How to Save on Disney World Tickets

The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom

The cost of Walt Disney World theme park tickets takes a big chunk out of vacation budgets. While the Disney parks in Orlando provide top-notch entertainment not found anywhere else, the high price can keep budget-minded travelers away. While you're unlikely to ever find Disney tickets significantly discounted, there are ways to pay less.

Instructions

1. Buy your Disney tickets from a ticket broker, like Ticket Mania or Undercover Tourist. These companies offer slightly lower prices and the discount goes up when you buy multi-day tickets. Tickets are sold in 1 to 10 day increments. There are extra charges for no expiration tickets and park hopper tickets. Park hopper tickets allow you to visit more than one park in a day. Annual passes are also available.

2. Call your local AAA office and ask if they offer discounts on Walt Disney World Tickets. Your AAA office might not offer all types of tickets for sale, but it is worth checking with them just in case they might be able to provide the type of ticket you are looking for.

3. Buy a 10-day ticket with the no expiration option if you plan to vacation at the resort again. Use five days for one trip and five days for the next (or whatever combination of days you want.) While spending all that money might not seem like a good savings strategy, you are protected against the cost of future price increases when you buy a ticket at today's prices. Also, the cost per day goes down with each day that you add to your ticket so that buying two five-day tickets would cost more than one ten-day ticket.

4. Check with your base if you are a member of the military. Discounted Walt Disney World tickets may be available to you.

5. Give thanks for taking that job at the Disney World sponsor. If you work for a major corporation that is a Disney World sponsor, you may be eligible for a discount on tickets. Check with your Human Resources Department.

6. Attend a timeshare presentation, but be prepared for high pressure sales tactics. Many Orlando hotel chains offer park tickets in exchange for sitting through timeshare sales presentations. At least 90 minutes of your time is required and if you are married, your spouse is required to attend the presentation. If you don't mind a hard sell, and are prepared to say "No" at least twenty times, this may be a way for you to obtain free tickets.

Tips & Warnings

• A variety of discounted Disney tickets are offered for Florida residents. Proof of residency is required for purchase.

• Resist the urge to buy tickets on eBay, despite the great prices. While the ticket offers may sound perfectly legitimate, there is no way to tell if a ticket you have purchased actually has any days left on it until you visit the parks.

Resources

• Ticket Mania
• Undercover Tourist