Disney World 2011-2012 Admission Ticket Prices
OVERVIEW: WALT DISNEY WORLD ADMISSION TICKET PRICES 2011 AND 2012
(Updated to reflect a policy change–the update is below in red.)
Three types of Walt Disney World prices are important to think about:
- Walt Disney World theme park admission ticket prices—the tickets that grant you admission to the parks
- Walt Disney World resort hotel prices, and
- Park and hotel food prices
This page focuses on Walt Disney World theme park admission ticket prices for 2011 and for 2012 until the summer of 2012, when they typically go up.
MORE DETAILS ON WALT DISNEY WORLD ADMISSION TICKET PRICES 2011 AND 2012: HOW THE TICKETS WORK
There are multiple types of Walt Disney World theme park tickets, but the one most relevant to most first time visitors is the Magic Your Way ticket, with the Park Hopper option.
You buy one theme park ticket for each person who will be three years old or older at the time of your visit (kids younger than three enter the parks for free.) The tickets have two pricing levels: one for kids who will be younger than ten at the time of your visit (but 3 or older) and the other for people ten or older.
When you buy your tickets, you also say how many “days” you want—from one to ten. Each “day” you buy permits unlimited visits to one theme park on one day. If you also add the Park Hopper option, you can make unlimited visits to any of the theme parks in one day–one theme park, two, three, or all four theme parks.
- For example, if you buy a three day ticket without the park hopper option, you could make two visits to the Magic Kingdom on day one, three visits to Epcot on day two, and two visits to the Animal Kingdom on day 3
- If you have a three day ticket with the park hopper option, you could for example make two visits to the Magic Kingdom and one to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on day one, one visit to Epcot and two to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on day two, and one to Epcot and two to the Magic Kingdom on day three
- What you can’t do without a park hopper ticket is visit more than one theme park one the same day. For example, you can’t, on November 25th, use one day of your three-day ticket to visit the Magic Kingdom, and another day of this same ticket to visit Epcot that same day. More than one theme park in a day requires a park hopper
You do not have to use your days all in a row boom boom boom—e.g. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Once you use your first day, you have 14 days to use all the days on your ticket. So on a three-day ticket you could visit the theme parks Monday, Thursday, and Sunday.
- You can also add days at the same price that you would have paid had you bought all those days at once, but have to do so no later than the day you use the last day of your original ticket (and within 14 days of the first day)
- So if you buy a three-day ticket, and realize a few days later that you need more days, you can add two days and they will cost only the difference between what you paid originally for a three day ticket, and what you would have had to have paid for a five day ticket, so long as you add these days no later than the day you use your third day
- You can also add stuff like the Park Hopper during the same window day window at the same price as you would have paid when you first bought your ticket
However, you can’t “subtract” days if you overbuy.
HOW WALT DISNEY WORLD PRICES ITS THEME PARK ADMISSION TICKETS
1. While Disney typically increases ticket prices at least once a year—typically in the summer—it does not change theme park admission prices based on the seasons of the year, the way that it increases and decreases prices at its resort hotels. You pay the same amount for admission on the busiest and the least busy days of the year.
(This material, by the way, is updated as of Disney World’s June 2011 price increase, and applies to tickets bought in 2011 through Disney’s next price increase, likely in the summer 0f 2012.)
2. Disney sells tickets by the day—one through ten days. The way it prices these days, the first three days are very expensive, while days after the third are almost free.
For example, a three day ticket costs (including tax) an adult $247, or an average of $82 a day. A ten day ticket would cost the same adult $310. The added 7 days cost in total around $63—or less than $9 per day.
3. A park hopper costs (after tax) about $37 for a one day ticket, and $58 for all other ticket lengths, regardless of whether you add it to a two-day, ten-day or anything in between. So a three day adult ticket with the park hopper added costs $306, and a ten day ticket with a park hopper costs $369.
4. Click the image for the result of this.
I have also uploaded an excel spreadsheet with the same data in it as the image, so that you can multiply by the number of members of your own family.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD THEME PARK TICKETS
There are other ticket types than the ones discussed above—less relevant for first time visitors. For details on all of them, see this page on MouseSavers.com.
While it’s hard to find discounts on tickets, it is sometimes possible. Check MouseSavers.com, Triple A if you are a member, and if you have military ties, this page and also MilitaryDisneyTips.com.
Since you can add on to your tickets–days, park hoppers, etc.–, but can’t subtract, it doesn’t really pay to overbuy. Start with the minimum you think you need and add on later if needed. Remember to add no later than the day you use your current last day!
All of this site’s To-Do Lists tell you exactly what ticket type you need for their associated itineraries.
FREE TICKETS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
Disney world no longer offers free tickets on your birthday.
