Ticket prices have increased at Disney World — here's how to pay the old rates if you act quickly
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the latest information.
It’s that time of year — Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, the dreary dead of winter and … Disney ticket price increases.
Unofficially, February has become known as the month of Disney ticket price increases. And, likely surprising very few, Disney ticket prices have been on an upward pricing trend since basically forever.
Disneyland kept fans on their toes and increased prices in Oct. 2021, the first increase since just before the park closed for more than a year due to COVID-19. According to the Los Angeles Times, ticket prices for the California-based park went up between 3 and 8 percent, depending on when you visit and the length of your stay. Parking rates increased a full 20 percent.
Disney World, on the other hand, fell in line with historical norms and just released new ticket prices on Feb. 16, 2022.
In our tests, prices for one to three-day one-park tickets and one and two-day multi-park tickets remain unchanged, but all other ticket types saw an increase.
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How to beat the ticket price increase -- temporarily
These sorts of price increases take immediate effect when buying tickets and passes directly from Disney. However, you can usually beat the increases for a short period of time by buying currently available stock from authorized third-party sites, such as Get Away Today and Undercover Tourist.
You can usually save a few dollars buying certain types of tickets via these sites anyway, but the savings are even more pronounced just after a price increase.
Undercover Tourist reports that it’s selling Disney World tickets at reduced (aka old) prices while supplies last. You can save up to $131 by acting quickly before their old stock is sold.
For example, an adult four-day (one park per day) ticket to Disney World valid beginning Jun. 1, 2022, is available via Undercover Tourist for $471.54 all-in. The same ticket bought today directly from Disney World is $484.15. Some differences are relatively small as in that example while others are larger.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, also factor in that you should be able to use your $300 annual travel credit with Undercover Tourist. Additionally, you can use your Capital One Venture miles at a fixed 1 cent each from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, whereas tickets bought by themselves directly from Disney often code as entertainment, not travel.
Related: How to use points to buy Disney tickets
Bottom line
If you have a trip to Disney World on the near-term horizon, price out the tickets you want both directly with Disney and with third parties such as Get Away Today and Undercover Tourist and lock in something quickly if you can save some money by scooping up tickets at the pre-increase rates.
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| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
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Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees