Buying Universal Studios Hollywood Discount Tickets
April 15, 2024
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Here’s our list of the top 10 ways to buy discounted Universal Studios Hollywood tickets!
Our guide for Theme Park Tickets covers how much money you can save on tickets to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and all international parks including Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney. Whether you realized it or not, there are some great savings out there on tickets that are worth looking at.
Most first-time visitors of the Disney Parks assume they must purchase their tickets directly through Disney, and that is the only way. Not so! We constantly search the internet for the best authorized 3rd party sellers of Disney tickets and list them here. It may seem like a scary thing; purchasing from someone other than Disney, but the savings can be great!
The more money you save on tickets the more churros you get to enjoy in the parks! Here’s a quick update on what’s happening at the parks that effect tickets:
Guests can purchase all tickets including base and park hopper for 2023 and beyond for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Disney Genie and Genie+ is also available for Disneyland Tickets at a cost of $25 per day, per person, when purchased in advance. Guests who purchase day of will be subject to demand pricing.
Genie+ is also available for guests at Walt Disney World. Be sure to see our official guide on how to use it. Guests can purchase Genie+ for their Walt Disney World tickets day-of and can now choose if they want the service for one specific park or multiple parks depending on their itinerary. This option can help lower the cost of Genie+ for Walt Disney World Guests. Pricing is demand only for Genie+ and fluctuates every day.
Right now, guests can save upwards of $79 per ticket when they purchase them in advance. Locking in your ticket price today can save you even more when the unexpected price increases hit. If you think you’ll be headed to the Disney Parks in 2023 or 2024 at all, now’s the best time to buy! Of course there are other great ways to save on Disney tickets, and we’re going to cover all of them in this post so stay with us.
Legitimate Authorized Ticket Seller
First we want to make sure that you understand that we do not post any ways of purchasing discounted tickets that could be fraudulent or sketchy in any way. There are so many scams out there that we need to mention ways to avoid them.
First, do not buy off of classified websites like Craigslist, KSL, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, OfferUp etc. These are the easiest ways to lose hard-earned money on fake tickets. No matter the, “discount” you’ll want to pass on these like the plague.
Even websites like eBay, who, back in the day, were notorious for offering up good ticket deals, is no longer a viable option.
Anyone offering half-priced tickets is a too-good-to-be-true scenario and should also be avoided. The way Disney chooses authorized third party ticket sellers is a rigorous process and is not available to any regular business or person who is interested in doing it. They have an entire team dedicated to supporting these sellers and are very strict on how tickets are offered to the public through them.
What we can tell you is that these companies negotiate their prices each year with Disney and then choose their margins of profit. For example, Disney may agree to sell them a 5-day park hopper ticket at $270. Regular pricing through Disney’s website may be $320 for the same ticket. Now the seller has to decide how much they want to make on each ticket, which ultimately decides how much you, as a consumer, saves. So if they set their price at $300 they will profit $30, and you will save $20.
Lastly, no legitimate ticket seller offers discounted 1-day tickets (except for Undercover Tourist on Walt Disney World Tickets). If you see them anywhere else, it’s probably a scam! The average discount on tickets is between $5 – $60 per ticket, with the biggest discount around $75 for a 5-day ticket or longer (all the way up to 10 days for Disney World). So again, avoid the half-priced ticket scams out there and only purchase legit tickets.
Walt Disney World Ticket Savings
Walt Disney World’s ticketing system is the biggest and most complicated to use out of all the parks. We’re not saying this to scare you in any way, and the word complicated is probably too much, but to get our point across, it’s the hardest one to navigate.
The reason for this is Disney runs this system on date-based pricing instead of on a yearly basis like they use to. You may want to read our post on how date-based pricing works, but in a nutshell, every day at Walt Disney World can be a different price. And then you have options to add onto that, which further increases the price.
However, the benefit of this system is that once you understand it, you can choose exactly what you want, nothing more or less. This in and of itself can save you money when you’re ready to purchase your multi-day tickets. Our recommended ticket broker,
Undercover Tourist, consistently offers the best pricing on Disney World tickets available, and has been doing so for over 20 years. Guests who purchase tickets from them save an average of $40 per ticket, or $160 for a family of four. Right now, guests can save up to $79 per ticket with Undercover Tourist. These types of offers are not ones to pass up, especially with price increases looming.
