It’s no secret that Disney World has gotten increasingly more expensive over the years.
Magic Kingdom
More and more free offerings have been replaced with paid versions in the parks, and guests have been feeling the squeeze for quite some time. But according to a new report, Disney World actually isn’t the most expensive theme park in the United States — in fact, it’s not even the most expensive theme park in Florida!
Price increases can affect every part of a Disney vacation — hotel, tickets, food, souvenirs — and with many feeling their purse strings tightening lately, guests might be looking for a different and potentially less expensive theme park to visit. But, if you were under the impression that Disney World is the costliest park to get into — you are sorely mistaken.
Main Street, U.S.A.
According to WKMG Orlando, a study by The Family Vacation Guide has revealed that Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the world’s most expensive theme park for 2022, with a whopping 1-day ticket starting price of $117.94.
©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Walt Disney World was ranked next, with a starting 1-day, 1-park ticket price of $109. Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure were tied for third place at $105 per ticket, though Universal has since raised their prices to $109 per ticket per day.
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio came in last out of the 10 on the list, with one-day tickets starting at $82.
Universal Studios Orlando
Of course, these numbers are only taking into account the price of a one-day ticket and don’t compare other costs that would normally contribute to how expensive your theme park visit might be. Based solely on one-day ticket prices, though, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay takes the cake.
Hollywood Studios
So, what can you do if you’re faced with an expensive Disney World vacation? Well, there are ways you can save on your trip. Ticket and hotel deals can be found if you know where to look, and we’ve even rounded up a list of cheap but filling snacks in Disney World too. Plus, planning your trip far in advance can give you time to budget and save up for that special experience or souvenir you’ve been wanting!
Animal Kingdom
Want to know how much it’ll cost to visit Disney World this Halloween season? We’ve done the math, and you can check it out here! Things are already getting spooky in Magic Kingdom, and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is sure to be a festive and frightful night!
If you’re heading to Disney World soon, don’t forget that you’ll still need park pass reservations — read more here!
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This is so incorrect. I have never seen a Disney one day at $109. It’s always at $120 and above. Lies
Hi Jennie. Disney has a page that tells you the price of individual one day tickets. There are some in August for $109. Check it out here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/admission/tickets/theme-parks/
Truth be told, all of the theme parks use dynamic pricing, though in my experience, Busch Gardens is one of the most stable ticket prices overall, but add ons tend to be where the prices fluctuate with Busch Gardens parks. The best way to visit any of the Busch Gardens/SeaWorld parks, or any Cedar Fair park(which includes Cedar Point and Knott’s Berry Farm, among many other parks) is to get the tier of pass that allows access to all of them. It travels with you, and the costs are low enough that one long visit or two short visits can easily pay for it. Payment plans, when available, help with affordability. Of course, I wish Disney would offer payment plans to out of state guests who want to buy passes.
But it is not just the ticket, but all the other money grubbing that puts WDW over the TOP !
If you purchase the Tampa City Pass for $129 the cost for Bush Gardens one day admission is only $26. You will never see Disney at that price. Plus you get 4 more attractions for roughly $25.
“Expensive” does not start and end at the ticket price. Ranking them based on ticket price does not mean the most expensive ticket would be the most expensive park. Your study should have included food and other experiences you have to pay for. I completely disagree with this post.
I wouldn’t go to Disney World parks in August if THEY PAID ME $109!
And oh yes, that price may not include parking either…
That article is so misleading. No one pays that rate Busch Gardens. For $126 you can get a fun card for free entry for the rest of 2022 and all of 2023. It has blackout dates.
You can get an annual season pass with free parking for $159, with blackout dates. It’s $209 for a year with no blackouts. These include a number of guest passes.