Tickets and special events
- Age requirements. Every guest who is three or older needs a theme park ticket. Children under three are free.
- Packages vs. tickets only. Tickets on their own need payment in full and are nonrefundable. Vacation packages offer a deposit, flexible cancellation, and a chance to apply future Disney offers.
- Date-based pricing. The cost depends on when you visit and which theme park you choose. Multi-day tickets cost less per day.
- Travel advisor value. A travel advisor can track Disney offers and apply them to your package. Buying tickets on your own, through a reseller, or with an annual pass does not include this.
- Event tickets. Some seasonal events like holiday parties need a separate ticket beyond regular theme park admission.
Walt Disney World® Resort has four theme parks, two water parks, and a lot to see. Anyone can visit, but to get into the parks, every guest age three or older needs a ticket. Kids under three get in free.
Most families pick one of two paths. Buy tickets on their own, or bundle them into a vacation package with a Disney Resort hotel stay.
Buying tickets on their own
When you buy tickets on their own, you get admission only. Each ticket covers one Walt Disney World Resort theme park per day. You pick a start date when you buy.
Walt Disney World ticket prices are date-based. Busier times cost more. Quieter times cost less. Prices also vary by park. Magic Kingdom® Park costs the most on most dates. Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park tends to cost the least.
Tickets range from one to ten days. The more days you add, the less each day costs. Kids ages three to nine pay a lower child rate. Children under three do not need a ticket.
Your ticket covers park entry only. Parking at the theme parks costs extra for day guests. Resort hotel guests get free parking. Food, drinks, and souvenirs are not in the ticket price. Lightning Lane passes are also sold on top of your ticket. Budget for these extras when you plan your trip.
The trade-off: you pay in full, and tickets are nonrefundable. Your price holds. But if Disney releases a new offer, you cannot use it. Many families pick a vacation package instead.
For first-time visitors
Bundling tickets into a vacation package
A vacation package puts your tickets and hotel into one booking. Build one with a Disney Resorts Collection hotel or a Good Neighbor hotel. You get more flexibility:
- A deposit holds the reservation.
- Final payment is due 30 days before arrival.
- Cancel 30 or more days before arrival for a full refund.
- You can add a travel protection plan (trip insurance) at booking.
- If Disney releases a new offer before final payment, a travel advisor can adjust your package to use it.
Disney runs offers all year: free dining, room discounts, and ticket deals. See the current summer 2026 special offers for what is available now. Tickets on their own lock you out. A vacation package keeps the door open until final payment. A travel advisor tracks every offer and applies the best ones.
Terms can change at any time. Check the Walt Disney World package terms and ticket terms for details.
For first-time visitors
Ticket add-ons
You can add extras to any ticket. A base ticket covers one park per day. Three add-ons let you do more:
- Park Hopper Option. The most popular add-on at Walt Disney World Resort. The Park Hopper® Option lets you visit multiple theme parks in a single day. Start your morning at Magic Kingdom Park and head to EPCOT® for dinner. Once inside your first park, you can hop to any other theme park. Without this add-on, your ticket locks you into one park per day. If you’re booking a VIP tour that visits more than one park, every guest needs this option.
- Water Park and Sports Option. Adds one daily visit to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Only one water park is open at a time. Also covers miniature golf at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Disney’s Winter Summerland. You can also play Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
- Park Hopper Plus Option. It combines both. You can hop between theme parks in a single day and get water park and sports visits.
No rush to decide. Add the Park Hopper Option to your Walt Disney World ticket at any point.
Can you upgrade a base ticket to Park Hopper after you arrive?
Admission basics
Here is what your ticket covers. Six parks at Walt Disney World Resort need one:
- Magic Kingdom Park
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
You do not need a theme park reservation with a regular ticket. Buy a ticket and show up. Disney removed the theme park reservation rule for standard guests. Annual passholders are the one exception. They may still need a reservation on certain dates. Check the Disney website for current passholder rules.
Your ticket also lets you leave a park and come back the same day. Many families head to the resort pool for a midday break, then return for the evening.
Each theme park has its own hours. Hours change by season. Check the My Disney Experience app for the schedule on your dates. Resort guests get Early Theme Park Entry: 30 minutes in the parks before the posted open time.
Your ticket also gives you access to Lightning Lane passes once inside. These let you skip standby lines on popular rides.
Before your trip, link your ticket in My Disney Experience. At the gate, hold your phone or MagicBand+ near the scanner. No paper ticket needed.
For multigenerational groups
How many days to buy
Most families need four to seven park days. That’s one day per park, plus time to revisit favorites or enjoy a rest day. Too many days wastes money. Too few means rushing. Families with young kids often add an extra day for a slower pace. Adults without kids can often do four parks in four days. A Good Story Vacations travel advisor can help you plan the right length.
Special event tickets
Walt Disney World Resort also runs special events. Each needs its own ticket, with each park subject to a guest limit on event nights. Plan ahead if your trip overlaps:
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. A ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park on select fall nights. The party runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. It includes trick-or-treating, a special parade, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets in costume. You can enter the park as early as 4 p.m. with your event ticket.
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. A ticketed holiday event at Magic Kingdom Park on select nights in November and December. The night includes holiday shows, character sightings, free cookies and cocoa, and fireworks. Entry starts at 4 p.m. The party runs until midnight.
- Disney Jollywood Nights. A holiday event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights in November and December. It offers live bands, character meet-and-greets, a nighttime show, and shorter waits on rides.
- Disney After Hours. Late-night access at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Low crowds and short waits on top rides. Events run after the park closes to regular guests.
- Disney H2O Glow After Hours. An after-hours event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park with themed lighting, a DJ, and exclusive access. A good option for families who want a unique water park night.
These events are seasonal and sell out fast. Check our crowd calendar for dates early. Enchanting Extras are sold on top of your park ticket. These include tours, dessert parties, and fireworks cruises.
For young families
Other ticket options
Most families are set with tickets or a package. A few other options exist. None match the flexibility of a travel advisor.
- Authorized resellers. Resellers like Undercover Tourist sell tickets at a small discount. Same nonrefundable terms. No way to bundle with a hotel or apply future Disney offers.
- Annual passes. Disney offers four annual pass tiers. The Disney Incredi-Pass is the only one for out-of-state guests. The other three are for Florida residents or Disney Vacation Club® members. All passholders still need park reservations.
- Military tickets. Discounted tickets for eligible service members through military sales channels.