How To Save Money Using Discounted Disney Park Tickets

Going to Walt Disney World and Disneyland can be expensive, with tickets alone for the average size family setting you back by hundreds of bucks. So buying Disney park tickets for a discount can save you decent amount of money! These are some tips.

Plan in Advance

Plan your vacation days before buying, so you do not purchase a pass with more (or fewer) days' admission than you can really use.

Buy online not at the ticket booth

It's easy to get Disney discount tickets if you purchase them online in advance. The price can be up to $50 per ticket less than what you'd pay at the park gate. You can print the tickets at home or get them in the post.

Disney Specials

At times, Disney offers special rebates. The most typical is adding two additional days to a multi-day ticket absolutely free.

Southern California CityPass

If you are counting on visiting some of Southern California's other tourist attractions during your trip, this one is your best chance. You can get 3-Day Disneyland tickets, tickets for one day each at Universal Studios, SeaWorld and your choice of a ticket to the San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The total discount is about 30%. You should buy the passes online before going, or at the gate of any of the participating attractions.

State resident Disney tickets

If you live in California or Florida, you get special discounted tickets to Disneyland/Walt Disney World.

Stick to One Park a Day

In mid-2011, Disney introduced lower-price tickets called 1-Park A Day. They cost about $15 less than a Park Hopper ticket, with the restriction that when you enter either Disneyland or a Walt Disney World theme park, you can just visit that park for the rest of the day.

Do not buy more tickets than you need

If you aren't going to be visiting one of Disney's waterparks and only want tickets to the theme parks, a regular pass will do just fine without the more pricey options.

Number of days

Many people buy a pass equivalent to the no. of days of their holiday, but the reality is you probably don't need to include your 1st and last day.

Annual Passes

If you'll be making several visits to a Disney park a year, or an extended visit of longer than a week's park hopping, you can consider buying an annual pass instead of a park hopper. Annual pass holders are eligible for some special benefits and discounts above and beyond the park admission.

Adults Pay Kids' Price

Some years, Disney offers discounted pricing for visits from January to early spring, with everyone paying the children' admission charge

Cross Check Resellers' Offers

Check the prices on Disney's website first, before you buy tickets from a reseller so you can be sure that you are really getting a bargain and they are not quoting your"savings" by comparing a multi-day pass price to the price of several individual single day tickets

Keep Clear of Auctions

Some people buy five Day passes, use two or 3 days and attempt to sell the remaining days on web auctions. Nonetheless these tickets state in writing that they are not transferable, and must be used by the same person on all days. Hence obtaining the tickets like this is not recommended.

Free Admission For Volunteer Service

In early 2010, Disneyland offered free theme park ticket for one day as a reward for doing a day of volunteer service. You can keep your eyes open for such offers!

Military Discounts

Active duty, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, and DOD employees can buy Disney tickets at a discount, with the amount dependent on the time of the year. You would need to bring your military ID to show at the gate.

AAA Members

Discounts are sometimes available to members of AAA on multi-day passes, but you've got to buy them at a participating AAA office and not at the park gate or from the Disney website.

Workers of Corporations Sponsoring Disney Attractions

If you work for Coke, General Motors, or another company that sponsors a Disney attraction, or a corporation that contracts with Disney, you can check with your HR dep. for any current discount programs.