aarp travel discounts disney world

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Vacation Guide to Walt Disney World

When to go, where to stay and ways to save during a trip to the ‘most magical place on earth’.

Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 1955, he introduced a magical place where parents and children could have fun together. His vision revolutionized the American vacation. But despite Disneyland’s success, Disney quickly realized that his 160-acre flagship theme park wasn’t big enough to contain all of his dreams. What Disney truly wanted was to create a fully immersive, theatrical experience. Because he didn’t own the land surrounding the park, however, tacky hotels and fast-food restaurants began popping up outside the park gates, tarnishing Walt’s glittering fantasyland.

In 1964, the Walt Disney Company began scouting locations for “Disneyland East.” Under the guise of shell companies with tongue-in-cheek names like M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments, Disney secretly scooped up huge tracts of Florida swampland for about $180 an acre. The location guaranteed that Disney’s new vacation destination would be protected from commercial sprawl. “In Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland — the blessing of size,” Disney said in a 1965 television program announcing the company’s Florida project. “There is enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we could possibly imagine.”

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Sadly, Walt Disney never realized those ideas and plans — the pioneering animator died just six weeks later. But the Florida project lived on through Walt’s older brother Roy, who postponed retirement to take the helm. In October 1971, Roy Disney stood beside Mickey Mouse and officially named the park Walt Disney World as a tribute to his brother.

Last October marked the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World , which encompasses 43 square miles and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 25 hotels, more than 200 restaurants and a 120-acre shopping and dining complex. Whether this will be your first trip or your 50th, prepare to be wowed — the resort has already rolled out plenty of golden anniversary magic, including brand-new attractions , dazzling park decor and unparalleled nighttime spectaculars. And because the festivities are due to continue through March 2023, there’s even more in store in the coming months.  

Here’s our guide to getting the most out of your trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Getting There

Most visitors to Disney World will fly into Orlando International Airport, which is about 20 miles from the resort’s entrance. As of January 2022, Disney eliminated the Magical Express, its complimentary airport transfer service. Travelers on a budget will want to reserve a shuttle like Sunshine Flyer or Mears Connect, which costs about $32 round trip. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are another good option. Prices start around $45 one-way and depend upon demand and vehicle size. ​

On-site transportation throughout Walt Disney World, which consists of everything from buses and boats to monorails and the new Disney Skyliner, is free and efficient, making renting a car unnecessary if you opt to stay at one of the on-site Disney hotels. Finally, be prepared to do a lot of walking. The average Disney guest walks 7 to 10 miles per day during his or her vacation. Folks with mobility issues can rent wheelchairs and electric conveyance vehicles (ECVs) at each of the four Disney theme parks, as well as at the water parks and Disney Springs. Additionally, several off-site companies offer multiday wheelchair and ECV rentals at lower prices than you’ll find on Disney property.

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​ When to Visit

The most important considerations when choosing the dates for your Disney vacation are cost and crowd levels . Because both price and park attendance peak during summer and holiday school breaks, try to plan your trip while school is in session. Best bets include September after Labor Day weekend, early through mid-November, early December, late January and early May. 

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​Traveling with school-age grandchildren? Try to avoid April, especially around the Easter holiday, as well as the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Although it will be hotter than Hades, prices often drop and crowds dissipate during the second half of August, making a late-summer trip a solid option — just be sure to factor in lots of pool time! If you have no choice but to travel during a peak period, don’t dismay. Busy times offer the bonus of longer park hours, and thoughtful itinerary planning can help you stay ahead of the fray. 

​Where to Stay

For sheer convenience, you can’t beat staying on the Disney property. Disney organizes its hotels into three categories — deluxe (including deluxe villas), moderate and value. The most important thing to keep in mind is that no hotel at Walt Disney World is the “best.” What makes a particular hotel perfect for one family will be different for another. While cost certainly plays a primary role in choosing your hotel, be sure to consider your cast of characters as well. 

​A group of friends might try Disney’s new Gran Destino Tower, which offers an upscale, Las Vegas vibe at a moderate price point. Couples who plan to spend as much time as possible in the parks will enjoy Pop Century Resort’s colorful ambience and affordable rooms. For grandparents traveling with kids and grandkids, a three-bedroom villa provides lots of space to spread out, along with full kitchens and living rooms. One money-saving trick? Renting Disney Vacation Club points through a reputable point rental company can often be a way to book a deluxe villa for a fraction of the price. 

​Make Your Theme Park Reservations

Disney began requiring guests to make  advance reservations  for its theme parks in summer 2020, when the resort reopened at reduced capacity following a four-month closure due to the coronavirus. Although park operations have largely returned to normal, the resort has opted to keep the reservation system in place for the time being. 

​After purchasing your theme park tickets, choose the parks you’d like to visit on each day of your Disney vacation and reserve a pass for each park in advance of your trip.

Everyone in your travel party must have his or her own reservation. Guests who purchase tickets with the added park-hopping benefit can still visit more than one park per day. Park reservations only need to be made for the first park you plan to visit each day. One important note: Be sure to check park availability before booking your trip, especially during peak periods. You don’t want to book flights, only to discover that the theme parks have reached capacity for your travel dates! Park pass reservations are currently available to book through January 2024. 

Because both price and park attendance peak during summer and holiday school breaks, try to plan your trip while school is in session. 

​Understanding Genie+

Genie +  is the new pay-to-play attraction reservation service Disney introduced last October to replace the complimentary FastPass system. Genie+ offers priority access to 56 shows and attractions throughout the four Disney theme parks via the Lightning Lane queue. It costs $15.98 per person, per day, to add Genie+ to a regular theme park ticket. Currently, you get the biggest bang for your buck if you use Genie+ at the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Genie+ can only be purchased on the day you intend to use the service, beginning at midnight. In addition to the basic Genie+ add-on, guests can also purchase Individual Lightning Lane passes for the headliner attraction in each park. The price for these passes varies according to demand, ranging from $7 to $17 per person, per attraction.

​Guests can purchase both Genie+ and  Individual Lightning Lane  passes through the My Disney Experience app, which means visitors are spending a lot more time on their smartphones than they were before. Folks staying in a Disney resort hotel can book their first Genie+ reservation at 7 a.m., giving them a leg up on off-site guests, who must wait until the theme parks open for the day. Finally, this new attraction reservation system has a pretty steep learning curve. The more you read about how it works — and about how to make it work for you — ahead of your trip, the more you’ll enjoy your trip.

​Make a Touring Plan

Regardless of whether you opt to purchase Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane access, having a solid plan of action is crucial to getting the most out of your time in the theme parks. Start by researching strategies for maximizing your time in each park — there are many online Disney experts who have this down to a science. Books like the  Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World  can also be an invaluable itinerary-crafting resource. 

Gina DeCaprio Vercesi is a New York-based journalist who contributes to National Geographic Traveler and Travel + Leisure .​​​

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AARP Disney World Tickets

How to purchase aarp disney world tickets.

AARP has been around for a long time, offering its members great services including discounts on travel. If you’re an AARP member looking to purchase AARP Disney World Tickets, this is the right place to be. Let me be clear up front though, AARP does not currently offer Disney World Tickets to its members individually.

What this means is that you cannot purchase tickets only with AARP at this time. If you’re looking to get a discount on tickets only for Walt Disney World you’ll want to purchase them here with UC.

As a content writer for Park Savers, yes I’m going to be a bit bias but that’s because I’ve been doing this for over 10 years and can tell you the best prices on discounted tickets for Disney World are found with Park Savers.

AARP members can expect to save up to $80 per ticket when they purchase with Park Savers. The process is very simple and the tickets are exactly the same as you would get from Disney. This means you can link them to your My Disney Experience account online.

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions concerning AARP Disney World tickets and their answers.

Does Disney World offer AARP discounts?

No, Disney World does not offer AARP discounts on tickets. Disney World sells tickets directly to the public at gate pricing but does not offer any type of discount for AARP members . Currently Disney World offers discounts for Military, AP Holders, DVC Members , AAA Members and Florida Residents.

If you’re an AARP member buying directly from Disney you can expect to pay full price starting around $114 for a 1 day 1 park ticket, $117 for a 2 day 1 park ticket, $114 for a 3 day 1 park ticket, $109 for a 4 day 1 park ticket, $93 for a 5 day 1 park ticket, $81 for a 6 day 1 park ticket, $71 for a 7 day 1 park ticket, $65 for a 8 day 1 park ticket, $60 for a 9 day 1 park ticket and $56 per day for a 10 day 1 park ticket.

If you’re wanting to add the Park Hopper Option onto any of the tickets you would pay:

• $65 per ticket for 1-day tickets
• $75 per ticket for 2 to 3-day tickets
• $85 per ticket for 4 to 10-day tickets

Those prices do not include taxes which will be added at checkout.

Is there a senior discount for Disney World tickets?

With AARP we are essentially talking about a senior discount for Disney World tickets. AARP is a members-only service for adults 50 and older that offers savings and advise on things such as finances, travel, insurance, health and wellness, restaurants, entertainment and more.

Anyone can join AARP but currently they do not offer a senior discount on tickets only. As I mentioned before, if you’re interested in a discount on those tickets you’ll want to purchase them with Park Savers.

Seniors who visit a box office at Walt Disney World will be disappointed to find that there are no discounts given on tickets for guests 50+. Disney requires that all guests 10 and up pay the same amount as they are able to experience the parks. Even if you’re just looking to go in without riding anything, Disney does not offer this option.

Why? Because any guest who goes into the parks has full access to all attractions and entertainment even if they claim they won’t be participating. There’s no way for a Cast Member to confirm or for a guest to show that they aren’t participating.

Therefore the best way to get a discount for any seniors in your group is to purchase here, in advance.

Does Disney World Offer Senior Discounts?

Disney World is a magical place that brings joy to people of all ages. However, trips can be expensive, especially for seniors on a tight budget. It’s understandable that older adults would be searching for ways to save money at Disney World .

Image © Disney

While there are no direct senior discounts at Disney World, seniors have access to a variety of savings through promotional offers, seasonal deals, and discounts available to the general public or through memberships such as AARP and AAA . This range of options ensures that seniors can explore the magic of Disney without overstretching their budgets.

In this guide, we explore the savings avenues available to senior visitors at Disney World, combining detailed insights on discounts and offers with personal experiences from my own multi-generational family trip. From extended stay discounts to benefits for military veterans, we provide a roadmap for seniors to maximize both their experience and savings at Disney World.

Prefer to Speak With Someone? Get Free Help From Our Favorite Disney Travel Agent!

Maximizing Your Disney World Savings Without Senior Discounts

If you’re a senior citizen and looking for ways to save money on your vacations, there are several promotions and discounts available to you. Some of the best current Disney World promotions (as of this writing) include:

• Extended Stay Discounts : For seniors looking to make the most out of their Disney vacation, you can save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays of five nights or longer. This is the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in all the magic that Disney has to offer.
• Room Offers : Get up to 20% off on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels during non-peak times. It’s perfect for seniors who prefer a serene visit during the quieter months.
• Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass : Enjoy repeated visits to a Disney Water Park ( Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon ) for just $79 per pass, plus tax.
• Annual Passholders : Get up to 35% off on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays and additional discounts for spring and early summer stays.
• Florida Resident Discounts : Florida residents are eligible for discounts on Disney World theme park tickets, resort stays, and Annual Passes. Since Florida is a haven for retirees, seniors who are Sunshine State residents should investigate these discounts often.

Note that while these promotions are not specifically for seniors, they are still some of the best options for seniors to get discounts at Disney World. We recommend contacting The Vacationeer for the most up-to-date list of promotions.

How The Vacationeer Can Help Seniors Save at Disney World

If you want to save money on your next Disney vacation, consider consulting with The Vacationeer . They are an Earmarked Diamond-level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, which means they have the knowledge and resources to provide expert advice and personalized planning services .

Whether you’re planning a trip for seniors , looking for the latest discounts, organizing a family trip, or a couples getaway , The Vacationeer can help you find the most cost-effective and enjoyable ways to experience Disney World. With their expert guidance , you can make your Disney vacation dreams a reality and take advantage of the best possible offers available. Don’t hesitate to reach out to The Vacationeer for reliable and trusted assistance.

Click below for a free quote and consultation . Their services are FREE, so you have nothing to lose!

Unlocking Military Discounts at Disney World for Senior Veterans

The Air Force Thunderbirds perform the Delta Break Maneuver over Cinderella Castle | Image © Disney

Many seniors have proudly served their country. Disney World offers military discounts for senior veterans (and younger veterans, too) as a way to honor their service. If you are eligible, you can take advantage of these offers to save money on your visit to the parks.

Eligibility for Military Discounts:

Active or retired members of the U.S. military services, including the National Guard, Reservists, and the Commissioned Corps of the PHS and NOAA, qualify for these discounts. A valid military ID is required for purchase, ensuring these special offers extend to only those who’ve served. Spouses of eligible service members also qualify, offering families the chance to save on their magical experiences.

Example of Current Promotion:

An example of a current promotion for 2024 is the multi-day Disney Military Salute Ticket, offering options such as the 4-Day, 5-Day, or 6-Day tickets with Park Hopper benefits. Theme park reservations are required alongside these promotional tickets, ensuring each visit is as magical and organized as possible. Special pricing is also available for the Memory Maker, making it easier to capture and keep all those beautiful moments.

The Vacationeer can assist seniors who are veterans in taking advantage of these special rates and making their Disney vacation dreams come true. They can help you navigate the eligibility requirements and guide you through the process of purchasing tickets and making reservations.

Using AARP and AAA Memberships for Senior Disney Discounts

Memberships in well-known organizations can unlock doors to exclusive Disney World offers, providing members with various discounts and benefits that enhance the vacation experience.

• AARP Offers : AARP membership now offers more specific benefits for Disney World visitors, including savings of up to $60 on Theme Park Tickets and up to $10 on Disney After Hours Special Events. These discounts provide AARP members with a direct pathway to enjoy the magic of Disney World at a more affordable cost. To take advantage of these offers, AARP members should follow the specified redemption process outlined by AARP, ensuring they can capitalize on these savings during their vacation.
• AAA Benefits : Similarly, AAA is known to offer reduced rates on theme park ticket discounts to its members, and sometimes even on resort stays as well. These benefits can significantly reduce the financial burden of planning a trip to Disney World, making it easier for AAA members to experience the enchantment of the place without worrying too much about their budgets.

By leveraging these memberships, seniors have the opportunity to unlock valuable discounts and benefits, making their Disney World vacation both magical and more financially accessible.

Promotion Disclosure

Please note that the promotions mentioned above are current as of the time of writing. Disney World’s special offers are continually updated, with new discounts and opportunities emerging regularly.

To ensure you have access to the most current and beneficial deals, we recommend consulting a dedicated professional at The Vacationeer .