61 comments
My husband and I have been to disney world many,many times and also many times to disneyland what does it cost for a hotel with food plan for two adults. they all say for family of 4. also is there a price for senior s?
Hi Brenda!
The hotel costs vary by which hotel you stay at, and when during the year you go, See this page for more on these topics: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/16/planning-your-walt-disney-world-budget/
Sure you can get a room and a dining plan for 2–though there are no senior discounts. The reason you see “for 4″ advertised is that way they can spread the room cost across 4 people and make it look cheaper!
Take a look at that page and then comment back with any more questions!
Hoipe this helps, Dave
Hi… I’m Brazilian, my family and I want to spend The Halloween in Magic Kingdom, but we’ve seen some prices of tickets and there are some with different prices, exemple: October 25th the price is 56, 95. October 31st the price is 67,95. I want to know if has some different, like attractions, fireworks… in these days, because one is more expensive than other. Thanks for now
The prices are higher the closer to the actual date of halloween you get, and also, I think, on higher-demand nights–like Friday nights…there’s no difference in what happens on each party night–they are the same!
Thanks =DD hey, another question, if I buy the tickets by the net, here in Brazil, will they arrive here or will we have to catch they in the U.S? (sorry, I really don’t know how to do this question)
Hi Henrique–I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer.
There’s a site Viajandoparaorlando.com that’s a Brazil-based Disney discussion board–someone on it should know the answer!
Hope this helps, Dave
Thank you very much, the site has helped me a lot =D
I’m glad, Henrique! Good luck and have a great trip!
Hya there,
We are planning our first trip to Florida (from UK)
for next august. We have booked a cruise and stay but it
is 3 night hotel, 7 night cruise then 4 night hotel.
Can you please advise the best way to book tickets for
2 adults, 1 child, 1 infant
Many thanks
Anne–if you were US based, I’d say do it off the Disney website e.g. http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/_framework/components/processEngine?startOver=true&gatewayID=landing In the US you can’t save much on tix doing it any other way, and you don’t have to wrry about fraud fakes or forgeries by doing it thru Disney.
For the UK, though, I’m not sure. You may wanna start with the Disney site to get their prices, and then check a UK Disney discussion board like http://www.thedibb.co.uk/ and ask the question there. Be wary of any too-good-to-be true deals though–they may be scams…
Is it the same price buying at the gate/park as buying online?
Yup.
Hello and great site!
I have twin boys who will be seven years old when we go to DinseyWorld next year, May 2012. They are still “character” and “rides” kids, not really into High Tech stuff. Is it worth it to get a park hopper pass? Anything really interesting enough besides the Kingdom worth the price for their age??
Hi Kim!
I’m guessing you might be meaning multi-day tickets instead of park hopper? See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/12/disney-world-2011-2012-admission-ticket-prices/
At that age much of what they’ll love will be at the Magic Kingdom, and you’ll need at least a couple of days there.
Howverm, there are some little kid favorites at other parks too. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Hey Dave!
My wife and I are wanting to go to Disney here in LA for Thanksgiving. How does the park pass (1 day) work on days like this? First come, first serve? Any special tickets that you have to purchae? Do you have any additional recommendations of how to go about this the most fun and efficent way?
Thanks
Hi Rob! While I write a bit about Disneyland now and then, I don’t keep up wth it, and am sorry to say that I can’t answer your question.
Are there any discount tickets for police officers and their families.
Hi Dianne!
That’s a really great idea.
I am not aware of any such discounts. It may be that unions or benevolent/fraternal police associations may make tickets available at a discount, but there’s no Disney program I’ve heard of.
I will double check with some friends, and let you know via email if I find anything helpful out.
My husband, sister and her boyfriend are planning a visit to Walt Disney World in FL for Christmas this year. We have no children with us and are all 55-65 years old. Can you tell me what is the best thing to see at Christmas time there and what would be the best deal on tickets? We would like to get the best value for our money since we are on a fixed income! Are the prices the same online as they are in person? We are snowbirds and living in FL for the winter. We don’t have a FL license, just a PA license. Do we qualify for discount as FL resident? Thanks very much for your help!
Hi Polly! There’s rarely a difference between web prices and in person prices. To get a Florida discount, you need a Florida DL or ID–see http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwtixdiscounts.html#floridaresidents.
For my basic Christmas suggestions, see the itineraries arranged by date on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/alternative-itineraries/
See also http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/05/29/christmas-2011-at-walt-disney-world/
Hope this helps! Dave
Hello,
My family and I are planning on going to Disney World this October while I’m home on leave. I’m active duty military and know the discounts are availably online. Can I get the discounted tickets at the gates? Also my husband and I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old. which parks would you say would be best for them?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Hi Cortnie and thanks for your service!