Typically, every year around February, Disney raises their ticket prices by an average of $20 per ticket. While that may not seem like a lot, if you happen to need the ticket that was raised by $40, that adds up quickly. Thus, we always recommend buying before this month, as you’re almost always guaranteed to save. Click here or below for the Discount Disney World Tickets!
It saves to be educated when it comes to buying tickets. Families who go into the process of buying, knowing exactly how many days they want to play at the parks, and what options (if any) can save an additional average of $45 per ticket. An example of this would be 1 park-per-day tickets vs. park hopper tickets. If you’re visiting Disney World for the first time (check out our Disney World Planning Guide) there’s a solid chance you will spend each day in one of the parks without hopping over to another.
This allows you a full day to experience it in the park. If someone talks you into the park hopper option, and you don’t end up using it, you just spent $40+ on something you didn’t need. Think about what you want to do at the parks; your time commitment to each, and then choose your tickets. For more details on discounts, be sure to check out our Discounted Ticket Guide, which takes a deeper look at these options.
Disneyland tickets are way easier to understand than Walt Disney World. On top of this, the resort only offers 2 parks instead of the 4 parks, 2 water parks, ESPN Experience, and Golfing like Florida does. This means that your ticket options decrease, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For a smaller resort, there are fewer options. All you have to decide is how many days and if you want the park hopper option or not.
There are actually quite a few authorized ticket sellers for Disneyland out there. You may have come across some of them on accident or as you joined a service/membership program. Companies like AAA, Costco, Vons/Safeway and even a SoCal Resident offers small discounts of a few dollars off.
Of all those mentioned, the So. California Resident offer is typically the best, but there are restrictions to these tickets. First, they typically have a set period of time of when the tickets can be used (Jan-Jun). Second, the person purchasing the tickets must present photo ID to prove they’re a SoCal Resident (zip codes of 90000-93599). Anyone who lives outside of these is not eligible to buy them.
For anyone who doesn’t qualify and wants to save more than a few dollars should look at buying their tickets from our recommended authorized seller, Undercover Tourist. They’re offering discounts up to $27 per ticket with Undercover Tourist, which is higher than anyone else online. Want to shop around? No problem! We now offer a free Discount Disneyland Ticket Calculator that makes comparing ticket prices easy! Click here or below for the Discount Disneyland Tickets!
One of the biggest savings of course can come from you when choosing your tickets. Think about what you want to accomplish while you’re there. Do you need park hoppers because you’ll be going non-stop between both parks each day? Do you want to take it slow and just do 1 park per day? Lastly, do you need Genie+ because it’s probably going to be busy with long lines, or did you choose dates when the resort is slower than usual? Check out our crowd calendar for less busy times.
Answering these questions before buying can help you save upwards of $40 per ticket. It’s all about choosing the number of days and options that you want to deal with, not about picking things someone else recommends because they prefer it that way.
For an even more deep dive into discounts on Disneyland tickets, be sure to read our Discount Ticket Guide.
Tokyo Disneyland Ticket Savings
International Parks are pretty hard resorts to find discount tickets for. One benefit for guests who are visiting from the U.S.A. is that the tickets are typically already less than the U.S. based parks, which is a good start. The reason it can be so hard to find discounts for Tokyo Disneyland is because they don’t have third party wholesalers like they do in the States. There are services available similar to Expedia that offer a bit of a discount, but you’re not going to get much. The best place that we’ve found thus far is Klook though they are currently not offering any type of tickets at this time. While this is unfortunate, we promise you’re not missing out on much.
