One thing that has almost always been consistent with Disney World, is price increases. Disney World is no stranger to increasing admission prices, as you can see below from opening through the 2000’s. How much did it cost to enter Disney World the year you were born?
The 70’s
Disney World officially opened on October 1, 1971 with Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Throughout the 70’s (and until 1981) the ticket prices included sales tax. However, the tickets were just your entrance fee. In order to ride the attractions, you had to purchase coupon booklets. These Adventure Books contained tickets for attractions from A – E with E ticket attractions being your most popular like Splash Mountain. You could purchase multiple books to experience multiple attractions.
1971
Cost: $3.50
Adventure Book: $4.50 (contained 7 attractions)
1972
Cost: $3.75
Increase: $0.25
Adventure Book: $4.50-$4.95 (contained 7 attractions)
1973
Cost: $4.50
Increase: $0.75
Adventure Book: $5.40-$5.75 (contained 7 attractions)
1974
Cost: $5.25
Increase: $0.75
Adventure Book: $5.75-$6.50 (contained 7 attractions)
1975
Cost: $6.00
Increase: $0.75
Adventure Book: $6.50-$7.25 (contained 7 attractions)
1976
Cost: $6.00
Increase: none
Adventure Book: $7.00 (contained 7 attractions)
1977
Cost: $6.00
Increase: none
Adventure Book: $7.25.-$8.00 (contained 7 attractions)
1978
Cost: $6.50
Increase: $0.50
Adventure Book: $8.00-$8.50 (contained 7 attractions)
1979
Cost: $7.00
Increase: $0.50
Adventure Book: $8.50-$9.00 (contained 7 attractions)
The 80’s
In 1980, another mountain opened for guests at Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. In 1980 and 1982 respectivley, those years saw double increases. On October 1, 1982 Epcot (then named Epcot Center) opened, bringing Journey Into Imagination and more. Another exiciting opening for Disney World was Hollywood Studios (then MGM Studios) on May 1, 1989.
1980
Cost: $8.00
Increase: $1.00
Adventure Book: $9.00-$9.50 (contained 7 attractions)
1981
Cost: $9.50
Increase: $1.50
Adventure Book: $9.25-$9.50 (contained 7 attractions)
1982
Cost: $15.00
Increase: $5.50
1983
Cost: $17.00
Increase: $2.00
1984
Cost: $18.00
Increase: $1.00
1985
Cost: $21.50
Increase: $3.50
1986
Cost: $26.00
Increase: $4.50
1987
Cost: $28.00
Increase: $2.00
1988
Cost: $28.00
Increase: none
1989
Cost: $29.00
Increase: $1.00
The 90’s
The 90’s brought another favorite mountain to Magic Kingdom, with Splash Mountain opening in 1992. In Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror opened in 1993, fans have been riding the haunted elevator ever since. Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998 (Earth Day). Does anyone remember the Birthday Cake Castle from Magic Kindom’s 25th anniversary in 96′?
1990
Cost: $31.00
Increase: $2.00
1991
Cost: $33.00
Increase: $2.00
1992
Cost: $34.00
Increase: $1.00
1993
Cost: $35.00
Increase: $1.00
1994
Cost: $36.00
Increase: $1.00
1995
Cost: $37.00
Increase: $1.00
1996
Cost: $38.50
Increase: $1.50
1997
Cost: $39.75
Increase: $1.25
1998
Cost: $42.00
Increase: $2.25
1999
Cost: $44.00
Increase: $2.00
The 2000’s
During this decade Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom doubled in size. In 2001, Magic Carpets of Aladdin was added at Magic Kingdom. Guests were treated to the opening of Soarin’ in 2005 at Epcot.
2000
Cost: $46.00
Increase: $2.00
2001
Cost: $48.00
Increase: $2.00
2002
Cost: $50.00
Increase: $2.00
2003
Cost: $52.00
Increase: $2.00
2004
Cost: $54.75
Increase: $2.75
2005
Cost: $59.75
Increase: $5.00
2006
Cost: $67.00
Increase: $7.25
2007
Cost: $71.00
Increase: $4.00
2008
Cost: $75.00
Increase: $4.00
2009
Cost: $79.00
Increase: $4.00
Beyond
Prices have increased yearly, each year since. In 2018, Disney World introduced a new price structure system named Date-Based Pricing for one day tickets. Now based on the calendar date you visit. Prices now start at $109 for an adult one-day ticket. Learn more about Date-Based pricing.
2019
Cost: Starting at $109
Data from ALLEARS & GOBankingRates. Photo credit, Thank you Sara!
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Adi says
Does this account for the switch from buying separate ride tickets (famous “e” ticket was to ride everything) to your entrance including all of the rides? Seems like maybe that happened when tickets doubled in the 80s (just a guess)?
Adi says
Looks like I am exactly right – switch to all-inclusive entrance was in 1982! Coincides with doubling of entrance ticket price :)
https://d23.com/e-ticket-memories-five-favorite-facts-about-ticket-books/
Emily says
I’m a lifelong Central FL girl. We went when the castle was a pink birthday cake. I might even have some pictures or the map from our visits then. I remember that I thought it looked really cool!
Victoria Brofman says
It should be noted that in the first several years, you paid an admission fee and then had to buy tickets to ride the rides! I went in 1979 and I think a book of tickets cost about $10! An E ticket would be something like Space Mountain, Big Thunder, or Splash Mountains, Mine Ride, or perhaps Pirates of the Caribbean. So in order to ride all those you’d have to buy 5 books of ticket.