Planning a Disney vacation on a budget? Find out everything you need to know about discount Disney tickets for saving money at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
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Of all things Disney, the greatest is the Parks. Even in an era where going on a Disney vacation can mean all sorts of things.
When you say something as vague as “I’m going to Disney” most people will assume you mean Walt Disney World. A few might think of Disneyland, depending on where you are from.
Likewise, when you travel on a budget you are concerned with getting the best price for your Disney tickets.
However, there is much more to a Disney vacation, higher expenses, and more ways to save than on park passes.
Even so, once you have budgeted and planned your trip, you can save even more on admission to the parks and there are several ways to do it.
Here is all you need to know about discount Disney tickets.
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Direct Discounts on Disney Tickets
Special Offers
At the bottom of the Walt Disney World official website, you’ll find a special offers link under the Places to Stay category. This link takes you to all of the discount offers for Walt Disney World including credit card offers and park tickets.
The Park Tickets link under the Parks and Tickets category will also take you to a page that highlights the current special offer, such as a four-day discounted pass.
Special Offers are specifically geared toward generating attendance through slower periods for the resort and may not always be available while you are booking.
However, as your visit approaches and applicable special offers come up, you can call Walt Disney World to re-book your vacation under the new offer.
Disneyland also has a special discounted offers section on its website that serves the same purpose.
Personally, I always go through Get Away Today to find the best cheap Disney tickets. They offer the only refundable Disneyland tickets and they usually have amazing Disney deals for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruises.
Discount Disney Tickets: Advance Purchase
Discount Disney tickets are automatic when you purchase online in advance. They are $20 less than the price you pay at the ticket booth.
It’s almost always better to purchase in advance because the pricing is better when you buy online and you save yourself time by avoiding an additional line before going into the park.
One exception to this is when dealing with park hopper options. A park hopper option is an option to use a ticket at multiple parks in one day. It is almost never worth it at Walt Disney World, but it has its perks.
The main problem with the park hopper option is that you pay for the option on each ticket in your multi-day bundle whether you plan to park hop or not.
It’s usually a better value to stay in one park all day for a full experience rather than split it up and have two or more partial experiences.
However, there are times when park hopping is fun and efficient. This is especially true at Disneyland Resort when you are only going to enjoy the parks for 1-2 days.
How to Park Hop the Economical Way
You can save money on park hopping at Walt Disney World by only purchasing advance tickets for multi-day, single-park admission and leaving a day or two off of the bundle so you can purchase on a ticket-by-ticket basis.
Even going to the ticket booth to buy a single-day upgraded pass can save you hundreds of dollars per person over adding the park hopper option to all multi-day tickets.
While we are on the subject of park hopping ticket values, Park Hopper Plus at Walt Disney World is never a good idea for economically minded guests. This option adds water park access to each ticket on top of all of the theme parks.
A little bit of planning will save you a huge expense which is even better than discounted tickets.
Multi-Day Passes
If you scrap the Park Hopper option, multi-day passes are very economical. The cost goes up with each day you add, but the average cost per ticket goes way down. The difference between a 5-day pass and a 10-day pass at Walt Disney World is virtually indistinguishable.
Disneyland multi-day passes have less of a savings, but that’s because people usually don’t spend longer than 5 days there. Find out how many days you should spend at Disneyland.
However, there are things to consider if you are interested in saving money with discount Disney tickets.
For starters, each day you add means another night in a hotel in most cases. That will blow your savings and then some no matter where you stay.
Also, don’t let the decreased average cost lure you into buying more tickets, because it still is more money.
Cheap Disney Tickets From Authorized Sellers
Multi-Day Passes
If you go online to buy discount Disney tickets, you will find a variety of sellers who are authorized to sell authentic Disney tickets at a discount price. I prefer using Get Away Today for cheap Disney tickets and hotel rates.
This is a legitimate practice and there is nothing wrong with purchasing tickets from an authorized seller.
Just beware of scammers. Don’t enter Facebook contests to win Disney World tickets and don’t buy single-day tickets from a third party online.
Authorized sellers only market multi-day passes. They offer competitive discount rates, but at any given time some sites may be better than others so shop around.
Military Discounts
If you are a military officer, you may qualify for a military discount. Walt Disney World especially has special offers exclusively for military personnel. These include cheap Disney World tickets on top of a discounted stay and specialized vacation packages.
There is also a military-owned resort called Shades of Green right across the street from the Polynesian Village Resort. Active military officers can get discount Disney World tickets at their base MWR office or at Shades of Green.
Obtain Discount Disney Tickets with Annual Passes
Depending on how often you plan to visit a Disney park during the year, you should consider if there is any significant amount of savings with an annual pass.
Annual passes are a great way to have year-round access at a lower cost. Plus there are discounts on food and merchandise as well as special offers and exclusive invites.
Whenever I have two or more Disneyland trips planned in a year, I invest in an annual pass (called Magic Keys). That way I can enjoy the annual pass perks!
