A Look at Disney World's Ticket Price History Will Make You Miss the Good Old Days

As Disney park admission costs continue to rise nearly every year, it's hard to imagine a time when tickets were reasonably affordable. There's even been speculation that the increase could be an attempt to curb overcrowding issues.

Since opening its gates in 1971, Walt Disney World tickets have gone from $3.50 — crazy, right? — to now $99 (value price) to $119 (peak price). Take a look at how costs have changed over the years, according to data from AllEars.net.

Between 1971 and 1981

Single-day tickets: $3.50 to $13.25

Between 1982 and 1986

Single-day tickets: $13.25 to $26
Annual passes: $100 to $155

Between 1987 and 1996

Single-day tickets: $28 to $39.75
Annual passes: $165 to $288

Between 1998 and 2005

Single-day tickets: $42 to $59.75
Annual passes: $288 to $395

Between 2006 and 2011

Single-day tickets: $63 to $85
Annual passes: $415 to $519

• 2012: $89 / $574
• 2013: $90 to $95 / $609
• 2014: $94 to $99 / $634
• 2015: $97 to $105 / $659
• 2016: $105 to $124 / $749
• 2017: $107 to $124 / $779
• 2018: $99 to $119 / $779

The largest spike in single-day costs occurred in 2016 with a $19 increase in its peak prices, while 2012 was the year of the highest increase in annual pass prices. Annual passes did also go up by $90 in 2015, but that was when the Annual Pass became the Platinum Pass and the Premium Annual Pass became the Platinum Plus Pass. To see the full breakdown by year, check out the comprehensive chart on AllEars.net.

It actually looks like single-day ticket prices have slightly lowered this year in comparison to 2016 and 2017 costs! Though Disney World tickets will probably never be as reasonable as they once were, there are definitely ways to visit on a budget.