Travel Guides Family Friendly Disney
Nicole Cord-Cruz
Disney’s amusement parts are known to be the happiest places on earth, but they’re also one of the most expensive. A USA Today analysis found that a family of four would have to fork over nearly $1,500 if they wanted to spend three days at Disney World during peak season, like Labor Day weekend.
But a spokesperson for the parks assured that the prices are well justified and go toward improving your overall experience. “Guests who come to our theme parks enjoy their own unique experience they can’t find anywhere else in the world. We offer the best attractions and entertainment that connects them to their favorite Disney stories in ways they will remember for their entire lives,” the unnamed spokesperson told USA Today.
Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks’ experiences and products chairman, asserted that they are continuously trying to offer more flexible options to visitors. “I want to make sure there are as many choices presented to you as simply as they can be,” he shared with The Points Guy, adding that, of course, they can’t meet everyone’s expectations. “I’ll repeat the same thing I said before: We don’t always get it right.”
With Disney tickets getting prohibitively expensive, you may be more inclined to find ways to score savings. You won’t be able to do that by heading over to the official Disney channels, though. For higher chances of savings, it’s worth considering third-party sellers, too.
Buying through third-party sellers can score you savings
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If you’re a California or Florida resident, you’re in luck. Since Disney parks are located in these states, discounts are regularly offered to its residents, so you just have to wait and be on the lookout to see if there are any offers available.
On the flip side, if you live outside these states, you have to do a bit of research to secure the best possible deal. You may find better luck shopping from third-party resellers like Orlando Fun Tickets, aResTravel, or even Costco Travel, as these sites typically offer discounts on multiday park tickets. For instance, a 2-day Park Hopper ticket for a single adult may require you to fork over $395 on the Disney website, but if you purchase from aResTravel, you can get the same pass for $383. It may not be much of a discount in the grand scheme of things, but every little bit counts, considering how food and merchandise at Disney cost a ton, too.
If you’re after tickets to Disney Cruises, coordinating with travel agents may also result in paying less, since these companies often have official tie-ups with Disney. This allows them to offer special rates to guests.
In case you’re apprehensive about buying through third parties, another trick is to buy Disney tickets using gift cards. Credit cards like the Target RedCard can save you 5% on these gift cards, so it’s worth checking with your credit card provider for such offers.
Think twice about doing the same for special events
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It’s a different story when it comes to buying tickets to Disney after-hour events, however. In June 2023, there was such high demand for tickets to Disney’s annual Oogie Boogie Bash that resellers capitalized on the frenzy and peddled resale tickets on platforms like Craigslist, eBay, and other ticketing sites for way more. The Orange County Register reported that regular tickets that are usually sold at $139 to $183 a pop were sold as much as $750 on these third-party sites.
There’s no overstating how you should avoid falling for these traps, no matter how desperate you are for tickets. In case you’re not aware, Disney has a strict rule that tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold, so there is always a chance that the ticket you bought at a sky-high price may end up being voided. As with every purchase, it’s always important to do your due diligence when buying. Plan Disney recommends buying only from authorized resellers, and in the chance that you come across a company claiming to be one but offering tickets with prices that are too good to be true (i.e. anything more than a 15% discount), well, they probably are.
