A Look at Disney World's Ticket Price History Will Make You Miss the Good Old Days
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As Disney park admission costs continue to rise every year, it's hard to imagine a time when tickets were reasonably affordable. As the Disney parks have become more popular, Disney has used variable pricing to even out crowds, increasing prices to curb overcrowding issues during busy seasons and in anticipation of new attractions and lands. But are they getting too pricey for even diehard fans to afford?
Since opening its gates in 1971, Walt Disney World tickets have gone from $3.50 — crazy, right? — to now a starting price of $109 in 2020. Take a look at how costs have changed over the years according to data from AllEars.net.
Between 1971 and 1981
Single-day tickets: $3.50 to $13.25
Between 1982 and 1986
Single-day tickets: $13.25 to $26
Annual passes: $100 to $155
Between 1987 and 1996
Single-day tickets: $28 to $39.75
Annual passes: $165 to $288
Between 1998 and 2005
Single-day tickets: $42 to $59.75
Annual passes: $288 to $395
Between 2006 and 2011
Single-day tickets: $63 to $85
Annual passes: $415 to $519
Between 2011 and 2012
Single-day tickets: $85 to $89
Annual passes: $519 to $574
Between 2012 and 2013
Single-day tickets: $89 to $90
Annual passes: $574 to $609
Between 2013 and 2014
Single-day tickets: $90 to $94
Annual passes: $609 to $634
Between 2014 and 2015
Single-day tickets: $94 to $97
Annual passes: $634 to $659
Between 2015 and 2016
Single-day tickets: $97 to $105—124
Annual passes: $659 to $749
Between 2016 and 2017
Single-day tickets: $105—124 to $107-124
Annual passes: $749 to $779
Between 2017 and 2018
Single-day tickets: $107-124 to $109-129
Annual passes: $779 to $894
Between 2018 and 2019
Single-day tickets: $109-129 to $109-159
Annual passes: $894 to $1,119
Between 2019 and 2020
Single-day tickets: No change in ticket price since 2019
Annual passes: $1,119 to $1,195
The largest spike in single-day costs occurred in 2016 with a $19 increase in its peak prices, while 2012 was the year of the highest increase in annual pass prices. Annual passes did also go up by $90 in 2015, but that was when the Annual Pass became the Platinum Pass and the Premium Annual Pass became the Platinum Plus Pass. To see the full breakdown by year, check out the comprehensive chart on AllEars.net.
Though Disney World tickets will probably never be as reasonable as they once were, there are definitely ways to visit on a budget. We hope to see you at the park!
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano