How Much Is General Admission to Disney World?

Disney World is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people, but that doesn’t make it any less expensive.

Fortunately, there are ways to save money on a Disney World vacation. One of the most essential is getting some discount tickets.

1973

In October 1971, general admission to Disney World cost only $3.50 – less than half the price of an adult day pass today. This included use of their transportation systems (Monorails), access to Magic Kingdom and all free shows and exhibits.

If you wanted to visit more than one park during your vacation, a Park Hopper add-on or annual pass was required. This also granted access to water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports complex and other forms of recreation outside the theme parks.

Save some money by purchasing a 12-Adventure Ticket Book for each adult. You’d get attraction tickets rated A-E, including some of the popular rides like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.

1974

In 1974, general admission to Disney World cost $3.75 and included a coupon that allowed guests to utilize either the monorail or ferryboat as transportation into the park. Furthermore, there were many free shows and entertainment options available throughout the day.

One such innovation was Circle Vision 360, which utilized a camera to provide you with a full 360-degree view of an object. At the time, this feat of technological innovation was truly groundbreaking.

In 1974, Disney World unveiled their Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue – a nighttime parade that would become an annual staple. Additionally, this was the first year the park featured its own Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

1975

General admission to Walt Disney World back then cost a fraction of what it does today. The most affordable ticket was only $3.50 and included a coupon that allowed use of all transport infrastructure like trams, monorails and Steamboats – for just one low price!

At that time, the most expensive one-day ticket included a bonus: the patented and highly functional FastPass+ system. This included free rides on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as well as unlimited Park Hopping without any hassle – something which had been the park’s major drawback during its heyday.

For 2010, Disney World opened River Country, their first waterpark at Disney World, to round out their decade-long lineup of attractions. Animal Kingdom, BoardWalk and Coronado Springs resorts were expanded, while ESPN Wide World of Sports complex opened for business. Furthermore, 2019 marked the inaugural year for a nighttime parade called Main Street Electrical Show while River Country marked another first for Walt Disney World: it became their first water park!

1976

Disney World’s general admission prices have steadily gone up every year since opening. It comes as no shock that Disney knows it needs to increase prices in order to remain profitable, given the increasing popularity of their parks.

In the early days, an adult general admission ticket cost only $3.50 and a 7-ride attraction ticket book was available for only $4.75.

Back then, guests could take trams, monorail or ferryboats (known as Steamboats by Disney the first year the Magic Kingdom opened) from the Transportation and Ticket Center to get to the park.

In those days, guests to Magic Kingdom received a coupon that allowed them to enjoy all shows and exhibits at the theme park – in addition to admission into Magic Kingdom itself.

1977

In 1977, general admission to Disney World remained at its original cost for another year. Nevertheless, some key changes at the resort would lay the groundwork for many unforgettable vacation experiences that would become hallmarks of a Walt Disney World vacation.

Walt Disney World finally welcomed a beloved parade that had been around in Disneyland for decades: Main Street Electrical Parade! This new version featured floats illuminated with vibrant lights and electro-synth-magnetic musical sounds.

Second, a premium transportation option was launched that enabled guests to quickly transition between parks. Instead of waiting in long lines for different transportation systems, guests could board a bus at designated spots inside each park and be picked up at another location every 15 minutes or so.

1978

In 1978, the cost of a one-day general admission ticket at Disney World reached an all-time high. It also marked the first year demand pricing was implemented at the park: charging more for busy days and less on low demand ones.

Back then, each attraction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland had its own ride ticket. These were rated A-E and guests could use them on either park.

In 1978, a one-day ticket to Magic Kingdom cost only $3.50 – an extremely reasonable price compared to today’s admission prices. While that may seem like a lot, remember that back then the park already operated under an established ticket booklet system.

1979

Disney World is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, but that doesn’t have to mean you need to break the bank in order to experience all of its wonder. In fact, general admission at Walt Disney World hasn’t changed much since 1971 – although it never hurts to receive some additional benefits along the way!

In 1979, the price to enter Magic Kingdom reached an all-time high of $7.50; however, what truly amazed guests was Main Street Electrical Parade – Disney’s first nighttime show ever broadcast. Furthermore, that year saw workers breaking ground on EPCOT Center, an iconic tribute to science and discovery which continues to delight guests to this day.

1980

In 1971, Walt Disney World opened its gates for $3.50 a day – or about $25 adjusted for inflation. Nowadays, one-day admission to Walt Disney World costs Florida residents $109 and visitors from outside the state $125 respectively.

In addition to ticket prices, there are other expenses to factor into your budget when planning a Disney vacation. Food (including beverages like bottled water), parking fees, and lodging should all be taken into account when creating your budget.

Though these costs may seem intimidating, they are an integral part of planning for your trip. If you fail to factor them into your budget, you could find yourself spending more money than necessary or desired.

1981

In 1981, Disney World boasted several notable accomplishments. One of them was their Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that offered visitors an exhilarating ride. Furthermore, they made waves with the opening of River Country water park, providing visitors with a thrilling new waterpark experience.

Disney’s first annual pass was introduced in 1999, offering unlimited access to all its attractions for a nominal fee. Ultimately, it proved beneficial for everyone involved; you didn’t need to wait in long lines at any park – though tickets were still required for entry to Magic Kingdom and other parks. Planning your day carefully meant making sure you had time for everything on your list – hopefully on a sunny day!

1982

In 1982, Disney World’s general admission price had doubled from 1976 to 1982 – an enormous price increase for a theme park with so many more attractions now than when it opened its gates back then.

Disney is constantly creating new types of entertainment and experiences in their parks, making them increasingly sophisticated.

No wonder ticket prices keep climbing annually!

In 1982, general admission to Disneyland cost just under $20. That’s a lot of money for just one day at the park – even if you didn’t visit any of its water parks!