Can You Really Buy Disney Tickets at Costco? (And Other Ways to Save)
Trying to save money on your next Disney trip? Here's how Costco, Sam's Club, and other hacks might help you score cheaper tickets.
Can You Buy Disney Tickets at Costco?
Yes, but not in the way you might expect. Costco no longer consistently sells stand-alone Disney park tickets in all locations, especially not single-day tickets. However, Costco Travel does offer vacation packages that bundle multi-day park tickets with hotel stays (including Good Neighbor Hotels near Disneyland and select resorts near Disney World). These bundles often provide some savings compared to buying tickets and lodging separately.
But here's the catch: You usually need to be a Costco member to access these deals, and most options are available online through CostcoTravel.com, not in stores.
Bottom Line: You can't just walk into Costco and grab Disney tickets off the shelf anymore, but you can book a vacation package with tickets included.
What About Sam's Club?
Sam's Club does offer discounted Disney tickets, but there's a twist: You’ll find the best deals through the Sam’s Club Travel and Entertainment platform, which is available to members. Discounts can range from $5 to $40 off per ticket, depending on the number of days and time of year. It’s not always a huge savings, but every bit counts.
Sam's Club also occasionally bundles Disney tickets into vacation packages, similar to Costco.
Cheapest Months to Visit Disney Parks
Timing is everything. According to historical trends and pricing data, the cheapest months to visit Disney parks are typically:
Late January to early February
Late August through early October (excluding Labor Day weekend)
First two weeks of December
These months avoid peak pricing seasons like summer, spring break, and the holidays.
Is It Cheaper to Buy Tickets Early?
Yes, usually. Disney uses date-based pricing, which means the cost of a ticket is based on expected demand. Prices tend to increase as the date gets closer—especially during busy times. Buying your tickets weeks or months in advance helps lock in lower prices.
Also, Disney ticket prices go up periodically (sometimes without much warning), so purchasing early can shield you from price hikes.
Do You Need a Reservation?
At Walt Disney World, park reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets as of early 2025. However, Annual Passholders and certain ticket types may still require reservations, especially for Magic Kingdom on weekends and holidays.
At Disneyland, park reservations are still required for all guests, even if you already have a ticket.
How Much Are Disney Tickets?
Ticket prices vary based on location, date, and length. Here's a rough breakdown for 2025:
Walt Disney World (Orlando):
1-Day, 1-Park ticket: ~$119 to $189 (depending on date)
Multi-day tickets (e.g., 3 or 5-day): Can bring per-day price down to ~$80-$110
Park Hopper option: +$65-$85 extra per ticket
Lightning Lane (Genie+): $20-$35 per person, per day (varies by park and season)
Disneyland (Anaheim):
1-Day, 1-Park ticket: ~$114 to $179 (depending on tier)
Park Hopper add-on: +$65 per ticket
Genie+ (Lightning Lane): $25–$30 per day
Is Lightning Lane Worth It?
Depends on the season and the park. If you’re visiting during peak times or have a tight schedule, Lightning Lane (Genie+) can help you skip long lines and get more done. However, it’s an additional daily cost, and not all rides are included.
For Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, it can be worth it. For Epcot or Animal Kingdom, maybe not.
Why Are Disney Tickets So Expensive?
Multiple reasons:
Dynamic pricing based on demand
Rising operational costs
Park improvements and expansions
Inclusion of tech features like Genie+, mobile ordering, etc.
It’s Disney—demand stays high regardless of pricing
How to Save on Disney Tickets (Even Without Costco or Sam's Club)
Here are some lesser-known and alternative ways to save:
1. Authorized Discount Ticket Sellers
Undercover Tourist
Get Away Today
Tripster
Official AAA Travel agents (AAA members often get slight discounts)
Make sure you’re buying from a Disney-authorized reseller to avoid scams.
2. Military Discounts
Active and retired U.S. military personnel can get deeply discounted tickets through military bases or Disney’s Shades of Green resort.
3. Florida or California Resident Discounts
Periodically offered, usually with proof of residency
4. Buy Multi-Day Tickets
The longer your trip, the lower the cost per day
5. Avoid Park Hopper Option
Stick to one park per day to save $65+ per ticket
6. Travel During Off-Peak Dates
Lower ticket and hotel prices, shorter lines
7. Look for Disney Gift Card Discounts
Retailers like Target (with a RedCard), BJ’s, or Sam’s Club often sell Disney gift cards for 5%–8% off—which you can use to buy tickets
8. Use a Rewards Credit Card
Some travel or cashback cards offer points or rebates for theme park purchases
Final Thoughts
Buying Disney tickets at Costco isn’t as simple as grabbing them from the shelf, but it can still be a smart move if you’re bundling a full vacation. Whether you’re shopping Sam’s Club, timing your trip wisely, or using gift cards to cut costs, there are plenty of ways to shave dollars off your Disney adventure.
Do your research, buy early, and double-check that you’re getting tickets from a trusted source.
Sources:
Costco Travel, costcotravel.com
Sam's Club Travel & Entertainment
Undercover Tourist, AAA, Get Away Today
Disney Parks official ticketing pages (Disneyland.com, DisneyWorld.com)
Disney Parks Blog updates (2023–2025)
News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.