Everything You Need to Know About Disney Tickets
Disney has numerous options for park tickets and lots of places to buy them. Here are the current park ticket options and Tips on how to decide what is best for your family. If you are military family, check out my blog Military Salute Tickets after reading this blog. There you will get specific information on purchasing military tickets.
Types of Walt Disney World Park Tickets
1-Day Standard Park Ticket
The 1-Day Standard Park Ticket allows guests to visit one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom—on a single day. This ticket is perfect for visitors who want to focus their time and energy on exploring the attractions, entertainment, and dining within just one park. Prices for this ticket vary depending on the park chosen and the date of visit, with peak seasons typically having higher costs. The ticket does not include access to other parks on the same day or any additional experiences like water parks or special events.
Water Park and Sports Option
The Water Park and Sports Option is an add-on to a standard park ticket that grants guests access to additional recreational activities beyond the main theme parks. Visitors have the option to enjoy Disney's Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon water parks, as well as other activities such as miniature golf at Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and a round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course. The number of admissions corresponds to the number of days on the base ticket, meaning if you have a 4-day ticket, you can enter these venues four times in total. This option is great for those who want to mix up their vacation with a blend of water parks, sports, and relaxation.
Park Hopper Option
The Park Hopper Option at Walt Disney World allows guests to visit multiple theme parks in a single day. You can start your day at Magic Kingdom Park, have lunch at EPCOT, and then end your evening by watching Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I would never recommend this, but for the sake of the example, it is possible. This flexibility is great for those who want to experience a wide variety of attractions, dining, and entertainment without being tied to one park for the whole day. Park hopping is available all day, but the park hopper bus that takes guests from park to park starts running at 10 am. However, it is subject to park capacity limitations. It offers a more dynamic and varied vacation experience. If you want to ensure you can park hop, you can call the park hopper number (407) 560-5000, or your My Disney Experience app will notify you if a park is at capacity.
Park Hopper Plus Option
The Park Hopper Plus Option offers the benefits of both the Park Hopper and the Water Park and Sports Options. With this ticket, guests can visit multiple theme parks in one day and also enjoy additional admissions to Disney's water parks, sports activities, and other fun experiences. This option is perfect for guests who want flexibility and variety during their stay, allowing them to experience the best of Walt Disney World's theme parks and additional recreational offerings.
For example, you could start your day at Disney's Animal Kingdom, visit a water park in the afternoon and then head to EPCOT for dinner and evening entertainment. This is not a realistic day plan, but it illustrates what you can do. My family typically gets this option because we are able to get military tickets that can be used all year. This ticket gives my kids the flexibility of an annual passholder and the perks of the water parks.
Like the Water Park and Sports Option, the number of admissions to water parks and sports venues matches the number of days on the base ticket.
Here are some things to consider when picking your Disney Park Ticket:
Length of Your Disney Vacation
The length of your Disney vacation is one of the most significant factors in determining which park ticket is best for you. If you’re staying for a shorter time, such as one or two days, a 1-Day Standard Park Ticket might be sufficient, allowing you to focus on one park per day. However, for longer stays, you might want to explore more of what Disney offers, making the Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Options more appealing. These options allow you to visit multiple parks each day, maximizing your experience over a longer visit. Additionally, for those with extended vacations, adding the Water Park and Sports Option provides a chance to break up your theme park days with other fun activities, making your trip more varied and enjoyable. Remember my method for park days is 2 park days rest, 2 park days, especially for younger children. Going every day straight is a recipe for disaster. Also, keep in mind that the more days of tickets you purchase, the cheaper the tickets are per day. It's tempting to add one for every day, but it's not necessarily a good idea. The more days you spend at the park, the more exhausted you will be. I want you to have a balanced trip, and honestly, five park days are more than enough for a first trip.
Which Disney Parks Do You Want to Visit
Each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks offers a unique experience, so deciding which parks you want to visit can help determine the best ticket for your needs. If there’s one park you’re most excited about, like Magic Kingdom Park or EPCOT, a 1-Day Standard Park Ticket allows you to maximize your day so you can experience attractions, dining, and entertainment.
On the other hand, if you want to experience multiple parks in a short period, like Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the morning, and then enjoy a relaxing evening at EPCOT, the Park Hopper Option is ideal. If you want to explore all four parks without feeling rushed, consider getting a multi-day ticket without park hopping. If you are a first-time visitor to Walt Disney World, I highly recommend that you do not purchase a park hopper ticket.
