Date Based Ticketing Coming to Walt Disney World

In a move that had been highly rumored for months, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida introduced date based ticketing today.  Here's what we know:

What is Date Based Ticketing? -Instead of paying one set price to enter any of Walt Disney World's four theme parks, your price will vary depending on when you go.  Busier times of year (think school breaks and the holidays) are more popular times of the year to go to WDW, so those tickets will be more expensive.  If you travel during a less crowded time of year, those tickets will be less expensive.  This is a system that has been in place at Disneyland Resort in California for single-day tickets for some time now.

Disneyland Resort already has date-based ticketing

What about Multi-Day Tickets? -The date based ticketing will also apply to multi-day tickets.  So your three day park hopper ticket will vary in price depending on the time of year you travel.  You must also select the time-frame in which you plan to use your ticket when that ticket is purchased.

When do these tickets expire? -For years, park tickets to WDW expired 14 days after the first use.  That is no longer the case.  The amount of time you have to use your ticket depends on the length of the ticket.  Single day tickets are only valid for the date selected.  Two and Three day Tickets expire after the length of the ticket plus two days.  (So a 3 day ticket can be used any 3 days within 5 days of the start date).  Four, Five, Six, and Seven day tickets expire after the length of the ticket plus 3 days.  (A 7 day ticket is good for any 7 days within 10 days of the start date).  Eight, Nine, and Ten day tickets expire after the length of the ticket plus 4 days.  (A ten day ticket is good for 14 days beginning on the start date). 

What if I Change My Dates? -You will be able to modify your tickets prior to the ticket start date. If the ticket is changed to a higher priced date or dates, you will have to pay the difference in price.  There will be no refunds to changes to lower priced dates.

I'm Buying Tickets with a Walt Disney Travel Company Package...Is there Anything Different -Date-based tickets purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package (these are the packages I sell as a Travel Agent) will have the same use period described above OR a valid use period beginning on the package resort arrival date and ending on the package resort check out date.  For Example: a guest who purchases a Walt Disney Travel Company package with a 3 day ticket ans a resort length of stay of 6 nights with an arrival date of Nov 1 ticket is valid any 3 days from Nov 1-Nov7.

What if I already have my tickets? Are they still Valid? -Yes, as long as you haven't used them yet and they're not expired.  Tickets maintain the same terms and conditions as they had at the time of purchase.

When Do These Changes Take Place? These changes are scheduled to start on October 16.

Sounds simple, right?  As always, I work to make sure my clients have the most worry-free vacation possible at the lowest price.  Let me plan your trip and find the ticket option that works best for your family!  I'm an authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Magical Adventures Travel, an earmarked agency.  E-mail me at kellyp@magicaladventurestravel.com to get started planning today!