Are Disney Tickets Refundable – Disneyland & Disney World Policies EXPLAINED
A magical planned vacation can quickly turn to disaster when someone breaks their leg or a hurricane makes its way through Florida forcing you to look at what options you have for canceling your trip. While no one wants to have to get their Disney theme park tickets refunded, sometimes it feels like a necessity due to unforeseen circumstances. So this leads to the big question: are Disney tickets refundable?
Let's break down the full Disney refund policy and answer the question: can you get a refund on Disney tickets?
Official Disney Refund Policy: Disney Ticket Refunds
Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have their own Disney refund policy to help you determine if you can get a refund on Disney tickets. Let's break down both policies for Disney ticket refunds.
Walt Disney World Refund Policy
Walt Disney has some stipulations when it comes to getting Disney ticket refunds or exchanging dates for tickets. There are no direct Disney ticket refunds given except for very special cases (we will talk about later). This is the language on the website for Disney Ticket Refunds:
“Tickets do not have to be used on consecutive dates. Tickets are nonrefundable. After the expiration date, the price paid for a wholly unused ticket can be applied to the purchase of a new ticket with an equal or higher price.”
Disney expands on this Disney refund policy more below:
“An additional cost applies to change your dates to dates with higher ticket prices. In addition, when you modify your ticket to add an option, you will need to pay the price of the option plus any changes to the price of the ticket since your original purchase. No refund or credit is given for changes from dates with higher prices to dates with lower prices. Tickets are nonrefundable, non transferable and must be used by the same person on all days.”
So while you cannot get a direct cash refund for your Disney tickets, they still retain their value.
Disneyland Refund Policy
Disneyland’s website has almost identical language to Walt Disney World for Disney refund tickets, stating,
“Unless otherwise specifically stated, the amount paid for any wholly unused, expired Disneyland Resort theme park ticket, except for special event tickets, may be applied towards the purchase of a new theme park ticket at the current price so long as the new ticket purchase price is equal to or greater than the amount paid for the original ticket.”
Are Disney Tickets Refundable?
Disney’s language implies that once your tickets are booked, there is no way for you to get your money back or give your tickets to someone else. It does state, however, that as long as your theme park ticket has not expired, you can apply the ticket to a future vacation.
Let’s break down this Disney refund policy even further.
What Does a Non-Transferable Ticket Mean?
Non-transferable in a basic sense means that you can’t re-assign the Disney ticket to another person. While this would imply that once the ticket is assigned to you, only you can use it. However, Disney states on the FAQ page that “If you have not yet used a ticket, you may transfer it to another person. You may also buy a new theme park ticket online or at the theme park Main Entrance.”
This is not available to anyone who has used a ticket as part of a multi-day purchase. Disney states, “Once a person uses a Disney Theme Park Ticket, all subsequent admissions are specific to that person and cannot be transferred to anyone else.”
This means that if you purchase a 3-day Disney ticket and use the first day, the other two park tickets are unable to be transferred to another person. But, if you have a 3-day park ticket that you have not scanned into the park for at all, these tickets can be transferred.
How Do I Know If My Disney Ticket Is Expired?
Now that Disney has gone to a date-based ticket system, your tickets are only good within the date range that was selected upon checking out. To make sure your tickets are not expired, and risk losing your money, you would need to reschedule your ticket days instead of asking for a refund. This is the best option if you still plan to go on the Disney vacation but you can’t go on your original dates.
What Happens if My Disney Ticket Expires?
If your theme park ticket expires, don’t fret. Disney allows guests to apply the price paid for a “wholly unused ticket” to the purchase of a new theme park ticket. The new ticket must have an equal or higher price than the original booking.
How to Get Refundable Disney Tickets
The best place to purchase refundable Disney tickets is through our trusted travel partner Get Away Today.
Get Away Today offers the Peace of Mind Plan that allows guests to make any changes up to 72 hours before the check-in date on most of their Southern California and Orlando vacation packages. The Peace of Mind Plan is an additional $99 added to your discounted travel package.
Schedules change, events come up, and things happen that create a need to change travel plans. Change fees can add up quickly. Get Away Today allows you to make hotel changes, reschedule dates, drop nights, change ticket vouchers, and more all for one small fee. With the Peace of Mind Plan, you can change your reservation as many times as necessary!
