Tickets: So Many Options, So Little Time

updated 5/11/2023

The end of park reservations for dated tickets will be January 9, 2024. All Annual Passes and Cast Member tickets will still require a Park Reservation.

So Confusing

When it comes to which tickets to purchase for Disney World, it can be confusing. Factors such as the length of time you will be there, how many different things you want to do, and even what day your trip or tickets begin can sometimes drastically alter your per day price. I have searched for ways to save on tickets over the years. Pixie Dust Tip: Prices change every year, so run the numbers every time you book a trip.

Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios

Tickets and Park Reservations

When you purchase a ticket, you are making a reservation to make a reservation. First, look at the park reservation calendar. If there is no availability, do not buy tickets thinking you will still get into a park. After consulting the park reservation calendar and verifying availability, then you can safely purchase your tickets. Disney will give you a block of time during your vacation for which you can book the park reservations. Pixie Dust Tip: Always book the park reservation immediately after purchasing tickets. A ticket alone will not get you in the parks.

When Should I go on Vacation?

Sometimes you only have a specific time that you can go on vacation. When I was teaching, I discovered that every time I could go to Disney was a more expensive time. My research on cost made me dream of a time when I could go during a less busy, cheaper time of the year. A Base ticket price is currently between $109-159 per day. If you have a family, when you go is very important to the overall cost of your trip! The Disney website sells tickets. Pixie Dust Tip: I recommend trying all of your options on the ticket calendar so that you will know what your financial options are going to be.

The Longer You Play, the Cheaper it is Each Day

A Base ticket allows you to enter one theme park on a specific day. How can you maximize the cost? Starting at about five days, your per day cost goes down significantly. If you only have a day or two to play at Disney, this will not help you. Pixie Dust Tip: If you are able to stay five days or more, it will be cheaper than two shorter trips in the end.

What is there to do other than the Theme Parks?

The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom

Disney also offers add ons to their Base tickets. Park Hopper allows you to visit more than one theme park a day. Water Parks and Sports can be a great add on and a great way to beat the Florida heat! With this add on, you can visit a water park, golf, or visit the sports complex, even on the same day you visit a theme park! If you are planning to have a trip that lasts 5 or more days and you want to be able to hop several theme parks a day, water parks, golf and sports go for the Hopper Plus add on. Why? The cost is cheaper than paying for all of those things separately! Once again, the longer you stay, the more cost effective it becomes. Pixie Dust Tip: Always use the ticket calendar function on the website to see what the cost differences are going to be.

Annual Passes

Annual Passes are once again on sale for everyone! Click here to read more about them! Also, remember that this can change at any time!. Pixie Dust Tip: If you will use that pass for at least two 5-day vacations or the equivalent number of days during the year, it is worth purchasing the pass. Consider the discounts that currently are offered for passholders a perk or fringe benefit. They are not a guarantee for the future, so it is not wise to count on them as a reason to purchase a pass.

Questions?

I am happy to answer questions about today’s blog topic as well as anything else Disney vacation related! Simply type your questions in the comment section below! Please remember, I am not a Cast Member nor do I receive any compensation from Disney, but I am more than willing to spread my knowledge of what I have learned over the years. Oh, and most importantly, it is your vacation and you should plan it your way!

Comments

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First Time Magic When I was Young…and so was Disney World My first visit to Disney World was in 1971. I was not excited to be going to Disney. Why? I did not know that Disney existed, much less that I was going there. 1971 was the year that Walt Disney World opened in Florida and I was 5 years old! Whether my Dad kept it a secret so that it would be the ultimate surprise is unclear to me. What I am sure of is that he took us to the most magical place on earth. Operations were very different than they are now, but the one thing that remains the same is that it is still the most magical place on earth. What is Pixie Dust and how can I Make it Happen on my Trip? Pixie Dust is a magical, unexpected thing that can happen while you are at Disney, but you cannot make it happen. I have heard people recently complain that the magic is gone since the pandemic started. It’s not true. I am sad for these people because they are missing the point. There are two types of Pixie Dust: Unexpe

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