Our Multi-Generational Family’s Disney World Experience

Our family’s trip to Disney World was a special experience that we shared across three generations. The group consisted of my “senior-aged” parents, my wife, our two kids, Ben and Ava, and myself. During our first visit, we stayed in a large family suite, but on our next trip, we decided to go for two rooms at the Art of Animation Resort, which was perfect for our family’s needs and provided comfort and a separate space for grandparents. Both options worked out fine.

The Vacationeer played a crucial role in our trip’s success, especially in finding us the best deals. While direct discounts for seniors were not available, their knowledge helped us save money and enjoy our vacation to the fullest. They advised us on room selections and planned our days at the park, which made our experience stress-free and enjoyable.

The trip was special because it brought different generations together. It was heartwarming to watch our kids experience the magic of Disney with their grandparents. The excitement of the rides and the fireworks at night created wonderful memories filled with happiness and laughter. It was more than just a vacation; it was an opportunity for our family to bond and create lasting memories together.

See our Taking the Grandkids to Disney World , Disney World for Toddlers , Which Disney Resorts Have Suites , and Best Disney World Family Suites for more.

Essential Travel Tips for Seniors Visiting Disney World

The secret to enjoying a Disney World visit isn’t just finding discounts; it’s about making the visit enjoyable and comfortable. Here are some tips for seniors.

• Visit During Off-Peak Times : Select dates outside peak seasons for a more relaxed visit with shorter lines and milder weather, enhancing the overall experience.
• Explore All Hotel Options : Weigh the pros and cons of staying at a Disney resort versus off-property hotels, considering factors like convenience, cost, and amenities. Our Orlando Hotels with Shuttles to Disney World article has some suggestions, although my wife and I think staying on Disney property is the only way to go.
• Stay Hydrated and Rested : The excitement of the parks can be overwhelming; prioritize hydration and rest, utilizing the many serene spots for breaks.
• Use Lightning Lane Passes  and DAS if eligible : These services streamline park navigation and attraction access, catering to a wide range of mobility and accessibility needs.

Lightning Lane passes

FAQ: Seniors Going to Disney World on a Budget

Are there any discounts at disney world for aarp members.

Yes, AARP members can save up to $60 on Theme Park Tickets and up to $10 on Disney After Hours Special Events through special deals. The Vacationeer can help you combine these discounts and identify other savings.

Can senior visitors rent mobility aids at the parks?

Yes, Disney World provides rentals for wheelchairs and ECVs, ensuring all guests can explore the parks with ease. The Vacationeer can make the reservations for you.

What’s the best way for seniors to avoid crowds at Disney World?

Planning visits during off-peak times and utilizing Lightning Lane and DAS can significantly enhance the visit by minimizing wait times and crowds. See our Best Time to Go to Disney World , Disney World Weather , and Disney World Crowd Calendar for more.

What are the best rides for seniors at Disney World?

Disney World is home to a wide array of attractions suitable for seniors. Classics like “It’s a Small World,” “The PeopleMover,” and “Spaceship Earth” provide gentle rides with minimal jostling. For those seeking a bit of adventure without the intensity, “Soarin'” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” offer immersive experiences with moderate excitement levels.

See our Best Magic Kingdom Rides , Best Animal Kingdom Rides , Best Epcot Rides , Best Hollywood Studios , Best Roller Coasters at Disney World , and Disney World for Adults for ideas.

Which Disney World resorts are most accommodating to seniors?

The right resort for seniors depends on their travel companions. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are excellent adult-focused Disney resorts for those traveling without children. Families on multi-generational trips might prefer resorts with family suites like Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. For budget-conscious seniors, Disney Value Resorts offer affordability, while Disney Moderate Resorts and Disney Deluxe Resorts provide a balance of amenities and luxury to suit different preferences. Note that many resorts are large campus-style facilities with multiple buildings spread over a large area. If mobility is a concern, consider resorts which are limited to one or two main buildings.

Does Disney World offer senior discounts?

While Disney World does not provide direct senior discounts, there are numerous ways to save through promotional offers, seasonal deals, and discounts available to the general public or through memberships like AARP and AAA. For military veterans, Disney offers special discounts as a token of appreciation for their service.

See our Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World , Cheapest Disney World Hotels , Disney World Cost Calculator , and Cost of a Disney Vacation for more.

Concluding Thoughts on Disney World Savings for Seniors

Disney World’s absence of direct senior discounts doesn’t dim the prospects for savings. Through extended stay offers, memberships in organizations like AARP and AAA, and military discounts, seniors can craft a magical and affordable visit. Our family’s multi-generational trip to Disney World, enriched by these strategies, stands as a testament to the park’s inclusive appeal, proving that thoughtful planning can unlock unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages.

Plan Your Ideal Disney World Trip for Seniors with The Vacationeer

Are you looking forward to a Disney World adventure designed with seniors in mind? The Vacationeer , a highly-rated Earmarked Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, is here to help. They specialize in organizing Disney vacations that cater to the unique interests of senior travelers, providing seamless and magical experiences.

Their services include:

• Recommending suitable resorts, dining options, and activities for seniors
• Finding the best promotions and discounts for your trip
• Managing all your booking needs , from accommodations to park tickets, dining, and transportation
• Detailing payment plan options to suit your budget
• Ensuring quick, friendly service and unbeatable deals
• Assigning you a personal advisor for dedicated planning assistance
• Helping with your daily itinerary and what to pack for a hassle-free visit
• The best part? Their Disney planning services are completely free of charge .