Get Away Today Discount Disney Tickets
Get Away Today offers discount tickets for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Disneyland Tickets
Through the Get Away Today website, you can book discounted tickets starting at a 2-day Ticket up to a 5-day ticket for Disneyland. You are able to book 1-park per day tickets, park hopper tickets, 1-park per day with genie+, and park hopper with genie+ tickets directly from the website. Guests can book tickets and use them within the 13-day admission window.
The refund policy for Get Away Today tickets states,
“If you need to make any changes or cancellations to your Disneyland® Resort tickets, please contact us at 855-GET-AWAY at least 72 hours prior to your vacation. Once a ticket has been scanned at a Disneyland® Resort ticket turnstile, Get Away Today cannot make any changes or cancellations to your ticket or any additional tickets in your package.”
This means that as long as you need to make the changes to your vacation at least three days ahead of time, Get Away Today can help to accommodate those changes.
Get your discount Disneyland tickets and save through our EXCLUSIVE link for our readers!>
Walt Disney World Discount Tickets
At Get Away Today, guests can purchase multi-day theme park tickets at a discount. Guests can book as little as 2-day park tickets through 10-day park tickets. When purchasing multi-date tickets, they must be used within a certain window at Walt Disney World.
- 2-Day tickets must be used within 4 days of the selected start date.
- 3-Day tickets must be used within 5 days of the selected start date.
- 4-Day tickets must be used within 7 days of the selected start date.
- 5-Day tickets must be used within 8 days of the selected start date.
- 6-Day tickets must be used within 9 days of the selected start date.
- 7-Day tickets must be used within 10 days of the selected start date.
- 8-Day tickets must be used within 12 days of the selected start date.
- 9-Day tickets must be used within 13 days of the selected start date.
- 10-Day tickets must be used within 14 days of the selected start date.
Base Ticket: 1 of the four Disney theme parks per day
Park Hopper Ticket: Scan into another park after 2 pm
Park Hopper Plus Ticket: Your ticket includes admission to the four major theme parks each day of your ticket plus your choice of 2-10 (depending on days booked) additional visits to use at your choice of Disney Water Park, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – FootGolf, ESPN Zone Wide World of Sports, or mini golf.
Water Park and Sports Ticket: admission to one of the four theme parks plus your choice of 3-10 (depending on days booked) additional visits to use at your choice of Disney Water Park, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – FootGolf, ESPN Zone Wide World of Sports, or mini golf
Get a free vacation quote for Walt Disney World to start pricing your vacation.>
How Can I Reschedule My Disney Tickets?
If you want to reschedule your trip instead of refunding the trip, you would need to modify your date range to keep the tickets from expiring.
You are able to change your ticket dates through the My Disney Experience App or a Web Browser.
My Disney Experience App Directions
- Log-On to the My Disney Experience mobile app.
- Click on the icon that looks like three stacked lines in the bottom right corner of the home page. This will take you to the Welcome page with your name at the top.
- Select “Tickets and Passes – you'll be able to see any active tickets linked to your account.
- Select the ticket you'd like to modify, and select “Change Ticket”.
- Before proceeding, make sure to check Theme Park Reservation Availability to make sure there is theme park availability when you would like to visit. (Not needed after January 9, 2024 with date-based tickets)
- Select “Valid Ticket Dates” to change the dates you'd like to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks and choose the first day of use for your ticket.
Web Browser Directions
- Log in to your My Disney Experience Account
- Go to your “My Plans” page and scroll down to the “My Plans, Reservations and Tickets” section.
- Click on “Tickets & Memory Maker.” You should see your ticket listed.
- If you click on your ticket, it should present the option to change its dates.
- Follow the directions on the screen to select new dates for your tickets.
When you change your ticket, there may be a price increase from the original amount you purchased your ticket for. The calendar will show the total cost (before tax) to change the valid ticket dates for all tickets being modified. Disney states, “No refund or credit is given for changes from dates with higher prices to dates with lower prices.” If you find a lower-priced start date, you will be unable to modify and get a refund from Disney for the price difference.
If you are unsure as to what date you want to reschedule your trip, the easiest way to modify the tickets is to pick the farthest date possible. This will give you a wide window to select and plan your new vacation without having to modify the tickets too many times. Once your new dates are set, modify your tickets one last time, and your vacation will be good to go!
