You've Been Warned: Here's When Disney Parks Will Cost You The Most

When picking locations for family vacations, theme parks are a popular option due to their kid-friendliness and the sheer number of things to do. The problem is that lots of families want that classic park experience each year, and many schedule their vacations around the same times. In particular, theme parks see a lot of action on school vacations and during the holiday season.

According to the Themed Entertainment Association, theme parks are some of the most visited attractions around the world, with the top 25 parks recording over 244.6 million visitors in 2023. Walt Disney's Parks and Experiences, in particular, regularly do the most business with 12 locations worldwide across France, the U.S., China, and Japan. MouseNotifier reports that among the top 85 theme parks operated worldwide, Disney Parks received 34% of the visitors — roughly 140 million people — in 2023.

In recent years, Disney's prices have become increasingly expensive for the average American traveler. Back in 2014, a one-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom cost about $100. Today, that same ticket can cost between $119 and $179 just in the off-season. During peak travel times — such as holiday weekends and summer vacations — prices can get extremely high. Now, the difference between spending a reasonable amount of income on a vacation and draining your wallet can come down to just how well you plan the exact dates of your next Disney trip.

The most expensive times to visit are often tied to major school breaks and holidays. Thanksgiving week — November 23 to 30 in 2025 — is priced near the top, with single-day admission tickets cost $174.00 at Disney World, while the cost for Thanksgiving week tickets at Disneyland sits between $180 and $206. Although add-ons are sometimes considered unnecessary travel purchases, the Lightning Lane passes, which can save you from long wait times at rides, can cost a minimum of $20 per ride, while People reports the recently added Premier Pass can run as high as $449 per person per day depending on the park.

The most expensive period falls between Christmas and the New Year. While Disney World's prices are pretty similar to Thanksgiving week, single-day tickets can cost upwards of $200 at Disneyland. For Disneyland Paris, tickets from Christmas Eve to New Year's are priced between $120 and $169. Spring break, which comes around in March or April for most people, is nearly as expensive. A single-day Disney World ticket around that time starts at $159. Disneyland does have a few weekday tickets listed for $104, but you're more likely to spend between $164 and $180. As for summer vacation, you'll be lucky to find a single-day Disney World ticket for less than $149 in June or July, though the prices do start to drop in August around when most schools are back in session. 

Still, there are a few ways to soften the blow to your wallet. Families who visit on weekdays from Monday to Thursday can avoid the worst of the crowds and avoid high resort fees. Also, packing snacks from home and taking advantage of Disney park food deals can help you avoid the overpriced restaurant costs.