What’s the Cheapest Way to Visit the Disney Waterparks?

by Roger
(Donnelsville, Ohio)

Would it be cheaper to get tickets without the water park option and just buy our water park tickets at the gate so long as we only plan on going to a water park no more than once?

See Blizzard Beach

The ski lift and ski jump at Blizzard Beach

Photo by Scott Smith

Dad’s Admit One Answer

Roger,

Disney does a really great job of making it appealing to spend more time on property by offering add-ons to the Magic Your Way base tickets, which seem like (and can be) great discounts. If you only plan to spend one day at a Waterpark, you may be better off buying your tickets at the gate – depending on which type of tickets you’ve bought for the theme parks, and what other activities you plan to participate in during your trip!

You know those add-ons Dad was talking about? Well, there are two types: Park Hopper (which lets you visit multiple theme parks per day) and Waterpark Fun & More (which can get you in to Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach), DisneyQuest, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Fantasia Gardens mini golf, or Winter Summerland mini golf.

Each of those options cost $57 ($60.71 with tax) per person to add to Magic Your Way base tickets. In the old days (up until last year!), it made sense to buy Waterpark Fun & More only if you planned to visit the water parks twice.

Dads's Tickets page

Now Disney is offering a combo: if you buy both add-ons you get a special price of only $79 ($84.14 with tax). That means it only costs $22 more dollars to get into a waterpark if you’re buying Park Hopper anyway!

So, if you’re planning to visit one theme park per day, you should buy your waterpark tickets at the gate. If you’re going for the gusto and purchasing Park Hopper, go ahead and get the waterpark add-on – in the combo, it’s less than half the price of a single admission.

In fact, with single admission to the waterparks ringing in at $55.38, it might be worth it to get the add-on regardless if you think you might enjoy a round of mini golf or an afternoon of video games!

Dad's Simple Fun Magic Guide to Walt Disney World Planning

Dad's Bottom Line

Roger, if your PLAN calls for visiting one theme park per day plus one Waterpark on one day, and you don’t think you’ll take advantage of the other activities offered on the Waterpark Fun & More add-on, buy your tickets at the gate. If you’re planning to Park Hop, you’ll save by getting the waterpark add on too! Either way, don’t forget to wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and have fun!