Starting October 16th, 2018, Walt Disney World will be switching to a date-based pricing model for both single and multi-day theme park tickets, with prices affected by the start date when the guest chooses to visit the theme parks. These prices are set in advance and will not fluctuate like airline prices. Basically, certain days are more or less expensive based on the perceived demand.
Below is a video Disney has released with details on the new website and pricing system:
A few years ago, Disney introduced single-day tickets with prices that differed based on season and park choice, but a date-based model priced on guest demand is a first for Walt Disney World. Tickets related to a particular park will be retired as part of these changes, so there will be no more 1-day Magic Kingdom-only tickets offered. Everything is back to one price.
“This approach to pricing tickets by date is modeled off of consumer demand and is part of our effort to better distribute attendance throughout the year to improve the Guest experience.”
Under the new system, 1-Day base tickets are valid for admission on the specific start date selected. Multi-day tickets are valid for admission beginning on the start date selected and must be used within a limited time period, as indicated below:
| Ticket Duration | Valid Use Period |
| 1-Day Ticket | Only the start date selected |
| 2-Day Ticket | Any 2 days within 4 days beginning on the start date |
| 3-Day Ticket | Any 3 days within 5 days beginning on the start date |
| 4-Day Ticket | Any 4 days within 7 days beginning on the start date |
| 5-Day Ticket | Any 5 days within 8 days beginning on the start date |
| 6-Day Ticket | Any 6 days within 9 days beginning on the start date |
| 7-Day Ticket | Any 7 days within 10 days beginning on the start date |
| 8-Day Ticket | Any 8 days within 12 days beginning on the start date |
| 9-Day Ticket | Any 9 days within 13 days beginning on the start date |
| 10-Day Ticket | Any 10 days within 14 days beginning on the start date |
A flexible dates option add on will give guests more time to spread out visits for an additional cost.
Tickets purchased before the start of this new model will not be effected. Various WDW ticket prices are also expected to increase on this day as well, but that has not been announced as of yet.
They really are limiting the time between when your tickets “expire” as well. I believe it is 14 days from first use currently. Makes it harder to go over to Universal for a few days and still make good use of a 3 day Disney ticket.
How do you see this working with hotel ticket packages? Do you know if AP rates will also be going up? Thanks.
Will you still be able to buy (slightly) discounted tickets from reputable sellers, or will now WDW be the only place to buy tickets?
What is a reputable seller?
I usually buy tickets from Undercover Tourist
I can’t speak for them, but any travel agent=y type thing shouldn’t change.
I used to go to Disney about two to three times per year and did so for about 5 years. Prior to that we were once a year visitors. We are DVC owners, have owned annual passes and all sorts of other things. We stopped going about a year and a half ago because of the constant price increases and nickel and diming. Our next visit to Orlando will be for Harry Potter at Universal, I was considering doing some Disney then as well but likely won’t as the cost is just too high compared to years gone by. A shame really, Disney still gets our money, our previous trip was on a Disney Cruise, and our next trip is to Aulani, but our next trip to WDW won’t likely be until Star Wars opens and after that we will likely only go upon major new openings. This hardly seems like a trend Disney really wants to start seeing as it takes them forever and costs a ton of money to accomplish these major projects. I guess it doesn’t really stop at WDW, I didn’t feel like the Disney Cruise really gave enough value for the cost compared to the competition, and if I didn’t have DVC I likely wouldn’t be staying at Aulani either. Wouldn’t be surprised if when Frozen 2 comes out there is a surcharge added onto the tickets to see it in the theatres because Disney knows people will pay it anyway
Cool story, bro.
Put simply, if you don’t feel that you are getting enough value for your money, you should go elsewhere. But, if you’re simply trying to “hurt Disney”, let me be the bearer of bad news…for every person that refuses to go due to some hissy fit over pricing, 3 more will take your place. Hail Hydra…err, Hail Disney!! :D
I understood that reference.
How rude! I did not read that anyone was trying to hurt Disney, nor did I read anything that was remotely close to a hissy fit. What I did read was a normal reaction to news of more Disney price gauging. Oh, and your extremely juvenile reply…
Oh I’m sure this will go over well!
Does this mean Star Wars Land will be open in October 2019?
Oh give me a break.
Poor form Disney…shame.
Why do people continue to eagerly fork over their money? We stopped 4 years ago, and it’s almost laughable by today’s standards.
And yet here you are….
Not as laughable as the fact that you still follow the place on this website and comment about it. Having a hard time moving on?
Everything will be fine.
The complaining about this by people is pathetic & ridiculous………….but hilarious.
I wish they would really stop going to WDW as they threaten.
But they won’t, they’ll still be in line right in front of me.
My husband and I were just at Universal at the beginning of this month and I feel this is very similar to universal’s calendar that pops up on it’s website when selecting tickets. Also, it says based on customer demand, so theoretically it should control the overcrowding in the parks, as more tickets are purchased (either in real time or based on historical data), the higher the purchase price goes and maybe dissuades more people from going on those busier days. I agree, I wish they’d keep the expires 14 days from first use rule they have now.
Is there going to be a max ticket price? Planning to be at Disney on Christmas day 2019 and not sure what to expect now. Should I go ahead and buy tickets now before they change?
Christmas is one of the busiest days of the year and will definitely be the highest tier pricing. If you can buy the ticket now I think that would be a smart move.
Am I reading this right, that EVERY ticket will get you into all parks, like a park hopper? We are going in the end of January, which is one of the slowest times for Disney. Should we buy tickets before the changes, or wait until after since it will be a slow time?
Buy your tickets before.
Any idea if the annual passes will change prices as well?