonstration and Irish Dance Lessons
Group lunch
Afternoon on your own in Killarney.
Dinner and evening on your own in Killarney.
DIY
Breakfast at hotel
Journey to/from Ross Castle via Killarney National Park in a Jaunting Cart. (€80, cash) Use your OPW card to tour Ross Castle.
Join a Killarney Lakes Cruise (from €15 pp)
Drive out to Muckross Abbey. Explore the Abbey- it is incredible with a Yew in the center and towers to climb. Walk from the abbey to Muckross House. (Or drive.)
Explore Muckross House and Gardens (from €28 family or included in the OPW card). Add in Muckross Traditional Farms (extra cost, not included in OPW card to learn about traditional Irish life – including butter making, music, and dance)
Dine at the Garden Restaurant. (appx €80)
Then drive to Torc Waterfall and the Ladies View. These are both naturally beautiful areas, very picturesque and worth visiting.
Or drive to the Gap of Dunloe and stroll through the ancient trade route. DO NOT drive through the Gap of Dunloe.
Day 5
DISNEY
Breakfast at the hotel
Load coach for drive to Adare, County Limerick.
Tour of Adare Desmond Castle
Lunch on your own and time to explore Adare
Arrive Dromoland Castle
Adults only dinner at the castle's Fig Tree Restaurant.
Kids enjoy a movie night with kid-friendly dinner and other fun activities.
DIY
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Adare and explore.
Tour Adare Desmond Castle (included in OPW card or €22.50/ family)
~ a better tour (in my opinion)… make a detour to Lough Gur near Bruff in County Limerick
Arrive at Dromoland Castle for 3 nights. 2 Deluxe rooms from €775/ night per room. Advise castle upon reservation of children traveling to obtain adjoining family rooms.
~ Want to be Lord and Lady of your own castle? Have a look at Knappogue Castle– just minutes away!
Dinner at Fig Tree restaurant for 2 + childcare (can be arranged with advance notice). Expect to spend €400 minimum, for dinner & child care+ room service for kids.
Day 6
DISNEY
Hotel breakfast
Private tour of Dromoland castle grounds.
Birds of prey demonstration.
On your own for lunch in one of the Dromoland Castle restaurants.
Explore Dromoland Castle; take advantage of some of their offered activities. (Additional costs may apply)
Authentic Irish Farm Dinner, Scone making, and Entertainment
DIY
Hotel breakfast
Explore Dromoland Castle and grounds; tours available for guests.
Schedule a Hawk Walk with the Falconry (advance reservations required) (appx €280/ 4 people)
Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this afternoon. Just 15 minutes away! (Family Ticket, €61.50; online rate)
Traditional Irish Night (best for kids under 14; €35 per child, €42.50 per adult) or Medieval Banquet. (€35 child, €63.00 adult)
Day 7
DISNEY
Hotel breakfast
Visit the Cliffs of Moher (and probably other spots in the Burren)
Enjoy lunch at one of Doolin's traditional pubs (probably Gus O'Connor's)
Farewell dinner & entertainment at Dromoland Castle.
DIY
Hotel breakfast
Plan a day filled with activities in the Burren! Including the Cliffs of Moher, a Cliffs of Moher cruise, tasty stops along the Burren Food Trail, Poulnabrone Dolmen, and so many more! Use this article to help you decide what to do!
Choose a tasty spot along the Burren food trail for lunch. Recommendations here. (appx €75)
Family Dinner at Dromoland Castle (plan at least €250)
Day 8
DISNEY
Enjoy one last Irish breakfast in Dromoland Castle
Board coach for transfer to Shannon Airport
DIY
Enjoy your final breakfast in Ireland
Drive to Shannon Airport – under 20 minutes away- drop off car and check in for flight.
Shannon Airport Tips for Arrivals and Departures
Final Cost: Disney vs DIY Ireland Family Vacation
Cost was calculated using 2022 Adventures by Disney tour dates June 24 – July 1.
DIY cost is calculated by making the tour as exact as possible to the Disney tour. This cost can, of course, be lowered significantly by simply changing accommodations.
DISNEY
$25,736
DIY
€10,386.50 (appx $11,744.02)
Which Ireland Family Vacation is Right For You?
Of course I do not know every little “extra” Disney has up its sleeve; I have done my best to recreate the same trip on a smaller budget. (Remember- neither trip includes airfare.) I also added a few suggestions to the DIY itinerary based on my experience traveling with children in Ireland.
The biggest difference? The Adventures by Disney Ireland Itinerary requires children to be 4 years old; my trip is for children of any age (my daughters were both 1 when they made their first trips to Ireland.)
While there is no doubt the Disney Ireland vacation is quite luxurious, it leaves me wishing it had more flexibility and chances to explore.
I can't help but think about how much you would drive past, wishing you could stop and see it, while on Disney trips to Ireland. In my mind the freedom of renting a car far outweighs the convenience of a tour guide.
Want to recreate this trip on your own, with a private guide?
I recommend Ireland Chauffeur Travel. Average cost for a one week driver guided tour with 4/5 star accommodation begins at €3775 per person.
Of course any trip to Ireland is a good trip, in my book. It all comes down to preference. What is yours?
Need more Ireland itinerary tips? Check out my free Ireland itineraries!
I would love your input! Have you been on an Adventures by Disney Ireland vacation? What did you think? Would you suggest it? Why or why not?
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Great breakdown, Jody!.. & I’d like to second your suggestion of using Ireland Chauffeur Travel… wonderful folks & they provide excellent service & an unforgettable experience…
Thank you Leslie! It’s always great to hear that the companies I recommend are living up to expectations!
[…] Should You Have Disney Plan Your Ireland Vacation […]
IMO, looks like just another money-maker for Disney if people chose this option. I’d rather be able to plan my own vacation, for considerably less as you have pointed out, and not have such a set schedule. The beauty of going to Ireland is having the freedom to experience everything in your time and do what you want to do. Plus, if airfare isn’t included, for us (2 adults, 3 kids), that would easily add another $5000 on to the total cost. Disney is pricey I know, but that seems a little over the top.
Again, I am sure there are “extras” that I don’t know about- Disney is incredible when it comes to making vacations magical. One day I would like to try their vacation- just for the experience.
Wow! Thanks for the side-by-side comparison.
I haven’t done a Disney Adventure in Ireland… I’m sure they take care of every detail, but for families on a budget and a sense of adventure, I’d probably choose your alternatives.