The Vacationeer is consistently voted as one of the best Disney travel agencies , offering you expert planning assistance without any cost. For a stress-free planning experience and to start getting excited about your Disney adventure, contact them today for a free, no-obligation quote !

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Guide to Discount Disney World Tickets (2024)

Our guide to discount Disney World tickets offers money-saving info, pros & cons of Park Hoppers, tips for the best deals on tickets for now through October 2025 at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom. Plus, price increase predictions, which is likely to happen this fall or holiday season. ( Updated March 20, 2024. )

If you’re wondering the best place to safely buy the discounted Walt Disney World multi-day tickets from an authorized reseller, we recommend Get Away Today , which offers an exclusive discount to readers of this site–enter promo code DTB23 at checkout for an extra $8 to $30 off per ticket! They have excellent deals on Central Florida theme parks, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld Orlando in addition to Disney’s theme and water parks.

This is one authorized sellers we recommend ( see info about the other below ), with the highlighted one changing based upon which currently has the best pricing. All three offer exceptional customer service and added flexibility, even superior to what Disney offers directly (call centers are currently short-staffed, making speaking with a person at Disney “challenging” to say the least). These low prices coupled with Get Away Today’s “Best Price Guarantee” makes them our recommended ticket seller.

Before we get going, let’s start with the latest Walt Disney World ticket news–there are several ticket deals currently available. First up, there’s the  Discounted Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket . This offers Floridians the opportunity to buy a 4-day ticket for just $59 per day. These tickets are valid for use from April 2 to September 28, 2024, with an advance park reservation.

Much more significant is the  4-Park, 4-Day Walt Disney World Magic Ticket . This is available to the general public and offers admission starting at $99 per day admission without requiring reservations from April 2 to September 22, 2024. The big limitation here is that there’s no Park Hopping and you can only visit each park once, which is Walt Disney World’s way of redistributing attendance away from Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios (the two busiest parks) and to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom (the least busy parks).

If you can get past those two limitations (our post above explains how to work around them–especially during Party Season), the 4-Park Magic Ticket offers tremendous savings. The exact amount of the discount varies due to date-based pricing, but we’ve found that it averages around $100 per person. You can buy this ticket directly from Walt Disney World, or available for an even deeper discount via Get Away Today !

Rounding out the deals, there’s a new offer for Universal Orlando that’s very similar to Walt Disney World’s 4-Park Magic Ticket. Enjoy four days of thrills at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure when you purchase Universal Orlando’s 2-Park Play 4 Days Promo Base Ticket , starting at $74 per day. With this, you can visit one park per day, upgrade to Park-to-Park tickets to visit multiple parks in the same day, or even upgrade to a 3-Park ticket to visit Volcano Bay.

You should also be aware that free FastPass+ has been replaced by paid line-skipping at Walt Disney World. We cover everything you need to know in our Guide to Genie+ at Walt Disney World & Lightning Lane FAQ . This system is totally different from its predecessor and can be overwhelming. Once you get past that rather steep and sometimes counterintuitive learning curve, it can be leveraged to your advantage.

You can only purchase Genie+ on a day-by-day basis during your Walt Disney World vacation. The latest wrinkle is that Genie+ now has per-park pricing, which is more expensive at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not-so-coincidentally, we only recommend buying Genie+ for Magic Kingdom (almost always), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (usually), and EPCOT (sometimes). We seldom recommend purchasing Genie+ at Animal Kingdom–there’s a reason why it’s cheapest there; it’s usually unnecessary.

With so many different park ticket options, this might already seem overwhelming. In this WDW park ticket guide, we present the pros and cons of different tickets so you can make an informed decision about which options are best for your family. We’ll break down everything you need to know about the complexities of Walt Disney World tickets.

We sort through the different options and give you recommendations on what types of tickets are best for you, plus where you can save money on Walt Disney World tickets. (If you’ve come looking for info on discount Disneyland tickets, you’ve come to the wrong place– but we do have an article with Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets , too .) By the end of this post, you’ll know way more than you ever thought there was to know about park tickets!

With that out of the way, let’s start with the latest ticket news & rumors…

2024 Ticket Price Increases

Typically, Walt Disney World raises ticket prices in February or October–sometimes both. Thus far in 2024, ticket prices have not increased, nor did they go up last October for regular tickets. Instead, the company raised rates on just about everything else, and also introduced per-park and date-based pricing for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, which effectively amounted to an indirect increase to the normal price of admission.

The good news is that prices for current tickets haven’t increased since December 2022, which is the first time in the 15 years we’ve been tracking prices when there was not an annual increase. The bad news is that Walt Disney World has already increased ticket prices for 2025 . But the good-within-bad news is that, unlike normal, this did not apply to tickets for 2024. It was a really weird move, as ticket price increases normally take effect immediately.