While no savings may be available right now, we can offer you some tips on buying them directly from Tokyo Disney or finding a place that sells them around Tokyo. For convenience’s sake, it’s always best to purchase before you arrive so that you don’t have any issues getting to a box office or having your card declined because you’re out of the country. Japan offers a few other ticket machines found around Tokyo called Loppi machines. They are actually quite easy to use and while they won’t save you money necessarily, they can save you time. These machines operate in Japanese and English, so it’s easy to purchase from them. The list they offer is:
1-Day Passport for Tokyo Disneyland (1デーパスポート 東京ディズニーランド)
1-Day Passport for Tokyo Disney Sea (1デーパスポート 東京ディズニーシー)
After 6 Passport for Tokyo Disneyland (アフター6パスポート 東京ディズニーランド)
After 6 Passport for Tokyo Disney Sea (アフター6パスポート 東京ディズニーシー)
Starlight Passport for Tokyo Disneyland (スターライトパス 東京ディズニーランド)
Starlight Passport for Tokyo Disney Sea (スターライトパス 東京ディズニーシー)
You can see the only downside to the machines is that you can’t purchase more than 1 day at a time, while on the official Tokyo Disney Resort website you can. In fact, you can purchase up to 4 days if you want. However, unlike the U.S. parks, there is no discount for purchasing more days. It’s the same price per day no matter what.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Savings
We’re happy to say that there are discounts available on tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland and you should take advantage of purchasing them. Right now, Klook is the only official third party vendor who can offer discounted tickets. Guests can save up to $8 per ticket by purchasing them in advance. You can save even more by using Klook discount code: MOBILE10 in the Klook Mobile App.
Luckily, the tickets for this resort are very easy to navigate considering they only have 2 options: 1 day or 2 days. This is because Hong Kong Disneyland only has one park! This will make things much easier when choosing your tickets. They also offer season passes, which are only worth it if you’re visiting more than 3 days.
Right now Hong Kong Disney is offering a great deal with a MyDisney HK Account. Get a designated special gift, merchandise voucher, dining voucher plus 20% discount on combo meal. Total value starting from HK$157! FYI, Hong Kong Disneyland’s website can be a tough place to get a U.S. credit card to go through because they don’t ask for an address. You may need to call them to process your order.
Disneyland Paris Ticket Savings
This is a tough resort to save on tickets due to surge pricing that was introduced a while back. Basically, surge pricing means prices go up on days that the resort feels will have higher attendance, such as holidays and weekends. For most guests travelling outside of France, the best deals are actually buying from Disneyland Paris directly and finding the cheaper days in advance.
There are 3 different types of 1 day tickets available to purchase including mini, magic and super magic. To save the most you’ll want to aim for the mini ticket which should offer you smaller crowds. Super magic will be the most expensive and would be the busiest days of the year. Because there are two parks here, guests can purchase up to a 4-day park hopper ticket, which will give them access to both Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland Park.
If you really want to try and save some money, you could check out Expedia for possible discounts. We only mention them because occasionally they will offer tickets lower than gate pricing. Their tickets also allow you to skip box office lines and head straight into the parks. You do have to purchase them on the Expedia.fr site, which can be translated into any language.
Updated: You can now purchase these tickets on the English Expedia website instead of the FR one. Use the link above.
Lastly, if you think you’re going to be visiting Disneyland Paris for more than three days, you may want to look at getting an annual pass. They start at the cost of 3 days in the parks, so if you’re a local or wanted to spend 4–5 days in the parks, an annual pass is probably going to be a good option for you.
Shanghai Disneyland Ticket Savings
When this resort first opened, tickets were dirt cheap in our opinion. You could visit for less than $50 USD per day, which was a steal. Now, guests will have to pay a bit more than that, but not by much. And that’s what we love about Shanghai (and Hong Kong); their ticket prices are already “cheap” compared to the U.S. parks, which run about $130 per day.
Like Disneyland Paris, Shanghai has introduced surge pricing on their tickets, so one of the best ways to save money is to attend on a less busy day. Klook is the only online company that we’ve found that offers both a discount on tickets and a surge pricing calendar so you know which days are less expensive. Typical savings with Klook are around $3-$4 per ticket, and then you can take an additional $10 off your mobile order with code: MOBILE10
However, when you purchase your tickets, be sure to have access to them via photos on your phone. Instead of trying to follow a link to them day of (and heaven forbid you have issues) you can simply pull up the screenshot you took and have the Cast Member scan them. This applies to both Klook-purchased tickets and tickets purchased directly from Shanghai Disney Resort.
If you only have one day to spend at the resort, we highly recommend you add the Disney Concierge Service which give you priority access to the major attractions, dining and reserved fireworks viewing. It’s absolutely worth the price. If you’re going to be spending more than 1 day in the parks, then you may consider skipping it and doing everything in the course of your time there.
