Tickets

Disney Parks have some of the most expensive admission tickets in the country. Recently, ticket prices increased by about 5-10% while peak ticket pricing increased by 10-25%. A Disneyland 1-day regular ticket is $129 (Park Hopper Ticket $179)! Prices increase to $149 for single park tickets during peak times. This may leave many guests feeling priced out of a casual trip if not a trip all together. Price hikes are not uncommon but with the opening of areas like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge we all knew it was coming.

Although 1-day tickets are pretty steep, the daily price for multi-day tickets is significantly more manageable. That’s good news for families planning longer trips. According to Disneyland’s website, you can purchase tickets now and use them in the future with 1-day tickets valid through December 30, 2020 and multi-day tickets must be used within 13 days of first admission day or by January 12, 2021, whichever occurs first. With yearly price hikes, if you know you’re planning a trip in the next year you could try to buy your tickets soon and lock in a current price. It’s unlikely base ticket prices will decrease. 

Disneyland has the additional benefit of one Magic Morning with a 3-day ticket allowing non-resort guests early admission to the park 1 hour before regular park hours. Disneyland Park offers Magic mornings on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays while Disney California Adventure Park opens early on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Taking advantage of Magic Mornings can help you get a jump on the rest of the crowd and get some of the most popular or low capacity rides out of the way. It also can provide a relaxing start to the day before the crowds really build up.

Both resorts offer Park Hopper Tickets. Deciding if Park Hopper is a good benefit for your family is totally dependent on your traveling style. Maximizing park time might mean you attend one park in the morning for Extra Magic Hours and a different park in the evening for Extra Magic Hours after closing – you won’t be able ride anything but you can enjoy the themeing and food. If you don’t mind crossing the resort at WDW to take advantage of evening Extra Hour Magic Hours elsewhere it would work for you. If you show up at Disneyland and Main Street is super congested you could amble over to DCA for lower crowds and wait times. Maybe there is a cocktail or snack at Epcot you really want during a festival but you planned your safari morning at Animal Kingdom – no big deal, just hop over there. I’ve never park hopped personally. We always find plenty to do in one day at one park. If you want to conquer the Parkeology Challenge a park hopper ticket is essential, though.

If you’re looking for discount tickets, Disney offers package deals for on-property hotels + tickets (park hoppers). Usually these deals occur during the slow season and function to encourage guests to visit who may not have otherwise but also to bring guests from peak season to slower season to redistribute crowds. If you’re planning to stay off property you can get discount tickets from sites like Undercover Tourist or MouseSavers. Regular discount exist for members of the military and annual pass holders.

Do you have any tricks for getting discount park tickets or preferred way to maximize your Park Hopper? Comment below!