Which Disney Special Events Do NOT Require an Additional Theme Park Ticket?

Disney World is fun year round but many plan their trips around the amazing special events at the parks. With different firework shows, themed character meet and greets, special food and more, these may be something you want to consider. Some events require a pricey additional ticket while others are included with regular park admission. So which Disney special events do not require an additional theme park ticket? Below you’ll find a list of Disney events included with tickets to the park and what you can expect from each.

A Guide to Complimentary Special Events at Disney

What Counts as a Free Event vs Paid Event

Buying a ticket to a Disney Park usually gives you access to the park from open to close. Sometimes, there are special events that require a separate purchase.

For example, Magic Kingdom may open at 8:30 a.m. for resort guests, then 9:00 a.m. for everyone else with tickets. For Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the park will technically close at 6:00 p.m. with the event starting at 7:00 p.m. That means you would need to be a resort guest with a day ticket and special event ticket in order to stay all day, opening and closing the park.

Other special events at Disney are more like park overlays with decorations, special food and beverage offerings and entertainment available to everyone in the park all day. An example of this is any of the seasonal Epcot festivals.

Benefits of Attending Events Included with Regular Tickets

At Disney events included with regular tickets, you can expect the park to be running in full. This means all rides, shops, restaurants and entertainment available are expected to be operational. Plus, there are extras!

With ticketed events, sometimes the park doesn’t have all of the shops, rides or shows running, instead focusing on special offerings.

If you’re interested in Disney events included with ticket, also see: Discount Disney tickets

Popular Disney Events Included with Ticket

Epcot International Festival of the Arts – Epcot

Art takes center stage during this festival with pieces to buy, demonstrations to participate in, food booths and a broadway concert series. It’s the most colorful of the Disney park events that need no extra ticket.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival – Epcot

You can expect world class displays of plants, landscaping and Disney character topiaries, a special concert series and outdoor food booths with fresh, seasonal fare.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival – Epcot

This is a long standing Disney event with the most outdoor food booths of them all. Food and Wine offers rich flavors in each country and all around the park. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series hosts favorite musical acts from over the decades. This is one of the most popular things to do at Disney without extra tickets.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – Epcot

The entertainment and decorations are the standout of Epcot’s holiday festival that’s included with admission. There are also food booths and special treats to purchase. The following Disney seasonal shows included are top notch: Candlelight Processional, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season and the Epcot Storytellers around World Showcase.

New Year’s Eve celebrations with special fireworks and DJ dance parties – Magic Kingdom

On both December 30 and 31, guests of Magic Kingdom can ring in each new year with special fireworks and DJ dance parties. The castle stage usually turns the surrounding area into a lively party atmosphere.

New Year’s Eve celebrations with special fireworks and parties around World Showcase – Epcot

Every year on December 31, guests enjoy DJ dance parties in the countries with a countdown for each respective region’s entry into the new year. You might see regular fireworks earlier in the evening and a special fireworks show, like Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration, begin a few minutes before midnight.

How to Maximize Your Experience Without Extra Tickets

Even if you aren’t attending Magic Kingdom special ticketed events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can enjoy the following during a day time visit:

• Seasonal decorations on Main Street U.S.A. stay up for the whole season. (It’s possible to enjoy a trip that starts with Halloween decor and ends with Christmas decor! Disney decorates for the holidays early.)
• Not all event treats are for sale but some seasonal food and drink items will still be available to purchase throughout the park.
• You may be able to watch special event fireworks from neighboring resorts or restaurants like the dock at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa or the California Grill restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

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