Daily admission to Walt Disney World theme parks is the most expensive it’s ever been, with ticket prices reaching over $200 on some days of the year. We’re always on the lookout for ticket deals and discounts for Mickey Visit readers, and Disney just launched a new offer.
A discount ticket for Disney World theme parks is now available for select dates in 2026, but it can only be used during certain parts of the day. Keep reading to learn the eligible dates, pricing, and limits of this new ticket. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new food at a Disney World table-service restaurant and Disney cracking down on Disney Vacation Club point-renting.
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Disney World Releases Discount Afternoon and Evening Ticket
Summer is a popular season to visit Walt Disney World, but the brutal Orlando temperatures and humidity can take their toll. It’s understandable if guests would rather not spend an entire day outside, exerting energy in these weather conditions.
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A new ticket caters to the Disney World visitor who would prefer to save money by spending only part of the day in the theme parks.
No fooling, on April 1, 2026, Walt Disney World launched sales for the new After 2 PM Ticket. This special ticket grants admission to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom after 2 PM.
The After 2 PM Ticket comes with 2-day or 3-day options. The 2-day version starts at $117.50 per day, or $234.99 total. The 3-day version starts at $116 per day, or $348 total. The price increases depending on the date.
The ticket is eligible for May 26 – July 29, 2026. Guests with the 2-day ticket must use all of their days within 4 days of their start date. Guests with the 3-day ticket must use all of their days within 5 days of their start date.
The most expensive start date listed is June 30, 2026, when the 2-day ticket costs $156 per day, and the 3-day ticket costs $155 per day.
Guests with the After 2 PM Ticket do not need to make theme park reservations after purchasing their ticket. They can simply show up at any park of their choice.
Compared to non-discounted daily admission to Disney World theme parks, the After 2 PM Ticket is significantly cheaper. During the eligible dates, regular 2-day Disney World tickets range from $157–$179 per day, while 3-day tickets range from $155–$175 per day.
While a ticket only valid after a certain time is abnormal for Disney, it’s not completely unprecedented. In 2019, Disney offered a limited-time deal for admission after 12 PM. For years, Disney offered an annual pass option for Florida residents that was only valid at EPCOT after 4 PM. Neither of these ticket types is currently offered.
Now, let’s get into why someone may or may not want to purchase the After 2 PM Ticket.
Pros and Cons of Only Visiting the Park After 2 PM
The savings speak for themselves with the After 2 PM Ticket. For example, a family of 4 would save $316 by purchasing the 2-day After 2 PM Ticket for the least-expensive start date compared to a non-discounted 2-day ticket that starts on the same day.
However, the trade-off means missing out on early morning and “rope drop” in the parks, when crowds and often temperatures are at their lowest. By 2 PM, the parks are bustling with guests, and lines for popular rides are at their longest. The need for Lightning Lane purchases to manage these thick crowds may offset any savings accrued from the cheaper admission ticket.
Then there’s the weather to contend with. While summer evenings in Florida can be temperate and pleasant, the mid-afternoon is notoriously hot, and a thunderstorm is almost guaranteed to occur sometime each day between 3 PM and 6 PM.
The park that this ticket would be the riskiest for is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which almost always closes earlier than the other three theme parks.
While park hours for summer are not yet available, the latest we expect Animal Kingdom to be open is 8 PM, and that’s being generous. Only being able to visit the park after 2 PM might be a challenge for guests who want to see everything in the park.
We think the After 2 PM Ticket is most beneficial for the guest who doesn’t plan on spending a full day in the parks, wants to save some money, can be prepared for some inclement weather, and enjoys staying out late.
If all of the above are true, but your budget is more flexible, you might alternatively be interested in Disney After Hours, a nighttime special event with a limited capacity of guests and low waits for rides.
Disney World Summer Discounts and New Attractions
The kickoff of the After 2 PM Ticket’s eligibility on May 26, 2026, coincides with the launch of Cool KIDS’ Summer, a campaign catered to Disney World guests with young kids. The festivities include the highly anticipated arrival of Bluey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, among other new experiences.
Also opening this summer at Disney World are a new mission with the Mandalorian and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and a new version of Soarin’ that takes riders on a trip across the United States.
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Last month, Disney detailed a long list of exclusive summer offers and new perks for guests visiting in summer 2026. These include free Disney Dining Plans and a special 4-day theme park ticket. See our coverage for all the details on these and more offers.
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