Disney’s Hurricane Policy for Refunds
Most of the time, you aren’t going to have to worry about hurricanes in California… except of course this year in 2023, it is always a possibility in Walt Disney World, Florida during the Hurricane months (June – November). Disney’s policy on refunds changes when there is a Hurricane involved because they know it is a very real possibility every year in Florida.
Disney’s Hurricane Policy States:
“If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Package and most room-only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.
If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, or travel insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.”
With this language set by Disney, guests are able to call and get refunded on packages (room and stay) and most room-only reservations. This policy does not apply to specialty ticketed events unless the event is canceled by Disney.
In 2022, my family was scheduled to take a trip to Walt Disney World at the end of September through the beginning of October. However, a Hurricane came through Florida, and we were unable to travel. We were refunded our room and park tickets. Unfortunately, the tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary are non-refundable unless the party is canceled. Since the Hurricane had cleared out on the night we were scheduled to attend we were unable to get a refund. However, after talking to Disney Customer Service, we were able to get a credit for the tickets on our account to apply to future specialty ticketed events, like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
You can read more about hurricanes at Walt Disney World in our guide and the Disney refund policy for weather events.
Common Ticket Refund Request Questions
Can I get a refund if my flight was canceled?
Disney very rarely offers any refunds, especially if flights are canceled because there are other methods of transportation to arrive at the parks. However, if your flight has been canceled for multiple days due to airport closures and weather, it is not a bad idea to reach out to Disney and fully explain the situation. The other option is to reschedule the trip for a later date when you can arrive.
Does Disney give a refund for bad weather at the parks?
Disney’s refund policy has the disclaimer that, “Parks, attractions and other offerings subject to availability, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability.”
This means that in the event the parks or attractions have to close unexpectedly, Disney is not liable for this change and does not have to issue a refund to guests.
The only weather event that would cause Disney to refund guests is if there is a major Hurricane that could potentially close the parks. This can be found under Disney’s Hurricane policy.
While Disneyland typically has great weather year round, Disney World has unpredictable weather at best, so Disney does not typically offer refunds for weather unless the park closes.
Will Disney provide refunds if attractions are closed?
While not being able to ride all of the rides at the theme park you are visiting is a disappointment, Disney does not offer refunds for your park day. Disney states in the ticket policy, “Parks, attractions, services, experiences, products, and other offerings are subject to modifications, availability, capacity, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.”
For rides that will be closed over multiple days, Disney usually puts out a closure schedule ahead of time for when the ride might go down for refurbishment.
For unexpected ride closures during the day, Disney will sometimes offer a Lightning Lane pass for any attraction if you purchased an Individual Lightning Lane, but they do not offer refunds.
Can I get a refund if I purchased it for the wrong day?
Disney will not refund your tickets if you purchased them for the wrong day. However, with Disney’s date-based ticket system, you can easily go into your My Disney Experience App and change the date you wish to visit.
Can I get a refund if I am sick?
While Disney did provide refunds to guests during the COVID closures and during vacations right after reopening for sickness, Disney no longer offers this. Instead, the best-case situation is to reschedule the trip and change the dates of your tickets.
Other Reasons
Death in the family, loss of job, personal emergencies, and such happen. Most of the time, Disney is going to stick to their policy of no refunds on tickets and have you reschedule your trip. However, there are times when speaking to a Cast Member and explaining the situation may allow Disney to approve a refund.
If you can reschedule your trip, always try that first. If this is not possible, make sure to call guest services and fully explain the situation. A Cast Member may be able to make magic happen and refund your ticket pricing. Just know there are no guarantees to this method.
Plan Your Disney Vacation Today!
Whether you want to visit Walt Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California, there is no reason not to go ahead and book your dream vacation with the flexibility both Disney and Get Away Today offer with ticket changes if something arises.
Whether you are ready to book now or want to think about starting to plan, make sure you are subscribed to our FREE newsletter to get the latest information about discounts, deals, planning information, and tips for your next Disney trip. Also, make sure to check out these other informative articles that may convince you to book that trip today.
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- Should You Wait to Book Disneyland Tickets During the Spring or Black Friday Sales?
- Disneyland Ticket Prices 2023 & 2024 – Updated With Increased Prices
- Disney World Will End Requirement For Theme Park Reservations for Most Tickets
- Can I Buy Disneyland Tickets At The Gate? 2023 Updated Info
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