Disney World Tickets - 5 Things You Need to Know

Here are the answers to the top 5 questions about Disney World tickets.

Number 1 - Where can I get a free ticket?

Here's a real surprising answer, you get free tickets to Disney World from Disney. That's right from Disney.

Disney has 2 different free ticket programs. The first allows you go get in to one of the parks free on your birthday. The second program gives you a free single day ticket for volunteering (for an agency Disney designates) for a one day of work.

You can also get free tickets if you have a relative or a friend who works at one of the parks. They get passes that admit friends and family based on their job. Some of the passes require the cast member be present when the pass is used.

The big question is are free tickets really a good deal? For most of us the answer is not really. Yes a one day ticket to any of the parks is $79.00 plus tax. Most of us don't buy a one day ticket. Most of us have to make a vacation out of our visits and spend at least 4 days in the parks. If you buy tickets of more than 4 days, each additional day costs $3.00. So, if you get a free day as part of a 6 day vacation you have saved a whopping $3.00. So free tickets aren't necessarily a great deal. (Disney has a couple of options for those who have multi-day passes that are worth roughly $79.00)

Number 2 - Are discount tickets available?

Yes, there are places that sell tickets for less than Disney does. But, don't expect huge discounts. Disney sells tickets to suppliers for face price, but gives a small commission on the sale. Suppliers that sell tickets for a discount are sharing their commissions with you. 

If you are willing to stay outside of Disney World you can usually find a package deal that has substantial discounts on the package price.  Many travel sites package hotels and tickets together and sell them at a large discount. 

If you plan on staying in a Disney Resort, you can get big discounts on Disney World tickets. For the last couple of years, Disney has run specials where if you purchase 4 or 5 days they will give you 2 or 3 days free. These discounts includes both hotel and tickets. 3 free days of tickets and hotel is a huge savings.

Number 3 - Should I add the park hopping or water park option?

That's a good question, and the answer is it depends. Yes, I'll explain. It depends on your plan when you arrive.

The Water Park and More option costs $50.00 per ticket. It allows you one entrance for the length of the pass to Disney's two water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), or DIsney Quest, or Oak Trail Golf Course, or Disney's Wild World of Sports Complex. Entrance to any of these venues costs less than $50.00 per day, but if you will visit more than one of these locations the Water Park and More option makes sense.

The Park Hopper option also costs $50.00 per ticket. The option is the same price for a two day ticket as a 10 day ticket. If your plan includes going to Epcot in the evenings for dinner you probably need the Park Hopper option. If your plan includes leaving a park in the afternoon, for a rest, and going to a different in the evening, you probably need the Park Hopper option. You get the idea. If you are going to be at WDW in a busy time of year and plan to visit only one park a day, (not a bad idea) save some money and skip the Park Hopper option. (You can always add it when you arrive at WDW.)

Number 4 - Does Disney raise the price every year?

Yes. Every year since 1977 Disney has increased prices on admission. Some years it's twice. Look for price increases the first Sunday in August and sometimes in February.

Number 5 - My friend has 3 days left on a ticket and will sell it too me cheap. Should I buy it?

If anyone wants to sell you a partially used ticket to Walt Disney World, in the immortal words of Monte Python "Run away... Run away..."

Here's why
In Florida, it's against the law to use a theme park ticket you did not purchase. (Yes, Disney has that much influence.) Disney uses a fingerprint system to verify each guest has a valid ticket. There is now way to verify the number of days left on a ticket unless you have Disney do it. Many reports come in each year from people that have lost money buying worthless tickets.

In recent years Disney has cracked down on guests not having valid admission media. You probably won't end up in jail, but you won't end up in the park.

Disney World tickets are a major portion of any Disney World vacation. Make sure you find what best matches your vacation plans.

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