Before you purchase your tickets, you need to figure out what type of ticket you want. Disney offers several options, called "Magic Your Way."
The first option is a base ticket. It allows you to enter one park a day for each day that you buy a ticket for. For example, a two-day base ticket will allow you to visit the Magic Kingdom one day and Epcot Center a different day. You can come and go as much as you'd like on the day listed on your ticket, but you can't visit two parks on the same day. Base tickets are available for 1-10 days, and expire 14 days after the first use.
A popular option that you can add to your base ticket is Park Hopper. It allows you to visit more than one park on any given day. For example, you can spend the day at Disney's Animal Kingdom, then head over to Disney's Hollywood Studios to catch a show at night. If you're planning on visiting the water parks, DisneyQuest, or would like to golf, you might want to include the Water Park Fun & More Option. Finally, there's an option to purchase tickets with no expiration date. This comes in handy for people who are planning to return to Disney World.
Another thing to consider before heading to the parks is where you want to purchase your tickets. You can buy them directly from the Walt Disney World website, or you can order them online from a discount broker. If ordering from someone other than Disney, make sure the company is legitimate.
Another option is to purchase your tickets at Disney World' front gate.
The Orlando area also features booths that advertise free or discounted tickets to Walt Disney World. These are for a timeshare pitch. Take advantage if you'd like, but be warned that the pitches are usually high pressure.
Once you have your ticket in hand, redeeming it is easy. Walk up to the gate, place your ticket on the scanner, and scan your finger as well. This prevents other people from using your ticket. The information is removed from Disney's system after the ticket has expired. If you leave the park and return, just repeat the process.
