Disney World ticket prices are going up, cost will now vary by park
It's the news that would-be Disney guests don't want to hear: Prices for many Disney World tickets are going up.
The previous high watermark for single-day tickets to one park at Disney World was $159 per day, but as of Dec. 8, ticket prices will go as high as $189 for one-day tickets to the Magic Kingdom around the busy Christmas and New Year's time frame.
That's more expensive than a one-day Epic Day Pass that can be used to ski at mountains including Vail, more than entry-level tickets to the Broadway hit "Hamilton" and even more expensive for a family of four than it would be for that same family on a per-night basis for some sailings with Disney Cruise Line.
Along with ticket price increases, Disney is making additional tweaks and adjustments to dining reservations and park pass reservations systems. Here's what you need to know if you're planning a Disney World vacation in the coming months.
Disney World tickets now cost up to $189
Before we get into the new prices, there's an important change in how tickets are priced.
In 2018, Disney introduced variable date pricing where the price of the ticket depends on the day you want to visit. This means peak days cost more and off-peak days cost less. But now, Disney is going to have variable prices not only by date but also by the selected park.
Magic Kingdom will be the most expensive park, which a Disney spokesperson said is because it's the most-visited and in-demand park in the world. This is also the park that will be home to the new Tron-themed ride when it opens in 2023.
Epcot and Hollywood Studios, which have both undergone significant development in recent years, will be the middle-tier parks when it comes to pricing. Animal Kingdom, which has not had any major additions since the Pandora-themed land opened in 2017, will be the most inexpensive park, maintaining its current price range of $109 to $159 per day for one-day, one-park tickets.
The new Disney World ticket price ranges are as follows:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $109 to $159 (same range as today) for one-day, one-park tickets.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $124 to $179 for one-day, one-park tickets.
- Epcot: $114 to $179 for one-day, one-park tickets.
- Magic Kingdom: $124 to $189 for one-day, one-park tickets.
The new park-specific pricing model will take effect for one-day, one-park tickets beginning on Dec. 8, 2022. On that same day, Disney will also update prices for its Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus options as that pricing will now also vary by date rather than be a fixed-cost add-on. Disney did not yet share the details of those pricing changes.
Related: How to use points to purchase Disney tickets
Annual pass sales are still paused, but renewal prices are increasing
For about the last year, Disney World has paused all new annual pass sales other than the $399 Pixie Pass, which comes with date restrictions and is only available to Florida residents.
Disney is continuing that pause on most new annual pass sales, but just as ticket prices are increasing, so too is the cost to renew a pass. Those prices will increase up to $100 per pass on Dec. 8, depending on the type of annual pass being renewed.
The new Disney World annual pass prices are as follows:
- Incredi-Pass: $1,399 (an increase of $100 from $1,299).
- Sorcerer: $969 (an increase of $70 from $899).
- Pirate: $749 (an increase of $50 from $699).
When asked why new annual pass sales are still largely paused, a Disney spokesperson stated that the company is still focused on existing passholders, as they are seeing some of the highest-ever renewal rates from that group.
Related: How much does a Disney World trip really cost?
Park pass reservations are now automatic for 1-day tickets
Now that you'll need to purchase single-day Disney World tickets not only for a specific date but also for a specific park, Disney will automatically make a Park Pass reservation at the time of purchase for that park. These park pass reservations are required in order to visit a park and have been around since Disney reopened in the summer of 2020.
You'll need to continue to make your own Park Pass reservations for multiday tickets and annual pass visits.
Related: What it's like to do Disney on three different budgets
Dining reservations will be more flexible
A piece of good news for travelers who have park plans that sometimes need adjusting on the fly is that, beginning today, Disney dining reservations will now be eligible for penalty-free cancellations and modifications until two hours before the reservation. That's down from a previous 24-hour window to avoid the $10 per person penalty.
In practice, you could often modify dining reservations even within the 24-hour window, but knowing you have the ability to cancel outright until two hours before the reservation is an improvement.
Related: These are the best Disney World restaurants
Bottom line
Disney World was already a very expensive vacation -- one that was already too expensive for many families, especially in the current economic climate.
While the ticket price range for single-day tickets to visit Animal Kingdom will remain unchanged, the cost of other Disney World theme parks is again on the rise.
The theme park juggernaut reports that it's spent more than $31 billion on new experiences for the park guests in the last 10 years in the form of new attractions, festivals and other guest experiences. And indeed, we've seen the addition of multiple new top-tier rides, such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and the transformation of entire parks.
But when you combine this just-announced ticket price increase (and change in the approach to pricing the parks) with the end of the free Magical Express airport transfer at the beginning of this year and the elimination of free FastPass in favor of paid Genie+ and paid individual Lightning Lanes (which just went through their own price increase a few weeks ago), it seems Disney decided it was time for guests to pay up a bit more for all of the new types of magic it created.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.