The year was 2015. Apple Watch had just been launched. “Uptown Funk” was the top song on Spotify. According to AAA, gas prices nationwide are averaging $2.40 per gallon. And Disney tickets for most of its US parks cost less than $100.
A lot has changed since then. But this summer, if you time your trip right, you can still visit Disney World or Disneyland for around $100 per day.
“We know families plan their trips carefully, so our focus is simple: Make every moment count. This summer, we’re delivering more experiences, more excitement and more ways to create lasting memories on both coasts,” Disney Experience president Thomas Mazloum said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Here’s how to get some of the best Disney theme park ticket deals in 2026.
How much does it usually cost to go to Disney World?
Disney World tickets vary by date and park.
Standard one-day, one-park adult tickets start at $119 for adults and $114 for children at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and higher at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. Guests ages 10 and older are considered adults for pricing purposes at Disney’s domestic parks.
This year, standard one-day, one-park tickets for adults at the Magic Kingdom have increased to $209 around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the most popular times of year for visits. Next year some dates will cost more.
Disney has previously said it is committed to providing guests a variety of ticket options, including ticket deals and discounts, to help families save and travel in ways that work for them.
What is the cheapest way to get Disney World tickets?
Disney World releases date-based tickets up to a year in advance on its website, so guests can plan accordingly. The $119 tickets that have been released for 2026 and 2027 both have dates in August and September.
However, you can pay even less this summer, with many deals available at Florida resorts.
From May 26 through September 26, Disney World is offering 4-day, 4-park Magic Tickets starting at $399 for both children and adults, which works out to about $99 per day. Guests can enter each park for one day, within seven days of its start date.
From May 26 to July 29, Disney is also offering “After 2 PM Tickets” at a special price, valid for two or three days. These can be used for one park entry per day after 2pm local time. Prices vary by start date, but for both children and adults, two-day tickets start at around $235 and come to around $118 per day. Three-day tickets start at just $346 and work out to about $116 per day. Both tickets expire within a few days of their first use.
This may not seem like a huge savings compared to Animal Kingdom’s starting price, but it’s worth noting that prices are higher on most days, especially at other parks. For example, a standard one-day ticket to Hollywood Studios on Saturday, June 13 costs $194 for adults.
More Summer Deals
In addition to ticket deals, Disney World is bringing back free water park admission for guests staying at its resort hotels during Cool Kids Summer. From May 26 through September 8, resort hotel guests can visit either Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon of their choice for free on their check-in date. Water park tickets typically cost $74 for adults and $68 for children in the summer, and are $10 less during the off-season.
Guests who book non-discounted 4-day, 4-night vacation packages with Park Hopper tickets through Disney may also qualify for a free Disney Dining Plan for their entire party on select dates between June 28 and October 3, as well as additional dates in October and December. This special deal has to be booked by 30th April.
Through 2026, all guests who purchase a Disney Dining Plan for adults (guests over 9 years of age) in their travel party will receive a free Disney Dining Plan for their children.
A variety of resort hotel discounts are also available this summer, including rooms starting at $99 for Disney+ subscribers, with a 2-night minimum stay. Details are available on Disney World’s special offers webpage.
How much is a Disneyland ticket?
Standard one-day, one-park tickets at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure start at $104 for adults and $98 per child.
Prices vary by date, but MickeyVisit.com’s analysis shows the California resort is offering its best early bird pricing on more dates this year than in 2025.
“They’re offering their $104 tickets for 47% more days, or about three weeks more days for 2026 visits,” Gavin Doyle, founder of Visit Mickey, told USA TODAY. “That’s a big increase and shows that they’re trying to reach people and provide an affordable option.”
Those $104 tickets are available on multiple dates in April, May, June, September and November, according to Disneyland’s ticketing calendar, which currently runs through mid-December 2026.
What’s the $50 a day deal at Disney?
Disneyland is also offering a $50 Park Hopper ticket at a special price for children ages 3 to 9 for any date between May 22 and September 7.
While the resort has previously offered $50 children’s tickets, this summer’s promotion includes the ability to visit both parks on the same date, which normally costs an additional $70 to $90.
For example, without the promotion, a child’s ticket on June 13 will cost $189 for one park or $279 with a park hopper.
The Kids Summer Ticket offer can be purchased for 1, 2 or 3 days for $50, $100 and $150 respectively. Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after their first use or on September 7, whichever occurs first.
Details and other deals, including up to 25% off resort hotel stays for at least 4 nights this summer, can be found on the Offers & Discounts page of Disneyland’s website.
Is it worth going to Disney in summer?
This summer, both Disneyland and Disney World will offer guests new blue-themed experiences, a new version of Soarin’ to America celebrating America, and a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers’ Run storyline featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. Additionally, Disney World will debut its reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, a new Magic of the Disney Animation experience and more.
However, whether a summer trip is advisable depends on how you handle the heat. Although many attractions, restaurants and shops are air-conditioned, you will always spend a lot of time outside at any resort.
According to AccuWeather, the average temperature at Disney World between June and August is 88.3°F, while the RealFeel is 95.1°F. Tourists can expect high humidity and frequent afternoon showers.
According to AccuWeather, the average high at Disneyland between June and August is 82.9°F, while the realfeel is 91.3°F. Visitors should expect bright sunshine, high UV and dry heat that gets quite cool at night.
“Go on outdoor trips in the morning and evening, then use the mid-afternoon for indoor shows, food or water attractions. This is the best way to maximize your travel days during the summer months,” Tyler Royce, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, told USA TODAY by email. “Reapply sunscreen throughout the day, wear sunglasses, a hat and light clothing to stay comfortable.”
You can prepare for the weather by carrying a portable fan, drinking lots of water, taking frequent breaks indoors, and packing ponchos or umbrellas for Disney World. But ultimately, how you tolerate the heat may determine whether it’s worth it for you.