Walt Disney World at a glance
Walt Disney World is a large resort near Orlando, Florida, not a single park. It has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. It also has two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, and a shopping and dining area called Disney Springs. In October 2026 the operator shows Typhoon Lagoon as closed for refurbishment, so check the water park status before you plan a swim day.
This is an independent guide. It has no connection to the park operators, so always check tickets, prices and opening hours with the operator or an authorized seller before you pay. All figures below are the ones published for 2026.
The four theme parks
Each park has its own guide. Disney Springs is not a fifth theme park, and normal theme park admission does not cover it.
Magic Kingdom
Rides, the evening parade, special ticketed events and how to reach the gate from the parking lot.
EPCOT
Four areas, World Showcase, the 2026 Food and Wine season and the Skyliner at the International Gateway.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land and the changes of 2025 and 2026.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Pandora, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris and the park rules for animals.
Our picks: Walt Disney World tickets
One park a day, park hopping, or hopper tickets with water park and sports visits.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Walt Disney World hopper tickets with water park and sports visits
For 4 to 10 days with several parks per day and extra visits to Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, mini golf, FootGolf or ESPN Wide World of Sports, depending on ticket length. Parking, food and drinks are not included.
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Walt Disney World tickets with park hopping
Lets you visit more than one theme park on the same day, plus transport between the parks and selected hotels. Parking, food, drinks, water parks and sports venues are not included.
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Walt Disney World tickets, one park per day
One theme park per day for the number of days you choose, with shows, parades and fireworks where offered. Transport between the parks and selected hotels is included; parking, water parks and a second park on the same day are not.
Check availability →Orlando tours and tickets
Guided tours, day trips and ticket options around Orlando, with live prices and availability.
Tickets in short
Prices depend on the date and the park. The $119 figure is a starting price shown for guests aged 10 and up, before tax. It is not the price of every park or every day.
| Ticket option | Theme parks per day | Water parks |
|---|---|---|
| Base ticket | One park per day | No |
| Park Hopper | More than one park on the same day | No |
| Park Hopper Plus | More than one park on the same day | A set number of water park or sports visits |
Children aged 3 to 9 buy the child ticket, and children under 3 do not need a ticket. For the park hopping rule, check the current terms of your ticket before you plan a switch: the operator's pages describe the time from which you may enter a second park in different ways. Our tickets guide compares Disney, Universal and SeaWorld side by side.
Reservations and Early Entry
According to the operator's reservation page, dated one-day and multi-day tickets do not need a separate park reservation in 2026. Other ticket types can still require one. These include annual passes, military tickets and group, sports or convention tickets. Annual passes have exceptions such as good-to-go days. Confirm on the detail page of your own ticket whether a reservation applies before you travel.
Early Entry gives registered guests of the Disney hotels and some other hotels access 30 minutes before the park opens. It includes the arrival and departure days. You still need valid admission, and not every attraction opens early.
Lightning Lane passes
Lightning Lane is the paid system for shorter waits. It works with return times for Multi Pass and Single Pass, and without a return time for Premier Pass.
| Pass | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Multi Pass | Up to 3 attractions and time windows booked in advance. After you use a selection, you can add more if they are available. |
| Single Pass | Up to 2 separate attractions per day, each bought on its own. |
| Premier Pass | One use of each available Lightning Lane in one park on one day, with no time window to pick. |
Guests of eligible hotels can book up to 7 days before their stay. Other guests can book up to 3 days before the park visit. Prices vary by park, attraction and date, and you see them in the My Disney Experience app. Details can depend on your ticket.
Parking and getting around
Parking at the four theme park lots costs $35 per day for a car or motorcycle in 2026. Preferred parking costs $50, $55 or $60, and large vehicles pay $40. The operator states that the prices include sales tax. Registered guests of the Disney resort hotels park for free in the standard theme park areas.
Self-parking at Disney Springs is free, and so is standard parking at the Disney water parks. Free parking at Disney Springs is not a promise of a direct shuttle from there to the theme parks.
Disney runs free buses between its destinations. Theme park buses from the hotels run from 45 minutes before opening until 1 hour after closing. Luggage is not allowed on them, and a trip to a water park can need a transfer. The Skyliner gondola connects EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with a few hotels: Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and Riviera. There is no Skyliner to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. More on routes from the airport is in our getting around guide.
Rules, heat and storms
Expect bag checks at the entrances. Weapons, drones, selfie sticks and alcohol you bring yourself are not allowed in the theme parks and water parks. Strollers may be at most 79 by 132 cm (about 31 by 52 in), and stroller wagons are not allowed. Do not feed, pet or touch wild animals on the property. Florida's wildlife agency also asks you to keep your distance from alligators, never feed them and swim only in designated areas during the day.
Summer afternoons are hot and often stormy. The US National Weather Service advises drinking water, taking cooling breaks in air-conditioned places and doing less strenuous activity in the heat. In a thunderstorm, go into a sturdy building or a closed vehicle. An open shelter is not a safe substitute. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, which is worth knowing when you book, but it is no reason for alarm. Monthly averages are on our weather and best time to visit page.
Where you sleep changes your access: Early Entry, parking and Skyliner access depend on the hotel. See where to stay near the parks, or read Disney or Universal if you are still choosing a resort.
Walt Disney World: frequently asked questions
How many theme parks does Walt Disney World have?
Four: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The resort also has two water parks, and Disney Springs is a shopping and dining area, not a theme park.
How much is a Walt Disney World ticket in 2026?
A starting price of $119 is shown for guests aged 10 and up, before tax. The final price depends on the date and the park. Children aged 3 to 9 buy the child ticket, and children under 3 do not need one.
Can I visit more than one park in a day?
Yes, with a Park Hopper ticket. A base ticket covers one theme park per day. Check the current terms for the time from which you may enter the second park.
Do I need a park reservation?
For dated one-day and multi-day tickets, the operator's reservation page says no separate reservation is needed. Annual passes and some special tickets can still require one, so check your own ticket.
What does parking cost?
$35 per day for a standard car at the four theme park lots in 2026. It is free for registered Disney resort hotel guests in the standard areas, and self-parking at Disney Springs is free.
What is the Early Entry benefit?
Guests of the Disney hotels and some other hotels can enter 30 minutes before opening. You still need a valid ticket, and not every attraction opens early.