Florida Resident Discount Disney World Tickets
Florida residents can save up to 40% on Disney World tickets. The Florida Resident Disney Weekday Magic Ticket is available for purchase now and offers admission to one theme park per day on weekdays only. The ticket is valid for 2, 3, or 4 days, and prices start at $175 plus tax.
To purchase a Florida Resident Disney Weekday Magic Ticket, you must have a valid Florida driver’s license or state-issued ID card. You can purchase tickets online, at the Disney World ticket booths, or at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
California Resident Discount Disneyland Ticket Prices
California residents can save up to $30 on Disneyland tickets with the Southern California Resident 3-Day, 1-Park Per Day Ticket.
This ticket is valid for admission to one theme park per day on weekdays only, and it can be used for up to three consecutive days. The ticket is available for purchase now, and prices start at $199 plus tax.
To purchase a Southern California Resident 3-Day, 1-Park Per Day Ticket, you must have a valid California driver’s license or state-issued ID card. You can buy tickets online, at the Disneyland ticket booths, or at select Disneyland Resort hotels.
Visit Disney World on a Budget Tips
Plan your trip during the off-season
The off-season at Walt Disney World is typically from January to February and from September to November. During these times, the crowds are smaller and the prices are lower.
Stay at a Disney Value Resort
The Disney Value Resorts are the most affordable hotels at Walt Disney World. They offer basic amenities, but they are still a great place to stay if you are on a budget.
Pack your own food and drinks
Food and drinks are expensive at Walt Disney World. If you are on a budget, you can save money by packing your own food and drinks.
Take advantage of free activities
There are many free activities to enjoy at Walt Disney World, such as watching the parades and fireworks, meeting the characters, and exploring the shops and restaurants.
Use a credit card that offers rewards for travel
There are many credit cards that offer rewards for travel, such as points or miles. If you use one of these cards to pay for your trip to Walt Disney World, you can earn rewards that can be used for future travel.
Visit Disneyland on a Budget Tips
Plan your trip during the off-season
The off-season at Disneyland is typically from January to February and from September to November. During these times, the crowds are smaller and the prices are lower.
Stay at a non-Disney hotel
There are many hotels located near Disneyland that are much more affordable than Disney hotels. You can save a lot of money by staying at one of these hotels.
Take advantage of the Disneyland app
The Disneyland app is a great way to plan your trip and save money. You can use the app to check wait times for attractions, make dining reservations, and purchase tickets.
Disney Budget FAQs
Costco does not sell Disney tickets directly, but they do offer a variety of Disney vacation packages that include tickets. These packages can often be a good way to save money on your Disney trip, as they may include discounts on tickets, hotel, and rental car.
Discounted Disney tickets can be found through authorized third-party vendors, such as Undercover Tourist, Get Away Today, and AAA. Additionally, Disney offers special promotions and discounts periodically throughout the year.
Yes, as long as you purchase them from authorized vendors. Unauthorized ticket sellers may sell fake tickets or tickets that have already been used, which can result in denied entry to the parks.
The amount you can save on discounted Disney tickets varies depending on the vendor and the time of year. Generally, you can save anywhere from a few dollars to a significant percentage off the regular ticket price.
Yes, discounted Walt Disney World tickets can be used for multiple days. However, some vendors may offer discounts only for single-day tickets.
Yes, there may be restrictions on using discounted Disney tickets. For example, some tickets may be valid only on certain days or during certain times of the year. Additionally, some tickets may not include access to all the parks or attractions.
To ensure that you are buying legitimate discounted Disney World tickets or Disneyland tickets, purchase them from authorized vendors, such as Undercover Tourist, Get Away Today, and AAA. Additionally, make sure to check the expiration date and any restrictions before purchasing.
Refund policies vary depending on the vendor from which you purchased the tickets. Some vendors may offer refunds, while others may not. It’s important to check the refund policy before purchasing.
Yes, you can upgrade discounted Disney tickets to annual passes, but the cost will depend on the type of ticket and the time of year. It’s best to check with Disney or the vendor from which you purchased the ticket for more information.
Yes, you can buy discounted Disney tickets for someone else, but you will need to provide their name at the time of purchase. Additionally, some vendors may require the person who is using the ticket to present a photo ID that matches the name on the ticket.
It depends on the type of ticket and the event. Some discounted tickets may include access to special events, while others may not. It’s best to check with Disney or the vendor from which you purchased the ticket for more information.
Saving Money at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Theme Parks Wrap Up
Taking advantage of special discounts and ticket offers is a great way to save money on your Disney World vacation or trip to Disneyland.
With so many options available, it’s important to research and compare prices to find the best deal possible.
Whether you’re buying tickets directly from the Disney parks or through authorized third-party vendors, make sure to check for any restrictions or expiration dates.
With a little planning and smart shopping, you can enjoy all the magic of Disney without breaking the bank.
So why wait? Start planning your Disney vacation today and make sure to look for discounted ticket options to make your trip even more affordable!