Disneyland ticket prices have risen overnight, yet there are still ways to save.

If you fell asleep last night dreaming of your upcoming Disneyland trip, that dream just became a bit pricier.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Disneyland discreetly raised prices for most ticket types by as much as $12 per day, with only the base ticket price remaining steady at $104 per day.

These changes to Disneyland's ticket prices take effect immediately. While the announcement may have caught many off guard, it shouldn’t have been unexpected. Just about a year ago, Disneyland increased prices from its 2022 levels, and 365 days prior to that, ticket prices were raised from the 2021 rates.

While not the most delightful news, Disneyland ticket price hikes are nearly as expected as a fairy-tale conclusion.

"These price hikes occur during a period of high demand, evident in the bustling crowds at Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company is also making significant investments in its theme park operations. Cast Member salaries are increasing, and numerous new lands and attractions are set to debut across Disney parks worldwide, including Disneyland," said Gavin Doyle, founder of Mickey Visit, a Disney travel planning website, to TPG.

Fortunately, there are still opportunities to save on your next trip to Disneyland.

Updated Disneyland ticket prices

Here’s a detailed look at the previous and current prices for adult tickets at Disneyland.

Disneyland categorizes its ticket prices into tiers, with Tier 0 being the most affordable and Tier 6 being the priciest. Remember, children aged 3 to 9 receive a discount, and kids under 3 can enter for free.

Single-day passes

Multi-day passes

Park Hopper upgrade prices

Increase in Disneyland annual pass prices

The cost of Disneyland's Magic Key Passes is also rising, effective immediately. There are four tiers of annual passes, each now priced between $100 and $125 higher than last year. Each tier allows guests to visit multiple times throughout the year, but the lower-priced tiers have more blackout dates, while the higher-priced options offer greater flexibility.

• Inspire Magic Key — $1,749 (previously $1,649)
• Believe Magic Key — $1,374 (previously $1,249)
• Enchant Magic Key — $974 (previously $849)
• Imagine Magic Key — $599 (previously $499)

Increase in Disneyland Lightning Lane prices

There has been a slight increase in Disneyland's Lightning Lane add-on service. With Lightning Lane, guests can bypass the standby line and enjoy shorter waits for more rides.

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass provides guests with skip-the-line access to most attractions at Disneyland, though a few high-demand rides require a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass purchase.

At Disneyland, you can buy the Lightning Lane Multi Pass as an add-on to your vacation package or on the day of your visit. However, Lightning Lane Single Pass purchases can only be made once you’re inside the park on the day of your visit.

Starting Wednesday, the price for the prearrival Lightning Lane Multi Pass is increasing.

• Prearrival Disney Genie+ — $32 (previously $30)
• Day-of Disney Genie+ — variable, starting at $32

Ways to save on Disneyland tickets

Buy from a reputable third-party ticket vendor

You can often save money on Disneyland tickets by purchasing from a reliable third-party seller like Undercover Tourist. When ticket prices increase, they usually have a batch of tickets available at the old price while supplies last (typically about a week or less). Right now, you can save up to $121 on Disneyland tickets when buying through Undercover Tourist.

Take advantage of Disneyland's offer on children's tickets

Disneyland has recently introduced a children's ticket promotion that allows kids aged 3 to 9 to enter for as little as $50 per day. These specially priced tickets will be available starting October 22, 2024, and can be used for visits between January 7 and March 20, 2025.

With the price hike, and without the ticket promotion, Disneyland children's tickets can reach up to $196 for a one-day, one-park admission or approximately $130 per day for a three-day, one-park-per-day ticket.

Contrast the prices of single-day and multi-day tickets

You might think it's always cheaper to buy multi-day tickets if you're planning to stay more than one day at Disneyland. However, we bring this up because that assumption is not always true.

If you're visiting Disneyland during a less busy time when tickets start at $104 per day, you could actually save money by buying several single-day tickets instead of a multi-day ticket. For instance, if you plan to visit for two days in early November when Tier 0 tickets are available, you'll pay $208 per person. However, a two-day ticket for the same period would cost you $330 per person.

The takeaway here is that it’s beneficial to compare prices to decide whether to buy one-day or multi-day tickets.

Stay flexible with your travel dates

"Guests who focus on a budget-friendly vacation rather than the perfect timing can find ways to save on Disneyland tickets. If you can travel on weekdays during the off-peak months or respond to Disney's promotions, you'll discover lower ticket prices and hotel deals in the area," Doyle stated.

"The cheapest one-day ticket has remained unchanged since 2019. This ticket is available for 34 days a year," he noted. If you can plan your visit around these days, you can still save.

Visiting in January, February, or early March before spring break will cost you less than waiting for the school vacation. Likewise, if you go after early August, when most schools are back, and before late September, when Disneyland’s Halloween events begin, you’ll enjoy lower prices and fewer crowds. The same applies for mid-November and early December, as long as you steer clear of peak holiday times.

Leverage rewards points to offset your ticket expenses

Numerous credit cards can assist in covering part or all of your Disneyland ticket costs.

You can apply the annual $300 Chase Sapphire Reserve® travel credit towards a Disneyland hotel or a package that includes both hotel and tickets by booking directly with Disney or through a travel agent like TPG's partner Mouse Counselors.

If you're solely interested in Disney theme park tickets, you can utilize your travel credit for purchases through a travel site like Undercover Tourist instead of buying directly from Disney. This should classify your purchase as travel, activating your Sapphire Reserve's travel credit.

Additionally, you can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to buy Disneyland tickets via the Chase Travel℠ portal.

If you possess a Bilt Mastercard®, you can buy Disneyland tickets using Bilt Rewards Points through the Bilt Rewards portal in the "Activities" section. While anyone can join the free Bilt Rewards program, having the credit card is the fastest way to accumulate points for Disneyland tickets.

With the Disney® Premier Visa® Card, you earn 2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars at U.S. Disney locations. You'll also receive 5% back on purchases at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com; 2% back at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants; and 1% back on other purchases.

You can use your Rewards Dollars for park tickets, hotel stays, and at stores and restaurants on Disney properties. It’s also possible to redeem your rewards to offset flights purchased with your Disney Premier Visa, which has a $49 annual fee.

In summary

The expense of visiting Disneyland, much like many other costs, rises each year. Fortunately, there are still methods to save money at Disneyland, such as the forthcoming kids ticket discount and being flexible with your travel dates. Discover all the options in our complete list of money-saving tips for Disney.