Known as one of the world’s most popular and beloved destination resorts, Disney World hosts more than 58 million guests every year. At least 17 million of those guests pass through the flagship Magic Kingdom alone. If you want to visit the wonderful world of Disney in Florida, you’re going to have to purchase tickets — and the cost of entry continues to shift.
Read Next: Dave Ramsey: 7 Vacation Splurges That are a Waste of Money
Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy
GOBankingRates examined how admission fees have changed since the theme park opened in 1971 through 2024, according to data from AllEars.net. Then, GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator to determine the yearly rates adjusted for inflation. Prices for tickets or entrance fees to other Disney parks in the Orlando, Florida, area were not considered; all data is for the price of general admission tickets to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World only. Admission prices between 1971-81 include sales tax, and prices after 1981 do not.
1971: $3.50
Visionary entrepreneur and mogul Walt Disney died before this namesake park opened on Oct. 1, 1971. That year, the Walt Disney World Resort debuted with the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and, of course, Magic Kingdom.
Discover More: 11 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2024
For You: 8 Tips To Fly Business Class for the Price of Economy
1972: $3.75
In Disney World’s second year, management hiked the general admission price by 25 cents. Even after considering the cost of inflation, the price of a ticket to enter the Magic Kingdom was still only a small fraction of what it costs to visit some of the best theme parks around today.
Be Aware: 9 American Travel Brands To Stay Away From
1973: $4.50
The cost to enter the Magic Kingdom was a full dollar more in 1973 than it was during the inaugural season just two years prior — but fans got what they paid for. That year, Disney World unveiled its very own Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which was and still is one of the most iconic and popular attractions at its sister park, Disneyland. With a few exceptions, the modern-day Pirates ride is almost identical to the original.
1974: $5.25
In 1974, Disney World price increases continued to slowly outrun the pace of inflation. That year, fans experienced for the first time what would become an enduring Disney tradition: the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner theater show.
1975: $6
The year 1975 represented the third 75-cent price increase in a row, but fans likely were distracted by a new, otherworldly arrival. That year, Space Mountain debuted at Disney World, where it would remain one of the most impressive, exciting and popular rides for the next 40-plus years.
1976: $6
For the first time since Disney World opened, the price of Disney tickets stayed the same as the year before. Other things, however, changed dramatically — and for the wetter. In 1976, Disney made a splash and unveiled its first water park: River Country.
Explore More: 10 Best US Vacation Destinations for Retirees on a Budget
1977: $6
Prices remained flat again in 1977, which made that year the cheapest for general admission tickets since 1972 when considering the rate of inflation. One thing at the park, however, was anything but flat — the Main Street Electrical Parade debuted in 1977, ushering in the era of nighttime parades as one of the main attractions at Disney.
1978: $6.50
Prices began inching upward again in 1978. That year, the country caught a glimpse of what the holidays are like at the Magic Kingdom when NBC aired “Christmas at Walt Disney World” on Dec. 10.
1979: $7
In 1979, the price to enter Disney World hit the $7 mark, but that wasn’t the big news. That same year, the Orlando Sentinel reported that workers finally broke ground on Epcot Center, an homage to science and discovery that thrills fans to this day.
1980: $8
In 1980, Disney World experienced two firsts. It was the first time that prices had been raised twice in one year — to $7.50 in March, then to $8 in November. It was also the first time that audiences had experienced the thrill of one of the most beloved rides in the park: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Find Out: Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born
1981: $9.50
Even though the price of entry increased by a relatively steep $1.50 over the year before, 1981 was the last year that Disney fans enjoyed tickets for less than $10. The year 1981 was also the first time that Disney replaced its standard general admission ticket with the one-day ticket.
1982: $15
In 1982, double price increases appeared once again — the first in June, and then again in September. After adjusting for inflation, prices rose from the low-$30 range in 1981 to the $40 range by 1983. That was also the year when Disney introduced its annual pass for a cool $100 per year.
1983: $17
Not only did the price of one-day tickets jump by $2 in 1983, but the price of annual passes also increased by a full $25 to $125 per year. Disney, however, justified the price hike when it introduced the original Journey Into Imagination — and the lovable Figment — in 1983 at Epcot Center.
1984: $18
Prices rose again in 1984, but the cost of entry wasn’t the only thing that soared at Disney. The Laserphonic Fantasy show made its debut as the best nightly fireworks display on World Showcase Lagoon in Epcot Center.
Learn More: 7 Vacation Destinations To Avoid on a Retirement Budget
1985: $21.50
With price increases in both June and November, 1985 represented the last year that a $20 bill could buy you a day at Disney, as well as the first year that it couldn’t. Annual pass holders, however, saw their prices remain the same at an even $140 per year.
1986: $26
In 1986, something happened that was brand new to Disney World: Management raised the price of entry three times in one year. The first price increase was in March, followed by hikes in June and December, which caused ticket costs to reach $26 by Christmas. Even with the price increases, about 23.9 million guests passed through Disney World in the 1986 fiscal year, according to a 1987 article in the Orlando Sentinel.
1987: $28
In 1987, the 3D film “Magic Journeys” went on a journey of its own. The popular Disney movie — which shows the world as seen through the mind of a child — made a move from Epcot Center and arrived at the Magic Kingdom for the first time.
1988: $28
The year 1988 introduced one of the many reasons for travelers to visit Florida: the opening of the iconic Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which is noted by Disney as the park’s flagship resort. The deluxe accommodations have wowed crowds since June of that year and even received a four-diamond rating from travel association AAA, which it maintains in 2024.
Trending Now: The 50 Happiest States in America and How Much It Costs to Live There
1989: $29
The year 1989 was a banner one for Disney, which saw the opening of a number of beloved attractions: Mount Mayday at Typhoon Lagoon; Disney-MGM Studios, now known as Hollywood Studios; Pleasure Island; and Feature Animation Florida.
1990: $31
The onset of the 1990s was an exciting time — not just for visitors to the Florida theme park, but to TV audiences at home, as well. That year, two of America’s most beloved casts of children’s characters united when NBC aired “The Muppets at Walt Disney World.”
1991: $33
In 1991, Walt Disney World celebrated its 20th anniversary. That year, Disney adopted a Mardi Gras atmosphere as the Surprise Celebration Parade filled the streets. The celebration was larger than life and included balloons that measured 40 feet tall.
1992: $34
One of the theme park’s most beloved — and wettest — rides ever built was unveiled in 1992. That ride, Splash Mountain, continues to thrill the millions that flock to Frontierland every year.
Check Out: Here’s How Much the Definition of Rich Has Changed in Every State
1993: $35
In 1993, crews broke ground on what would become one of the most famous rides in Disney history: the Tower of Terror. The ride would terrify audiences at Hollywood Studios in Florida for decades to follow — all while trying to convince them that it was actually built in 1917.
1994: $36
“Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!” debuted at Epcot Center in 1994, and other notable additions included the first annual International Flower & Garden Festival, the former Legend of the Lion King attraction and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride. That same year, Disney introduced the premium annual pass.
1995: $37
On April Fools’ Day 1995, Disney World thrilled and chilled visitors with the grand opening of Blizzard Beach Water Park. The 60-acre park was themed to mimic a ski resort, complete with the 90-foot Mount Gushmore body slide.
1996: $38.50
The year 1996 marked Disney World’s silver anniversary, celebrating 25 years since its initial opening in 1971. Not known for doing anything understated, Disney World transformed the iconic Cinderella Castle into an 18-story birthday cake.
For You: Net Worth for US Families: How To Tell if You’re Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich
1997: $39.75
In 1997, you still could get into Disney World for less than $40, but those days soon would be gone forever. At the same time, Disney was entering another era — and this one had nothing to do with the price of admission. That year, Downtown Disney West Side, now known as part of Disney Springs, opened to visitors.
1998: $42
The year 1998 was wild for Disney World — literally. That year, Animal Kingdom roared into existence, treating visitors to encounters with more than 1,000 exotic beasts spread out over 500 acres of land designed to mimic their natural habitats. Staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and having giraffes just outside of your window transforms a basic continental breakfast into a memorable safari worth the splurge.
1999: $44
Disney World closed out the 20th century strong. In 1999, the park unveiled its FastPass system and added a new Asia area to Animal Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom also saw the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade.
2000: $46
Any visitor to Fantasyland knows that official Disney princess dresses are hugely popular among young visitors to Disney World. That all started at the dawn of the new millennium, when Disney began selling the dresses for the first time in Florida.
Read Next: How Much Does the Average Middle-Class Person Have in Savings?
2001: $48
This year signaled the grand opening of Magic Carpets of Aladdin, which would go on to become a fan favorite at Adventureland. It was the first major new attraction in Adventureland since Pirates of the Caribbean 28 years earlier.
2002: $50
Although prices jumped by $2, 2002 was the last year that a $50 bill could buy your way into Disney World. That same year, a massive new resort opened. Guests were beckoned to Disney’s Beach Club Villas resort, joining the ranks of hotels with stunning views.
2003: $52
The familiar pattern of Disney’s annual $2 price increases continued in 2003, but that’s not everything that happened. Named Tufani, the first baby elephant ever born in captivity at Animal Kingdom arrived on May 22. Other arrivals in 2003 included Mickey’s PhilharMagic in the Magic Kingdom, along with Wishes, a nighttime fireworks display that would run through May 2017.
2004: $54.75
In 2004, prices rose by $2.75, not $2 — and increases weren’t limited to one-day passes. Disney also hiked the cost of Ultimate Park Hopper tickets, water park tickets and annual passes.
Find Out: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024
2005: $59.75
In 2005, prices jumped by $5 — the largest single increase to date. That year, Disney also got rid of one-day park tickets and replaced them with the “Magic Your Way” base ticket. The good news for visitors was that the interactive flight simulator ride Soarin’ debuted in The Land pavilion at Epcot.
