There are a variety of options for purchasing entrance to the parks. You’ll need to decide if you purchase them as part of a vacation package, how many days you want to visit the parks, if you will visit more than one park a day, and if you want to add on a water park, golf, and other activities.
In a Nutshell
Entrance to theme parks requires tickets for everyone 3 years and up.
A ticket will get you into any of the 4 theme parks and can be purchased for a single day, or up to 10-days as part of a vacation package or individually if you are not staying at a Disney resort.
To visit more than one park a day, you must purchase the Park Hopper add on. When you’re staying at a Disney Resort and want to take advantage of magic hours, you’ll want to upgrade your tickets to the Park Hopper option.
- The daily cost of tickets decreases significantly the more days you have on your ticket.
When staying at a Disney resort you can conveniently purchase your tickets, and other options such as a dining plan, as part of an all-in-one Vacation Package. Note that the “a la carte” approach of purchasing tickets through discounted ticket sellers may save several dollars per ticket but doesn’t offer the convenience of a vacation package.
To visit a Disney Water Park you’ll need to either purchase separate tickets, or add the Park Hopper Plus option for $25 more a ticket. (Note: if you don’t want to add the Park Hopper option, then it’s cheaper to buy individual tickets to the water parks.)
Disney Springs (in the location formerly known as Downtown Disney) is a gorgeous entertainment complex with incredible restaurants, shops, and more. It does not require any tickets and is a great option for nights that parks close earlier than your desired bedtime.
In a Nutshell
Entrance to theme parks requires tickets for everyone 3 years and up.
A ticket will get you into any of the 4 theme parks and can be purchased for a single day, or up to 10-days as part of a vacation package or individually if you are not staying at a Disney resort.
To visit more than one park a day, you must purchase the Park Hopper add on. When you’re staying at a Disney Resort and want to take advantage of magic hours, you’ll want to upgrade your tickets to the Park Hopper option.
The daily cost of tickets decreases significantly the more days you have on your ticket.
When staying at a Disney resort you can conveniently purchase your tickets, and other options such as a dining plan, as part of an all-in-one Vacation Package. Note that the “a la carte” approach of purchasing tickets through discounted ticket sellers may save several dollars per ticket but doesn’t offer the convenience of a vacation package.
To visit a Disney Water Park you’ll need to either purchase separate tickets, or add the Park Hopper Plus option for $25 more than a regular Park Hopper ticket. (Note: if you don’t want to add the Park Hopper option, then it’s cheaper to buy individual tickets to the water parks.)
Disney Springs (in the location formerly known as Downtown Disney) is a gorgeous entertainment complex with incredible restaurants, shops, and more. It does not require any tickets and is a great option for nights that parks close earlier than your desired bedtime.
Ticket Pricing
ALERT: Disney World ticket pricing has changed to date-priced pricing as of Oct 2018. MORE advance planning is now required! You’ll need to know the exact date you will first use the ticket.
What to Expect from this Change:
- The use period for each ticket will decrease.
- 1-day tickets may only be used on the day for which they are purchased.
- Multi-day tickets can be used within a short window of time. Example — 2-day ticket can be used within 4 days; 4-day ticket must be used within 7 days, etc.
- Tickets as part of a resort package must either be used within that resort stay, with the last valid day on check out date, or within the ticket 1st use period (examples above), whichever is longer.
- Park Hopper option stays the same, but now has an additional benefit – it extends the ticket use window.
- Ticket dates can be modified if travel dates change.
- Tickets can be searched by lowest priced month/day using an online calendar.
- All tickets purchased before this change are still valid.
Maximize Your Travel Days!
Planning more than 4 days at the park? Adding extra days so you can spend a few hours at the parks on travel days is a great, low-cost, touring strategy. Adding one day to a 5-day ticket will only cost you $10 but may allow you to see an evening show or get 3 extra FastPasses that you wouldn’t have had without that extra day.
Special Discounts
Note on Discounted Tickets:
Other discounted tickets are available through Expedia and other sellers and can save you several dollars on each ticket, but if you’re planning on staying at a Disney World resort (and there are MANY reasons to do so), then purchasing tickets as part of the Magic Your Way package may offer more in both convenience and cost-savings (like qualifying for the discounted dining plan).
Florida residents
Proof of residency gives you special prices and purchasing options. Go to Disneyworld.com and create an account to learn more and purchase tickets.
Conference Attendees
Partial day tickets and discounted tickets are available at non-published rates, so make sure to check with the conference organizer and take advantage of special pricing.
Military Families
Deep discounts are available but require a few extra steps. The best deal seems to be the tax-free, Military Salute tickets, available through Shades of Green Resort, a DoD facility located on Disney property. Shades of Green offers discounted resort rooms for military members and their families. Military Salute tickets can also be purchased at a Disney park entrance, but sales tax will be added, and you’ll need to activate them before use. You can also purchase these at a military base.
To purchase tickets through Shades of Green, complete the following steps:
1. Email Shades of Green to obtain the ticket request form. IMPORTANT! Do this far enough in advance to ensure you receive the tickets by mail before your FastPass+ reservation window opens (tickets may take 2-4 weeks to arrive after you’ve purchased them).
2. Provide payment information and the necessary credentials to prove eligibility.
3. Receive tickets in the mail.
4. Link the tickets to your My Disney Experience account by entering the confirmation number on the back and assigning it to yourself or family member.
5. Make FastPass+ reservations (60 days in advance if staying at a Disney property, or 30 days in advance if not).
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.