Disney has great ticket and room deals running for military families. You cna’t buy them at the gates–you have to do it either at a base or via Disney. See this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/08/28/disney-world-military-discount-2012-and-2011/ and its links.
See also http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/military-families/
Given the age of your kids, yes to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, no to Epcot, and maybe to Hollywood Studios. See the image on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
We are planning a trip t o Disney World with a family group of 10 people. Are there any discounts for groups?
Hi David–sorry, there’s no group discount for regular people–just organized youth groups and such. See also this page for its links on large families and hotels: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/
Hello! Great website! I’m planning to visit DisneyWorld in July 2012 with family (14!) and am trying to find the best rates/deals. What is the best option for our family for tickets? My family will range in age from 9-17 for the kids and 32-63 for the adults. Still need help understanding the hopper ticket, any help will be appreciated.
Thanks Again!
Hi Estella! There’s no group discounts…so the ticket prices largely are what they are…if you are a member of AAA check with them for discounts, and if any member of your party is active duty or career retired military there’s also deals for them…the Park Hopper lets you go to more than one of the 4 theme parks in a single day. Without it, you can only go to one of the parks in a single day–though you can leave it and return to it…
We have friends that have a time share at Westgate Lake Resort and will be staying there during the week of January 8-15, 2011. We have been invited to join them at that time and we would all like to go to the Epcot Center and maybe see other parts of Disney World. We are all senior citizens and there will not be any children with us. What type of ticket packages are there for us since we will not be staying at any of the Disney or Universal Resorts.
Hi Mary unless there’s some special deal–which is rare for tickets by themselves–the stuff on this page is valid for you.
I am planning a trip to Disney in Jan. 2012 with my 4yr old daughter. I am running thr Disney Half Marathon. I have (2) 6day park hopper passes from a previous trip to Disney. Can I use these for both my daughter & I…there is no expiration date on them….and they are for ages 10+
Hi
I and my husband want to see disney this december. we stay in atlanta. As this is first visit to us can you sujest me the best deals on travel and staying, dining etc in disney. How days are required for complete visit. We are fixed income people so we want best deal to visit. Can you sujest me.
thanks
Hi Lavanya!
See the home page http://yourfirstvisit.net for all the basics.
See also this for current discounts: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/29/walt-disney-worlds-latest-spring-and-summer-deal/ and this for the basics of setting a budget: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/16/planning-your-walt-disney-world-budget/
Do OAP’s in wheelchairs need to pay into Disney, even if they aren’t going to get on any rides?
Yes, everyone who enters must have a ticket.
Hi Dave,
Our family will be visiting DisneyWorld in July 2012 as part of a convention I will be attending. My question is whether we should purchase our tickets ahead of time to get the 2011-2012 rate and if so, will they be honored? Or…do we have to wait to purchase tickeyts until after the price increases come out??
Thanks!
Hi Jen, yes, you can buy now and use then, thus saving any price increase in the meantime!
we have 13 people of our family trying to go. what would be the best way to go about the tickets. we want a waterpark and the 4 theme parks. is there a group discount or a discount in general that would help us out.. thank u
HI Martin–there’s no group discounts for tix. The best way for you to save money is on your hotel. Check out these deals: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/03/summary-of-current-walt-disney-world-deals-and-discounts/
Hi! The website was very helpful for me. My family has 2 adult & 1 boy 3 years-old. We’ll have a plan to visit to Disneyland next week, but when I checked in Disney website, they had many different prices. It makes me so confuse because this is the 1s
Hi Tina, I’m sorry but I don’t know a ton about Disneyland–just DIsney World
Hi Dave…wow, how helpful all the other Q & A’s have been..My husband and I are planning a trip Disney in the next couple of months. We are in our mid 40′s and neither have been since we were small children. How many days to you reccomend we purchase for our visit. We both love rides and won’t be in a hurry (we hope!) Thanks! Pierce
Hi Pierce and thanks! I’d do at least 5 park days–1.5 each at MK and Epcot, and one each at AK and HS. Another park day–which you can use to return to a favorite–is nice. A couple of non-park days will also be helpful in getting time to unwind. For more, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-long-to-stay/ and also http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/16/planning-your-walt-disney-world-budget/
Hi, we plan to take our son to Disneyworld next month. We plan to buy 2 3-day hopper tickets. Can I take my son on the first day, and my husband takes him the second day? Considering we have 2 hopper tickets and 2 people at the apark at a time?
Hi Olga! No you can’t. When you use the tickets, they scan your finger and tag it to you personally. If cost is the issue, skip the hopper–it takes six days to see the parks at a minimum, so just spend one day each at three parks and come back another time for what you missed…
My family(3 adults, and two children ages 3 and 2) and I have planned our first Disney trip for July 2012. We want to visit only 3 specific parks, but we are not certain on how to do it cheaper than going to the parks and paying at each park individually. I heard about Park Hoppers, but I don’t understand how they work or where to get them. I would greatly appreciate any advice given.
