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The Cost of Visiting Theme Parks in Florida and California

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The cost of visiting theme parks continues to rise, but park-to-park admission and other packages allow families to save. These are the current rates for tickets and parking at popular parks in Florida and California.

Little ones goofing around at Disney World.

Disney World

Magic Kingdom
Low-Demand Day: $109 for Adults; $103 for Kids
High-Demand Day: $119 for Adults; $114 for Kids
Peak-Demand Day: $129 for Adults; $123 for Kids

Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Low-Demand Day:
High-Demand Day:
Peak-Demand Day:

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
One-day admission costs about $70.

Park Hopper Options
Prices begin to get more confusing as you add dates and park hopper options. Additional days are specifically for one park, and in order to explore different parks, you’ll have to add park hopper prices. Prices for multi-day passes are the same, regardless of park: two-day tickets are $192 for ages 10 and older, and $179 for ages 3 to 9; three-day tickets are $275 and $256; four-day tickets are $305 and $285; and five-day tickets are $315 and $295. The more you visit, the less you pay, with five-day ticket prices dropping to $63 for adults per day.

To hop parks, add $64 for the park-hopper pass. To visit the Disney water parks along with one park, add $64. To visit multiple parks, including the water parks, add $90.

Cost of Parking
If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel, you can benefit from the complimentary shuttles that operate during park hours, as well as free parking with a valid Key to the World Card or Resort Parking Permit. If you elect to park a car, you’ll pay one fee of $22 for all theme parks per day. Parking at the water parks and Disney Springs is free.

Disneyland

Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure
Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure one-day tickets are $99, before taxes. Children ages 3 to 9 are $93. Children under 3 are free.

In California, two-day tickets are $185 for ages 10 and older, and $172 for ages 3 to 9. Three-day tickets will be $235 and $224; four-day tickets are $260 and $245; and five-day tickets will be $275 and $259. You’ll save more when you purchase more days, with five-day ticket prices dropping to $55 per day. In order to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure, it will cost an additional $40, regardless of age or number of days.

Cost of Parking
Parking at Disneyland and California Adventure will cost you $20 per day.

LEGO World of Chima.

LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND Florida
In Florida, one-day passes for just LEGOLAND are $89 for ages 13 and older, and $82 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors 65 and older. If you’d like to visit the park and the water park, tickets are $104 and $97, respectively. Two-day passes to LEGOLAND are $104 and $97, respectively, or $119 and $112 when you add the water park. Children under 3 are free.

Cost of Parking
Parking will cost $17 per day, with preferred parking (closer parking) at $27 per day.

LEGOLAND California
In California, one-day passes for LEGOLAND are $89 for ages 13 and older, and $83 for children ages 3 to 12. Adding the Water Park or SEA LIFE attractions changes the prices to $92 and $86, respectively. To see all three attractions will cost $113 or $107, respectively.

Cost of Parking
Parking will cost $20 per day, with preferred parking (closer parking) $30 per day.

Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl.

UNIVERSAL

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort comprises Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. You’ll want to visit both, especially if you want to see both areas of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; you’ll also need park-to-park admission if you want to ride Hogwarts Express, since it travels to both parks.

You may purchase unlimited Express Passes that allow you to jump to the front of the line on participating rides and attractions throughout the day. For one-park, the pass starts at $50; for two parks, it begins at $60. The parks offer VIP Experiences, which allows guests to have front-of-the-line priority, behind the scene tours, complimentary valet parking, breakfast daily, reserved seating at shows and exclusive viewing areas for evening shows and parades. Prices start at $329 for a one-day, one-day, non-peak ticket.

Cost of Parking

It will cost $17 to park at Universal, with preferred parking available for $25. Valet parking is available at a premium.

Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood offers just one park with one price for kids and adults, making it less confusing in terms of ticket prices. One-day tickets will run you $95 per person. Children under 3 are free. Two-day tickets change with age, costing $119 for ages 10 and older and $111 for children ages 3 to 9.

The park offers Front of the Line tickets that allows for just one-time priority access to each ride, show and attraction during your visit. These tickets are $189. VIP Experience tickets are also available, here offering escorted priority access to all rides and attractions and behind-the-scenes visits to closed sets on the studio’s back lot. These tickets are available to only ages 5 and older and start at $329, depending on date.

Cost of Parking
Parking is $17, but goes up to $25 for preferred parking and $40 for parking spots closest to the gates.

Cheapest Price: $95 per adult for one day, one park
Most Expensive Price: $329 for one-day, VIP access

SEAWORLD
Orlando
One-day passes to SeaWorld are $95 for ages 10 and up, and $90 for children ages 3 to 9. Children 2 and younger are free. You can add additional parks for one price. To visit SeaWorld and its Aquatica water park, tickets are $109; to see SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa, tickets are $119; to see all three parks, tickets are $129. Ticket prices are lower when you visit Monday through Friday. Quick Queue Unlimited tickets allow you to skip the lines on participating rides, and they start at $19, plus tax.

Cost of Parking
Parking is $17 for regular parking, and $22 for preferred

San Diego
One-day passes to SeaWorld and its Aquatica park are $89 for ages 10 and up, and $83 for children ages 3 to 9. Children 2 and younger are free. The park offers combination tickets to visit the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park for $157 for adults, and $128 for children. You can also purchase a combination ticket for SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios for $164 and $152, respectively.

Cost of Parking
Parking is $16 for regular parking, and $21 for preferred

Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa.BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA
As listed above, there are a number of combination tickets for those visiting Orlando to head west to Tampa’s Busch Gardens location. If you’re just planning to visit Busch Gardens, a single-day ticket will cost $97 for ages 3 and older. Children 2 and younger are free. Weekday ticket prices are lower, and if you live in the area, you can save money by becoming a Pass Member.

Cost of Parking
Parking at Busch Gardens is $17, but you can opt for preferred at $22.

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM
Located in Buena Vista, California, Knott’s Berry Farm is just minutes from Disneyland. Single-day tickets are $67 for ages 12 through 61, and $37 for kids ages 3 to 11 and seniors. Children under 3 are free. Fast Pass wristbands allow guests to skip the lines at 12 of the park’s biggest rides. These start at an additional $55.

Cost of Parking
To park at Knott’s will cost $17.

CITY DISCOUNTS
Orlando FlexTickets provide unlimited admission to five theme parks for 14 days. It includes Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Orlando, Wet ‘n Wild, SeaWorld and SeaWorld’s Aquatica. Adults are $336 and children are $316. You can add Tampa’s Busch Gardens to the package for an additional $20.

Southern California CityPass provides a discounted ticket for SeaWorld, Disneyland Resort and LEGOLAND California. Visitors receive a three-day park hopper pass at Disney, a day at SeaWorld and a day at LEGOLAND, and have 14 days to visit all of the parks. Prices are $329 for adults and $286 for children.

More From Family Vacation Critic:
5 Theme Park Savings Tips for Families
7 Insider Tips for Universal Orlando



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