There’s a chance that Walt Disney World raises prices in October 2024, but we’re skeptical. Annual Pass prices will probably increase then, but not regular admission. It would defy logic to increase prices for 2025 in Winter 2024…and then wait until only 3 months are left in the year to increase prices on the remainder of 2024 dates. Not only that, but the big ‘price increase day’ always results in a wave of negative headlines, and Disney usually does everything at once to avoid dragging out the bad press.

What’s more likely is that prices go up again in early 2025. Walt Disney World is once again tweaking things with Lightning Lane pre-booking, and our guess is that will require changes to admission options. With that, price increases seem likely, which might be why Walt Disney World has not been nearly as aggressive in increasing prices.

If the last three years have taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for all of the latest updates as we hear more rumors or official announcements about ticket prices.

Regardless, if you have a Walt Disney World trip planned for now through October 2025, we recommend buying tickets sooner rather than later to lock-in current prices (beyond the scope of this post, but we’d advise doing the same with your hotel room). There will likely be one price increase between now and the end of 2025, with 2 price increases in that timeframe being a possibility.

With that said, this is not as imperative as it used to be. A couple of years ago, Walt Disney World was raising price twice annually, meaning that you could ‘beat’ as many as 3 price increases by buying tickets early. That amounted to locking-in huge savings, but Disney has since (thankfully) slowed down on its price increases. There’s still zero downside to purchasing tickets in advance–but there’s also not as much upside.

Where to Buy the Cheapest Disney Tickets

As we mentioned at the beginning, to save money on multi-day Walt Disney World tickets, we recommend buying from Get Away Today , which is an authorized discount Disney ticket broker that typically has the lowest prices on legitimate park tickets. You can order tickets for use now through October 2025.

Another excellent ticket seller we recommend is Undercover Tourist . These two typically compete with each other on prices, and are usually within a few dollars of one another. Which is better often depends upon the ticket type and when you’re searching. (Like airfare, ticket prices fluctuate, especially as the various reputable sellers try to beat one another on pricing.)

After purchasing, you’ll receive confirmation codes for My Disney Experience via email, which enables you to easily link the tickets to your My Disney Experience account. This also means that the tickets are compatible with MagicBands, which you’ll receive with your Walt Disney World hotel reservation; you can also purchase special edition MagicBands in the parks.

There aren’t many Disney ticket sellers that are actually legitimate, so be careful if you find a deal elsewhere. The sellers we mention in this article are the ones that have the best reputations and offer the biggest discounts. If you find a better deal somewhere else, well…you know what they say about when something sounds too good to be true!

Authorized discount Disney ticket brokers are great ways to save money on park tickets over gate prices, but not every third party ticket broker is reliable and trust-worthy. Most places selling discount Disney tickets are scams . Buying tickets on eBay or Craigslist is about as good of an idea as buying Louis Vuitton purses on a street corner.

Disney tickets are non-transferrable–they are tied to your fingerprint once partially used. If you get burned by these sellers with a partially-used or counterfeit ticket, Disney won’t have sympathy. You’ll have to pay full price for tickets at the park gates. Not exactly the best way to start the day on a Disney vacation!

The good news is that there are several legitimate, authorized Walt Disney World ticket sellers that can be trusted. In addition to Get Away Today , we also recommend Undercover Tourist . Both are highly reputable and offer great customer service. (Beyond this trio, there are other trustworthy third party sellers, but we can’t vouch for any of them.)

If you’re comparing prices, remember to compare apples to apples: Disney prices don’t include the Florida 6.5% tax, whereas prices from the sellers we recommend do include tax into the final price you pay . Sorry bold that all, but we get so many comments from people who miss that, and wonder why the discounts aren’t as good as promised. Also make sure you’re comparing Park Hopper tickets to regular tickets or not. Lots of people make mistakes in not comparing the same tickets to one another.

Additionally, you might be eligible for discount tickets through your employer or a membership program like TicketsAtWork that can save even more than the alternatives. The only downsides are that some of these tickets require more advance notice for processing, and that what you receive is a ticket voucher (it still can be linked to My Disney Experience); you will need to pick up the actual ticket when you arrive at Walt Disney World.

Moving on, let’s take a look at which type of ticket options are best for you…

Which Tickets to Buy?

Sometimes people ask which ticket is our favorite for first-time visitors to Walt Disney World, and it really depends upon how long you’re visiting. In our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide , we recommend most first-time visitors take a 6-8 trip.

Assuming you are going this route, you probably won’t spend every moment in the park. You’ll want a rest day in the middle to spend recovering poolside, and maybe a shopping day (or morning) at Disney Springs. With that said, we recommend buying a ticket that is 1-2 days shorter than the duration of your vacation–unless you’re visiting for 4 days or fewer, in which case you should purchase a ticket for every day. Always get at least a 4-day ticket. Ideally, get nothing less than a 5-day ticket.

Meaning, if your vacation is 8 days, we recommend the 6-day or 7-day ticket. If you are visiting for 6 days, get the 5-day ticket. In our experience, a 6-day Walt Disney World vacation is about the sweet spot for first-timers. That means either a 4-day or 5-day ticket is going to be a smart bet for most people reading this. (If you have more time, that’s excellent!)

