When Disney Parks first announced that they were going to be changing the ticketing structure at the Disney Park Resorts, fans hit social media sites with concerns and questions. Would the ticket prices be affordable? What would happen with annual passes? How would the ticketing structure work? How would you know what day cost what?
It was only a few days until these questions were answered. Both Disneyland Resort’s and Walt Disney World Resort’s new ticket pricing structure started on February 28, 2016. The programs are slightly different and this blog is about the program at Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Resort, by its sheer size and numerous activities, entertainments, and diversions, can be overwhelming to those new to the resort. With the advent of seasonal pricing, the ticketing options are numerous and can be confusing to those new to the site. Hopefully, this blog will make some of the decisions about which ticket is right for you and your family just a bit easier.
The new ticketing structure:
Walt Disney World offers base tickets (described below in more detail) for one-day or multiple-days. They also offer annual passes. Guests who live in Florida have the option of Florida resident pricing. So, if you live in state, make sure to bring your ID with you for your discount.
Walt Disney World base tickets allow the guest to enter one park per day (multiple re-entry into the same park is allowed). Walt Disney World also offers ‘add-ons’ to the base ticket.
Guests can add ‘park hopping’ which allows the guest entry into all four of the theme parks on the same day. This allows for the guest to enter one park in the morning, leave later and spend time at a resort or another theme park. The park hopper add on allows the guest re-entry into all four theme parks multiple times (subject to entry availability).
Guests who wish to do other activities besides just the theme parks, can opt for the ‘Water Park Fun and More’ option. This ticket option allows the guest to enter one park and a specified number of the following (how many of these experiences can be done per day is dependent on the number of days the ticket is good for). The activities include admission into:
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park
• DisneyQuest (slated to close sometime in 2016)
• A round of golf at Disney’s nine hole Oak Trail Golf Course (tee times are required and should be booked early as the course is popular)
• Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex
Lastly, guests who are purchasing multi-day tickets can opt to purchase both the ‘Water Park Fun and More’ and ‘Park Hopper’ add-ons. This is the ultimate ticket allowing guests to participate in virtually all public activities offered on site (with the exception of a few tours and ‘pay per play’ activities).
Multi-day Tickets – Base Tickets:
The multi-day ticket scheme has not changed in the new ticketing program. The multi-day ticket allows the guest to enter the parks over multiple days. These days do not need to be consecutive, but do need to be within 14 days of the first visit. Base Park Tickets allow entry into one of the four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom) per day. You can re-enter the same park multiple times during the day but cannot enter the other parks that day.
Multi-day Tickets – Base Tickets Add-ons:
For an additional fee, base tickets can be upgraded to Park Hoppers and upgraded to include water parks and other activities on site. Please see above about the add-ons.
Annual Passports:
These tickets are designed for those guests who live in the region or will be visiting the parks often. There are nine versions of the annual passport which vary in price, usable dates, and extras. Please see here for a breakdown of the advantages of each pass.
Tickets for Other Activities:
Guests who do not wish to experience the theme parks can purchase tickets for the water parks, DisneyQuest (closing some time in 2016), and Cirque du Soleil.
One-day Tickets:
The one-day ticket is the passport which has changed with the new tiered ticketing scheme. The new scheme introduces three new ticket costs based on the season/projected busyness of the parks. The three cost levels are: Value, Regular, and Peak.
The one-day ticket is available in four types. The 1 day/Magic Kingdom ticket allows the guest to enter Magic Kingdom park (and re-enter the Magic Kingdom) for one day. The 1 day/Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom allows the guest to enter one of the other three parks (and re-enter that park) for one day. The 1 day Park Hopper allows the guest to enter all four theme parks on the same day for one day. The Water Park Fun and More allows the guest to enter one park and to experience two of the other activities listed under the ‘Water Park Fun and More’ section above.
Prices vary between the three seasons and the current prices (as of the start of the scheme) are listed below:
Value Season:
1 day/Magic Kingdom ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $105, Children (3-9 years): $99
1 day/ Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $97, Children (3-9 years): $91
1 day Park Hopper ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $155, Children (3-9 years): $149
1 day Water Park Fun and More ticket (with 2 entry options):
Adults (10 years and older): $169, Children (3-9 years): $163
Regular Season:
1 day/Magic Kingdom ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $110, Children (3-9 years): $104
1 day/ Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $102, Children (3-9 years): $96
1 day Park Hopper ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $160, Children (3-9 years): $154
1 day Water Park Fun and More ticket (with 2 entry options):
Adults (10 years and older): $174, Children (3-9 years): $168
Peak Season:
1 day/Magic Kingdom ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $124, Children (3-9 years): $118
1 day/ Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $114, Children (3-9 years): $108
1 day Park Hopper ticket:
Adults (10 years and older): $164, Children (3-9 years): $158
1 day Water Park Fun and More ticket (with 2 entry options):
Adults (10 years and older): $188, Children (3-9 years): $182
This price structure is based on the ‘demand pricing’ style of ticketing becoming more popular in the entertainment and travel industries. The concept behind the scheme is that people who are looking for a lower priced holiday will come during the value season (historically when the parks are less busy) and this will decrease the demand on the parks during peak seasons (when the parks can go through gate closures due to overcrowding).
The Walt Disney World Resort website has listed the following dates for the new value, regular and peak seasons for the rest of the year:
Will this new ticketing scheme help with the visitation of guests to the parks? Only time will tell.
What are your thoughts on this new pricing structure for Walt Disney World? Do you have any additional questions?