Walt Disney World Tickets Explained
Which Walt Disney World tickets to buy is one of the key decisions when planning a Disney World vacation. There are several ticket options for you to choose from. In this article, we will review the options and make recommendations that may be best for your visit.
What do Walt Disney World tickets include? It depends on which ticket you purchase.
A standard (or base) ticket allows entrance to one theme park each day. You can then add additional features to your ticket which allows for greater flexibility and entrance to other parks and attractions. By giving you options, Disney allows you to only pay for the features you want.
Besides the type of ticket, you will need to decide how many days to visit each park. With 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and many other attractions like golf and sports, it’s no wonder why guests return to Disney year after year.
The guide below is a snapshot of the different Walt Disney World tickets available. If you have additional questions or help to decide what will be best for you, a Disney Travel Planner can help. Consider contacting our friends at Destination Magic. They top our list of the Best Disney Travel Planners.
Walt Disney World Tickets to Theme Parks and More
Standard Park Ticket (Base Ticket)
- Visit 1 theme park per day.
- Choose between Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks.
- Pick any one park to visit. Enter and exit the same park throughout the day.
Water Park & Sports Option
- Choose from these additional attractions: Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, or NBA Experience.
- The number of visits is equal to the number of days of park tickets purchased.
Park Hopper Ticket
- Visit multiple theme parks on the same day.
- Choose Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Pick any or all the parks to visit. Enter and exit any park throughout the day.
Park Hopper Plus
- Choose from these additional attractions: Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, a round of golf at Disney’s 9-hole Oak Trail Golf Course, FootGolf, NBA Experience, or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- The number of visits is equal to the number of days of park tickets purchased
All policies are subject to change without notice.
*One round of min-golf before 4:00 PM
†One round of foot golf (select days, after 2:30 PM) or 9-hole golf. Green fees only.
‡WSPN Wide World of Sports admission valid only on event days; some events require and additional admission fee.
A Park Hopper Ticket gives you the flexibility to visit more than one park on the same day. You can take an early morning safari ride in Animal Kingdom, go into hyperdrive over at Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios for lunch, have dinner in another country at Epcot and finish the night watching the Fireworks in Magic Kingdom—all in the same day!
Important Must Do Step
Link your tickets to your MDX account
After purchasing your resort package or tickets, you must link them to your My Disney Experience account. All guests in your traveling party must have a ticket and they, too, must be linked in your account.
Walt Disney World Tickets FAQs
How much are Walt Disney World tickets?
The ticket prices are based on the date visiting. Some dates are more expensive than others.
A 1-day, one-park adult ticket during the value season starts at about $109 (plus tax). A child’s 1-day, one-park ticket (age 3-9) starts at about $104 (plus tax).
A 1-day, one-park adult ticket during the holiday season could cost as much as about $159 or more (plus tax).
All prices are subject to change without notice.
How old for a Disney child ticket?
Children must be between the ages of 3 and 9 to qualify for a Disney child’s ticket. Children age 10 and older must purchase an adult priced ticket.
Children under the age of 3 do not need to a ticket for entry.
Can I purchase Walt Disney World tickets with a meal plan?
Yes, you can purchase Walt Disney World tickets with a meal plan if you book a Disney World Resort package that includes a reservation at a Disney-owned and operated resort. The Disney Dining Plans are available as part of these vacation packages, allowing you to pre-purchase meals and enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the parks and resorts. This can provide a convenient and cost-effective way to manage your dining expenses during your stay.
Can I leave the park and come back?
Yes. With a standard base ticket, you can leave and go back to the same park as often as you wish. With a park hopper ticket, you can leave and go to a different park.
Do I have to decide what park to visit in advance?
Guests Walt Disney World Resort packages including a Disney Resort hotel stay or date-based tickets don’t need separate park reservations, as these are included with their booking. However, annual passholders and guests with non-date-based tickets may still need to make park reservations in advance. To avoid issues, always check the latest requirements and make necessary reservations ahead of your visit..
If I need to make a park reservation, how do I do that?
Park reservations are made through the Disney website or mobile app. You must have a valid admission ticket before you can make a reservation. You can make reservations up to 60 days in advance of your visit, but availability is subject to change.
Learn more about Disney Park Reservations CLICK HERE to visit Disney’s website.
Can I visit more than one park on the same day?