Are Park Hopper Tickets Worth it?

The Park Hopper add-on allows you to visit multiple parks in the same day. You can bounce around the parks and maximize your time in the parks. Some guests can skip the Park Hopper option: particularly those with small children and those who won’t stay out late.

On the other hand, Park Hopping can be really beneficial if you want to revisit favorite attractions or head over to a certain park for the evening for dinner. With the exception of Magic Kingdom, you won’t need to spend multiple full days in any park, and the ability to bounce around is a great solution allowing you to spend additional partial days in the other parks.

Another benefit of the Park Hopper option is spending more hours per day in the theme parks. Since each park has different opening and closing hours, getting a Park Hopper is a good way to extend your day (particularly in the off-season when parks close earlier) or spend more time in Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom often closes later than the other parks, so you squeeze a couple more hours out of day by starting your day in Animal Kingdom (for example) and heading to Magic Kingdom once Animal Kingdom closes.

If you’re staying in an eligible on-site Walt Disney World resort, you’ll also potentially need the Park Hopper option to take advantage of Extended Evening Hours. This perk is incredibly advantageous, as crowds are usually low during these nighttime hours. If you don’t buy the Park Hopper option, you’ll need to start your day in the park offering Extended Evening Hours in order to take advantage. See our Guide to Extended Evening Hours at Walt Disney World   for taking advantage of this perk, eligibility, and more.

Because of these two things, we generally recommend purchasing the Park Hopper option. While it does cost more, if you’re buying multiple day tickets, you might be surprised to learn that the extra cost is insignificant. Currently, a discounted 7-day Walt Disney World Adult Park Hopper Ticket will cost around $650 after tax, with some dates costing more and some costing less. Obviously, that’s a lot of money.

However, compare it to a 1-day Park Hopper ticket directly from Disney, which can cost over $180 after tax. For less than the price of three 1-day tickets, you can purchase a 7-day discounted Park Hopper. That 7-day ticket works out to being less than $95/day!

Other multi-day tickets offer similar savings, so be sure to look at the prices of other multi-day Walt Disney World tickets and do some comparison shopping to see just how much you can save. Walt Disney World advertises that “the more you play, the less you pay per day” and this is definitely true.

What About Park Hopper Plus Tickets?

The Park Hopper Plus ticket option (formerly “Water Park Fun & More”) offers everything included with Park Hopper Tickets mentioned above, plus access to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, and Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens mini golf.

With Park Hopper Plus tickets, you are eligible for the same number of “Plus” admissions as the number of days on your ticket. Meaning that if you have a 7-day Park Hopper Plus ticket, you also have 7 entrances the water parks, mini golf, etc. (Be mindful of operating schedules, as not all of these options are open year-round.)

Whether this ticket is right for you really depends upon whether you want to do any of the parks beyond the 4 main theme parks. If you want to do one of the other things even once or twice, you come out ahead to purchase the Park Hopper Plus Tickets. We love both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, and enjoy both of the mini golf courses (albeit less so than the water parks) and recommend this ticket option to anyone who will be spending 6 days or more at Walt Disney World.

What About the Water Park and Sports Option?

The Water Park and Sports Option is available as an add-on to select Walt Disney World theme park tickets for $70 plus tax. This option allows guests to visit one theme park each day, plus various water park or sports experiences that same number of times.

The Water Park & Sports Option is valid at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf, or Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf. (Again, pay attention to operating schedules, as not all of these options are open year-round.)

Basically, this ticket is the non-park hopper version of the aforementioned Park Hopper Plus ticket option. The analysis for the Water Park and Sports Ticket Option is identical to the Park Hopper Plus, but for those who only want to do one theme park per day. We generally favor the Park Hopper Plus option as it offers great flexibility and the upgrade cost to that is insignificant, but that’s just us.

Affiliation Discounts

If for some reason you don’t want to buy discounted Disney tickets from Get Away Today or Undercover Tourist , there’s a possibility you qualify for some other form of discount. The most common discounts are: Florida resident, military/department of defense, corporate or “club” discounts, Disney Vacation Club, and sometimes Walt Disney World ticket discounts for Europeans.

Of these discounts, military Disney ticket discounts are typically the best, followed by AAA discounts. AAA discounts are only offered through local offices and tax isn’t included in their price quotes. Note that Disney ended its relationship with AAA, so there are no additional perks for buying Disney tickets through AAA anymore.

AAA discounts typically are not as good as the prices offered by the discount ticket brokers, but military or department of defense discounts are always better. The “Stars and Stripes” promotion (only available to select members of the armed forces and department of defense) will usually annihilate what is offered by third party discount ticket brokers or AAA. This promo isn’t always offered, so call Shades of Green at 888-593-2242 prior to ordering tickets to see whether it’s available for your stay.

Another option available to some people is TicketsAtWork. This is a members-only site that partners with certain corporations to offer company employees exclusive discounts and special offers for theme parks, attractions, Broadway shows, special events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets. In other words, Tickets at Work is a “perk” that’s available only to employees of certain corporations.

