Do Kids Get Into Disney World Free?

There’s perhaps no hotter topic of discussion among Walt Disney World fans than the resort’s ticket prices, which have been steadily increasing annually for years now.

Magic Kingdom

These increases have become a major issue for guests planning visits, especially those with families and children. In fact, those planning to visit for the first time often ask the same question: Do kids enter Walt Disney World for free? The answer is, it depends.

When Walt Disney World first opened in 1971, the park’s ticketing structure saw “Adult” admission tickets costing $3.50, “Junior” admission tickets (12-17) costing $2.50 and “Child”admission tickets costing $1. Those under three-years-old paid no admission fee, From there, guests would need to purchase ticket books for rides and attractions. There were 7-attraction ticket books that cost $4.75 for adults, $4.25 for juniors, and $3.75 for children, or 11-attraction ticket books that were prices at $5.75 for adults, $5.25 for juniors, and $4.75 for children.

Guests also had the option to purchase the “Vacation Kingdom” package that included “accommodations for three nights at either of the two WDW Resort hotels, four days of unlimited use of the WDW transportation system, four admissions to the Magic Kingdom, 28 Theme Park Adventure ticket coupons good for any of the attractions, and $30 worth of recreation coupons” for $90 for adults, $36 for juniors, and $35.50 for children. The more limited “Family Fun Vacation” package offered three day/two night hotel accommodations, 21 attraction tickets and $18 worth of recreation coupons for the lower rates of $61.50 for adults, $25.00 for juniors, and $23.50 for children.

Crowds

While today’s prices aren’t even in the same universe as those opening day costs — even when inflation is taken into account — some of the basics of Disney’s attendance policy have not changed. Specifically, as explained on the company’s PlanDisney website:

“Children under the age of three are Guests of Mickey Mouse and do not require a ticket or theme park reservation.”

However, for those above the age of three, things have changed considerably. The separate Junior and Child categories have long since been eliminated, with there now being a Child price for those from the ages of 3-9 at the time of their visit, and all of those at the age of 10 or above at the time of their visit counting as an “Adult” and requiring an adult admission ticket to enter the parks.

EPCOT Monorail

So, to put everything into clear perspective for those looking to visit Walt Disney World as of the Fall of 2023:

Those aged 10 and older at the time of their visit will require a full price adult admission.
Those ages 3-9 at the time of their visit will require a children’s price admission ticket.
Those under the age of 3 do not require an admission ticket.

Have we answered every question you could have about whether children can enter Walt Disney World for free? Let us know in the comments below.