Visiting more than one park on the same day is called Park Hopping. Park Hopping is only available to guests who have purchased tickets with the Park Hopper option included. Park hopping may be subject to capacity limitations so it’s always a good idea to check the latest information on the Disney website or app before planning your park visit.
When should I purchase my Walt Disney World tickets?
It is best to purchase tickets in advance. Prices at the gate are more expensive. Plus, you need to have your ticket purchased and linked to your My Disney Experience.
Are Lightning Lanes included with my ticket?
No. While Disney Genie is included as part of your MyDisneyExperience app, Lightning Lanes require an additional perchuse.
When can I make book my Lightning Lanes?
Guests staying at a Disney resort may purchase and reserve Lightning Lanes up to 7 days prior to their visit. For more inflation, read our Complete Guide to Lightning Lanes page.
If I have a Park Hopper ticket, can I book Lightning Lanes in different parks?
Yes, you may make Lighting Lane selections at multiple parks in the same day. However, if you are reserving your Lightning Lanes in advance of your visit, you may only make selections in one park.
Are Disney tickets refundable?
No. Tickets are non-refundable.
Are Disney tickets transferable?
No. Tickets are non-transferable.
When do Disney tickets expire?
Disney used to sell non-expiration tickets but that was many years ago. If you still have those tickets, there may be valid use days remaining.
Tickets sold today, they all have an expiration. The expiration date is based on several factors including the number of days in total you purchase.
How long are Disney World tickets valid?
When purchasing a park ticket, Disney understands you may not visit the park every day, or you may want to take a day off. To that end, they give you extra days beyond the number of park entries to use your ticket.
For example, if you purchase a 3-day ticket, Disney allows you 5 days to use it. If your date of first use is June 1st, your ticket will be valid until the end of the day June 5th. You will be able to visit the parks any 3 days during that 5-day period.
The chart below shows how many days each ticket is valid for. If you purchase a Park Hopper Plus (PH+), you will see you are given an extra day to use your tickets.
Special Event Walt Disney World Tickets
(Also Called Hard Ticket Events)
Throughout the year, Disney holds some special events and parties at the theme parks. These events take place outside of regular park hours and require a separate ticket to attend. There are a limited number of tickets sold to these events which make them a great way to minimize dealing with crowds, sometimes significantly.
With the exception of Early Morning Magic, most special events and parties are about 3 hours and take place after the theme park closes. However, you are able to use your ticket to enter 3 hours in advance of the scheduled event start.
Here are some of the events that require a separate ticket. To learn more, read our After Hours and Special Ticket Events article.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Magic Kingdom)
Get your favorite costume ready and make your plans to live it up with some favorite Disney Characters. Collecting candies, sweets, and delightful treats—all while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you with electrifying entertainment and eerily fun activities.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom)
Cinderella Castle shimmers, joyful music fills the air, and Disney characters don their most festive attire. Look out for special Character appearances and snow on Main Street.
Disney After Hours Party (various parks)
Even wonder what it would be like to have the park to yourself? You can get close with fewer wait times for popular attractions and Character Greetings. Ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages included!
Disney Villains After Dark Party (Magic Kingdom)
Showcasing some of Disney’s best-loved baddies, enjoy a devilishly diving night out. Ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages included!
Disney H20 Glo Nights (Typhoon Lagoon)
You can enter the park 2 hours prior to the start of this 4-hour party. Then splash, play and dance the night away at the ultimate glow party
Walt Disney World Annual Passes
Disney offers several options for Annual Passes. Each provides access to different parks and has different restrictions on them or who is eligible to purchase them. Some also have blackout dates.
Annual Passholders are eligible for a number of benefits including discounts on merchandise, dining, and tours, plus free parking. Disney World often runs room discount promotions for Annual Passholders as well.
To decide if an Annual Pass is right for you, you need to consider how many days you will actually use it and do the math to compare prices. For current pricing and more information, click HERE.
Note, at the time of this article, Walt Disney is not selling new Annual Passes, with the exception of Florida residents. Current annual pass holders can renew their passes. In Disneyland, some new annual passes are available for sale. Click here to learn about current Disneyland Annual Pass options.
Disney Incredi-Pass
Provides unlimited admission* to all Disney theme parks (with park hopping privileges). Disney Incredi-Pass pass holders will also receive free parking and special discount offers. The biggest feature of this pass is that there are no blockout dates.*
- Magic Kingdom
- Epcot
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
*Separate admission is required for Special Ticketed Events.