Tickets at Work most definitely is legitimate. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a price comparison to Tickets at Work because we don’t work for companies partnered with Tickets at Work, nor do we know anyone who does. Anecdotally, we’ve heard that in some cases, Tickets at Work offers prices that are slightly better. In other cases, their prices are worse. We’ve also been told that shipping can take 2-3 weeks with Tickets at Work, which could be a deal-breaker if you’re trying to make reservations in a hurry. Check with your company’s HR department to see if your company is a Tickets at Work partner.

Now, let’s cover one other possible Walt Disney World park ticket options…

Florida Resident Ticket Discounts

If you live in Florida (and have proof of residence–DVC membership does not count), there are occasionally discount 2-day to 4-day Walt Disney World ticket offers from January until April and Summer through September each year during times when attendance is historically light. For Floridians, these are the best deals of the year–better than anything else on this list.

The current Florida resident ticket deal is discussed at the top of this post. The downside of this deal is that it’s only valid Mondays through Fridays, but the upside is that there’s a discount  at all  during the popular Christmas season. Many years, there’s nothing at all this time of year!

What About An Annual Pass?

Walt Disney World resumed new Annual Pass sales late last month. Everything you need to know about buying an AP is covered in our  Walt Disney World Annual Pass FAQ . All tiers of APs (Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, and Pirate Pass, and Pixie Dust Pass) are still available for purchase. However, Walt Disney World has already warned that tiers are likely to sell out soon. Note that unless you’re a Floridian or DVC member, you’re only eligible to purchase the Incredi-Pass.

This AP can make sense if you’re taking at least two trips to Walt Disney World in the span of 365 days. Some fans use APs for this specific purpose, taking week-long trips during the Halloween or Christmas season each year, and essentially putting one of those trips at the beginning of the window and another at the end of the window. (For example, doing the second week of December 2024 and the first week of December 2025.)

If you’re doing two week-long trips, the Incredi-Pass will work out in your favor. You’re looking at 7-day tickets that will be over $700 each, adding up to more than the cost of the Incredi-Pass on their own. The story is similar if you’re taking 3 shorter trips in a 365-day stretch. Let’s say you’re doing three long-weekend trips of 3-days each. Individually, those tickets would cost you over $460 each, totaling more than the cost of the Incredi-Pass.

Where the math gets complicated is for those planning two trips in a 365-day stretch with a combined total of 10 or fewer days. In this scenario, the cost of your tickets will actually end up being around $75 less than an Incredi-Pass. However, the AP also offers discounts on merchandise & dining, which alone will easily add up to $75 saved over 10 days in the parks. Beyond that, it opens up access to the aforementioned superior resort discounts or, if you won’t use those because you’re staying off-site, free parking at the theme parks.

So either way you slice it, two trips totaling at least 10 days over the course of 365 days is the likely breakeven point for the Incredi-Pass. That’s going to vary from person-to-person, though. We’ve heard from people who could make less work and others who couldn’t justify APs until 11 days.

However, that’s more or less the general rule. If you’re traveling more than that, it’s easy to justify Walt Disney World APs. Less than that, and it becomes much more difficult. If it’s a close call, we’d recommend purchasing passes. The money-saved via discounts and other perks, such as freebies and access to exclusive events like ride previews, does add up and is difficult to account for in your initial calculation.

Hopefully the above info helped you determine which Walt Disney World park ticket you should buy and how to save money on those tickets. If you still have some questions, here are some general rules:

• Thanks to very good discounts, our top recommendation for Walt Disney World is the 5-day to 7-day Park Hopper ticket, all of which provide excellent savings.
• We recommend the Park Hopper option for most people, but if you definitely won’t visit more than one park per day, you can save additional money by skipping the Park Hopper option.
• By purchasing via an authorized ticket broker, you can make park reservations ahead of time. If you buy tickets once you arrive to Walt Disney World, you’re at a disadvantage in two ways: you pay more for tickets and you cannot make park reservations in advance.
• Do not consider an Annual Pass unless you will visit Walt Disney World for roughly 15+ days in a 365 day window, or will take multiple shorter trips.
• If you are planning a vacation and definitely going to Walt Disney World before October 2025, it’s always best to buy tickets as far in advance as possible to lock-in current prices and avoid future increases.

It’s important to know that my suggestions are based on our preferences, and they may not work for you. It’s really best to read through this and then apply it to your own circumstances by looking at your own schedule and preferences, and determining what type of tickets are best for you. Finally, head to Get Away Today and buy the appropriate tickets at the best discount (using promo code DTB23 at checkout) .

For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!

Your Thoughts

Have any questions about which tickets might be best for you? Which Walt Disney World tickets do you think are best, and why? Hopefully this guide to Disney discount tickets has provided you with some valuable tips & tricks to help you save money on Walt Disney World tickets, and has helped you figure out which kind of Disney tickets are right for you. If you still have any questions, please leave them in the comments and we will try to help!

Written by Tom Bricker

just tried the getawaytodaycode supplied above DTB23, sadly it doesn’t seem to work

I’m having issues too! May 2024 WDW tickets are $64 cheaper than on Getaway today. And I did compare apples to apples. I keep going over my input to make sure, and no savings to our family of 5.

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