Where to Get Discounted (or Free!) Disney Tickets!

Probably the number one question I’m asked is, “Where do I purchase discounted Disney theme park tickets?”

Frankly, Disney tickets are always in very high demand, have strict regulations and are not discounted very much at all. There are several ways to score deals as illustrated below.

My favorite place to get Disney tickets is at AAA.  With AAA you can be assured of getting the real deal.  They’re also offered at several dollars off the gate price.  A nice bonus if you are driving into the parks is that some parks have special AAA preferred parking; that’s not free, just preferred.

Subscribe to the www.MouseSavers.com newsletter.  Mary sends out her newsletter each month and includes a link to the ticket discounts offered by www.undercovertourist.com. Undercover Tourist is an authorized dealer and offers discounts through their site and better discounts for MouseSavers subscribers. I was just comparing ticket prices and find that even with this discount AAA prices were better. (Although, you must be a AAA member to purchase tickets from them.)

Another place to get tickets, if you’re brave, is on eBay. People do sell park tickets there. I would be very leery of these, but if you’re a trusting person, maybe it would work out for the best! One thing to keep in mind is that tickets are non-transferable once they have been used. The tickets are specific to a person and are signed and a fingerprint is taken from you for your own ticket. However, people selling tickets on eBay may have purchased them in advance and then couldn’t use them for some reason. If they haven’t been used they are transferable.

Many of those timeshare properties in Orlando offer free park tickets in exchange for sitting through a timeshare presentation. Ewww!  That’s not my idea of fun and would gladly pay full price rather than sit through one of those. Although, if you are tough as steel and can say “No!” and have the time, go for it.

Steep discounts are offered to members of the military. Bravo to Disney for honoring those that serve our country!

I looked at another authorized seller, Orlando Fun Tickets, and was excited by their rates!  That is until I put the tickets in my shopping cart and tried to check out. With taxes and fees the rate was a little more than buying them at Disney.

The one good thing about buying tickets in advance is saving yourself the hassle of standing in line at Guest Services to buy your tickets at the theme park. If staying on Disney property you can buy your tickets at the Guest Services counter at your hotel. Either way can save you time waiting in line. Or, probably the best bet is getting your park tickets as part of your vacation package.

So, unfortunately, there is no great answer for “cheap” Disney park tickets. My family visits so often that it is worth it for us to have annual passes. You’ll need to determine how many times you’ll be entering the parks throughout the year to decide if that’s the best option for you. Annual passholders are able to get discounted tickets for their guests for Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and DisneyQuest. There are also a number of other discounts for passholders as well.

Florida residents are offered really good deals throughout the year.

The Disney website has a “Special Offers” page that you should check periodically before your trip to see if there are any good deals to be had.  Find it here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/

My best advice is to buy tickets for your FULL days in the parks. If you arrive half way through a day, spend that day doing something else like shopping and eating in Downtown Disney or walking the grounds at one of the fabulous resorts. One of our all-time favorite things to do is to sit in the Grand Floridian lobby and listen to the live band or piano player.

Planning your trip can save you loads of money! That’s why I’m here! If you would like more insider tips on planning your trip, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

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