Military Tickets for Disney World and Disneyland
We like to talk about the Military Salute Tickets that Disney has been offering to active and retired service men and women for many years because they are such a great deal if you qualify for them. When it comes to saving on tickets to both of these resorts, nothing can touch the deal Military Members get.
We used to think that Disney was doing all the work on these Military Tickets, but over the years have discovered that the government and Disney work together to provide these at the prices that they do. Currently, Military Tickets can be purchased by active, retired, and reserve military members and their spouses. Unfortunately, veterans do not qualify at this time.
Ticket promotions change year to year, so it’s always a good idea to see what is currently being offered for the year you’d like to visit in. The promotions run calendar year, so you’ll want to make sure that you are purchasing the correct tickets for the correct year as well.
To purchase these tickets, the military member or their spouse can visit any military base (affiliation doesn’t matter) and buy them tax-free. Tickets are typically printed out and then redeemed at the gate of the parks, with the member showing valid military ID. This is probably the most important step to remember. Members cannot buy the tickets and then send their family or friends without them. They must be there in person to show their ID at the gate.
If you don’t have time to purchase the tickets from a base, you can purchase them at a box office. The only difference with this option is that taxes are added to the price. Even with taxes added in, it’s still much cheaper than buying regular tickets. The military member will still need to show ID here and provide it upon first entry as well. Because Walt Disney World and Disneyland are sister resorts, their military promotion tickets are not the same. Here’s what’s current for Military Promotion Tickets for both resorts:
DISNEY WORLD RESORT MILITARY TICKETS
For members of the U.S. military and their families, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida offers a special ticket discount program known as the Disney Armed Forces Salute. This annual promotion provides an opportunity to experience the magic of Disney at a reduced cost, making it more accessible for those who serve our nation. In this article, we will delve into the details of the 2024 Disney World Military Discount Tickets, covering everything from pricing and availability to park reservations and blockout dates.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a longstanding tradition that dates back to the early 2000s. It serves as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. military and their families. Each year, Disney World releases a new set of discounted tickets and resort offers, allowing eligible individuals to create unforgettable memories at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”
Ticket Pricing and Options
For the 2024 Disney Armed Forces Salute, eligible service members and their families can purchase discounted theme park tickets in various configurations. The available options include:
- 4-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
- With the Park Hopper Option: $369 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $399 plus tax
- 5-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
- With the Park Hopper Option: $389 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $419 plus tax
6-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
- With the Park Hopper Option: $409 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $439 plus tax
The Park Hopper Option allows guests to visit multiple theme parks in a single day, while the Park Hopper Plus Option adds the ability to visit select water parks, golf courses, and miniature golf courses during their stay.
Ticket Availability and Purchase
The 2024 Disney Military Salute Tickets can be purchased from participating U.S. military base ticket offices or at Walt Disney World Resort theme park ticket windows. It’s important to note that the actual prices charged at individual military base ticket offices may vary slightly from the prices listed above. Eligible service members and their spouses can purchase up to six tickets per person, with one of the six tickets required to be used by the eligible service member or their spouse. Additional restrictions may apply for larger families with more than four children.
Eligibility Requirements
The Disney Armed Forces Salute is available to active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Space Force, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Spouses of eligible service members also qualify if they can present a valid and active U.S. military ID in the absence of the service member.
Park Reservations and Blockout Dates
One of the essential requirements for using the 2024 Disney Military Salute Tickets is making park reservations. Both a theme park reservation and a valid theme park ticket for the same park on the same date are required for each person in the party aged 3 and older. Reservations are limited and subject to availability, so it’s crucial to plan ahead. Additionally, the 2024 Disney Military Salute Tickets are subject to blockout dates when they cannot be used. The blockout dates for 2024 are:
March 24 through April 6, 2024 (covering the Easter period)
November 24 through November 30, 2024 (covering the Thanksgiving period)
*It’s important to note that the Disney Military Salute Tickets expire and cannot be used after December 20, 2024.
