This is how much a trip to Disney costs these days, and it’s not pretty

We all know that going to a Disney park, whether it be Disneyland or Disney World, is a special occasion.

Even for those who live in-state, it’s an expensive and time-consuming undertaking.

But have you ever paused to consider just how much the trip costs from start to finish? Neither had we, until this report came out.

According to finance website The Street, sales and profit at Disney are better than ever.

This was attributed mostly to the rising price of park tickets and how much the average park-goer was spending on food, drinks and Disney merch.

They decided to crunch the numbers and see what that means for the consumer.

So what’s the final total for a week-long trip to Disney?

$3,485 for a family of four, not including transportation (like airfare). OUCH.

The biggest expenditure was the hotel stay for six days and seven nights, coming in at $1,357–and that’s for the “moderate Port Orleans hotel category.”

Tickets were the next most expensive item on the list; a six-day base ticket for adults costs $288 and $260 for children.

And this isn’t even including airfare, which can really kick you in the teeth.

Here were the numbers they found:

• $1,357 for six nights in a moderately priced Disney hotel
• $288 for adult ticket
• $260 for kids’ ticket
• $150 per day for a Disney dining plan
• $57 park hopper pass, per person

And as painful as that sticker price is, it shouldn’t really be news. Disney has made headlines this year for increasing prices around the parks, coupled with rising attendance rates (which was the intended point of the price hikes–overcrowding is a major issue; haven’t you ever seen the line for Space Mountain?).

Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom if you’re determined to make it to Disney in the near future.

As many of our savvy Facebook fans pointed out, you don’t have to mortgage your house or dip into your kid’s college savings. You just need to be smart about it!

There are plenty of ways to save money when you go to Disney, from knowing how to score freebies to insider knowledge on the best time to travel there. So…we’ll see you in line for Rock ‘N’ Roller coaster.

RELATED: Here’s A List Of Disneyland And Disney World Rules To Know Before You Go

1. Use an authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

These travel agents know everything and anything about Disney. They can score you discounts and help make the somewhat daunting task of planning a Disney vacation a little easier. Plus, they are free to you! Use google to find one in your area.

2. Use Disney’s Magical Express for airport transport.

Disney’s Magical Express is a complimentary roundtrip service for Disney Resort guests that takes you and your luggage from Orlando International Airport to select Disney Resort hotels via a deluxe motorcoach. Just select this option when booking your Disney Resort hotel reservation.

3. Kids under three are free.

That means the littlest Disney guests do not need a ticket to enter the park. They also don’t need a MagicBand. Because they don’t need a ticket they cannot have FastPass+, but fear not—they can enter at the same time you use yours.

4. Buy Disney gift cards at Target using your RedCard and save 5%.

This is easy and genius. If you know you are going to spend money at the parks (and c’mon, who isn’t?), buy gift cards ahead of time and save 5% right off the top of all those snacks and souvenirs.

5. Mention any special occasion like a birthday, wedding or first-time visit.

Then, get a free button marking the occasion. These buttons could lead to perks down the line. Disney experts say characters sometimes throw special favors like cupcakes at button wearers.

6. Disney offers special discounts for military families.

Disney offers special discount tickets for active and retired military and their family and friends, and even has a special resort, Shades of Green, which is an official Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC).

7. Check Costco before you plan your trip.

Costco is known for having great travel discounts, and Disney trips are no exception. Check the Costco website for discounts on resort packages.

8. Make note of free dining dates.

While the free dining dates have not yet been released for 2017, Disney bloggers believe we should know more in April. Typically offered each fall, these dates are a great way to save by having your meals included with the purchase of resort and park tickets.

9. You can bring your own snacks and drinks.

Remember those snacks we ordered from Amazon? Yep, bring those into the park and save boatloads.

RELATED: You Can Live At Disney World Year Round (But It Will Cost A Pretty Penny)

10. Skip the bottled water.

Instead, ask any on-site food establishment for a free cup of ice water. Or better yet, bring a bottle for everyone in your family and refill as often as you’d like your entire trip.