Everyone’s Disney vacation is unique. You might be the kind of person who likes to see a bit of every park, or you might want to focus on just one location. Maybe it’s your first Disney vacation and you’re ready to visit the classic attractions, or maybe you’re a connoisseur looking forward to branching out to Disney’s water parks and golf courses. Whatever you’re into, getting the most out of your getaway starts with your ticket. Disney provides several ticket options to fit different needs.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the various options so you can discover which will maximize the enchantment. Whatever you choose, remember that Disney® Visa® Credit Cardmembers can take advantage of special vacation financing on select Disney vacation packages that include your tickets.0

Let’s start with the four theme parks of Walt Disney World® Resort:

Magic Kingdom® Park
EPCOT®
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Choose from the two theme parks:
Walt Disney World® Resort
Disneyland® Resort

What are the ticket options at Walt Disney World® Resort?

Walt Disney World® Resort Guests can choose between single-day and multi-day tickets. Both offer extra options for purchase, depending on whether you want to visit one park, multiple parks, or a combination of theme parks and water parks or sports facilities. Here are all the different options, which we’ll explore in detail in the sections below:

  • 1-Day Theme Park Ticket
  • 1-Day Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper® option
  • 1-Day Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper® Plus option
  • 2-Day through 10-Day Base Theme Park Ticket
  • 2-Day through 10-Day Theme Park Ticket with Water Parks and Sports option
  • 2-Day through 10-Day Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper® option
  • 2-Day through 10-Day Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper® Plus option

Keep in mind that Guests ages 10 and up will need an Adult ticket, while those ages 3-9 can purchase a Child ticket. Guests 2 and under don’t require a ticket. And don’t forget that you can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward ticket purchases.0 For pricing and more information, check out the Walt Disney World® Resort tickets page.

Minnie Mouse with guest

How does Lightning Lane work at Walt Disney World® Resort?

Make the most of precious park time with a Lightning Lane Pass! Skip the standby line and join a shorter line for select attractions and experiences instead. A Lightning Lane Single Pass can be purchased for the most in-demand attractions at each of the Walt Disney World® Resort theme parks. Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows Guests to pick three attractions from a more extensive list of offerings and to receive digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos from your day, captured with Disney PhotoPass Service. Lightning Lane Multi Passes and Lightning Lane Single Passes can be purchased in advance of your park visit and allow you to choose attractions and arrival windows. Lightning Lane Passes can be purchased via the My Disney Experience app. Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay — and other Guests can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.

How does Park Hopper® work at Walt Disney World® Resort?

If you want to visit more than one theme park in a day, then the Park Hopper® option is perfect for you. With the Park Hopper® option, you can visit one park in the morning, then head over to a different park until each parks’ regularly scheduled closure. The ability to visit a park is subject to the park’s capacity limitations. Theme park reservations may be required for Annual Passholders and Guests with certain non-dated tickets to enter the first park. After you enter the first park, you’ll be able to visit another theme park. (Learn more about theme park reservations.)

How does Park Hopper® Plus work at Walt Disney World® Resort?

The Park Hopper® Plus option provides you with the same multi-park flexibility but also gives you access to Disney water parks, sports complexes and golf courses. That means you can explore the theme parks and plunge down the Crush ‘n’ Gusher coaster-style raft ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, tee off alongside the canals at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course and let your fandom run wild at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The number of visits you get to Disney water parks and sports complexes corresponds with the length of your ticket. That means a two-day ticket will permit you two visits, a three-day ticket will permit you three visits and so on. For each visit, you can choose one of the following locations:

Couple at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

What is the Water Park and Sports option at Walt Disney World® Resort?

If you’re looking for an active vacation or want to balance water park and sports complex visits with time spent in theme parks, the Water Park and Sports option would be a great idea. While you could use the Park Hopper® Plus to visit two theme parks and a water park or sports complex each day of your vacation, a Water Park and Sports pass permits you to visit one theme park per day. That might be the perfect excuse to slow down a bit or to squeeze in even more fun on the miniature golf course, in the wave pool or watching the game at the sports grill. Just like with the Park Hopper® Plus ticket, the number of days your Water Park and Sports ticket is valid equals the number of visits you can make to the following water parks or sports complexes:

Guests at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

What are the ticket options at the Disneyland® Resort

The Disneyland® Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park. It also has two convenient ticket options that will help you enjoy your visit:

  • 1 Park Per Day Tickets (available for 1-day through 5-day visits)
  • Park Hopper® Tickets (available for 1-day through 5-day visits)

Guests ages 2 and under don’t require a ticket, while those ages 3-9 will require a Child ticket. Everyone ages 10 and up will need an Adult ticket. You can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward Disneyland® Resort ticket purchases, too.0 For more info and to see pricing for upcoming dates, visit the Disneyland® Resort’s ticket calendar.

Donald Duck and family in front of castle

How does the 1 Park Per Day Ticket work at the Disneyland® Resort?

The 1 Park Per Day Ticket is a great option. It can be purchased for anywhere from one to five consecutive days, and each day, it provides you with entrance to one of the two theme parks after making an advance reservation. In Disneyland® Park, you can visit beloved attractions like “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion, plus explore classic destinations like Main Street, U.S.A.® and Tomorrowland. Or head to Disney California Adventure® Park for a thrilling ride on the Incredicoaster, Tinseltown glitz in Hollywood Land and fine dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant.

How does Lightning Lane work at the Disneyland® Resort?

Skip the standby line at some favorite attractions with a Lightning Lane Pass! A Lightning Lane Single Pass allows Guests to pick an arrival window for either Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Disneyland Park) or Radiator Springs Racers (Disney California Adventure® Park). The Multi Pass can be used for a variety of attractions in both theme parks. See the full list of attractions available for Lightning Lane Multi Pass and purchase your pass of choice on the park website.

How does Park Hopper® work at the Disneyland® Resort?

If you want to see both theme parks and split your time, the Park Hopper® ticket is your answer, as it lets you visit both parks on the same day. Just make a reservation for the park you want to go to first and then switch to the other park any time after 11 a.m. Keep in mind that reservations and park entrance are subject to availability and that Park Hopper® hours could change depending on the day and the park, so make sure you check the Park Hours calendar or the Disneyland app for the most up-to-date details.

How do Magic Key passes work at the Disneyland® Resort?

Magic Key passes offer benefits for more frequent visitors to the parks, as they allow entry to one or both theme parks on select or most days of the year, depending on which Magic Key pass is purchased and subject to availability of park reservations allocated to Magic Key passes, applicable pass blockout dates, and the Magic Key Terms and Conditions. The Magic Key passes, which are sold only once per year, are offered in four different variations: The Inspire Key, the Believe Key, the Enchant Key and the Imagine Key. The cost of each varies, as does the level of access to the parks and the level of perks that Magic Key pass holders will hold. For example, the Inspire Key will give holders 20% off select merchandise and 15% off select dining, versus up to 10% in discounts on dining and purchases for the other three Magic Key pass types.

Now that you know the different ticket options for Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort, you’re on your way to planning your dream Disney vacation. As you plan, remember that by using your Disney Visa Card, you can save 10% on most meals, most days at select dining locations within the parks. Be sure to read our Disney Rewards Dining Perks Guide to make a list of all the places you want to eat!00