Memory Maker Discount
In addition to the discounted theme park tickets, eligible service members and their spouses can also purchase the Memory Maker product, a Disney PhotoPass service, at a special price of $98 through December 20, 2024. This offer allows for unlimited digital downloads of photos taken during the Memory Maker window, providing a convenient way to capture and preserve precious memories from the Disney vacation.
Resort Discounts
The Disney Armed Forces Salute also includes discounted room rates at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. These discounts are available for most nights from January 1, 2024, through December 20, 2024, when booked by December 20, 2024. The discounts can vary between resorts and room types, with some exclusions applying. To book a discounted room, eligible service members can contact Disney directly or work with our friends at MainStreet Travel Agency. It’s important to note that the number of discounted rooms is limited, and availability may vary based on dates and resort preferences.
Additional Information and Tips
- Valid military identification is required for both the purchase and use of the Disney Military Salute Tickets and discounted resort stays. Tickets and options are non-transferable and cannot be resold or distributed. Park admission and offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
- It’s recommended to purchase tickets well in advance, as availability may be limited, especially during peak travel periods.
- Consider working with a Disney-specialist travel agency, such as MainStreet Travel, to ensure you receive the best available discounts and assistance with planning your Disney vacation.
The 2024 Disney World Military Discount Tickets offer a fantastic opportunity for members of the U.S. military and their families to experience the magic of Walt Disney World at a reduced cost. With various ticket options, discounted resort rates, and the Memory Maker product available, this annual promotion provides a well-deserved chance for those who serve our nation to create lasting memories with their loved ones.
By understanding the details of the Disney Armed Forces Salute, including pricing, availability, eligibility requirements, park reservations, and blockout dates, eligible individuals can plan their Disney vacation with confidence and make the most of this special offer. Whether it’s your first time visiting or a cherished tradition, the 2024 Disney World Military Discount Tickets promise an unforgettable adventure filled with wonder, excitement, and Disney magic. Park Reservations are required.
DISNEYLAND MILITARY DISCOUNT
Disney finally announced new Disneyland Military Tickets for 2024. Military members, active or retired, may purchase the following for 2024:
- 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket: $269
- 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Disney Genie+ Service: $359
- 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket: $315
- 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Disney Genie+ Service: $435
Purchase now through December 10, 2024, for usage from January 2, through December 13, 2024. Park reservations are required. Disneyland typically only offers 2 promotional tickets for military and have always maxed out the days at 4. Overall, this is about a 50% savings vs. regular ticket pricing. Below, we’ve posted some of the most common FAQ’s people have with these tickets:
Where can I buy the Disneyland military discount tickets?
The service member or their spouse can purchase the tickets from their local military base by contacting the travel and recreation department. They can also be purchased over the phone from Patrick AFB or Camp Pendleton ITT.
As we mentioned above, they can also be purchased at any ticket counter located just outside the park gates. The service member or their spouse will need to activate the tickets by showing their military ID for the first time they are used. After this, the ID does not need to be shown.
When can I use the Disneyland Military discount?
For 2024 Military members can use their Disneyland discount on rooms and tickets most days through December 13th, 2024. It’s recommended that Military members purchase their tickets through a local base to receive the Salute Ticket Offer and then book their hotel room with a local travel planner to apply the Military discount.
If you’re getting ready to plan a trip to the Disney Parks you may find our planning guides useful as they offer tips and tricks for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort and Shanghai Disneyland. We also have a guide for planning a trip to Aulani Disney Resort & Spa.
How Do I Book A Disney World Military Package?
You can book a hotel and tickets package for the Walt Disney World Resort using your Military discount by contacting a local travel planner. The process is simple and can be booked in less than an hour. Discount on the package includes a Military room rate only. Tickets are not discounted at this time. Military members are suggested to book their theme park tickets through their local base and then have a travel planner book their room. Afterwards they both can be added to the guests MDE account online.
Meet the Afro-Cuban Musician Critters of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney Parks
April 15, 2024
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Disney Adventure World: Disneyland Paris Reimagines Second Park
April 12, 2024
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A Renaissance of Restaurants Coming to Downtown Disney
April 12, 2024
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The 2024 Pixar Fest Foodie Guide
April 11, 2024
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Disney Updates Their DAS Services at Disneyland and Disney World
April 11, 2024
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