How to Book Disney Tickets

Booking your Disney World tickets can seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. With so many ticket options and packages available, it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry—this guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step, so you can confidently book your tickets and get excited for your magical vacation!

Step 1: Decide How Many Days You Want to Visit the Parks

Disney World has four main parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The first step is to decide how many days you want to spend at Disney and which parks you want to visit.

• Single-Day Tickets: Good for visiting just one park for one day.
• Multi-Day Tickets: If you’re visiting more than one park over several days, multi-day tickets offer savings the more days you add.

Most families opt for 3 to 5 days to experience all the parks, but the length of your stay will depend on your personal preference.

Step 2: Choose Your Ticket Type

Once you know how many days you’ll be at Disney, it’s time to pick your ticket type. There are three main ticket types:

1. Standard Base Ticket: This ticket allows you to visit one park per day. It’s the most basic and cost-effective option.
2. Park Hopper Ticket: This upgrade allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. You can start in one park in the morning and “hop” to another in the afternoon or evening. This is great if you want flexibility and plan to move between parks.
3. Park Hopper Plus Ticket: This includes everything in the Park Hopper ticket but also gives you access to water parks and other Disney experiences, like mini-golf.

Step 3: Select Your Dates

Disney World now uses a date-based pricing system, which means ticket prices vary depending on the dates you choose. Generally, busier times (like holidays and weekends) are more expensive, while off-peak dates are cheaper.

You’ll need to select the specific dates for your visit when you purchase your tickets. If you’re flexible with your dates, choosing mid-week or off-season times can save you money.

Step 4: Buy Your Tickets on the Official Disney Website

The easiest and safest way to buy Disney World tickets is directly through the official Disney website. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Disney’s Ticketing Page: Head to the official Disney World website and navigate to the “Tickets” section.
2. Select the Number of Days and Ticket Type: Choose how many days you want to visit and select your ticket type (Base, Park Hopper, or Park Hopper Plus).
3. Choose Your Dates: The calendar will display the pricing for each day. Pick the start date of your trip, and if you’re buying multi-day tickets, select the duration.
4. Review Your Selections: Once you’ve selected your tickets, you can review the total cost. Make sure the ticket type, dates, and number of tickets are correct.
5. Purchase and Link to Your Disney Account: After purchasing your tickets, you’ll want to link them to your My Disney Experience account, which is Disney’s app for managing your reservations. This allows you to schedule FastPass+ and make dining reservations.

Step 5: Reserve Park Passes (New Requirement)

Disney World now requires guests to make a Park Pass Reservation for the parks they plan to visit. Even with a valid ticket, you need a reservation to enter the park. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log into My Disney Experience: After you’ve purchased your tickets, log into your Disney account.
2. Select Park Pass Reservations: Go to the “Park Pass Reservation” section of the app or website.
3. Choose Your Dates and Parks: Pick the dates and parks you want to visit based on your ticket type. If you have a Park Hopper, you only need to reserve the first park you’ll visit.
4. Confirm Reservations: Make sure to confirm each reservation for every member of your party.

Step 6: Customize Your Trip with Extras

Now that your tickets are purchased and your Park Passes are reserved, you can customize your Disney experience with extras:

• FastPass+: Reserve ride times in advance (currently paused due to COVID-19 but expected to return).
• Dining Reservations: Make dining reservations 60 days before your trip for popular restaurants like Be Our Guest or Cinderella’s Royal Table.
• Magic Bands: Purchase MagicBands, which are wearable devices that allow you to access your tickets, enter your hotel room, and more.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Magical Disney Vacation!

You’re all set! With your tickets, park reservations, and extras in hand, you’re ready to enjoy your Disney World vacation. Don’t forget to download the My Disney Experience app to manage everything while you’re in the parks.

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Final Tips for First-Time Disney Ticket Buyers:

• Book Early: Disney ticket prices go up over time, so buying tickets early can save you money.
• Check for Special Offers: Sometimes, Disney offers ticket deals for Florida residents, military members, or during special promotions.
• Be Flexible: If you can travel during off-peak times, you’ll enjoy lower prices and fewer crowds.

Booking Disney World tickets might seem daunting at first, but with this step-by-step guide, you’ll find it’s actually pretty simple. Now, get ready for the magic!