It is possible to buy tickets directly at Disney World, but it is not always the best option. There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to purchase Disney World tickets on-site or beforehand.
Buying Tickets at Disney World
Tickets can be purchased at the main entrance to any of the four Disney World theme parks in Orlando, Florida – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tickets are sold at ticket windows and automated kiosks just outside each park’s entrance.
Tickets can also be purchased at Disney Springs, the shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located outside of the Disney World parks. There is a dedicated ticket booth at the Marketplace section of Disney Springs.
The four Disney World theme parks offer 1-day tickets, which allow access to one park for the entire day. Prices for 1-day tickets at Disney World currently range from $109-$159 for adults and $104-$154 for children ages 3-9, depending on the date and park.
In addition to single day tickets, Disney World offers multi-day tickets that allow access to the parks for 2-10 days. These offer a discounted per-day rate compared to purchasing single day tickets. For example, a 4-day ticket currently costs $447-$597 for adults and $435-$585 for children. Prices vary based on start date and length of ticket.
Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus options can also be added to multi-day tickets, allowing visitation to multiple parks per day.
Benefits of Buying Tickets On-Site
There are a few potential benefits to purchasing Disney World tickets at the parks:
- Immediate ticket in hand – No need to wait for shipping or pickup
- Ability to upgrade or add options on the spot
- Customer service reps on-site for questions
- Can take advantage of any last minute discounts or specials
Buying tickets on-site ensures you will have the exact ticket types, dates, and options you want without having to finalize plans far in advance. It also allows you to take advantage of any last minute deals or price reductions that may be offered.
Downsides to Buying On-Site
There are also some potential downsides to purchasing Disney World tickets at the parks:
- May face long lines/wait times at ticket booths
- No ability to take advantage of discounts offered to advance purchasers
- Full gate price tickets only – no third party specials or deals
- Must finalize all plans on the spot
Disney World’s ticket booths can often have long lines, especially during peak seasons. This could cut into park time on your first day. You also may miss out on discounts or hotel/ticket package deals only offered in advance online or through third party sellers like Undercover Tourist.
Buying Tickets in Advance Online
Disney World tickets can be purchased directly online through Disney in advance of your trip. Tickets are delivered electronically and can be linked to your My Disney Experience account to enter parks.
Benefits of advance online purchase:
- Avoid on-site lines
- Access to discounts and special offers
- Lock in pricing in advance
- Flexibility in trip planning
Disney frequently offers special discounts on multi-day tickets and hotel/ticket packages if purchased in advance online. There are also exclusive ticket discounts offered to groups like military members and Florida residents when booked online.
Advance planning allows time to take advantage of the best discounts and coordinate all trip details.
Should You Buy in Advance Online?
For most Disney World travelers, purchasing park tickets online in advance is recommended. Potential savings, trip flexibility, and convenience make it the best option in most cases.
Some instances when buying on-site may be better:
- Very last minute trip planning – online may not be possible
- Want the absolute flexibility of choosing options on the spot
- Interested in upgrade offers that require in-person purchase
Even with a last minute trip, purchasing online in advance is still possible as long as there is time to receive the emailed ticket confirmation. Disney tickets do not sell out.
Where to Buy Disney World Tickets Online
Disney World tickets can be purchased directly through Disney online. Some other popular places to purchase discounted advance tickets include:
- Undercover Tourist – Authorized Disney ticket reseller with excellent prices and reputation.
- OrlandoTix – Authorized low cost Disney tickets with payment plans available.
- Park Savers – Deeply discounted tickets and packages.
- Maple Leaf Tickets – Canadian ticket provider with deals for Disney.
Purchasing directly through Disney or an authorized ticket reseller ensures authentic tickets that will have everything linked in your Disney account correctly.
How Much Do Disney World Tickets Cost?
Here are the current approximate costs for common Disney World ticket types:
Ticket Type | Adult Price | Child Price |
---|---|---|
Magic Kingdom 1-Day Ticket | $124 – $179 | $119 – $174 |
Epcot 1-Day Ticket | $114 – $179 | $109 – $174 |
Animal Kingdom 1-Day Ticket | $114 – $159 | $109 – $154 |
Hollywood Studios 1-Day Ticket | $124 – $179 | $119 – $174 |
4-Day Base Ticket | $447 – $597 | $435 – $585 |
4-Day Park Hopper Ticket | $597 – $747 | $585 – $735 |
6-Day Park Hopper Ticket | $734 – $884 | $722 – $872 |
8-Day Park Hopper Ticket | $806 – $956 | $794 – $944 |
10-Day Park Hopper Ticket | $894 – $1044 | $882 – $1032 |
Ticket pricing is tiered based on demand. Peak periods around holidays and summer have higher prices. Advance purchase can provide significant discounts off gate prices.
Do Disney World Tickets Expire?
Unused Disney World tickets expire 14 days after the first day they are used. The expiration applies to the total number of unused days, not the specific ticket.
For example, if a 5-day ticket has 3 days unused, those 3 days will expire 14 days after the first 2 days are used, regardless of which days were visited.
Partially unused tickets can be upgraded to extend the usage window in some cases. Unused value can also be applied to the purchase of a new ticket.
Do Disney Ticket Prices Increase Each Year?
Disney World has increased ticket prices almost every year for the past several decades. Typical increases are between 3-7%, though larger jumps do occasionally occur.
2022 increases saw a rise of between 2-6% for most tickets. Multi-day tickets increased less than one-day tickets.
While there are sometimes unannounced increases throughout the year, the largest price changes typically happen once a year in early spring. Purchasing tickets in advance locks in the price before any increases.
How Can I Get the Cheapest Disney Tickets?
These tips can help get the cheapest possible tickets for Disney World:
- Buy multi-day tickets to get the lowest per-day costs
- Purchase advance tickets online for exclusive discounts
- Book hotel and ticket packages or room add-ons for bundling deals
- Check for special discounts offered to groups/Florida residents
- Avoid peak holiday dates when tickets are most expensive
- Consider reseller ticket sites for discounts vs Disney direct prices
- Join fan blogs for access to authorized ticket discounts and deals
Being flexible with dates and trip details makes it easier to take advantage of the best ticket pricing. Last minute trips usually come at a higher cost.
Conclusion
While it is possible to purchase Disney World tickets on-site at the parks in Orlando, most guests will save time and money by buying tickets in advance online.
Online sellers offer exclusive discounts, trip package deals, and convenience compared to buying tickets at Disney World. Advance planning also allows time to take advantage of the best offers and pricing.
Buying tickets on-site may work for some last-minute planners or those wanting maximum flexibility. But for most people, getting Disney tickets online beforehand is the cheapest and easiest option.