Ticket Price Increase at Disney World & Disneyland
Disney’s annual park ticket price increase occurred overnight for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. In this post, we’ll share some details about the new prices, and offer tips for what you can do today to beat the increase. (Last updated February 19, 2018.)
Even though the price increase occurred, the good news is that you don’t just have to throw your hands up in the air in defeat. A handful of third party ticket sellers still have inventory of tickets at their discounted “2017” prices. For Walt Disney World, we recommend buying via Get Away Today, which still has a limited inventory of tickets at the old prices. (If/when they sell out, you might be able to find what you need at ParkSavers for similar prices.)
For the “old” prices on Disneyland tickets, the best option is also Get Away Today. As with Walt Disney World tickets, ParkSavers also has Disneyland tickets at the old prices. With either of these sellers, you’ll save significantly over direct-from-Disney prices, especially if you buy today, after the price increase. We’ve been advised that this inventory will likely sell out by the end of the day on February 20, 2018.
As predicted, prices increased across the board overnight on February 11, 2018. Walt Disney World raised the prices of its 4-day by $50 and the 5-day ticket to jump by $45. Shorter duration ticket price increased were more modest by comparison, with 1-day tickets increasing by $2 to $5 depending upon the park and season.
The biggest increase in 1-day tickets occurred with the Magic Kingdom 1-day ticket increasing by $5 to $129 before tax. Hopefully, if you’re reading this you’re primarily purchasing multi-day tickets or Annual Passes, as those 1-day tickets offer the worst bang for your buck–which was true even before this price increase.
The most noteworthy detail from the price increase is Disney’s statement that there are plans for “extending pre-published, date-specific pricing to multi-day tickets [to] further advance our efforts to spread attendance throughout the year.”
While that statement is sufficiently vague for this plan to take several forms, it sounds a lot like Walt Disney World is finally going to introduce some form of seasonal pricing for multi-day tickets, as they did for single-day tickets a couple of years ago. (Hence use of the word “extending.”) Honestly, we’re surprised this hasn’t happened sooner, and it makes complete sense that they’d roll this out before the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Given that the plan is to introduce this “pre-published, date-specific” pricing later this year, it sounds like a second price increase might be in store for later in 2018. Rarely does Disney tinker with pricing to reduce costs. More likely, the new “Value Season” pricing for multi-day tickets would be the current (new) prices, with Regular and Peak Season pricing increasing from that baseline.
This presents yet another reason to buy now at sellers where you can find the “old” pricing to avoid having to deal with tiered pricing for multi-day tickets. You can comparison shop the third parties to see which are cheapest if you’d like; the ones we recommend as being both safe and inexpensive are ParkSavers, Get Away Today, Official Ticket Center or Undercover Tourist.
If you missed this update yesterday and are considering the purchase of an Annual Pass now that the price increase has occurred, you should follow our Tips for Ticket Bridging Annual Passes. Prices for Annual Passes increased by the largest margins, and the only way to save on these now is via ticket bridging.
Disneyland Annual Pass price increases were especially brutal, with the Signature Pass going up by $150. As we’ve reported, Disneyland is using its Annual Pass pricing to thin crowds and deal with its parking shortage.
The Annual Passholder “situation” in California is a delicate balance. Disneyland relies much more heavily on locals during the off-season, but the AP population is so large that it causes serious over-crowding issues on days when lower tiers are not blocked out.
In short, Disneyland still needs Annual Passholders, but it needs them to visit on weekdays during the months of the year when tourists don’t flock to California. As we’ve written in the past, expect this “need” of Annual Passholders to change once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens.
Ultimately, you can view all of the large spikes in pricing as a precursor to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This new land is going to be a game-changer, and it’s the big reason why there is no pontificating about a “middle class breaking point” where you might expect one in a post about Disney raising ticket prices by such large amounts of money. The sad reality is that, regardless of how many guests Disney prices out, there will be more than enough people eager to take their place once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens.
This new land is effectively a license to print money for Disney. Even though it’s over a year away at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Disney is starting to prepare for the unprecedented crowds those lands will attract. This is particularly true with Annual Pass pricing, as whatever changes Disney might need to implement with those requires advance-planning given the AP’s duration.
It’s still difficult to predict how Disney will handle the huge surge of crowds that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will draw, but it certainly would not surprise us to see 2 more price increases before the opening of the land. With its opening likely to be late 2019 in Florida, it would be reasonable for those to occur next February and July or August.
However, it’s not outside the realm of possibilities for 3 additional increases, with another one this July or August, too. Later this year or next year, it also wouldn’t surprise us to see monthly payments eliminated, more blockouts, and/or parking removed from all but the Signature Plus Passport.
The addition of another pricing ‘season’ for the first month or so that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open, pricing for Disney’s Hollywood Studios that exceeds even Magic Kingdom, and a slew of pre-grand opening Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge hard ticket events, among other things, all seem likely. Of course, none of these things impact you today…we’re just speculating so you can mentally brace yourself for the sticker shock that will undoubtedly occur next year.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of this ticket price increase? Will you be buying today to avoid the price surge? What are your preferred type of tickets to get? Do you recommend Park Hopper or other add-ons? Do you have an Annual Pass? Any tips or tricks of your own to add? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
With Get Away Today, do I have to go to the ticket booth to pick up a voucher or will I get a ticket emailed or mailed to me?
Just went to get my annual passes today and when I go to the shopping cart the new prices are reflected. 924 for signature :'(
That sucks. It says 849 and when I select it, it goes up to $924
I just bought mine. It’s $924 with Maxpass add on. If you take that off, it should go back to $849.
My question is, what are the odds of MaxPass going up in cost?
Will the military ticket prices go up now also?
Are the tickets at Get away today considered will-call tickets or will actual tickets be mailed?
If I bought an annual pass today but didn’t go to the parks for a few more months would my year start today or the first day I went to the parks?? Thanks!!
It starts when you activate it, when you are physically in the parks. You could wait years to activate it. I bought mine today, but I won’t activate them until I am in the parks next year.
https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney.go.com/question/long-activate-annual-pass-342542/
I bought mine today, and it said only valid through Feb 10th, 2019.
Were you renewing or buying new tickets? Was it Disney World or Disneyland? Mine were new Disney World Platinum Annual Passes. They expire December 31, 2030.
Does anyone know yet whether or not the WDW weekday annual pass pricing will increase? TY!
Just wanted to let you know that you do an awesome job and have a great website! This is by far the best one i’ve found out there. Planning my 2nd WDW trip for November with my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Also looking ahead to going for the big 50th in 2021!!! Thanks for all the hard work you do to keep us informed!!
Hi Tom,
We are travelling over from Australia in May this year. Bought our 5 day hopper tickets last night. Thanks for the heads up on price increases. Makes a big difference when converting the Aus dollar to US!!
Can I ask your opinion on accommodation. We’ve narrowed it down to 3- Fairfield, Hyatt House & courtyard Marriott. Fairfield is obviously the closest but as a family I like the kitchen & sitting area at Hyatt House. Ive read your reviews. Is the Hyatt that much further of a walk? It only looks to be 1 Block.
The distance can look deceiving, but it’s also across the Harbor/Katella intersection, and that’s a looong light.
The Courtyard Marriott is probably the best compromise in terms of added space and being closer to the parks. However, if you don’t mind a bit of a walk, the Hyatt House is great, too. Of those you’ve listed, the Fairfield would be my last choice.
Sorry to bother, but Hyatt House is wonderful. Me and my family (there is 6 of us) Love staying there. The walk is a little farther, but my kids never seem to mind. We have stayed many places, but Hyatt House is worth the price for space & the breakfast. Enjoy your trip.
I cannot get the DISNEYTOURIST code to work either… ):
Same. Does not work as all caps or lowercase.
Hmm…when I add tickets to my cart, it works for me. Which tickets are you attempting to purchase?
I want to get the 3 day ticket one park a day
For Walt Disney World?
I have booked a bounce back free dining for 2018 in 2017. If I made change to my ticket after today, will it subject to the increase price. (for example: change from 4 days to 5 days and add park hopper plus)
WHEW!!!! Tom, I started following your blog around 2 years ago when I was booking our family’s first trip to WDW in Florida. So many tips and tricks from your blog made it an INCREDIBLE TRIP. Used DVC Rental Store for a villa at Bay Lake Tower, and Get Away Today for Park Tickets. Spent hours reading your blogs to set up our ADR and Fastpass + selections. THANK YOU!!! We are going back in October 2018, and since it is so far away, I don’t look at your Blog regularly. THANKFULLY, I happened to look today and jumped on tickets from Get Away Today before the price increase tomorrow. You and Sarah have quite the tough job traveling to Disney and reporting, but hey, someone has to do it, right???
Do you know if I buy a 5-day park hopper ticket through Get Away Today, would the ticket be upgradable to an annual passport when I’m there, if I decide I want to do get a passport instead?
We just upgraded tickets we had bought from ParkSavers to Annual Passes a few days ago and had no trouble at all.
Correct. However, you’d really be better off making that decision now if you can, as the amount you’ll save on buying an Annual Pass today is going to be more significant.
If you can’t decide yet whether an AP is right for you, buying regular tickets now is a good way to hedge your bets and at least save something, though.
If you buy an AP voucher today, when is the latest date it can be activated??
WhY am I an author?? Ha ha oops!!
