Disney ticket prices on the rise

Planning a trip to the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland? It’s going to cost you more thanks to increased gate prices. But there are ways you can save on other parts of your Disney experience.

Under the latest round of price hikes, value-period pricing for the Magic Kingdom will be $109 for adults and $103 for children, a $2 increase. Regular period pricing will be $119 for adults and $113 for children, a $4 increase. Peak pricing is getting hit the hardest at the Magic Kingdom, with a $5 increase ($129 for adults and $123 for children).

Similar price hikes are going into effect at Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Meanwhile, California’s Disneyland will raise the regular price of admission by $7, to $117. Peak period tickets at Disneyland are going up even more. The price for a singleday peak ticket will be $135, an $11 increase. Value period tickets remain unchanged at $97.

Since the price can only go up, not down, based on demand, you’ve got to look at other areas to save.

FastPass+ allows you to reserve a spot in line at favorite rides prior to your trip. Visitors who master FastPass+ can minimize the wait times and maximize the time they spend playing in the parks.

In general, fall is one of the best times for Florida vacations each year. Disney World offers discounts to Florida residents that fill the parks with daytrippers at that time of year. That creates some traffic, but not as much as you would have encountered over the summer.

The real time to book, though, is during the first two weeks of December. Almost nobody goes on vacation at that time.

Clark Howard Save more, spend less and avoid rip-offs