What are the Ticket Prices for US Theme Parks?

Earlier in the week, reports circulated about the Walt Disney Company (DIS) potentially offering demand-based pricing for its theme parks in the United States. The ticket prices may cost less or provided additional benefits on slower days, and cost more or come with certain restrictions on busier days.

This prospective idea makes sense for Disney to spread out its visitors throughout the year, instead of having designated busy and slow periods during certain months. Trying to get more people to come during non-peak times will help alleviate the massive crowds that Disney theme parks can attract.

In light of this news, let’s examine the current ticket prices for some of the more notable theme parks across the United States.

1.       Disney World

The de facto autonomous theme park nation known as Disney World is a collection of theme parks situated in the swamps below Orlando, covering over 40 square miles – covering more area than the city of San Francisco. A 1-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom is the most expensive theme park ticket in the United States, costing visitors $105 per person (10 years or older).

EPCOT, the Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios cost visitors $97 per person (10 years or older). Disney offers multi-day passes where the visitors will pay less on a per day basis, and can only visit 1 park per day. Those prices include $96 per day over a 2-day span, $91.67 per day over a 3-day span, 76.25 per day over a 4-day span, and $63 per day over a 5-day span (all prices are for a single person).

Disney also offers a “Park Hopper” pass, which allows its visitors to go to multiple parks per day, costing an extra $50 per person on top of whatever ticket option is purchased. If you’re someone who really loves Disney World and plans to visit regularly, the theme park-nation offers different annual pass packages. For each person 3 years or older, you can get unlimited access to the 4 major theme parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Oak Trail Golf Course, and an array of discounts on lodging, food, and merchandise for a whopping $829.

These prices may very well be overpriced and definitely expensive for many people. However, going to Disney World is an experience that all people of all ages should experience once in their lives. That of course, is if you aren’t there during the Florida summer and the parks are overcapacity. That experience may not be riveting.

2.       Disneyland & Disney California Adventure Park

Disneyland is the original Disney theme park. Situated just outside of Los Angeles in the city of Anaheim, Disneyland, and its newer companion Disney California Adventure Park, are only slightly cheaper than its Florida counterpart. For 1-day at either park, visitors will pay $99 per person (10 years or older). Prices for 1 park per day over multiple days, the prices are cheaper. A 2-day pass costs $92.50 per person, a 3-day pass costs $78.34 per person, a 4-day pass costs $65 per person, and a 5-day pass costs $55 per person.

Just as Disney World, Disneyland offers the “Park Hopper” for an extra $40 and offers annual passes for $1,049 and $849, depending on the package. The main difference between the Disneyland annual passes is the blackout days – the more expensive package not having any day restrictions.

3.       Universal Studios

The Comcast (CMCSA) owned Universal Studio theme parks have multiple locations in the United States – Orlando and Hollywood (Los Angeles). The Orlando location also has a complimentary park called Islands of Adventure. 1-day ticket for Universal studios costs $102. The 2, 3, and 4-day ticket prices (1 park per day) are $76, $54, $43 per person respectively.

If you’re interested in “Park to Park” option, where visitors can flex between both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in the same day, it will cost $147 per person for a 1-day pass, $98 per person for 2-day passes, $69 per person for 3-day passes, and $54 per person for 4-day passes.

The “Preferred” season pass, which includes monthly payment options and discounts on merchandise, costs out-of-state visitors $334.99 and Florida residents 299.99

The Universal Studios Hollywood location has straightforward pricing - $85 per person 10 years or older, $87 per person between the ages of 3 and 9, $159 no blackout date season pass, and $119 season pass with certain blackout dates.

4.       Six Flags (SIX)

Six Flags theme parks are scattered in multiple locations throughout North America. Primarily known for their roller coasters and “Frigthfest,” Six Flags, overall, is cheaper than Disney and Universal theme parks. Each Six Flags location, however, vary in price.

Their Magic Mountain location, situated just north of Los Angeles, costs $76.99 general admission, $51.99 for individuals under 48 inches tall, and a (2016) season pass costs $76.99. Their Great Adventure location, situated in the great state of New Jersey (Jackson, NJ to be specific), costs $69.99 for general admission, $42.99 for individuals under 48 inches tall, and a (2016) season pass costs $69.99.

The rest of their locations vary within this range, give or take a few dollars.

5.       SeaWorld (SEAS)

The now infamous and disgraced theme parks of SeaWorld have very similar prices to Six Flags. Their Orlando location admissions cost $70 per person on weekdays, $87 per person any day and $126 for unlimited visits to SeaWorld and Aquatica over a 14-day span. For $335.95, you can purchase a (2015) season pass that included unlimited access to SeaWorld, Aquatica, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Wet n’ Wild, and Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL.

SeaWorld’s San Diego location costs $69 per person for a single day when you pay online, $157 for unlimited access to SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, and Safari Park over a 7-day span, and $155 for a 1 year membership, which offers monthly payments.

6.       Cedar Point

Cedar Fair’s (FUN) cult classic Cedar Point is known for being one of the best theme parks in America for roller coaster enthusiasts. The amusement park is also has the cheapest admission of any other theme park on this list. The cost of admission is $51.99 per person when purchasing a ticket online, $64.99 per person at the park’s ticket booth, and $89.99 for a 2-day pass when purchasing online.

Cedar Point’s season pass is inexpensive, relative to the prices of the other theme parks. All visitors have to do is make 9 payments of $14 to obtain a season pass.

(All these prices were obtained by each theme park’s respective website. These prices are usually subject to change, and obtaining discounts are relatively easy.)

(Sources for photos are here, here, here, here, here, and here.)

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