Disneyland Annual Pass Prices Rise, New Tier Ticket Pricing

ANAHEIM, CA — For many across the globe, a visit to the Disneyland Resort is a bucket-list item. In Southern California, the cost of visiting the happiest place on earth (for many) is just another line item on the family budget. Is it worth anteing up for the price of admission with the new increased pricing?

Disneyland park visit costs rose this week, with price increases between 3 and 13 percent, the Orange County Register reported, and the park confirmed. Price increases at the park are nothing new, and neither is the way Disneyland Resort attempts to navigate pricing and inflated costs of doing business in Southern California. In 2016, Disneyland Resort initiated a value, regular and peak day pricing hierarchy. That system has graduated to the Tier system of single-day ticket pricing.

Tiers from 1-5 depend on the time of year, and day of the week, based on a quick search of the coming year's ticket prices. The idea seems to encourage visitors to attend on lower priced days and thin out the crowds on the more massive traffic days.

Ticket prices have tripled since 2000, the Register reported, with single-day admissions rising from $43 to $154 on the peak travel days. Daily top-tier ticket prices increased by 3 percent while park hopper tickets increased by 5 percent, the Register reported, and the resort confirmed to Patch. Some annual passes increased as much as 13 percent.

Still, the lowest-priced tickets for a one-day, single park, or one-day park hopper ticket stayed the same cost from last year's prices.

What Are The Disneyland Tier Ticket Options?
Buying single day park tickets on the Disneyland Resort website looks a lot like buying plane tickets on Southwest Airlines. Each day has different price points, as the park has introduced "Tier tickets" to their purchase options.

• Tier 1 tickets start at $104 for admission to one park, $159 for a park hopper ticket. As a bonus, there are now children's ticket prices, with a tier 1 ticket for a child aged 3 to 9-years-old at $98 for one park, and $153 for a park hopper. Children under age three still do not require a ticket for admission into the parks.
• Tier 2 tickets begin at $114 for those aged 10 and above, $108 for children 3 to 9-years-old for one park, and from $169 for 10 and above for park hopper tickets, $163 for children from 3 to 9-years-old.
• Tier 3 tickets start at $124 for those aged 10 and older, $117 for children 3 to 9-years-old. Park hopper tickets for Tier 3 start at $179 for those 10 and older, and $172 for children 3 to 9-years-old.
• Tier 4 tickets start at $139 for those aged 10 and older, $132 for children 3 to 9-year's old. Park hopper tickets at Tier 4 starts at $194 for those aged 10 and up, and children 3 to 9-years-old will cost $187 for the park hopper.
• Tier 5 tickets, usually on premium park days (Saturdays, Sundays and summer months), start at $154 for those 10 and up, $146 for children 3 to 9-years-old. For the park hopper, those 10 and older will be charged $209, and those 3 to 9-years-old will be billed $201.

How Can You Save Money When Buying Disneyland Resort Tickets?

The SoCal Resident Ticket Offer is still in effect for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-2299, according to the ticket website. Purchase three days of fun to use from now through May 20, 2020. The last day of sale is May 18, 2020.

The SoCal Resident Tickets are non-transferable, and only for SoCal residents in the above zip codes. They are approximately $66 each, and include one magic morning, bettering your chances for riding "Rise of the Resistance" at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The cost of those 3-day passes start at $199 for those 3-years-old and up, or park hoppers are available from $254.

Out of state residents can also purchase 3-day passes start at $199 for those 3 to 9-years-old or park hoppers are available from $254. Tickets for those 10 and older will be $310 for one park and $365 for a park hopper. Each 3-day pass comes with one magic morning.

"A multi-day ticket still gives the best value for what the parks have to offer," the Disneyland Resort ticket site says.

How Much Are Annual Passes Now?

Disneyland Resort Annual Passes rose from 4 to 13 percent this week. Still, Annual Passes remain the best option if you visit the parks more than three days a year. Guests will get a percentage off merchandise, and select dining options in and around the park, and some passes even offer parking and MaxPass included, as a bonus.

The best value for SoCal residents remains the Disney Southern California Select Passport (check blackout dates). This passport costs $419 a year for guests 3 and older. Monthly plans are available.

The Disney Flex Passport is now $649, where visitors make advanced reservations for tickets. This option is best for those who excel at planning if you want to go on peak weeks, weekends. Some blackout days still apply.

The Disney Deluxe Passport, at $829, offers fewer blackout days for guests and is an excellent middle-range ticket for the true Disneyland Resort fan.

The Disney Signature Passport, at $1,199, gives you 15 percent off select restaurants in and around the park, and up to 20 percent off select merchandise. Standard parking is included for this pass.

As the best value for the true Disneyland Resort fan, the Disney Signature Plus Passport, at $1,449, offers 365 days to both parks, 15 percent off dining, 20 percent off merchandise, theme park parking, and the MaxPass feature.

Add Value To Your Trip:

Add a MaxPass to your tickets (enabling you to fast-track your line-wait times) for $20 a day, or $125. The price includes the PhotoPass, the ability to download all park photographer taken photos, and ride photos.

Note, annual pass holders can purchase a MaxPass day of entry, but they are subject to availability.

Other Ways To Save:

Consider joining one of the special event ticket nights. No additional ticket is necessary, and the sight and sensations of a Disneyland special event something to behold for the true fan. This spring, there is a Disneyland After Dark: Pixar Nite on March 5, with tickets at $109.

Also, in April, there is another Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite, tickets are also priced at $109. That price offers you four uninterrupted hours at Disney California Adventure park after the gates close.

Fewer crowds allow you to do more at the park during a shorter period of time, plus, the themed events are not to be missed.

According to the Register, price increases on certain days will help the park "manage attendance" and "spread visits from peak periods to slower times of the year."

However you like to do Disneyland, there are few places more fun to make family memories than the Disneyland Resort Properties.