2006: $67
Prices jumped twice in 2006 — first in January, and then again in August. That year, for the first time, guests boarded the runaway train through the Expedition Everest version of the Himalayan Mountains and had to beware of the yeti.
2007: $71
In 2007, admission fees jumped by another $4, pushing prices over the $70 mark for the first time in Disney history. That year, Disney World paused to recognize the 25th anniversary of the opening of Epcot in 1982. Although the celebration was fairly understated by Disney standards, the milestone did include a charity event and a rededication ceremony.
2008: $75
Prices jumped by another $4 in 2008, but there were bigger changes brewing at Disney World that year. The Downtown Disney area underwent a radical transformation in feel and culture. All six nightclubs at Pleasure Island closed, completely removing the dance and nightlife vibe that had attracted a multitude of adult visitors to Disney for nearly 20 years. In their places, the park added more retail and shopping.
Try This: 16 Tips To Live Well on a Low Salary, According to Dave Ramsey
2009: $79
In 2009, prices jumped by $4 yet again, but Disney World justified the increase by announcing plans for a massive expansion at the Magic Kingdom. The new Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs attractions would nearly double the size of the area.
2010: $82
In 2010, the dawn of a new decade also saw the relocation of Winnie the Pooh’s massive tree, which signaled the first milestone in the new Fantasyland expansion.
2011: $85
In 2011, Disney visitors caught a glimpse of the future when the first photos of what would become Beast’s Castle were revealed, along with the new system that would deliver passengers through the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
2012: $89
In 2012, the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction doubled in size and got FastPass access. The new and improved Fantasyland also opened with plenty of upgrades. It was the last year that visitors could get into the Magic Kingdom for less than $90.
Trending Now: A $150K Income Is ‘Lower Middle Class’ In These High-Cost Cities
2013: $95
In 2013, the pricing structure at Disney World went through a dramatic overhaul. The park began offering entry to the Magic Kingdom — and only the Magic Kingdom — for $95 via one-day passes. One-day tickets to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios would cost $90 each.
2014: $99
This year was the final year that ticket prices would remain below $100 for visitors. It wasn’t all bad news, however. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade also debuted at Fantasyland in 2014.
2015: $105
In 2015, the price to enter the Magic Kingdom hit the three-figure mark for the first time in the history of Disney World. In fact, prices increased across the board that year — including the special reduced rate for Florida residents. Also in 2015, the annual pass became the Platinum Pass and the premium annual pass became the Platinum Plus Pass.
2016: $110
In 2016, Disney’s pricing structure evolved yet again. This time, the park adopted an all-new tier system for one-day tickets, changing the value of a day at Disney based on the calendar date. This meant some days at the park cost more than others, so visitors needed to be strategic when booking their Disney trip. Value tickets cost $105, regular tickets cost $110 and peak tickets cost $124 each.
Learn More: 6 Reasons the Poor Stay Poor and Middle Class Doesn’t Become Wealthy
2017: $115
In 2017, a new family-style raft ride debuted at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and Disney welcomed Pandora — The World of Avatar. But the cost of park tickets also climbed again, increasing by another $5 for off-peak Magic Kingdom tickets to a whopping $115.
2018: $122
Disney introduced date-based prices in 2018, meaning each day of a Disney World trip might have a different cost depending on a variety of factors, including the day of the week, predicted attendance and time of year. This year is also when Disney World opened Toy Story Land, which featured two new attractions and a quick-service dining spot.
2019: $125
Although there was only a $3 rise in ticket prices from 2018 to 2019, annual passes increased by $225 in June 2019. That increase might’ve made you think twice about buying one.
2020: $125
Disney World closed its doors for about four months in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and upon reopening, visitors would see a different Disney World. The park required masks and temperature checks for guests, capped capacity and suspended FastPass+ upon reopening.
Read Next: 7 Popular Clothing Brands the Middle Class Can’t Afford Anymore
2021: $125
By May, Disney World had begun to lift some of its COVID-19 restrictions as the number of vaccinations increased and virus cases dropped. Plans continued for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month commemoration of the park’s golden anniversary that kicked off Oct. 1 — 50 years after the magic at Walt Disney’s dream park began.
2022: $109
Two years after the start of the pandemic, Disney World saw a significant decrease in ticket prices, as well as several new attractions. These included the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster — Epcot’s first roller coaster — and the Star Wars-themed hotel, officially known as Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
2023: $109
Daily ticket prices stayed the same in 2023. Additionally, Disney World introduced even more new attractions, including Toy Story Land’s Roundup BBQ, which opened on March 23, and the Tron Lightcycle Run, which opened on April 4. Disney World also brought back the fan-favorite Happily Ever After fireworks show that was introduced in 2017 and closed in 2021.
2024: $109
Gabrielle Olya and Justice Petersen contributed to the reporting for this article.
Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s How Much It Cost To Go To Disney World the Year You Were Born
Source Agencies