Disney Activities like Mini Golf, Water Parks & Fort Wilderness Campground
Disney World offers more than just theme parks. The resort is also home to a variety of recreational activities that can enhance your vacation. The Water Park and Sports Option is perfect for those who want to experience Disney’s water parks, such as Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, or enjoy a round of mini-golf at Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens. This option is also ideal for visitors exploring the outdoors at Fort Wilderness Campground. If these activities appeal to you, adding the Water Park and Sports Option or Park Hopper Plus Option to your ticket allows you to mix traditional theme park fun with other exciting Disney experiences. Disney water parks add an element of fun; my family absolutely loves them. We visit a water park on every trip.
Remember, Your Ticket is Good for the ENTIRE Day!
One of the great advantages of Disney park tickets is that they’re valid for the entire day. This means that even with a 1-Day Standard Park Ticket, you’re not limited to staying inside the park all day long. If you need a break, you can leave the park, relax at your hotel, (which I highly recommend), and then return to the same park later in the day without any additional cost.
For those with a Park Hopper Option, this flexibility extends even further, allowing you to visit multiple parks in one day. Start your morning with the magic of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, take an afternoon break, and then hop over to EPCOT for a world showcase dinner, all with the same ticket. This flexibility is one of the key reasons to consider how you want to structure your day when choosing a ticket.
This is my Guideline for how to pick which ticket is best for your family.
Single Day Tickets
This is your FIRST time to Walt Disney World and you have FOUR park days or less.
You are planning to be in the parks open to close (WITH A MIDDAY BREAK!! Take the break people!)
You ONLY have Toddlers
The price of the hopper ticket puts you out of budget (they are signifigantly more expensive)
Park Hopper Tickets
You go to Walt Disney World Yearly or every other year
You don't have a stroller
You have been to Walt Disney World in the last 2 years
You have MORE than 5 days at the Parks OR 2 days or less.
You are going to Disney with multiple families of multiple ages where splitting off is an option.
Upgrading/Discount Tickets
My husband and I are annual pass holders for Disney World, but our kids are not. Since they don't go with us on every trip, we use Disney Military Salute Tickets for them, which gives them six days of park access and 6 days of water park access. We add a smaller Magic Your Way Ticket for them, which is another version of the Military Ticket but with a smaller discount, giving them a total of 11 Theme Park Days and 11 Water Park days. This setup works for the kids since we also have rest days, days at Fort Wilderness campground, and holiday parties, so they essentially get about 20-25 days in the theme parks.
There are many options for purchasing discounted tickets for Walt Disney World, and we personally use and trust Undercover Tourist. We have been using them for over a decade, and they have a return policy. They are the largest distributor of Disney tickets outside of Disney. Moreover, I am now one of their content creators. I can recommend them since I personally use them, including for the GoCity Pass in LA to go to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Upgrading Tickets: In terms of upgrading tickets, if you decide to go from a Single Day Ticket to Park Hopper, it is possible, but you have to pay the difference for the entire ticket. Disney does not allow you to add a Park Hopper to just one day. It would be great if Disney offered a 6-day ticket with four single days and two hopper days, but unfortunately, that's not the case. For more budgeting tips, you can check out the blog "16 Ways to Save on your Disney Vacation.”
After Hours Events
My family really enjoys after-hours parties. Some of them are themed parties during the holiday season, while others are strictly after-hours events. These specially ticketed events limit park capacity once they close to the public.
With capacity significantly reduced to more than half, you can get on many high-demand rides without long waits. It's important to note that you cannot book any Lightning Lane selections during these parties, but you'll find that you don't need to. In the past, with the old FastPass system, you could book FastPass experiences during these parties. I have been to parties before and after the pandemic, and I've noticed that these parties now have a significantly reduced capacity compared to those before the pandemic.
Protip: It's important to remember that if you plan to attend an after-hours event, it's best not to go to the park on the same day. It's not financially worth it, and you'll be so exhausted that you won't get to enjoy the event as intended. Instead, consider making it a rest day. Many of these tickets allow you to get into the parks early, so take advantage of the early access, save the money, and have a great time.
Current After Hours Events:
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
After Hours EPCOT
After Hours Magic Kingdom Park
After Hours Disney’s Hollywood Studios
DVC: Moonlight Magic
.
.
.
Thank you for visiting the Well Hello Magic Blog. If you have questions, please leave them in the comments, and I will be sure to answer them.
Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming, but you don't need to worry because we have got your back! Here are a few blogs to help you get organized!
How to Use My Disney Experience
Disney Infants: Everything You Need to Know!
Tips for Traveling with Family, Friends & Large Groups
What is Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass?
Strolling through Disney: Disney Stroller Tips
What to do if you Get Sick at Disney
Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World
The Differences between Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort
Who is the Mom behind Well Hello Magic? Click Here!
I am so happy to be on this journey with you.
