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Lately, any news about prices has been bad news — but good news Disney fans, not this time! There are some exciting developments for Disney ticket prices in 2023. Since CEO Bob Iger returned, he’s adding more days eligible for the $104 Disneyland ticket and bringing back/adding perks to both Disneyland and Disney World parks. Going on a Disney vacation on a budget is easier than ever with these changes.
Disneyland and Disney World are receiving many new (and returning) perks for single-day guests, annual pass holders, and resort guests. Disney World got a few more perks added than Disneyland, but hey we’re excited about anything added to Disney — especially if they’re for free! In addition, Magic Keys are going to go back on sale in 2023.
Disney Park Reservation Requirements
Before we get to the fun part, a note about park reservation requirements. Disney recently announced that starting January 9, 2024 guests will no longer need a park reservation for any date-based ticket (1-day or multi-day ticket, even a vacation package with date-based ticket). A park reservation will still be required for the following:
- Student group tickets
- Sport and Convention ticket
- Annual Pass
- All other ticket types not mentioned above
Before buying your tickets check reservation availability for up-to-date theme park reservation requirements.
Until January 8, 2024, guests ages 3 and up will need a park reservation for all ticket types.
Annual Passholders can visit the theme parks without a park reservation after 2:00 p.m., except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom.
Disney also announced that dining plans will be back as an option for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels who have a vacation package with stays on or after January 9, 2024. Bookings begin on May 31, 2023.
Disney park tickets cost just $104 – $109 (compared to the regular $179 – $189).
Disneyland offers a $104 ticket that’s very restricted on what days it’s eligible for. Typically the $104 ticket was restricted to some school days in the winter and spring. A regular 1-day Disneyland ticket price is $179.
Starting Feb. 4 there will be 60 more dates available to visit Disneyland with their $104 1-day park ticket.
Disney park hours will be expanded in spring 2023 to ease overcrowding.
Disney Parks have expanded hours in California and Florida to meet increased demand and to ease overcrowding. For you, that means a lower cost-per-hour at the parks (unless you’re buying more Disney food!). Here’s the breakdown of the new hours:
Disneyland parks hours
- Disneyland Park is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (previously 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
- Disney California Adventure Park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (previously 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Walt Disney World parks hours
- Magic Kingdom: Park hours extended from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 2 – 29 (previously 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
- Hollywood Studios: Park hours extended from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. April 2 – 29 (except April 10, April 13, April 16, and April 22; previously 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Park hours extended from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 2 – 29 (except April 11, April 17 – 20, April 24 – 27; previously 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Note: Epcot’s hours remain unchanged, as it’s already operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
2023 park hopper tickets let you move between Disneyland parks two hours earlier.
If you have the park hopper perk added to your Disneyland tickets, then starting Feb. 4, 2023, you’ll be able to hop starting at 11 a.m. from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Up until recently, park hopping wasn’t allowed until after 1 p.m.
Related: Check out these Disney TikTok tips.
The Disney Genie+ Service now includes free ride photos.
As of March 20, 2023, Disney Genie Plus — the $25 per ticket, per day service that gives you access to the speedier Lightning Lane for rides — now also includes ride photos! This means that you can now get digital downloads of your favorite ride photos taken in the park on the day of your purchase at no additional charge.
Ride photos are taken while in the parks at more than a dozen of the most popular attractions including Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest, and more. Disney Genie+ photos are only for photos taken on rides. If you want to get a photo taken by a roving photographer, you’ll need to purchase a Memory Maker ($169 – $199) or Memory Maker Deluxe ($249 – $299) photo package.
To get your ride photos, simply purchase Disney Genie Plus and scan your MagicBand or ticket at the photo stand located in each ride’s photo area. Your ride photos will be automatically added to your Disney PhotoPass account and will be available for download within a few hours.
Note: Disneyland gave free ride photos to all ticket holders between Feb. 4 – March 20, but that promo has ended.
Complimentary self-parking at Disney World hotels has returned.
In 2021 we lost Magical Express at Disney World, which was Disney’s complimentary transportation from the Orlando Airport to the hotels.
Now if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel location, as of Jan. 10, 2023, you’ll receive complimentary overnight self-parking. This is a perk that resort guests used to have, then it went away, and now it’s back! This will save you up to $25 per night. Parking your car at the hotel and taking the tram to the parks will avoid paying for parking at the parks too.
Disney Annual Pass holders no longer have to make park reservations if they visit after 2 p.m.
Reservations at Disney have been a thing since 2020. Some of the beauty of being a Disney pass holder and living nearby is just randomly heading to the park. But with reservations, that last-minute magic has faded.
Now if you’re a Disney World annual pass holder in 2023, you don’t have to make reservations to visit the parks after 2 p.m. — except on Saturdays and Sundays at the Magic Kingdom.