That’s a dumb glitch I can’t figure out how to fix. It happens a lot. :/
Thanks. I just can’t decide whether to commit to an AP. I know I’ll be there 5 days in August. But a November trip is only tentative, and would be only either 2-3 days. So I’m not sure it’s worth the risk? Which is why I’m thinking 5 day ticket for sure. Is either Get Away Today and Parksavers better than the other? I notice Parksavers charges $2 convenience fee.
What they need to do is quit giving so . Cal a cheaper pass…they should give a break to people who live farther away. I have been pass holders for close to 10 years and we arent renewing. It’s stupid busy from all the locals who think its their play ground. Disney will not care what their guests think. And i dont think this star wars thing is going to last…not like cars land.
“And i dont think this star wars thing is going to last…not like cars land.”
I’m not sure I’d bet against the franchise that has been going strong for several decades, and continues to be huge at the box office. 😉
I tried using the DISNEYTOURIST promo code at Get Away Today and it says it’s invalid 🙁
Cassie, I just used that promo code at Get Away Today and it did work.
I genuinely find it hard to understand why Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will be so very popular, especially after the initial surge wears off. The implication (for it to have the impact on crowd levels described) is that the visitors will be people obsessed with the franchise, but with no existing interest in theme parks or the Disney brand in general.
Now, undoubtedly it will draw in new fans to the Disney product by giving them a reason to visit, but I would suggest that anyone “obsessed” with Star Wars would surely have visited already in the recent past, what with the endless SW overlays, shows etc that are going on at all Disney parks worldwide; they’ll doubtless visit again but GE feels unlikely to change those people’s attitudes toward Disney (regardless of whether they love or hate it at the moment).
I think Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a slam dunk, especially given the amounts being spent on it, and the level of detail. This is Disney’s Harry Potter, except with a franchise that has another generation of fans.
With that said, it’s not just about Star Wars fans–it’s about everyone who forks over money to see Star Wars films in theaters, which is a good chunk of the United States. Between Disney’s actual marketing, pop culture websites (not like this one–mainstream ones), and word of mouth, Disney is going to attract a huge audience with SW:GE.
I could very well be wrong (and honestly, I hope I am), but I think Star Wars is going to lead to a significant, sustained bump in crowds.
This may sound crazy but, Disneyland should make appointments to go to park. Limit crowd size mostly in the best months. Make the park safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
LOL they were trying to with tiered passes. But you are totally on to something. I just made my appointment for Thanksgiving! Wouldn’t it be amazing if you had to get online and choose your visits beforehand and they could cap it? Maybe stop selling vacations through 3rd party sites and only be able to book at Disneyland.com. There are so many things they could do differently to cut crowds that they haven’t tried yet.
If I buy an annual pass today and more block out dates are added later, will my pass be blocked or will I get those dates because I bought when they weren’t blocked out?
This! I am sure you’d be grandfathered in but who knows?!
I haven’t dug into the terms and conditions of Disney’s park tickets, but as a matter of law, they’d have a very tough time changing the contractual terms after the fact. If blockout dates were to change, it’d most likely be accomplished via introducing a new version of an Annual Pass (or even an “A” or “B” version) and creating a new blockout calendar.
Universal Studios Hollywood did this a couple of years ago; I’m actually surprised Disney has done something like this to have more granular control over crowds.
So what’s the break between renewing my Disneyland Signature and buying a new one today? Would it be cheaper just to renew and get the small discount? Also if I buy new signature, and they keep the grandfathered parking for some reason, I will miss out on parking. These day the park presents events that almost demand an annual pass. Lunar New Year, Egg Hunt, Food and Wine, Halloween time. They build it so u come back often (around 7 times a year if u like to come for events, especially multiple food and wine days). So it’s a bipolar relationship. We want your money but we don’t want you.
If you buy today (whether renewal or new voucher), you’re getting grandfathered in on whatever the terms are when you purchase. You won’t lose parking either way.
We have So Cal passes w/parking because we keep renewing. If we upgrade to the Deluxe pass when we renew will we be able to keep the parking also?
I have an AP for WDW that expires in April. I was planning on buying another AP around July (not a renewal) as I won’t be going back before July and it will allow me to fit in an additional trip next year. Can I buy a voucher today even though I already have an AP, and it won’t count as a renewal?
I don’t know if it will work online, but you should be able to do this at the ticket kiosks.
If I book a vacation through Disney today and pay the $200 deposit to lock in ticket prices before they increase, and then I modify my reservation later when new discounts come out, will the ticket prices adjust to the higher prices once I modify?
In the past, ticket prices have increased if you apply a promotion. (For example, those who booked a hotel stay last January that coincided with Free Dining ended up paying the increased ticket price once the Free Dining promo was released and applied to their package.)
I have heard of some situations where people claim to have been able to get Disney to honor the old ticket prices, but that’s not the official policy. (And I’m a bit skeptical that Disney would even do it absent some pretty big extenuating circumstances.)
That’s what I figured. Thanks for the info! holding out for a unique offer code for early Sept.!