News alert, Disney fans: some important changes were recently announced by Walt Disney World regarding how they will price theme park tickets. Beginning October 16th, Walt Disney World theme park tickets will be priced based on the dates guests choose to visit.  What does this mean?  Well, just like we see peak pricing and value pricing for rooms for certain times of the year, we will likely see something similar for theme park tickets.

Here are some additional details:

  • If you are purchasing a 1-Day base ticket, that ticket is valid for admission on the specific start date selected
  • Multi-day (base or park hopper) tickets are valid for admission beginning on the specific start date selected, and it must also be used within a certain time period (or what Disney calls “valid use period”):
    • 2-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 2 days, must be used within 4 days beginning on the start date
    • 3-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 3 days, must be used within 5 days beginning on the start date
    • 4-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 4 days, must be used within 7 days beginning on the start date
    • 5-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 5 days, must be used within 8 days beginning on the start date
    • 6-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 6 days, must be used within 9 days beginning on the start date
    • 7-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 7 days, must be used within 10 days beginning on the start date
    • 8-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 8 days, must be used within 12 days beginning on the start date
    • 9-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 9 days, must be used within 13 days beginning on the start date
    • 10-Day Ticket: provides park entry for any 10 days, must be used within 14 days beginning on the start date
  • If you select the Park Hopper Plus option (which includes visits to Disney Water Parks), then it extends the period of time when you can use your ticket for one day.  For example, if you have a 5-Day Ticket with Park Hopper Plus option, you have valid use for 5 days within 9 days beginning on the selected start date
  • Date-based tickets purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package will have one of the following valid use periods, whichever is longer: (1) the same valid use period described above, OR (2) a valid use period beginning on the package resort arrival date and ending on the package resort check-out date.  For example, if you have a WDW vacation package that includes a 3-Day base ticket and a resort length of stay of 6 nights with an arrival date of October 1, your ticker is valid for park entry for any 3 days from October 1 to October 7.  This is a benefit for resort guests, because if you purchased your 3-Day base ticket separately without a Disney resort stay, you would only have 5 days of valid use for your tickets.
  • If your plans change and you need to change the dates of your ticket, you have the ability to do so.  If the ticket pricing for your new date(s) is higher, then you will be asked to pay the difference in price.
  • If you have already purchased tickets for your upcoming Disney vacation, don’t worry – your tickets have the same terms and conditions that you had at the original time of purchase.  These new changes will not affect any tickets already purchased prior to October 16th.

Disney has made this video to show more about the ticket changes.

With that, let me turn it over to you, our dear readers.  What do you think about these changes to ticket pricing at Walt Disney World?  Sound off in the comments below!

With so many new attractions and entertainment to look forward to, it really is a great time to plan a visit to Walt Disney World.  If you are thinking about planning a vacation to Disney, contact me at [email protected] or (920) 526-0809.  As the resident travel agent for Guide2WDW, it is my job to make sure you get a great deal when you travel and also give you the latest tips and tricks to make the most out of your vacation!  Contact me for a FREE quote today!