Hi Thomasina, you buy tickets with a certain number of days, and with or without a park hopper.
Without a park hopper, a day can be used in any one park, and you cna leave and return to that same park later that same day.
With a park hopper, a day can be used in more than one park.
So to see three parks, one day each, you’d buy a three day ticket without a park hopper. To see three parks, one day each in two parks and two days in a third park, you’d buy a four day ticket wiht no hopper.
Does this help?
Is there a specific place to purchase a three day ticket without a park hopper? Do I wait until I get to the entrance or is there an online site to purchase before the trip? is so what website? Thank you in advance!
Hey Thomasina you can do it either way. For the online option, go to this page: http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/_framework/components/processEngine?startOver=true&gatewayID=landing WHn it opens, click the thingy at the top that says “Buy Park Tickets.”
Hi,my family and some friends are visiting Orlando in April, we all want to go to discovery cove which allows us passes into sea world and bush gardens, but we also want to visit magic kingdom for a day can we buy a one day pass?
Hi Helen, sure you can. In the tables on this page (click them to enlarge them) it’s listed as one day.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your wonderful website!
Our family of 4 (2 adults and 2 boys aged 5 and 7) from Singapore are going on a last minute trip to Disneyworld Florida from Mar 4-14th 2012. We have a 2 day Disney park hopper ticket booked throught a travel agent. We are thinking of spending a total of 4 days in Disneyworld. What would you suggest in terms of add-on tickets, and how would you advise we allocate our days there?
Thanks for your input!
Hi Robin!
Unless your tickets are different than what I’m used to seeing, you can add days with a per-day saving to them once you arrive, so long as you do so before the end of the day that you use the second day of tix.
For the ages of your boys, 2-3 days at the Magic Kingdom, zero to one days at Epcot, and a day each at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom would make sense. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Hi there,
Great info on your site. We are planning a trip to Disney World 2/29 – 3/6/2012 (2 adults, 2 kids 14 & 12 yr old). Does it make more sense to pre-buy Park Hopper tickets for six days, or should we buy base tickets for a few days and park hopper tickets for a few days? Also, do you have a personal preference between Boardwalk Inn and Wilderness Lodge? Thanks in advance for your help. Diane
Hi DIane, a hopper is a one-time add on that applies for ALL the days of your ticket. And my personal preference between those two is the Wilderness Lodge. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/31/personal-favorites-the-deluxe-resorts/ I only list two on this page…if I listed a third, it would have been the BoardWalk Inn…
We Are planning a trip to Disney world for the first time. I have a 4 and 9 year old. I want I do something special for my daughters birthday, it is july 4th. What are some of the prices and what parks and ticket prices that u can suggest for my age grouP
Christy, that’s the busiest day of the busiest month at Disney World….Your younger daughter won’t find much of interest other than the Magic Kingdom. Your older daughter would enjoy all the parks, except perhaps Epcot. If you stay on site, and focus on the Magic Kingdom, then three days would be plenty…
Hi there, I wanted to take my teenagers to Harry Potter World for one day and to Disney World for another day this February during their school break. Is there a two day ticket that would allow us to visit each park for one day? Also, do you know if it gets crowded in mid February during the school week?
Hi Kate, as long as you avoid the week of President’s Day, crowds should be fine. You can’t buy a ticket to both DInsey and Universal Orlando–you need separate ones for each. For more on Harry Potter, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/13/summary-of-instructions-for-your-first-family-visit-to-the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/
Hello….. This is our first time to WDW and I am planning to take my 4 year old (will almost be 5) in April. I am wondering besides Magic Kingdom, which of the other theme parks will be the most beneficial for us to go to?
Hi Christina! See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ There’s not much for such a youngster outside of the Magic Kingdom…
Hi, what a great source of information this web site is!! PLEASE help with this one as i cannot find much info. I have a 5 year old girl who measures 107cm. Many people are telling me not to take her yet as she will miss out on many rides, but if we wait until she is older we will have another child by then and be back to square one!! What do you think?
Height isn’t the issue–at that height, the only rides she’s too short for she’s too young for–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/04/21/ride-height-requirements-at-walt-disney-world/
The real question is whether or not she will be able to return between the ages of 8 and 10. Disney World is at its best for kids of that cognitive level–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-oldtall-your-children-should-be/
If she can, then it does not matter, and you can have a wonderful visit. If you may not be able to afford such a return during that age period, I’d wait.
Yes, if you wait, you’ll also have another one in the same spot…but I suspect that once you have gone once you’ll move heaven and earth to get the next sibling back when he or she is older!
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