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.
This post about discount Disney tickets was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Of all things Disney, the greatest is the parks. But sometimes, getting there can be quite expensive, and if only there were an easy way to score discount Disney tickets.
Guess what? There is!
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 theme park 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
You’ll find a special offers link at the bottom of the Walt Disney World official Disney website under the Places to Stay category. This link takes you to all the discount offers for Walt Disney World and Walt Disney World Resort, including credit card offers and park tickets.
The Park Tickets link under the Parks and Tickets category will also take you to a page highlighting 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 Disney 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 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 ticket options. A park hopper ticket is an option to use a ticket at multiple parks in one day. It is seldom worth it at Walt Disney World, but it has perks.
The main problem with the park hopper ticket 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 better 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 theme park tickets for multi-day, single-park admission and leaving a day or two off of the bundle so you can buy 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 compared to 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 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 increases with each day you add, but the average price 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 want to save money with discounted theme park tickets
For starters, each day you add usually means another night in a hotel. 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 authorized to sell authentic Disney tickets at a discounted 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 some sites may be better at any given time, so shop around.
Military Discounts
You may qualify for a military discount if you are active or retired member of the military. 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 across the street from the Polynesian Village Resort. Active or retired member of the military. can get discount Disney World tickets at their base MWR office or 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, special offers, and exclusive invites.
Whenever I plan two or more Disneyland trips 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 Disney theme park per day on weekdays only. The ticket is valid for 2, 3, or 4 days, and prices start at $175 plus tax.
You must have a valid Florida driver’s license or state-issued ID card to purchase a Florida Resident Disney Weekday Magic Ticket. You can buy tickets online at the Disney World ticket booths or 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, starting 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 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 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 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 travel rewards.
Many credit cards 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 much 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 theme park tickets.
Disney Budget FAQs
Costco does not sell Disney tickets directly, but they offer various 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 discounts through the American Automobile Association. 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 already used tickets, 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 buy legitimate discounted Disney World or Disneyland tickets, purchase them from authorized vendors, such as Undercover Tourist, Get Away Today, and AAA. Additionally, check the expiration date and any other restrictions before buying.
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 ticket type and time of year. For more information, it’s best to check with Disney or the vendor from which you purchased the ticket.
Yes, you can buy discounted Disney tickets for family members or friends, but you must provide their name at the time of purchase. Additionally, some vendors may require the person using the ticket to present a photo ID matching the ticket’s name.
It depends on the type of ticket and the event. Some discounted tickets may include access to special events, while others may not. For more information, it’s best to check with Disney or the vendor from which you purchased the ticket.
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. Not getting one is a big mistake!
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 Disney’s magic without breaking the bank.
So why wait? Start planning your Disney vacation today and look for discounted ticket options to make your trip even more affordable!