Disney Sorcerer Pass
Disney Sorcerer Pass pass holders have the same admission* and benefits as Disney Incredi-Pass passholders but with some blockout dates. Blackout dates are typically around Easter week, Thanksgiving, and the last 2 weeks of December, plus the first few days of January. Click here to access Disney’s Annual Passholder Blockout Calendar.
This pass is available to Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club members only.
*Separate admission is required for Special Ticketed Events.
Florida Resident Annual Passes
Disney Pirate Pass
The Pirate Pass is exclusively available to Florida residents and provides unlimited admission* to all Disney theme parks (with park hopping privileges). Pirate Pass holders are subject to blockout dates, including peak and holiday periods.
Disney Pixie Dust Past
Pixie dust pass is similar to the Pirate Pass, however, it is the most restrictive. In addition to peak and holiday blockout dates, all weekends are also blocked out.
Annual Pass Add-Ons
All Annual Passes, Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, Pirate Pass, and Pixie Dust Pass) has the option to add on the Disney PhotoPass and the Water Parks and Sports options.
Disney PhotoPass
Get unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos and videos.
Water Parks and Sports Option
Enjoy more opportunities to play—with admission to water parks, golf courses and other sensational sports experiences.
- Blizzard Bach
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Oak Trail Golf Course
- FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course (one round before 4 PM)
- Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course (one round before 4 PM)
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Compare current Disney Annual Pass options
Disney occasionally updates the type of annual pass tickets offered. To review and compare features of the current Walt Disney World annual pass options, click here.
Military Discount Walt Disney World Tickets
As a thank you for their service, Disney offers special discounted rates to members of the military. These include discounts on Disneyland and Walt Disney World tickets as well as discounts on Resort hotel stays and Disney Cruise Line vacations.
The Walt Disney World has its own Military Resort called Shades of Green. It is solely for members of the U.S. Military and their families.
Magic Your Way Stars and Stripes Pass
Active Military personnel are eligible to receive Disney Ticket discounts. Proper ID is required. Eligible Service Members include active or retired U.S. military personnel (including active or retired members of the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click HERE for more information.
Military personnel can purchase Disney tickets for up to 5 members of their family. Tickets may be purchased at Shades of Green Resort or on a Military base. Valid military identification required for purchase.
Important Disney World Tickets Update
Park Reservations Required—What You Need to Know
Following Disney World’s unprecedented closure on March 15, 2020 Disney has instituted several new policies and procedures to protect the health of everyone as the welcome guests back to the parks.
Along with temperature screenings, increased cleaning efforts and requiring face coverings, Disney is limiting the number of guests allowed to enter its parks each day. To that end, they have instituted a park reservation system. Here is some important information about the system.
Know Before You Go
During this difficult time, it is very important to know and understand the latest changes and policies. Disney has created a page called “Know Before You Go” that contains all the most current and relevant information for planning your vacation.
Be sure to read that before you book your trip and then again as it gets closer to your visit.
Check park availability
Before purchasing tickets or making a resort reservation, make sure the park is available on the dates you want to visit. This is true for both Disney resort guests and those staying off-property.
To check park availability, click HERE.
How to Make Disney Park Reservations
All park reservations are made through your My Disney Experience account. Be sure to use the website version of My Disney Experience and not the app. The app is not yet designed to make park reservations.
After linking your tickets, you can go on into your account and select the dates and parks you want to visit. (If you have a Disney resort reservation package, when you link your resort, your tickets are also linked at the same time. No need to link them separately).
Some dates or parks may not be available. For best selection, be sure to make your reservations as soon as you secure your tickets.
Follow these steps to make your Disney park reservations:
If your plans change
You are able to change your park reservations, but the park you want needs to be available.
If you are not going to be able to make your reservation, be sure to cancel it. Not only will someone else be able to get into a park that may be at capacity, but Disney may penalize you if you are a no show too many times.
Get the Help of a Disney Travel Planner
There have been a lot of new policies and procedures at Disney and things are continually changing. Using a Disney Travel Planner is more important than ever. They can help you navigate all the changes and make the most of your Disney vacation—and you will not pay more for your vacation then if you booked it directly with Disney.
Click HERE to get a Free Quote.
For more helpful planning tips, check out these articles:
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