Walt Disney World Ticketing: Everything You Need To Know
This isn’t your grandma’s Disney World!
Things have changed–especially when it comes to ticketing.
So today, I’ll break down exactly how Walt Disney World ticketing works, to include the parks, types of tickets, add-ons, and more.
Keep reading to get all of your Walt Disney World ticketing questions answered!
The Basics
First, remember there are two Disney destinations in the United States: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Today, we’re talking all things Disney WORLD, which includes 43 square miles of theme parks, water parks, and more:
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Animal Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Blizzard Beach (waterpark)
Typhoon Lagoon (waterpark)
Disney World is also home to more than 32 resort hotels, a dining, shopping, and entertainment complex called Disney Springs, ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex, and more.
So needless to say, there are a TON of options when it comes to enjoying a Disney World vacation. Let’s dive into ticketing.
Walt Disney World Ticketing
Before you purchase your Disney tickets, you have four decisions to make:
How many days would you like to visit the theme parks?
Do you want to visit 1 park per day or do you want the option to visit multiple parks per day?
Do you want to visit the water parks?
Would you like to add Genie+?
Duration of Stay
How long should your Disney vacation last? While I can’t answer this question for you, I will say this:
Disney is a HUGE place with lots and lots (and lots) to see and do.
If you are traveling a long distance and want to get the most out of your Disney vacation, consider staying for at least 6 days.
This will give you plenty of time to visit the parks and have a rest day to explore your resort (if you’re staying on property) as well as other Disney World attractions, such as Disney Springs.
Types of Tickets
A one-park per day ticket is called a “base ticket.” When you buy your ticket, you’ll be asked to select the day and park you plan to visit.
If you’d like to visit multiple parks per day, you’ll need a “park hopper” ticket. As with a base ticket, you’ll still be asked what day and park you plan to visit first.
And as of this writing, you cannot “park hop” until after 2 p.m.
A few things to note:
If you want to visit the water parks with your base ticket, select the “water parks and sports” option when purchasing your tickets.
If you’d like to visit the water parks with your park hopper ticket, you’ll want the “park hopper plus,” option.
Disney Genie and Genie+
Consider Disney Genie to be a virtual concierge.
According to the website, it’s designed to create “ your best Disney day inspired by your party’s top interests.”
Located in the app, Genie can give you the inside scoop on ride wait times, dining reservations, and more.
It can also create a personalized itinerary and remind you when you’re eligible to make dining and activity reservations.
But what is Genie+?
Genie+ replaced Disney’s FastPass system in 2021.
Guests who purchase Genie+ ($15/day/ticket) have access to the Lightning Lane (priority line), which allows them to wait in a “virtual queue” as opposed to standing in a long line.
Here’s how it works:
Let’s say you get to Magic Kingdom at 10 a.m. and you want to ride Thunder Mountain Railroad, but Genie (in the Disney app) says the standby time (wait time) is 2 hours long.
With Genie+, you could reserve 2-3 p.m. Lightning Lane access., enjoy the park and other rides until around 2, and then jump into the Thunder Mountain Railroad Lightning Lane when it’s time to ride!
Genie+ also offers Individual Attraction access (priority line) to the most popular rides/attractions in each theme park for an additional cost/ride.
Note: When bundled with the tickets at time of purchase, the cost of Genie+ is less per day than when purchased a la carte on the day of your visit.
However, when bundled at the time of purchase, it must be added to all ticketed days.
Putting It All Together
Let’s say you want to visit the parks for six days, and you want to be able to visit the Animal Kingdom by day for the Saffari, but also see the fireworks in Epcot at night. You also want to visit the waterparks.
And since your 8-year-old can’t stand the thought of waiting in line for more than 20 minutes, you’ll also want the Genie+ add-on.
So, your tickets will be: 6 day, Park Hopper Plus tickets with Genie+.
Now, if all of this is making your head spin, that’s where I can come in. I can plan and book the Disney vacation of your dreams so you won’t have to.
So fill out my Travel Quote Request form ASAP! I can’t wait to help you plan your next Disney Vacation!